Typhoon

So we are still in Typhoon Season, it seems.

We just got back from the island of Mindoro. We were on the north tip of the island outside of a town called Puerto Galera on a strip of beach called "White Beach". It was a long weekend designed to recognize Bonifacio Day. But to us bums it was a long weekend to chill on the beach.

Sad to say, however that the weather was not that great. Mostly cloudy and I was missing out on the ripping hot sun. The water was cold enough to freeze the jewels so I couldn't even enjoy my favorite past-time of bobbing with a beer. But it went to hell-in-a-handbag on monday. We were set to leave on the last ferry out of town so we could enjoy a full day on the beach. But no, the rain was constant and lo...the ferryman says 'no way. There are no boats today'.

We were held over for a day due to another typhoon. But the story we heard was that the typhoon warning (Signal 2) was in Batangas (Luzon) and as a result the boats from PG could not dock at Batangas. So we stayed.

So I didn't realize it was such a big deal...as I continued to bob (or clutch my nuts) in the water this weekend. We only saw some rain and there were only a few large waves. The typhoon which hit us during our weekend is not this one noted in the Reliefweb update listed below.

All is ok with me, tho it cost me a bit more than I had banked on, spending for another day on the island. I was running close to the bone with money on hand, and so I just had enough to make it home. We were able to get the 0630 ferry Tuesday morn and make a run for it home. Well, the sun was shining (the nicest it was all weekend) and the sea was calm. Oh well...to be stuck on an island paradise for an extra day? How tough is that?

White Beach is not near where these areas are, these towns listed in this update are mostly on the south side of Mindoro. There is no real overland access to these towns from PG. But it is interesting to note just how big an impact the typhoons have. This report regards Typhoon 'Winnie' which struck the islands of southern Luzon and Mindoro on or about 30 November: http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/6686f45896f15dbc852567ae00530132/e3da01f4bc07598fc1256f57004d952e?OpenDocument The National Post front page of Wednesday's paper reported that 'Winnie' struck some 90 km southwest of Batangas (Luzon) and as a result of landslides and flooding, the death toll is 348 with a further 150 missing.

Seems that Friday we are expecting another typhoon. Warnings are being advertised in anticipation, alongside the news items of the mudslides of last weekend. Typhoon 'Yoyong' is coming and as of Thursday, while we have not had any rain yet, we are at Signal 2 warning. At Signal 2, daycare facilities and schools up to highschool are cancelled. While the rest of the offices and shops remain officially open, it seems that standard protocol is to have a reduced activity.

Photos of beachlife have been updated on the travel pics link.