My first day on the bike took me down to Luboc, where the tourist center was located and I found out a few places that had to be visited. I went straight for the Tarsier Sanctuary to start with. Costing 40php (with guide) I was shown the location of these tiny mammals hiding away in trees of the sanctuary. They are ugly little things. Closer to a Gremlin than anything, with eyes nearly as big as their heads. They don't move much in the day, so I was able to get some really great pictures of them close up. The guide told me that the babies are a small as a half a mans thumb, and some were due to be born next week. They are very close to extinction supposedly. It was only a short stop, but a worth while one. Next, I took a horrible dirt road to the town of Albuquerque. To visit their number one attraction, Prony. Prony is a 26ft python, and the biggest one in captivity. She had just finished her meal for the day when I arrived. A whole pig. You could see the huge lump in her body. It really was an insanely big snake, and I'm sure it would be able to eat an adult with ease. Had to get my close up pic with her though, it'd be rude not too.
I tried to visit another cave that was nearby but couldn't find it. The locals were clueless too so I moved on. Next up was my main reason for visiting Bohol and the islands number 1 tourist attraction, the Chocolate Hills. From a lookout point (fairly close to my hotel) you could see these mounded hills spread out for miles. There are around 1000 of them in Bohol and they were formed from dead coral settling on the oceans surface and then the hills had raised gradually over hundred of years causing this remarkable geographic sight. They are called the Chocolate Hills because of the brown colour they turn from the dead coral. They were great for the most of 5 minutes, then my ADD kicked in and I had to roll on. The scenery was lovely around this area from the Chocolate Hills dotted about everywhere.
I only had one mission to complete the following day and that was to visit the town of Danao where an adventure park is located. It took about 2 hours drive by bike to get there and half the journey was over another rocky road (my arse hates me so much from all this abuse). I paid the 700php fee and waited in line for my turn on 'The Plunge'. This was a giant canyon swing (the biggest in Philippines) with a 70ft free-fall drop to set you off. I opted for the scarier head first position whilst being strapped in. Then made my way to the end of the platform (dun dun duh) I got lowered down (upside down) then waited for the 3,2,1 countdown. Bombs away! It was great value for what is was. Plus, a lovely couple recorded the swing for me, so I can relive the memory. Definately recommended. I had to zip back to Carmen to drop off the bike and collect my things (not forgetting my certificate of achievement for completing the plunge). I rode the bus to Tabigon for 50php, with some very interesting characters. I should add that this was a roof top bus ride. The guys up there with me were singing some great songs in both Philipino and English. I was very entertained and so I had to give them a shocking attempt at singing wonderwall. They loved it surprisingly. I got to the port at 4pm and unbelievably a boat left at 4.15! What a turn around in luck from my first boating trip in the Philippines. I paid the 100php, and boarded my final boat trip in the Phillies to go to the 'queen of the south' city of Cebu.
Photo Link: http://www3.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=6333747011/a=2264773011_2264773011/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/
No comments:
Post a Comment