Monday, March 14
The University provided a launch for the pleasant hour and a half trip to Sumilon Island . We passed along the east side of Cebu and Dr. Acala was disturbed that fishermen were poaching near the island sanctuary. He was even more concerned that they might dynamite the area to kill the fish for easy capture and that would also blow up the coral that has taken centuries to form.
We beached on a sand spit and some of the party got into scuba diving gear. By special permission we selected perfect shells from the multitude spread along the beach. Cones, sundials, olives, limpets, cowries, mitres, and harps were abundant. The university provided equipment that included a glass bottom box and inner tubes so even non-snorkelers like me could view the coral beds and brightly colored fish.
There was an old Spanish fort at the crest of the hill and we explored it. The caretaker of the island who lived nearby in a nipa hut had planted hills of corn, a few melon vines, eggplant and other vegetables wherever there was enough soil.