Asia Expats Forum

Mike · Site Admin Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 4512 Location:

HOW can one not love the Philippines? I just got back from my trip to Bohol and there are so many things I want to share, but words are meager in describing the awe I feel for our country. Compared to most of the tourist spots I've been to, Bohol is definitely a sparkling gem among the many treasures of the Philippine Islands.

Upon arriving in Tagbilaran City, Chito and Henry, our tour guide and service driver, respectively, greeted us with a tarsier beaded necklace. It's definitely a keepsake. We then checked in at Dao Diamond Hotel. Aside from the beautiful room and the great service, accommodation is very affordable. To our amazement, their efficient employees are deaf and mute.

We toured the countryside first and we saw the blood compact site where Datu Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the Spanish conquistador, sealed their friendship.
Boholanos are very proud of their numerous coral stone churches, which were established during the Spanish settlement in the 16th century. We were astonished at how they've been preserved.

We had lunch on the famous Loboc River Cruise. Owned and operated by Raymond Cal, the floating buffet restaurant cruises along Loboc River and U-turns at the Busay Waterfalls while the locals serenade the guests. Originally, Cal was a boatman who toured guests around the river for some sightseeing. After noticing that tourists would bring food for lunch, he came up with the idea of selling packed lunches, then thought of opening a buffet-style floating restaurant. Slowly but surely, his business became lucrative and now he has six boats to his name.

Afterwards, we drove through Loboc, referred to as the Music Town. It is famous for the Loboc Children's Choir, which is known all over the world for their angelic voices. All Loboc residents are said to be able to play at least one musical instrument. This practice has been passed on through generations and was first started when the Spaniards put up a music school.

And, of course, a trip to Bohol would not be complete without seeing the spectacular view of the Chocolate Hills and visiting the Tarsier Sanctuary. We ended the day by attending the traditional Maundy Thursday Mass. This is a special celebration done every year, with the bishop presiding over the ceremony.

The mass was celebrated in Bisaya. It lasted for about two hours, and the Cathedral was overflowing with the faithful. What made this celebration more exciting was the presence of the provincial governor and the city mayor at the altar as part of the ritual, proving that religion is a big part of this town's political culture.

At 4:30 a.m. the next day, we headed to Alona Beach in Panglao Island for the Marine Life Tour. The whale and dolphin sightings in Pamilacan Island is 30 minutes away off the coast of Panglao.

Our local guide, Turning Arano, gave us a brief background of the tour, which came about in 1997, when the Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas and World Wildlife Fund established the Pamilacan Island Dolphin and Whale Watching Organization. Among other things, it worked for banning the hunting of the endangered mammals. Now, the ex-hunters earn their living by showing off these beautiful creatures of the sea.

We sailed to the horizon in search of dolphins and whales. mang Leo Sumalping, our boat captain and a former hunter himself, stood on the outrigger and in full balance was talking on his cell phone. With him facing the sunrise, the scene was perfect for a cell-phone commercial.

Mang Pedro Agipo, our spotter and also a former hunter, whistled in the air and clapped his hands to call on the dolphins. I thought I'd be lucky if I saw at the most five dolphins, but when more than a hundred spinner dolphins started jumping and swimming along with our boat, I felt like a kid again.

We weren't able to see a whale, though, but the tour was worth it. The moment we got off the boat, the locals greeted us with a string of calachuchi necklaces. We had lunch on the laid-back white sands of Pamilacan Island.

After lunch, we went snorkeling around the island. The corals and marine life were in abundance. As an added bonus, Mang Leo helped us find "Nemo" (clown fish), showed us a school of dalagang bukid and dove for the things we pointed to underwater.

We spent the night at Bohol Bee Farm where owner Vicky Wallace welcomed us with great warmth. Her farm was lovely, with its wide array of organic produce, flowers and, of course, bees. The restaurant isn't the typical four-cornered room, but a very spacious affair with colorful hammocks hung all around and giant yellow bumblebee lanterns lighting up our dinner.

The next day, we didn't have the heart to leave, but we were headed to Balicasag Island, around one hour off the coast of Panglao. Lemon and Jomar, our designated boatmen, were responsible for transferring us to Balicasag Island Dive Resort. Not only were they boatmen but they are also local dive masters who were part of the movie "Muro-Ami" when it was filmed in Bohol.

Balicasag is a heavenly vision of white coral sand with flourishing trees and bushes along the seashore. At first you wouldn't see the resort behind the trees until you get closer. This is definitely the next hotspot for summer getaways. I hope they don't take out the trees and bushes that give the island an untouched look.

Balicasag is also said to be one of the best dive spots in the Philippines. The island is shaped like a mushroom, and the wall of its underwater "stem" is covered with colorful corals. I decided to dive at "The Wall" and asked Lemon to be my dive master while Jomar took my two friends snorkeling.

After our dive, we scoured the islands of Bohol, notably a small outcropping of land called Balut Island. You should see it. It was like a scene from the movie "Blue Lagoon." Soft powdery white sand, coconut trees and lush greenery -- it was paradise.

There was no sign of civilization there except for the group of foreigners who had set up a tent and managed to tie a hammock between two small trees.

At sunset, we headed back to Balicasag, and it was time to go home to Manila the next day. So we did some last-minute shopping before leaving the island. Even though we didn't buy anything from local women who were offering us native crafts, we still got a cheery "Balik kayo, ha?" from them.

In the end, that's what you have to love about Bohol and the Philippines. We're the nicest, most hospitable people on earth.
_________________
Asia Expats Forum
Expat Friends Dating

Gringo69 · Cohort Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 196 Location:

Too true Bohol is definately one of the better places to visit in the Philippines...

Wocca · Scribe Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 970 Location:

I am seriously considering the Phils again this winter (January 2006), Mike. Wave

Can't decide whether to fly in via HK or BKK. Please tell me your flight route & return cost from BKK to Bohol.

Ciao
Wocca

(Haven't been to Hua Hin yet, so that could be a good detour on the return leg, if coming back to Chengdu via BKK)
_________________
EXPAT IN CHINA

Alan Stepney · Centurion Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 853 Location:

Cant answer your specific question, but, whilst I have never been to Bohol, I have heard that it is superb and worth a visit.

As for flights, if you can, fly in to Cebu rather than Manila. Far less crowded and much quicker through the airport.

Also, Cebu could be a good place to spend a day or two if you have time.
It really is an attractive place and also an excellent location for access to all the Visayan islands.
_________________
The Middle Eastern states aren't nations; they're quarrels with borders.- P. J. O'Rourke

Wocca · Scribe Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 970 Location:

Thanks Alan occasion

I'll have to check into the flight routes ....
_________________
EXPAT IN CHINA

sibbick1 · Novice Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 23 Location:

sibbick1 · Novice Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 23 Location:

Replying to this post has promted me to write a Bohol trip report for my blog.

If anyone is interested in reading it. The Bohol trip report is here:
http://bigjimsphilippinesexperience.com/blog/?p=26#more-26

Regards: Jim Sibbick
_________________
Free Philippines videos, Philippines pictures and my blog can all be accessed from my website http://www.bigjimsphilippinesexperience.com

Sasquatch Pilaf · Cohort Joined: 02 Apr 2005 Posts: 220 Location:

Interesting site. I don't have time to watch your videos at the moment but I'll try to fit some of them in later.
_________________