Salamat Philippines!

I absolutely LOVED the Philippines! Beach, warm weather, pina coladas, beer, fresh seafood, friendly people, $6 hour messages.....Ughhh, can I go back?!! I can't say enough good things about the island of Bohol in the Philippines. Only 4 days, a little short, but just what I needed. We managed to relax on the beach, scuba dive, scoot the island, hitting up the infamous Chocolate Hills and a local Tersier reserve (home to the world's smallest primate), getting a few messages, and conquering World domination on the pool table. All while slinging back tasty cocktails and cold beer! 

Getting there and coming back was a bit exhausting. Making the most out of our time we managed to book red-eye flights. Not so bad going there when you know you can sleep on the beach, but having to come back to face 9 little Korean monsters, not so much, though totally worth it! I, however, would not recommend EVER flying Cebu Pacific, as to, they suck. They might be cheaper but unless it's a short flight, not worth it. The plane was made to fit Filipinos. My knees hit the seat in front of me and my shoulders touched the person siting next to me. They charged for EVERYTHING, even water. My return flight I asked for a blanket, "We do ma'am but it's 290pesos (aka ~$6)," Really?!! I'm sorry but I just paid a not-so-cheap plane ticket, and now I have to pay more to be comfortable on it?" Not to mention on the way back, my seat didn't recline, so I had to sit basically at a 90 degree angle the whole way back with someone behind me with rancid breath, who kept coughing and my neighbor who wanted to cuddle. Needless to say, I got no sleep. I did manage however to get a laugh in when on our way to the Philippines they started selling souvenirs...really?

Here are a few pictures...

After arriving in Cebu, we took a ferry to the island of Bohol. We docked in Tagbilaran, and then got ourselves a trike to the little island Panglao, connected to Bohol by a bridge. 

Our Trike.
 It was a bit of a tight fit but we managed! Judith and I were in the cab and Christy got the luxury of sitting side saddle behind our driver, Ricky. Thanks, for taking one for the Team, Christy!

The powerlines.
 A little ridiculous, I think.

Heaven.

Alona Beach, Panglao, Philipines.
We have arrived.

Beer at 9am? Yes, please.

The weirdest starfish.  

Dinner (php250)
Expensive since we are eating on the beach, totaling $5

We rented ourselves a couple scooters. We all wanted our own (well, maybe not Judith) but Christy forgot her license so I ended up chauffeuring her around. It's wasn't too bad but it's definitely more stressful knowing that if you crash it's not just you you have to worry about.

Jut a couple of bad ass bitches on bikes....no big deal!

Everyone was SOOO friendly. All the kids and adults would all say hi.

Bohol is famous for its Chocolate hills.
Cuased from the earths plates shifting and rain fall these coral mounds were formed.

We had our own personal photographer, who took pictures for us. He'd tell how to pose and what to do and for me...what not to do! 

On our way back from the Chocolate Hills we tried to eat at the Floating Bistro. A restaurant that floats down the river while you eat. We got there just in time....right after it was over! But because Filipinos are soooo incredibly awesome, they let us eat on the boat while they cleaned it...the brought out the leftovers of the all-you-can-eat food served on the actual boat cruise.

The world's smallest primate, though NOT a monkey, a tarsier.  Think size of a hamster. 

                                          

                                                       Here's my big head for a size comparison. :)

   

The forcast was light rain Thursday, Friday and Rain, Saturday and Sunday.....Saturday and Sunday were the most beautiful!

I braved the risk of a ruptured ear drum to Scuba.  

We dove...we dived? (I don't know which one) off the coast of Balicasag Island, about a 30 minute boat ride of Panglao island.  Did two dives, the first at Santuary and the second in Black forest. 

The stroll along the beach, a couple of souvenir shops

The view off the beach, down the main road.

Finally!!!!  ...but Knitting needles, really?!!

I have LOTS more pictures, I've posted most on Facebook, but if you aren't a member and want to see more, let me know and I'll try to upload them somewhere else.

Going to the Philippines made me remember why I came to Korea in the first place. I've had a hard time here but to be able to see the world and experience it through your own eyes and not through a friend, a book, magazine, or the travel channel is absolutely amazing! If you tell yourself, its something you can't do, you are cheating yourself. Life is short, enjoy it! You're only in debt until your dead...