Our accommodation was a delight—spacious, equipped with a proper kitchen, and blessedly cool thanks to well-functioning air conditioning. Even better, the unit had a generator, which turned out to be a lifesaver during a power outage. And our host was amazing, handling every request from us immediately. Kudos to the level of service!
- The Old Market, however, was a different story. Let’s just say it was more “adventure” than charm. The smell was overwhelming—nothing like the vibrant markets of Tashkent or Athens. The meat and fish sections? Utterly unbearable. The place was filthy, had no running water, and to our horror, large cockroaches skittered across the floors. With its low ceilings trapping the stifling air, it was a challenge just to breathe. We did manage to buy a fish, but when Marat cooked it, it had an off-putting coppery smell. The whole experience? A solid “meh.”
We had two tours over two days:
- The Underground River – Cost us PHP 2,000/person plus a PHP 150 environmental fee (around $37 each). The tour included a buffet lunch, which was… okay, but not exactly a culinary highlight. The journey to the river took about an hour, followed by a fair amount of waiting for the boat (a testament to the tour’s popularity). The cave itself was truly impressive, and the audio guide added a thoughtful touch to the underground boat ride. Not a wasted day.
- Honda Bay Island Hopping – Slightly more budget-friendly at PHP 1,600/person (around $33), plus gear rentals for scuba masks (PHP 150) and water shoes (PHP 150). Thankfully, the environmental fee from the previous day carried over—small wins! This tour was a lot more fun. Everything was smooth and well-organized, with no waiting around. Our guide even prepared lunch for us, and on the last island, Marat and Daniel joined a volleyball game. We did end up a bit sunburned—forgot the sunscreen—but it was a great day overall.
In hindsight, three nights would have been plenty. The highlights were enjoyable, but any longer might have felt like overkill.
