We were both up early, and took care of some last minute business. We went down to our supplier and told her we would be gone for a couple of days, but that we would be back on friday and would like to see our "new" product then. Knowing the culture, I was somewhat sceptical that we would get the new product the way we wanted it rather than the way they thought we should have it. She assured us she could have some on friday for our inspection.
We left Eddies for the pier about 10:15, hoping to catch the 11:00 supercat to Tagbiliran. We got to the pier and bought our tickets, then upon looking at them I see they are for the 1:40 ferry instead of the 11:00 one. Oh well. We went and had some lunch and walked around a bit. Rick was complaining about his stomach not feeling right.
Rick is not a big boat fan, and he was more than a little apprehensive about the ferry ride, but I had assured him that this would not be one of the overloaded, leaky bathtubs that often have problems in the PI. We got on the ferry, and took the ride to Tagbiliran.
Upon arrival, the normal horde of vultures was eagerly waiting to rob us, I mean serve us. Once again, we walked right through the midst of them and down the street. We went and found an open air cafe near the terminal, and had a couple of beers apiece and I had a snack.
We were joined by a young filipino who told us he was the owner of the tricycle nearby, and he asked us what our plans were. We told him we would be needing a car to take us to the cave up on the hill, the Immaculate Conception church, and to Nuts Huts where we intended to spend the night. In the vicinity was this man's "friend" who owned a car. So he joined us and we haggled over the price. We told him the places we wanted to go today, and that then the next day we wanted to go to the chocolate hills and back to the pier by 5:30 to catch the ferry back. He says "P3000 only." No, too much. We then haggled some more and agreed to P300 to take us to the cave, the church, and to Nuts Huts, then the next day to pick us up at 9:00 and take us to the chocolate hills and back we settled on P1600 more. Fine, off we went.
We hadn't gone a mile yet when he tells us it is too late to see the cave. It is 4:30, and the cave closes at 5:00. Whatever. He took us to the church.
