Bountiful Bohol

     Yes, first trip outside Luzon with same travel buddies (Jana, Mae and Rey) plus Rey's bro and my former classmate, Don. As soon as we were able to to get a promo ticket from Cebu Pac for Bohol, we immediately got into our planning mode and searched for nice tour packages. Jana got hold of Mang Leonard, our driver-cum-tour guide, and gave us a good bargain. Yey!
     It was also my first time to ride a plane. One being afraid of heights, I was quite the hesitant passenger but my need to overcome the fear is greater so flight was successful. What was not okay though was that time during the flight when I was robbed off my pocket money worth P6,000.00 in my very own checked-in baggage. Being a first-time flight traveler, I placed all my valuables inside that bag. I had so much trust in them and their service but sadly, the cargo department was not as secure as I imagined it should be. I mean, those were their customer's baggage, for God's sake! I can't believe I've been had! Sh*t! 

NAIA-Tagbilaran Airport via cebu Pacific

    Lessons learned: Never put any valuables inside the baggage that you plan to check in and have a separate travel pouch (one you can carry with you) for this. For double protection, use padlock to further secure your things. That being said, it still doesn't change the fact that I have no more money left for the trip (tip: best to have with you your credit card at times like this). Good thing Rey had extras and I was saved. Hay!

     Upon arrival at Tagbilaran Airport, we were welcomed by Mang Leonardo and boarded his tour van. It cost us PhP 2,500 (PhP 500/head) to drive us around Bohol. First stop is the ever famous Chocolate hills wherein you just need to pay the entrance fee (Php 15) and proceed to its viewing deck to see the hills. There at the deck you will also find photographers looking for potential tourists interested to have their jump shot photos taken. But we settled for a jump shot using one of our cameras instead. (budget trip, remember?)

(Left) Man-made Forest. (Right) Jump shot at Chocolate Hills

     Still feeling low, we headed next to the Man-made forest. Its lush green, towering trees lifted my spirit a little bit. I really like the feeling of being one with nature. We stayed for about 30 mins for photo ops then proceeded to the Butterfly farm (entrance fee = PhP 15).

Rey, Don & I making kulit to the sleeping tarsiers

     Next stop is the dreaded Hanging bridge, where I faced my fear of heights. After the heart-stopping walk across the bridge, I bought some items from the novelty shop, did our photo ops then proceeded to where the tarsiers were.
     Donations at the sanctuary are welcome (We paid PhP 50/pax). Nocturnal beings as they are, they don't have much to say when we posed for pics... hehehe.

(Top-Left) Hanging Bridge, (Top-Right) Floating Restaurant, (Bottom) Rondalla and Dance performance 

     Stomachs growling, we knew it was time to eat. We went to Loboc River next to have our lunch at the Floating Restaurant. At PhP 300, you can have the luxury of cruising down the river while having a hearty lunch, buffet style. At the end of the boat ride, we get to watch a rondalla performance from a youth group and were serenaded for approximately 20 mins before we head back to the port.

Monument of the Blood Compact

     Feeling a bit sleepy because of the seratonin-rush after a meal, we went next to Baclayon Church, situated along the bay area. Who would have thought that the whole church was made of corals... simply amazing! Even the old museum beside it was like centuries old already. Some artifacts were from the 16th century, maybe even during the time when the Blood Compact or Sandugo happened. Entrance fee is PhP 35.00.
     Speaking of Blood Compact, that was our next stop. The monument of the Blood Compact was where Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Datu Sikatuna sealed their friendship of enslaving the Filipinos? hehehe. Kidding aside, this was our country's first treaty of friendship to the Spaniards... 400 years of friendship? hay.

The rented treehouse

Sea side dinner at the restaurant

    Last stop of the day is at Panglao Island. We checked in at Dumaluan Resort and rented a treehouse for PhP 1500/ overnight. It was a refreshing change from the usual room rent with a/c. The sea breeze is just so inviting, such a waste if we were to stay in a room.
Nice service and cozy surroundings., what more can you ask for. After unpacking, we had our dinner at the restaurant. Enjoying the night cool breeze, we went on with the night socials and hit the sack after that. Such a long tiring day.

Sunrise at Panglao Island

     Day 2 was all adventure, we got hold of the Balicasag tour package from one of the locals. Early morning, around 6am, we took off for a 2-hour boat ride from Panglao island to Balicasag.
     Along the way, we passed by some group of dolphins flirting with us... yeah well playing is more like it, as if they we're impressing us with their jumps. We went on to chase after them like a game of tag. Much to our surprise, hours went by, we almost forgot that we have to reach Balicasag island by noon time. So our dolphins watching has to be cut short and off we go.

Dazzling dolphins making their appearance

   
     Too bad I was not able to learn how to dive as this island has some of the best diving sites in the Philippines so I had to do with snorkeling only. But lo and behold! what an undersea world! Makes you want to stay and swim for hours and hours.
     Back at the resort we lazed under the sun & played along the shore like there's no tomorrow. The sand is so fine, it just melts around your feet when you walk. Apparently in a low tide, I could walk miles from the shore towards the sea and still has a water level that can only reach as high as my calf. Wow, so much for swimming huh? But this does not change the fact that Bohol is one of the paradise islands you wouldn't want to miss. EVER!

Bohol, I will visit you again soon :)