A Weekend to Relax and Enjoy

Saturday started with a trip to the Danao Adventure Park where we took part in a skyride over a huge ravine then ziplining on the Suislide (note - Nicole was not amused with the play on words here) and ending with caving. All the experiences were gradually more invigorating.

The caving experience included a hike down into a valley to reach the mouth of a cave rediscovered around the 1970's but which had been used for a hideout during WWII. Once we climbed inside, we were faced with terrain requiring not just walking and swimming but, submerging ourselves in water and army crawling through water and rocks, all the while in awe over the amazing crystalized formations, stalagmites, columns, stalagtites, and just the general environment of the cave. It was simply breathtaking (the hike and climbing helped take our breath away too, but for different reasons!). Once inside we were able to swim in the deepest interior while enjoying the amazing creations. We were informed that one Stalagmite/stalagtite takes 100 years to grow one inch. Obviously, this has been a masterpiece in the making.  None of us had done anything like this before, but all hope to experience something similar again.

It was then on to a professional televised boxing match between the Philippines and Mexico with VIP treatment and seating at the CPG Sports Complex in Tagbilaran City. The match featured the famous Filipino boxer, "Boom Boom" Bautista (who has his own theme song). The big event brought out a very large amount of people that showed huge support for their Boholian boxer.  Adults and children were hanging off every available inch of the two big screens used to show the fight to the crowds in the back.  We do not think this would have been allowed stateside.....

An early Sunday morning start took us out on the South China Sea on a Filipino boat for some dolphin watching, where we did get one sighting of a very large school swimming by. The Filipino boats all have large bamboo outriggers that keep them stable as they move and sit docked (the water was a bit rough at times, so we were glad to have those).  Next came some snorkeling at Balicasag Island. Not only did we get to swim with the fish and observe the beautiful corals, we also got to feed the fish out of our hands as they swarmed around us and swim with a sea turtle. The colors and details of the marine life were unbelievable. (Sorry - no pictures of that -- our cameras were not water proof, so you'll just have to trust us on it).