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Asia

Panglao

by Vincent December 23, 2007

written by Vincent

Enjoying a late breakfast at my resort, I admired this pleasant view while figuring out how to spend the last day of my trip to Panglao Island, Bohol.

Connected by a short bridge and located at the southwest tip of Bohol, Panglao is a small island known for its beautiful white sand beaches. Internationally, it is renowned as a top diving destination.

Taking a stroll down Alona Beach, I looked for ways to spend my last day on the island.

The island is relatively small, measuring just about 2 km from end to end.

Small bangkas (boats) line the shore, waiting for customers.

Seeing motorbikes for rent, I decided to take a guided scooter tour around the island. In the Philippines, nearly every type of transport is available for hire.

First stop: A Roman Catholic church along the way.

Passing through the scenic northern beaches of Panglao.

Low tide revealed the quiet charm of these beaches.

Local kids playing along the shore.

Next stop: The Hinagdanan Underground Cave.

This cave, filled with stalactites and stalagmites, has a freshwater lagoon perfect for a refreshing dip.

On the road again, passing more tricycles for hire.

We then visited the Panglao Mini-Zoo, home to various bird species and other animals.

The highlight? Witnessing a large boa constrictor being fed a live piglet.

Last stop: Bohol Bee Farm.

Finally, I headed to Dumaluan Beach—my personal favorite. Less crowded than Alona Beach, Dumaluan offers a longer, wider coastline with a more tranquil atmosphere.

Huts can be rented for 150 pesos per day, and tents for 350 pesos if staying overnight.

Returning to Alona Beach in the evening, I picked fresh seafood for dinner, some of which was still moving!

Living seashell

Again the evening finishing late at around 5AM with some tourists & expats

The trip ended with an early morning flight back to Manila.

A final view of Tagbilaran from the air.

December 23, 2007 0 comments

Philippines

Bohol

by Vincent November 25, 2007

written by Vincent

The island of Bohol, here on the Loboc River cruise.

Bohol, the tenth largest island in the Philippines, is situated just south of Cebu City and offers a wide array of attractions. One of the best aspects of visiting Bohol is the ability to start and end your day on a stunning white sand beach, enjoying a Piña Colada while also having explored the island’s diverse landscapes and history.

We started early, departing from Cebu City harbor at 6:00 AM on the fast ferry, arriving in Tagbilaran, Bohol, in just under two hours. This is the most time-efficient way to travel without losing half a day commuting. From Tagbilaran, Panglao Island and its best beach resorts are only a 20-30 minute drive away. Hiring a car from the harbor is an affordable option, often cheaper than hotel-arranged transport. Prices start high but quickly drop from 1500 pesos to around 700-800 pesos after some bargaining.

Now, let’s take a look at the highlights of our Bohol adventure.

Approaching the Bay of Tagbilaran.

Colorful tricycles in Tagbilaran City.

Exploring the stunning landscapes of Bohol.

Driving towards Panglao Island, our home for the next few days.

Arriving at Lost Horizon Resort at 8:30 AM.

Alona Beach in Panglao—one of the island’s most famous beaches.

After a quick breakfast, we headed back on the road to explore more of Bohol.

Our first stop: The Loboc River Floating Restaurant.

For just 250 pesos per person, this experience includes an all-you-can-eat buffet and live music while slowly cruising along the river. The lush scenery, traditional nipa huts, and playful local kids diving from palm trees into the water made for an unforgettable journey.

View of the floating restaurant buffet.

Next, we visited Bohol’s most famous attraction: The Chocolate Hills.

These unique hills, around 40 meters high, were formed by limestone and coral deposits sculpted by thousands of years of erosion. During the dry season, the hills turn brown, resembling giant chocolate mounds—hence the name.

A breathtaking view of the rice fields near the Chocolate Hills.

Another must-see in Bohol is the Tarsier Sanctuary.

Often referred to as the world’s smallest primates (though they are actually more closely related to lemurs), these tiny creatures have enormous eyes and are nocturnal. Seeing them up close is a rare treat.

Lastly, we visited the Blood Compact Site.

This historic monument marks the peace agreement between Spaniard Miguel López de Legazpi and Boholano chieftain Datu Sikatuna in 1565. The two leaders symbolically mixed their blood with wine and drank it as a sign of friendship.

Bohol is a truly mesmerizing island with a mix of history, nature, and adventure. Whether you’re after relaxation or exploration, there’s something for everyone.

November 25, 2007 0 comments

Philippines

Cebu City

by Vincent November 19, 2007

written by Vincent

Cebu city also nicknamed ‘Queen of the South’ is the second largest city of the Philippines.

It has few attractions compared to it’s big sister Manila and most of the ones it has have to do with Ferdinand Magellan’s arrival here and consequently the birth of Catholicism in the Philippines, the Santo Nino Cathedral, the Carbon market (the biggest and liveliest) & Colon Street which is the oldest street of the country and more or less the town’s center.

Ninos Church next to cross of Magellan at dusk

It’s also of course more laid back and calmer but that wasn’t for me a bad thing for me as I could feel the previous week of drinking was slowly taking its toll and it was time for a break.

I arrived at the Mactan airport of Cebu after dark with a few suggestions of places to stay when in Cebu city. The sight of a tourism & accommodations desk while waiting for my luggage changed my initial plan of just taking a cab to one of those hotels. This turned out to be a good decision since both the Northwinds hotel and the Business park hotel I was suggested were fully booked. I was surprised of this as we’re still in the monsoon (or wet) season which is the lowest for tourism.

I eventually found with the help of the staff something suitable in the city near Fuente Osmena Circle but a bit more expensive that I had expected so a good advice book in advance.

Executive room I had to move in on the last night (everything else full) in **Hotel Asia (click to book)** for cost the of more or less €40

Schoolgirls waiting for public transportation to go home on Osmena Boul.

Vanessa who I met on day one in Cebu here touring me around her city

This is the spot where Ferdinand Magellan planted his cross in 1521 . Historic attraction as this is the only Catholic country of Asia.

Candle lighting for prayers next to Santo Nino

Cebu is where one can find the most colorful jeepneys of all the Philippines.

Larsian: The biggest eatery of Cebu city

lined up with an impressive amount of number of barbecue stands

Having a seat enjoying some of that great fresh BBQ!

Busy day and night it offers pretty much every possible choice of BBQ meat: Chicken, Pork, Fish, Squid, etc..

View of part of Cebu from ‘Top hills’ spot at night

Tired but happy having a late meal. Tomorrow finally starts the trip to Bohol…

November 19, 2007 0 comments

Philippines

Boracay island

by Vincent November 8, 2007

written by Vincent

Situated around 350 km down south from Manila in the Visayas, Boracay is a fabulous beach destination to discover. Sized only at 7 km long by 2 wide it’s a relatively small tropical island that has lots to offer. Just to see it’s 4km long famous white beach is well worth the trip it but the island by itself has around 30 beaches and coves for you to chose and discover. Some are easy of access by foot while others require a bit of swimming to be reached. Alternatively renting out a banca will take you around all of them and beyond. Virtually unknown 25 years ago it has fast grown into one of the Philippines most prized destination. Boracay comes from the the word ‘borac’ which is cotton in English referring to the texture and color of it’s sand.

The previous nights sleep was short (about 2 hours) and as we left our hotel in Manila at around 5 am I was still in a dreamy state wondering if on my arrival if the water would be as pristine & if the sand really had that white powder feel like it looked on the pictures I had seen.

The quick one hour flight from Manila to Kalibo with Cebu Pacific Air went well and we were entertained by the crew and their famous on board guessing games. As usual the plane was about 30 minutes late but who would really notice anyways since we’re on Filipino time…

Juts before boarding the flight still pretty much sleepy as can be

From there you’re in for another 90 minutes car or bus ride to the ferry terminal that’s on the northern tip of the main island. It’s actually not that bad since it gave me my first glimpse of Filipino provincial life which is very different from the one of the Capital. You can if you are in a hurry fly directly from Manila to Caticlan flight with Asian Spirit or SeAIR and skip the 90 minutes transfer on smaller 20-30 seated aircrafts. The Caticlan runway is as short as it gets and only these kids of aircrafts would be able to land and depart from.

Now comes the final part of our journey the 20 minutes Banca ride to Boracay which was quite a fun experience to board one of those vessels onto the sea:

Leaving the Banca ferry terminal

As a few other Bancas approach

View of the main island from the sea

View from inside the banca

Land at last ! Here we are approaching Boracay

First glimpse of Boracay is quite impressive

And now after checking in at our hotel time to actually go and take a first hand look (and snap a few pictures) of the famous White Beach.

Final verdict ?

I was totally overwhelmed by its beauty! It’s the kind of place that you would only imagine possible to be true in Martini advertisements… But its booming, Leif who had been there just three years previously could hardly recognize a lot of the places. Every square foot of beach front left seem to have been almost bought and developed. A walk along the palm trees will reveal restaurants serving food from corner of the globe: German, Italian, Greek, Japanese, Indian, Thai, Caribbean, Scandinavian, etc. you name it! The old native style bamboo huts are almost all gone and what’s left is a modern strip of hotels with everything from small bars to all out night raves and discos.

Ah yes this isn’t the worst place to be stranded is it?

more or less in front of our hotel

The other side with me unable to open my eyes due to the blazing sun

More of white beach at station 2 & 3

And now for a bumpy tricycle ride up to the top of the island on Mount Luho which is the highest point of Boracay which is around 100 meters high. The round trip should take you just under an hour.

From where you can an excellent good view of the island and its surrounding

I am finally able to open my eyes a bit at last here

Now for a look all around the different sides of Mount Luho

Monkeys on mount Luho

Pickpockets!

Cute looking little monkeys aren’t they ?

Even one peso coins gets them going

Divers returning on White Beach

Now for a White beach station 2 & 1 picture flood…

A feel of walking around the island

White Beach at station one

The extreme northern tip of white beach

Diniwib beach

Balinghai Beach

Pictures of the sunset at Boracay

Picture from one of Leif’s friend home, a native woman that was one of the first to come in Boracay here 2o+ some years ago living with Bill, an American that left to visit Asia in 1972 and never made it back home.

You can rent one of their rooms here for the year at $2500. The Zone is wi-fi as most staying here make money from the internet working at home.

and after sunset the hostilities start & our first night of two nights out…

My mistake here telling the Canadian owner/bartender that his drinks were a bit light since a bottle of local Tanduay Rhum is 40 pesos in a sari-sari store (PS: 1$ CAD = 45 pesos today).
We Both woke up still drunk hopefully an Australian couple we had met the day before had a hangover cure the next day for us.

Another beautiful day at the beach doing just about nothing…

There are many activities possible though that range from: scuba diving, horse riding, kayaking, island hopping, renting motorcycles, all terrain vehicles and much more, etc.

And here our last night together already well in full gear…

Leif had of course to take over the bar and prepare his own special drinks to our new half Filipino but swiss raised friend that had a little time off while his girlfriend was sleeping.

Ready when you are

Ok light it up !

1-2-3.. GO!

Job DONE! Now the hardest part inhaling the alcohol fumes

And our last stop at an unnamed bar.

PS: notice the nice girls in the back 😉

These are the Very very obvious trannies you can only see coming out late at night … Others are very hard to differentiate.

Be very careful what you bring back with you. The previous day two Arabs we talked to late at night(one from Dubai & the other from Saudi Arabia) seemed to clueless they were picking up ladyboys. I am sure they were in for quite some surprise…

That was quite the inside joke of the night.

Leif’s forces slowly dying out. Can’t blame him, its after all his last day of his 3rd week in the Philippines.

Trannie Alert!

Last picture took of Leif before he leaves to bed. His flight is earlier than me & he must be awake by 5 AM to be among the first to chose his seats online for the plane to Norway. Gladly I stayed on a bit 🙂

A quick stolen picture of my last day in Boracay having brunch with the lovely presence of Anne Sy (quite a pretty Filipino/Chinese I met the evening before). Leif’s presence has been at last upgraded !

Life is very harsh for some… Raised solely by her grandma and struggling to survive she came 2 months previously to Boracay where the tourism jobs are booming. Still not much to eek out a living for a single mother but they never like to be taken in pity. They accept what fate brings them.. I could imagine a few worst places to be obliged to live while being poor anyways 🙂

She said hello last week online so I had to do her justice & add her into my pictures with a more proper one of her.

A few hours later I was on my way for Cebu city. This time I left from from the small airport of Caticlan with Asian Spirit airlines. The flight was one hour late this time & aboard a tiny aircraft. I was a bit uneasy since instead of the usual English emergency exit writing inside this model was all in Russian. Made me think I was boarding some old USSR Aeroflot aircraft. The speakers also made very a weird sound.