The good folks at Nut’s Huts made mention of a caving trek. It turned out to be quite a good half day. The cave was nothing spectacular. Though after the caves in Sagada it was hard to top anything cave related.
The trek itself was cooler than I’d have thought. Undergrowth, hills, and lots more undergrowth. A welcome distraction for someone looking for something else to do.
Our local guide was also quite chatty about Bohol, tourism, and the future of it. An electric cable all along the main river near the cottages was under repair. I thought at first it seemed in probable. But as we made it back to a small canoe to take us back we followed said cable. A bright yellow all weather
cable that would light up the river at night.
“Why?” I asked.
“Local boatmen can take tourists out at night,” replied the guide.
Again I was stuck for reason. Then I heard it. A din of cheap loudspeaker blaring out cheap pop culture crud from down the river. Slowly a floating platform made it’s way by us. On board a host of Asian tourists, cheap blue plastic seats, beer and wine bottles not to mention a gaggle of noise.
We stared at the wading monster craft as it noisily made it’s way along the river by us. A few people stared out at us, and no sooner turned their back. Our canoe man having a problem with the rippled the awkward house boat made. Then it got worse. Karaoke time. Could this boat not move away any faster?
Apparently the local government were pushing for the night lights so the boat houses could go up and down during the night. The tranquil bliss of the river was a saving grace in the evenings. Now a turn off. Scratch any return trips for me.
A quick lunch and I took the offer of a boat trip back to the ferry dock along the river. Not a hideous karaoke platform bar though, a simple boat. The current was in out favor and trip was blissful. Along the way we passed river bus waiting stop, a first in the Philippines for me.
An old Spanish building and then it was ferry time again. My journey to Bohol was marred by weather and expectations. If it had been sunny then maybe I would have tried a walk in the Chocolate hills, that might have turned the tables. But the Tarsiers were it’s saving grace for me otherwise I would have been
disappointed. The whole island seemed to be gearing towards package tourists, and to heck with anyone else. Including the Tarsiers. A shame.I hope something changes in it’s future. Maybe marketing
it as an eco island and following through would be a better route than karaoke boats.
Coming Soon:
Destination Mindanao