Animals Abound In Zoobic Safari

Ever wanted a close encounter with animals of the wild? At Zoobic Safari, the country's only tiger safari, you get to be up-close with different animals (and yes, tigers!) in a forest atmosphere.

Located at the Ilanin Forest of Subic Bay, Zoobic is a huge 25-hectare area dedicated to entertaining and educating people about animal life.

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Zoobic Safari
The only Tiger Safari in the Philippines! Have a sneak peek of Zoobic Safari's activities and amenities.

For an Entrance Fee of P395/person, you can tour Zoobic Safari for about a couple of hours. Entrance Fee for children 4 feet and below get P100 off the price, while kids 3 feet and below get in for free. No food and beverages are allowed inside, as different stores and vendors are in the area already. Since the entire place is built around a forest, prepare for an outdoorsy experience - wear comfy clothing and shoes. You will walk a lot. Bring a fan or some wet wipes if you easily perspire, as it tends to get humid and hot.

They have different attractions, and the tour will first take you to the Zoobic Park to meet some of their wild and farm animals. Some of the farm animals roam around freely, so watch your step! A goat or a duck may just be behind you while you trek the forest.

Afterwards, guests will be lead to the Rodent World. In this attraction, I learned that most non-flying mammals are rodents. The more common ones include mice, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rats. Zoobic is also selling cute little Abyssinian Guinea Pigs (P249 each), if you wish to take a critter or two back home. Right after this attraction, the next one is the Serpentarium, where they have different common and exotic kinds of reptiles.

Some of Zoobic's cuter critters

Next is a short ride to the Tiger Safari! You can opt for the Adventure Ride using the Zooper Train (P50 per head, per trip). It's a customized tram with tiger stripes and colors. The ride is optional, since you can also choose to use your personal vehicle to get to the other farther attractions.

Zooper Train

Zoobic houses around 20 tigers, and they have one white tiger named Snowy. The White Tiger (or Panthera Tigris) is commonly mistaken for an albino tiger. The white of their fur is a result of gene mutation (recessive gene).

White Tiger

Tiger Safari

You can also get some animal chow to feed the animals yourselves! At the Tiger Safari, you can feed them Chicken (P200) while you're inside the caged vehicle. At another attraction, the Croco Loco, you can feed the crocs some Chicken (P50), too.

We got ourselves one chicken and boarded our well-protected vehicle to enter the tiger safari. Earlier, we saw different kinds of animals in cages. Now, it's the other way around as we enter their habitat while on board a 'mobile cage' to get to see them up close.

Our guide teased us with tiger trivia: if we observe a tiger coming towards us with its tail moving up, that is a signal that it will urinate. Add to that, the stench of luminous (!) tiger pee according to them, sticks to you for 3 days. That was enough to make us all the more excited as they ambled toward our side of the vehicle, eyeing our piece of raw chicken intently. There were only several inches between me and the tiger, thank goodness for the reliable metal bars in between us! It was fun and scary to watch them gobble up the meat and even climb on top of our jeep!

After the safari, there is a tiger Close Encounter where several cages are lined up and you walk about a feet from the tigers. After the safari, this was easier to do, although the fear of getting sprayed with tiger pee lingered.

Our next stop was a short Zooper Train ride to the Savannah, where ostriches abound. While I can obviously say the birds were tamer, a lot of shrieks came from our train as they walked closer and closer to us. Since there are no glass windows and the animals can pretty much kiss us if they like, it was fun to dodge around and take photos as close as we can.

After the Savannah, we headed to the Bone Museum for a short while to view some preserved animals and bones on exhibit, then moved along to the Aeta's Trail. It was a cooler area with the tall trees, and we sat for several minutes to watch some Aetas perform their ritual dances. It was amazing to see them move with such grace in their animal-like movements. They danced the Tutubi (dragonfly dance) that signals neighboring tribes of a change in weather; the Unggoy (monkey dance) which they perform during hunting season; and the Pagbabayani (war dance), performed whenever they need guidance for a victorious fight.

Aeta's Trail

Afterwards we saw hundreds of Philippine freshwater crocodiles at the Croco Loco. There were so much that you see more crocodile skin than the ground! They looked like statues because they barely moved.

Croco Loco

Before heading home, you can also take a short trip to the Zoovenir Shop, where they have a lot of Zoobic merchandise like shirts, bags, and animal stuffed toys, that you can give to the kids or bring home as pasalubong.

Close encounters with tigers and ostriches at Zoobic really made our overnight trip more fun. This popular Subic Bay attraction has a good mix of activities for friends and family that will both be educational and entertaining. Aside from the thrilling tiger encounter, it was my first time to see a Cassowary (a flightless bird from New Guinea) and our local Palm Civet Cat up close and within the same area where Bearcats and Otters hang out. The sights and sounds of Zoobic was a good escape from the gray buildings and urban noises that I am exposed to everyday. Head on to Subic for a zoo-per time!

Zoobic Safari is open 8am to 4pm daily (including Sundays and Holidays). Their Animal Parade begins every 3pm during weekends and holidays. Visit www.zoobic.com.ph for more information.
http://www.clickthecity.com/travel/?p=5062

Giant Lantern Festival 2007

The world-renowned Giant Lantern Festival is coming up! Mark your calendars! It’s going to be on Saturday, December 15, 2007, at the Amphitheater of SM City Pampanga, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

Most only see the finished product. The dynamic interplay of lights and color that precisely moves with the rhythm of a brass band, the magnitude of size and their intricate designs, and so much more which spectators only get to appreciate as the giant lanterns of San Fernando are pitted against each other on festival night. No one can dispute the fact that the Giant Lantern Festival of San Fernando is the event that the province of Pampanga is most known for. And it is sad that we rarely acknowledge the tremendous preparation and investment the makers put in each of these giant lanterns. It is because of these giant lanterns and the San Fernando lantern-making industry that the City of San Fernando has been dubbed the Christmas Capital of the Philippines.

The Giant Lantern Festival is quite close to my heart. Aside from the fact that I chaired the Giant Lantern Festival Executive Committee in 2003, the giant lanterns of San Fernando make me proud to be a Filipino. Watching these technological works of art never cease to amaze me as I marvel at the craftsmanship and ingenuity of the Fernandino lantern makers.

Anyway, it was a great show as always. Expect a bevy of celebrities and diplomats to attend since the judges are all famous in their own right. Last year, there was Senator Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez, French Ambassador H.E. Gerard Chesnel who chaired the Board of Judges, Tina Monzon-Palma, and Inquirer founding chair Eugenia Duran-Apostol among others.

I remembered how much the festival had changed since I was a kid. Although I lived in Manila at that time, the entire family always slept at our grandparents' house in San Fernando for Christmas Eve. The lantern festival used to be held after the midnight Mass in a small square beside the church. And the lanterns danced to the music of a live marching band. Smaller lanterns used during the lubenas and the barangay patron saint were also brought to the venue.

After the festival, the giant lantern of our barangay, San Jose, would pass by the house on the way home, in a procession together with the smaller lanterns and the image of San Jose on a carroza, accompanied by a marching band. And those in the house would usually ask who won since the rivalry between San Jose and Del Pilar was still very strong then, with Del Pilar usually winning and San Jose placing second. Those were the days!

Last year, my lantern appreciation skills worked well since the three lanterns that I predicted would win, all made it! Watch out this year for Barangay San Felipe, the defending champion, which was built by my friend, lantern-maker Roland Quiambao! Their winning streak was broken only in 2005 when they placed second.

The Giant Lantern Festival is an inter-barangay contest. In past festivals, it really was a barangay effort and the best lantern makers of the barangay were called on to create the entry to the competition. During that time, each participating barangay had resident lantern makers. However, as the years passed, many of these lantern makers were unable to pass on the trade. Today, only Del Pilar, Sta. Lucia, Dolores and San Jose can boast of resident lantern makers. So to keep the show on the road, other barangays have to rely on lantern makers from other localities."

Anyway, for the past several years, the giant lanterns have been eighteen feet in diameter, each with an average of 5,000 light bulbs, controlled by 8 rotors or more. Last year, there were twelve entries all deserving of praise for the effort they put in the lanterns.

So what's the prize? No cash, just a trophy. More than the cash, it's barangay pride that is at stake. And I hope it remains that way, a community effort where everyone pitches in, hoping to win top honors at the annual festival.

If you want to catch the festival, it would be best to come as early as possible. Although it starts at 8 p.m., there will be a lot of people watching. So to avoid traffic, you could opt to watch a movie or do the shopping marathon in the longest shopping mall in the country! And park near the entrance so that you don’t get stuck when the mad rush to the exit begins after the festival.

You can also catch the giant lanterns sans the crowd after the festival at Paskuhan Village and on December 24 in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando. Call the City Tourism Office at (045) 9615684 for more information.
http://www.clickthecity.com/travel/?p=2519

Bauan Parols at CCP

posted on Friday, December 14, 2007

It all started twenty-nine years (29) years ago, when the faculty of Bauan High School (BHS) in Batangas, headed by Engr. Vicente Cordero, was alarmed by the increasing criminal activities involving teenagers in schools. The group devised a way to reactivate and re-introduce worthwhile activities for students to think, cooperate and develop their artistic abilities through the Parulan (lantern-making) contest.

Today, the BHS, a forerunner and pioneer in lantern-making, continues the said tradition by encouraging its students to use indigenous organic materials such as betel & bunga nuts, rice, corn husks, fish scales, citrus fruits, pistachio shells, cigarettes, garlic, matches, guyabano and alibangbang leaves, coconut tree, "palotsina" & "alim" wood, plastic strings and bottles, among others. Each material used was carefully cleaned, dried, diced, scrapped, soaked, glued, and cut to form intricately-designed flower petals or buds, leaves, and mosaic coupled with flickering and sparkling lights to give birth to an entirely exquisite and unique Christmas lanterns. Truly, the BHS lanterns are a testament of the creativity and skill of the Filipino youth.

This year, 12 winning creations will be displayed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' (CCP) Little Theater Lobby starting December 18, 2007 during the "Paskong Pinoy" celebration at the CCP. The top three (3) lanterns crafted out of rice grains and hay, citrus fruits and garlic won the BHS Parol Festival this year.

Admission to the exhibit is free. For more information, please call the CCP Visual Arts Division at tel. No. 832-1125 loc. 1504-1505.
http://www.clickthecity.com/arts/?p=2547

Tree Top Adventure

http://www.clickthecity.com/Have you ever fallen off a 60 foot tree? I have.

Of course, I have survived it and actually enjoyed the fall (with little bits of sheer horror in between, yes, I admit). It was totally safe, and made much more fun in Subic Bay's Tree Top Adventure.

But before I share the most exciting part of the Tree Top experience, let's take a look at what else is in store for you when you visit this forest of fun.

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Tree Top Adventure
Enjoy the natural beauty of the forest and get your adrenaline pumping at Subic Bay's Tree Top Adventure! Choose among exciting outdoor adventures such as trekking, canopy ride, Superman ride and the Tree-Drop.

Tree Top Adventure just turned 1 this month, serving up people with doses of adrenaline rush and excitement in a lush, virgin forest setting. To ensure that they do not harm any of the trees, Tree Top claims to uses a unique 'Tree Trunk Clumping Mechanism.' Safety is also a top priority here, so all their guides and instructors are well-trained and are educated with standard first aid procedures. They are well-equipped with safety lines, harnesses and safety helmets, and all the instructors are friendly and helpful should you need to address some concerns regarding the different attractions. They have 9 attractions that range from walking, trekking, balancing; jungle demo and Aeta dance presentations; and even flying like Superman! They also have a cafe by the entrance if you want some food and drinks.

Upon climbing up to the main area of Tree Top, the first thing that greeted us was a couple of folks trying out the Tree Drop, the 60-foot rappelling attraction that allows the person several seconds of free fall with the safety features of rappelling (with harness, rope, and helmet). The first drop we saw automatically made our heads shake a big NO. No way did we ever imagine ourselves doing that! I immediately advised our guide to lead us to the Superman Ride instead. I was with a couple of friends who have a fear of heights, and I saw in their faces that I made the right decision.

So our guide, Jackie, led us first to the Superman Ride (P200/head), which was on the left side of Tree Top. There were several log benches on the ground that served as waiting area, so we all sat and look up at the group earlier than us who were now all geared up for the ride.

It's a stretch of 134 meters from platform to platform, and you get whisked away in a lying 'Superman' position as if you're flying. The tricky and scary part is gearing up for it - getting all your harness secure, climbing up the railing, and placing your arms stretched out in front of you on top of a bar, while stretching out your legs and securing your feet on top of a bar as well.

The more the instructor tells you to relax, the tendency is to get all the more tense. But when you've got a barkada to back you up with cheers and moral support, all you do now is to exhale, hang tight, and fly! It was pretty fun after the couple of seconds of shock, with the harness pulling you hard to glide to the other platform. You also get a trip back to the original platform, so that's a round trip Superman ride for about 30 seconds in total. If you want to try for fun, don't face front on your return trip and let them pull you back backwards, feet first. It's a different feeling not knowing where you're headed!

After the Superman, we shook off some of our fear of heights, but not enough to convince us we had enough balls for the Tree Drop. Jackie suggested that we all take the scenic attraction first to cool down and rest, so we lined up for the Canopy Ride (P350/head).

The ride is basically single seats that hang from a motorized cable, and takes you platform to platform at a slow pace, for you to have a beautiful view of the lush greens and appreciate the cool climate. You will reach heights of 18 to 100 feet in this attraction, moving from tree to tree. It's pretty much like that Flying Fiesta ride in Enchanted Kingdom, at turtle speed, in the middle of a forest. You can take your video cameras and cameras and just snap away to get a bird's eye view of the area.

When we landed on our last platform, we climbed down the tree using a steep and small flight of stairs and started our short trek back to the main Tree Top area. The full Trekking (P100/head) will take you to the different sections of the virgin forest, with a guide showing you various species of flora and fauna. In between walks, we would encounter centuries-old trees, some of which have small holes in the base which our guide told us were created by the Aetas for shelter.

So far, we were able to try out Tree Top Adventure's three major attractions: the Superman Ride, Canopy Ride, and a few minutes of Trekking. I thought that we would call it a day by then, but thanks (or no thanks?) to Jackie's unbelievable persuasion skills, she managed to have us all geared up for their ultimate attraction: Tree-Drop! Oh my.

The Tree-Drop (Rappelling, P200 per drop) can be done three ways: the Conventional (sitting on the harness), Face Down (ala Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible) or the Australian type, and the last and hardest drop style is the Lizard. Do you wish to fall 60 feet, facing the sky? Nope, definitely not doing it Lizard style, thank you.

You can also hold on to the rope if you wish to control the speed of the drop or to better balance yourself. You will be wearing gloves to prevent chafing, and a safety helmet, aside from the harness.

As with the Superman Ride, the toughest, most grueling part is when your mind plays games while you are about to step off the ledge and hang on for dear life. What on earth were we doing, right? There are some who have no ounce of fear in their bones and just go for it, while others (like myself) had a hard time letting go of their foot's hold or their instructor's hand. Once you've balanced yourself, you are given a few seconds of photo-ops (have you friends on standby for that!) and then whoosh! Down you go!

So how was it? Absolutely terrifying, and loads of fun. If I'm being contradictory, then so be it. Those seconds of free falling were just so fast and you get a flurry of emotions mixed with adrenaline rush. Okay, I have to admit, it wasn't so bad. You should all try it at least once, when you find yourself in Subic! Bring your army of friends to cheer you on, and you'll definitely have an unforgettable experience.

Tree Top Adventure is located at the JEST Area (beside JEST camp), Upper Cubi Area, Subic Bay. You can avail of different combinations of adventure with their packages (P400-P600/person). Call (047) 252-9425, (047) 252-9427 or visit www.treetopadventure.com.ph for more details.
http://www.clickthecity.com/

Backpacker low cost destinations

September 20th, 2009 on 12:45 pm I recommend Dumaluan Beach resort. I’ve been there last year and the accommodations are affordable, nice and roomy. It’s almost everybody’s recommendation when my beau & I went to Panglao island last year.
It’s so great to be one of the guests ‘coz this resort is so clean and beautiful, all the staffs are friendly and accommodating plus if you need something it’s all in the resort..just name it, they have it.. great foods, beautiful and affordable accommodations, nice swimming pool, beautiful and relaxing beach… it’s really everybody’s recommendation when we were still looking for a resort… Staying in Dumaluan Beach Resort is never a regret. Really worth it! < *-*>
Here’s the room rates last year . (Maybe they already made li’l increase this year)
Room rates:
Standard Aircon - Php 1,300 ($29-30)
Standard De Luxe - Php 1,650 ($37)
Superior De Luxe - Php 1,850 ($40)
De Luxe - P 2,150 ($48)
Junior Suite Php 2,600 ($58)
Suite - Php 2,750 ($61)
Executive - Php 3,500 ($78)
Family - P 4,300 ($96)
Junior Presidential - Php 5,000 ($112)
Presidential - Php 6,000 ($136)
DUMALUAN BEACH RESORT:
Bolod, Panglao, Bohol
Tel. No. (038) 502-9092
Tele fax no. (038) 502-9081
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You can go to Maraira-ira Beach in Pagudpud Ilocos Norte although the travel time is around 10hrs if you travel by night.
Accommodation is around $25 a night i think, there’s no hotel. A family can accommodate you and it is accredited by the Dept. of Tourism.
Entrance to the beach is like $.50 cents only. The beach is white sand just like in Boracay.
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Try Bohol, Philippines. Affordable even for locals, more so for tourists. It’s very safe and, definitely beautiful.
Hope this website helps: http://www.bohol.ph/article75.html?sid=6…
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Caramoan in Camarines Sur - lots of beautiful beaches, limestone cliffs, a few people know about it cause its very far (8 hour bus ride from manila to naga, 2 hour travel by land from naga to sabang pier then 1.5 hours boat ride from sabang to caramoan). I’ve been there twice, the beaches are really awesome. For accomodation, you’ll need at most USD30 (that’s a room good for 3 persons), food is very cheap there. Travel costs (round trip) - about USD40-50 per person. Take a look at this site http://guides.clickthecity.com/travel/?p…

from blog http://www.tremblantlifestyle.com/around-the-world/is-there-a-backpacker-beach-destination-in-the-philippines/

Pinatubo’s lake is spectacular Philippines

Vail travel: But be careful ordering eggs in one rainy Philippine town

A couple of last words about Manila before moving on. On my last day here I take the Light Rail Transport (LRT, basically an elevated tram) to the Chinese cemetery and it is quite curious that the first car out of five is completely reserved for women only.

Interesting; is it a safety measure, politeness or discrimination? You make the call!

The Chinese cemetery is definitely something to see. Hundreds of what almost look like second homes (better than a lot of first homes here) have been erected in a large section of Manila. The cemetery has streets, roundabouts, street signs etc.

The “homes” have kitchens that seem normal — in case the dead get hungry on their way. Several have telephones (you never know whom you might have to call) and I even spotted several with a bathroom, just in case — you finish the sentence. Quite intriguing, definitely an eye-opener and absolutely worth a visit.

From here I stroll — it’s too hot to walk fast — a kilometer or so to the Blumentritt market. It is huge and you can buy just about anything here. There are hundreds of people milling about and I even see a goat being beheaded.

Once again I am the only Westerner here. Last year in Indonesia people constantly yelled or greeted me with “hey mister. “ Here they shout “hey Joe” or “hey boss.” Interesting cultural difference.

A magnificent lake
Then I’m on my way with a two-hour bus ride to Angeles. When you tell people that’s your next stop, they invariably give you a sly smile and a wink and when I arrive I find out why: Angeles and “sex tourism” are synonymous.

I think I have entered Pattaya in Thailand — incredible and sad. Both these towns were more or less established by the US Armed Forces (Pattaya out of Vietnam, Angeles by Clark Air Force Base) and it is quite disturbing to see the “American Culture” so debased.

My reason for spending two nights here is that Angeles is the jumping off point for the famous Mt. Pinatubo volcano, which I visit the next day. Unfortunately I have my trip was made a few hours longer by having to stop for joint Philippino-US military exercises.

However, after having climbed up the last half hour through a creek bed to the top, the views over the magnificent lake are more than worth it. If you recall, this volcano blew its top, literally, in 1991, which accelerated the withdrawal from and the closure of Clark Air Force Base. It’s beautiful and serene and worth spending two nights in Angeles.



Soft-boiled eggs
Back to the mountains, and the town of Baguio at about 4,500 feet. Nice and cool, but unfortunately rainy and not really worth a stop. It is a very young town, lots of students — which is pleasant — but beyond that it doesn’t have much to offer.

An interesting if different experience here —I order soft boiled eggs for breakfast, which they say they make, but when they arrive they are green on the inside. Politely pointing this out to the waitress, she takes them and substitutes them five minutes later with virtually uncooked ones.

I give up and after finishing my tea, ask for the bill and also tell her that these aren’t really soft boiled eggs, but raw. She apologizes again and then the cook (no, definitely not a chef) comes out and asks what’s wrong with his eggs.

When I explain, he shrugs his shoulders, says “too bad” and returns to his domain. Once again, somewhat sad.

The hotel is a stretch, I’m very tired indeed, but for two nights I can handle it, because the location is superb. I strolled around town for a while, but with the almost continuous rain, nowhere is really fun. Tomorrow, I’m in for a seven-hour bus ride to Sagada and hopefully better weather.
Article from http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20090502/AE/905019942/1027/NONE&parentprofile=1066

Coffins hanging in the pouring rain Philippines

’m leaving for Baguio on my “favorite transport” — the bus, which is the only way and therefore, my only choice.

Surprisingly, of the seven-hour trip, the first four are quite enjoyable. Driving through the mountains of Northern Luzon, the so-called Cordillera, everywhere I see terraced farming and it is a delight to the eye. The mountain scenery itself is breathtaking, so for a while I am quite happy, as even the road is made of concrete.

Then, however, things change. The weather deteriorates drastically. It is now pouring and the cement has given way to pressed dirt which, with the rains, is now a mud path.

There are no more views either because of the low-hanging clouds. When I arrive at my destination Sagada, it is a tropical downpour. For a while I take shelter in the bus stop, waiting for the rain to abate, but I have no reservations (no telephone numbers in “the book"), so now I need to arrange something.

There are no hotels, as such, in this town, but I secure a room with bathroom in one of the guesthouses. You know, I purposely came here in the summer, but you could have fooled me. It has been raining virtually every day since I left Manila. On top of it, the old sweatshirt is working overtime because here, like in Baguio, I am at about 4,500 feet.

For the first time in a very long while, I am subject to a curfew. I make it back just before nine, but I am still subject to a look that says “you’re lucky!” Wow!

Macabre feelings
I wake up early the next morning (what do you expect having gone to bed at 9:30?) to the unwelcome sounds of cocks crowing, dogs yapping, a pig squealing while it is being slaughtered and the pouring rain. There seem to be certain places on this earth I am not supposed to experience, such as the famous rice paddies in Sapa, Vietnam, and now, the well-known hanging coffins of Sagada (even the names are similar).

What to do? Do I exercise patience and wait 24 hours to see whether tomorrow is better or do I just chuck it and move on? There is not a lot — in fact, there’s absolutely nothing — to do here. Either leave or spend the day in my dreary guesthouse room with a book. Were I here with my girlfriend, we’d find definitely something to do to pass the time, but alone? Yeah, quite boring.

However, in between rainstorms I manage to climb down to the coffins. It’s a steep and slippery trail down and then back up again, to where they hang. Unfortunately, the guide doesn’t speak much English, but he manages to tell me that the last coffin was hung here in 2005.

Most people are now buried in the cemetery you have to cross to get to the site. Definitely unique and I’m glad the rain held off for a while for me to go and see it.

It starts raining again, but the afternoon brings periods of dryness but no sun. There are three other sites where coffins have been deposited. It is an almost macabre feeling.

Two sites are just in the rocks, while the third one (with the most coffins) is at the entrance of a cave.

I have a very animated and fun discussion with a couple of the locals in the evening. We talk about everything from local economics to religion to travel and we have a great time. It seems there is a local language, which pre-empts the Philippine one and they are quite proud.

I also learn the reason why the coffins are hung on the walls: it brings the deceased closer to heaven. They believe in the Christian god but also have seemingly stronger pagan beliefs. While the Spaniards introduced and maintained Catholicism under penalty of death, they were never able to eradicate he old pagan beliefs.

By the way, virtually everybody — except for my “guide" — speaks some English in the Philippines. If you ever come here, get your guide from the tourist office, they do speak English.



Not-so-romantic ride
I also have my first ride in a jeepney and it sounds much more romantic than it is. I sit — or should I say I am squeezed — in the back on my way to Bontoc and it is a hard bench.

Upon arrival I learn that my connection to Banaue has already left and I have to wait three hours for the next jeepney. I secure the front seat and the trip is on the worst roads so far: 25 miles take us three hours. Abominable is a compliment.

And, it starts pouring again, so now this pressed dirt road is once again a mud path with puddles the size of swimming pools. However we do pass some incredible rice terraces, especially at Barlig, and I can’t wait for my destination.

I arrive there at the tail-end of the annual festival and am lucky to be present at the women’s tug-of-war and the men’s final in volleyball. Quite exhilarating with half the population present for this fiesta.

My hotel is OK and I’m setting out my plans for the next couple of days, mainly viewing the two millennia-old rice terraces. Link from
http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20090509/AE/905089936/1027/NONE&parentprofile=1066

Ferries, MacArthur and a tiny hotel room

Even though my ferry is delayed by two hours and therefore doesn’t get me to my fifth island Bohol until one in the morning, it is a surprisingly good ride because I am treated to a magnificent light(ning) show for virtually the whole trip. It lights up the sky left, right and center, and it is spectacular.

Since there were no mishaps with my motorbike rental on Siquijor, I decide to be brave once more and rent one here in Tagbilaran. It turns out to be the worst one I have ever rented and when I point this out upon returning it a day and a half early, it almost turns into a nasty and violent confrontation ... restraint ... his or mine?


Did manage to make it to the Chocolate Hills, so named because the somewhat intriguing collection of over one thousand virtually identical low hills are supposed to be brown. It is reverse repeat, however, from when I visited the Green Canyon on Java, which was brown — these hills have had an injection of green. These mountains are one of the main reasons to visit Bohol, besides diving of course, and at least in my opinion not really worth the effort. What is interesting on the other hand is my subsequent visit to the Tarsier Nature Preserve where I observe these small creatures, the smallest primates in the world, in their natural habitat. Very fascinating. They are not monkeys, but have the ability to jump 15 feet from tree to tree, while at he same time fitting in your hand. This species is native to just a couple of islands around here, and if you ever visit Bohol, put them on your list.

The next day, I spend at Aloona Beach, quite beautiful with reputedly great diving, and I once again observe a phenomenon typical of Asia. When people, men and women go swimming in the ocean or even the pool, they put clothes on, as opposed to what we do in the West. As a matter of fact, it is about as common to see a Philippina in a bikini as it is to see a catholic nun water skiing! Modesty, I guess?
http://www.bohol.ph/article7.html

Spend the afternoon mapping out my remaining time here (I know, a schedule?!?) since the “travel agents” are uniformly unhelpful. Whether by choice or out of ignorance, I can’t really tell, but it is frustrating. More about that in the last article.

Time to move on and I cross the whole of Bohol to catch the two-hour ferry ride to Leyte. This turns out to be quite pleasant on an outrigger boat. Arrive at Hilongos, a horse and a half town, and have to resort to a two and a half hour taxi ride ($30) to Tagloban. There isn’t a lot to see here except maybe for the Santa Nino Shrine, built by Imelda Marcos (she must have sold some shoes for that!) and the main reason I stop here, the General MacArthur Memorial. When he and his troops were kicked out of the Philippines by the Japanese in 1942 at Corregidor, he vowed, “I will return,” and that he did. In 1944, he landed here in Palo, five clicks from Tagloban, and began the liberation. It is a very impressive monument, but like all here not very well maintained, and gives the impression of him walking out of the water, as he did.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacloban_City

Today over the beautiful 2-kilometer San Juanico Bridge, which links the islands of Leyte and Samar and all the way through the latter and I stop in Sorsogon, Luzon. Interesting fact. At the ferry harbor in Maasin, kids swim in the harbor in between the ferry boats before departure (these are big ferries, each holding 10 to 14 buses!) and try to entice passengers to throw coins in the water for which they then dive. Innovative way to make money. The hotel in Sorsogon,the Fernando’s, presents itself as one of the top 100 resorts in the country, is a sad excuse, except for the coffee shop/garden. My room barely, and I mean barely, lets me open up my suitcase, and the hot water is nonexistent ... and they advertise spacious luxurious rooms!

Since there are no motorbikes to rent here, I opt for the even more dangerous alternative, the Jeepney, to venture to the Bulusan volcano and lake. Better not describe the rides here and the lake is ... well, a lake. Decide to leave a day early for Donsol to try my luck at seeing the famous Butanding, the whale sharks. Stay in a way overpriced “resort,” but I do see some of these magnificent largest sea creatures besides whales in the world. Phenomenal with only one downside. I compete with 80 other snorkelers for a view of these animals. No comparison to when I swam with the enormous sea turtle alone for about five minutes! In any case, I experienced it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donsol,_Sorsogon

From

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20090530/AE/905299924/1027/NONE&parentprofile=1066