Day 55

I have found paradise! We took a flight from Cebu to Siargao this morning. This island hasn't been over-run by tourists and it is probably a lot like it was 50 years ago. Even though the people are obviously very poor here, everything is very clean and beautiful. There aren't piles of trash and litter everywhere like there is in Cebu and on Boracay. I can see why Tom and Karen are attracted to this area. After we arrived in Dapa we took a boat over to an adjacent island to look at a boat that Tom and Karen bought and are having remodeled. A boat is the only way to get to their property and it needs to be one that can haul stuff and can be used in bad weather.

Speaking of bad weather, on the way back across to Siargao, we got caught in a small storm and 6 of us had to huddle under plastic rain tarps to keep from getting drenched. The wind picked up and the sea was a little rough but it always felt safe.

Back in Dapa on Siargao we stopped at the home of the guy who sold T & K the boat. They had the cutest little baby pig that they were bathing. Come to find out, the pig was on our dinner menu. We loaded up and headed for a town called General Luna where we will be staying while we are here. I got to ride in a small truck (that I am certain had neither shocks nor struts) with the luggage but everyone else road motorcycles. Karen had on a white rain cover and looked like an angel with wings sailing along on her motorcycle down the main road. Tom kind of let me know that I was going to have to learn how to ride if I was going to get around this week. Ahhhh!!!

This evening we sat on the beach and watched the daylight slowly come to a close.

We made our way back to our hotel and 8 of us sat down to dinner in the outdoor dining area. It was interesting to see how international it is in the Philippines. Even on this remote island, our dinner table had 2 Americans, 1 Italian, and 5 Filipinos. The table next to us had 3 Australians and on the other side of us were a group from Europe (I couldn't tell from where). The owner is British. The owners of the place next door are German and the place we were at prior to dinner is owned by a couple of very nice Frenchmen.

For dinner, we were served salad. But then, the guest of honor showed up. The pig! He had been left whole as they roasted him and was set in front of me on the table as they carved him up. I am on a strict diet that doesn't include meat so I didn't have to taste the little oinker, thankfully. But I did have to sit and watch everyone else relish in his remains. I mostly averted my eyes but then I noticed that another dish had been served along with some rice. It was dark and looked like it had some small beans or something in it. When I asked Karen what it was, she said it was the blood of the pig with a few things added in.

More salad , please!!!