I read in my Rough Guides travel book about the Philippines that one of the best the things to do is rent a motorcycle in Bohol and let the road take you where it will, I was immediately interested. While I own a scooter in Miami, I have never actually ridden a real motorcycle, i.e. one that involves changing gears manually.
I was lucky enough to drive the trike of a taxi driver in Baler Beach, but I was pretty god awful at shifting I must say. Well, when a Filipino guy outside my hotel in Alona Beach, Bohol Island offered me to rent his 125 cc motorcycle for the day, I jumped at the chance.
He showed me how to change the gears with the left foot pedal, but I was happy to discover there was no clutch, I just had to not rev the engine and I could change the gears. So after taking a look at Google Maps and asking some locals what I should see on the island, I was putting along enjoying the beautiful sub-tropical scenery, honking at kids and smiling at the ladies, easy riding.
A couple guys in town told me to take the road that goes along the perimeter of the island, and then head inland at a town called Loay, up through the mountains, stop to see the tarsiers (the smallest primate in the world), through the man-made forest and then culminate 50 km later at the Chocolate Hills.
The journey was pretty epic, and later that night, I ended up at a bar near my hotel that was the home base for the Bohol Biker’s Club, coincidence? I think not.
Check out some of the pictures from my journey!
Spanish Church from the 1700’s
Yes! Nice work. Mastering the motorbike is one of my biggest goals at the mo! I’m currently ripping up the dirt in Pai, Thailand. Hats off to you though, for jumping in the deep end and using the manual!
Haha maybe we’ll have to cruise together sometime soon, I’m heading to Thailand in a couple weeks 🙂
One of these days I’ll conquer my fear of being squashed like a bug between 2 cars while on a motorcycle and learn how to ride it. It does seem to be the best way to see places off the beaten track.
Awesome post Jeremy. I am adding your blog to my favorites, and will definitely be keeping up with your adventures. Best of luck my friend!
Thanks Jason! Glad I made the creme de la creme as well 🙂
I am very interested of such rider’s trip, can you share the info to let me know how I can find someone to rent a motocycle in Bohol island?
Definitely do it! I rented a motorcycle in Alona Beach, there are plenty of guys there who will rent you one, and don’t worry, they’ll find you! Just make sure they have all the papers for the bike and that you wear a helmet or you’ll get stopped by the police. Most will start at 500 pesos for the day (12 bucks) but negotiate it down to 350, you’ll have to pay for gas too. Hope this helps!