Philippine Travel Notes

The question was: after watching the butanding in Oslob , where would be a nice new place to visit? We considered a day tour on Sumilon , even called them earlier to check rates. Alas, we were late. Meaning we left Cebu City too late for it to be practical to hit the island-resort after the butanding watch. I also considered the nearby Tumalog waterfalls, but friends were not too keen on that. Also considered backtracking to Simala , but they’re not that religious. Even considered Carcar , but they’ve already enjoyed Vigan . So… Why not go to Dumaguete ?! And we all said yes. It is just a hop away! Bus to Liloan port in Santander, fastcraft to Sibulan, jeep to Dumaguete! Not even an hour to go! Thus, we waited for a bus… but this was what first came hehe! They spent their grand slow time wading, ooops traipsing that highway. Yes, vehicles evaded them! Queen of the road and her princesses - cute lovely ducklings! We reached Liloan jetty port in no time... But awk! No crafts were bei...

Let's just show you my pictures first - for a change. Then probably do my usual yadadadada along the way or at the end of this post. Note that in the first few pics, camera was inside a zip locked plastic bag (given by Neil - one of the briefing area officers). It's like those we get from the supermarket as 'sandwich bags'! But... ah you'll learn what happened to it, yeah the sandwich bag, by looking at my pics hehe...         Okay now, let's hear some of the things I learned... First off, I think I will never ever return to Donsol (Sorsogon) with or without friends in tow, just to watch Butanding. It is just such a daunting hit or miss process there. And you are far, out in the sea, looking for a Butanding - sometimes it takes the whole day with no luck. There is even what they call a "spotter" there, remember? Yup, the guy who climbs up a mast to scan the waters far and...