Olango Island off Cebu, Philippines

In mid-January, we returned to visit Olango Island  a second time. This time we took a bicycle tour with Sister Evan’s family: Clayton and Amy Strong.  

It was a cool morning, with a misty rain – pretty nice weather for biking in this generally very hot climate.

Our native guide, Jun, from Bugoy Bikers, felt it was rather too cool, however. 

There were many more birds out this time—I even got a look at the elusive blue-eared kingfisher that I had only seen a flash of last time – sadly, no photo.  A couple of egrets on the walkway

and a friendly starfish made for some nice shots.

We had a wonderful time exploring the “longest bamboo walkway” on the island

and met some new friends who were also junior boat builders.  

We had lunch at the charming rustic Talima Beach Resort.  

Then we returned to the ferry for our return trip.

Unfortunately the tide was low so the local bankas (boats) were grounded 

and the public ferry was not running because of rough waters.

 Despite our best efforts, especially Clayton’s, we were unable to secure any transportation to get us off the island in time to get them back for their scheduled return flight. (I think the local people must have thought we were a bit crazy talking to private charter boats and even helicopter companies.) 

It was interesting watching people seining for fish and digging for clams and shellfish during the low tide, however.

We were again assured that evening ferry would run; however, this time we were not as convinced.  

When it didn’t, Jun, our guide, was very helpful in securing us lodging at the Talima Beach Resort and transportation – two tricycle taxis--back to the lodge because in the dark it was not a road  for bicycles. 

“Tricycle taxi”  is a Philippines term for a motorcycle with a side car to hold 4 passengers that frequently takes 8.  The drivers loaded the 5 bicycle on first, then the 5 of us piled in or on

The lodgings were nice, but we had not brought anything for staying overnight, of course. The Talima Resort people were kind enough to fix a late supper and Bugoy Bikers were kind enough to cover the bill – though they could not be held responsible for the weather!

Again we were assured that the public ferry would pick us up early the next morning.  Of course it didn’t. 

That morning all of the bigger private boats were involved in the boat parade that announced the beginning of Sinulog, but after the parade was over we were finally able to join with another family trying to catch a flight out of Cebu and charter a private boat to take us back to Cebu. 

The sea was still too rough for the public ferry and any but a very experienced crew.  The boat crew was superb, but the swells were still high and dark.  The sea seemed charged with an immense power.

 

 This picture is as close as I could find to what the ocean looked like as we were much too busy holding tight to take pictures during our crossing!  There were actually somewhat less whitecaps—mostly large dark swells with an incredible sense of power.

I felt at peace because I felt assured we were "in the hands of God" during this difficult passage.