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Philippines: Definitely the most underrated Southeast Asian country. I myself did not have a burning desire to go to the Philippines. But last January Lisa said "Let's go to the Philippines for Golden Week." I thought, sure...beach, sand, fun....let's book it! So for Golden Week this year (I guess you could say the Japanese Spring Break. There are three national holidays in one week so many people take the time to travel travel travel = expensive prices!) Lisa and I, with two late additions Misha and Ryan, headed out to the Philippines! What an incredible, beautiful, and wonderful country. I hope that my entries about our trip and the photos can do it justice. I seriously can't wait to return someday, and I hope it is in the near future.

The Hills are Alive with Chocolate....

Casey Lary
2006-10-06 16:58:20

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and also owns some roosters for cockfights. Since he knows the area well, he told us what prices we should pay and settle for nothing less. Most drivers looked at us like we were crazy when we said the price, then comes along the best driver we could ever get: Pancha. He drove us to Alona Beach for the price we asked for, then when there were no accommodations anywhere, he drove us around for another hour and a half until we found one! An angel! We also arranged for him to take us sightseeing in two days to Bohol. The next day we woke up to a beautiful morning, beautiful beaches, and turquoise water. We were actually changing our accommodations, and while waiting me a group of Filippinos playing guitar. I wandered up, sat with them, and was immediately offered gin/lime juice, pig head, and some random fish. Called over the rest of the crew and
While park drinking met a bunch of the cutest Filippino kids
spent the morning trying to figure out what songs we both knew. That afternoon was spent enjoying the beautiful sand and water along Alona Beach. PURE HEAVEN!!! Later that night we met up with our singing companions and spent the evening drinking cheap beer and singing songs on the beach- could not have asked for more fun.

The next day we took a day trip to Siguijor- supposedly famous for its witch doctors and healers (according to the Lonely Planet). In the morning we went dolphin and whale watching, and were fortnuate to be gliding above a pod of dolphins. No shamu in sight. Once on Siguijor- even more remote than Bohol- we met with our driver who took us to a cliff, to some waterfalls and to the beach. About mid-day at the waterfalls we discovered we were not going to see the healers. Bit of a bust of a day since we failed to see what was intended, yet still it was a ton of fun and very beautiful.

Day 3 (yeah we never rest do we, had to cram it all in!), we called up Pancha and he drove us into the heart of Bohol.
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