This is a true story.
Day 20 of Visayas Trails
Date: Thursday, October 20, 2011
Location: Tagbilaran City and Carmen, Bohol
Times are just estimates.
Jess is an American I knew thru CouchSurfing.
A week earlier, we found out that we are arriving at Bohol the same time so we thought it would be better if we just travel together to split the cost.
We had a nice plan of touring Bohol and Panglao and go together to Siquijor but accidents happen.
3 days after the accident. Gross tattoos ayt?
7:30am
I and Jess rented a motorcycle at Palma St., Tagbilaran City, Bohol. We thought it would be nice to travel together so we can stop by to the places we want to visit and also made the trip cheaper as we are splitting the cost.
Since I don’t have a driver’s license with me at that time, Jess was the one who rented the motorbike. Since I know how to drive, I took the wheel from Tagbilaran until we reached Carmen. I think we are in Carmen (where the Chocolate Hills are) by 10:30am. Everything was fine.
11:00am
Since I’ve seen Chocolate Hills before from Carmen view deck, I wanted to see it in a different view deck (Sagbayan Peak) which is not so touristy. On our way there, Jess wanted to drive the motorbike. She was doing real good for maybe about 3 kilometers (better driver than me), the roads are paved. But then we didn’t see the potholes coming. It was because the road is paved and then suddenly it turned into a rough road. We were quite fast (4th gear if I remember it right) and so the motorcycle slid to the left and Jess loss control and we came crashing into the gravels.
I tried to grab Jess so she will not go with the bike but things happened too fast. What I did was just go with gravity.
11:30am
I can still remember that I was trying to be calm and think what to do (although I was badly injured too). After some moments (Jessica was in a state of shock, very frantic) a tricycle full of local passengers pass by and the tricycle stopped, the passengers get off so we can use the tricycle to go to the nearest hospital, Carmen Hospital.
I’m in a better condition compared with Jess, I carried her to the tricycle (must be the adrenaline) and we rushed her to the hospital.
Ohhhh, before I forgot, Jess fainted thrice (3x), twice near at the crash site and once inside the tricycle on our way to the hospital. Looking back, it was frightening.
11:42am
We went to the ER, we are still in the state of shock (mind is functioning very well, maybe because of adrenaline). I’m checking on my wounds, my body if there are broken bones. I was also checking on Jess, how badly damaged she was (the next sentence is gross you can skip to the next paragraph).
I saw her patella on her left knee, and blood is all over her legs, body, left arm and on the head.
11:47am
I asked for pain relievers for both of us. I can now feel the pain. We are still in the state of shock. Jess is just crying. I can’t believe this is happening.
11:50am
We were checked by Doctor Patrick and Nurse Jem (she is beautiful by the way). Its good that they are ready and know what to do. I still thank them for their immediate response.
Jessica had her both knees sutured, 5 stitches on her right knee, 12 stitches on her left knee. Her left side and arm have burns and luckily no broken bones. She was given anti-tetanus shot too.
I on the other hand, had burn and deep wounds on my left hand, arm, knee and feet. Some scratches on my right hand.
Jessica paid for everything except for my medicines, its Php 530 for the hospitalization. Thank God its cheap because it’s a public hospital.
My left feet 3 days after the accident
1:00pm
I tried walking, its kinda hard but I need to because we don’t know anyone in Bohol. I started to look after Jess, bought her medicines, fed her, gave her water, change her clothes and made sure she was doing okay. In short, I stayed with her.
Thank God she has good upper body strength but still she is having a hard time moving.
5:15pm
We rented a car (Nurse Raymond offered his car) to take us back to Tagbilaran City because the ambulance is not available.
I bought fish, fruits and medicines along the way.
7:45pm
We went to the motorbike rental shop in Palma street to report what happened. This needs another post but to make the long story short the owner was giving us a hard time. He doesn’t want us to go back home even when he already saw what happened and I already explained to him that we will go back to the shop the next day when we are in a better condition. He even followed us to our place.
8:30pm onwards
We were back into our place in Tagbilaran City.
I cooked our dinner, clean and dress Jess’ wounds.
9:30pm
Carey Nash (a German national whom Jess met at the airport before flying to Bohol the day before), went to our place to move Jess to Metro Centre Hotel. He was very protective and I’m somehow insulted because he thinks that what I am doing (cleaning wounds, etc) is not doing any good. He just wants to leave as soon as possible and take Jess with her.
A long day… I need to take a rest, physically and mentally.
Helping me clean my wounds is MJ of Bohol Barkada Tours. Thanks MJ!
Notes:
1. This is the first time I went to the hospital as a patient. There is always a first time right? I also pray it is the last.
2. It is a must to inform family and close friends where you are traveling so when an unexpected thing happens, they have a lead.
3. I think I should a travel insurance really soon.
4. I don’t blame anyone (not even Jessica or myself) for what had happen. It was an accident and no one wants that to happen.
5. I should have the contact information of the hospital, police station and other pertinent hotlines of the area I am visiting. Always make sure that I have enough load and battery on my mobile phone.
5. I thank God because we are still alive and breathing. The tricycle is also timely, the doctors and nurses are knowledgeable of what they are doing.
6. This accident won’t stop me from backpacking.
7. As of this writing my wounds are already healing and I can now see new skin. I can’t walk properly but I’m doing better now.
Looking closely, my wounds are like maps of Bohol and Panglao (upper left knee); Panay island (lower left knee); and Negros Island (left arm).
Photos are taken by Nikolauskassian (a German Photographer). My heartfelt thanks also goes to couchsurfer MJ of Bohol Barkada Tours for hosting me while I was recuperating from the accident. Danke freunde!
____ ____ ____
Visayas Trails is a 25-day journey around Western and Central Visayas (October 1-25, 2011). My primary purpose is to learn the dialect, meet locals and rediscover the sites worth visiting for my dream escapade next year.
I visited Iloilo, Antique, Boracay, Bacolod, Cebu, Bohol and Dumaguete spending a total of Php11,096 all-in excluding airfare. Thanks to CouchSurfing and friends who I met along the way, this trip would not be memorable and exciting without you.
get well soon Jj.
oh my..thank God you’re fine now James. thanks for sharing this. Lots of lessons to learn from this incident especially for all travelers. Accidents can happen anytime. Need to be extra careful ALL the time.
sorry to hear about the accident.. but you really have the traveler’s heart seeing a map on your wounds:-) be sure to have a thorough check up when you get home…
oh no… hope you’ll get better faster. i hope you friend, Jess, will be okay soon. ingat sa byahe
You have a map on your arms and legs. Seriously, I’m glad you’re both alright (though hope Jess recovers quickly soon too). Long winding road and motorcycle always do not mix, it can happen even to the best riders in the world. But reading this, I dont envy your wounds, rather Its a great thing that you have met wonderful new friends on the road who helped you in times of trouble.
Keep safe the rest of the way James and Jessica. Give my regards to Nurse Jem.
Get well soonest. Im purchasing travel insurance for our nxt few trips. And well wishes to ur friend too.
ouch! glad you and jess are alive man!
get well soon james and jess. always be safe.
Get well soon James and Jessica. All the best for your recovery and safety.
Ingat lagi.
Wounds are reminders of memories and lessons that we must remember. Pagaling ka, James and yes, that will NOT stop you from backpacking!
sorry to hear about your accident. thanks for posting this so we’ll be aware of the risks we might encounter on the road. i’ll keep in mind to have contact info for police and hospital in the area i’m visiting.
OMG! Get well! Be careful all the time, keep safe.
get well soon, bro! be safe in your next travels!
Get well soon sir, a travel insurance is really handy in such cases. Keep safe. God bless.
Get well kuya James,,, be safe and pray always ..
Yes, accidents do happen, and you’re lucky you came off it with just nasty bruises and scars. No broken bones nor head injuries. Your guardian angel must be working overtime!
You did what you could for Jess. Hope she’s alright by now, and not traumatized enough to stay off travel adventures.
OOPS that’s not good. You take careJames
I’m sorry to hear of your accident, hope you’ll be well soon. Glad that you didn’t have major injuries.
JJames:
In my opinion, better kung personal accident insurance para covered ka even when you’re technically not traveling.
Normally kasi, ang travel insurance, dependent ang cost sa length of travel. Also, in-force lang sya a few hours prior to departure until the moment you return.
Ang personal accident insurance in force for one year. Good option for someone who is not yet financially ready for a limited-pay life insurance plan.
Pag-usapan natin pagbalik mo dito.
ei, get well soon james. let me know when ur back.
motorcycles are dangerous.. learned that the hard way too. my friend lost her memory for at least 5 mins, while i only got a few bruises (no scratches) after the habal-habal we were on crashed in Surigao.
just be thankful it was not anything worse. get well soon!
its terrible to know all of these but thank God you are still ok. take care and get well soon!
Good thing you’re getting well and nothing grave happened. Keep safe always! ☺
you are very lucky you only got these minor scrapes james…( your angel must have worked overtime…:) i hope your friend is doing better now…accidents do happen,… but then again be comforted with the fact that there will always be strangers or shall I say angels to help you out… yes i agree with your notes… and travel insurance is not mahal so it’s a must esp. if you’re travelling alone and in more than the usual destinations…with all these maps you still braved the island of fire?
)) …halong …
As awful as the accident was, I’m glad that both of you did not come out with broken bones and cracked heads and you are well onmending well. How was the damage to the bike resolved?
sorry to hear that James. good to know you’re safe now. Hoping for full recovery. Big hugs!
Get well soon and keep safe bro. Para balik ulit sa running!
sad to hear this, james. but am glad this wont stop you from journeying (or maybe even riding motorcycles). that is awfully painful. hope you can walk better soon.take extra care on next travels.
you are right, those hospital numbers etc, should always be in our backpacks.i carry on my healthcard with me all the time.
get well soon James and Jessica!
Oh no! Get well soon kompanyero!
James, get well and be great again ASAP!
How’s Jess doing? Is she the new? (sya na ba ang bago mo? lol)
Regarding your notes, yes you really do. As with the Insurance… well, IT’S TIME! =)
Oh no, get well soon!
Get well soon.
pagaling ka James! Hope to see you soon.Hugs…
get well james…
Things really happen. Nothing and no one to be blamed. Its all part of life. Get well soon both of you guys!!
get well soon james”
Get well soon James and Continue the Journey:)
I started traveling after my accident!It made me realize how precious and short life is.And i didnt allow my disability to get in the way, instead i use it to my advantage!
I’ll take note of ur tips!!!
ur rite.wen traveling solo,inform some people of ur whereabouts.remember 127 hours?
Pag-amping James!
Nanghina ako kuya James.. ingats ka lagi.. Get well soon!
get well James thanks for sharing your travel adventures including your accident to remind us to be extra careful next time. I’m glad you and Jess are alright.
thanks for the tips too, besides insurance prayers is important too when travelling!
hi..
hope nd pray evrythng nw s doin jst fine..be safe always.God Bless:)
ouch, that hurts! May you recover soon and right, this won’t stop from backpacking, accidents happened, no one wishes it to happen.
Ngayon ko lang nabasa to pre. I hope you’re doing much better now. Get well soon!
Hope you still liked your visit to my Province despite the accident. THank God that you and Jess are ok. I am from Pilar, two towns away from Carmen. But it´s such a shame coz I haven´t been to a lot of tourist spots in Bohol, I should explore more when I come home for a visit, hopefully this year. God bless and more power!
i passed by pilar, i and jess bought some luya there.
and yes, im going to visit bohol again