I have heard so many wonderful thinking about the Philippines but nothing could have prepared me for the real beauty this place had to offer. Arthur and I decided to take a week off of school (with approval from our professors) and spend 10 days in paradise. We spent half of our trip in Palawan, and the other half in Bohol. Both Islands were gorgeous, unique, and offered their own great adventures.
The Philippines was one of the most spectacular places I have even been to. The most pristine beaches with clear turquoise water and white sand, lush vegetation surrounding us everywhere, and kind-hearted inhabitants. The country is extremely poor and it was very sad to see how people in the Philippines lived. It was also inspiring how happy and welcoming everyone was. The trip was very humbling and made a real impact on me. 
This island is located on the west of the Philippines. It is the largest island in terms of area. We stayed our 5 nights in the province's capital of Puerto Princesa. When we arrived, after a long night of traveling overnight, we experienced a little bit of culture shock. We tried to get a taxi to our hotel, but there are no taxis in Palawan - only tricycles. A small motorcycle with a small covered side car able to squeeze in two people. Although I think we saw some tricycles with 5 people in them. Not too sure how they managed that. Our first hotel, Hillside Resort, was about 20 minute tricycle ride outside the city was clean, quiet, and comfortable. It would have been perfect if it was not so far from the city. We stayed 3 nights before we moved to House of Rose for two nights that was closer to the city. Both hotels were air conditioned with our own bathroom, and we payed around $25-$28 per night. Pretty good deal. House of Rose was perfect! We fell in love with the kind staff and really enjoyed their home-cooked food. 
The first activity we did was the Underground River tour. A van picked us up from our hotel and drove us 2 hours to a beautiful beach. We stayed a few hours and soaked up the sun at a beach that took my breath away. We ate some local food for lunch on a table right on the beach before we took a boat to the underground river. The underground river was gorgeous from the outside. The inside was dark, cold, and very interesting. This river is 8.2km and is known at the longest navigable river in the world.
The second tour we took was the Honda Bay Island hopping tour, where a boat took us and another Filipino family to a few islands in the beautiful Honda Bay. First we stopped at a famous snorkelling spot that is a floating deck in the middle of the water. Here we saw a great amount of coral and tropical fish. Next we went to a small island where BBQs are common, and the water is crystal clear. We were able to do some more snorkelling. The water was so clear, we got to get up close and personal with many fish. Here our tour guide cooked us a local meal of chicken adobo, rice, salad, tuna, and bananas. After we went to one of the most beautiful islands i have ever seen. The water was so blue, the island filled with palm trees, and the sand white as snow. This is also where the best snorkelling was. The reef was colourful, and the fish were abundant. We also came across hundreds of starfish. When the tide goes out, the small starfish can be found all along the shore. This was probably one of my favourite days of the whole trip. 
The food in the Philippines was very tasty. After being in Taiwan for 3 months, the food tickled my taste buds. We found a restaurant that is outside and surrounded by palm trees where we fell in love with the food and ambiance. Here Arthur tried crocodile (which was delicious) and I had the best chicken teriyaki served on a sizzling plate. We ate here a few times and shared some wine - it was amazing!
City Tour
This tour was not as good as the other ones, but still had some cool aspects. We first visited some historical places and a tourist market and then we went a crocodile farm where we got to hold some baby crocodiles and take some pictures. Oddly, they were very soft. We also went to a spot that overlooked the Honda Bay, with spectacular views. Lastly we visited a botanical garden where we saw peacocks and tasted some famous local baking. 
Firefly Watching
On our last night we took a tricycle an hour outside the city to go firefly watching. We got to a river and a small boat with a guide rowed us down the river in total darkness to see the fireflies in action along the side of the river. I have never seen anything like this before. It was so calming and beautiful. It was a clear night so the sky was full of stars, the fireflies lit up the trees as we passed by, and if we put our hand in the water, the plankton in the water lit up as well. Nothing makes a girl smile like a little sparkle.
On our last night we took a tricycle an hour outside the city to go firefly watching. We got to a river and a small boat with a guide rowed us down the river in total darkness to see the fireflies in action along the side of the river. I have never seen anything like this before. It was so calming and beautiful. It was a clear night so the sky was full of stars, the fireflies lit up the trees as we passed by, and if we put our hand in the water, the plankton in the water lit up as well. Nothing makes a girl smile like a little sparkle.
Bohol
Leaving Palawan was difficult, since we fell in love with the Island. Traveling to Bohol was not the most pleasant experience. We had to fly to Cebu and take a ferry to Bohol. We ended up taking the ferry to the wrong port in Bohol. So we had to take a van down to Panglao Island. In a van fit for 12-14, we were 18 people with all of our luggage driving an hour down the island. This is what travelling is all about, right? We hadn't booked a hotel in advance because we heard that Alona Beach, the area we were staying, was flooded with tons of cheap hotels. When we arrived (around 7pm) we had to try numerous places before finding a room. We stayed at the Citadel Alona Inn. Our room was small, but had air-con and was dirt chear. We had a shared bathroom with the rest of the guests, which I was not too keen on at first so we thought we would stay the night and find a new hotel the next day. The comfortable bed, cheap price (around $20 per night), and the coolness of the air-con (while it is 33 degrees outside and not much cooler at night), and the 5 minute walk to the beach convinced us to stay longer. We actually ended up spending all 5 nights in this hotel. 
Alona Beach Strip
The beach is covered in hotels, resorts, and restaurants. We had some amazing food and drinks right on the beach. The water was warm, although the abundance of boats kind of got the in the way, it was still an incredible sight. At night the strip lights up. We even got to watch a couple put on a fire ball show. One day we spent by the beach started off beautiful and then suddenly started to rain, we were not phased because we ran to a hotel and drank cocktails until the sun re-appeared. The beach is bustling from early in the morning until late at night. 
This tour took us to all the hot-spots in Bohol. We visited an ancient church, a butterfly sanctuary, the tarsier conservatory, the chocolate hills, a hanging bridge and a river cruise. The tarsiers are the cutest things. They are tiny primates (they could fit in the palm of your hand) with big bug eyes. They will melt your heart. Here we also held iguanas and got a snake wrapped around our necks. The chocolate hills are very famous to Bohol. They are numerous identically shaped mounds different sizes that cover a vast amount of space. Their name comes from the fact that in the summer the grass dies and the mounds turn brown looking like big mounds of chocolate. Next we went to the Loboc river where we walked across a hanging bridge made of bamboo. Quite frightening! We then had lunch on a boat that cruised the Loboc river. Here we enjoyed a delicious buffet and beautiful scenery. We also stopped to watch a group of locals put on a show of singing and dancing. This was definitely one of the highlights of the tour. 
Bohol Beach Club
Alona beach is beautiful but quite crowded. We went to a gorgeous resort where we paid an entrance fee and could use their facilities and private beach for the day. This beach was the most incredible sight. The water was a light turquoise and crystal clear. With hammocks and cabanas lining the shore, it was hard not to feel spoiled. We spent the entire day until sunset enjoying the warm water and sun on this nearly deserted beach. It was well worth the entrance fee to the able to use this pristine beach. 
This was a little harder to get to. It is not a very popular tourist destination, so we had to find a tour guide with a car that would take us to the falls at a reasonable price. The tour guide that took us was a talkative local with great stories for us about his life in the Philippines. The locals are passionate about their country and are very welcoming to visitors. Once we got to our destination, we had to walk 197 stairs through a forest to the falls. When we got down there, we were the only people there. It was paradise. The water was green, and deep enough to swim and jump into. The name Mag-Aso means smoke, and refers to the mist the falls emit. We spent an hour or two swimming and jumping into the falls. Looking around we were surrounding in forest. It was so pure and beautiful.
After swimming up an appetite (and walking back up the 197 steps) our guide took us to the Bohol Bee Farm where he recommended a delicious lunch. Here they grow all kinds of herbs, make their own honey, and most of their food is organic. This was one of the most amazing meals I have had in months. The day was absolutely perfect. 
Leaving the Philippines was heartbreaking. I completely fell in love with the people, weather, beaches, and scenery. Hopefully, I will get to experience more of what this beautiful place has to offer.
Oh, one thing I forgot to mention was the rum! They have their own rum called Tanduay - golden rum that is oh so yummy for less than $1 for 375ml was another highlight of the trip.
From this trip, I will take home a greater appreciation for what I have, a love for snorkelling, the feeling of the warm sun on my skin, some sand in my bag, a few more freckles, and a bottle of Tanduay ;-)
Chantal
xo
