Location: Padre Burgos, Leyte, Philippines

I woke up really early today, and had a terrible ringing and ache in my right ear (the one who’s drum I perforated a couple years ago). I decided it best not to push too hard and dive today. Instead I ordered Tocino (thick pork slices) and eggs for breakfast, and sat on the beach.

I read for hours, occasionally getting up to stretch. In the afternoon I put on my swimsuit and waded into the ocean, stepping around coral and fish and large molluscs. The water was so clear and calm, save for only the ripples I created as I walked. I had a nap in the sun. My ear got worse so I cancelled my dive for tomorrow, and will snorkel instead. What a shame to come all this way and have my ear act up just as I get here!

The chocolate milkshake in the evening certainly made me feel a bit better. The sun went down over the water and I sat on the beach, running my toes through the dried coral bits and sand. I’m staying at Peters Dive Resort, which is this wonderful little place with a few rooms upstairs and a dive garage and a kitchen downstairs where they’ll cook anything at any time and add it to a tab. Hard to imagine a better place to relax!

I have very big plans tomorrow and I’m excited to share. Here’s hoping it works out, I’ve been planning this day for a long time and am excited!

Sav