Some of our friends from Arvato were talking about going on a day hike somewhere but the plan never materialized. Until one Saturday evening, we were chatting on Facebook messenger, the day hike thing was brought up. After discussing about where to meet, what time, and what to bring, the plan was no longer just a plan.
Early morning we were at Tikling having breakfast at KFC. There were 4 of us looking forward to starting this one day adventure. There were 4 of us, Alvin, Me, MC, and Ryan. The brave and bored souls. lol!
We took a jeepney from Tikling to Binangonan Port. From there, we took a passenger boat to Barangay Janosa, the jump off location. At the time it was raining so we were praying that the weather would spare our hike that day.
It is required to register at Mt. Tagapo base camp and pay a PHP20.00 registration fee. A guide is also available for PHP300.00 per day, this is also required.
I wasn't able to really able to take many photos but my partner Alvin made a video from a few clips and pictures that we managed to take.
The country side tour in Bohol was fun but what I was really looking forward to was the activities for our day 3 in the province. Beach please!!!
The day after our Bohol country side tour was solely dedicated for beach bumming. We paid a Balicasag Island tour and water activities. It was before sunrise when we were brought to Alona Beach where a boat was waiting for our dolphin watching trip.
The tour didn't disappoint, we saw a lot of dolphins in the wild chasing their food. Since they move so fast, the supposed to be "dolphin watching" became "dolphin chasing". We were literally chasing them to get a closer look at what they do. I was like a kid seeing cotton candy for the first time... all smiles (just see the video at the end of this post).
When we had enough of chasing the dolphins, we decided to go to Balicasag Island where we were scheduled for an hour or so of snorkeling. We also ordered some grilled fish with rice and coffee for breakfast (super expensive but had to stock up for a day of fun!!!).
They have different areas to snorkel, the fish sanctuary, turtle sanctuary, and the area where huge clams shells can be seen. You pay different amount per area if you want to visit them. We've chosen to stay at the fish sanctuary cause the water is shallower than the other two (if you're not yet aware, we don't know how to swim! lol!)
One of the locals served as our guide. He has this small paddle boat that took us to the edge of the coral reef. Different kinds of fishes can be seen and the best part you'd ask? You can feed them!
We swam (more like float) for an hour till we can't swim no more. Though we enjoyed snorkeling so much because of the beautiful creatures in the water, it was not a walk in the part, if you must know. On our way back to the shore, I choose to just hold on to the side of the boat ("katig") while our guide pushes it back. That's when I saw a turtle eating freely on the seabed. Such a magnificent creature!
By the time we were back, my sjcam battery died so I wasn't able to take photos of where we stayed to have snack. Freshly picked buko juice served with straw and spoon for the coconut meat. Some locals were also selling souvenirs so I got one refrigerator magnet with Balicasag Island written on it.
Next, another 30-45 minutes boat ride to Virgin Island. The very first time I was there, it was super deserted. Now, they have Padre Pio's statue and a tourism office in the island. We tried to reach the tip of the sandbar but it was so tiring because the tide was already high plus it was so hot. So after a few photos and a good 30 minutes, we travelled back to Alona Beach.
It was already lunch time so we scouted for a place to eat. Also, I needed another sarong so I bought one with an awesome design and wore it the rest of the day.
We found a restaurant that serves freshly grilled seafood. What better way to eat them than using your bare hands, so we indulged. Food trip to the nth level. #seafoodDiet (when I see food, I eat it diet. Gets?)
It was a whole afternoon ahead of us so we planned to just find a place we can beach bum lazily. There was this beach front resort with restaurant that looks nice, it's called "Oasis Resort". Even if we just finished lunch, we ordered nachos, beer, and margarita.
Pretty much we did nothing the entire time but talk about so many things. After we've finished eating everything, we walked towards Hennan Bohol where we stayed for another drink and took a nap on the beach chairs until sunset. There were people walking around offering massage and stuff so it was not really the serene atmosphere that I was looking for. Nevertheless, the view's awesome.
It was already dark when we reached Natura Vista. We ate our dinner and went to bed. Yup, our last night in Bohol. We are flying back to Manila the following day but our flight was scheduled in the afternoon so we have enough time to visit the nearby resort and Hinagdanan Cave.
The morning sky was grey and rain was in the air but it did not stop us from going to Hinagdanan Cave. It was a few minutes walk from the resort. One of the staffs guided us to short cut going to the location. We went through backyards of the locals and practically middle of nowhere before we found the main road heading straight to the cave.
We paid the entrance fee and passed by a narrow passage to the cave. It was humid inside but the place was well lit because of scientists conducting a research on the different creatures found inside. The water looks very inviting but we didn't bother to jump in afraid we might disturb what they were doing.
The walk back to the resort was an adventure because it was just the two of us. Not sure if we were able to find our way back but we braved it anyway. Luckily I was able to keep track of some major details of the places we passed by and the locals were very helpful so we reached the resort in no time.
It was almost lunch so we asked one of the resort staff to accompany us to the Panglao Nature Resort and Spa (PNRS). It was our last stop before going back to Manila so we made sure to make it worth it. The PNRS has a manmade islet which serves as another ground for parties and any other activities for guests.
We didn't swim in the ocean but we soaked in the infinity swimming pool while waiting for our lunch to be served. I had a nap under a tree and it was so peaceful.
The food was served at around 12 noon. A bit pricey (since it is a luxury resort) but the food was great. I ordered a plate of Sinuglaw (sinugba-kinilaw a must try) and a grilled platter with pork barbecue, grilled squid, and grilled tuna. I KNOW! Mouth-watering!
Too much for beach bumming and relaxation. All good things must come to an end. We had to go back to Manila that afternoon and have to face again the reality of work, traffic, and never-sleeping-life-of-the-metro.
It was years ago when I went to Bohol with my friends and teammates from Teletech. I enjoyed so much that I wanted to visit again. This times I'm with my partner, Alvin.
We want the experience to be as "provincial style" as possible so we chose to stay at Natura Vista. The place is a few minutes walk to the beach and near Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa.
We spent couple of hours sleeping and replenishing our strength that got exhausted for the early morning travel that we had to make. The moment we've been fully charged, we decided to head to the beach to explore the area and of course, watch the sun set.
This trip was intended for total relaxation so before dinner, we decided to have a full body massage from some of the local ladies that lives near Natura Vista. It was soooooo goood... Soothed all our aching muscles.
The following morning, we woke up early for our country side tour. An old guy with a private car picked us up. He's our driver and tour guide for the entire day.
Our planned first stop was located the farthest among all other attractions of the tour, the famous Chocolate Hills. However, along the way, we decided to drop by the Tarsier Conservation Area hoping to see and touch tarsiers.
Well, we weren't able to have personal encounters with tarsiers like what I had before. Touching them is no longer allowed so we watch them hanging while sleeping from trees. Also, I got scared when this 3-4 inches beetle crawled up my shoe! I got shoosh by the caretakers because too much noise is not allowed in the conservation area, it causes stress to the little animals. About 30 minutes after, we went straight to Chocolate Hills viewing deck.
The place was different because of the earthquake in 2013. There's a part of the view deck that looked like it was chopped. Before, there was this dedicated area for tourist taking pictures, jump shots, etc. but that area is now closed. Also, the locals that offers picture printing and souvenirs near the viewing deck are no longer there.
Next stop, The Ship Haus. A house turned in to an attraction and hotel at the same time by its owner. Based on our guide's story, the owner of this house is Capt Gaudencio Dumapias, a successful seaman. This house was said to be built for his mother. The house was designed to resemble the front of a ship. Inside, you'll find different areas that can also be found on an actual ship. I'm not sure what they call them but based on what we saw, they're quiet nice.
It was almost lunch time and we're hungry. We really can't eat heavy for snack because we have a river cruise with buffet lunch at Loboc River. Our guide suggested we grab something to eat at the Butterfly Sanctuary. Along the way, we also stopped at the man-made forrest and took some pictures.
A few more minutes of driving before we finally arrived at the Loboc River Cruise receiving area. We paid for two people and went straight to the floating restaurant where buffet lunch was waiting.
After the sumptuous lunch, we went to see Prony the beloved python of Bohol. I've seen him alive during my first Bohol trip but the snake died on August 14, 2013 and was taxidermy-ed . The owner have transformed the entire place in to a mini zoo filled with snakes and birds. Marimar, the pretty entertainer I've seen doing her "Buwis Buhay" stunts years ago, also performed for us.
Our next stop was the famous Baclayon Church. The upper part of the bell tower got totally ruined by the earthquake. Lucky that I was able to see it before, looking old but still beautiful. We've also entered the church which I was not able to do before. Though it was under rehabilitation, history shouts from all corners.
The museum also features old religious statues, priests clothing, old bibles in Latin, and many more. And... like other museums, no photos allowed but we were able to take pictures from one of the museums window where you can't see the items mentioned above.
It was almost late in the afternoon so we decided to head to one of the famous souvenir shops in Bohol, The Aproniana Store. We bought some "Pasalubong" for the folks back home.
And finally, our last stop for the day is at The Blood Compact Shrine. It was totally different from what it was before. A new building was built beside it, a hotel if I am not mistaken. Also, there's another souvenir shop beside it and a lot of vendors outside.
I was not able to take picture but it got too crowded when two buses filled with Korean people arrived. So... we head back to the resort and rested to prepare for the next day's activities.
