Change of Plans

We have noticed a problem with some of the work done on the main mast step in Carmen. Looks like some of the epoxy didn't quite work right.

So we are now headed for Subic Bay, Philippines, near Manila because the yard there has better facilities to solve this minor problem. The yard at Kudat Malaysia is not reported to have an easy way to lift the mast off while we repair the epoxy, otherwise the pricing for the haulout and bottom paint job are very nearly the same.

We will go back thru Coron over the next week or so then north to Subic Bay. It is about 200 miles from here and the wind has been really light and variable. During the NE monsoon season, normally it would be against the wind the whole way, but this is just beginning the transition to the SE monsoon season.

More than 2 weeks round trip to Port Barton, about 40 miles south of El Nido. Still the sharp and pointed islands sticking up out of the water. No more than 10 miles in a day between anchorages and often as little as 3 miles. Lots of sitting, drinking coffee and telling stories. Trinda watched a lot of movies. There were tiny clear jellyfish that only stung a little, but they took the fun out of swimming.

I had to scrape the barnacles off the bottom. It took 3 days because I was too lazy to do it all in one day

More islands. We came from between these.

Another bangka hauling people somewhere.

M

We have been just 'gunkholing' around here, A night in a new spot nearly each day. Sometimes snorkeling or just dinghing around looking.Some of the anchorages only 3 or 4 miles apart. It is great to relax!

View from coffee shop in El Nido

Getting fuel in Lingcongcong.

Anchored in a small bay south of El Nido

Drinking coffee with Denny on Jubilant, Katie Lee in background in another small bay by El Nido

In front of El Nido town