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Bohol, Loboc - The Hanging Bridge
It was such a beautiful day today that I just couldn't let myself sit in front of the computer. So I decided to put on a pair of shorts and take a trip to the Loboc Hanging Bridge. I didn't know just how many people would be there when we arrived. I'd guess there was somewhere between 30 - 40 people. I was charged 10 pesos to park and 20 pesos for entry. The bridge itself is approximately 20 metes high. It is essentially built with steel cables and woven strips of bamboo to walk across. The steel cables and the overall length of the bridge seem to give it a bit of a bounce and sway as your walking across. The Hanging Bridge was built in 1972 and is 37 years old. The steel cables were last replaced back in 2001 and look strong in appearance. Not that I'm any sort of expert in the longevity or durability of steel cables but at no time did I fear for my life. I inquired about the strips of bamboo and how often they were replaced. The told me every six months. It only took a couple of minutes to reach the other side and when we arrived there were a group of children playing musical instruments for donations along with the typical souvenir shop. I should also mention one of the coolest attractions about the place is a local who dehusks coconuts with his teeth. I guess he was off doing something else today but hopefully I will catch him next time around. Loboc is about a 30 minute drive from my place and I could spend all day just driving around and soaking up the beauty of this island.
Cebu to Bohol, The Friendship Bridge?
Posted by Louden
on
October 18, 2009
, under
Travel
|
comments (1)
I have recently stumbled onto some information of how the Philippines Government is planning to build a bridge from Cebu to Bohol. The bridge is supposed to be 90 kms/55miles long. The Economic Development Cooperation Fund of South Korea has apparently pledged a whopping three million dollars as a grant for a feasibility study provided they follow through with the actual building of the bridge after the study is complete.The competed project is supposed to cost 20 billion pesos and that is $427,350,427!!!
This is lunacy to me. I just can't think of a good reason for this. They claim it will be easier for them to bring water to Cebu from Bohol. I personally hope that they don't build this "friendship bridge". People who live in Cebu come to Bohol to get away and relax and take in the beauty of this island. If the bridge does successfully get built I think it will destroy this island and those who used to come here to vacation will have to find a less crowded island. I know I will.
Philippines - Inspiration and Messages of Hope
Posted by Louden
on
October 12, 2009
, under
Inspiration
|
comments (0)
One thing I love about the Philippines is, no matter how oppressive their government is and how poor most of the people are there are messages of hope graffitied all over the country. I find either quotes from the bible or messages of peace everywhere. It can sometimes feel as if I'm living in the bible itself. Where I can just walk down any random street and find what seems like a message from God written in black paint on a brick wall. In America you'd be arrested for that. I have also seen what looks like the usual gang type graffiti as well which in my opinion is just something that was learned from American movies.
The Philippines consists of mostly Catholic's but whether your Catholic, Christian, or even Atheist the messages are still messages of being good and doing good and treating others as you'd like to be treated. Police officers in America used to be known as peace officers who were there to protect and serve the people. Now they are known as police enforcers who enforce the laws of the government.
I have personally paid police officers here in the Philippines to leave me alone. It seems like it takes a typhoon or a huge disaster before police realize we are all the same people and then they will roll up their sleeves and try to save someone from drowning. Until we learn that we are all the same and no uniform changes that then we will all continue to live with a hope for something better. The problem with the word "hope" is that there is no action in the word. Its not much different than wishing for things to change. Nothing will change until we change it. We have become so programmed to believe we have to do things the way we are told to do them.
As soon as someone does something different than what we are supposed to do, then that person is persecuted for their actions. We have to stop caring about what other people think of us. I myself am usually envied by people who are stuck in doing things the way they have been told to do them or hated by people(especially family members) and considered a loser for not conforming to the ways of an American life in America. I don't want to be American and I don't want to be Filipino. I just consider myself an earthling. I was born on earth. Lets stop thinking we are different and start living these messages of hope. Wrong is wrong even if its just a little bit wrong. Who can govern us better than us? I am just making a conscious decision to enjoy my time while we are on this planet. In the words of Mahatma Ghandi
I have personally paid police officers here in the Philippines to leave me alone. It seems like it takes a typhoon or a huge disaster before police realize we are all the same people and then they will roll up their sleeves and try to save someone from drowning. Until we learn that we are all the same and no uniform changes that then we will all continue to live with a hope for something better. The problem with the word "hope" is that there is no action in the word. Its not much different than wishing for things to change. Nothing will change until we change it. We have become so programmed to believe we have to do things the way we are told to do them.
As soon as someone does something different than what we are supposed to do, then that person is persecuted for their actions. We have to stop caring about what other people think of us. I myself am usually envied by people who are stuck in doing things the way they have been told to do them or hated by people(especially family members) and considered a loser for not conforming to the ways of an American life in America. I don't want to be American and I don't want to be Filipino. I just consider myself an earthling. I was born on earth. Lets stop thinking we are different and start living these messages of hope. Wrong is wrong even if its just a little bit wrong. Who can govern us better than us? I am just making a conscious decision to enjoy my time while we are on this planet. In the words of Mahatma Ghandi
"there is no path to peace, peace is the path."
Bohol Tours
I have been writing about the Philippines and all the places I have been in Bohol for awhile now. It never actually occurred to me that I would actually be offering tour packages but I have now started Bohol Tours here in the Philippines. When it comes to Americans offering tours in Bohol I think I’m the only one. Your tour guide will be a 100% genuine Filipino who I have known personally for over a year now. He has lived here in Bohol all his life and he has been giving tours to people from all over the world for a few years now. He isn’t too internet savvy so many of his clients are Filipino’s who come from the island of Manila. He speaks English well and I would describe him as a mild mannered family man. He owns the apartment I am renting and lives right next to me.
We will make sure you are booked into a hotel of your choice and can offer recommendations.
Destinations Include
Baclayon Church
Blood Compact Monument
Loay Local Industry
Hanging Bridge
The Python Sanctuary
The Butterfly Garden
The Chocolate Hills
Loboc Floating Restaurant
Tarsier Monkeys
Dauis Church
Daks and Gams Exotic Wildlife
Shell Museum
Alona Beach
Bohol Bee Farm
Hinagdanan Cave
Panglao Watch Tower
For Prices, Contact Information and even more information Just Click Here






