By: Joe Sprite

There is an enterprising company that operates a bus line which connects Bohol to Metro Manila, the route runs from Tagbilaran via Jagna, Ubay and goes on thru Leyte , Samar , Bicol region to Quezon City . The trip last about a day and the fair is reasonable. This is an alternative trip to a sea voyage, which goes from Tagbilaran direct to manila. This time the passengers have two choices.

For those who take the sea trip, he is assured of two or three meals, a cot, a good night's sleep and arrives at the destination on a good condition. On the land trip, if one does not know how to adjust to the situation, he will most likely arrive groggy and reeling. However, there are compensations. Instead of seeing nothing but water and islands, if he gets a window seat, he will see the Philippines , only half because part of the travel will be at night. One may not believe it but there are really scenic views in the Philippines . Even a jaded traveler would appreciate the views that he will pass. Is roads are well maintained the trip will be a pleasure. It depends therefore on the bus and stations to make the trip memorable.

In Luzon , when one travels the North Luzon Expressway from Manila to Cabanatuan , he will get an experience of continental overland travel. The route is well kept, buses are comfortable and there are stops, which caters to the needs of the traveler. The trip is a transition, from the hectic pace of city living to the graceful tempo of country life and vice versa. The transition is apparent at the boundary of the urban and rural areas.

In continental travel, particularly in a Greyhound bus, travel is a pleasure. The buses are equipped with chemical toilets. For those who have weak bladders, that would be no problem. Since long distance travels are non-stop, the bus will not halt for anyone to piss. He can do it in the bus. If he tires of the scenery and decides to sleep, he san reclines his seat and take a nap. At bus stops, he can take a snack or attend to his personal needs.

We have not yet tried the Bohol to Manila land route. It is for the adventurous. There are two ferry crossings to be negotiated, the Ubay- Leyte and San Bernardino crossings. The rest is land trip. One has a lot of things to consider. First it is the bus. Ordinary commuter busses will not do. Since one has to be there in more than twenty-four hours, he must make sure that he will be able to rest when he tires. One cannot sleep sitting up. Only horses sleep in an erect position.

Then the bus will have to be equipped with a chemical toilet. We never know what will come while traveling. The bus must have well oiled shock absorbers. Roads may not always be good along the route but shock absorbers will take care of that. Without those, brains will be scrambled before one reaches destination. Perhaps the bus line will take care of that. It is not good advertising if passengers arrive at the destination groggy and reeling.