Monday, March 7
Monday morning we boarded the bancas for a short trip into the next bay. As we came near the shore our boat passed over brain coral larger than bushel baskets, staghorn coral and waving sea fans. We spent a delightful morning beachcombing and walking over the exposed reef at low tide. Sea urchins, starfish, sea cucumbers, and tiny fish were caught in the tidal pools. We found olives, cowries, cones, harps, and sundials.
It took two hours to cover the twenty five kilometers to our next stop. We left the highway and headed up the mountain over little more than a path. Boulders barred the way, prickly trees overhung the road. Ruts were a foot deep. As we came out along a ridge the land fell away on either side for a thousand feet. I have never been on more miserable roads with such spectacular scenery.
There were a few huts and a one-room school that was in session. Shy, bright-eyed children not fully clothed sat at the crude desks. The teacher was a handsome 25 year- old from Manila who has relatives in the U.S. and wants to emigrate.
Back in the village we noticed that the younger children now wore clothing on their lower limbs—probably in deference to our visit. We reached the guest house about dark.