It was a late afternoon flight over to Cebu, with an early morning drive of 3 hours to Moalboal for the Sardine Run. There are massive schools of millions of sardines moving along in unison within the waters off the coastline of Cebu Island. It is an odd sardine experience as it is not seasonal, but year-round, even though normally considered part of a migratory pattern. The dense shoals protect individual fish from predators. This type of tight group formation is particularly well developed in this location and can be seen in the water about 30 feet below the surface, making it ideal to dive down into.
We donned fins, mask and snorkel and headed out to explore. It was mesmerizing and truly breathtaking: diving down to 35 or 40 feet, holding my breath for 45 - 60 seconds and then swimming back up through them was amazingly tiring -- but so worth it. They expand and contract around you in perfect unison creating the most amazing coordinated synchronized movement, glistening and shimmering in the filtered sunlight from above. One of the most vivid experiences I have had.
It was interesting to see them scatter when turtles floated in or SCUBA diver's bubbles came up through the schools. The guides blew bubbles and rings from below that you could swim through as they expanded towards the surface. It was well worth the drive and an experience not to miss. Thank goodness for the GoPro camera to document the diving.
We climbed up to the Kawasan Falls, a 3-tiered waterfall in Badian, Cebu, Philippines. The 20-minute walk was along the Matutinao river (originating in the Mantalongon mountain range), includes crossing bamboo bridges and rocky paths, giving an opportunity to heat up (as if that wasn't already the case) before getting to the first falls. The water is a clear-turquoise appearance, cascading through the limestone cliffs with lush tropical vegetations, including ferns and mosses.
The upper 2 tiers can only be accessed if doing canyoneering, which is a 5-hour experience that we didn't have enough time to complete. We plunged into the water (wearing the required life jacket!) and were able to hang on a line near the falls to feel the rush of the waters around you. Filled with posing selfie tourists, we couldn't help but join in the fun. We got back to Cebu city, the oldest city in the islands, established in 1565 by Spanish colonizers. In fact, the Magellan Cross was planted here in 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan during initial exploration.
There are two large suspension bridges joining Cebu City to Mactan island. The city is one of the economic hubs and melting pots of the region, with indigenous, Spanish, Chinese and American influences (the USA purchased the Philippines in the late 1800s). Manufacturing, outsourcing services for other countries (think call centers) and tourism are the main businesses. We were not in time for the Sinulog Festival, but saw many bands practicing in the streets in preparation for the event (it is in January). Again, we did not try the most famous dish: Lechon (crispy roasted pig).
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