The Philippines, Part 2: The Jungle

Rather than take the ferry back to a bigger island and ride in a bus for four hours only to get on another ferry for four hours, we decided to take a short-cut. We had our host approach some fishermen and ask them if they would take us across the open sea in their outrigger canoe to Bohol. They agreed and we fronted some money for gas and within an hour were off on a three-hour seaspray adventure. Here's the boat: While the ride was slightly uncomfortable (meant for hauling in nets of fish, not taking two extra passengers), it was definitely an authentic local way to travel and isn't that what we're always looking for on vacation? Flying fish darted out in front of the boat like hummingbirds and a pod of eight mushroom-colored dolphins crossed our path. We were cold, wet, and sunburned when they dumped us on the beach three hours later, but it was one of the best things that happened on our trip.

Bohol is famous for being the home of the tarsier--the smallest primate on the planet--and the unique geological formation known as the Chocolate Hills. Even though both of these are blazoned on T-shirts and postcards, we didn't see either of them. We spent our last two days in the Philippines in some native-style palm huts on the Loboc River. The river was good for swimming in and besides the Koreans belting karoake on floating barges coming through in the afternoon, the natural setting was really relaxing. We were in a canyon of green with birds and insects and giant iguanas. We took a hike up the canyon to a series of small caves with giant bats. Peter found this flying lizard and we realized we couldn't be happier than when there's no concrete in sight.