Tag Archives: mall
Philippines Days 9 & 10: Bohol
When coming to Bohol, I was a bit hesitant. From what I heard, the place was a tourist trap. To tell you the truth, it is. But it is a fun tourist trap. There is a lot to do here including seeing the world’s smallest primates, seeing mini hills made of “chocolate”, and adventuring down a zip line.
It started after being early 12 hours for our ferry ride to Bohol into the port town of Ubay. Since it was late we decided to get a place to stay for the night. We got up early and made our way for some breakfast and then to the city of Tagbiliran. After 3 hours on the van we found ourselves in the city of Tagbilaran, the main city of Bohol Island. We checked into the Dao Diamond Hotel and headed off via trike to the Chocolate Hills.
But before that we wandered around the Tarsier Conservatory. Tarsiers are the world’s smallest primates, with big bugged eyes. There were a lot of tourists, both foreign and domestic. It was fun to see the cute little buggers.
Afterwards we made our way to the famous chocolate hills, which are a lot of hills look like chocolate during the right time of the year. They have been around for a long time. Afterwards we made our way to the Butterfly Conservatory.
At the Butterfly Conservatory was… well, butterflies. I learned a lot about butterflies, the creature I have always despised and now have come to respect. They aren’t so bad after all, they are not just for girls.
We made our way back and went to the Island City Mall to eat and do some shopping then slept for the night. The next day we would head off to Danao for an adventure Park.
EAT Danao, was recommended to me by a Korean friend, not a Filipino friend, as a place to visit when in Bohol. It was a good recommendation. The 3 hour bus ride paid off when my travel mate, Jessa, and I took a zip line across a canyon. Jessa screamed her head off the whole, time. And I was the one afraid of heights. I can say she made me not so scared knowing she was more scared than me. The second line back was a bit more fun as neither of us closed our eyes or screamed and just enjoyed the view.
We also went kayaking on the river in Danao, a nice peaceful journey, and painful on the arms. Not to mention kind of wet for my friend Jessa, as I could not resist the chance to splash her with some of the cold river water.
We then proceeded to head back to Tagbilaran and on the way we meet to Canadian girls who were coming back from EAT Danao. Was some good touristy stuff we did. Today we make our way to another tourist area, Panglao Island, Aluna Beach, at the famous Bohol Bee Farm Resort. Today’s plan, sit on the beach and do nothing. If the rain doesn’t hit us.
Day 11-13
So my last day of Srinagar… I did nothing. I sat in my boat house and just sat. It was kind of easy to do since most of Srinagar was shut down due to the Prime Minister’s visit to Kashmir. After around 3 pm the streets were open again and that allowed for the noisy new guests to arrive to the boat. One kid really did not know how to walk and made the whole boat just shake with the thump of his heel, so I decided to go for a walk in Lal Chowk and used the internet. I came back and left the next morning via Sumo to Jammu.
The Sumo driver was not quite the best. Despite having a very modern SUV, I got sick most of the way. I was not the only one. After 10 hour drive, I had finally arrived Jammu where Vijay, Pooja’s father, arrived to pick me up. We went back to their house were I spent the night. The next day I had a flight to Delhi.
One thing I have completely forgotten about India is it’s security measures. If you thought the security you have to go through in the US is bad, wait until you have to go through an airport in India. I went through 6 different security checks at least. I had to verify my luggage. In the process of all the security checks, I must have lost my power supply to my Macbook Pro in all the pulling out of stuff from constant bag checks.
I arrived in Delhi on got a prepaid taxi to take me to my place, but he was a bit lazy and didn’t want to fight the traffic so he dropped me off in the area and i had to walk the way. It is a good thing I know myself around Karol Bagh, since it is the same area I stayed in last time.
After reaching my place of stay, i had then realized that I have lost my power supply so I went to Connaught Place to see if I could find a replacement. I knew I wouldn’t, so I tried to see if I could get myself to Ansel Plaza. I was hooked up with a very kind Sikh auto rickshaw driver who took me to Ansel Plaza and showed me a huge Sikh Temple.
The Sikh temple was rather amazing with a lot going on as well as. The dome was all gold and had amazing architecture. It looked a lot like the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It reminded me of a Buddhist Monastary where everything inside is free, food, sleep, books. There was so much praying and chanting going on. It really got me intrigued in Sikh religion.
I then went back to Karol Bagh via the metro rail and then proceeded to walk through Karol Bagh’s intense market. I proceeded to have something to eat then went back to my room.
Today I will eventually head to Chandni Chawk to get to the Jama Masjid. I may or may not hit up Khan Market, since it is a bit out of the way. Then get back and sleep so I can get used to Pacific Time Zone all over again.