Bohol … Jeepney to Antequera!

Determined to try out all transport options, next day we headed to the local market and bus station to catch a jeepney. Originally converted from US military jeeps after WWII and decorated with bright colours and chrome ornaments, these minibuses are the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. We knew they were crowded, mainly as the routes and fares are fixed, but the driver wants to maximise his income so waits till it is full to leave. Joanna fancied the kitch one, but the slightly more modern one was next in line …

Filipino full is very full! In addition to the benches either side, additional stools are placed in the central aisle to load more people in. Ours reached 23, then two lads held on behind! During our 30 minute ride to Antequera, a couple of people got off and a couple more got on so at 25 pesos per person, the driver would have made about £10, half of which goes in costs and he keeps the other half!

We had come to visit the Sunday market and there was the usual mixture of household goods and clothes and a lot of food.

The choice of different types of rice, which we had already seen growing in paddy fields beside the roads, was mind boggling with at least 20 varieties together with meat, fish, veg and even tobacco.

We bought some snacks, the best of which were these hot spring rolls filled with camote or sweet potato.

Next we took a very splendidly decorated family tricycle to Mag-aso Falls.

197 steps led to a waterfall and bathing pond …

… and after a few moments of indecision, I decided since I’d gone prepared to swim, I would! Joanna was a little slower to get with the programme, but another lady had arrived and she got brave and came in too. The water was chilly but lovely and it was very similar to swimming in the Cenotes in Mexico.

We walked back to town, had an ice cream, then caught the jeepney back. There was one waiting for the last few people so it could go, and rather than wait what might be an hour for another, Joanna and I took our positions on the central stool and Chris hung on at the back! A few passengers got off halfway, so Joanna and I got promoted to the bench which was handy as my bum was quite numb! Chris refused to join the crush and remembered being a squaddie on a landrover!

Returning early, there was time for pampering so Joanna and I went to a place recommended by the hotel and had an hour’s full body massage while Chris went for a wander round town with his camera.

Our last couple of evenings were spent at Geraldo’s family restaurant, popular with locals for celebrations and we must have heard Happy Birthday sung at least 6 times! We tried various stews including fish kare kare with peanut sauce, chow pat chin with and without prawns, an aubergine omelette and uni kinampay which is a special purple yam only grown on Bohol.