Posted by: Jonathan
After leaving Donsol we had a few days to spare before catching a puddle jumper from Manila to Palawan (another group of islands in the Philippines). Not wanting to spend the extra days idle in Manila, we set off for a rugged peninsula with stunning beaches that was only accessible by boat. Two vans and three jeepney rides (detailed description below) later we arrived at a pier and chartered a boat with a few locals to Caramoan Town. The advertised two hour trip took over four hours since darkness fell partway through forcing us to drastically reduce our speed. I don't think the wooden bangka would pass the coast guard regulations since it had no lights, unless you count the captains cell phone which he used to signal other boats of our presence. Even with the lack of lighting we didn't run aground, however, we did run across some fishing nets and had to wait for the boat tending to them to come and cut us free.
After leaving Donsol we had a few days to spare before catching a puddle jumper from Manila to Palawan (another group of islands in the Philippines). Not wanting to spend the extra days idle in Manila, we set off for a rugged peninsula with stunning beaches that was only accessible by boat. Two vans and three jeepney rides (detailed description below) later we arrived at a pier and chartered a boat with a few locals to Caramoan Town. The advertised two hour trip took over four hours since darkness fell partway through forcing us to drastically reduce our speed. I don't think the wooden bangka would pass the coast guard regulations since it had no lights, unless you count the captains cell phone which he used to signal other boats of our presence. Even with the lack of lighting we didn't run aground, however, we did run across some fishing nets and had to wait for the boat tending to them to come and cut us free.
After 15 hours of total travel we checked into our hotel and agreed that we had sufficiently left the tourist trail.
The rain that greeted us on arrival the night before continued through the night and into the morning, so we changed to a hotel with wifi, AC, and cable TV to pass the time...too bad the electricity went out for three days. Just before sunset the rain hesitated enough for us to explore a nearby beach.
The rain that greeted us on arrival the night before continued through the night and into the morning, so we changed to a hotel with wifi, AC, and cable TV to pass the time...too bad the electricity went out for three days. Just before sunset the rain hesitated enough for us to explore a nearby beach.
After another day of rain we decided to start making our way back towards Manila to make sure we caught our flight - SIKE! We were informed that the rain was part of a signal one tropical storm and that there would be no boats coming or going for several days. So, we checked back into our hotel to weather the storm.
The next three days waiting out the storm were fairly identical - it rained all day, everyday. We started each morning with hamburgers with fried eggs and a liter and a half of cola. This breakfast of champions was not by choice, but merely the only recognizable dish being served in the morning. Since there was no electricity, we would read by daylight and play cards by candlelight.
The next three days waiting out the storm were fairly identical - it rained all day, everyday. We started each morning with hamburgers with fried eggs and a liter and a half of cola. This breakfast of champions was not by choice, but merely the only recognizable dish being served in the morning. Since there was no electricity, we would read by daylight and play cards by candlelight.
For lunch and dinner we would search out a restaurant that was braving the storm with their doors open. This turned out to be harder than we anticipated and often we returned to the hotel empty handed and soaking wet.
Even with the fowl weather we still conjured up a few adventures. First was a spider seeking shelter from the rain in our room. I have no idea where it came from because it was too big to have fit through anywhere besides the front door. It was the biggest spider I have ever killed in my entire life, may he rest in peace.
There may be a tropical storm outside but that doesn't stop the one street town from having their annual parade. It lasted eight minutes.
Don't judge, this is what three days of being cooped up in a room will do.
Turns out the remoteness of the peninsula is a perfect filming location for Survivor (the reality TV series). Israel, France, and several other countries have already completed their season and Belgium, Holland, and Scandinavia were currently on site filming. The US has announced their intentions to film there next season. This explains why the locals in town wanted photos with Jenn and I, they thought we were TV stars since the only white people around are affiliated with the show.
We found out which beach they were based on and walked there in the rain. Two words were exchanged between the machine gun toting guard at the gate and Jenn and we were in. (Guard: "Survivor?", Jenn: "Yep.") There was zero activity, due to the storm, but we wandered around and said hello to those we passed like we belonged.
After a total of four days of rain, the tiny typhoon passed and the skies cleared. Since we had already missed our flight (from Manila to Palawan) we decided to stay a day longer and enjoy the sunshine and some nearby islands. We hired our own private bangka, with captain, and explored beaches on six uninhabited islands over the course of the day.
The next morning we woke up at 5 A.M., made our way to the dock, and fought our way onto an over crowded ferry headed to mainland. We were relieved once the boat docked since we had purchased another plane ticket from Manila to Palawan and didn't want to miss it a second time.
Once back in Manila, we spent the afternoon at the Mall of Asia. We are constantly amazed at how modern malls are in other countries, it seems the lower the GDP the nicer the mall. We picked up a few necessities including Starbucks and cheeseburger pizza. We left the mall just in time to watch the sun set over the port.
Before I finish the post, I want to give you a brief introduction to a few of the more unusual modes of transportation in the Philippines.
Bangkas are narrow boats (read canoe) with bamboo out rigging on either side to keep it "stable."
Bangkas are narrow boats (read canoe) with bamboo out rigging on either side to keep it "stable."
Jeepneys are the main mode of public transportation in or between towns. The first jeepneys were modified army jeeps left by the Americans after WWII and even now the modern ones are faithful to the original design. No two jeepneys look alike as each driver pimps his ride to fit his or (a very rare) her personality. You wouldn't believe how many people they can fit into one of these.
Trikes are motorcycles with a side car. These are great because you and your luggage comfortably fit. Even better are when they are loaded with six plus people, my favorite spot is the roof of the side car.
Skates are bamboo rafts that sit on top of recycled train wheel bearings and run down the railroad track powered by a motorcycle engine. The bigger skate has the right of way and a train always has the right of way. In these instances, the skate is unloaded and the entire contraption is lifted up off the rails by the passengers and is put back on once the rails are clear.