TraveLORE: Bohol Philippines Tour (Sept. 2015)

Bohol is famous for its Chocolates Hills, which most of us first saw in elementary textbooks. As a child I was fascinated and curious on what it looked like. I found myself drooling from the name itself, which is CHOCOLATE Hills. I imagined big mounds of real chocolates with all the people taking a bite from its foothill. 

Finally after 20 years of waiting I was able to travel to Bohol. The island province has more to offer beside the hills and Tarsiers. It is a beautiful place frequented by many local and foreign tourists. From the delicious foods, adventure-filled escapades, white sand beaches and beautiful river, Bohol will make you fall in love with the Philippines. If you’re planning a trip to this part of the archipelago, let me suggest places that would make your trip worth remembering. We booked our Bohol trip a year before the travel, through the Air Asia promo. We got our round trip fare for PHP 1,600 only. 

ACCOMMODATION

We booked for 4 days and 3 nights at Bohol without a place yet to accommodate us. I actually preferred just a small but modest inn where we could spend the nights, since we’d be out all day long anyway. But having a villa exclusive for your group alone wasn’t a bad idea at all! We were able to find a Villa – the Panglao Bed & Breakfast for PHP 16,350 good for 3 nights, max of 9 adults. Each of us paid PHP 1,816 each and I’m telling you it’s worth it. The house was pampering and cozy; it was just 20 minutes drive to Alona beach. The Villa with its interior equipped with AC has a complimentary breakfast for the guests, with four rooms that fit 2 persons each, a living room, a completely equipped kitchen, long dining table, TV room, a porch area, and a swimming pool. You got all you need here to make your stay comfy and convenient. You wouldn’t really mind to just lay there in the couch drinking coffee. The service was also impeccable, the owners and staff of the Villa were all nice and helpful. The Villa also offers a tour packages which we availed to lessen the hassle of planning our itinerary.

ITINERARY DAY 1 (PANGLAO ISLAND TOUR)

BOHOL BEE FARM

We arrived there almost lunch time so we set for the first stop, the Bohol Bee Farm. You shouldn’t miss this place when you go to Bohol. At the second floor was located the Buzz Café and Restaurant where good foods are served – here you’ll have an organic dining experience. This is the place where Bougainvilleas aren’t made for crowns, but served and eaten along with the other veggies and flowers. I grew up with the Bougainvilleas all around me but not until Buzz Café that I tasted it – indeed it’s a good addition to your salad. The restaurant with its free wifi, laid back setting, and refreshing views of the ocean will surely make your meal more enjoyable. I recommend their red rice and honey based Fresh Lumpia, and of course the must-try ice cream at the first floor beside the souvenir shop. One scoop cost PHP 50 and there are numbers of flavors to choose from. I tried their best-seller Malunggay flavor and it’s really good. 

Photo credits to Eros Mallari

Photo credits to Eros Mallari

Photo credits to Eros Mallari

Photo credits to Eros Mallari

Photo credits to Eros Mallari

Photo credits to Eros Mallari

After satisfying our tummy, we toured the farm with our helpful and educating tour guide. We strolled around the area smelling the greens all around us. The smell was nostalgic for me; smelling oregano brought me back to my childhood days when we used to have organic plants in mama’s small garden. 

We were brought to the weaving area where the ladies were busy with their work. And of course we went to the bee’s area where we were given the chance to take a look at the beehive and have a picture with it. I never tried holding it because I was scared to get attacked by the bee (hehe). The tour guide was eloquent and friendly, he kept giving helpful information; I just regretted that I didn’t take notes. 

Photo credits to Eros Mallari

HINAGDANAN CAVE

Hinagdanan Cave is a small cave, accidentally discovered in the Panglao Island of Bohol. It is a lighted cavern with a lagoon inside it. The water in the lake is clear and seemed refreshing. Unfortunately it was closed to swimming by the time we visited there. The guide said they were giving time for the lake to rehabilitate itself. 

Photo credits to Kuya Guide

Photo credits to Kuya Guide

Many locals and tourists have been going and plunging into the water before. However, it was said that that there are parts of the lagoon where erosions of irregular limestone created sinkholes. We were just allowed to take photos inside and admire the large stalactites and stalagmites. 

The discovery of the cave happened when the owner of the area was clearing some branches and he found a hole. He tried throwing a stone within and heard a splash. The cave was found then, and a man-made ladder was built to get inside. The green surfaced lagoon was the main attraction inside along with the beautiful rock formations. But just like in any caves frequented by the tourists, lime stones are discolored and the formations are discontinued; this is resulted from touching the rocks. Thus, it is advised that the tourists walk only in the developed paths and avoid touching anything, especially the lime stones. There’s an entrance fee that cost PHP 30 and we gave tips to our guide for being our photographer. 

ALONA BEACH RESORT

The next plan would be to dine at Alona Beach while watching the sunset. Unfortunately, it drizzled in the late afternoon. 

Photo credits to Eros Mallari

We proceeded by the beach anyway and watched the remaining sunset view with our colorful umbrella overhead. Kuya driver provided us the umbrellas. Instead of dining there we just bought a take-home-food and ate at the villa for our convenience. We had a drinking session and plunged into the Villa’s swimming pool.

Note: There are other places that you could go in Panglao Island; we just lacked the time because we started in our tour in the noon time.

ITINERARY DAY 2 (BOHOL COUNTRYSIDE TOUR) 

We woke up early in the morning and found the sumptuous breakfast already set on the table. It was a refreshing morning; pampered as well. So we ate and headed next to our day 2 Trip.

CHOCOLATE HILLS

Photo credits to Kuya Guide

We first went to the popular Chocolate Hills. We availed the ATV to tour on the hills’ ground and take photos by the foothill. It was a bit pricey but if you want a memorabilia with the hills as your backdrop, you should go for it. It was fun to drive an ATV as well. The cost is PHP 450; you could go for a traverse wherein you’ll go the other route on your way back. BUT you will have to add PHP 50 (just so you know it ahead of time; we were irritated when the guide told this to us in the middle of the trip). OH there’s also a fee you’d need to pay in the barangay, it costs PHP 50 each. (Yes, there’s a lot a paying to be made). 

We drove around in line while enjoying the fresh air and greenery. The hills were
astounding. They were amazing creations. At times we were getting off the ATV to take pictures by the foothill. It felt like you were in front of giants; they were not as high as other land forms but as proudly beautiful. 

You’ve never been to Bohol if you never visited Chocolate Hills. It is the Philippines’ unique tourist spot. You’ll never see other chocolate hills in other part of the world. There have been several legends about how these giant moles were formed. My favorite was the story of two giants fighting, throwing earth and stones against each other. Then the hills were formed. But according to geologists, it was a weathered formation of limestone; just imagine how many billion years it had took before these hills are formed. It was quite a surreal feeling to be surrounded by them. The air felt differently by the foothill. It was refreshingly cold, probably because of the grasses and plants that grew in the area. 

Photo credits to Eros Mallari

We proceeded to the viewing deck after the ATV tour. The way up there was through the long and steep stairs. It was the middle of the afternoon, thus we were squinting in the blinding sunlight. But the view was breathtaking. The deck provided us a 360 degree view of the Chocolate hills. 







With lots of raining from the previous months, grasses and plants around the area were radiating in their best hue of green, blending beautifully with the chocolaty shades of the hills.

Photo credits to Eros Mallari

BUTTERFLY GARDEN

Photo credits to Jose Abad

From the Chocolate Hills we proceeded to the Butterfly Garden. There’s an entrance fee here of PHP 30. I was looking forward to see many Stripe and Yellow flying around (Hope for the Flowers’ characters), but unfortunately the rain kept them hidden in their sanctuary. We just strolled around the place and read information about their species. 

Photo credits to Eros Mallari

BILAR MAN-MADE FOREST

We stopped by the Man-Made forest to take photos and enjoy the chill effects of the towering wood trees over us. If you want to experience how it feels to be surrounded by such number of trees, get off the van and savor the moment. It was a reforestation project solution to the deforestation in the Loboc watershed. With the trees being cut down and cleared out for the establishment of refuge area during the WWII, the place was put into alarming risk. Gladly, the project which was first started in 1947 became a huge success. You’d be amazed of this woodland with developed cemented path at the center. Man-Made forest is proof that human have the ability to help restore and rehabilitate if only they are willing to cooperate. 

TARSIER SANCTUARY

Visit to the tarsiers also completed the realizations of my Bohol dreamed trip. I was excited to have a photo op with my co-wide-eyed creature. But again, the rain kept them hidden in the trees. It was frustrating to not meet them up close and personal. Tourists used to have the chance to hold them and have a cheek-to-cheek photograph with them. But it was now prohibited because according to the staff the Tarsiers became stressed, which put their health into danger. I’m glad they implemented it. I feel for the poor Tarsiers being disturbed every now and then by the visiting tourists. Now you can just view them on the trees where they hang out. You’d see them holding tightly on the branches as if nothing could ever separate them from that piece of wood. They’ll look at you as curious as you are to them. I spotted some few of them and for some reasons I felt something from these cute, tiny creatures. I sensed a mix of fear and feeling of disturbance. I don’t know. Something told me that they wanted to be left alone. Hope the Tarsier sanctuary is doing its best to secure the welfare of these Tarsiers. They are such adorable babies. 

HANGING BRIDGE

This is an exciting bridge to cross, a hanging bridge suspended over the Loboc River. It was actually made of metal, top layered by weaves of bamboo. The bamboo gave it a shrill suspense because you’d think it might collapse anytime; but nothing to worry because it was meticulously and wonderfully made. You’d feel the bouncing though while crossing it. If you got a fear of height and water, try to cross this hanging bridge to conquer yourself. I wasn’t scared that much, perhaps because I have tried the more scary bridges before (the monkey bridge from Mt. Manalmon; and the bridge years back in San Mateo river, the one we crossed when we were going to Montalban -- it was scary because it was really made of weak materials but we have no other choice then, I remembered my childhood hating that bridge.)

Photo credits to Eros Mallari

On the other side of this bamboo bridge there were souvenir stores. Foods and other stuff were cheaper than the other shops we passed through. I suggest you purchase your pasalubong here. 

LOBOC RIVER CRUISE w/ BUFFET LUNCH

It was one of my favorite parts of the trip. We got on board of the floating restaurant at around 2PM.It was past lunch time. There were no other passengers getting in so the boat decided to move along. It seemed like we booked the entire boat for ourselves because we were the only passengers. We enjoyed the unlimited foods while the music played on board. There was supposed a live performance but I wasn’t sure if it was only during a certain time of the day. 

One word wasn’t enough to describe the Loboc River. It was far more than beautiful. It’s majestic and mystifying. The green surfaced water was enchanting, with the thick forest on both sides. It was serene, very peaceful and calm. As I stood by the railings, viewing the indescribable beauty of the river, I could imagine nymphs singing a spell-bounding chant. The feeling was completely surreal. From time to time you’d see some small boats paddled by the locals. We had a stop-over at a platform by the river bank. There were locals there in Filipiniana and Barong costumes. They heartily performed for us, singing and dancing through the folk music, which was accompanied by Ukulele. If I wasn’t mistaken they performed Karatong and Tinikling, the other dances I couldn’t identify. Tourists are encouraged to dance and jam with them. The performance was free; you just donate any amount that you’re willing to give. 

It rained hard in the middle of the cruise. The surreal feeling became even stranger; it felt like I was traveling in a different world. Nonetheless it was a beautiful surrealism.

BLOOD COMPACT SHRINE

If Manila has the Rizal Monument at Luneta Park, Bohol has the Blood Compact Shrine that marked the landsite of the first international treaty between the Spaniards and Filipinos. Yes, the treaty that eventually led to the death of Rizal. Yes, the two monuments are connected. 

There’s no entrance fee in this area. We just stopped by, took photos and hang out for a little while. Behind the sculpture was the view of the Bohol Ocean. There was nothing much that you can do here but to view the water and enjoy the sea breeze. 

BACLAYON CHURCH 

Baclayon Church was among the oldest church that dated back to the Spaniards’ time in the Philippines. The 2013 7.5 magnitude earthquake destroyed churches in Bohol including the Baclayon Church. It was still under reconstruction when we got there. To get inside you need to pay PHP50 which serve also as contribution to help build the church again. 

From Baclayon Church we headed back to Villa since we were already exhausted. It was an hour drive back to our accommodation. We stopped by the market to buy foods and drinks (uhm yes we were having every night drinking session). It was dark already when we reached the Villa. After eating dinner we capped off the night with shots of Tequila. 

ITINERARY DAY 3- PANGLAO ISLANDS HOPPING 

BALICASAG ISLAND

On the third day, we spent our time in the sea. We set off at 5:30AM in the morning and our tour driver, Kuya Michael drove us to Alona beach where we rode the pumpboat. The owner of the Villa, Tito Boy arranged for the rental of the motor boat. By the time we reached Alona, the boat was already waiting for us there. Our breakfast was packed so we could eat it at the first island that we’d go to. 

We rode the boat and it took us 45 minutes to reach Balicasag Island. The plan was to go dolphin and whale watching, but they were not in the mood that day. Some of us got a glimpse of the dolphins but I was never fortunate to see one. We headed to the white sand beach of Balicasag Island and ate our breakfast there. We cancelled the plan of snorkeling and just swam in the water, against the strong waves. 

I love Balicasag Island with its white pristine sands and azure water. The waves might be harsh and a bit hurting, but one couldn’t resist the invitation to dip. It was so beautiful there, the wonder of nature was so amazingly cool! 

VIRGIN ISLAND

After an hour of dipping onto the water we set off for the Virgin Island with its long stretch of sandbank. The island wasn’t a virgin anymore. It was already developed with a souvenir store, a park, an area where tourist could hang out after swimming. It was fun to dip onto the water with no waves lapping hardly on you. 

Photo credits to Eros Mallari

Photo credits to Eros Mallari

Photo credits to Eros Mallari

By the afternoon, we already set off back to Alona. We went back to Villa and had our lunch there. We took some few times to nap after we ate. The rest of the day we spent in bonding and uhmm drinking in the Villa. 

Photo credits to Jenylyn Cuachin

In the fourth day we just relaxed there and got our things ready. We proceeded to the airport early to catch our noontime flight. We were already in Manila at around 5PM. It was a super worthwhile trip. Til next time again Visayas!

Photo credits to Jenylyn Cuachin