Philippines Day 5: Nalusuan

We all woke up early this morning to get out Island Hopping.

We made arrangements with Shangri-la’s affiliate, Scotty’s Sports Center, since we didn’t like the hidden fees we had experienced with other groups.  It was a bit more expensive, but a lot more professional!

Jared’s hanging out while we prepare to head out to Nalusuan Island.

Here’s our port and Banca boat.

Our guide was especially kind to take some pictures of the whole family.  I love taking pictures, but usually that means somebody’s missing.

Here’s our guide helping Ella.

More pictures.

Ella got excited about the water spraying up, so she moved to the front of the Banca boat to get super-soaked.

This island was interesting to me since the low tide exposed it’s underwater shape.

Here’s our snorkeling spot.  It was quite deep where we got off, but we quickly swam to the other side and found our underwater treasures. 

Jared’s holding up his arm, since it was reacting to something in the water.  We were on our way back to the boat to take care of him when we found this skinny starfish.

A typhoon interrupted our explorations, so we had to re-board, and head back a little earlier than planned.  Ella was scared of the depth, anyway, and honestly, so was I. All those shark movies really shouldn’t bother me, but I was grateful to get out of the water when it started to darken and the waves came rolling around for the typhoon.  I didn’t really want to be in the water with this guy.

One worker was in the water helping us stay in the safer areas.  One time we got too shallow and the kids couldn’t help but break off corals with their flippers, and he helped us get out deeper again.  Then, he helped Jared come towards the boat to treat his arm, but on the way back, the waves were tossing more violently, and the boat had to come to us before the storm hit full-force.  The water isn’t so deep in this picture, as you can see from the turquoise color.

Ella curled up under one of the towels our guide provided, and it got soaked from the rain.  Still, it was warmer under the towels.

When we got back to the Shangri-la in Mactan, Cebu, our kids explored the Resort.  It was so nice that we vowed to stay here if we ever came back to Cebu.

Back in our area of Cebu City (Capitol Site), we went for a late lunch at KFC.  We wanted to try their new Mac & Cheese bites, which were delicious!  Also, the other food there was much more to our liking than what KFC serves in China.  No Fair!

Smoothies were a nice dessert.

Back at the hotel, the kids were happy to find a sewing kit, and they fashioned a button for Jumpy’s overshirt.

When we showered, we were joined by this cute little lizard the kids named Lindot. 

Crazy fact about leaving the Philippines that we didn't know: beginning in August of 2012, you need to pay 750 pesos per person for airport terminal fees. I wish they would include this in the price of the ticket. We were so blessed that even though we didn't have enough in PHP or USD, we could convert our emergency HKD and CNY stashes to make it. Thankfully we made it back through HK and Shenzhen without anymore mishaps!