My 4.5hr flight from Bali was quite enjoyable. The plane was only about 1/4 full ... so lots of us stretched out across 3 seats and slept.
I arrived in Manila 8 Feb at 6:30am. Visitors get a 30day visa upon entering the Philippines. I knew I would be staying longer than 30 days. You can pay for an extension at many Immigration Offices, but I learned that it could be done right at the Airport upon arrival. This would eliminate an extra trip for Kevin. I hate to have to ask to be 'schleped' somewhere . But I also read many negative comments about their service there. I was hesitant, but thought I'd give it a try. They are hidden in a construction zone on the 3rd Floor, it took several attempts before I finally found it. There was a guy there, and I enquired. He said yes,... I asked how long it would take ... 10min he said ... Whoa ! I've done this at several of the extension offices and it took hours! I was one happy tourist. Then I booked my flight into Tagbilaran Airport on Bohol, one of the islands in the Philippines. That little 'nub' at the bottom of Bohol, is actually the Island of Panglao where Kevin lives. It's a quick 1.5hr flight from Manila, for only $80, and that was expensive since I booked the day I flew. What's with US Airlines .... ?
Kevin and Nadia, and daughter Viana are wonderful people. They welcome and accept you into their home like family. This year there were 4 'extras' at their home. 2 friends from Sweden, and Pat, Nadia's niece and was there for my first visit in 2017, and we've become friends, and me. They have a beautiful home, with a pool and lots of rooms, plus 2 apartments that they rent out. It was like a party every day and every night !
One interesting geological feature found on the island is the Hinagdanan Cave, which has an underground water source. The cave is an important water source as the island has no rivers or lakes. I've never been before, so Pat, Viana and I went one sunny day. It's not a large Cave, about the size of a football field, and it's not 'beautiful', ...but the fresh water was cool. We spent over 30min in the water. It has natural light and they limit the number of people who can enter at one time, which is good! It was a fun day.
We went out to dinner several times, the first night to a Japanese Restaurant
This my Dragon Maki .... and I ate most of it with my ChopSticks, I'm proud to say. Don't ask me what I was eating :)
Our group, from the left: Bengt, Kevin, Nadia, Viana, Me, Matts. Pat had not arrived yet. After dinner we strolled down to the Alona Beach, where all the action is... food, music, and people, lots of people.
Kevin invited us to accompany him on his Valentines Day Date with Nadia. At the Pearl Restaurant at Linaw Beach Resort.... it was a beautiful sunset
A table with feet in the sand on the beautiful beach. A great meal with great people. Bengt , Kevin's friend and business partner is on the right, fun guy who loves to swim in the pool.... like 4 times a day :)
Kevin's friend from Sweden, Matts, a very nice man.
We had many wonderful dinners at the house. Dessert was Banana Flambe' one night, executed perfectly by Pat.
Assisted by Viana ... sort of ...
We went to the City of Tagbilaran one day: loud and busy. I needed to buy an External Hard Drive to relieve my computer of 88GB of photos. We went to the big super grocery store, with all kinds of things. I was very impressed at the checkout counter ... no plastic, paper bags, but mostly boxes !
We also had a 30min foot massage. I've never had one before, the masseuse was really strong and I held my breath and counted to 4 several times... it hurt, but a good hurt. She said I had a lot of toxins in me.
We also went to the Bohol Bee Farm ... for their home made ice cream... delicious.
The Bee Farm is also a restaurant serving healthy organic food, grown there. We wanted a little something to tide us over until dinner, pizza was really good, and 'healthy' as possible. They have little shops with locals making all kinds of things. And steps going down to the sea
Nadia and Matts. Someone always had a camera handy for photos.
It was a great 9 days filled with laughter and good people.
But ... time to get in the water, and I don't mean the pool. I booked a ticket on Ocean Jet, a ferry service, to the Island of Siquijor, just 1hr 40min away. I visited Siquijor in 2017 on my virgin adventure to SE Asia. I was the 'professional snorkeler' at the time, but did a couple dives... uneventful as i recall. I just didn't like 'diving'.
However, I now keep up with Muck Diving friends on FaceBook and a guy I met in the Philippines several times, posted Muck Diving photos from Siquijor. Actually he was the reason I went to the new island of Ambon in Indonesia this year. So, I was off to Siquijor, another new island experience for me, to check out this new Muck Diving site.
Lots to show about that in the next post.
dp
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