April 27 – May 5, 2014: As I was pulling the images together for this blog post, I realized I’d become a bit slack about taking photos. We definitely tend to take more pictures when we go someplace new, than when we return to an old, familiar spot. Even having a phone with a built-in camera on hand doesn’t ensure success in capturing a moment.

It’s unfortunate in this case, because we’re missing reminders of some of the people we met along the way. How will we recall them when we’re older and greyer and even more forgetful than we are today? For instance, I have a picture of May Rose’s lola (grandmother), who is well into her 70s, but no picture of May Rose when we met up with her on her birthday. And no pictures of some of the folks when they visited MOKEN. In some cases I could borrow other people’s photos or use other ones out of context.

On the upside, we’ll be back to PG again…so we’ll just have to do better next time.

Anyhoooooo, here are a few assorted top-side photos from our recent PG trip. Some of people we met. Some of boats we saw along the way. And some of the more stunning or unusual views. Like the Greek-style ruins on Fortune Island, built as part of a luxury island resort. And the futuristic-looking trimaran.

As for the image called Collision Avoidance 101, here’s the scoop…

On our return trip to Subic, we were making good time and the weather was cooperative, so we decided to skip the overnight anchorage and make a run for Port Binanga, located close to the entrance to Subic Bay. As we neared Fortune Island and I was at the helm, I monitored a large fishing vessel on a constant bearing, decreasing range, that was travelling at about the same speed as we were. That meant a collision course.

Because it was on our port side, technically, we had the right away. I stayed on course and maintained a steady speed, as the international collision regulations advise. And I kept a close eye on the other vessel as it got closer and closer. Two nautical miles. One nautical mile. One-half nautical mile. One-quarter nautical mile. Watching through binoculars, it was pretty evident the other vessel had no intention of giving way. They wanted to pass between us and Fortune Island, likely en route to Manila. Despite right of way, I throttled way back and let them pass ahead of MOKEN. I guess they were on the clock, but that didn’t stop me from tossing a few harsh words their way.

With additional photos by Paul and Anna.