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| Trips and Tips: Bohol |
| Monday, May 12, 2008 |
I doubt if there's any word (at least in my vocabulary) that would give justice to the paradise that Bohol is; using the word awesome or fantastic or marvelous or anything synonymous is just plain unfair. Let's just say going to Bohol is like going home to a place you've never been to, it's like reuniting with a friend you've never met. Chos!
Anyway, to help other travelers out there who wish to go to bohol on a budget, I hope this would help. :)
First, the more famous destinations:
Bohol Beach Club
You don't have to stay overnight at an expensive resort in Panglao to be able to enjoy the *insert positive adjective here* beach. Entrance for day tour at BBC is @ 350/pax, 250 of which is consumable. To avail of their lunch buffet, just add 150. For 500/head, you get to marvel at and experience this pristine white sand beach in BBC, you get a nice tan (which i failed to get, dammit), a hearty buffet, and yeah, you get to be at one of the most sought-after resorts in Panglao. Not bad at all. By the way, I strongly recommend BBC coz of the beach, it doesn't get crowded even if the resort is fully-booked, purrrrfect.
Loboc River Cruise
Myth: you have to avail of the buffet lunch at the Floating Resto for you to be able to cruise the loboc river.  If you're just after the magnificent view and the experience, or if you have eaten your lunch somewhere else, you can opt to rent a boat to take you up/downstream. We rented a boat for 850 (it accommodated us - all 6 of us plus our poging poging driver Kuya Cris -- yung kulay live vest ang shirt, hehehe).
Many thanks to Kuya Cris for being our driver-cum-tour guide-cum-entertainer.
Boholanos are very friendly and accommodating! There's really a lot to love about Bohol and its people!
Chocolate Hills
This place was just wayyyy too crowded for comfort when we went there. And take note, we were there on a weekday. So if you're going there on a Saturday or a Sunday, expect other people to be the backdrop of your photos. Alternative: you can go to Sagbayan Peak (image --->) if you want a clearer view of the choco hills. It's almost the same, minus the stress of having to box other people out just to get nice pictures.
All the other famous destinations are almost for free (minimal entrance fee, the most is P25/head, as i remember).
 Hinagdanan Cave
Too bad we were not able to swim, water was under treatment when we went there. Just a tip: you can buy souvenir items outside the cave, prices there are relatively cheap(er). One saleslady at a pier souvenir shop told us that their factory (they sell shirts, will post the name when and if I remember, hehe) is near Hinagdanan cave, you can buy Bohol shirts there at 3 for 100.
Tarsiers
They're cute, and once you see them you'd wish you could have them as your pets. No fees, donations only. Just make sure you don't touch them.  Don't stress them out by using flash when taking pictures. FYI, "tarsiers have been known to injure and even kill themselves because of the stress" (Wiki). Please lang, I want my kids and grand kids and grand grand kids to see these cute creatures too. Wag natin silang hayaang maubos.
Manmade forest. Sorry no pictures. This is just beside the road. So no fees.
For the other destinations:
Bohol Bee Farm
At 20/head, you get a guided tour at the Bee Farm. Our guide was very lively and passionate (she even made us eat peppermint leaves straight from the plant-- it was much more minty than our good old mentos-- while she chewed on flowers. Hehe). Heard the food here is good, too bad we were not able to eat here coz the elders in the family were all tired and they just wanted to go home and rest. Boooo!
Famous Bohol Python, Prony
He's 24-feet long, and he's scary. Manang the caretaker usually opens and enters the cage, and she gives tourist the chance to touch Prony, take pictures more closely, etc. etc. I didn't dare go in. Baka biglang saniban si prony and my last smile for the photo could be my last. Ayaw! Note to Edison: Bakit di nagperform si Marimar sa amin?! Daya!
Simply Butterflies Conservation Center.
I always thought butterfly farms/gardens were corny. You know, they remind me of Princess Sara and Cinderella and all -- and I just couldn't fit myself into fantasies and fairytales. But no. It was fun! You can touch the caterpillars and the butterflies and you can even see them mating (when they can fly while mating, the female carries the male). Anyway, the trip here was short but fun. (see photos section)
 Punta Cruz Watch Tower
This was built during the Spanish era, and it really looked old. Nice view of the sea and nice place for taking photos. Pwede rin daw mag swim dito.
That's all for now. I'll definitely go back to Bohol. Stay in Panglao. Watch dolphins. Go Island Hopping. Go Snorkeling. Do whatever. And I'll post them here. Hahaha!
NOTE: If you need help in planning your itinerary, expenses, etc, send me a note and I'll do my best to help you out. I'm seriously thinking of becoming a freelance travel agent so habang hindi pa nangyayari yun, I'm willing to be taken advantage of. Hehehe! Happy trip!
**Cebu sidetrip will be posted separately**
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posted by Elaine @ 2:07 PM  |
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