Bantayan Island: Part 5 (Tuesday)

Going Home Day today…. L

Back to the real world. What a shame.

Got up at 6am and sat at HR drinking some delicious lemon tea while thinking about how I DON'T WANT TO EVER LEAVE. EVER.

We had our farewell coffee with Van and Larry (I am going to miss both coffee and our buds) up on Van’s terrace, and got the bike over to the ferry. Back again on the 1.5 hour ferry and 4 hour bus to Cebu. We got here early so I could look for cheap baby guitars (Cebu’s known for their cheap/good guitars) and we wanted massages (also cheap here). I couldn’t find a guitar that sounded good at the mall, but me and Tristan looked outside and found a Thai massage place for only $6/hour. Holy crap, what?? Yeah. Thai massages hurt like woah but they also did Sweidsh massages which are better so we got ourselves an hour of those. She was still pretty harsh but it felt good, I needed all those knots out of my back. This was my first massage too. It was sooooo amazingggggg. Ahhhhhh.

I got a DDs at the mall (which advertised Hazelnut but didn’t actually have any…) and the large was NOT a real large. Get with it Philippines. Gosh. 

(NOT a large)

But we grabbed a taxi to go see Magellan’s Cross and then take us to the airport. The cab driver was so nice. He waited for us while we went to the cross; he talked the whole time with us about movies, music, traveling, etc; he even took me to the best place to get guitars, and so guess what I got!! It’s pretty simple, but it was the best sounding mini guitar in the store. Only $20, made by the guy at the store. Now I get to play the guitar again and I get a cool trinket from the Philippines that is actually useful.

(My baby guitar!!)

At the airport, we got another DDs, the last one for another 2 months (God bless our souls), and I had to spend my last few pisos because it was too small to exchange, so I got a shot glass, which I had wanted anyways.

And now back to Asians, and classes, and work, and terrible food, and ughhhh.

L

Oh well, it was an amazing, fantastic, unreal experience I will never forget. I am such a lucky person that I was given the chance to go. 

Fun Facts Learned from this Journey:

1. You can learn the most interesting facts by people who have traveled the world; if you ever want to travel somewhere, talk to them, they know better than any internet site.

2. You ever want a no-hassle no-haggle deal in the Philippines, you have to know people. For instance, our boat to the Virgin Islands. Set price with no add-ons because it we became friends with the Captain’s brother.

3. Filipinos like their DDs for the donuts, NOT the coffee. They are all backwards...

Bantayan Island: Part 4 (Monday)

Well, got up to the rooster’s crow at 5:30am today. Awesome…

But today was amazing. We went down to the ocean to meet a captain so we could go island hopping. Tristan met a guy at the bar last night who’s Filipino wife’s brother was a captain and would take us and wouldn’t rip us off. What a deal. Captain Toto was his name. He walked with us first to the fish market and helped us get some food to bring over to the island for his to cook for us. We got more Mackerels, a red snapper, and squid.

We take off and we are first brought to a smaller island that had the best snorkeling on its coast. I’ve never been and it was so neat!!! The corals were not very brightly colored but the fish made up for it. I swam with Nemo and Dora and hundreds of other fish. The water was so salty, I would just ball up and stay floating and the fish would swim within an inch of me. I’ve very even seen so many colorful, and pretty big fish too even within an Asian restaurant aquarium.

(Captains Toto and Larry!!!)

(This is where we snorkeled!)

We don’t stop at that island, just continue over to the Virgin Island, were we plan to hang for the day. It’s just like Bantayan, just tiny. One beach, we a small coral reef, cabanas, hammocks, cooking stuff, and lots of palm trees. While to tide was out, we explored the cool rock formations next to the beach and hung with all the little fishies there.

(our little cabana)

(she found her way into a little cave)

(look at my fishie buddies!!)

The ocean water at this beach is actually much cooler than that on Bantayan, but I would guess it’s just because it get’s deeper much quicker. On Bantayan, you can walk out a football field distance and still be standing. Not on Virgin Island.

Toto cooked us a delicious feast. He even stuffed our fish for us with the veggie we bought and made a bomb salsa. We were pukingly full and loving life. So we just hung out, went swimming, layed on the beach, collected shells, etc.

(hanging with the captains!)

(look at that feast!!!!)

(look at the teeth on that thing!!!)

(Oh my gosh. yum.)

Me and Danika bought fresh coconuts for a dollar. One of the guys working there scaled a huge coconut tree and knocked them down for us, while another guy gave me a heart attack while he chopped them open for us. I personally love coconut milk, and Danika hadn’t tried it yet, so def worth the 1 dollar. Haha.

(pure monkey)

(giving me a heart attack with that knife)

When we got back, we walked along the beach to watch the sunset. We found that the sunset could be seen perfectly from the floating bar so we rowed over there, hung out with the semi-locals, and watched the sunset until you could see every planet in the entire universe in the sky. I thought you could see the stars the most clear up in the mountains in New Hampshire but even that cannot compare to here.

We all headed over to the bar back on the beach when the floating bar closed and I was able to get me my American breakfast for dinner. Except the toast was hard and they never gave me my coffee. Lame. We went to Moby Dick’s after that, where all the semi-locals have their boy time and play pool and drink beer without their Filipino wives. It was surprisingly a really good time, hanging out with a whole crowd of 60 year old guys. Who’da thought? Van was there and told me I should be a stand up comedian so that confirmed that fact that I like him. Haha, good ol’ Van. Invited me to coffee again tomorrow. WOOT!

Bantayan Island: Part 3 (Sunday)

Relaxing comforting morning.

I woke up, Skyped my brother for the first time since seeing him Christmas, and we headed to the fish market. I got a fresh huge bag of pineapple for a dollar. We slurped that down. Then we got some fresh Sting Ray and fish they said was good to grill. We were planning to bring it to the Virgin Islands today to grill there after we snorkel, but it turns out today is to windy to take a boat out safely.

So instead, we went over to Van’s for coffee. His house is right on the beach and the top of his house is a huge terrace with a cabana that looks over the ocean complete with an amazing breeze. And God can he make good coffee. Van’s awesome. He is just some retired rich guy who spent his life fishing around the world and even wrote a book about it, “Coco Loco.” Haha. He also has a Filipino wife, Perla, but I found out all the semi-locals do; guess this is the place to get wives or something.

Van told us about not going out on the water today, but he offered for his wife to cook us up our fish and eat lunch with him. Sweet deal! So we give his wife our string ray and mackerel and veggies and she cooks us up this insane feast. Let me tell you. Nothing like it in my life. She grilled the mackerels whole. First time I ever had fish with the heads and bones still in 'em. SO GOOD. Even better?? Sting ray with eggplant, hot peppers, tomatoes, and onions. She makes brown rice and some tomatoe onion relish. And of course iced tea. What an amazing meal. I can’t explain to you the taste of sting ray, but it’s deliciously light and almost steakish. I dunno. Good. The whole time, Van is showing us pictures of his travels, the books he wrote, etc etc. It is a good, relaxing, pleasant time.

(Sting Ray and veggies)

(FEAST!!!)

We head out to go see the Otgong Caves. Supposedly some resort with a cave you can swim in. The cave was not all that impressive, but we get some delicious mango smoothies and had fun walking along the beach, even though it was raining some.

(Otgong Cave)

(local kids playing at the ocean)

(the fishermen's part of the beach)

Home, shower, rent a motorbike sidecart, and head to mass at the old church in Bantayan. The mass was in English but the homily was English and whatever they speak here every other word, so paying attention was one hell of a job. We get back and decide we have to go to Tristan’s for dinner for Tristan. Haha. We got an el Manok pizza. It was a delicious thin crust pissa. They even gave us hot sauce and oregano. But no parmesean cheese. Oh well.

We grabbed some drinks at the Blue Ice Bar. Haven’t been there yet. The owner was a drunk Swedish guy, Andy, who I am sure I could be best friends with. He promised to make me good espresso at 7 tomorrow morning and gave me a cup to try for free for me and him to share complete with real Amaretto on the side.

Bantayan Island: Part 2 (Saturday)

How did you wake up this morning? Alarm clock? Probably.

I got woken up by a rooster.

You think I am joking…

Not so much.

Today we motorbiked around the island and saw the other cities (by cities, I mean one square of shops and people, but they consider it a city nonetheless).

We get our bikes, fill them up with gas at the station, and head on our way (falling a few times in the process of figuring out how to drive them. I almost killed a girl but no big deal). After about 10 mins of driving, we are starting to get into the city of Bantayan, the island's capital, when my bike stalls and dies. What the heck. The guys on the side of the street come take a look and say “you have no gas...” How is that possible?? I thought my gauge was just broken. What a joke, I got ripped off at the gas station, they didn’t put any gas in. Wanted to kill me some Filipino and cook ‘em for dinner. But lucky for me, you can buy red gasoline in glass coke bottles on the side of the road. What fun.

(that's gasoline)

On our way again, we stop at Bantayan city. Just the regular shops, but it has a fish market! Never been to one of those myself. Craziest fish ever. They had puffer fish, swordfish, these crazy blue fish, conch shell slugs (didn’t even think you could eat those, guess you just boil them according to the lady), scallops, shells, you name it. And all insanely cheep. We are gunna go back at some point, get some, and find a grill to grill ‘em up fresh for us. Can’t wait! 

(Bantayan City center shops)

(on the wharf)

(Look at 'em!!)

Me and Danika were attempted to get married off by all the ladies at the market. Da heck?? They kept asking us our names and if we had boyfriends. I showed them my ring but I learned they don’t do engagements there, so they thought that I was married. I just went with it, better for me if they think that way. This situation happened multiple times throughout the rest of the day.

(women at the fish market trying to marry me off)

(where we grabbed some lunch)

(in the city park)

 We also stopped at this old Church the city is known for. It was built sometime in the 1500s I think. It is the oldest parish in the Philippines. And it was gorgeous. It was complete with bats hanging from the roof too. We are gunna go back tomorrow for their 6pm English mass.

We head on the Madridejos, another city, and find an old fortress on the water. It’s in ruins and overgrown and gorgeous.

 They rest of the day, we just bummed around the island on the bikes. It was a lot of fun. I love the lifestyle or just the attitude towards life that these people have. Easy going, relaxing, slow, not a care in the world. I also love how much they love us white people!! You can tell that outside of Santa Fe, where our cottage is, they don’t see tourists EVER. If any tourists come to the island (if any), they just stay in Santa Fe and drink or whatever there. But elsewhere, they seemed so amazed and happy to see us. They all (kids and adults) were waving and talking to us. And they LOVED getting their pictures taken. So weird. Usually it is the exact opposite. People are always mad if they happen to be in a picture you are taking, but here it is the highlight of their day.

(loved these old people, sitting outside, enjoying the beauty around them)

We come back later afternoon, and grab some drinks at the Hard Cock Café, on of the local restaurants and cottages (where we originally tried to stay). Got myself a banana smoothie with Rum. So delicious.

We heard about this beach that no foreigners know about called Paradise Beach, that is what it sounds like, Paradise. We know the general location so we just decide to drive around and ask the locals to point the way. Thankfully, they did, and we found our way to this off-the-beaten-path beach that is time and beautiful. It has a lot of boats anchored around and a nice little cabana. We decided not to swim there, just go back to our beach in Santa Fe. I studied for my Cantonese test for 10 mins while Tristan and Danika swam out a hundred yards and were still only calf-deep in water. The sand bars here are really something, that’s for sure.

We get back to Onde, our cottage, shower, and head over back to the Hard Cock where the cook, Larry, told us they would be having an amazing all-you-can-eat buffet. How’s this for a $5 buffet: fresh specialty fish (forgot what he called it), prawn, clams, 3 different beef dishes, and then the rices, lo meins, salads, etc. $5. I’m just gunna let that sink in for a sec.

We hung out there for a bit, stuffed ourselves silly, got some drinks, met some locals and semi-locals, and played cards. Van, a semi-local invited us for REAL coffee that he serves every morning on his terrace patio on the beach. God I love this place.

Later we went over to the HR bar where a live band was playing. We met more people, got some more drinks, chilled with the band (50 year old blues and rock band), and had a fabulous time.

But this place wears me out like you wouldn’t believe, and I have sunburn on the inside of my elbow, so I am going to sleep. J

One thing I will say about this island. They know their music. At dinner, we were listening to some Eric Clapton and Jonny Cash, and at the bar they were playing Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin, and a whole slew of old music that was top of the line. All I can say is, good for them. They know what’s up.

Another thing I will say. People here are so dang friendly. They make it so easy to be that outsider tourist to get invited to coffee with close friends in the morning, drinks at the bar in the evening, and special events through the weekend. Everyone knows everyone and they are so happy to introduce you to everyone else. I even went to the bar counter tonight to get a Tanduay Ice (like a Smirnoff Ice but much better, not so nasty sweet), and they were all out; one of the local girls was like, get one of these, and she holds out her drink. I see that it’s a San Miguel. Not into that beer, I think it’s pretty gross. I say “ehhh” and she’s like, “no no, it’s the Lemon San Miguel, just try it” and this random chick I have never talked to is offering me her drink to try. It turned out to be a very good choice, but the point is how friendly and easy going they are. I was kinda figuring just the older men and semi-locals who have nothing to do were welcoming, but everyone is. No exceptions. It’s awesome.

I easily understand how these people get lost here for months, or years, at a time. I wish I could. Sadly, I am no Van (the guy inviting us to coffee), and I don’t go to eat with famous writers, nor do I have the money to travel the world for kicks. Someday though….someday.

Fun Facts about Filipino/Bantayan Asians

1. They are very forward about wanting a white girlfriend. Boys, mamas, you name it.

2. They are very Catholic. I think it is the only religion possible on any Filipino island.

3. Life for them is slow, relaxing, and enjoyable, no matter how much money they have.

4. Bantayan is NOT for tourists, but they still love them (except for the cocky Europeans who get drunk and trash their beaches and cottages).

5. They LOVE getting their pictures taken of them.

6. You would think they have never seen a white person by the way they all act towards us.

7. They LOVE tourists. Kids, adults, everyone waves to us and comes over to talk to us and get a picture with us.

8. Gasoline is red, and sold in glass coke bottles on the side of the road (for the motorbikes).

9. You can by only one cigarette if you want, and it costs 1 cent. A good pack of cigarettes costs a dollar tops.