Booked the plane tickets to Bohol 6 month before I took this trip. I usually do this, booked first then plan later since there are a lot of Piso or half fare scheme on domestic airlines here in the Philippines.
So, I actually didn't plan much since my sister has been here and she just gave the number of the tour guide that could arrange everything from airport pick-up, hotel accommodation and tour packages. In case you'd want to know you may contact Kuya Earl +63 2 918 517 36 18. He's very friendly and even take you to places not included in the package. For single traveler you will be mixed with 3-4 people, the vehicle he owns are Toyota L300 and Hyundai Starex. Maximum of people he usually takes per tour are 4-6 only so you'll have a lot of room in the vehicle.
When travelling solo, it's better to hire a van since most destination are kilometers away from the main city or if your staying by the
Beach (which is in Panglao). There are tricycles in the city but could only take you farthest would be
Baclayon Church, the rest of the tourist spot is by the mountains.
|
| Booked my ticket via Cebu Pac |
|
Clear skies all the way to Tagbilaran, great way to start my journey to
Tagbilaran, Bohol. |
I stayed at
Dimaluan Beach Resort, Kuya Earl booked the Standard Aircon Room for 1300PHP good for 2 pax, but I had the room for myself. Dimaluan Beach resort is 5 minutes walk away from the white sand beach of Panglao. The sand is even softer, whiter and more pure than that of Boracay. Dimaluan is beside
Bohol Beach Club, don't worry you could swim on the beach side where Bohol Beach club is located. One thing I could never forget about Dimaluan is the food they served. It's cheap and yet the serving size of one meal is good for 2 persons. I am a foodie as you can see I have a food Blog, but I really really do recommend that you try their in-house cafe, the food they serve are superb! :)
For my 1st day tour the itinerary were
Blood Compact Site, Tarsier and Butterfly Sanctuary and Loboc River and Museum.
The Sandugo or Blood Compact Site was a blood compact, performed in the island of Bohol in the Philippines, between the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna the chieftain of Bohol on March 16, 1565, to seal their friendship as part of the tribal tradition. This is considered as the first treaty of friendship between the Spaniards and Filipinos.
|
| Blood Compact Site at Tagbilaran Bohol also known as Sandugo Shrine |
The Tarsier and Butterfly Sanctuary is a small area, entrance fee is around 50php. Didn't have any photo on the butterfly sanctuary because my battery died. :( But good thing I was able to take some Tarsier pictures and even get to see and touch a live one. I hope they wouldn't get extinct. The size of a tarsier is as big a clenched fist. So they are very fragile and easily get stressed, some tarsier tend to commit suicide when stressed so please avoid flash photography.
|
| Tarsier are noctornal animals |
|
| hi there :) i hope you won't get extinct |
Had late lunch on the Loboc River Cruise. This is an experience you shouldn't miss, buffet lunch with matching live folk band serenading you will your feasting on the delicious Bohol cuisine. The river cruise is about 1hr from Loay Bridge to Busay falls and back again with a few stop over.
|
| One of the 2 floating stage where stop over are done. |
|
| Foreigners trying out our folk dance called TINIKLING |
|
| Boholano's serenading us with beautiful music using their Ukalele. |
During the time I was at Bohol sadly Loboc Museum is under restoration. :( But for more info you can visit Loboc Museum website.
|
| Loboc Museum from the other side of the River |
On my second day, we visited Bohol's famous
Chocolate Hills, Baclayon Church and Man-made Mahogany Forest.
As a child, I thought that
Chocolate Hills are really made of chocolates hehe. There are about 1200 to 1700 mini hills. They look liked chocolate when it's dry or summer season here. But on rainy and fair weathered days it looks like this small green hills.
|
| panoramic shot of Chocolate Hills |
|
| One of the few chocolate hills |
You will pass through the Man-made mahogany forest on your way to Chocolate hills. The Mahogany Forest was part of the nationwide reforestation program that was launched in the 1960s during the reign of Diosdado Macapagal.
|
A part of the 2km stretch of the Man - made
Mahogany Forest |
|
| Colossal Mahogany trees that rise up exquisitely from both sides |
Last stop was Baclayon Church, sadly again it was on restoration mode when I visited Bohol. Baclayon church is considered one of the oldest churches in the Philippines which was built by the Jesuits during the 19th century era.
|
| Baclayon Church - one of the bell towers |
|
| the priest on stone walls |
This is located at the back side of the church near the convent and museum. The pillars like the Boholano says depicts an image of a priest wearing a Jesuit clerical clothing.
