Handy parks his blue car by the first beach, and we proceed on the beach, where it is sandy at first, but becomes more rocky and the tide seems high. But we are alone on the beach to enjoy the sunrise and calm water. Soon we cut through a rock opening setting onto the main coral road. The cave is a short distance from there. Although the cave is only about twenty feet deep and there are steps carved into the dirt, we decide not to go down as the steps are quite slippery. With all our flashlights, we are able to get a good look into the bottom. We will try to enter it during dry season.
Arriving on the next beach, CC takes a photo of the shy fishermen preparing their nets, and then we see a surprising scene of dozens of fishermen and fisherwomen deep in the waters near the ledge fishing for atulai. We stop to chat with some of them and find out that today is a total bust for them, as no one is catching any atulai. Apparently there are barracudas intercepting their catch and snatching the atulai before the people can real them in. But everyone seems pretty good nature about it. Island attitude...
Before running out of beach we decide to cut across a beach front property for the road. As we come to the road, there is a huge puddle, bigger than the ones we have crossed before, so we turn back and decide to hike through the lawn to reach the other side of the puddle. Suddenly a loud voice stops us on our track. The old man who owns the property wants to know what we are doing and where we are going. We greet him warmly and explain our dilemma re the puddle. He becomes friendly as well and tells us he thought we were Russians and lost! After a little chitchat, he gives us his blessing and we are back on our way. We all agree that friendliness begets friendliness.
Our next stop is at the Villagomez (or is it Tenorio) property. What a beautiful piece of land with a spectacular view. Continuing to the end of the trail, we come to the barbwire fence by the 8th hole of LaoLao Golf Course. We almost make it along the fence to enter onto the grounds through a gap between two fences, but don't want to risk falling to our untimely end, as there is a sheer drop just two feet off the fence. We so hope to get a glimpse of the tank, knowing that it is so close yet so far. So we turn back. We will find a way to get on the golf course and locate the tank, one day soon. Upon taking another trail toward the ocean, we discover a set of steps leading to the beach, during low tide. Further on, there is a diving platform that marks the end of that trail. It is all very damp and slippery.
A decision is made, on the way back to the car, to drive up to Kagman instead of back to San Vicente. Unbeknownst to us, that road up is very rough. An SUV could have made it fairly easily. The little blue car is brave and Handy is determined. Despite some seriously loud scraping on the under carriage, and some spinning of the wheels, but with three backseat drivers giving various advice, we all breathe a sigh of relief when we finally hit paved road. That is an adventure we hikers are familiar with! A great hike and more potential trails for the future.
Pointing out the distant view
The Cave...
Handy weighing whether to go in or not
Navigating one of several big puddles, who are those shadow people?
Fishing for atulai
What's today's catch?
Four happy hikers
Sunrise on LaoLao
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