Beautiful Bohol!

Just got back from 5 glorious days in Bohol, an island in the Southern Philippines. As you know, my friend Rachel is visiting and we wanted to take her somewhere that would give her a feel of the island life (versus the chaos of Manila). Bohol had been high on our list for awhile, so we decided a trip over New Year’s was the perfect time to go. This was our first time to one of the islands and Rachel’s first tropical beach getaway.

If we weren’t napping, suntanning or swimming we were most likely eating. And eat we did! Food was fabulously cheap, so we indulged. The Philippines is reported to have the world’s best mangoes – I think Rachel would concur, as she managed to make Mango a food group in every meal she indulged in. YUM! Our favorite dinner ended up being a beachside BBQ. We selected the delicious red snapper pictured below and had it grilled up with corn on the cob and baked potatoes to round out the meal. Nothing better than selecting from fish that had all been caught that morning… very unique (and fresh)!

Read more HERE...

Read more...

Bilar man-made forest

This is a photo of the Bilar Man-made Forest in Bohol, Philippines. I took this during my recent trip with my friends. This is my second time to pass by this forest (first was in 2004), but it was only in 2009 when I finally appreciated the beauty of this place.

The Bilar Man-made Forest is a sight to behold, a lovely stretch of road, en route to the famous Chocolate Hills. I loved the cool temperature that embraced my skin when we went out of the van to take pictures. Trees, coolness, and fresh air is a combination rarely experienced in Manila. And I’m happy to experience it, even for just a short while, in Bohol.

Read more HERE...

Read more...

Red Butterfly Travel Series: Bohol

From Manila, we went to Cebu to meet up with some friends then took a ferry going to Bohol.

There are many ferries to choose from. There’s Super Cat (300 Roundtrip), Ocean Jet (500 Roundtrip) and Weesam Express (400 Roundtrip). I forgot which one we took but I think it’s the Super Cat ferry… because it’s cheap. LOL!

We stayed at JJ’s Alona Rooms, Bar and Restaurant. It’s not located at the beachfront, but it’s still near the beach. The rooms are clean and roomy. And the staff is very friendly. The rates are cheap, although I’m not sure of their rates now. When I checked their website, they removed the rates. They’re probably going to change them. The best way to find out is to contact them and ask for their current rates.

Read more HERE...

Read more...

Does Tourism Speed up The Philippine Tarsiers' Extinction?

When one mentions Bohol, the first and second thing that comes to mind are Chocolate Hills and Tarsiers, the latter is considered an endangered species. In Bohol, a continually dwindling number of Philippine Tarsiers can be found. It is also found in a few places like Leyte, Samar and some parts of Mindanao.

It is by nature a small creature, measuring to about three inches to six inches in height and considered to belong in the primate group. On seeing the Philippine Tarsier, one cannot deny that its distinct feature are its wide eyes and the way it stares back at you.

Read more HERE...

Read more...

1,000+ Choco-like Mounds

A perfect trip to Bohol can never be complete without visiting Bohol’s signature and most famous attraction – the Chocolate Hills in Carmen — that comes with lots of photo ops! Of course, that was what we exactly did.

From Loboc where we viewed the cute tarsiers, it was quite a long drive to the town of Carmen. After about an hour or so, we finally arrived at the Chocolate Hills Complex (a government-owned and operated resort and the original viewing station) and paid the entrance fee of PHP50/adult and PHP35/child.

Read more HERE...

Read more...

Chocolate Hills, Philippine Tarsier, Bohol Land Tour, Bohol, Philippines

On our third day in Bohol on May 18, 2009, we went to see the place in Tagbilaran City where the blood compact was supposed to have been performed on March 16, 1565.

The blood compact or “Sandugo” in Bohol was made between Don Miguel Lopez de Legazpi of Spain and Datu Sikatuna of Bohol to seal their friendship as part of the tribal tradition.

Afterwards, we went to see the Baclayon Church and Museum in Baclayon, Bohol, Philippines. The Baclayon Church is the second oldest church in the Philippines. The San Agustin Cathedral in Intramuros is the oldest church in the Philippines. Regarding the museum, it was not allowed to take any photos inside the museum.

Read more HERE

Read more...

Bohol Beach Club, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines Trip

We went to Bohol with Cebu Pacific Air on May 16, 2009. The plane took off from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Domestic Terminal 3 in Manila at around 8:18am, earlier than the estimated time of departure which was 8:35am. The plane landed at the Tagbilaran Airport in Bohol even before 9:28am, earlier than the estimated time of arrival which was 9:50am.

At around 9:44am, we were already on our way to Bohol Beach Club, Bo. Bolod, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines. The trip from Tagbilaran Airport to Bohol Beach Club was not that long, more or less travel time was 30 to 40 minutes.

Read more HERE...

Read more...

Kayaking the islands

Sun & Sea Sports Systems, Inc., one of the country’s pioneer in the kayaking sport, together with Bohol Extreme Outdoors and the Philippine Kayaking Association, Inc., hosted a three-day kayaking adventure race and tour last December 4-6, bringing both guests and participants to an exciting and wet ride to two of the country’s most visited places – Mactan and Panglao Islands in Cebu and Bohol, respectively.

Didi Camara, project manager of the Philippine Kayaking Series 2009, revealed that the event started in 1997, and despite its long hiatus in 2002, she said that the organizers were happy that on their return in 2007 they were able to encourage several enthusiasts, local government units and national government offices to participate and promote the event.

Read more HERE...

Read more...