Dec 26: Trip to Tagbilaran
We got up bright and early for our trip to Bohol. Bohol is located in the Central Visayas region, which is south of Luzon, where in Manila City is located. We had to travel by airplane, since it's an island. Our plane was to bring us to Tagbilaran City, which is the capital of Bohol province. But we were to stay on Panglao Island, where our hotel and the scuba diving center is located.
Domestic Flight. This was truly a trip of firsts. If it weren't for Luis, I probably would never have ventured outside Luzon. After migrating to the United States, I found it difficult to explore the Philippines, since all I do when I go home is visit family and friends ... usually in Manila. So Luis' interest in trying out scuba diving in the Philippines allowed me to go on my first domestic flight in the Philippines! Our flight was on Cebu Pacific, which is also a first for me, and it left from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, which I've never seen before. It was all pretty exciting and nerve-wracking, since Luis was depending on me to show the way.
We got to Terminal 3 and had a breakfast of adobo pandesal (a meat bun). Our plane departed on time and the flight was pretty short. Cebu Pacific had a few games on the plane to entertain the passengers. On the way there, it was "guess the name of the song", wherein their talented stewards and stewardesses belted out the tunes. Luis and I think we saw the Mayon Volcano, peeking out of the clouds.
Finally, we arrived at Tagbilaran Airport and was surprised to see how tiny it was. We got down from the plane and headed over the luggage belt. We waited and watched the crew get our luggage from the belly of the plane and plop them on the belt, right in front of us ... no need for those black rubber curtains from which your luggage emerged.
After we got our luggage, we exited the airport and immediately spotted the driver who was sent to pick us up. And it took around 45 minutes to an hour to get to the hotel.
Oasis Resort. Driving into the Oasis Resort was pretty intimidating. The car pulled up to a guarded gate, where the security guard questioned our driver. He checked our booking papers and let us through. The car pulled up and the driver put down our bags. The guard took our bags, and the driver led us to the lobby. To get to the "lobby", we found ourselves in this beautiful, artfully landscaped garden filled with these beautiful nipa huts. The lobby apparently was in one of the bigger huts and was not surrounded by walls. A lady approached us offering us orange juice served in glasses inside bamboo cup holders. I was liking this place already!
They got us checked in and shown to our rooms. Unfortunately, we didn't get a hut, but we were situated just behind the dive center. The accommodations were minimal, but quaint. It didn't have a television or a phone, but there was a safe to put our papers in. And it was very beach-themed, naturally. We rested a bit and headed out to visit the dive center.
SeaQuest Dive Center. Luis found SeaQuest Dive Center from the diving resources in a scuba diving school in Arlington, VA. It was really convenient because the dive center was right next to the resort, and was connected to it.
We met our scuba diving instructor, Jomel. He was a bit worried that we were to only stay for 5 days, with the first day almost over, and that one of those days involved a tour around Bohol. So he wanted to get us in the water as quickly as he can and advised that our first lesson was to be in the swimming pool after we eat lunch. He also gave us our books and gave reading assignments.
Since we weren't up for exploring the rest of the beach just yet, Luis and I had a nice, quiet lunch at the resort, which served really good food and charged everything to the room (so we didn't have to use our cash!). After that, we suited up and met up with our instructor.
The Pool Dive. Our first dive was in the resort's swimming pool. He taught us the basics about our equipment and we worked on some basic skills. Of course, I was afraid, unsure, and awkward the entire time, but I sucked it up and just kept my cool. It didn't help that I needed to pee in the middle of the lesson, and had to excuse myself during the important bits. But I managed to survive the first lesson and did breathe underwater, which is the weirdest and coolest experience ever. Although I did need to work on my buoyancy control, since I was always hitting my knees on the pool floor!
After the dive, we also watched a quick video, which is a requirement in the course. Of course, if it was all books and video, I would so pass this course with flying colors, but alas, application of theory was important. :(
Sunset. From the lesson, we ventured out of the resort and explored the stretch of white beach the dive center was on, which is called Alona Beach. The beach came alive from its lazy state in the afternoon. Tables and lights were set up and there were restaurants along the beach, every 10 feet or so. We had some fun taking our first beach and sunset pictures. After the walk though, we ended up eating at the Oasis as well, so that we can charge it to the room and not spend our cash. We had a really good dinner of grilled squid and rice, and I had a mango shake.
By the end of the trip, I'd be "fruit-shaked", like there's no tomorrow ... and I'm not complaining!
Domestic Flight. This was truly a trip of firsts. If it weren't for Luis, I probably would never have ventured outside Luzon. After migrating to the United States, I found it difficult to explore the Philippines, since all I do when I go home is visit family and friends ... usually in Manila. So Luis' interest in trying out scuba diving in the Philippines allowed me to go on my first domestic flight in the Philippines! Our flight was on Cebu Pacific, which is also a first for me, and it left from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, which I've never seen before. It was all pretty exciting and nerve-wracking, since Luis was depending on me to show the way.
We got to Terminal 3 and had a breakfast of adobo pandesal (a meat bun). Our plane departed on time and the flight was pretty short. Cebu Pacific had a few games on the plane to entertain the passengers. On the way there, it was "guess the name of the song", wherein their talented stewards and stewardesses belted out the tunes. Luis and I think we saw the Mayon Volcano, peeking out of the clouds.
Finally, we arrived at Tagbilaran Airport and was surprised to see how tiny it was. We got down from the plane and headed over the luggage belt. We waited and watched the crew get our luggage from the belly of the plane and plop them on the belt, right in front of us ... no need for those black rubber curtains from which your luggage emerged.
After we got our luggage, we exited the airport and immediately spotted the driver who was sent to pick us up. And it took around 45 minutes to an hour to get to the hotel.
Oasis Resort. Driving into the Oasis Resort was pretty intimidating. The car pulled up to a guarded gate, where the security guard questioned our driver. He checked our booking papers and let us through. The car pulled up and the driver put down our bags. The guard took our bags, and the driver led us to the lobby. To get to the "lobby", we found ourselves in this beautiful, artfully landscaped garden filled with these beautiful nipa huts. The lobby apparently was in one of the bigger huts and was not surrounded by walls. A lady approached us offering us orange juice served in glasses inside bamboo cup holders. I was liking this place already!
They got us checked in and shown to our rooms. Unfortunately, we didn't get a hut, but we were situated just behind the dive center. The accommodations were minimal, but quaint. It didn't have a television or a phone, but there was a safe to put our papers in. And it was very beach-themed, naturally. We rested a bit and headed out to visit the dive center.
SeaQuest Dive Center. Luis found SeaQuest Dive Center from the diving resources in a scuba diving school in Arlington, VA. It was really convenient because the dive center was right next to the resort, and was connected to it.
We met our scuba diving instructor, Jomel. He was a bit worried that we were to only stay for 5 days, with the first day almost over, and that one of those days involved a tour around Bohol. So he wanted to get us in the water as quickly as he can and advised that our first lesson was to be in the swimming pool after we eat lunch. He also gave us our books and gave reading assignments.
Since we weren't up for exploring the rest of the beach just yet, Luis and I had a nice, quiet lunch at the resort, which served really good food and charged everything to the room (so we didn't have to use our cash!). After that, we suited up and met up with our instructor.
The Pool Dive. Our first dive was in the resort's swimming pool. He taught us the basics about our equipment and we worked on some basic skills. Of course, I was afraid, unsure, and awkward the entire time, but I sucked it up and just kept my cool. It didn't help that I needed to pee in the middle of the lesson, and had to excuse myself during the important bits. But I managed to survive the first lesson and did breathe underwater, which is the weirdest and coolest experience ever. Although I did need to work on my buoyancy control, since I was always hitting my knees on the pool floor!
After the dive, we also watched a quick video, which is a requirement in the course. Of course, if it was all books and video, I would so pass this course with flying colors, but alas, application of theory was important. :(
Sunset. From the lesson, we ventured out of the resort and explored the stretch of white beach the dive center was on, which is called Alona Beach. The beach came alive from its lazy state in the afternoon. Tables and lights were set up and there were restaurants along the beach, every 10 feet or so. We had some fun taking our first beach and sunset pictures. After the walk though, we ended up eating at the Oasis as well, so that we can charge it to the room and not spend our cash. We had a really good dinner of grilled squid and rice, and I had a mango shake.
By the end of the trip, I'd be "fruit-shaked", like there's no tomorrow ... and I'm not complaining!
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