Malapascua Island...Wow!!!

What a great vacation it was! One which I can say as more than truly memorable. Activities that make you say WOW!

Snorkeling in the Japanese shipwreck was so exhilarating. I felt like a National Geographic explorer making discoveries along the sea bed. I did not find any treasure though but the wreck itself and the creatures that abound was something any treasure wouldn't equal.

Next stop was Carnaza island but before we reached the place we were treated to the beautiful scenery any photographer would like to capture. The lighthouse on the cliff overlooking the sea and Cebu island from afar. It looked small in the night as it beamed out its light yet a very tall structure when you see it closer. There were more rock formations, several cliffs and caves along the coastline while we passed along on the western side of Malapascua island.

The sea was so calm that day, the sun shone its brightest, perfect weather indeed. Several sea gulls flew over our boat while fishes jump over the surface escaping from the predators lurking underwater. This is life at sea.

Half an hour later, a small speck of islands started to appear in the horizon. Still a distant location but still our excitement was fever pitch.

Then Carnaza Island came into view. Revealing a small community of sea loving people. Fishing boats docked on the beach, fishermen resting from last night's fishing activity, and a large drove of children welcoming us upon our arrival. Soon they came up on our boat, perhaps checking on the new arrivals.

The signal from the captain hinted the stop. More and more children came aboard. Seizing the opportunity of seeing new faces, I then took hold of my camera and took pictures of the children flashing their "Island Smiles". Several clicks after I soon found myself included in he pictures.
Tanned from being under the sun and sea all day they still showed me their cutest "Island Smile".

We stopped over this place to buy seafood for lunch. Since Carnaza is a fishing community seafood is less of a problem. The calm waters made available a bountiful lunch. A large pail of an assortment of shellfish and five big squids was what my tummy was grumbling for. Grilled seafood was all in my mind.

It was time to say goodbye to the children time was something we don't have and there was still so many places to go. Sadly we bade farewell.

Off to a cove not far from the community, a well kept place indeed with a long stretch of white sand and a small island in between. A place to take a nap under the coconut trees while waiting for lunch to be cooked.

Paradise was a fitting title to name it. Like we own the place. The only visitors priviledged to be there that day.

Lunch was then served. As fast as we could we consumed half of the shellfish and the squid.

Time to go. The captain signaled again but the boat got stuck in the sand. The ebbing tide made it impossible to move back. We had to push the boat far to deeper water.

Later we arrived on another cove. A mouth of a cave can be seen from the beach. Inside it were traces that somebody lived there long ago. A skull believed to be one that belong to someone was enough proof. We learned it belonged to a leper restricted from spreading his disease.

Last signal from the captain, we are going back to Malapascua Island. Still a long way to go that I felt sleepy on the way back. The front portion of the boat was a nice place to take my much needed sleep.

Malapascua island once again but on the other side. Large colonies of corals in all colors but the most striking is the blue one. Never in my whole life have I seen such color. No wonder many resorts name their place after the blue corals.

It was dusk when we headed back to catch the sunset from the island's west side. Indeed I was awed by such sight. The golden rays slowly fading away into the horizon. A perfect view to end the day.

If you will ask me if I would go back to this place. I definitely will.