My Driver

Originally uploaded by mainelife.

My moto driver around the Chocolate Hills region of Bohol Island, in the town of Carmen. We road for 1.5 hours for a cost of only P180. I was planning to head for a different island yesterday, but when I arrived at the ferry terminal I found that a ferry was leaving for Bohol immediately. I arrived in Bohol after dark, which made navigation difficult. A Bohol-ian I met on the boat wanted me to spend the night at his house in Loay. He was a bit pushy and I wasn’t sure about him. When I got off the ferry, he and 6 of his friends somehow got me into a Jeepney and wisked me off. It happened so quickly I wan’t sure how to react. After switching buses twice, I jumped off in a busy market and disappeared into the crowd. I’m not sure what they had in mind, but I decided to go at my own pace. So far I have traveled Tubigon to Carmen, and from Carmen to Tagbilaran. I’m planning to stay the night on Panglao Island, where the beaches are notoriously white and beautiful. It is a nice break from the day to stop at the Island City mall and stroll around.

Tilling the filed with Buffalo. 8 Sisters in background.

Originally uploaded by mainelife.

A farmer tills his fields in front of the 8 Sisters, part of Chocolate Hills, Carmen, Bohol. He is using a native Buffalo.

Well, here I am changing course again. No big surprise. Things haven’t been as comfortable aboard the boat as I would like, and so I think traveling solo will work best for me. The group dynamic is hard to deal with, and I think would require a really great, close group. I think I will see much more of the islands than could possibly happen with fellow travelers. My plan today is to hop aboard a ferry and head to Bantayan Island. It is small enough that I hope to travel mostly by foot and avoid the nasty air that hangs along all the highways here. The vehicles are mostly diesel or 2-stroke motorcycles, and all have clouds following them. Everyone walks with rags over their faces to help protect from it. I’m glad at this point that I decided to travel so light. Everything I brought is carried in a small backpack, and crammed really, really tight.

Last night Laura and I took a taxi to Cebu City to get a break from the boat repairs, and to see some of the area. It was so nice to stay at an air conditioned hotel, and quite reasonable at 1000pisos ($20 USD).

Today we had breakfast at a little cafe, and walked to one of the many internet cafe’s in the area to email. I have taken many photos so far, but I forget to bring a cable to upload them from my camera. Next time. The weather here is hot and humid, but so far we have had no rain. That season is supposedly in the late fall, so hopefully I will miss it. Right now I’m not exactly sure where this journey will take me. Everyone knows that my plans are subject to a change at any moment! But, in this high-tech world, it should be easy to let everyone know where I’m at.

By the way, only 3 days left until I’m in Cebu!