SAILING THE SULU SEA

Our transpo to the mangrove nursery

The Sulu Sea is a body of water bounded by Northeast Borneo and the Southwest islands of the Philippines. We were a long way from home!

Romblon is likely one of the lesser known tourist destinations of the Philippines and it was a joy to step ashore and be greeted by such incredibly friendly people.

Then there was the colour of the street scenes – jeepneys competing with trishaws for their space on the road, all painted in riotous splashes of colour and named for saints, pop stars and girlfriends.

One mangrove for Watsons, another for Harry

Jeepneys were originally recycled from abandoned World War Two military jeeps.  Newer models have been kitted out with all sorts of enhancements – music systems, mirrors and wild upholstery.  What they have in common is that they are stacked to the rafters with people and their belongings.

Our base model jeepney took us on a nail biting drive (seat belts were not one of the enhancements on this particular vehicle) out to the Municipal Mangrove and Wildlife Sanctuary.

The breeding ground of various species of migratory birds, the Sanctuary is also home to a mangrove nursery.

The mangrove planting team

A mangrove is a botanical amphibian that thrives in muck, mud, seawater and stifling heat.  Our hosts explained the importance of mangroves to the ecosystem and our job today as volunteer planters.

The reward for our endeavours was a handmade sign with our names and country of origin inserted into the mud next to the seedling. The seedling resembled a stalk of asparagus and once rooted would grow to about five feet in a couple of years.  

The folks at the nursery were so friendly and fun it was a joy to be there.  After the serious work was completed we enjoyed fresh coconut milk and an assortment of local fruits which was followed by some serious photo taking.

For once it was not the tourists but the locals snapping away.  We were the first visitors to have the planting opportunity and felt quite honoured to be a part of it.

Is that more snow in Qualicum Beach??

Wish you were here!

The previous day we had called in at another off the beaten track island – Boracay.

Taking a colourful outrigger we swam and snorkeled at various spots along the coastline but the absolute highlight was Puka Beach, its white sandy shores lapped by an aquamarine ocean. Sand between the toes the perfect antidote to the miserable cold winter we had left behind in Canada.

And all the while the warmth of the Filipino people outshining everything else. Wonderful!