Day Four I was up at 7am after sleeping for 9 hours so feel fresh and alive again. I enjoyed a free breakfast on the terrace and then realised why it was free because no one in their right mind would have paid for it. At 8 i went off to the Abatan river in Cortes to book my firefly watching trip for tonight. I would like a single kayak for fitness purposes but the advantage of a double means if i get knackered the guide can paddle and i have more time to take photos. whether this damn i pad will do the job i am not sure. The cost was 920 pesos including a mixed seafood dinner. As I opened my bag it dawned on me that I had left my wallet in the room. Feeling annoyed i returned to the hotel to retrieve it. On the way back to the river i checked out a few more places to stay. None were suitable but i did manage to lose my cheap shades, more annoyance. Once i had returned to the river i paid up for tonight and travelled to the inland village of Antequerra. immediately i noticed this part of Bohol had been badly hit by the earthquake. Volunteer programmes were everywhere but the houses seemed beyond help, very sad. I was told only one waterfall was worth seeing that had not suffered in the earthquake and i am delighted that i have at last found one! Mag Aso falls are really lovely with two pools for swimming and two cascades of water pouring off the rocks. There are a few people here but I shall wait a while then hopefully have the place to myself. The water is clear but probably freezing and to get here i descended 197 steps so i am not relishing the climb back up. I have just done a deal with the guide here who will take me to another place with a spring and cave for 100 pesos if i follow him on my bike so i look forward to that. at last i am seeing the local inland beauty spots i came for. Blimey, i have just looked up and i am the only soul here, get in there. I have just had a dip in my own private oasis and i have to say it was exhilarating, not too cold but fresh enough for me to gasp on entry. Bong, my guide is having a full blown bath, seems sensible enough given the pools available. Ok i am off up the steps now, here we go. Very happy that i didnt stop on the ascent, i followed Bong to the cave which involved 20 minutes of dirt track, a surface i am now so familiar with i expect it on every ride. We went deep into the jungle like surroundings and came to a house owned by a priest. For a 20 pesos donation i went swimming in the cave pool by way of a 3 metre jump off a bank, then into the cave itself. The spring wasnt great but the tranquility here was special. I saw two captured eels from the cave, buffalo horns that fitted me perfectly, carp, turtles, frogs and a family of ducks. I am buzzing right now as i prepare to leave because this place isnt in the guide books therefore i have no worries about the buoyancy brigade turning up and ruining it all. Bong is a friendly bloke, not so hot on the guiding skills, more into making friends but he has made my morning so i wont hold it against him. He guided me back to his house and we have done a deal for monday to go bamboo rafting, see some sort of bridge and a bigger cave. When i enquired about the price he replied, up to you Mr Berry, so i offered him 200 pesos/3 quid for the half day trip and he seemed happy. This also includes lunch at his house afterwards therefore i will pay him more if the day is anything like this one. I went into the next town to find a kayak company but alas no joy. All i saw was yet more devastating damage from the earthquake. One local told me there are still people buried underneath the rubble of the towns church which shocked me, but they are all working together to get back to normal. At the side of the highway in the Barangay hall i stopped and watched as officials dished out bags of cement, rice and iron sheeting to help the community rebuild and eat well. it hit me quite hard that sight, i left with a tear in my eye. Luckily, typhoon yolanda caused less damage. If that too had torn through this town i cannot imagine the consequences for these beautiful people. Wanting to find my cheap shades because i liked them i returned to the hotels but alas no joy. The bonus of this detour was i happened upon an ex pat bar called Captain Dans, owned by an American but managed by a decent fellow called Greg from Cardiff. I stopped for a late lunch and had fish tacos which were to die for, onion rings and two diet cokes, costing me four notes. He told me that tomorrow night 5 live bands are performing in the little square. Greg invited me along to listen in on the sound check before the gig itself. I darent tell him of my limited knowledge but after seeing and hearing the Philipino way, he thought i might be able to help. I have just returned to my hostel to shower before heading out for tonights firefly show. Overall today has been excellent and whats more I have done it all without wanting a beer. So for me that is another island circumnavigated on a moped. For as long as I have the bike I will try and do day trips to places recommended by the likes of Bong and Greg. I have also just negotiated another 3 nights here because the location is good as well as being quiet. The total cost for this extension after discount because they like me, is 2400 pesos/ £33. nice job.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 08:14:50 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015