Bantayan Island: Part 3 (Sunday)

Relaxing comforting morning.

I woke up, Skyped my brother for the first time since seeing him Christmas, and we headed to the fish market. I got a fresh huge bag of pineapple for a dollar. We slurped that down. Then we got some fresh Sting Ray and fish they said was good to grill. We were planning to bring it to the Virgin Islands today to grill there after we snorkel, but it turns out today is to windy to take a boat out safely.

So instead, we went over to Van’s for coffee. His house is right on the beach and the top of his house is a huge terrace with a cabana that looks over the ocean complete with an amazing breeze. And God can he make good coffee. Van’s awesome. He is just some retired rich guy who spent his life fishing around the world and even wrote a book about it, “Coco Loco.” Haha. He also has a Filipino wife, Perla, but I found out all the semi-locals do; guess this is the place to get wives or something.

Van told us about not going out on the water today, but he offered for his wife to cook us up our fish and eat lunch with him. Sweet deal! So we give his wife our string ray and mackerel and veggies and she cooks us up this insane feast. Let me tell you. Nothing like it in my life. She grilled the mackerels whole. First time I ever had fish with the heads and bones still in 'em. SO GOOD. Even better?? Sting ray with eggplant, hot peppers, tomatoes, and onions. She makes brown rice and some tomatoe onion relish. And of course iced tea. What an amazing meal. I can’t explain to you the taste of sting ray, but it’s deliciously light and almost steakish. I dunno. Good. The whole time, Van is showing us pictures of his travels, the books he wrote, etc etc. It is a good, relaxing, pleasant time.

(Sting Ray and veggies)

(FEAST!!!)

We head out to go see the Otgong Caves. Supposedly some resort with a cave you can swim in. The cave was not all that impressive, but we get some delicious mango smoothies and had fun walking along the beach, even though it was raining some.

(Otgong Cave)

(local kids playing at the ocean)

(the fishermen's part of the beach)

Home, shower, rent a motorbike sidecart, and head to mass at the old church in Bantayan. The mass was in English but the homily was English and whatever they speak here every other word, so paying attention was one hell of a job. We get back and decide we have to go to Tristan’s for dinner for Tristan. Haha. We got an el Manok pizza. It was a delicious thin crust pissa. They even gave us hot sauce and oregano. But no parmesean cheese. Oh well.

We grabbed some drinks at the Blue Ice Bar. Haven’t been there yet. The owner was a drunk Swedish guy, Andy, who I am sure I could be best friends with. He promised to make me good espresso at 7 tomorrow morning and gave me a cup to try for free for me and him to share complete with real Amaretto on the side.