People, including myself, compare every beach and island to Boracay. It has become the benchmark for us to know if the beach is a party place, an isolated island or a raw, magnificent beauty. But there comes a time, when we should not attempt to compare at all, for not only is it unfair for any other white-sand beach island to be compared to world famous Boracay, but it is also daunting. And I firmly believe that each place has an inherent charm and beauty that can be appreciated by not all, but many of us who see so many wonders in nature, history and the the background story.
Where do we start?
Our journery starts from Nirvana Street, here in Malabon. We woke up before 5 am. We prepared our things and when our cab arrived, we boarded it like zombies. I feel like my body is still sleeping under my blanket while I'm all perky and riding to the airport.
An hour and half early...oh well..
still sleepy, but excited
The plane ride took only an hour and fifteen minutes. Cesar Montano and Sunshine Cruz were also in the plane, and I almost pretended not to know my dad because he asked for Cesar's autograph. Anyway, when the plane landed, what I saw was just like any other provincial city. Our ride was waiting for us and took us to the resort.
Hmm, still nothing new...just like any resort, nothing fancy and no luxuries. But then, we went to the beach. And then there it was.
and that's not bora...though it can fool ya...
white white sand
My sister and I waddled in the clear waters of Panglao. Yep, it looks like Bora, minus the disparaging looks to bodies not up to perfection, the mating rituals of single people and the excessive display of skin and skimpy fashion. The beach is more enjoyed by all members of the family rather than by couples or group of friends. There are no restaurants occupying every inch of beachfront space and I like it that way. Feels more natural to me.
The powdery white sandy beach provided endless entertainment to all members of the family with children shrieking with delight. And I almost felt a pang of sadness that maybe I'll have to content myself with watching children of other people. Almost.
Lunch was also a pleasant surprise. We ate chicken barbecue (which was really, really good) and bought one kilo of lechon for only P250 (in Manila it will nearly double). Life was really good. I took pictures after eating, looking like a crazy Manilena, armed with my digicam and my big, SLR Nikon camera. Hopefully, it'll all look good.
We went back to the resort and spent the rest of the hot afternoon submerged in the cool water of the resort pool. Afterwhich, dinner and cable tv watching. Ah, Discovery channel. I'm really missing you. I never knew I'll be that glad to see Ian Wright again. And what is it about vacations and life in the province, but I slept early, and promptly snored loud enough to prevent my sister from sleeping well. Anyway, I've got to rest for the full day ahead the next day.
Discovering Bohol
Our first stop the next day was the Blood Compact site. It was okay, but if you like stories, then, you'll love it. It was a warm day, kinda hot really, but we posed and smiled for the camera anyway.
smiling for the skewed picture
Then, on to my favorite part of our trip. The two thousand plus Chocolate hills. We braced ourselves in the van as it made its way towards Carmen, Bohol, where the viewing site is located. Amidst the bouncing during that bumpy ride, we passed by no less than four, (yes, four!) old churches, one of which is the oldest church in the country which we will visit later.
After minutes (or is it an hour?) we saw some hills already on our left, and some on our right. When we arrived at the viewing site, I'm surprised to find that I have to climb 250 steps to view it properly. Gah!
But then...
Welcome to Bohol!
Oh wow!
It left me speechless. Not an easy feat, but it can really be done. The beauty of it lies in the individuality of each hill. I had the impression that they all look alike, like Hershey's kisses scattered along the countryside, but I'm wrong. Some are small, some have trees, and some are steeper than the others. Others are chubby and small, while others are so small you can barely discern them from a distance. For me, it was reminiscent of meeting so many interesting people all at once. All have different personalities, and all are worthy to get to know.
another one for the album
We stayed there for quite a while. I changed films in my SLR and I took up a sizable percentage of my digicam's memory card. Tee hee. I just like the look of all those hills, standing beside each other. How can they live side by side, all the time, for so many years?
I thought our third stop was lunch, as my stomach was already churning. So the driver was driving fast when we passed by a forest I saw earlier. I asked Jing to stop for three minutes, just enough for me to take two to three pictures. I have never seen trees lined up like that and I just had to take pictures.
thru the forest
All the famous forests leapt to mind. The Forbidden forest, fully expecting Harry and Draco to emerge behind one tree. The Sherwood Forest, or One Hundred Acre Wood. I can imagine Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White and Goldilocks lost in these woods. Or even Robinhood, following Piglet and Pooh. Those trees brought it all to life for me. And I was grateful to all those students years ago who planted those trees. Yes, it is a man-made forest, and it gives me hope. With all our environmental problems, I might not see another one like this for quite long while.
I remember crossing my fingers that it was finally time for lunch, but no. We stopped to meet a tiny creature that reminds me of Yoda when Luke met him for the first time in The Empire Strikes Back. And it was really like I imagined meeting Yoda. The tarsier was sleeping when we entered his sanctuary, but then the sounds of our yakking probably woke him up, and he stared at me with those big bright brown eyes of his, as if assessing my very character and all my worth with just one look.
disturbing someone's sleep
We bought some tarsier keychains, copying those Australian tourists who always bring home a miniature koala bear. Then, we left and this time, I knew lunch was coming because we boarded a river craft with crews who have shirts with 'Loboc River Cruise and Restaurant' written at the back. When I saw the dishes laid out in the buffet table, I smiled the smile of a hungry woman. At last!
Savoring the food and the Loboc river cruise experience is a combination that can soothe even the weariest of traveller. It did soothe me and I saw several foreign visitors enjoying themselves as well.
not too close, but good enough
One big snake and three old churches on the way back and I see the oldest church again. Its rustic charm telling me how ancient she is, yet how loved and well-cared for. Ah, how many weddings, baptisms and masses had it witnessed? How many prayers had it heard? Can you imagine all those people flocking thru these old stone churches? It was bucolic and beautiful, just because you can almost hear and see its history unfold infront of you.
Tired but happy, the driver brought us to Tagbilaran's newly constructed mall, for us to buy our pasalubongs for he said, it's cheaper in the Supermarket. And it is. We bought a lot of food, and peanut kisses to fill my peanut hunger.
I thought we're on our way back to the resort, but the driver asked us if we'd like to see the cave. And we brightened again, as if saying 'bring it on! we're still on our feet, aren't we?' It was touch and go with the cave, as my parents are feeling out of sorts underground, but we bought more pasalubongs, this time of the shirts and caps variety from the vendors selling near the caves. Afterwhich, we really finally made our way back to the hotel.
mom, hanging on for dear life, before plunging down to the unknown
Good food and another good night sleep after, we had our last breakfast in Bohol. Then, we prepare our stuff and said goodbye to this bold, beautiful and historic province. Now, I'm back in Manila, reading my daily dose of h/d of course, but I'm missing the laid back atmosphere already, though I know I cannot live there for long, for I'm born and bred in the city.
But still, it was an experience I wouldn't likely to forget. Afterall, I was with my family and I was travelling. I just couldn't go wrong with that.
So where next?
Bicol, volcano and a wedding. I can hardly wait.
Sarap! Ganda! Pictures pa lang 'to ganda nga tulad ng sabi mo. =)
ReplyDeletewow bicol! that's in my "places to go" list too......
ReplyDelete*ingget*