"thriller in Manila" to "thiefing in White beach." Physically this place is awesome, just 7 hours or so from Manila, Manoro island is beautifully set with white beaches, blue water, back dropped with waterfalls, mountains and volcanoes. but the PEOPLE, they are something else. at day time they will find anyway of stitching you up, at night time they literally patrol the beach with a torch for anyone who dares leave there bag or wallet un attended and then have the cheek to "help" you look for it after its been safely pocketed.

we have met up with a group who were working with the street children in Manila and have come over to Manoro, white beach, for a welcomed break. the tourched assassins stole one of their wallets on our first night in a 2 minute (MAX) gap we took our eyes of it. crazy. they are SO poor here.

spent all day yesterday going on a tour around a few snorkling spots with all the guys. incredible. from Nemo, to sword fishes, to parrot fish and even dolphins, while your head is under the water the volitile nature of this country is forgotten in the beauty and silence of the water world.

going on a trek tomorrow up some hills to the waterfalls. in a way it will be good. in another way it will be really hot and uncomfortable....well done..

had a mini-drama today where the tricycle "taxi" driver took Laura and I on an early mission to an ATM machine which ended up in two stops, no ATM, one crash, one near death experience, one half harted attempt at a mugging, me having to give him all my money-still no ATM, leaving us all with NO money and no way of getting to the closest ATM 2 hours away on another island. Faye and a new member of the gang ended up fonding a western union which gave Faye some cash so we could get a boat tomorrow and a place to stay tonight.

Paradise in turmoil.

next step, Bocaray island X x x

Nick