Philippines 2 - Paradise

Day 3

After such an eventful evening, part of the group woke up for a tour of the Chocolate Hills, waterfalls, monkeys, and ravines. Being in a van all day in the heat was not the best moment of our trip, but we had a fun time taking turns feeling like death throughout the day. We started the tour by zip lining over a HUGE ravine. It was the kind that you lay down (as you can see in the picture) and so you literally felt like you were flying over a jungle. Exhilarating and terrifying, but serene and beautiful too! The girls got shakes on the way out and then we headed to the bamboo rafts, which were a complete tourist trap, but still kind of neat to see AND we got roasted bananas out of the stop, so all in all, success.

Maria and Bene sailing over the ravine

More bumpy driving through the “man-made mahogany forest”. Our driver asked if we wanted to stop for pictures and everyone was confused because it was literally a forest that you would see anywhere. It was supposedly special for some reason. After continuing through the wooded area we finally arrived at the Chocolate Hills. They are literally huge hills that in the winter turn dark brown and look chocolate. Geologists still cannot decide on how they were formed, but it was neat to see. We asked the local waiter at lunch why they were called the Chocolate Hills and he said he had no idea. SO that wasn’t helpful. Some people say they are giant's tears after he fell in love with a mortal and after her death began crying and leaving the hills as a sign of his grief. The other legend is that two giants were throwing mud at each other and then left the land. You can decide which is a better story. This was about the point in the day when everyone was at their worst. We had to hike up some steps for the best view, chugging water, not showered, in the heat… but the view was breathtaking so it was worth it.

Amazing forest

Chocolate Hills

After lunch we headed to our last stop to the waterfalls. At the entrance they have little Tarsier monkeys which are known to the Philippines that you can look at and take pictures with. Kind of depressing, but they were so cool! Then we took another boat down Loboc river to two waterfalls. The ride was very peaceful and then the sound of the waterfalls came out of nowhere. We were able to jump in and swim under the waterfall to look out and we were all so excited just doggy-paddling around. On our way out of the waterfall I kicked and almost drowned Andrew accidentally, but that was the only mishap of the day thank goodness. By now everyone was worn out so we did not even stop to see the oldest church. Our driver slowed down and everyone agreed it was pretty and we kept moving.

The little Yoda looking Tarsier

Extreme waterfall - not the one we swam under

After cleaning up and finally returning to a sober and completely coherent state, we all went to one of the bbq beach restaurants, again right on the beach. You walk up and pick your fish, skewer, etc. and they cook it on a little grill right there in front of you. Soooooo delicious! (Shakes were again consumed at this meal) After dinner we walked down a ways to a different beach bar with the band from the Villa who played great cover songs in the reggae type genre. Maria and I stood literally in the surf the entire time with our drinks, chatting, and enjoying the music. Felix, Christian, and I got the Filipino drink with their signature baby limes called a Cuba Libre. Another relaxing evening with Team HK in the wonderful Philippines.

Beautiful Fish

Cuba Libres in hand

The set up

Day 4

This day was pretty normal with lounging on the beach. It rains randomly in the Philippines so several times during the day we would have to run our stuff under a hut and then return to sunbathing position after a 15-minute shower. We had coconut milk/flesh and I had my first motorbike riding experience. A few of the boys rented bikes so they could explore around and mainly just because they wanted to look cool. I rode with Rasmus to the beach and it was so much fun! He was careful of course, but we just chatted the whole way to and from the beach. From that point on I kept calling one of the boys’ motorbikes because I had so much fun.  We ate dinner at the Villa and had “sizzling sisig” which was pork and egg over rice. Now that I just looked it up on Wikipedia, it being a dish usually made from a pig’s head and liver, I am rethinking my choice and how good I thought the meal was. We had an intense game of cards with way too many people and ended up at the beach bar with music yet again.

Philippines!!!!

Favorite picture of Benedicte

On the way back from the beach

Game of Cards

Enter: Sam - at the beach bar (The black and white couple as announced by the band)

Day 5

Another day at the beach with even more rain, but another great lunch at our staple spot down the shore and of course a wonderful day with friends.

Not wanting to leave

Rented Motorbikes - rebels

Day 6

Another amazing day with my dear friend Jean-Ba. He decided to rent a motorbike from the Villa and was going to drive into Bohol Island and tour around. We were on Panglao Island which was even smaller and Bohol had larger waterfalls and more civilization.  Although I had ridden with the guys to the beach, that was only 10 minutes away and I was kind of nervous to drive (by that I mean ride) so far given the group’s track record. Jean-Ba assured me that they were just idiots and bad drivers and he was smart and would be careful. So we ventured off on our day with the mission of making it to the waterfalls. We had sunscreen, a map, and some water and were ready! The day ended up being so great. We went got into Bohol and out of nowhere there was a crazy traffic intersection with cars everywhere. JB maneuvered around the chaos and we cruised through the busy streets. I was appalled at their power lines everywhere. (Notice the photo).

Ouch!

Entering Bohol Island

We stopped at a neat little market and kept driving. It was almost instant that we were back out of the city and into the more rural area with sporadic houses, lots of self-run convenience stores, rice fields, and animals. It was so gorgeous driving through the open fields and seeing the true Filipino lifestyle.

Market - resourceful price signs

Gorgeous Rice Fields

We eventually made it to the waterfalls were a “lady-boy” took our money and showed us to the path. “Lady-boys” for some reason are extremely common in the Philippines and I think other various Asian countries like Thailand. The waterfalls were beautiful but we decided it was too cold to jump in so we chickened out and just enjoyed the view. On our ride back to Panglao we saw a sign for a beach so we took an enormously bumpy path to a beautiful little opening to the water. There were two guys fishing out on the water and it was yet another little peaceful hideaway we found in the Philippines. I had such a great day with JB and everyone relaxed with the smaller group that was still left for our last evening.

At the waterfall

Our mode of transportation

Jean-Ba and I

Day 7

Time to head back to HK to face exams, people leaving, and heading home

I should also mention that while in the Philippines three of the guys got their diving license, which they later used on another island in the Philippines and during their trip to Thailand. They had such an amazing experience and everyone started picking up on the diving signals and using them instead of thumbs up. Also, almost everyone got a massage at the Villa. It was amazing. 

The Scuba Diving Boys

Picture from a Dive