Donsol

So here I am, in Donsol; at least for the first few days.

It wasn't quite as easy to get here from Legazpi airport as I thought.

There are about 100 Filipinos at the airport and everyone shouts something different, hard to understand what. Among all the confusion of voices, I managed to find one that called Legaspi City / Van Terminal. -That was my destination. From there it should be easy to get a van to Donsol, at least that's what research showed.

Arriving at the van terminal, there was again a confusion of voices, quite hectic at 7 o'clock in the morning. It's easy to find your way around here. There are boards with the names of the places to be visited, underneath which is a van that normally fits about 10 people. Under my sign, Donsol, there was no van yet. A young girl with lots of luggage, she was spending Christmas with her family, she told me. She also told me that she had been waiting an hour for the van to Donsol. It was another two hours before the van arrived and another half hour before it was full. Because a van only leaves when it is (over)full, otherwise the journey is not worthwhile.

While I was waiting, I met Estella, a sprightly 72-year-old who was staying overnight with her friend in Legaspi. She gave me some fruit, of course I've forgotten what they're called, let's call them "yellow lychee things",  the taste reminded me of them.

It was a short 15-minute walk from the van station to my accommodation. The sandwich on my back was starting to get heavy.

I found Villa Peralta Inn, my accommodation for the next few days. I received a very friendly welcome.

When I arrived in my room, I only had two wishes: shower and sleep. No sooner said than done, but I slept a little longer than planned. Nevermind.

After a short evening walk, I went to bed again, I have to get used to the new time. Early in the morning, shortly after 4, I woke up, something must have annoyed the neighbors' dog.

I found the dive center on my evening walk and went there first thing in the morning to sign up for snorkelling and a diving Trip.

Whale sharks have been spotted in the area - I'm very excited.

As the excursions don't take place until the next few days and I hadn't had breakfast yet, I went for a walk to the market in Donsol. It started raining cats and dogs.

Still, it's somehow different; the rain is warm and if you protect yourself from it under a banana leaf, you somehow don't mind that it's raining.

The market and the streets were or are like I know them from movies and documentaries, lots of small stores selling all sorts of things, food stalls everywhere; meat is offered unrefrigerated at 33° - crazy, but charming.

The people are friendly "Good Morning, Mamˋ - Merry Christmas"

I bought coffee and a few things in a supermarket. I was a bit surprised at the packaging of the detergent, it is sold in portions...

Opposite the supermarket there was finally an ATM, so shortly before Christmas everyone probably needed some cash, so I had to queue. You need definitely cash in the Philippines!

On the way back to my room, I couldn't resist the smell of boiled bananas and sweet potatoes - was served in a banana leaf :)

I'm beginning to understand why everyone wears crocks or flip-flops here, sneakers are just too warm and super impractical due to the warm and humid weather - I really need some in addition to my flip-flops.

Diving at last! And I actually saw 2 of the giants myself on an incredible diving trip... incredibly beautiful <3

Also on the trip were a German and an Australian couple as well as a Frenchman who has been traveling the world for 6 months. Unfortunately, the German couple left the dive center almost immediately after the trip, I wanted to ask them about the video with the whale shark - I was even on it...

I decided to leave Donsol earlier than planned to spend a day in Daraga.

My landlady, with whom I had dinner the previous evening, offered to drive me to Daraga the next day. Then I don't have to wait for a full van again ;)