I laughed a lot as I typed this because my Bohol experience included some very funny moments!
It took 12 hours to get from Cebu to the neighbouring island of Bohol by bus and ferry. I’m loving the ease of bus travel in the Philippines. You simply wait on the correct side of any stretch of road and wave one down. All this ad hoc bus-stopping does obviously stretch longer journeys, but I really enjoyed watching the changing mix of locals who were simply going about their day.
The bus driver began looking at me in his mirror after about 3 hours of not having moved from the same seat, but I cared not what he might have thought as he chowed-down on a corn cob. There were whiffs of different perfumes that wafted in and out – worn by women going to work, but there was a point when someone kept beefing on the bus! Nonetheless, smells form some of the strongest memories.
The only lowlight was when I eventually disembarked and found that my backpack had been offloaded right into a muddy puddle! It had started to turn cakey by the time I boarded the ferry, which was another whole experience of many hours.
To my surprise, there weren’t seats, but tons of bunkbeds! I was pleased that I had booked a First-Class ticket which was airconditioned, but more so because below deck the beds were so close together for the coal-shovelers and bean-counters. It felt a bit prison-like (not that I’ve ever been). After a long and bumpy bus ride with screeching brakes, I was simply very grateful to be horizontal, but a nearby woman was very unhappy with her situation and was giving her man a good gearing!
Panglao in Bohol
There is a somewhat separate island right in the south of Bohol, called Panglao. My new German friend had suggested it, so I met up with her and her little boy the next day. The beaches are okay, but definitely not postcard material, unless you are really skilled at Photoshop. We had been quite unfortunate with the weather during this period, to be fair.
Nevertheless, I snorkeled four of the hotspots on my first day. The final one involved an attempt to see a plane wreck. I hit a boon gate next to a huge sign that read something like: Super Exclusive Iconic Private Beach Resort Number 1 Welcome to Those with Lots of Money, but I got let right in!
There was a ton of luggage at the main entrance, with bellboys, tour advisors and security staff. I approached a concierge to explain that I was trying to get to the beach where I could see the wreck. Not only did they let me walk straight through their 101-star hotel, but a security man on the beach pointed to where the wreck was and said that I was welcome to walk across the raked, Zen-like sands, AND to try and swim towards it!
There was a boat floating in the distance and I could see some bobbing snorkels, so I went for it. It was roughly 200 meters from shore, but I felt confident in my swimming abilities. Adrenaline fueled my muscles as I got closer, until the boat that marked my destination sailed off! So back I swam through the shallow seagrass-covered waters. These are however covered with shit-tons of super spikey sea urchins.
I took some time to look around the exclusive resort and surrounds. It turned out to be a venue for an upcoming wedding for Edna and Charles! This explained all the people and luggage pouring into the reception area. I started listening in on conversations happening at the seaside restaurant. There was so much posh and forced-sounding enunciation that I could barely comprehend what guests were saying! I employed my regal walk and I don’t think anyone thought that this hippie was NOT a dear friend and Edna and Charles; perhaps their more alternative accountant.
Back at my own base, was a 9m2 room and adjoining bathroom with no toilet seat. Fortunately, I have good squatting game and relatively long legs compared to the height of many Asian toilets, so I never complained. A cold shower would have been welcomed, but that wasn’t working, and the power had gone off at some point, so I had a bum gun shower! I couldn’t stop laughing at the thought of this.
Next: Philippines #5: Chocolate Hills & Cathedrals
Previously: Philippines #3: Road to Algeria & Cancalanog Falls
PS: A little account of the whole diving/swimming with Whale Sharks experience over here.
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