Our first port in the Philippines was Puerto Princesa and it is a nice small town with lovely and friendly people.  It was very close to the ship and we took tuktuks at a $1.00 each to help in the heat.  Otherwise it would have been an easy walk.  We visited the Immaculate Conception Church and the old fort which was turned into a lovely garden area. This is called Square Quartel .  We met a German Visitor  and chatted with him about his travels..  This man had been there awhile and he told us about the mayor of this town.  He came from Germany and settled in this town.  He then became mayor and basically cleaned up the town and he is  pushing tourism.  This was very evident with the send off.  An hour show  of singing and dancing.  What a send off.   This scene was an interesting group of little houses on stilts and I shot it as the ship left.

To answer Don’s questions;  Fran’s mother, Julia, and her stepfather are on board and Leslie is also on board.  This is Julia’s 24th world cruise.  No, Don, Pat and I are just good friends and have been since 2011.

Just before this port we had another of the balls and I actually won a bottle of that wonderful champagne, Pol Clement (not) by dancing with Chris.  He is the librarian and a real nice kid, around 23 years of age.