Image above: Our view as we sailed down the Loboc River. [Monday 24 May] | [View all photos]
Getting up incredibly early, we left Cebu behind to take a day trip around the nearby island of Bohol and its famous Chocolate Hills that Ada really wanted to see.
Our guide for the day was Bon and at 05:20 we were in the cavernous ferry terminal waiting to board our catamaran to Tubigon. Being up so early in the morning meant that we got a superb view of sunrise over the harbour as we picked up speed for our hour plus crossing. It was just so refreshing and liberating feeling the rush of sea air continually on our faces – and Ada did her best supermodel look too! Along the way we passed by mammoth container ships as well as tiny fishing boats until we caught sight of Bohol’s shoreline.
Arriving in Tubigon, it was thronged with activity. Kids playing by the waterside, fully loaded habal-habal taxis ferrying passengers into town. After searching for a decently-priced mini-van to take us around, Bon found one to take us beyond their regular run to the captial city . So we ended up starting the drive all bunched tightly at the back whilst they also fully loaded up with passengers – talk about travelling local style!
After everyone else had disembarked at Tagbilaran we had the minivan to ourselves and it was great to be able to stretch out as we passed through open fields and dense forest on our way to the Chocolate Hills. These are a collection of 1,776 hills in a 50 sq km area formed by an unusual geological event. And they are so named because in the dry season they turn brown and thus apparently resemble confectionary – which made Ada happy!
Next stop was the Buko King hanging rope bridge which really weren’t as rickety I would’ve liked though I think Ada would’ve disagreed with Bon trying to wobble the bridge as she crossed! After all that driving around, it was time for a much-needed lunch on a short river cruise. But first we had to check in our firearms which got us thinking that the buffet had to be pretty competitive!
Sitting at the front of the boat we had a great view of the Lobov River as we slowly motored down and it was very relaxing way to travel. Though, of course, being a tourist cruise there was the inevitable local show though this had some cute kids dancing in time with the opening and closing of bamboo poles beneath them. All the while, normal life carried on with a mother simply doing her laundry or the kids jumping from up high on the bridge above.
Watered and fed, we made a quick stop to look at some tarsiers which are endemic to Bohol as well as some monkeys. One was unfortunately caged whilst another, free to roam, lunged for my camera whilst I took a photo of it which gave me quite a shock. A bit too close to the action that time and, alas, the final image was too blurry to use.
Driving back to Tubigon on the coastal road, it was so hot by this time that the locals had an innovative way of keeping the sun off even on a scooter. Soon we were back in port where my camera attracted some friendly attention from a nearby stallholder who wanted to pose for me. Then it was back on board for the short hop to Cebu where Bon had arranged a taxi pick up to whisk us to the top of Mount Busay to see sunset.
Though, as with Manila, traffic was pretty snarled up which did give Ada and I more opportunity to see day-to-day street life as we waited. But we did get there in the nick of time to to see Cebu at dusk below us and the fiery glow of sunset punctuating the clouds above us. A fitting end to a whirlwind day!
Coming up next … seeing downtown Cebu itself before catching our flight back to Hong Kong which was a bit touch and go!
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