Life as a Local in Syros, Greece

From Puerto Princessa, we flew to Cebu.  After staying a night, we then took a ferry over to Bohol Island where we saw the Chocolate Hills.  They were nice but maybe not worth the dangerous bus ride to get to them.  We stayed a couple of days on Bohol and then moved to the Island at its southwestern tip, called Panglao, for a night.  From there, we took a ferry back to Cebu, spent the night, and flew up to Manila the next morning.  In Manila we rushed from the airport to catch our bus going to the Rice Terraces of Banaue (with only a pit stop for Ramen from a street vendor that Jeanette had to try).  Our conquest of the Manila Jeepney system complete, we made it with minimal cost (18 pesos each 36 cents) to the bus terminal with 4 hours to spare.  Another even more uncomfortable overnight bus ride, and we were in Banaue – ready to relax.  3 nights up here and then we head back to Manila to fly over to Borneo.

After spending nearly 3 weeks in the Philippines, I can say that touring this country is exhausting.  There are a lot of ferries, buses, and planes required if you want to see multiple islands.  We have met some really nice people, but I think the overall friendliness of the people is a little exaggerated in travel blogs.  It does have the most beautiful beaches that we have seen anywhere, and the rice terraces are awe inspiring, but I think I would recommend a different itinerary than what we did – plan ahead and don’t try to see too much.  I would say you can see all that you need to on Palawan Island.