Boracay
(newly improved)
We have been unable to post blog updates due to bad internet. That has not changed. The only way to get online is via our mobile phones, even that is very slow.
March 1 was our 39th anniversary. We had drinks at the local Dive shop with the staff and friends. A couple from Saskatoon, Ken & Muriel Ziegler, that we know joined us and the four of us later went out for supper.
Gary took a dive refresher on Feb 28 and then a more shallow dive. March 1st he did a deeper dive at the sunken ship Camia II. His maximum depth was 28 metres and dive time was 34 minutes. He got cold and shivers on both dives. The water is a bit cool at 24°C. This is quite a change from Thailand. Hopefully our next and final resort stop at Coron, Philippines will have warmer water!
Today March 2, we are going to spend time at the beach and look around at the changes on the island since we were here 4 years ago. There have been many changes as the island was closed to tourism for 6 months to remodel the infrastructure, water, sewer and move buildings back into compliance. Many buildings, hotels and storefronts had encroached onto the right of way along the beach front. Many hotels had placed beach beds, umbrellas, tables and chairs on the public beach. All of that has ended. What a different it has made to the beach! There are no more hawkers pestering you to buy their “stuff”! That is a huge improvement alone. The waste water disposal system has been improved which will hopefully decrease the environmental damage from tourism on this beautiful (and tiny) paradise island.