BOHOL, the countryside tour!

Chocolate Hills

Tourists are still eyeing Bohol even it was struck with a 7.2 magnitude earthquake last October 15, 2013 that destroyed several historic churches.

Bohol has long been listed in my travel fantasies but due to financial constraint, I wasn't able to turn this fantasy into reality. Year 2016 is somewhat generous to me. I could no longer count the blessings I received this year. With that, I have fulfilled my promise to my brother...that is to spend our 2016 summer vacation in Bohol.

We opted to hire a van since we are all strangers to this paradise. This escapade was not planned so I never had a chance to google everything about the place. As part of my anticipation every holiday season, room’s price rocketed so I humbly asked for a help to our friendly tourist driver who picked us up in the Tagbilaran Port. After several tries to find a low-priced yet cozy accommodation, we ended up chosing Bolod Beach Resort. 

Bolod Beach is situated in Panglao Island. It is roughly 100meters away from the white and fine powdery beach. It is a typical resort wherein there are no bars to hit on during night time. So if anyone wishes for partying all night, stay in Alona Beach. Restaurant is more or less 400meters away from the said resort, a barefoot walk along the shore will do. Picnic huts and motor banca for dolphin watching and island hopping are available in this resort.  

ROOM RATE	INCLUSION
Php1,600 / night	Rooms good for 2 pax w/ complimentary breakfast
Php2,600 / night	Rooms good for 4 paxw/ complimentary breakfast
Php3,600 / night	Cabin good for 6 pax w/ complimentary breakfast
Php 300 / night	Per extra person w/ complimentary breakfast
Picnic huts	Php 500 / overnight ; Php 300 / daytime

****Rates may change without prior notice. Check in time 2:00PM while check out is at 12:00 noon.

If you plan to choose Bolod Resort as your home away from home, you may get in touch with them through mobile numbers 09206039927, 09156823187, 09179509296 and landline numbers (038) 502-4046. You may also contact them at the email address: bolodbeachresort@yahoo.com

I really love Bohol because it is simply different. The van driver/ tour guide named Mr. Eric Navarro clearly discuss the history of Bohol while he's driving that interest us and even to my youngest brother aged 10. I will definitely recommend him to everyone. You may reach him at his mobile number 09464860199.
We've chosen a countryside tour which costs Php3,500.00. We've visited the following:

Chap Top- Since floating restaurant in Loboc River is not available, our driver brought us here for us to have lunch. Eat all you can is Php350.00/pax. The price is quite similar to Floating restaurant. 

Chocolate hills- Going to hilltop is the reason why I got tired. People really get what they deserve. With that excessive sweating, my eyes deserve a wonderful and relaxing scenery. 

Blood Compact Site

Blood Compact Site - "The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future" by Theodore Roosevelt. The shrine represents sealing of friendship between the Filipinos and Spaniards. This historic event is locally known as "Sandugo" which means "one blood."

Chocolate Hills in Carmen – To add a little adventure in our tour, we tried All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) to see the other side of chocolate hills. Our rent per ATV is Php500.00 / 30 minutes. It’s very an enjoyable experience.   

ATV @ P500 / 30mins.

3-sister chocolate hills

Sipatan Hanging Bridge - My sister is quite interested upon knowing that this is part of our itinerary. This twin bridge was featured in Dolce Amore primetime teleserye of ABS-CBN. Entrance fee is only Php 10.00. Peonut kisses, a known delicacy of Bohol, is cheaper here. Also the keychains, refrigerator magnets and other souvenir items are sold here at a very affordable price.  

Sipatan Hanging Bridge

Man-made forest - Green is not my favorite color but I still love green. Among the inclusion of the countryside tour, this one is my favorite. It seems like I'm not in the Philippines. I love the climate. I love the view. I love everything in this place. This is conducive for pre-nuptial activities, ROMANTIC - it is how I describe it in one word. 

Butterfly Garden - Seeing different colors of butterflies in their fairly cold habitat is a great experience. Good to know that the guide enthusiastically explained everything about the  butterflies. Entrance fee is Php 25.00. 

Tarsier - Entrance fee is Php 60.00. To my dismay, I've only seen 8 tarsiers that time. I thought tarsiers are found everywhere. At least we've witnessed how these small creatures look like in reality.

Loboc River Cruise - It's Good Friday and all floating restaurants are close. So we were not able to take our lunch there. Since I am really good in haggling, we were triumphant in our quest in seeing how this river cruise actually looks like. 

Phyton - Dare to touch different colors and sizes of snakes. It's definitely scary yet fulfilling. Entrance fee is only 25. Taking picture with the phyton costs Php 150/hard copy. You can also take unlimited pictures with the friendly snakes using your camera for free. 

Prony, the phyton

                               

    

Baclayon Church - This is one of the oldest church in Bohol which was partly destroyed by the monster 7.2 magnitude earthquake last 2013. They are trying to fix it this time and hopefully the original feature will be restored soon. 

We've managed to visit it all in just 1 day. It was a bit tiring but insanely an amazing experience. It's worth the price. Couldn't even believe that I got tired when I am physically fit, I mean I regularly did some strenuous physical exercises. 

As to my own assessment, I can say that this beautiful province is finally back on its feet. It is unquestionably a home to myriad tourist attractions. I have seen it with my naked eye how tourists from different countries mingled and enjoyed to the fullest as they hopped from each known destination. They can't even resist in taking selfie pictures even if they are having a difficulty to find their best angle.

Butterfly Garden

Alona Beach Resort





2016 TRAVEL FANTASIES

Better late than never!

Posting my 2016 travel wishlist is kinda late as I did not have much time to open my account. Well, I have to work harder to feed my travel fantasies this year. I couldn't find a single word to describe best about the demand of my present job. All I can say is I'm darn busy! However, if given a long holiday break I still wanted to explore several places like the following:

1. Bohol - I had the chance to be there last year but I only visited Panglao Island and Blood Compact. I'm a bit curious of what Bohol Tourism can offer after the traumatic earthquake.

2. Cagayan de Oro - Really wanted to visit Divine Mercy Shrine simply for thanking Our Almighty for all the blessings that He has bestowed. I also wanted to try another interesting activity which I've never tried before: Firing at NMPSA Bulua.

3. Iligan falls - Iligan is dubbed as "City of Waterfalls". Seeing the falls is way sweeter the second time around.

4. Dakak Beach Resort - Dakak is being listed in my 2015 travel wishlist. Been waiting for a perfect holiday to enjoy its enticing white beach. Hope to visit Dakak this year.

5. Infinity Resort - Pictures of the said resort is getting viral in Agusan del Norte. It'll be an insult if I will not be able to see that place considering that it's only few minutes away from my work station. :-)

Now that I got a new camera, I will try to capture the best and snappiest picture of each place. Taking picture is not a problem this time 'coz God gave me a travel buddy for a lifetime. yay!

GOOD LUCK 2016!