Island Hopping, Bohol / May 2014

We were at the beach at exactly 6 am.

The first thing on our itinerary is dolphin watching.

After about thirty minutes, a pod of small to medium sized

dolphins were sighted porpoising, that means leaping above 

the water surface.  These highly intelligent and social creatures

playfully jumped and traveled together on the surface of the water.

Seeing these dolphins at play was truly amazing.

As our boat headed for  Balicasag island,

we saw another group of bigger mature dolphins. 

Breathtaking!

Off to Balicasag Island ...

If I had known that the shoreline of Balicasag Island 

is full of sharp bits of corals and rocks, I wouldn't have

brought the kids here.  We had to pay Php 200 each so

the kids can go snorkeling.  They had to ride a small banca

to bring them to the deeper part of the ocean.

I would never recommend going to this island ever!

We were brought to this "public" area of the island.

What the ...?  There's this other side of the island that had

beautiful huts and was for the private use of a resort

and some divers.  Nobody told us about this kind of

arrangement.  We paid Php1500 for this island hopping tour.

The rates kept going down, as low as Php1200, the night before.

So, in case you find yourself in this yucky portion of the island,

make sure to bring some anti-boredom things like 

binoculars, a speaker for your phone to play music,

sunglasses, a fan and baby powder to endure the heat!

Make sure Hubby stays  to keep you company.

... if he didn't, I would have screamed at everyone in that

horrible yucky island!

Btw, the breakfast here cost Php 300.

Hubby and kids were famished and had to have breakfast.

They didn't get sick after. 

Oh.. I didn't eat.  I will NEVER eat here.

***

Virgin Island / Sandbar

There was this blogger who wrote that there was a lone

buko / coconut vendor in the middle of this beautiful sandbar.

Really?

There were about half a dozen or more vendors in this island.

As soon as our pump boat stopped, the vendors approached our boat.

First one was the sea urchin / uni vendor.

Php 20 for each sea urchin.  He chopped the sea urchin,  

the "innards" or whatever those things were...

were thrown into the water and he then scooped

out the uni onto Hubby's palm.  OMG, how savage!

Hubby and Son ate about ten or more. 

***

Next was the abalone vendor.  Each abalone was sold

for Php 100. Hubby got three pieces. The guy then

brought the abalone to his banca and grilled them.

Chopped up grilled abalone placed on an orange

plastic plate with barbecue sticks. Tasted like the sea.

***

The Hubby and the Son enjoying their huge BUKO

which cost Php 40.  Hubby holding my banana que.

3 for Php 50

***

Kids went to the part of the island / sandbar where

there is a shrine or a chapel for Padre Pio.

They took turns taking photos and 'selfies'.

Pungtod Island, also known as Virgin Island, is owned by Don Ramon Rodriguez.

(That's what the sign says.) So, that's the reason why there is a Padre Pio Shrine.

A little kwento ... Many years ago, I remember a group of devotees of Padre Pio came to our home.

 The group was led by Don Ramon and a nun who held private healing sessions.

 There was quite a big gathering of people who attended this healing.  

Even my friend Dr. Aimee participated in the session.

  Don Ramon personally experienced this miraculous healing when his eye problem  was cured.

Mabuhay kayo Don Ramon. Will show this picture to my Dad when I visit him.  

***

Heading back to Alona Beach.

That's the boatman up front.

This is our skipper who made sure we saw the dolphins and

kept us safe.  Thanks so much !

***