Swimming and Snorkelling at Hundred Islands

Happy Birthday Judd - we celebrated your birthday in style!

Saturday, 17th September 2011

Hundred Islands, here we come. People started arriving at the hall about 7:00am. Racks of plates, glasses etc were taken out and washed, final cooking of the food was done and every thing was finalised. The jeepney that we hired for the day turned up just before 9:00am and we alll started loading.

We were all ready in time with the only hiccup being that the lady's toilet block was unexpectedly closed for 30mins. The Espareto family arrived just in time (lucky that we told them to be at the hall by 8:30am) and all of us boarded the jeepney (23 of us plus the driver).

All squeezed in the back of the jeepney

Can't miss anyone out - Eden, Sis Evelyn and Kezia

Mother and daughter

Matt and Noah in the front

Jinky and Sarah

Moving into the centre aisle once it started raining

It was only just raining as we left, but it wasn't long before the rain grew heavier. I was sitting in the front with Noah on my lap and we were rather wet by the time we arrived in Alaminos.

Hundred Islands is the name given to a collection of small islands clustered together near the coast. They were formed from volcanic activity long ago. Now they are covered in trees, plants and some have bays with clean white sand. Being rock, the islands rise straight up out of the water and over time the sea has undercut the rock, so the islands look a little like mushrooms. Coral formations and  lots of sea life thrive around the islands.

After paying parking fees, entrance fees, person fees, toilet fees and fee fees. We finally were allocated two boats. I also hired two sets of snorkeling gear and lifejackets that the children could wear in the water swimming.

We hired two serviced boats

Still not close enough to see people, but gives you the idea

Very graciously we were given a seat at the front of the boat, a great spot to view the scenery and also a great spot to catch all the rain. So by the time that we arrived at the first island (childrens island) Sarah and I were thoroughly wet. We all ate an early lunch under the shelters (pancit, soup and chicken drumsticks – adobo style). Everyone was keen to start swimming, so quickly we got the children ready for the water.

Kids in their "swimming" life jackets

Behind us in the boat

Kezia tried to hide in the last photo

Mum looking forward to her excursion

The other boat

Making our way toward the islands

Very beautiful

Just a little bit of erosion

I was keen to do some snorkelling, and also thought that the shallow water would be a good place for Silas to learn. He enjoys doing his swimming lessons, but doesn't seem to be all that natural in the water. Once he put on the snorkel, mask and fins he turned into a fish. Together we spent the next 45mins exploring the fish and rocks on the bottom. We spotted some angel fish, flounder and lots of others. Silas just seemed so comfortable, and after a while he even tried to dive under the water as well.

The boat took us to Marcos island next. There is a cave (blowhole) where you can jump about three metres into the water. Most of the boys gave it a turn, Silas wanted to but I after jumping myself I wouldn't let him. Instead we went back down to the beach and Silas transformed back into a fish for the next two hours. Non stop he snorkelled around in the water. A little further out from the sandy beach there was lots of coral and sea life. The young people all played in the water and enjoyed themselves. Jodel became the human sandcastle. Bro Joel even went into the water for a while. All the Filipinos had a turn of the snorkel gear. Towards the end of our time at this island I joined Silas along with our boat driver, together the three of us snorkelled over the coral. The boat driver had his knife and was trying to find sea urchins to eat. We did find some, but they were hidden too far into the rocks to dig them out. I was surprised again to find that Silas had no problems snorkelling in water over two meters deep.

Covering Jodel with sand

Eden joined in the fun too

There he is - the human sandcastle

Encouraged by his snorkelling companions, our boat driver took us to the spot where there are giant clams. We tied the boats to a pontoon while the three of us got back into the water. Afterwards Silas said that he was afraid that the clams would jump up and catch him. I was most afraid that when we got into the water by the pontoon it was too deep to see the bottom and for some unknown reason I thought would suddenly sink down to the bottom.

We travelled onto Quezon island. Some of the young people had a quick swim and we all took a short walk across the short jetty that joined two islands together. Everyone was rather tired and the time was after 5:00pm, so we returned to the boats and returned back to the mainland.

Stopping at Quezon Island

Have just seen the giant clams

Our boat - Rowena 1

Shops at the island

The small jetty joining the two islands

Where do these steps lead?

Enjoying wading through the water to the jetty

Can't get Silas out of the water!

Charisse and Eden

Our Hundred Island Companions

“Give me your coins” and “Would you like a souvenir?” were the words which greeted us as we out of the boats. We chose two souvenirs and then the other women said “You buy from me too”. The children who were asking money were ignored – they even tried asking Noah!

On the way home, we stopped to buy some fried chicken for tea. We dropped off the people who wanted to go home along the way, and then came back to the hall with the remaining 15 or so of us to a dinner of fried chicken and rice. After tea, and after all the dishes and bodies were clean, we did the Bible readings together and then said goodbye to everyone who was going back home. Prepared the exhort for tomorrow and went to bed very, very exhausted after a very, very fun day!