TravelStream™ news feed for member mattock on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/mattock en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:07:22 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mattock/1/1248472622/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mattock/1/1248472622/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mattock/1/1248472622/tpod.html Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:07:22 -0400 Daves world trip !

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Siquijor, Visayas, Philippines

We found out about the small island just off Negros a short time before. Siquijor is considered by many Filipinos to be a mystical island, full of witches and other supernatural phenomena!..

Its a tiny island that can be driven all the way round on a scooter in a few hours, with many nooks and crannys holding small beautiful beaches, waterfalls and quaint village locals and greenery. We havent had much trouble booking accomodation on the go in most places as tourisits a generally scarce, but here we went through many places to find a cheap place with rooms, but even still in our time there we saw hardly any other toursists out and about. The only choice left and we came to a stunning little place a bit further away, really cheap and a lovely room!

Now I knew about this time i was going to suprise Fran by proposing to her, I wanted to since the first time I met her. I also wanted to do it on a beach somewhere in a special way and was waiting to find the place...

.. there was a tiny beach beside our hostel, so when Fran fell asleep ( again ) I snuck out only to find the tide was miles out..perfect. with my torch I went far out and wrote in the sand "Will you marry me ".. in portuguese of course.. I did make one spelling mistake haha.
.. then I woke her up with a beer and said lets go for a walk, she was confused and asked where we were going.. it was a bit scary in the dark walking out to the sea... good job I drew arrows in the sand.. when we got close, I told her how much I loved her and how happy I was since meeting her, then shined the torch on the message word by word.... got on one knee and took of my ring and put it on her finger ( we would get a proper one together later )...... she cried, I cried a little and she said of course I will !! wooo hoooo. We told the family and they were delighted, and said about time to me!

The next day we had hired a scooter to go exploring. Just the one, so I was driving with Fran on the back, I was a bit wary but gained confidence. We drove around the island, firsltly stopping at a white sanded secluded beach, and watched a young boy climb really high up a palm tree to get a coconut to drink for him and his friend.

We visited an amazing small green watered lagoon with fresh water. The swim was so refreshing from the heat and for a while we were the only people there. On the way home we decided to go through the island and up over and through the hills meeting the locals and taking in the view.

Now this was great for a while..until we started to get lost, then I lost control of the bike Fran jumped off and I lay ther with the bike in a bush...as we looked up there were two locals girls just staring at us..probably thinking what idiots!

We fumbled our way back as it got dark and this made driving even harder and the bugs were out and going in my mouth and eyes all the way back... thank god we made it... a great day full of adventure haha.

We left siqijor smiling, we will always remeber the place I proposed... off back to Dumagette.

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Dumaguete, Visayas, Philippines

Dumaguete was our first stop on the new island of the visayas called "Negros". Till now we havent had a great experience of major towns in the Philippines, they are mostly smoggy, noisy and over run....but Dumaguete was a pleasant surprise.

Its a smaller town with a much more laid back feel and is based around a nice waterfront where you can sit in a nice cafe and watch the world go by. Maybe because this has been dubbed "the center of learning in the south," or a "university town" due to
the presence of these universities that have made their mark nationally
and abroad... and also had the cheapest accomodation we found in the Philippines.

In the evening we could sit on the waterfront and eat fried squid from the local stalls and drink beer. We ended up going to a nightclub which we me and Fran had a great time!. We found some locals to force ourselves on.. and me falling off a seat while standing on it trying to take a picture really broke the ice... Fran and they were crying with laughter as I embarssingly picked myself up in a crowded club LOL we all ended up drunk and laughing in the end.

The next day we visited the free local museum and learnt quite a bit about philippino history on our 2 day stop gap. Next we were on our way to Bais to go dolphin watching !

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Loboc, Visayas, Philippines

Bohol probably the most famous island in the Philipinnes, the image of the chocolate hills and tarsiers is on all guide books and we were really excited about this stage. Bohol itself is very small in size, and we managed to base ourselves in one place to see the main attractions. We had read about a hostel based by the river in the middle of nowhere surrounded by jungle. This eco friendly place was called 'Nuts Huts'.

After getting off the jeepney by the side of the road it was a 10 minute gruelling walk with our heavey bags to nuts huts. When we arrived we found a final walk down what seemed like hundreds of steps to get to reception. Sweaty and tired we met one of the owners a dutch crazy lady who said we like the sort of people that make the walk thats why we dont make it easier to get here !. but the place was great, hammoks,, good food, and a brilliant view into the tree tops. Our hut on stilts was great at the bottom beside the river which i jumped straight into after the sweaty walk..it was amazing.

The place felt great, so relaxing, the sound of insects, fireflies at night. The next day we head out for the famous chocolate hills, but on the way we stop at the butterfly sanctury. I wasnt expecting much but it was great. The guide took us all the way around explaining about the different species and Fran got to hold some massive catipillars which were stunning and weird! We saw so many different butterflys, they were beautiful and at the end they put one in Frans hair ! lol

Then it was onto the iconic cholocalte hills. As we walked up the hill we could start to see the strange smooth green domes. We got to the entrance climed to few hundreds steps to the lookout and stepped to the edge.... wow, you have to see this for real. For a full 360 degrees and as far as the eye can see we gazed in amazement at the view. The hills are said to be formed from the tears of gods, they look so strange, smooth and hypnotic.

Our last day came and we signed up for a hike up the hill to a massive bat cave. The crazy owner told us it was easy and wouldnt be slippery.. she was a bit wrong. It was quite steep and as it rained slightly in the night was slippy! anyway we climbed up over a few hours and took in some amazing views. When we arrived we went into the mouth of the cave and immedietally saw hundreds of bats hanging from the roof of the huge cave. The guide made a sound and loads dropped and flew in our direction, it was amazing. As we tried to avoid the bat poo we climed through a long dark cave always covered by bats and two torches between 6 of us haha.

On our 3rd day we avoided teh walk back by taking a small boat to Loboc. Our stay at Nuts Huts was fantastic, 3 great days, and we did so much. Bohol was definitally one of our favourite islands of the Philippines. we went to Pangloa before leaving for Bohol but we only stayed 2 nights as it rained a lot and onto the next island Negros !
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Moalboal, Visayas, Philippines

We then made our way south of Cebu and decided to try out the small diving town of Moalboal. Its a tiny one street place with quite a few bars and nice clear water to swim in. Maybe it was because it was such a small place and famous for diving but we saw more tourists here than we had anywhere before.

We only stayed a few days but had a pleasant time. We took advantage of the bars and went out for a few drinks and met other travellers taking in the strong Red Horse beer. There was one great restaurant we ate in that did human size portions of food not like the mouse size portions the Philipinos eat.

The one waterfall we visited was dissapointing as it had restaurants annoying us to come eat at their place bamboo rafts with lots of children. It was a beautiful place spoiled by local business. After a few days we left to make our way to the next island of Bohol.
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Malapascua, Visayas, Philippines

We arrived on the iland of Cebu and after two quick nights in Cebu city we made our way to a tiny island off the northen tip called Malapascua. As we arrived on the ferry across we could see palm trees and crystal clear shallow water in a picturesque bay. We had read about some budget accomodation on the main beach which was on the other side of the island. After a 10 minute sweaty walk with our bags we got to Mike and Dioses little resort.

We met the owner Mike a really friendly german guy who is building the place up. Its an amazing little place, he had created a garden on the sand with all sorts of plants and flowers, palm trees with an overload of coconuts. He offered us a cheap room next to his all the coconuts and hot chocolate free of charge we wanted !.. he had two banca boats he was restoring and further down near the seas edge he had two little chairs to just sit and watch the stars on the white sand. His helper charito was a lovely local lady that made us breakfast every morning and introduced us to Halo Halo and amazing fruit mix with Ice and milk. Later on other islands they had the same but not as good and once they even stuch sweetcorn in it !? eerr

Mike the owner went away for 4 days and left the place to us !. Malapascua only has electricity from 6 to 11pm. The island was so friendly, everyone always saying hi, children playing and animals everywhere.
The second night we had a small typhoon and a powercut, we sat in the dark drinking hot chocolate and just giggling. The days to follow were sunny and hot. We went on a snorkling trip which was great, we got Fran back in the water again, who used to be nervous and now loved it! I managed to cut my head on a rock and she fell out the boat but landed on a the nahing steps LOL The next day I maged to teach Fran to swim a bit .. starting with doggy paddle for 10 meters.. well done Fran!

On valentines day we went for drinks. Drinking along the beach was beautiful, with a few lovely uncrowded bars right on the sand. We ended up joining some other travellers, they left and we carried on with locals.. with Fran ending up behind the bar changing music and dancing with the girls haha.

Ive never been diving but always a bit nervous but curious. I managed to find a taster session where I could do a 45 min dive almost straight away. I was really nervous but loved it!.. the feeling of flying underwater was amazing. It was just me and my instructor, we saw all sorts of life including a family of clown fish.. it was a great experience.

We ended up staying 6 days in total as we loved it here so much. Malapascua was un touristy, beautiful and good fun. We were really sad to leave this place.. but onwards and upwards
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dalupiri, Philippines

We were dubious after leaving the regular rain in Sorsogon to go to our next islands of Samar and Leyte as they were close on the furthest on the east. We were right it was raining when we got there but we persude with our first destination of a little island off the northen tip called Dalupiri. After some locals trying to rip us off and charge us 1500 pesos we managed to get the local boat crossing for only 45 each !

There was some blue sky as we crossed and landed on the tiny village island and went staright to a lovely local beach where they had little huts on stilts meters from the blue waters edge. I thknk we were the only guests there probably because it was still the rainy season here which we realised a bit late. We walked around and were met with smiles from all, kids waving and a few small shops, it was great. It then had another sudden downpour and we got soaked.

We still enjoyed our short time here, the next morning the sun was out and we made our own breakfast on the little tables on the beach, fresh mangoes and peanut butter which was becoming our main lunch diet. One afternoon we came back to the hut only to find a rat runningpast our bags and straight up into the roof !.. we also had large geckos making the weird sound almost like calling gecko gecko, I liked it but it was so close it freaked Fran out a bit LOL.

One night it the resort filled with locals drinking and kids playing, It was the weekend and I guess the only place to go. Apart from the usual awful videoke these people are addicted too, and they all think they can sing even when they sound like a seal being battered with asthma. But we managed to get the giggles listening to one while eating and had to leave the restaurant LOL. after 2 nights we headed off south.

After constant downpours we decided to completely cut Samar and Leyte off our itinery and head straight for the island of Cebu.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mattock/1/1236866400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mattock/1/1236866400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mattock/1/1236866400/tpod.html Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:54:28 -0400 Daves world trip !

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Legaspi, Luzon, Philippines

Our first trip heading south was a stop off at Legaspi to see the world's most symmetrical volcano `Mount Mayon` It rises 2462m dramatically from the terrain of Albanay and when clear can be seen from miles away. Although stunning it is one of the world's most dangerous, it has erupted no less than 14 times since 1900 Including 77 people killed in 1993.

We went to see it from the Casgawa Ruins. This is the remains of a Spanish church that was destroyed in 1814 by an eruption from Mount Mayon. More than a thousand people fled to the church as seeking refuge were all buried alive and remain there now.

The setting is picturesque but eerie. You can see the church is buried up to the first floor. It was unfortunately cloudy at the peak but we could still see its magnificence. We stayed there and had a picnic for a few hours just gazing. Amazing from our next place of stay in Donsol we could see the volcano in the background in all its glory... We then head off to go swimming with massive Whale sharks in the next blog.

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Donsol, Luzon, Philippines

I had read months before our trip that we could swim with huge docile whale sharks in a place called Donsol in south Luzon if you get there in the right months of their migration and we timed it well. We arrived in Donsol and found a peaceful fishing community with friendly people waving and smiling, hardly any traffic and great surroundings.

Our accommodation Amor Farm Beach Resort was a little piece of heaven. We had a cute little bungalow with a front veranda where we ate each morning, and a small beach meters away with stunning sunsets every evening.

Fran had been nervous about swimming with these gentle giants ever since I had told her and understandable as she can't swim, has a fear of deep water and we had to jump off a boat and chase these things quite far off shore ! We found others to share a boat with and hire a crew and guide we watched the safety video and off we went. Whale sharks or Buntanding as they call them can grow up to 18 meters and have a mouth big enough to swallow me but all they eat is tiny plankton

We set off early ! ...and Frans nerves were growing hehe. We told the guide she couldn't swim he gave her a life vest and said he would look after her. We waited and after 30 mins the spotter spotted one, they lined the boat up and our guide said jump, go now ! I held Frans hand and we went for it.. snorkel and mask on I held her hand and we jumped, they shout swim fast and chase it... I was swimming with one hand Fran was going for it, we tried but missed it. After the first jump Fran eased up and enjoyed it..now we have to move much faster.

Our guide called Abbey was great. He said right Fran you come with me next time. Again the spotter shouted, Abbey shouted get ready !.. GO !.. in a flash he was gone and so was Fran, Bloody hell I hope she's OK... I follow as quick as I can, I catch up stick my head in the water and see a beautiful baby 4 meter silver - grey whale shark swimming, I look up and Fran is smiling and shouting I saw it, I saw it, she is loving it now. It was great how she went for it, faced her fears, I was proud of her.

The next one was much bigger, 9 meters, again The guide took Fran and she was gone being dragged along really fast, he shouted to her look down now, she stuck her face in the water only to find they were 1 meter right above it !.. My fins came off damn it! By the time I caught up I missed it then felt it hit my leg as it went past! Fran was so excited now screaming "I was this close ! did you see it ?" After a few hours we had seen 5 and all been so close to these amazing animals. One swam straight past me and I just watched its huge body and mouth gracefully go by within touching distance almost.

It was an amazing day, in the evening after the sunset we got in a small boat and went firefly watching. This is so hypnotic, like thousands of tiny flickering light bulbs. It was so peaceful and romantic a great way to end the day. Donsol was one of my highlights of my whole travels.. time to move on again.
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Sagada, Luzon, Philippines

We then made a four hour trip to the tranquil mountain top town of Sagada. The journey brought better weather and eventually blazing sunshine. Sagada was beautiful with amazing mountain backdrops, not many tourists and hardly any traffic. Children were always in the one street laughing and playing, and we noticed how content they were with nothing but an old tyre to roll around.
The next day I wanted to take Fran hiking in the cave and we found 7 other people to form a group, so we hired a guide and off we went. What I didn't realise is this was not just a hike but proper caving! We had two gas lamps and down we went... 150 feet underground. We started to scramble over rocks and climb through. I was worried about Fran seeing as I told her it was a nice normal hike haha.. but she got straight into it. We had to take our shoes off because bare feet was better to grip on the certain rock, then it got trickier. We had to wade through water, climb through gaps and through bat poo.. then came a bit where you had to lean back, hold a rope and climb a few meters with a big drop behind you.. oh god.

You needed a bit of upper body strength and Fran was a bit nervous especially when one of the men made it across then slipped and fell slightly.. half way I thought she was stuck bt no she made it across and smiled with excitement and on we went. It was great! A 2 hour adventure and we saw amazing rock formations and blue underground pools and came out full of adrenaline and smiling.

On the way back to the hostel we walked to the Hanging coffins, yep that's right, years ago these people hang their dead off the mountains face in coffins and they are still there. You can see these old wooden coffins tucked into crevasses and the odd skull poking out..weird.

We both loved Sagada. It had a great atmosphere, incredible scenery, sunshine and the people were very friendly. We stayed 3 nights then made our way back to Manila only as a stopover to make our way south to swim with the giant whale sharks... next
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Batad, Luzon, Philippines

After 4 days in hectic Manila we were eager to get out of the traffic, pollution and humidity. Our plan was to start our clockwise loop of the Philippines starting by going north to the hills of north Luzon. The main reason was to visit the world heritaged Rice terraces. They are impressive not only for their chiselled beauty but because they were created 2000 years ago !
Our first stop in the hills was Banaue. As we got closer on our overnight bus journey the weather got worse and raining more and more, but we could see the scenery getting increasingly eye catching as we rode along the more bumpier dust roads through countryside and up the mountains. As soon as we got there we found a lovely hostel overlooking a valley and Fran and I squashed into a small tricycle and went to the two lookouts.
When we got there it was so foggy we could hardly see anything but there were breaks in the fog as we caught a glipmse of the rice terraces, they were amazing!.. big mud walled perfect curves carved into the hillside that reached all the way from the bottom to the top, how the hell did they build these 2000 years ago with no machinery?... and the people that live here now are still using them.

The next day we headed to Batad where the massive ampitheatre like stone walled rice terraces are considered the worlds stunning. Electricity has only been in use here for a few years and is still only a few hours a day. Its deep in a mountain and the only way of getting there is to walk! The mistake we made is you only have to hike the other side of the mountain, me and Fran ended up hiking up 2 hours and down 1 hours..... and stupidly we got up and 5 am to do it all the way back again haha.

As we climed the scenery was stunning, we could hear nothing and see lushious green for miles. At the top we got soaked with rain but when we reached the bottom of the other side and saw what is jaw dropping scenery it was all worth it. We got a little wooden room looking out of the valley and stayed one night just soaking up the scenery in the peace and quiet. It was great to see Fran gazing at all this with amazement and happy to of left Brazil for the first time.
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