Rock Island
The first birds are only just starting to sing outside but my eyes are already wide open because of the time difference and the excitement of our first proper day on Siargao. I open my bedroom door and there’s Alexis, he’s already been to have a look at the lagoon. It’s not even 5.30am, still mostly dark, but we can already see that, to our joy, the sky is clear and the wind has completely died during the night – Bingo! We quickly gather together a few essentials, some bottles of water and dry biscuits, strap the boards on the bike racks and go to meet Glenn, who seems as wide awake as we are. “I have to stay here, but my uncle will take you on the boat to Rock Island, it could be pretty good out there this morning!” Uncle shows up a few minutes later carrying a jerry can of petrol, invites us to follow him, and off we go, carrying our stuff out into the lagoon to his boat anchored not far off.
Despite the narrow hull and outriggers, we were impressed with how comfortable and stable the boat was, more impressed still by the deafening roar from the two outboard motors that reduced all conversation to hand signs. Our course is set for two small islands that we can just about make out in the distance, and as we leave the comfort of the lagoon and its palm trees, the crystal clear water changes colour from one instant to the next, taking on myriad shades of blue depending on its depth. Still taking all that in, I realise that I’ve actually never seen such intensely rich blue tones anywhere, hard to tear my eyes away from such a bewitching show.
