THIS WILL BE THE FIRST OF THREE STOPS IN THE PHILIPPINES. AS THE SUGGESTS THERE WAS A SPANISH INFLUENCE. EARLY SPAIN BROUGHT CHRISTIANITY TO THE POPULATION IN CONTRAST TO ISLAM IN MALAYSIA/BORNEO.
WE CHOSE A PLANNED TOUR TO AN UNDERGROUND RIVER IN AN ELABORATE CAVE. THE RIVER STARTS FRESH WATER AND DISCHARGES INTO THE OCEAN. IT’S INHABITED BY THOUSANDS OF BATS HANGING FROM THE CEILING OF THE CAVE. WE WERE LOADED INTO LONGBOATS POWERED BY MOTORCYCLE ENGINES ALL WITHOUT MUFFLERS! TO ENTER THE CAVE WE WERE TRANSFERRED TO GONDOLA STYLE BOATS EQUIPPED WITH OUTRIGGERS. MOST OF THE BATS WERE SLEEPING. HOWEVER WE WERE ADVISED NOT TO LOOK UP AS THEY PRODUCE GUANO WHILE AT REST. UGH! THE FORMATIONS IN THE CAVE WERE AMAZING.
TRAVEL FROM THE DOCK TO THE CAVES WAS A 90 MINUTE ORDEAL IN EACH DIRECTION. THE ROADS WERE WINDING AS WE ASCENDED AND DESCENDED THE ISLAND MOUNTAIN. DRIVERS IN THE PHILIPPINES FIND IT CHALLENGING TO GO FAST. OUR GUY WON THE RACE!
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