Oops, I did it again!

On arrival in Bohol province, our travel group caught a minivan from the ferry terminal; ten of us with our backpacks in half the number of seats. Needless to say, it was hardly a comfortable trip but it was indeed a cheap one, so there were few complaints on the drive through Panglao Island to reach Alona Beach, our final  destination. 

Alona Beach is a small stretch of tropical paradise on Panglao Island which is fast becoming popular with tourists because of its white sand, blue water and excellent diving conditions. As it was the off-season, our group had slipped away for a little quiet, relaxation away from the crowds and honeymooners in more popular Filipino attractions like Boracay and her well-known White Beach. 

Alona Beach.
Photo: Jacqui and Pippa Klug

As we all bundled out of the minivan and collected our luggage, we could hear the afternoon skies begin to rumble. We knew we had to find accommodation quickly and split up to look for the best deal. Because it was the off-season, many of the resorts and hotels had dramatically upped their prices. We were determined to find somewhere reasonably priced and right on the beach. Just as we were about to give up, soaking wet and rather discouraged, we stumbled upon a beach bar and took cover to contemplate our next move. 

"Hello. Welcome to Oops Bar! It's happy hour," said a smiling Lorlyn, as if there wasn't monsoon rain bucketing down all around us. And that was the moment our love affair with the Oops establishment began. I refused to leave, promptly sitting down at the bamboo beach bar for a celebratory San Miguel, 50 cent, ice-cold beer. Conveniently, Oops had some simple and rustic rooms-for-two available for a very reasonable price. We booked five of them with Lorlyn and went to tell the others of our great find. It could not have been any better a place to stay. 

Our little thatched huts tucked away in the forest at Ooops, Alona Beach.
Photo: Jacqui and Pippa Klug

Dinner on Oops verandah. Bliss.
Photo: Jacqui and Pippa Klug

Oops' kitchen and drinks bar was open around the clock with an extensive menu available. On our first night, we all had dinner together at a table on the sand; meat pies, fresh seafood and chicken cordon bleu with fresh fruit smoothies or ice cream for dessert. Musicians looking for a small tip came over to serenade the group with well-known classics from the good old days when music was still played with instruments. 

A mural on one of the shop's walls. And a very apt expression at that!
Photo: Jacqui and Pippa Klug

Some of the gang enjoying the good weather in front of Oops.
Photo: Jacqui and Pippa Klug

Over the next few days, it was difficult to leave our prime beach location but we managed to venture out by car and by scooter to see some of Bohol's world famous sites, like the Chocolate Hills, over 1200 naturally formed hills of roughly the same size which take on a brown, chocolate colour at the end of the dry season , and the Tarsier Sanctuary, which serves as a protected habitat for Philippine tarsiers which are believed to be the world's smallest primates. Some took a boat out snorkeling, others hiked to a waterfall.   

Sam Wloch and I jovial at the Chocolate Hills.
Photo: Reneldon Moodley

Exploring Panglao Island on two wheels.
Kerry Dandie became a motorbike expert.

Every new country or city offers something different, either good or bad. It is usually good just because it is new and interesting. The Philippines is a developing country and as a tourist, the local people will always try to make money off you. That said, I have always maintained that a country is its people; that the people make the country what it is. 

The Philippines has over 7000 islands of beautiful beaches, mountains, wildlife, historical sites and plenty delicious food but it is the local people who make it a country I would recommend anyone visit. Not once, in our ten days, were we made to feel unwelcome. In every situation, there was a smiling face, a friendly comment, a helping hand. 

Bohol province, Panglao Island and Alona Beach is especially memorable because of the fantastic staff, food and service at Oops Bar and the friendly residents we met in the shops, streets, on the beach and in the local watering holes.

The ten reasons from whence Oops Bar got its name.
I think there is many a traveler who has battled to leave.
Photo: Pippa Francis

The Philippines should make anyone's travel list for the Asian continent. My friends and I nearly chose to 'miss our plane' back to South Korea (reason #3) and 'forget where we live' (reason #9). It is an incredible country.

The Philippines, August 2012