Continuing with the traveling firsts here on Nostalgia...

February of 2008, a British man added me in as a friend in Multiply after seeing my response in an album posted by a common Multiply friend. Seeing that he had been to the Philippines a few months back, it started an exchange of messages, and a month after, we were already planning for a holiday together. That holiday took place November of the same year, and although he had been to Bohol on his first Philippine visit, he still happily wanted to go back to Bohol just so I could see the place, too.

Bohol was actually the third place in our itinerary. Prior to that, we roamed to some places in Manila, then we traveled to Vigan City because I wanted him to see my favorite place. From Vigan, we took the last bus trip for the night and from the bus terminal in Manila, we immediately took a taxi to the NAIA Terminal 3, where we will be taking our flight to Bohol.

Our flight was scheduled at noon, but we were already at the airport as early as 7am. My friend took some time to catch some sleep, while I calmed myself by playing games on my cell phone or texting friends or calling people up. As excited I was to finally "fly," I was really very scared as well. Friends were actually already making fun of me sending me jokes (like, don't forget to check under your seat, there might be monsters there), but of course they understood my fear, and they assured me that all will be fine. Even my friend gave me a small pep talk just so I won't fell scared anymore.




Boarding Pass. Of course, this is my first flight, I had to document it.


Awful. :) Well... we checked out of our Vigan hotel lunch time the day before and we roamed around the place for some more and then the bus ride then the airport... I was still wearing the same clothes as the day before! The only thing I did to clean myself was to brush my teeth! Yikes! What a good way for a first plane ride, huh?


Window Seat. While waiting for our flight, I was always telling my friend that I was excited to take pictures of the clouds and the view from above. He certainly didn't want to burst my bubble, but there was some truth when he said, "Not when you're seated next to the wing." Well... the wing really blocked most of the view, but with the turbulence and the heat (it was really sunny that day) and the anxiousness... I was happy to be able to look outside.

We were supposed to stay at the Paragayo Resort in Panglao, but the driver of the van we took from the Tagbilaran Airport suggested we stay at Dumaluan Beach Resort instead. We took the driver's advice, and despite the problem with the shower and the aircon, I was really happy to be staying there.


Beach Crashing. The Bohol Beach Club (one of the lavish resorts in Panglao) was right next to the Dumaluan Beach Resort... and we just happily walked over to their side of the beach and took pictures as well. Sadly, there was a guard on patrol come night time, so we weren't able to check their foods for dinner.


Blood Compact Site. Based on my brother's gf's referral, we took the services of Kuya Ricky to tour us in Bohol spots the next day. After checking out the churches, we stopped by the Blood Compact Site first before eating our lunch in the floating restaurants in Loboc River.


100% Sugarfree. A trip to Bohol will never be complete without checking the Chocolate Hills! I actually slipped twice in the platform, which made my friend super scared (he was afraid my mom would kill him if I go home in a stretcher), but it was something that really made my visit unique.

We were supposed to do dolphin watching as well as continue the joyride with Kuya Ricky, but there was a typhoon in Bohol that time. After checking out in Dumaluan, we went to Paragayo Resort to spend the night, then we took the fast craft to Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

This part of the trip was also my first time to set foot in the Visayas Region. So many places seen, so many memories made... I was really happy that I have come to meet a very nice friendly person online who was generous enough to show me different sides of my country.

My friend will travel back to the Philippines in November, two years after our first trip. Obviously, we will be having a holiday together again, this time, we will be seeing places in Baguio, Puerto Galera, Iloilo City and Guimaras. I really am excited for that trip!

*** Jenn ***