Musings (2nd of 3 parts)

If the expense is too big for one company to shoulder (which I doubt) then they can form a strategic alliance and cooperation among them, in the interest of better public service.

Declog Pier 3

Why put in all the shipping lines in Pier 3. The Cebu Causeway goes all the way from Mandaue to the SRP. Why is it so difficult to try new things?

The present usage of Piers 1-4 has been there since time immemorial, and its about time to spread the vessels in the reclaimed areas. (In fairness to the Cebu Port Authority, it has been very successful in cleaning the port area, and making it very safe for sea travelers. They should get a medal of honor for this seemingly impossible feat at the time)

So we’re finally in Bohol.

One of the excitements that I had was the fact that this time, I would be setting foot in that part of Bohol, which had varying importance to my life, but I have never set foot on.

My mother has a very good friend in Talibon. Relatives of the Sanchez clan of Mandaue has a big branch in Clarin Bohol. Some brother lawyers that I have been associated with are from the area. One of them is Attorney Dave Duallo who is running for an elective seat in the municipality of Trinidad.

Finally I was at the resort of my imagination.

If it were the first resort that I went to in my 66 years, I would oohd and ahdd about it. Unfortunately, I have been to better ones, courtesy of family, friends and on my own. It was good enough for bed and board.

Another initial disappointment was the absence of a beach right there at the resort.

This was a deficiency which was cured by the trip to the fish sanctuary and the thousands of hectares of sand bars where all the great swimming happened.

The people and government of Bien Unido, headed by Mayor Niño Rey Boniel should be lauded for their very successful effort in preserving and conserving the marine resources within their area of jurisdiction.

While jumping from island to island, I confirmed my suspicion with the good mayor that the off-shore territory of Bien Unido is much, much bigger than its onshore territory.

The youthful second termer confirmed the fact, but complained that LGU’s like his do not get anything from the IRA to pay for marine resources conservation.

Lunch was hosted by the barangay captain of one of the island barangays. It was a feast of sea foods, as anticipated. Shells, sea urchin, squid, even the rarely encountered abalone were plentiful.

There were some indications though that some marine products may be thinning out.

The crabs were not the same size that we expected. The fish was limited to a couple of species. Even back at the resort, they had difficulty serving fish or crabs. When we ordered “tinola” the best that they could come up with was “bangus”.

No problem with me because I prefer bangus over almost any other kind of fish.

In fairness though, the cooks at the resort, and in that island barangay, have no peer in cooking Visayan food the way it should be cooked: simple, austere but so full of taste.

Travel Tip

In scouting for hotel or resort accommodations, and the comfort of the rooms and facilities are important, rely on the “star” ratings given by travel guide magazines or web sites. If sleeping on a mattress on the floor and taking a bath from a pail of water is comfy enough, then pristine surroundings would not matter much.