El Nido

No complaints about last nights sleep really, not as thorough as yesterday but definitely acceptable. Today the plan was to not have a plan, just relax, plan a bit of Japan, and hopefully get Amelia back up to 100% again (she’s still got a lingering cold). We had a leisurely breakfast at the hostel, which was actually really nice despite not having Amelia’s first choice (it seems no restaurant ever does). We had a bit of a wander to explore our surroundings in El Nido to find a pleasant little town with a white, sandy beach with a lot of boats. There was nobody swimming in the sea or actually on the beach which was slightly surprising, we later found out that you’re not allowed to swim here, probably because of the sheer number of boats coming and going.

On our walk yesterday we found a gym on the corner right next to our hostel. This being far too convenient we went in and did a session. Although slightly depressing with the weights (inevitable after over 3 months without exercising properly) it was great to actually get a sweat on because of exercise rather than just general sweatiness. From here we did the long trek (20m) back to the hostel and had some lunch. They again didn’t have Amelia’s first choice (slight confusion at when the breakfast menu ceases to be served) but again a decent meal. We settled in here for the afternoon sorting out our plan for Japan and getting the hotels/hostels booked in advance so there’s still actual availability. This took most of the afternoon really, so we just headed back upstairs to freshen up for dinner and headed back out for a pretty average Thai meal. 

After another pretty good sleep we got up this morning intending to go to the beach. It would be rude not to when there are so many beautiful ones around this area (despite Amelia hating beaches). So we got a trike over to Corong Corong beach, which is just to the south of a limestone cliff which cuts off the view of the sunset in the evening in El Nido. The beach itself was your standard long strip of white, with resorts and dive shops backing onto it and a load of boats moored up in the sea. When we arrived it was low tide so most of these were beached on the sand, not making it the most attractive place in the world. However the tide quickly reversed and brought the sea in, distinctly improving its aesthetic. 

We relaxed in the shade of a tree for the morning, with only the slight threat of a coconut branch falling on us. Someone walking past had a very close shave when a branch very nearly hit her on the head, and there was a single, very dead, looking branch left on the tree that was flapping around in the wind, seeming primed for a fall. It fortunately didn’t before we left for lunch. We wandered around for a bit finding a lunch spot, before getting to a very pleasant, empty, rooftop right on the beach. They didn’t have anywhere near the menu they’d advertised outside but we both had sandwiches (massively overpriced) which filled us up enough. The afternoon followed the same pattern as the morning but without the risk of the falling coconut branches. We left at around 4 to get another gym session in before dinner. 

Dinner was at Trattoria Altrove, a restaurant that always had a queue outside (always a very good sign). We were there at about 6:30 which was ideal really as we only had to wait for another couple to go in before us. About 10 minutes later and we would’ve been waiting in the queue for at least half an hour. I got a pizza and Amelia a carbonara, which was just arriving as we saw a large rat run across the floor and into a wall. I was slightly concerned Amelia would just up and leave on the spot, however she powered through and we ended up having a very nice dinner, the pizza was huge. Returning to the hostel we’re getting an early night as our ferry to Coron leaves at 6am tomorrow, and we have to be there an hour before. Fun. It’s been a short stop in El Nido but we’re back after New Years so are going to do an island hopping tour (the ‘big thing’ to do here) when we return.