By boat from Cebu to Bohol

After spending a few days in Cebu City, the journey continues today by boat to Tagbilaran, the capital of Bohol.

I have already discussed a ticket at a booking office and for a total of 400 pesos, or less than 7 euros, I will take the two-hour cruise with Ocean Jet. This time just booked the cheapest class where you can choose to sit inside or outside. Given the nice weather, my preference is for the upper outside deck. Traveling is a lot easier than many people think and simply take a taxi from my hotel that will drop me off at the relevant port. And the price of a taxi ride is also very reasonable in the Philippines.

Check in

The luggage goes through the check and you also go through the scanner yourself. Your suitcase is checked in and the hand luggage is taken on board. Because of the excess weight I have to pay the 'formidable' amount of about 70 euro cents for my suitcase, not to mention the terminal fee of 42 euro cents. You must be present an hour in advance and if you still feel a pain here or there, there is a whole army of blind ladies and gentlemen in snow-white outfits waiting in the waiting room to relax your muscles. This time no porters because the luggage has already been checked. Boarding is therefore quite fast and the way to the numbered seat is well marked.

Also this time I count - at least again judging by the skin color - only three Westerners in total. Do we have so little imagination and are we less eager to travel or have we become lazy and prefer to travel organized with a group? Couldn't answer the question raised by me. It is a short very pleasant trip over a calm sea and sunny weather. We regularly pass a number of smaller islands and the Philippines - all very small islands included - has more than 7.000 of them.

Arrival Bohol

In no time you are ashore and to my surprise a delegation from the Bohol Tropics Resort is ready to pick up their guests. Not that difficult because the very beautiful resort is located a very short distance from the pier. According to the various booking sites, there was only one room available for this lucky guy. Sheer nonsense they apparently want you to reserve the room that is least popular and where the most profit can be made. More than enough, many better rooms are available and with an additional payment of only 3½ euros I get a much more spacious and luxurious room with a beautiful view of the sea. This time I just feel cheated by hotels.com.

In the Philippines I have come to the conclusion that you often get a lot cheaper if you just negotiate on arrival instead of booking in advance via one or the other site. But all this aside. I spend the evening at the resort enjoying a delicious piece of grilled blue marlin, a fish that swims in tropical waters, in the restaurant. Listen to the music and singing of a lady who adds an extra dimension to my dinner with her good voice and rhythmic talent.

After a nightcap and a good night's sleep. I will undoubtedly get to see the Chocolate Hills and the tarsiers.