Alona Beach/Bohol - 31/12/06 - 04/01/07

We were not hopeful when we made it to Alona Beach on Panglao Island on New Years Eve. Seemed like we had carried the rain clouds with us from Singapore.



But this small island off Bohol in the Visayas soon won us over with its soft white sand and a huge variety of great dive sites just a short boat ride away.



Alona Beach was wonderful. Divers here are spoiled by the great food (yummy hamburgers & coffee at Helmut's, great mexican/pizzas/cheap beers at the Powder Keg), massages by the beach and a good selection of reputable well run dive shops (Philippine Island, Russ@Scubaworld, Johnson@Underworld). The town is not yet on the beach tourist track but more non-divers have discovered the beauty of the spot and are flocking there. Yet it never feels crowded or seedy like Pattaya or Phuket.



Some friendly laid back locals enjoying a slower pace of life.



Gaudy nightlife if you know where to find it:



Colourful seductive ladies waiting for you at every corner:



Some of the locals looked mean and were hiding from us tourists trash:



While others welcomed us with open mouths (no arms/fins):



Great start to the new year. I'll be back for sure.