As we worked our way down from the Chocolate Hills to the Tarsier and Butterfly Sanctuaries (and skipped the python exhibitions), we stopped for a zip-line through the jungle.  At only $10USD per person, I was a little leery of their set-up; I'm sure this kind of place is fully bonded and insured, right?  Right?

We handed our sunglasses and purses to our driver and climbed up the 100 (or so) broken, uneven steps to the first zip-line spot.  As we climbed, I silently wondered if my life insurance would payout in the event of death while zip-lining and if it would qualify me for my Business Travel Accidental Death policy.  I am nothing if not an optimist ;)

As we arrived at the top, we watched a couple zip on across the deep valley and reality set in.  I sat there for a moment and figured that I wasn't going to get any braver, lets just do this.  

As the guys got us in position, I (half) jokingly asked "these harnesses are strong enough for the fat Americans, right?" and they laughed and said yes and sent us on our way.



I wasn't too scared as we zipped across the valley until I looked down and saw a tiny creek.  With a boat on it.  At that very moment, I realized how crazy this was.  Here's my video - you might want to mute your speakers.





After we dismounted from the first line, it was time to climb up a couple dozen stairs to the return line.  We met a couple who arrived after us while waiting for the return line and he asked a crew member how long it would take to walk back; the guy responded "Three hours, if you're lucky."  Ha!  Our new friend decided to buck up and make the return zip trip back.  

Upon safe arrival back at the main building, we were sold some pictures of our zipping along and continued on our journey.  Our next stop was the Loboc River Cruise.  The river cruises are pretty low-key; you eat lunch on a barge as it travels up Loboc river, watch some school children sing and dance and then turn around and go back.

The food was good, music was even better.  When we reached the turn around point, we looked up to see people on the same zip line we rode - good thing we did the zip-line before the cruise!





Mr. G was right - tininkling is a real thing!


Our cruise pulling up

See those dots? Those are people on the zip line!



The river cruise was the last of our excursions, so we made our way back to the resort for a little more time on the beach followed by another delicious dinner before calling it a night.  Monday morning, it was time to catch our flight back to Manila!

Bohol was an awesome trip and an amazing deal for the price!

Bohol Island Getaway - Part 3

Thursday, September 13, 2012

As we worked our way down from the Chocolate Hills to the Tarsier and Butterfly Sanctuaries (and skipped the python exhibitions), we stopped for a zip-line through the jungle.  At only $10USD per person, I was a little leery of their set-up; I'm sure this kind of place is fully bonded and insured, right?  Right?

We handed our sunglasses and purses to our driver and climbed up the 100 (or so) broken, uneven steps to the first zip-line spot.  As we climbed, I silently wondered if my life insurance would payout in the event of death while zip-lining and if it would qualify me for my Business Travel Accidental Death policy.  I am nothing if not an optimist ;)

As we arrived at the top, we watched a couple zip on across the deep valley and reality set in.  I sat there for a moment and figured that I wasn't going to get any braver, lets just do this.  

As the guys got us in position, I (half) jokingly asked "these harnesses are strong enough for the fat Americans, right?" and they laughed and said yes and sent us on our way.



I wasn't too scared as we zipped across the valley until I looked down and saw a tiny creek.  With a boat on it.  At that very moment, I realized how crazy this was.  Here's my video - you might want to mute your speakers.





After we dismounted from the first line, it was time to climb up a couple dozen stairs to the return line.  We met a couple who arrived after us while waiting for the return line and he asked a crew member how long it would take to walk back; the guy responded "Three hours, if you're lucky."  Ha!  Our new friend decided to buck up and make the return zip trip back.  

Upon safe arrival back at the main building, we were sold some pictures of our zipping along and continued on our journey.  Our next stop was the Loboc River Cruise.  The river cruises are pretty low-key; you eat lunch on a barge as it travels up Loboc river, watch some school children sing and dance and then turn around and go back.

The food was good, music was even better.  When we reached the turn around point, we looked up to see people on the same zip line we rode - good thing we did the zip-line before the cruise!





Mr. G was right - tininkling is a real thing!


Our cruise pulling up

See those dots? Those are people on the zip line!



The river cruise was the last of our excursions, so we made our way back to the resort for a little more time on the beach followed by another delicious dinner before calling it a night.  Monday morning, it was time to catch our flight back to Manila!

Bohol was an awesome trip and an amazing deal for the price!

After an amazing night of sleep, Candice and I spent Sunday on an all-day excursion, booked through our hotel.  At first, I was a little cautious of booking an excursion.  I was a little worried we'd spend eight hours on a bus with a bunch of tourists; turns out that it was a completely private tour - for under $100USD, Candice and I had a driver all to ourselves for the day as we explored the island.

My other reservation was caused by my intense fear of snakes.  No lie, TERRIFIED and I had googled "what snakes live on Bohol" to determine that I should be very VERY afraid.  The premium tour package we selected included visiting one of the many python exhibits that dot the roadside.  While we had been promised the tour could be customized... I had my fears of any possible encounters with snakes.

With our modified agenda in hand, we set out for the Chocolate Hills, a natural monument with almost surreal views.  The winding roads left me questioning my breakfast choices. 


But within an hour or so, we arrived at the park.  After selling us the tickets, they inform us of the 214 steep stairs we need to climb to get to the top :)








After we took in the sights of the beautiful Chocolate Hills, we started our way back down to lower elevation with stops at a butterfly conservatory which was much cooler than I anticipated.  We had a great host who guided us through their gardens and took photos for us. 





Candice is braver than I.  Much.


Gatorade in glass bottles

Then we visited a nature preserve that is home to a group of Tarsiers, an endangered primate that calls Bohol home.  They kinda look like a groundhog, a Chihuahua and a rat cross-bred.  Some places allow you to hold the Tarsiers which is terrible for their health so I was happy that the place we visited really was a nature preserve, set out to protect them.  As we climbed around the stone paths, I (of course) was also terrified of running into a snake.  Thankfully, any snakes there were smart enough to stay hidden.







I'll have to finish out the getaway story with my next post!

Bohol Island Getaway Part 2

Friday, September 7, 2012

After an amazing night of sleep, Candice and I spent Sunday on an all-day excursion, booked through our hotel.  At first, I was a little cautious of booking an excursion.  I was a little worried we'd spend eight hours on a bus with a bunch of tourists; turns out that it was a completely private tour - for under $100USD, Candice and I had a driver all to ourselves for the day as we explored the island.

My other reservation was caused by my intense fear of snakes.  No lie, TERRIFIED and I had googled "what snakes live on Bohol" to determine that I should be very VERY afraid.  The premium tour package we selected included visiting one of the many python exhibits that dot the roadside.  While we had been promised the tour could be customized... I had my fears of any possible encounters with snakes.

With our modified agenda in hand, we set out for the Chocolate Hills, a natural monument with almost surreal views.  The winding roads left me questioning my breakfast choices. 


But within an hour or so, we arrived at the park.  After selling us the tickets, they inform us of the 214 steep stairs we need to climb to get to the top :)








After we took in the sights of the beautiful Chocolate Hills, we started our way back down to lower elevation with stops at a butterfly conservatory which was much cooler than I anticipated.  We had a great host who guided us through their gardens and took photos for us. 





Candice is braver than I.  Much.


Gatorade in glass bottles

Then we visited a nature preserve that is home to a group of Tarsiers, an endangered primate that calls Bohol home.  They kinda look like a groundhog, a Chihuahua and a rat cross-bred.  Some places allow you to hold the Tarsiers which is terrible for their health so I was happy that the place we visited really was a nature preserve, set out to protect them.  As we climbed around the stone paths, I (of course) was also terrified of running into a snake.  Thankfully, any snakes there were smart enough to stay hidden.







I'll have to finish out the getaway story with my next post!
To celebrate Candice's certification, we took a mini-vacation to the Island of Bohol.  Located 500 miles to the south-east of Manila, Bohol seemed to be a world away from the busy, rainy city.


We wrapped up Candice's certifications on Friday, taking time every hour to squeel "We're going on vacation today!"  After Friday's shift ended on Saturday morning, Candice's husband took us to the airport where we caught a flight with discount airline Cebu Pacific.  You might remember Cebu Pacific from this post about the most entertaining safety demonstration I've seen.

Before boarding, we were able to hang out with Ceejay before his trip to Palawan, another island (there are over 7,000!).   After boarding, I was way too excited to sleep so I stayed awake as the flight attendants kept us entertained with Philippines movie trivia.  I got zero answers correct.

An hour or so later, we disembarked via staircar to a tiny airport that possibly had fewer square feet than our plane.  Before deplaining, they made an announcement not to take photos from the tarmac.  Of course, I hadn't considered taking photos until they told us not to, so I joined dozens of other travelers taking snapshots against the rules.




Leaving the airport was a bit chaotic; there were dozens of drivers with signs to attract you to their resort.  Apparently arriving without accomodations is common enough for these guys to stay in business, but the thought of doing so makes me breakout in a cold sweat.  Thankfully, Candice had arranged for our hotel to pick us up and we waited in the hot, sunny parking lot for the transportation to arrive.  

Thirty minutes from the airport, this is the paradise that awaited us (click to enlarge): 


Upon arrival, my internal clock was telling me it was 11pm and I should go to sleep; but we stayed awak, determined to maximize our trip.  We enjoyed lunch at the resort restaurant on the beach and ordered our first round of cocktails.  After lunch, we moved on to some less-than-comfortable beach chairs that we were determined to make work.  Turns out, with enough drinks and magazines, anything is possible!


Our seats in paradise
 I did sneak in a ninety minute nap mid-afternoon as we lounged on the beach.  We watched as scuba and fishing excursions returned from their day trips and decided to indulge ourselves in hour long massages on the beach, only $3USD each.  During my massage, I looked up to see the very last of the sunset in paradise. 





Feeling nice and relaxed, we returned to our room just a few yards from the beach to get cleaned up for dinner.  Luckily Candice and I agreed that a room with air conditioning was well worth the extra $10/night charge.  Set up kind of like a camp cabin, we had surprisingly comfortable beds, a private bath and a front porch with a view of the resort and beach.




We enjoyed dinner and a performance of coversongs by a duo playing guitars.  They played mostly 70s and 80s songs and we sang a long for a few.  I commented on how musical everyone in the Philippines seems to be; all of the skits in class included musical performances and Candice agreed.  Exhausted from being awake nearly 24 hours, we kept telling ourselves, "Okay, we'll leave after this song." until the next awesome song started.  Then we'd say "Okay, we'll leave after THIS song."  Until we finally crashed.

We booked an excursion for Sunday morning, more on that soon!  Here are some more pictures from Bohol!  Click to enlarge




Bohol Island Getaway - Part 1

Thursday, September 6, 2012

To celebrate Candice's certification, we took a mini-vacation to the Island of Bohol.  Located 500 miles to the south-east of Manila, Bohol seemed to be a world away from the busy, rainy city.


We wrapped up Candice's certifications on Friday, taking time every hour to squeel "We're going on vacation today!"  After Friday's shift ended on Saturday morning, Candice's husband took us to the airport where we caught a flight with discount airline Cebu Pacific.  You might remember Cebu Pacific from this post about the most entertaining safety demonstration I've seen.

Before boarding, we were able to hang out with Ceejay before his trip to Palawan, another island (there are over 7,000!).   After boarding, I was way too excited to sleep so I stayed awake as the flight attendants kept us entertained with Philippines movie trivia.  I got zero answers correct.

An hour or so later, we disembarked via staircar to a tiny airport that possibly had fewer square feet than our plane.  Before deplaining, they made an announcement not to take photos from the tarmac.  Of course, I hadn't considered taking photos until they told us not to, so I joined dozens of other travelers taking snapshots against the rules.




Leaving the airport was a bit chaotic; there were dozens of drivers with signs to attract you to their resort.  Apparently arriving without accomodations is common enough for these guys to stay in business, but the thought of doing so makes me breakout in a cold sweat.  Thankfully, Candice had arranged for our hotel to pick us up and we waited in the hot, sunny parking lot for the transportation to arrive.  

Thirty minutes from the airport, this is the paradise that awaited us (click to enlarge): 


Upon arrival, my internal clock was telling me it was 11pm and I should go to sleep; but we stayed awak, determined to maximize our trip.  We enjoyed lunch at the resort restaurant on the beach and ordered our first round of cocktails.  After lunch, we moved on to some less-than-comfortable beach chairs that we were determined to make work.  Turns out, with enough drinks and magazines, anything is possible!


Our seats in paradise
 I did sneak in a ninety minute nap mid-afternoon as we lounged on the beach.  We watched as scuba and fishing excursions returned from their day trips and decided to indulge ourselves in hour long massages on the beach, only $3USD each.  During my massage, I looked up to see the very last of the sunset in paradise. 





Feeling nice and relaxed, we returned to our room just a few yards from the beach to get cleaned up for dinner.  Luckily Candice and I agreed that a room with air conditioning was well worth the extra $10/night charge.  Set up kind of like a camp cabin, we had surprisingly comfortable beds, a private bath and a front porch with a view of the resort and beach.




We enjoyed dinner and a performance of coversongs by a duo playing guitars.  They played mostly 70s and 80s songs and we sang a long for a few.  I commented on how musical everyone in the Philippines seems to be; all of the skits in class included musical performances and Candice agreed.  Exhausted from being awake nearly 24 hours, we kept telling ourselves, "Okay, we'll leave after this song." until the next awesome song started.  Then we'd say "Okay, we'll leave after THIS song."  Until we finally crashed.

We booked an excursion for Sunday morning, more on that soon!  Here are some more pictures from Bohol!  Click to enlarge




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