Watchers to Hunters

Part VIII - Bohol series (2.11)

After a light and dreamless sleep, for me anyway, we woke up to a slightly less dark sky still dotted with a billion stars. Such a pretty picture and I couldn't capture it quite nicely with my camera. Kainis. Anyway, we hurriedly changed into our swimsuits, lathered some sunscreen, and dashed off to the meeting area where we're supposed to meet up with kuya Renz - the kind tryke driver yesterday who helped us find a cheaper boat to rent, and the Korean girls, of course. After loading our stuff and fitting ourselves, all four of us, into the three-wheeled taxi, we sped off along the deserted road to Alona beach where our bangka is waiting for us.

Alona beach is a small community with an abundance of inns, hostels, B&Bs to choose from depending on your preference and budget of course. We opted to stay at the Dumaluan resort since we wanted some peace and quiet and a cottage right by the beach. Anyway, the place is already swarming with people and the shore dotted with bangkas waiting to take tourists out to sea and to the smaller islands. We were introduced to our boat captain - I totally forgot his name, an old man of about 50 or 60. A fisherman, I'll just call him Manong A, he knows the sea and the area quite well. I settled the package price with him while the girls kept themselves busy with pictures. I didn't haggle much for I know we already got a good enough bargain at 1600 bucks for the boat. And I know for a fact that tourist season comes once a year and it'll be lean times for the rest of the months for them. So... we headed to our  tiny bangka and boarded it with the help of this lad of 14, who I'm gonna call Totoy (I forgot his name too..I'm bad at this..remembering names), Manong A's first mate. 

The water looks very shallow as the rocks and corals at the bottom can be clearly seen from the boat. We slowly navigated our way through the many scattered boats. I wanna help out and get things moving just so we can get ahead of everybody else..as if I knew how! I know nothing about sailing, boating, etc. But at least I know how to swim. Haha.. Finally we got away from all the congestion and the water was deep enough to start the motor. Off we went!

We've been riding over waves some small, some smaller, for some time already. The sun continued it's slow climb up illuminating the world. We were already partially wet from the spray. We on our side are enjoying the sun's rays and the warming weather. The sky is such a clear powder blue. And cloudless. I uttered a short prayer of thanks for the great weather. Yesterday was raining. The other girls on the other side however, have covered themselves more..with sarongs and towels and wide-brimmed hats in protection from the sun. I find this funny because here I am among three other girls who are all Korean by race. Two are Koreans by heart and the one beside me doesn't know a single Korean word! :D Anyway, we've been navigating the sea for over a period of  20 or so minutes and we haven't caught a single glimpse of what we came out early for. Not even a single sign of frolicking when they were said to love playing at dawn. Though we've been ahead of everyone else at the start of this sorta race, we're lagging behind the bigger boats with the more powerful engines. Boats were lured by other boats just as people are by huge crowds. So after much effort on Manong A's part, we finally caught a glimpse of the suddenly-illusive creatures. I bet they felt like Michael Jackson  hiding and shying away from the paparazzi. As it turned out, we went dolphin-hunting. Not dolphin-watching. But none of them were physically harmed by anyone. :)

Back and forth

Part VII - Bohol series (2.11)

Last night was a bit crazy. Sky and I had dinner at one of the resort's al fresco dining areas..the cheaper one of course. We had rice, soda and lots of bbq! During the entire course of the meal, I kept going back and forth to the tour kiosk hoping to catch anyone wanting to do the dolphin-watching tour in the morning. You see, an entire bangka costs around 2800 bucks and there's just the two of us. So I gotta look for boatmates! The manang (we're pretty sure) was getting pissed off and tired of seeing my face, I bet on it!

Long after we've finished dinner, we've already walked along the shore. Such a pretty star-filled sky! We wandered into the other restaurant with the live band eyeing for probable targets. We went out empty-handed. 

We ended up lounging at the reception area. We each chose our seats and grabbed stuff to read. And like an answered prayer, two Korean girls got out of a black van. And as I'm the project head, I beat their very own driver at the boat tour contest! My sister and I have a couple of Korean friends but these girls are two of those who speak and understand English least. But I don't really care, they said yes already! 

After agreeing to meet up at the reception area after an hour, we went our separate ways. Them - to shower, us - nothing really. Over their dinner and some fruit shakes, we discussed our boat trip the following day. 

Hoppin' - Bohol

Part VI - Bohol series

A visit to Bohol isn't complete without going to Panglao.  So even if we've made friends with the tarsiers, hiked Baclayon church, climbed Chocolate hills, cruised Loboc river.. we made Panglao our last major pit stop.

Right after the river tour, we hopped on a jeep that'll take us back to Dao terminal, from where we're supposed to take another bus to the island. After a few inquiries, we finally found our ride. Pretty much the same bus but smaller this time. And as usual, we're the first ones. Then came a manang (old lady), followed by two kuyas (older brother). For the meantime, we took separate seats -because they're pretty cute, and waited. And waited. And waited... It took so long for people to come and fill up every single seat available. After a much longer wait, we finally took off and headed for Panglao. Or so we thought. 

As it turned out, manong driver was actually headed to a makeshift terminal intending to load more passengers. But the bus is already full! Where are they gonna stuff these people?!

After a much much longer wait, we finally started moving for the short trip. I don't exactly remember how long it took. All I know is that after a few winks.. a short nap as we were gently swayed right and left, we arrived in Panglao. The thing is that we haven't actually decided where to spend the night. Haha.. and haven't really booked anywhere. We hopped out of the bus at the Alona White Beach area and retraced our steps to head back to the Bohol Beach Club, which as it turned out, was pretty far. Fortunately, a trike was stalking us! lol We hopped in.. it really was far back! As it turned out, Bohol Beach Club is too pricey for us beachbums on a budget. But we're just so lucky that our driver knew of Dimaluan Beach, which is just right next to BBC.

This is the view from our 1000 bucks/night suite. Our chosen resort shares the same shore as BBC. "Why not go for the cheaper one?," said manong driver. Our sentiments exactly.

And of course, our lovely cottage. One word: Presko. Who needs the airconditioned room when you can enjoy the fresh cool air blowing in from the sea. We walked the entire shoreline from our part to the farthest, the expensive Eskaya and Amorita resorts.