Exploring Bohol - Day 2

DOLPHIN WATCHING


We planned to leave the house at 5:30am so we could start the chase by 6:00am but we had some trouble with the van and we had to find another vehicle that would take us to Panglao. Luckily, we managed to get to Alona Beach, where the boatman - Kuya Rico, is waiting for us, at around 6:40am. I asked Mang Viao if it's too late to meet the dolphins but he said that we still have time. I am so relieved. 


We hurried to the boat and sailed for about 15min. We found several boats at the middle of the sea and we knew we're on the spot. We started spotting for the lovely dolphins. Fortunately, my friend Rhona have 20/20 vision and worked as our main spotter for that moment. She points to where the group of dolphins are and the Kuya Rico would take the boat to that direction. We did this for about an hour. Quite happy with the experience and the photos we've taken, we headed to Balicasag Island. 




BALICASAG ISLAND


Balicasag Island's main attraction is its fish sanctuary. When we reached its shore, Kuya Rico explained that we have to transfer to the smaller boats paddled by the island's tour guides. We also had to pay Php150/person for the guides' services. They would take us to good snorkeling spots, which is a little far from where motorized boat are allowed. 


Our boatman brought some snorkeling gears, for rent. 
Snorkeling mask: Php100
Aqua shoes: Php100


Some of us were prepared for this so we have our goggles ready. But we did not expect that we would need aqua shoes so we were forced to rent. When we reached the snorkeling spot, we were thankful the boatman had aqua shoes with him. The entire fish sanctuary area is full of sharp rocks and corals. Your sole would most probably be sliced if you play around unprotected. I strongly suggest that you wear pants if you want to go snorkeling here.


Our group split up into 4 groups because the small boats can only carry 2 passengers plus the driver/guide. One of our guides is so friendly and nice, and I think he really liked my waterproof camera. He offered to take our underwater pictures and videos. Here they are.




After snorkeling, we wanted to go to Virgin Island but Kuya Rico suggested we eat first. He said there's no food available in Virgin Island and Mang Viao's daughter has a food stall in this island that would cook fresh seafood for you. We decided to try the food in the island. 


We were a bit disappointed because we expected that seafood would be cheaper here. They're on an island, in the middle of the sea, surrounded by lots of fishes and crabs and shells and whatever for crying out loud! But they are selling everything for Php350/kilogram and charge Php100 for cooking your food. That's Php100 if you want something grilled and another Php100 if you want some Sinigang. Php100 per kind of luto! So we decided to have everything grilled so that we only have to pay Php100. Here's to sum up our lunch expenses:

	1kg fish	350
	1kg pork	350
	cooking	100
	rice (Php15 x 12)	180
	Coke	65
	Royal	65
	TOTAL	1100

After eating, quite satisfied, I suddenly remembered the lighthouse I saw while approaching the island. We asked a vendor how to get there, she just said it's pretty close. Feeling adventurous, I convinced everyone that it would  be easy to find. We followed the path that seems to lead to nowhere at first. Then we found a group of men and  they told us where to go. After a few steps, I realized they were giving us directions to get to the basketball court. Whatever. When we got to the basketball court, we just asked another group of people where the lighthouse is and they said we just have to turn left. We did as directed and found the white lighthouse. I was dreaming of climbing up a lighthouse and see the entire island, but when we got there, my dream was shattered. The fence enclosing the lighthouse was locked. I thought of going over-da-bakod but there are barb wires on top of the fence. Sad :(


We had to satisfy ourselves with taking pictures of the tower. It was then when I noticed the old building next to the lighthouse. My friend told me it was the original watch tower. I got excited thinking that this one's unlocked because it's old. But then again, I was wrong. The stairs to the entrance is blocked with barb wires. Again, it made me sad. :( 


We headed back to the beach where our boat is waiting and went straight to Virgin Island. 






VIRGIN ISLAND


It was about 1:00pm when we got to the island. It was low tide and going near the island became difficult because the sea is shallow and the boatman had to find the deepest parts so the boat wont hit the bottom. When we finally got to the island, Kuya Rico asked us to try to hurry because the water will get shallower and it would be more difficult for us to sail away from the island. In my mind I thought, "we'll try." 


The place is so good for taking pictures. It's a long sandbar that leads to what seems to be an oasis in the middle of a desert. I felt like I was on a desert because the heat is scorching. The only shade you would find are those little stalls put up by some vendors. They are selling fruit shake for Php75, fresh coconut for Php25 and sea urchins for Php20. There are vendors who approach the tourists' boat to offer pearls. One of my friends tried the sea urchin and boy he could stop eating! According to him, the thing tastes like oyster. The vendor sells it like balut... in a basket, with spicy vinegar (I think it's called pinakurat) on the side. 


One thing I liked about this place is the sand. It was so hot, the sun is burning us but the sand is still cool. We posed and clicked while we walk until we got to the part where there are trees to cover us. We rested for about 5 minutes then started to walk back to the boat. 


Some of my friends dived into the water and swam a little bit. I wanted to join them but the place is full of sea weeds, and I think it would be itchy after a while, so I decided to stay in the boat and just watch another friend haggle for some pearl accessories. If you want to swim, there's a small area at the end of the sandbar that's weed-free and another one on the other end, near the oasis-like part. Maybe the swimming area would be larger if it was high tide. I don't know. 


2:30pm we started moving back to Panglao. 


NOTE:
If you are not checked in anywhere near Alona Beach, prepare Php40 to rinse yourself off of saltwater. The only place that accommodates people to rinse off is Alona Divers Resort, and yes they charge Php40 to bathe you with fresh water. 






HINAGDANAN CAVE






JOJIE'S BAKESHOP

Exploring Bohol - Day 1

SAGBAYAN PEAK

We started our Bohol tour in Sagbayan Peak since we docked in Tubigon. The place is just about 15min away from Tubigon Port.

Entrance: Php30

Food: Yes, snack bar

Restrooms: Yes, with toilet paper :)

Sagbayan Peak offers a nice view of the very famous Chocolate Hills. Aside from that, they also have different attractions that kids would surely enjoy. They have a little playground, a butterfly dome (Php10 fee) and big Disney character statues are all over the place.

Sagbayan Peak is really good for picture taking. It's also less crowded than Carmen viewing deck. I think it's also cool that they placed a speaker that plays easy listening music at the peak beause together with the cool breeze, they create a relaxing effect.

When we were about to leave, we noticed the little dome near the ticket booth. The tourist assistant said they have 3 tarsiers inside. We entered the dome and found the smallest primates resting on the tree branches. Kuya let us take snaps as long our flashes are off. He even let us hold the tarsiers and let them sit on our hands. (I think he considers us harmless. :-D ) Unfortunately, other visitors started approaching the dome so he asked us to put the tarsiers back on the branches because holding the tarsiers is actually not allowed. We dropped Php50 donation upon exiting.

CARMEN

Entrance: FREE

Food: Vendors

Carmen Viewing Deck is the most popular spot for  viewing Chocolate Hills. You will reach the peak or the viewing deck after climbing the stairs with almost 200 steps. If you are visiting with kids on stroller, grandparents on wheelchair, or if you just hate stairs, no worries! There's a path made for you. It's just a little longer and zigzag, but it will surely take you to the top. From there you will enjoy 360° awesome view of Chocolate Hills.

The peak could be a bit crowded on weekends and holidays which makes taking good pictures without strangers in the frame a challenge. Talking about pictures, another thing that you would find at the top is a group of photographers that offers to take a snap of your jumpshot on a broom stick. It creates a really cool effect. The picture would look like you're flying over Chocolate Hills on your broom stick. They're offering this service for Php50 if you want your picture printed wallet size or Php100 for 4R. The use of their broomstick as props is free of charge. :)

MAN MADE FOREST

It was lunch time when we left Carmen. On our way to Loboc, where we are going to have our lunch, we passed through Bohol's man-made forest and the hanging bridge in ---. We took snaps, my friend did her planking, i bought my 2nd coke then headed we to the Butterfly Garden.

BUTTERFLY GARDEN

Entrance: 30

Food: Restaurant

Restroom: Yes

This is probably the most educational part of the tour. This part is really good for Science students because this place explains a lot about butterflies. But I am so done with being a Science students many years ago, so I went straight to where the live butterflies are.

The place is covered with net and flowers are everywhere. There are also sponges hanging almost everywhere too. We asked the staff what they are for. They explained that the sponges hold water with honey to feed the butterflies. There are signs that tells visitors to avoid chasing and catching butterflies but I pretended I didnt see any of those.

I touched the sponge so I could get honey on my fingers and started chasing butterfly. It was like a dream! I was a little frustrated at first but after maybe 5 minutes of trying to attract them with my "honey-dipped-fingers" one butterfly landed on my finger. I had my pictures with the pretty taken until the staff called my attention and flashed the sign "Dont catch the butterflies." I told him I didnt catch the butterfly, it came to me! I shook my hands to let it go but the butterfly did not budge. It was so busy licking my "honey-dipped-fingers!" That was a very funny scene.

LOBOC RIVER CRUISE 


It was almost 1:00pm when we finally got to Loboc River area. We found 4 cruise operators in the area. Since we were all hungry, we didn't think much which operator to choose. We just picked the boat that could feed us the soonest. 


Luckily, Busai Monark is scheduled at 1:00pm and there are still slots that could accommodate all of us. We went straight to the passenger line and waited for the boat to unload all its passengers and we all boarded. We had to wait another 10 minutes for the staff to replenish the food in the buffet table. The moment the staff announced that the food is ready, everyone from our table stood up and did not waste a singe second. We're the first group to hit the buffet table. It was a bit embarrassing because it was so obvious that we are very, very hungry. But at that moment, none of us seem to care. 


The food is good. Cant say it's great though. I particularly liked their pork barbecue and chicken adobo. They also served shrimp, crablets, and fish for your rice meals. There's pancit bihon, biko and maja blanca. For dessert, they have fruits: banana and watermelon. Every guest will be given one bottle of either Pepsi, 7-Up, juice or water. Note that extra bottle would cost Php40.










PRONY THE PYTHON

PRONY THE PYTHON

(to be continued)

Annual Fee: How do I get rid of you?

I have been a credit card holder of BPI since 2007. As usual, the first year's annual fee is waived. The following year, I was able to request for the annual fee to be waived again. But the following years did not turn out to be as lucky as the 2nd year. BPI would not waive my annual fee any more! They kept on saying I did not qualify for fee waiver. I tried asking what would make me qualify, and of course they are not allowed to disclose that.

So now, I'm calling for an angel to be sent from up above to tell me how to get rid of this annual fee? Please...  Php2050 is painful for me. :-(

Seat Sales are for every Juan!

I really love these seat sale promos offered by different airline companies nowadays. It totally changed lives, and of course energized the country's tourism. Before, only the wealthy can fly. But now, average earners like me can go to different parts of the country to see nature's beauty.

From what I know, it all started with CebuPacific Airline. I think they're the first budget airline and the first to offer seat sales. Hence their tagline "Now Every Juan Can Fly." The deals got better when Airphil and Zestair came and did the same.

For people like me, seat sales are sent from heaven. I think these are really made for us. First, because we get the chance to fly for as low as Php100 (all-in). And since the travel period is usually 3-8 months after getting the tickets, we get more time to save for the coming getaway! We also get more time to research about the place we will visiting...plan where to stay and what places to see. For those employed, you can plot your vacation leave in advance. :)

Puerto Princesa - Day 3 - City Tour

November 16, 2010 - Tuesday

Mitra's Ranch

After our lunch at KaLui, we went back to DLM pensionne, grabbed our things, bid good bye to Kuya Erwin and Ate Jacky and went on with our city tour.

I wanted to visit the Iwahig Penal Colony but Kuya Joel said it's a little too far from the city. I also wanted to visit the Butterfly Garden but Kuya Joel said that the family keeping it had closed it from public. There are several places on my list but due to time constraint, we were only able to visit the souvenir shop, Mitra's ranch and Baker's Hill.

Mitra's Ranch is said to be the highest point in Puerto Princesa. There's nothing much to do there besides viewing the vast expanse of land and enjoying the cool breeze.





On the other hand, we enjoyed touring around Baker's Hill although there's nothing really extraordinary about the place. We love taking pictures so we really enjoyed the flowers and cute statues surrounding the place. Also inside Baker's Hill are food stalls, a mini zoo, and souvenir shops.








From Baker's Hill, Kuya Joel took us to the souvenir shops where we bought pasalubong and of course, souvenirs. I got the usual accessories, bracelets, ref magnets and coin purses. But what I specifically liked is the Palawan pearl. They are selling pearl earrings for only Php10! Although those are probably their rejects or even scrap, they are not that bad. The good ones are sold at a much higher price, maybe Php150 would be the cheapest for pearl earrings.


From the souvenir shops, we went straight to the airport then back to Manila. Straight to our office, back to work immediately. :-|

Puerto Princesa - Day 3 - Ka Lui

November 16, 2010 - Tuesday

KaLui restaurant is very famous in Puerto Princesa. The very nice Kuya Erwin made reservations for us a day ahead. They say you have to make early reservations because Ka Lui's is almost always full, especially during peak seasons. We asked Kuya Joel to pick us up by 11:00am so we could have an early lunch and enough time to tour around the city.

Entrance to Ka Lui

 The place is like a huge bahay kubo. You have to take off your shoes before you enter the resto. Very nice ambiance! We were greeted by their staff and led to our reserved table. The tables are just few inches above the floor, just like those in Japanese restos, so everyone had to sit on the floor. If you dont like sitting on the floor, they have little bean bags that you could use.

Their food is so good and the price is reasonable. My friends ordered plates of seafood, while me and my partner opted to try KaLui's Special of the Day. I'm so glad we had it because it's so sulit! It costs Php395 and it's already good for 2. We got starters, tuna steak, prawns, chili crabs, veggies, rice and fruit slices served in a coconut shell, topped with muscovado. It is sooo good!!

KaLui is only open during lunch and dinner time, Mondays to Saturdays. You can visit their website to have a look at their menu. (www.kaluirestaurant.com)

Click here for the full itinerary and expenses of our 3days/2nights trip to Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa - Day 3 - Pristine Beach Resort

November 16, 2010 - Tuesday

Since we were not able to swim in Sabang Beach, we asked Kuya Erwin if we there's a beach where we can swim nearby. He gladly directed us to a place called Pristine Beach Resort. He even called for a tryc to take us to the resort. Super nice talaga ni Kuya Erwin!


For only Php10 per person, a tryc would take you to Pristine. It's a little off the main road so you might want to arrange for a tryc to pick you up from the resort. The path to the beach gives an awesome view. The place is very peaceful, not a lot of people know it so when we arrived, we found that we're the only guests they have. Entrance fee is only Php20.

Along the beach are cottages that you can rent for Php100. Since we only planned to swim for an hour, we decided not to rent one. We just carried our very few things and left them on a boat docked on the side of the resort, with the owner's permission.

The sand is not so white as we expected, the beach is just about 200 meters long and on the sides are mangrove-like patches. To be honest, we were a bit disappointed because it is not the kind of beach that we expected to see. It's nothing like the beaches in the islands we visited the day before. But on the good side, it's very safe for children because the water is just waist-deep up to maybe 100 meters from the beach.

Click here for the full itinerary and expenses of our 3days/2nights trip to Puerto Princesa