Bohol - Your Charm Keeps on Haunting Me!

happened on Dec. 11-14, 2015






with hubby in Chocolate Hills' viewing point

It's the busiest month of the year but it's still the best month (for me) for traveling, simply because it has the most wonderful weather and cheerful ambiance anywhere you go.

 

still amazing Panglao

My best friend since elementary - A visited home again after five years of working hard abroad.  Beginning February of last year, we have been discussing on where she should spend vacation with her family.  Without a doubt, I recommended Bohol to her since they haven't seen it yet and I'm sure that they will love it the same way I've fallen in love with it. She wanted me to join her but I said it will depend if I can get a promo airline ticket.  So I first booked their flights and hotel.  Everything's set for them months in advance.  The stars are on my side on June 12, there was a CP promo of 500 pesos one way.  I was able to score roundtrip tickets for 2 for only 2,370 pesos only.  It was way cheaper than their tickets.  I was shocked myself to book those cheap tickets.

 

Actually, I've seen this magnificent place for three times already and it never fail to charm me.  It was my hubby's 2nd time so he was no longer interested to join us but I still managed to make him join us (no choice naman sya lagi hehe).

 

Our fist day was spent in Panglao beach. We stayed in Dumaluan Resort for our 3 nights accommodations.  I'll have a different post for this resort. I opted to rest first before the tour so we can have enough energy for the tour.  After checking-in, we just had lunch and it was siesta time after.
 

so shallow shore

friends since elementary

the beach is calling me

too lazy to do anything except lying around and watch TV

When the sun is about to set, we walked along the beach till dinner time.  Panglao beach is at par with Boracay Station 1 since it has powdery white sand. I like it more since it's not too crowded.  You can relax and really have a good rest.
 

sun is setting in

fun time with dear friend

in Bohol Beach Club

not yet starving I guess

Our second day was jam packed with the city tour.  We started off early so we can go to a lot of their famous tourist spots. I hired our "suki" tour provider Kuya Paul for our airport transfers and city tour.

 

1. Blood Compact - this is the original site where the blood compact or "Sandugo" was performed.  This is to seal the friendship (as part of tribal tradition) between the Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna, the chieftain of Bohol on March 16, 1565.
 

as Kapampangan, we can't help noticing this kapampangan's version of "Bohol" with silent H

2. Tarsier Sanctuary - as these creatures are now considered "near extinction", the government has built a sanctuary where they can live much like their natural habitat.  During my previous visits, there was a place in Loboc where you can see and touch them.  This proved to be stressful for the tarsiers that most of them committed suicides.  Tarsiers are naturally loners.  As explained to us, they needed at least one hectare for their territory and that they opted to be alone.  They only mingle with the opposite sex during mating season and the act will only last in seconds.  After that, they live alone. That's why it's hard for their population to grow.  It's good that the government is doing something to prevent their extinction.
 

way to the sanctuary

let the search begin...

shy type

just a peek

while they are busy looking, we are always ready for the camera

there it is!

a baby tarsier

in his home

 3. Manmade Forrest - this is also a protected area that cutting of trees needs the government permission.  This is a good move for preserving nature and avoiding disasters during unfavorable weather condition.  You will pass this road going to the Chocolate Hills.  It's a winding and busy road so taking a shot is quite a challenge.
 

we own the road!

jump shot - not in synch though

the best that we could do

 4. Chocolate Hills - Bohol is known for these unique natural creations.  From the local folks' tale, these  hills are the stones or crumpled soil thrown by two giants (to each other) while fighting during the ancient times. The viewing point was also destroyed by the recent earthquake so the place is still under renovation.  From the viewing point, you can clearly see thousands of these hills and the extent where they reside.  They were called "chocolate hills" since the grasses (on the hills) turned brown (burnt) during summer time.

thousands of Chocolate Hills

still under renovation

 

 

5. Loboc River Cruise - one that should not be missed in cruising on Loboc river while having lunch.  The buffet spread is not something to look forward but the view is.  This is one of the cleanest rivers in the country.  For Php 450/pax, you will be able to enjoy the  buffet with an amazing view.  It was refreshing seeing this river.
 

There are some stops where some locals are performing.  Loboc is known also for its choir.

We met some foreigners during this trip.

The tour always ended with the mini falls.  It's a sign that the boat will return to its port.

You will also  be entertained while having lunch.

new adventure in Bohol, the zipline

so relaxing on the river

another new adventure - paddling on the river

kids showing their skills for some coins

6. Hinagdanan Cave - it got its name from the word "laddered" used to get into the cave's interior.  The owner discovered it while clearing the decaying branches on the land when he found the hole.  It is naturally lighted cavern with a deep lagoon and many large stalactites and stalagmites. It is lit by sunlight which filters through holes in the ceiling.  Its entrance is a hole of about one meter wide in diameter so going in is a challenge, plus the pathway is slippery.

7. Bohol Bee Farm - beginning its operation, people flocked in this place for organic food tripping.  Their famous Malungay ice cream and flower salads are the most sought after for any diner.  I've tried this ice cream and all I can say is, it's Malungay; tasted grass.  I don't know how to finish eating it, honestly speaking.  They also offer accommodations but the beach is not like in Panglao's.  But if you are a diver or love to dive, they are PADI's accredited and I saw that they have good diving facilities here.  I also love the sunset here.  Just sitting and watching it instantly relaxes anyone.  We should eat dinner here but with the presence of mosquitoes and their painful bites made us hurriedly leave.

I don't know how to finish this famous Malunggay ice cream

I forego of the python sanctuary since I'm not a fan of reptiles. We were not also able to visit the old churches since they are still under renovation/restoration (destroyed by the recent earthquake).  I would love to see Loboc Church again so hopefully they can properly restore it. 

On the third day, an unfortunate event happened to my BFF's husband.  After dealing with it in the police station, we continued our tour in Balicasag Island; a marine sanctuary.  We would also go to Virgin Island but we needed to return immediately to Panglao since we received some good news and needed to go back to the police station. Another post for this.

a high end resort in Balicasag

the snorkel area

On the fourth day, we return to Tagbilaran for our trip back home.  We met our high school batchmate R in  before leaving for Manila.  It was a wonderful trip with our dearest friends.  I'm looking forward for more trips with them.

 

Someday, I'll take the kids here and I'm sure they will love it as much as we do.