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Murp<br />
inPalawa<br />
Words by<br />
BRUCE<br />
CURRAN<br />
Photographs<br />
as credited<br />
32<br />
Murphy’s Law’ is the expression defined in<br />
English as “If something can go wrong<br />
it Will”.<br />
*** ** ***<br />
The time for exploration and adventure had finally<br />
arrived and we set off for the North Harbour in<br />
Manila to board the 2GO Ferry<br />
‘St Augustine of Hippo’.<br />
In true Filipino style we were<br />
told that we had to arrive<br />
at the dock 4 hours prior to<br />
scheduled departure. I think this<br />
is due to the fact that Filipinos<br />
are traditionally late for all<br />
appointments, and if they state<br />
4 hours then many will arrive at<br />
least 1 hour before the actual<br />
departure. On this occasion<br />
the ferry left, travelled for an<br />
hour, then turned back to dock<br />
to sort out a ‘minor’ engine<br />
dis-function. That lucky Asian<br />
number 8 was our saviour as<br />
we left harbour 8 hours behind<br />
schedule – so had been at the<br />
dock for a total of 12 hours. We quoted Murphy’s Law<br />
and had a laugh between us, and the boat was finally<br />
on its way. Coron first, then on to our destination to<br />
Murphy’s Law’ is the<br />
expression defined in<br />
English as<br />
“If something can go<br />
wrong it Will.”<br />
the port of Puerto Princesa in the capital of Palawan.<br />
*** ** ***<br />
On board, the main open ‘Tourist’ cabin was getting a<br />
little warm, so I decided to go to the 2nd floor and find<br />
the small restaurant that had good air-conditioning.<br />
I arrived there with a copy of my book ‘Combing the<br />
Coral Carpet’ tucked under my<br />
arm. I sat alone, but noticed 2<br />
people chatting up the other<br />
end, and felt like joining them,<br />
so walked up sat beside them<br />
and introduced myself;<br />
“Hi, I’m Bruce …may I join<br />
you?” I shook this guy’s hand,<br />
and he then said, “Hi Bruce …I<br />
haven’t seen you since 1995!<br />
It’s Andy, do you remember?<br />
Great seeing you again!”<br />
It was Andy Alford who had<br />
sailed with me on a 43 foot<br />
yacht from Subic Bay to<br />
Hong Kong in 1995. BUT the<br />
weirdest thing was the fact<br />
that the story of that crossing<br />
titled “Blue Phoenix Hits the Headlines” was in my<br />
book that I was carrying now under my arm! Our 9<br />
day crossing included a massive storm and friends in
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