visit our very own Chocolate hills

Here is our actual itinerary in Bohol, accomplished last August 20 to Aug 22 ’09.  This was yet another boyfriend-girlfriend trip so I was kind of expecting it to be a bit pricey, but, I was relieved to find out that other people who had been there has spend more than us, and there were like 5 of them

Bohol is an expensive place to visit anyways, so I feel like our itinerary here can be justified. Aside from the essential tour expenses, I also included tips, donations and food trips to the actual expenses of this itinerary.

Getting to Bohol from Cebu

Instead of directly flying from Manila to Tagbilaran airport. My boyfriend Jeff had booked our trip to Cebu – Mactan airport. From Cebu, we rode SuperCat fast ferries to get to Tagbilaran pier in Bohol:

Detail of Ferry ride

Website :  www.supercat.com.ph
Schedule of ferry (Cebu-Bohol) :

8:30 am – 10:15 am
12:30 pm – 2:15 pm
4:30 pm – 6:15 pm

Duration : 2.5 hours
Pier number of supercat in Cebu : Pier 4
Destination in Bohol : Tagbilaran pier

The itinerary

Day 1 – [Tagbilaran, Panglao]

- Arrive at Cebu airport. Ride a metered taxi from airport to Pier in Cebu.

Duration : 30 min
Fare : P130

- Arrive at Cebu Ferry Terminal. Get ticket going to Tagbilaran, Bohol

Duration : 2.5 hours
Fare : P500
Terminal fee in Cebu : P25 each

- Arrive at Tagbilaran  Pier, Find rent a car

Driver/Tour guide name : Lito Baldicana
cellphone : 0919-4302141
Vehicle : Red Nissan Van
Rate : between P1800 to P2000

- Tour (Van tour)

Blood Compact Site
- features a bronze statue of the blood compact in Tagbilaran.

Baclayon church
-features the second oldest church in the country

Prony, the Giant Python
-features the largest and youngest python in captivity in the world.

Loboc church and bridge
-features the second oldest church in Bohol.

Philippine Tarsier
-features the smallest primate in the country, and second smallest in the world.

Chocolate Hills
-features the chocolate colored hills of Carmen in Bohol.

Man-made Forest
-features a man-made forest planted in the town of Bilar and Loboc.

Dinner at Bohol Bee Farm
-features our dining experience at Bohol Bee farm.

Day 2 – [Panglao,Balicasag]

- Tour (Island Hopping)

Dolphin Watching
-features the dolphins appearing at the seas of Balicasag.

Snorkeling at Balicasag
-features our snorkeling activity at Balicasag’s dive site.

Lunch at Balicasag Island
-features what to eat in Balicasag.

Tour Virgin Island
-features the island and sand bar of Virgin island.

Day 3 – [Panglao, Tagbilaran]

- Tour (Habal-habal ride)

Loboc river cruise
-features the cruise and buffet meal at Loboc.

Farm tour in Bee Farm
-features farm tour at Bohol bee farm.

Where to stay

Where we stayed at Bohol :

Resort name : Bohol Sea Breeze Cottages
Location : Panglao (at the back of Bohol Diver’s Club resort)
Basic Rate : P1300
Name : Allan (Care-taker)
Mobile : 0920-378-8208

Expenses (2 people)

Our actual expenses for the three day trip

• Day 1 – P5751
• Day 2 – P5781
• Day 3 – P3195

Total – P14727 (including tips and donations to tourist spots)

**See each posts for the detailed expenses of this trip

Souvenirs

Where we got our souvenirs :

• T-shirts, bags, keychains, cellphone accessories can be found at the Loboc river cruise tiangge.

Where to eat

Suggested restaurants, base on our trip.

• Bohol Bee Farm – try the organic salad.
• Loboc river cruise – eat in buffet there.

More pictures of Bohol

(Click on the picture to view the album)

DAY 1

1. See the blood compact site [Tagbilaran, Bohol]

The first ever blood compact between a Spanish and a Filipino was done on this site, represented by a bronze statue of Datu Sikatuna and Gov. Legazpi of Spain.

2. Visita iglesia at Baclayon church [Tagbilaran, Bohol]

This over 400 years old church was beaten by San Agustin as the oldest church in the country.

3. See the world’s largest python in captivity [Tagbilaran, Bohol]

At only 12 years of age, ‘Prony’ the giant python weights over 300 kilos and growing.

4. Stroll at the Loboc Bridge and church [Loboc, Bohol]

Said to be the second oldest church in Bohol, the church was almost destroyed due to a bridge built right up it’s path.

5. See the world’s second smallest primate: the Tarsiers [Loboc, Bohol]

At only the size of a palm, this creatures are super sensitive, often killing themselves whenever it gets sad.

6. Ride through the roads of the man-made forest [Bilar, Bohol]

Part of the reforestation program of the government, these mahogany trees were hand-planted in the towns of Loboc and Bilar.

7. Take pictures of the Chocolate hills [Carmen, Bohol]

These 30 to 50-foot tall hills are in its chocolate-color during the summer.

8. Eat flower-filled salad at the Bohol Bee Farm [Panglao, Bohol]

Famous for their honey-glazed dishes, one should never leave the Bee Farm without trying their organic salad, filled with real flowers.

9. Stay at Bohol Sea Breeze Cottages [Panglao, Bohol]

With just basic, simple accommodations. The cottages here are good for one family, for a very cheap price.

DAY 2

10. Spot dolphins at Balicasag [Panglao, Bohol]

Active only during the day, Dolphin watching has been a must-do on the tourist ‘s list of things to do in Bohol.

11. Snorkel at the Balicasag dive site [Panglao, Bohol]

Famous among local and foreign scuba divers, the Balicasag dive site is home to thousands of aquatic creatures.

12. Paluto at Balicasag [Panglao, Bohol]

Located at the shore of Balicasag island, the local there made her own eatery featuring grilled fresh-catch fishes.

13. Explore Virgin Island [Panglao, Bohol]

With a long, white sand bar to offer, Virgin island is perfect for just strolling in the waters.

DAY 3

14. Ride a cruise at Loboc river [Loboc, Bohol]

The cruise at Loboc river includes a buffet meal, an hour ride and a performance from the Loboc children’s choir.

15. Have a ‘Farm Tour’ at Bohol Bee Farm [Panglao, Bohol]

For a small amount, the Bohol Bee Farm crew will give you a guided tour of the facilities and activities they have at the farm.

Bees at the Bee Farm

After having lunch at the Loboc river cruise, our habal driver then took us to our next destination, the Bee Farm in Panglao.

How to go there

From Tagbilaran, we rode a habal-habal (motor) to get to the Bee farm in Panglao. Alternatively, you can rent vans or cars, situated in ferry and airport terminals.

What to See

You have to coordinate with the Bee farm crew from the reception if you want a ‘Farm Tour’ of the area. When we got there, there was a large group of student touring the Bee Farm. They let us join that group which had already started when we got there.

The part of the tour we caught was the plants and herbs the crew grows inside the farm. We weren’t able to catch the tour guide’s name as we were late on the course of the tour.

Bee farm tour

After that, we then went to the ‘bees’ part of the tour.  Our guide put on his protective gear, and took one sheet of wood from this yellow colored box. In it are hundreds of bees clinging on the wood. There is only one bee container in the farm, used for tour and demo purposes. The real bee farm is located somewhere in the upper area of Bohol, which is maintained by the Bee farm’s foreigner owner.

Show and tell

After the bees tour, we then went to their workshop where they make hand-crafted materials, mostly weaved cloths. We got to meet one of the weavers there, whom I saw on gma’s ‘Balikbayan’ tv show. Once I saw her, I  blurted ‘Uy si ate sa tv!’. She gave me that look as if she was surprised I recognized her. Yes ate, you’re famous now, and more, now that I’m posting you on the site .

Weaver in Bee farm

The tour ended at the ice cream store in Bohol, where we ate ice creams again for me, Jeff and our habal driver.

Ice cream store, Bee Farm

Without a guide, we decided to explore the Bee Farm more, and headed to the lower view deck located at the bottom of the Bee Farm hill. Complete with a chairs, tables, and beach chairs, the lower view deck looks like it’s a good place to dine also.

Lower view deck

Fees and Fares of this tour

• Ice cream at Bohol Bee Farm – P60 each
• Farm tour – P20 each

More Pictures

(click on the picture to view the album)

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Loboc river cruise

After our kaput plan to go to E.A.T. Danao, our plan B was to visit the places in Bohol we weren’t able to see on Day 1 of our trip.

How to go there

Jeff and I’s plan was to commute going to Loboc river cruise. Kuya Allan (caretaker of the resort were in) already gave us instructions on how to get there. We need to grab a habal-habal (motor) first to get to the jeepney station where we can get a ride going to the Loboc river cruise.

We grabbed a motor outside our resort, and asked the driver to take us to the jeepney station going to Tagbilaran. Instead, our driver offered to take us to any place we want at a rate of P400 that day. We accepted his offer, and ended up riding a habal going to Loboc river cruise.

What to See

When we got to the Loboc river cruise, there were a dozen of us who waited in line to get a ticket for the buffet meal, and river cruise in Loboc. Jeff and I got one of the best seats in the cruise, which is exactly in front of the boat though we had to share it with another family of 8.

Perfect spot for perfect pictures, hehe

We then head on to the buffet table. They have pansit, chicken, squid, barbecue, grilled fish, etc. We both grabbed plateful of meal, plus deserts. All food, except for our softdrinks are part of the payment for the buffet meal.

Hold on, theres plenty for everyone

While on the ride, a singer would serenade you with different types of songs, some including local Bisayan music.

The in-house entertainment

Halfway to the whole trip, the cruise stopped at this hut near the river coast. In there, the famous Loboc children’s choir serenaded us with songs, complete with acting, instruments and choreography.

Loboc children's choir

After an hour of touring, we went back to the port of the river cruise. In there, we browsed the souvenir shops, and got us sweet tshirts from this unnoticed store beside the tiangge.

Fees and Fares of this Tour

• Loboc river cruise : P300 per pax (including ride and buffet meal)
• Habal ride : P400

Tips and Traps

• The cruise operates during mornings until 1:30 pm, and resumes at night, for the night cruise.

More pictures

(Click on the picture to view the album)

Virgin Island

How to go there

From Panglao Island, we hired a boat to tour us around Bohol’s nearby Island. Virgin Island, was one of the places we got on our deal.

What to see

After having lunch at Balicasag Island, we went to our last island to visit in Bohol – Virgin Island. While on the boat, the wandering Juan contest was still on our mind, specially Jeff, we took some shots for the contest. While others were ridiculously bad, Jeff had this cool idea to take pictures of him in my glasses. We ended up having lots of poses and pictures in that effect.

In my eyes

We arrived at Virgin Island 20 minutes later from Balicasag. Our boat docked in the main part of the island away from the sandbar of the island. We went around to explore the little grounds of Virgin Island, while taking some shots of the islands spectacular view.

View at Virgin Island

While there, we saw this fisherman docking on the shores of Virgin Island, curious me again, asked Manong’s catch for that day. In his boat are loads of colorful sea urchins. I asked if we can taste some of his fresh and still alive sea urchins. He prepared one for me, and I got to taste raw sea urchin right there and then. I forced Jeff to eat one too.

Fresh Sea Urchin for eating

It was only at Virgin Island, that Jeff and I had a chance to relax, swim and to just explore without the expense of time. We made several attempts at photography again there, taking mostly pictures of slippers, hehe. The pics I’m posting here aren’t the one were submitting at the contest

Wash out

After walking and swimming around the beach. Jeff and I left Virgin Island, and called it a day. I got another shot of the tiny Virgin island of Bohol. Kinda looks like any island you can draw, eh?

Small Virgin Island

Fees and Fares of this tour

Boat rental : P1800 (Regular Rate)

Spots included with the rate:

1. Dolphin watching

2. Balicasag (snorkel site and Balicasag Island)

3. Virgin Island

More pictures of Virgin Island, and Bohol here

(click on the picture to view the album)

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