Posted by: Jenn
We arrived at the Kathmandu Airport with a little over two hours to spare before our long journey to Singapore. Just to set the scene for you: first, it was imperative that the flight to Singapore moved along smoothly because a day after arriving in Singapore we had a flight to the Philippines, and second, I was probably in the worst shape I have been in this whole trip. My stomach was in so many knots that the pain was literally unbearable. Jonathan was stuck lugging my bags and his through the airport while I was grasping anything I could to just stay upright. When I wasn't fighting gravity, I was otherwise constantly in search of the nearest toilet. Any hesitation in finding a restroom when I needed one, which seemed to be about every half hour, would have consequently resulted in an unwanted accident. To say the least, I was in terrible shape and my condition seemed to be progressing for the worst as the day continued. Of course, I wouldn't dare eat anything for fear of it going right through me so on top of me wobbling my way through the crowds I was weak and dizzy from not having anything in my system.
As I found some cool porcelain to rest on, Jonathan stepped up to the check in counter. However, instead of printing our boarding passes and checking in our bags, the lady told us that we could not complete our flight without a transit visa through India. We had booked our flight through Expedia and apparently there was a domestic leg through India before heading on to Singapore. She said that we needed to leave the airport, grab a cab to the Indian Embassy, apply for a transit visa, then proceed back through the check in process. As if we had time for this! Jonathan spoke with her some more until she finally said that she might be able to redirect us. Luckily there was room on another flight which meant we would only have one stop in India instead of two but now we would have a 13 hour layover in the Delhi airport. Whatever - at least we knew we would make it. We flew from Kathmandu to Delhi, arrived at about 5 PM and found a comfortable couch close to a bathroom. Our flight from Delhi to Singapore left at 8 AM the next morning so we settled in and tried to get some rest.
We arrived at the Kathmandu Airport with a little over two hours to spare before our long journey to Singapore. Just to set the scene for you: first, it was imperative that the flight to Singapore moved along smoothly because a day after arriving in Singapore we had a flight to the Philippines, and second, I was probably in the worst shape I have been in this whole trip. My stomach was in so many knots that the pain was literally unbearable. Jonathan was stuck lugging my bags and his through the airport while I was grasping anything I could to just stay upright. When I wasn't fighting gravity, I was otherwise constantly in search of the nearest toilet. Any hesitation in finding a restroom when I needed one, which seemed to be about every half hour, would have consequently resulted in an unwanted accident. To say the least, I was in terrible shape and my condition seemed to be progressing for the worst as the day continued. Of course, I wouldn't dare eat anything for fear of it going right through me so on top of me wobbling my way through the crowds I was weak and dizzy from not having anything in my system.
As I found some cool porcelain to rest on, Jonathan stepped up to the check in counter. However, instead of printing our boarding passes and checking in our bags, the lady told us that we could not complete our flight without a transit visa through India. We had booked our flight through Expedia and apparently there was a domestic leg through India before heading on to Singapore. She said that we needed to leave the airport, grab a cab to the Indian Embassy, apply for a transit visa, then proceed back through the check in process. As if we had time for this! Jonathan spoke with her some more until she finally said that she might be able to redirect us. Luckily there was room on another flight which meant we would only have one stop in India instead of two but now we would have a 13 hour layover in the Delhi airport. Whatever - at least we knew we would make it. We flew from Kathmandu to Delhi, arrived at about 5 PM and found a comfortable couch close to a bathroom. Our flight from Delhi to Singapore left at 8 AM the next morning so we settled in and tried to get some rest.
We caught our flight without any problems and arrived in Singapore. The Singapore airport was by far the most efficient and easiest airport to navigate and get through. Customs, baggage claim and transport to the city took us less than an hour. It was also very modern and nicely decorated. The bathrooms were pretty spottless too. We even passed a Jungle on the way to customs!
We caught a city bus to the hostel we had previously reserved online, caught up on Internet and slept. The next morning we headed back to the airport for our flight the the Philippines. We got to Manila pretty late at night so we fared a cab and were taken to our hostel.
I think after this specific trip, I could easily be a bathroom critic for several airports in the area. India, believe it or not, had very clean bathrooms in the airport. However, they have a lady that stays in there all the time cleaning and asking for a tip, which is annoying. It's like, can't you see that I am splashing water on my sweat soaked face trying to cool off after feeling like I just went into labor on your toilet. Move your begging hand and let me catch my breath. The Philippines airport had super nice restrooms too, however, they didn't flush. You had to scoop water into the toilet bowl until your deposit was washed down. That's annoying, especially when you have a stomach ache. So, the best bathrooms were in Singapore. Clean, no begging cleaning lady and toilets that flushed.
Because this whole time my stomach was still not better, and Jonathan's was starting to bother him too, we laid low at the hostel the whole next day in hopes of feeling better. Finally, in higher spirits, the day after we caught an overnight bus to a town called Donsol. This town is known for none other that it's spectacular whale shark interaction tours. They have six person boats that take you out to sea and when a whale shark is spotted, the guide tells you to jump in with your snorkel gear so you can swim alongside the huge creature. I must note that Jonathan has been looking forward to this since we started planning this whole trip. He couldn't wait to get to the Philippines so he could swim with a whale shark.
When we arrived in Donsol the next morning, we met four other backpackers there for the same reason so we went and registered for a boat together to help defray the cost. We spend the rest of the day walking around the tiny town and making good use of the grocery store in town and guest kitchen in our hotel.
I think after this specific trip, I could easily be a bathroom critic for several airports in the area. India, believe it or not, had very clean bathrooms in the airport. However, they have a lady that stays in there all the time cleaning and asking for a tip, which is annoying. It's like, can't you see that I am splashing water on my sweat soaked face trying to cool off after feeling like I just went into labor on your toilet. Move your begging hand and let me catch my breath. The Philippines airport had super nice restrooms too, however, they didn't flush. You had to scoop water into the toilet bowl until your deposit was washed down. That's annoying, especially when you have a stomach ache. So, the best bathrooms were in Singapore. Clean, no begging cleaning lady and toilets that flushed.
Because this whole time my stomach was still not better, and Jonathan's was starting to bother him too, we laid low at the hostel the whole next day in hopes of feeling better. Finally, in higher spirits, the day after we caught an overnight bus to a town called Donsol. This town is known for none other that it's spectacular whale shark interaction tours. They have six person boats that take you out to sea and when a whale shark is spotted, the guide tells you to jump in with your snorkel gear so you can swim alongside the huge creature. I must note that Jonathan has been looking forward to this since we started planning this whole trip. He couldn't wait to get to the Philippines so he could swim with a whale shark.
When we arrived in Donsol the next morning, we met four other backpackers there for the same reason so we went and registered for a boat together to help defray the cost. We spend the rest of the day walking around the tiny town and making good use of the grocery store in town and guest kitchen in our hotel.
The following morning at 6 AM we headed for the boat loading area. With great anticipation we boarded the boat and were taken out into the grey blue waters of the eastern coast for three hours of searching for and hopefully swimming with these massive whales. I was praying to the whale Gods to at least let us see one because I didn't know how I would handle Jonathan if we walked away empty handed. His hopes and dreams would be crushed.
Our first rush of excitement came after about an hour of motoring around a nearby bay. Our guide told us to gear up and sit on the edge of the boat. He went over the instructions one more time: don't touch the whale shark, stay a few meters away from it's tail, don't swim in front of it's face, don't kick the whale shark and no flash photography. With our anticipation growing, we waited for the guides signal to jump in. As soon as he gave it and jumped in, we all followed quickly behind him. We swam a few feet before he came up and said "False alarm - its a school of fish".
Our first rush of excitement came after about an hour of motoring around a nearby bay. Our guide told us to gear up and sit on the edge of the boat. He went over the instructions one more time: don't touch the whale shark, stay a few meters away from it's tail, don't swim in front of it's face, don't kick the whale shark and no flash photography. With our anticipation growing, we waited for the guides signal to jump in. As soon as he gave it and jumped in, we all followed quickly behind him. We swam a few feet before he came up and said "False alarm - its a school of fish".
Seeing how the water was quite murky, it was easy to mistake a dark spot in the water for something that it's not. Deeply disappointed, we climbed back into the boat and hoped for better results the next time.
We rode around for what seemed like forever with no spotting of a whale shark. Soon thereafter there was some excitement going on where some of the other tour boats were gathered. Our driver steered us towards them and the spotter on our boat confirmed that there was a whale shark nearby. We geared up again and when our guide told us to, we jumped back in the water. We saw nothing though. Jonathan, being super determined that he was going to see one, took in a deep breath and swam down into the murky water until he finally spotted the back of a whale shark. He got a quick video before he needed to come up for air.
We rode around for what seemed like forever with no spotting of a whale shark. Soon thereafter there was some excitement going on where some of the other tour boats were gathered. Our driver steered us towards them and the spotter on our boat confirmed that there was a whale shark nearby. We geared up again and when our guide told us to, we jumped back in the water. We saw nothing though. Jonathan, being super determined that he was going to see one, took in a deep breath and swam down into the murky water until he finally spotted the back of a whale shark. He got a quick video before he needed to come up for air.
By the time he came up, the rest of the group was headed back for the boat. He looked at me, excited that he saw one but sad that I didn't, and he said that if we came upon another one I would have to swim down with him. We got back in the boat and rode around some more. We were sure that it had to be time to head back to shore and we were pretty disappointed in our experience thus far. I was just excited that at least Jonathan saw one. However, about thirty minutes later our guide was telling us to get ready again. Hoping for the best, we hopped in after our guide and swam about two feet when all of a sudden a huge grey and white spotted whale shark swam right under our feet! I was so excited that I swallowed a mouthful of saltwater despite my snorkel still being in my mouth. I can't even begin to describe how incredible it was to be in the water with something so huge and intimidating. Jonathan managed to take some videos and grab a photo but it was so hard with how fast we were swimming to keep up with it and how huge it was. It was impossible to capture it in one photo. At the end of the video below you can see me to help give you some perspective.
After that experience we were all very content. We got to actually swim with a whale shark! The boat driver started back for shore while we were all recounting our experience. Then, out of the blue, our guide told us to get ready again. Whaaaaat?! We all hopped in the water one last time to see a baby whale shark swimming in front of us! Bonus!
Wow! What a way to top off the tour. We were all so excited that we had long forgotten how glum we felt the first two hours of the tour. Our whale spotter and guide more than made up for the false alarm in the beginning.
Swimming with whale sharks in the Philippines. Check!
We are catching some local transport from Donsol to the Caramoan Peninsula where some white sand beaches are calling our names!
Swimming with whale sharks in the Philippines. Check!
We are catching some local transport from Donsol to the Caramoan Peninsula where some white sand beaches are calling our names!