Well firstly I would like to apologise to anyone actually reading this that all you are getting is my updates.. I shall convince the others to write some stuff soon.
I've just woken and it's a little past 7am, our first morning staying in the eco-park. Outside is already buzzing, probably never stopped.. Last night it was all cicadas, geckos and the drone of mosquitoes.. strange screeches and barks with occasional amourous giggles emitting from the depths of the mangrove somewhere (there is a boardwalk through it, no romantic strolls in knee-high mud). This morning is unfamiliar bird song, some very insistent cockerels, bikes, trikes, water-running, somebody busying themselves in the canteen..cats, dogs, pigs snorting, singing.. it's fantastic.. although Lisa was woken at 5.30 by said relentless cockerels.. (we still haven't quite got over our jet lag and probably could have done with a few more hours!).. on the upside she's been nature observing this morning whilst we all slept and saw some mud-skippers doing their thing in the mangrove. She also saw a kingfisher, a sandbird, a fantail.. we'll (try) to keep you updated on bird species (mum!).
This place is fantastic. We are all in an extreme state of happiness I think. I need to keep this relatively short because I need to get moving.. but I want to get a sense of place across! Better done with pictures which should be up later today (we are eight hours in front of you guys). Perhaps even a video, or a recording of the tropical cacophony.
We flew out of Manila yesteday at around noon, and it was only a 50 minute flight to Kalibo. We arrived and were greeted by Bullitt(sp) (the manager of the park here), Avitt(sp) (not quite sure of his exact position, but also a key player) and Cody (a texan looking at the charcoal briquetting business out here). The heat is insane, but it's not quite as humid here as it is in Manila (or it doesn't feel it, can't scientifically back that up Dr. Barker..). We were driven to Avitts aunts house for our lunch, and she had laid on a feast, including a whole pigs head! I am officially a carnivore for the next two months, I think there is no getting away from it. So far no ill effects from the mountain of meat I've already eaten I don't think, no meat sweats :) Annie our cook is very lovely, we are going to be giving her a list of likes and dislikes today, however, I feel being able to cook meat for all of us will be the most convenient, just as long as there is no fish.. or tamilok worms (we tried to lay down the law about these yesterday!). Anyway..! Lunch was great, we ate with Bullitt who told us all about the park and the communities. He has a very sarcastic sense of humour and it was an entertaining afternoon! The beer was out almost immediately as we arrived (extra-strong red horse (!) or pilsner). Poor Lisa, our non-beer drinker ended up drinking a whole red horse, which comes in a rather large bottle :) Cigs here are insanely cheap, I think around twenty pence. So much for quitting right? Bullitt chains his cigs, and me and Joe are following suit. I think we may have to apprehend that situation .. perhaps a daily run at high noon will be required, so that we have to stop!
After lunch we had another five min journey in the car to eco-park. This place is amazing. We are right on the outskirts of the city of Kalibo in the barangay (community) of New Buswang. The park starts from the road, with a bamboo walkway on stilts. Set back from the road is the canteen, which is a largeish building on stilts. The canteen/kitchen are completely open, but our room (Lisa and I) is off to the back and has 4 walls and shutters. The boys are staying further back into the mangrove at the top of a bamboo building in the attic, large room each with a balcony. We girls aren't allowed to stay back there because they often get undesirables into the park at night. Like I said, we'll get pictures up soon which will be far superior to my rubbish descriptions. Dinner was served at 6 yesterday, and we ate with the founding members of KASAMA (Kalibo Save the Mangroves Association). It was a brilliant evening, we learnt so much about the community, and the problems which they have encountered and are still encountering. It sounds as if our projects could be quite useful here, everyone seemed very enthusiastic about them. We met Allen Quimpo, former mayor, present governor(?) .. very influential and respected gentleman in these parts, and indeed the Philippines (he was part of the presidential campaign). He has such great vision, and it's very refreshing to see someone in a position of power who actually considers his environmental responsibility as a priority. Apparently they are having a press conference about the park, and the mangroves in general on the 5th of July, and we four are to be a part of that..!
The rest of the evening was spent with these people, drinking rum from Manila and learning lots. Drinking is an integral part of life here it seems from what we were told before we came, and from what we have seen. Whilst it is pleasant on occasion, it's going to have to be something we are quite strict about.
I seem to have written rather a lot. Sorry! There is really so much more, but I should get on with my day. Pictures to follow later :)
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