Location: on the ferry from Tagbilaran, Bohol to Cebu
Weather: cloudy, 32C
Never would I have imagined finding a home away from home in the short 7 days that I am in the Philippines, but that's precisely what Lennon's Place, an enchanting abode in the middle of the forest and yet still minutes away from the Alona Beach bustles, offered in the last 5 days, and I found myself loving this country more and more each day. Meeting some of the most interesting and crazy people definitely added to the mix.
After a exhilarating motorbike ride back to NAIA on May 27th, mainly because I couldn't find a taxi from where I was staying, I left the insanity that is Manila for Bohol. Maybe it was something about the trees, the puffy clouds in the brilliant blue sky, or the ocean breeze rustling through my hair, but I knew as soon as I stepped off the Tarmac that I was going to like this place, a lot.
And boy was I right. Spending 3 of the last 5 days underwater, completing my Open Water SCUBA diving course and then diving two more times at nearby Balicasag Island with sea turtles, one of my favourite marine animals, I got to throughly experience Pangalao Island's oceans. Countless times I found myself not believing how surreal it was all was, hanging out 15m underwater being surrounded by magnificent corals that compare to the Great Barrier Reef, as mad schools of fish dash everywhere around, crabs scurry on the bottom, nudibranches, worms, slugs and sea snakes do the wiggle dance. All thanks to my awesome instructor Karim, I now get the skills to experience this again and again!
Of course I also left some time for land adventures. From 5am motorbike trips chasing the sunrise, discovering some of the picture perfect white sand beaches the Philippines is known for (you don't necessarily have to go to Borocay), to witnessing the iconic Chocolate Hills and greeting tarsiers, a real life inspiration for ET, I loved driving through the lush jungles of Bohol taking in the myriad of colours of the vegetation. Outside of big cities, Filipinos are some of the most genial people I have met, always ready for jokes and a good laugh. A few days in the same place and they start to remember you, even if they still do try to sell you tricycle rides and necklaces.
Needless to say, I really mean it when I say the Philippines is a place I certainly would love to return to.
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