Coco White
Yesterday's reef spotting exercise was a dud so today we were heading to Coco White Dive Resort. Only issue being it was about 7km away. We started walking, grabbed lunch but the sun was hot. Occasionally, it hit behind a cloud and we cooled a little. There was a cool breeze too which was nice. We passed small houses decorated for Christmas and many smiling faces that greeted us with, "Hello and Good Morning Ma'm or Sir". We passed some interesting cliffs and a sign that pointed to caves. Anda is a beautiful place!
After about an hour and a half we turned right just past Coco White. Awaiting us was a tiny beach covered in local canoes with bamboo outriggers. We made our way over them, under them and dodged around then to find shade behind a large rock.
Snorkelling was good and turtles were there to greet us. An American called down from a shady cliff cabin. It was his birthday and said we were welcome to join the party. We took him up on his kind offer and enjoyed a magnificent buffet. We talked about everything and met his wife and family. A local turned up and started to join in. No one seemed to know him but he wasn't causing any bother. He started talking about English music that he knew - The Beatle, carpenters ... and then started singing. He was quite entertaining and said he would get h his guitar from home. We all though he was joking but sure enough about half an hour later he arrived, guitar in hand. He played and sang in English, Visayas and Tagalog. It wasn't the sweetest voice but he was having a great time! Overall a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon where we met some fun and interesting people.
We snorkelled some more and watched the sun as it was almost at setting point. A long walk home still with our lunch untouched. The journey home was cooler but we still had a million hellos even though it was dark. We ate lunch for dinner and after cleaning up, hit the town. Tonight is live music in Anda. The music was AWESOME. We sat on the beach and listened. However,, a local invited us to join his table. The rest is a memory we will never forgot. We spent another unbelievable evening in great company. Luckily, we only had to stand with the lead singer who was a cousin of our new found friends. The Philippine spirit rocks!