Fresh from the coconut tree

Now there's not all that much to do in Calapan - it's not really a place where tourists go and the Lonely Planet guide mentions it as cursory information (a stepping stone to other places). One of the things we did do, though, was to go snorkelling off one of the islands nearby. There was a family there for the day who had built a small shelter (see the photo).

They were very friendly, and after climbing one of the coconut trees and getting a few coconuts, they offered to cut them open for us!



I was interested in trying to get one open myself - the guy made it look so easy! So we borrowed his bolo (what we call a machete) and I set to trying to get another coconut open.



I'm sure my attempt was not as pretty and took much longer but I eventually succeeded and was able to taste the fruit of my labour. The next thing I want to learn is how to climb the trees and get the coconuts for myself. But the trees are seriously high and the thought of climbing to the top of one freaks me out! I'll let you know if I ever succeed.....