Chad Is Everywhere

Bohol was the winner of the competition between the islands of the Philippines on which island was to get my tourist dollar's attention on a first trip to the Philippines. It had been a close battle in the planning stages between the excitement of Palawan versus the traditional highlight reel, Boracay. But from the YouTube videos came a dark horse, or should I say a tiny monkey. And all of a sudden the eyes had it. And my what big eyes they were. This island had come from nowhere to snatch the victory. Bohol, for the win! Here I could still get the reefs and beaches as the other destinations promoted. But more importantly I could also get the nature in the form of animals and inland rivers. This was just another dimension the others couldn't match.  My transit to Bohol was just a two hour ferry from Cebu City to Tagbilaran and then 20 minute taxi from the terminal to the main tourist accommodation area of Alona Beach on Panglao Island. This was a small island off the bigger i...

Upon leaving Subic Bay I transported down to Bantayan Island. Not that transiting is a true depiction of travel days in the Philippines. The truth was getting anywhere in the Philippines is a journey. The exit flight from Angeles Clark Airport to Cebu City was re-scheduled to become 5 hours later into the evening than planned. Fortunately my assigned drop off from the office was able to adapt. And then the next morning from Cebu I then spent 5 hours sitting on a bus and ferry ride to my tropical destination, Bantayan Island. Included was an hour waiting on the 8am bus to depart for the Hagnaya port apparently only 2.5 hours away.  Alas I didn't know it at the time but these were my my first experiences of "Philippine time". I received a bit of an explanation from an experienced Australian expat traveler I found on the bus. The buses always wait to fill right up, and everything is at least a half hour after the schedule. Only once had he nearly missed the 8am bus. He had a...

   Okay. I’m back. Back on blogging. This is the first trip since Covid. Why Philippines you may ask? Well it’s significant country of my employer thanks to a restructure that occurred during Covid. Globalisation caught up on me. So opportunity came about to have me visit. To say hi in person to those who are now work colleagues. Yes the change was significant during these past few years. I’m through the tunnel and glad to be traveling again. Documenting my travel for my own poor memory and those who like to follow.  Over the next week I’m based in Subic Bay. Few may be aware this was once site to a major U.S. naval base post World War 2. Eventually the USA left and then the area has since been redeveloped as a special economic zone. I’ve just arrived and well I have one full day before work to explore the coastal town that is considered a weekend away destination from Manila.    For the rest of the time I’ll be after hours hiker and restaurant reviewer. Wh...

 The final day of the Intrepid Tour of the Southwest Western Australia saw an early start with a group improved breakfast. I was keen to do a little bit more than cereal for the first morning of 2021. After all it was the new year and I was on holidays. We had prepared ahead the day before picking up some Hash Browns, Eggs, and Bacon to go with the planned pancakes. It made for a worthy new year morning feast for new years day. From there the day started with a tour of the local caves. A good experience run by a local indigenous community. I've not seen too many cave experiences during my travels in Australia. The guide knew exactly how to get the best sound out from a didgeridoo in the amphitheater sized cave.  After the caves it time to really head for home. With a drive onto Busselton and its famous long jetty. Happy to say I walked it's length. It was a fair walk considering it was the peak of summer. And well considering the crowds I was lucky to still be able to get a s...

Hamelin Bay was the stop of the day for Tour Day 5 of the Intrepid South West WA tour. However this doesn't mean it was due to a lack of highlights. The stingrays are amazing. So graceful, so relaxed. Even with the hundreds of tourist at their beach in what would be the busiest week of the year. The giant Karri trees we stopped in at with the Gloucester Tree are great. But they're no stingray.  This evening on paper gave me bragging rights. New Years Eve 2021 I was in the Margaret River wine region. Sounds amazing like that. Alas reality was we were at a bush camp in the middle of nowhere away from the coast and majority of the tourist. But they do say don't let the truth get in the way of a good story.

Day 4 of my Western Australia adventure had me hiking Cable Rock. This was my first time where I've completed a hike with a ladder after having maneuvered through a short scramble of rocks. Makes it sound advanced doesn't it? Well it wasn't really so. After the early climb the tour left for a flyby visit of Albany before starting our journey towards Peaceful Bay. Along the way we stopped in the main highlight of the Elephant Rocks and Greens Pool near Denmark. We also took in the trees of Valley of the Giants.  Alas one of the lessor highlights was our arrival at the campsite in Peaceful Bay. We marked the disappearance of the last remaining patch of green grass used for makeshift soccer and football by the local kids. If looks could kill we were dead. A dozen 6 to 12 year olds were left fuming that their summer holiday oasis had been broken apart by a tour bus. The disappointment quickly descended into an outpouring of emotion, tears, and then aggression. We had caused a f...

So day 3 of the Tour of WA saw us depart The Cape Le Grand. We started early with a walk up Frenchman Peak. We were there in summer so it was worth being on the walk early. We were climbing by about 7:30am. The granite heats up under the sun. And well I could only think I was glad it wasn't me going up as we descended at about 10am. I would also avoid this if its wet. So many times I was picking a path up or down around foot grip. This is not a place I'd want to slip. From the peak we headed back to Esperance for a quick stop before venturing out to the better local beaches outside of town centre. These beaches are nearly as spectacular at The Cape Le Grand. Which is why locals and tourists are happy to just holiday here and not pressure the Cape Le Grand with even more tourists.

 The 2nd day of the Intrepid tour of the South West of Western Australia saw us driving to our most easterly point of the tour. The Cape Le Grand National Park. There are reasons why this place is considered one of the top 10 beaches of the world. I rate this as the most beautiful I have seen. The only thing I didn't get from this experience was a photo of the kangaroos actually on the beach. 

We celebrated my mother's 65th birthday Saturday night by going to our friend Jason's pop up restaurant experience, Betty Wilson's Dining Room. Such a wonderful night tasting local ingredients in a small and casual setting. His concept is great. With just 12 guests for a sitting you really have a great time hearing about each dish as they are served.

Sightseeing on Oahu outside of Pearl Harbour Tantalus Lookout out to Diamond Head I just took the opportunity to visit my former flatmate in Hawaii for a week. So good to see her. A good opportunity to tick off visiting a friend using a single flight considering she had indicated intention to move back to the USA mainland. It was also so good to fly to a destination without switching flights. I never really connected that the USA can be just a 9 hour and 35 minute flight from Brisbane. I mean sure it's just Hawaii, not the mainland USA. But still it's the USA and the culture associated. I had been to Hawaii way back. Heck I had an issue with Hawaii. Last time we met at the end of 2006 I had my nose broken outside a nightclub. So I was under strict instructions not to do it again. Well that wouldn't be hard. I sure as heck think the guy who punched me those 12 years ago was a druggie and, at best moved on and grown up. More likely returned to the earth. But an...

So I joined a short 7 day Busabout tour. Sure I admit I am a bit older than their usual target age. But they are open to the young at heart still. Although Busabout is more known for it's younger target market there is no age limit. Just as long as you understand the style of travel they provide. Until now I had always seen them as just a bus pass provider. Their short tours are great addition for me as I'm not Contiki, and adamant that I'm also not An-tiq-ue. Plus the tour fit into my timetable (Le Tour bound) and goal of going south towards the Algarve.  Days 1 and 2, Lagos and the Algarve, were always going to be my highlight. Tour set out okay. First stop was a side trip for family photo on western most point of Europe before making for Lagos. Expectations we're quickly set for night 1. Dinner and drinking in the world of no responsible service of alcohol filled with bar staff with English and American accents. For those after a shirt there was the 9 shot ch...