The stars were still shining when I came with my backpack to the little beach near Michelangelo Hotel. This was low tide. They took me in the little boat to the bigger pumpboat. Five local passenger were already on board. Soon we departed. They said that this little boat with outriggers departs Coron (if weather permits) every Mon and Thu at 5.30 am. They charge 500 peso per person.
I was lucky again: the sunrise was picturesque, thenn we sailed 6 hours on the calm sea in the big blue of the sea and the skies. Hard to believe… no pirates… just one ship passing by…
I was happy when in the midday I landed on the beach near the mouth of the little river in San Jose – Mindoro (San Jose is very popular name) . Tricycle took me for 6 pesos to Hotel Plaza (only 300 pesos for fan room). I did not see any other white tourist… I the evening I was celebrating my crossing of the strait. It was my new invention: papaya in rhum or rather rhum in papaya… Very tasty! Rhum is inexpensive here: 1.5 USD a bottle. I was buying less expensive rhum only in British Guyana (like 1 USD)…
