R & R on Miniloc Island

Philippines day fifteen

04.03.2025 - 04.03.2025
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Miniloc Island Resort from the jetty

We were awake quite early and soon after dressing heard the sound of the macaques outside so hurried out with our cameras. There were quite a few babies in the troop and with no one else around we were able to get some better photos than last night.

Macaques

We went out on the jetty for some photos too as the light was interesting, with the sun shining through some quite stormy clouds.

From the jetty

Then we went to breakfast, which was an extensive buffet. Afterwards we grabbed some loungers at the shadier end of the pool although for now they were still in the sun. I had my first swim of the day and we relaxed for a bit, including a chat to a friendly family from Montana.

View from my lounger

At 10.30 each morning the staff feed the fish from the end of the jetty. It’s a great opportunity to snorkel above the reef while watching all the fish, and one I didn’t want to miss. I’m not a confident snorkeller but I’m reasonably comfortable if I can enter the water from steps as here. And I was very glad that I had, as there were lots of colourful fish swimming right below me over the coral. Then I spotted a big sea turtle immediately below me, with the tail of a fish sticking out of his mouth. I so wished I’d thought to bring an underwater camera with me, but at least I managed to get some shots of him once back on the jetty.

Sea turtle

When we got back to our loungers Chris spotted a tiny snake next to his. He hung around long enough for us to get some photos although frustratingly he wriggled a lot when we were taking stills and kept completely still when I turned to video!

The little snake

More pool time followed and later we went for lunch, spotting a pretty bird on a flowering bush near our table which I believe was a Palawan Sunbird, endemic to this island group.

Palawan Sunbird

There was a ‘sisig station’ at the buffet so we were able to enjoy one of our favourite Filipino dishes. Later we swam again, several times. We were back at the cottage in time to see the macaques passing through again and I managed to get some shots and videos of them on our own roof!

Baby macaque

Macaques on our roof

In the evening we had Bloody Marys in the bar at Happy Hour then dinner in the restaurant which like yesterday was a buffet. Afterwards we walked out along the jetty and sat for a while enjoying the night air.

The resort at night