THE CHECK LIST: Bohol

Here's my take on tour of Bohol/Panglao Island in the eyes of a first timer. The most critical part in planning a trip like this specially on summer months (we went there April) is booking your flight and accommodations a few months ahead. Which I didn't do! =) It was a bit of a rush and half-planned. This made our plane tickets way more expensive than usual. With regards to our accommodation, it was a bit of luck that I was able to find one along the beach of Alona a day before our flight and it's a weekend! So I immediately deposited a down payment to their account just to make sure they shoo away walk-ins.

We checked in early (the line on the security check can be too long and run the risk of being bumped off the flight) and took the first flight out of Manila bound for Tagbilaran, Bohol. It's a little over an hour flight.

Upon exiting the airport, transportation bound for Panglao Island will not be a problem. It's a bit expensive if you're traveling alone (P600.00) so group travel is preferred to divide the cost. Most are Vans and AUV's anyway. It could easily accommodate 6-8 persons. It's an organized transport system so the cost is the same whoever you choose. It's a toss in finding a good vehicle and driver since he/she will also be your tour guide. We found one. He told us that he will waive the airport transfer provided we take one packaged tour around Panglao. We grabbed the opportunity since we arrived early in the morning and our check-in time is still 2PM.

Our first stop is the Bohol Bee Farm where we will be having our breakfast. They organically grow herbs and vegetables for their restaurant and of course, produce honey. Before eating, our driver/tour guide told us to take a quick guided tour around the farm. Like an educational tour so to speak to be led by one of their farm hands for a minimal fee/donation. They will tell you about the different herbs and spices they grow with their culinary and medicinal purposes. A lecture on bee farming is also included.

After the informative tour, we then proceeded to the restaurant for our breakfast. To wake up our tummies, we had some coffee and tried their home made lemon grass tea. For starters, the waitress offered us to try the garden fresh salad with honey-mustard sauce. The salad is really inviting since it has colorful edible flowers with it. We had Tapa, Pork Chops and Rice as main course. That perked us up and given us energy to move on.

Next on the itenerary is Dauis Church, one of the oldest in Bohol. This was built sometime in the 18^th century by the Jesuits and later on taken over by the Recollects.

The church has a beautiful ornate interior and a well. A stream runs under it and have a small opening on the floor where you can get water. It is said that the water is miraculous and has healing properties. The church grounds is like a sort of park and is located on a shoreline with breeze constantly blowing. It is quite relaxing just sitting around but no time for that.

Our next stop is one of the frequently visited attractions of Panglao. Also located in the town of Dauis is the famous Hinagdanan Cave.

The entrance is narrow the stairs steep so better watch you head and your step. Inside the cave is a small fresh water lake where you can take a swim. It is quite hot and humid inside during the summer months so you’ll be sweating like a dog. Better bring a small towel and water if you’re not swimming.

After a few minutes, I can’t stand the heat anymore. It's time to be on our way. Since we are doing a mini Visita Iglesia of sorts, we then head south west of Panglao to see St. Augustine Church also built around 18^th century.

On the right side of the church is a plaza where religious and social events of the town are usually held. At the back facing the sea is an imposing watch tower said to be the tallest in the Philippines. We weren’t able to see the interior of the church since it was closed when we arrived.

By the time we were done with the photo op, it’s almost noon. So we head for Alona Beach to have our lunch and check-in at the resort/hotel. Upon arrival, the site of the beach is to behold. Simply breathtaking! White sands, crystal clear water, cool breeze and best of all, not crowded.

Our driver/tour guide asked us if we wanted to take another tour the following day (of course!). We were satisfied with his driving and tour guiding abilities so we booked another set of tour. This is a good idea since the usual pickup time to start the tour is around 7AM. It would be a complete waste of trying to book the next day for the vehicle/driver may not be readily available. Don’t worry about the price. Local tourism office organized and accredited them so the pricing whomever you choose will be the same.

Time for lunch! We deposited our bags at the counter since we are still early for the check-in and started walking the beach looking for good eats. There are several restaurants offering fresh seafood ready to be cooked to your liking. Al fresco dining by the beach!

Grilled fish, squid, pork and halaan soup.

We relaxed a bit after eating and then headed back to the hotel as our room is ready. It was a spacious room that can easily accommodate 4 people at P1,800/night. Not bad considering it’s a beach front in Alona. It’s no 5-star but if you’ll be out most of the time why pay more if you won’t be able to use the facilities anyway? As long as it’s clean, comfortable and secure. Spend your money somewhere else.

View from the terrace of our room.

Then dozed of after taking this picture...

Images of night life.

We didn't do much that evening after dinner. Anticipating a long day on our next tour, we decided just to chill and rest.

Next day, our driver picked us up after having breakfast to visit the magnificent Chocolate Hills. It is probably the most visited place here in Bohol. We will again be having our post card moment. It's about an hour drive from where we are towards the town of Carmen, the launching point of touring Chocolate Hills.

Putting things in focus

The View Deck

The sight of those hills would make you wonder. My best guess is this area is probably underwater millions of years ago. I think the hills are made of lime stones. Bohol really knows how to invest on tourism. The transport system is organized and the rest rooms are clean! You can have your pictures taken with the hills as your background and have it printed on a shirt.

We stayed up there till late in the morning taking pictures and waited for our shirts to be printed. They have souvenir shops there, Island Spice and local vendors so it's a good time to pick up some. Part of the itinerary is passing by the Man Made Forrest. This was a project of late President Cory Aquino to re-forest the area and they've grown now quite big. It's almost lunch time as we navigate the winding road and didn't stop for photos. We need to reach the Loboc River for our lunch cruise and we were really starved.

Across the Loboc River is the Church of San Pedro 2nd oldest in Bohol. On the left, you can see a partially finished bridge. Whoever planned and built this is stupid enough not to see that to complete the bridge is to destroy a historic church. This town is also home to the world famous Loboc Children's Choir or LLC which won several award here and in Europe.

As we waited for our boat to arrive, I took a liberty to scan the grounds and use the restroom. And this is what I found.

Talk about tourist convenience! Better fire up that mobile device and start updating your FB, Twitter account etc.

We started cruising the length of the Loboc River while having lunch. The capacity is around more or less 50 people per boat. Believe me, there are a lots of boats traversing that river. The lunch cruise is such a hit and now I think they are offering dinner cruise as well. Hence the lighting project. They have an on-board entertainer.

It's not gourmet food but good enough for me. I paid for the experience of it. Midway down the cruise, you'll stop by at a floating stage where local barangay entertainers compose of kids and adults doing a song and dance number. Please drop some in the donation box.

With the amount of boat traffic, I'm quite surprised that the river is kept clean. Everybody here seems to cooperate when it comes to preserving their river.

What would a Bohol trip be without seeing those little critters. Yes! You guessed it right, the Tarsiers. No need to climb a mountain to get a glimpse of some. Besides, if you're not trained to look for one you'll probably get lost in the forest and become a headline of sorts. There's one just along the road. From what I've heard, certain individuals can apply for a permit to have them on display. Provided the Tarsiers be given proper shelter and food. Earnings will come from entrance fees who wants to see this shy and fragile creatures. There's a catch though, the permit can only be renewed if they can successfully breed the pair/s they are given otherwise the local government will take them back.

Hello there little buddy!

It's been awesome seeing one but I'd rather see them in the wild. This guys are wide awake being disturbed by tourists like us when they are suppose to be asleep during daytime. The entrance of the compound is a souvenir shop with stuffed toys, key chains, ref magnets and the likes for sale. Pick up some stuff here for you might not have time to shop again for this things.

The church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is located in Baclayon. FYI, short-shorts, spaghetti and caps not allowed inside the church. Good thing the caretakers can provide you with a shawl at the entrance if you happen not to bring one.

See the stain on the wall? Looks like a face of a man. Creepy!

Creepier! LoL

Very near this place is the Blood Compact of Bool monument (no I did not miss an H, the towns name is Bool). A bronze sculpture by Napoleon Abueva. It depicts the blood compact between Sikatuna and Legaspi and is commonly known as Sandugo.

History with a great view.

and the winner is!?

So concludes our tour for the day. Tired but happy, we headed back to the beach with smiles on our faces. Another postcard moment!

There are several more packaged tour available. Dolphin watching and snorkeling (starts really early 5-6AM). If you miss this window, the dolphins will not be there. Probably on lunch break or something. There's also the Adventure Package like zip lining and the likes but it's a two hour drive away. We decided to skip both so we can enjoy the night and not to wake up early the next day. It's been two days and we haven't taken a dip.

There are several bars and watering holes along Alona Beach if that's your thing. It's not as many as Boracays. Picked the first one we saw, a couple of beers and pulutan while enjoying the show.