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Saturday, May 9, 2009

mothers instinct

i usually hear the cliche mother knows best. they have this so called mothers instincts (is it a skill acquired once you get to be a mother?! is it an automatic feeling triggered when someone gives birth?!) whatever or however it is acquired or possessed ... i do believe in its uncanny ability of knowing something at the right place at the right time.

one evening... i was arranging clothes at my room...when my mom went in and just blurted out...

mom: that's why **** is mad at you because you're still talking to wonderboy.

gailie: huh?! what are you talking about?!

mom: am i right?! **** is mad at you? that's what happen when a girl and boy are best of friends and one of them has a GF/BF. usually the GF/BF tends to be jealous and gets mad at the best friend.

gailie: so you'd better get ready ,mom! someone might show up at our house and throw stuff at us. ehehe!

my mom just laughed and walked away. that night i asked my sister if she told my mom anything about me or anything about **** being mad at me. she didn't tell my mom anything not a word! hmmm...



one night (again!) at the dining table... my sister and i were teasing each other...my mom was seated next to me..

mom: (talking to sister) you still have that froggy boy of yours?!

sis: staring blankly at my mom

mom: xav is a fine man...why not him?!

sis: he's just my bestfriend mom

mom: you know... i saw from a talk show...a famous psychiatrist said...being bestfriends with the opposite sex...one tends to fall for the other...a happy ending would mean they would end up with each other. look at your sister (now, it's my turn!) she loved wonderboy but wonderboy already had someone. too bad!
sis and gailie: ma?!?

we ended up laughing.

moms?! what will you do without them?!

happy mother's day mom! i love you!

happy mother's day to all moms out there!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

DAY 3: TALES FROM BOHOL: UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE

Day 3 had been a surprise. Months before the tour, they asked me to make an itinerary (making the itinerary is usually my assignment!) from what I made ; I plan DAY 3 to be an adventure in Danao.but my tour mates are still undecided. I asked them if they want to go caving, rappelling, river rafting, etc. but they haven't confirmed it with me.Even when we were in Bohol, they're still undecided; so I left Day 3 available for everyone to decide what they wanted to do.

Soon after breakfast, Bambi, Berna and I decided to go whale watching but the guide/boat man said whale watching is done around 0500-0530. He then offered island hopping, 3 islands for the whole day for 1200php. Jackson agreed to join us last minute because Janet and family will just stay at the resort. Janet's husband, Jeff and the kids are not feeling well. At 0900, We met Kuya Randy in front of the resort.

so the adventure begins...


the beginning of an unexpected adventure

1st island was Balicasag Marine Sanctuary. It's a protected marine area where we can snorkel and see different kinds of fishes. This is my first time to snorkel, so does Jackson, Bogart and Berna. We had to rent a small banca because motor powered boats are not allowed in the marine protected areas. The propellers will destroy the corals. Berna and Bambi in 1 banca, Jackson and I on another banca. Since its everyone's first time we were quite scared and excited at the same time. Berna was so scared she didn't want to join us. the boatmen were taunting her to go snorkeling but she's really not into it. she just watched us from the banca.

on our way to balicasag marine sanctuary

Once I dipped my head at the water, I saw different kinds of fish and corals. It's truly amazing, as they say it's a different world down there. I can see the deep blue parts of the sea; plants swaying as if dancing to the waters' music. But I can't get the proper breathing technique with the snorkel so everytime I ran out of air I need to resurface and catch my breath. after several attempts I did manage to breathe properly and get to enjoy a longer time to see the underwater wonders. An hour of snorkeling was enough for us novice. We then headed to the shore to eat lunch.


feeding the fishes


jump for joy

Ffter filling our hungry stomachs, we set off to see the turtle island which is not an island. It's a small hut built in the middle of the sea; a hut with stilts. Our guide called someone from inside the hut. An elderly couple stays there, I wonder how they'd hold up during typhoons. Anyhow, the man is the keeper of the 'pawikan' (pawikan is a local term for sea turtles).


the hut in the middle of the sea


We got off the boat and saw the pawikans. We were able to touch it and swim with them. They were so big and we were amazed to see such big turtles. We were wondering why the pawikans would not swim away or escape from the hut, sadly, the pawikans were tied to the stilts.


cowabunga!


Last stop: Virgin Islands. Wow! Truly a beautiful place. PARADISE. This place is a stunner! I can't really describe it. Just look at the pictures! We took a couple of jump shots and enjoyed walking along the sand bar. We had a brief stay because the waves are starting to get strong and its nearly sundown. We don't want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere.



As we sail our way through our boatman said he ran out of gas to power the boat's motor. Oh no! Thankfully, the shore is nearby, I can see it. The boatman saw a friend of his and ask for some gasoline but the gas given was not enough to get us back to our resort. We just docked at a nearly shore which according to our boatman is just a few meters away from where we stay. He told us that his house is just around the corner and he'll bring us back to the resort using his motorbike. We passed by rows of houses, home of the locals, a different sight from my usual view at the city. (although I spent some part of my growing years in rural areas too! but that was a long time ago, and now we're talking about the 21st century.) Here, there's no skyscrapers, no pollution, just tranquil surroundings. We reached Kuya Randy's house in no time, he showed us his bike and asked us who will go with him first.


kuya randy coming back for us

Berna and Bogart got on the bike and zoomed away while waiting Jackson and I surveyed the surroundings. Jackson commented on how simple and carefree life there is in Bohol. Some of Kuya Randy's relatives are inviting us to go inside the house while waiting. We declined politely.  Soon after, Kuya Randy arrived and we (Jackson and I) hopped on the bike. The last time i rode a bike was 2 decades ago. It was kinda exciting.

enjoying the motor bike ride

We reached the resort safely and thank Kuya Randy and bade him goodbye. I said to my Bogart, Berna and Jackson; we left by boat arrived by bike. What an adventure!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

DAY 2: Tales From Bohol - 16 Places

this post is way overdue... sorry for late posting. the post DAY 1: eastpak's and naf's version was my 1st attempt to write in 3rd persons point of view. i had a hard time doing that post. i really admire writers/authors for their great imagination and skills.


anyway, here's: DAY 2: Tales from Bohol: 16 Places

we woke up early because our driver/tour guide is going to pick us up at 0730 to kick start our adventure for the day...since we weren't able to eat breakfast on our way to our 1st destination...we stopped by McDo and bought foods which we ate inside the van.



1st destination: HINAGDANAN CAVE

the cave derived its name from the word hagdan/hagdanan meaning stairs. to see the cave you have to go down to a small opening on the ground. once inside you'll see stalagmites and stalagtites, also there are alot of bats. be careful, steps are quite slippery. you can take a dip on the cold fresh water inside the cave which is about 13 meters deep.

L-R: Jackson, Jeff, Jana, Jodi, Janet, Mayen (partially hidden), Inang, Gailie, Berna and Bogart


2nd: MAG-ASO FALLS

you have to go down to atleast 100 steps to see this falls. going down is easy...coming back up is another story. the cold clean fresh water was inviting me to take a dip. i wanted to but i dont have spare clothes with me and we just started the trip. 14 more places to go.... i cannot go swimming, maybe next time.

same cast...different pose. ehehe!


3rd and 4th stop: BLOOD COMPACT SITE: OLD and NEW

Blood Compact site is a historical place. Blood Comapct is a ritual where two people drink each other's blood as part of a native custom to seal a friendship, a pact or treaty, or to validate an agreement.

The Old site has a marker erected to inform the public that it is the place where the Blood Compact took place.

jackson presents the Old Blood Compact Site


The New Blood Compact site which is a few meters away from the Old Site is a sculpture depicting the ritual between the Spanish king conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Filipino native of Bohol, Datu Sikatuna.

with college friends, Back: Berna and Bambi, Front: Mayen and Janet, with Janet's daughter Jodi


5th: BACLAYON CHURCH

Baclayon Church is the second oldest stone church in the Philippines. Constructed in 1595 by the Jesuit priests.

facade of Baclayon Church


inside Baclayon Church


6th: LOBOC RIVER CRUISE

since its lunch time. we had lunch while cruising the Loboc river. it is an eat-all-you-can Filipino buffet. there's a local band playing Filipino folk songs. we also made a stop by a small stage at the edge of the river. there are female folk dancers showcasing Filipino folk dances.

chow time

folk dancers


7th: TARSIER

Philippine tarsiers are found in Bohol. They have huge eyes which are fixed in its skull; they cannot turn in their sockets. These huge eyes provide this nocturnal animal with excellent night vision. This is just near Loboc river.

me and the tarsier

Philippine Tarsier


8th: MAN MADE FOREST

the driver/tour guide brought us to this place with tall huge trees...which they aptly call Man Made Forest... a few decades ago, Boholanos scattered Mahogany seeds on this land (not sure though....or was it Narra seeds). These towering trees are so nice to look at the same time it gives you an eerie feeling. hehe!

long and winding road towards the forest


berna and gailie


9th: CHOCOLATE HILLS

Who would miss out Chocolate Hills on their visit to Bohol? Chocolate Hills are synonymous to Bohol. These magnificent natural wonder is a sight to behold. its like huge choco chips scattered all over the place.

want some chocolate hill?! :P


10th: HANGING BRIDGE


its just another hanging bridge but for us who lived in the city its not everyday we get to see these things. as i was crossing bridge, my slippers 'naf' got stuck in between the woods that made up the 'floor' of the bridge. i pulled 'naf' quickly, i got a little worried... i might go home with just 1 flipflop. at the other side of the bridge are stalls of souvenir shops selling anything from beads to magnets to bracelets and other native handicrafts. be sure to haggle, alright!


gailie, jackson, jeff and bambi (mayen and berna got scared so they didn't come with us)


11th: LOBOC CHURCH

another Old Church with a musuem inside but we weren't able to go due to time constraints. we just snapped a few shots while others waited inside the van.

Berna just outside Loboc Church


12th: CLARIN ANCESTRAL HOUSE

It an old house with antiques and pearl jewelry sold on ground floor. i wasn't able to go upstairs... again due to time constraint.

take me back in time....

black and white effect


13th: PYTHON PLACE


the python place is quite disappointing. its a private house which they converted the backyard into a 'mini zoo'. the owner of the house apparently discovered a python and kept it captive for decades.


prony the python


14th: DAUIS CHURCH

we pass by this church and decided to take photos while others just stayed in the van. inside the church, at the altar steps, hidden, is a well. no idea how and why there was a well in that place. the one at the altar just showed us the well but not really explained the details why it was there.




15th: BUTTERFLY FARM

i had a nice time there... i learn more about butterflies...so many interesting facts. and the entrance fee is very cheap, 20php!

butterflies!!!


16th: BEE FARM


last stop is the Bee Farm. we got there around 1800, and its already close. too bad! we just visited the Bee Farm souvenir shop and bought some organic foods as a souvenir. you gotta try the pesto spread. its a must!



end of tiring DAY 2! but it was worth it, we reached the resort around 1830, just in time for dinner.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

i'm back

i just got back from my 8-day KL-Siem Reap escapade. i have loads of interesting stories, lessons and photos. i'll also introduce you to yandre (yan-drei), my new baby! wehehe! but for now, i gotta sleep first because tomorrow im back to work.

first things first, i'll finish my bohol day 2-4 blog, then the KL-Siem Reap escapade.
stay tuned.