I’ve been asked a few times by some friends to share the itinerary of our Bohol trip last month. I intended to blog about it earlier but, I don’t know, I was too occupied — lazy, really — to do it. I did share some Bohol photos though if you missed that one!
This summer, most office people sure are itching to get off their boring chairs to enjoy the sand and sun for a change (I know I am), and Bohol is probably one of the most talked-about island paradise destinations in the Philippines. Our trip to Bohol was planned by my friend, Van (we didn’t sign up for some package tour). That girl has been to so many places and nature trips that you just know you’ve got nothing to worry about when she’s around. She did a great job planning our itinerary (Thanks, Van!). Anyway, if you’re looking for an inexpensive vacation, our Bohol experience might be helpful.
We were in Bohol from March 6 to 10, but technically we only stayed there for 3 days.
Day One
We arrived in Tagbilaran City in the morning of March 6. Outside the airport, we talked to a driver of one of the cars for hire there to drive us to Alona Beach in Panglao Island. The transfer cost us PhP 400. We asked the driver to bring us to Bohol Divers Resort where we got the cheapest room in the place (only PhP 600 per night). We didn’t schedule anything big on our first day so we just walked around and explored the resort and the rest of Alona Beach. There’s a bunch of restaurants and stores there too so food is not going to be a problem. Although I must mention that the meals are a bit pricey.
Day Two
We were so psyched to explore Bohol for the first time! Our tour guide, Cesar, picked us up at 8:00am and drove us to our first destination: the Sikatuna-Legazpi Blood Compact site. We did a quick picture-taking then we were off to Baclayon Church. After exploring Baclayon Church, our guide brought us to where the Tarsiers were near Loboc River. I love those Tarsiers! They’re just quiet and still, as though oblivious of the noisy tourists clustered around them. Cute! There were lemurs and other “common” animals there too that nobody was really excited about, lol. After that, it was time to eat our lunch at the floating restaurant in Loboc River. Buffet lunch is PhP 280 per person.
Then it was time to see the Chocolate Hills. It was probably a 30-minute drive going there. On the way, we stopped by the Manmade Forest and the Hanging Bridge. The Chocolate Hills are just the loveliest! I could look at them forever and not grow tired. We took a lot of photos on top of the highest hill until my camera’s battery ran out, which is why I wasn’t able to take a picture of Prony the Python at our next stop. We also dropped by the Clarin Ancestral House.
The local tour guide who accommodated us was really nice. If you’re interested, contact me so I can give you his number! The trip cost us PhP 1700 (van rental + tour).
Day Three
We wanted to make the most out of our trip to the Central Visayas so we decided to visit Cebu. Cebu is just a 2-hour trip from Bohol by boat, and the roundtrip fare is only PhP 500 per person. Not bad. We bought our Ocean Jet tickets at the Tagbilaran port then we contacted another tour guide to meet us in Cebu (I can give you his number too if you’re interested). Mang Danny brought us to Mactan Island where Lapu-Lapu’s Shrine is, then to Taoist Temple, the Heritage of Cebu Monument, Casa Gorordo Museum, Fort San Pedro, and Magellan’s Cross.
After the tour, he dropped us off at the Ayala Center where we killed some time and had our late lunch. By 4:30pm, we took a cab back to the port, and by 8:30pm, we were back in Tagbilaran City.
Day Four
Van arranged for us to go dolphin watching that day. We rented the boat for PhP 1500 and the local guy who owns it took us near Pamilacan Island where the leaping dolphins were. Seeing those amazing dolphins totally made our day, drowsy as we were. After the dolphin watching, we were taken to Balicasag Island. The first time I went snorkeling in Puerto Galera was nothing compared to that time in Bohol. Although the one in Bohol cost a lot more!
We were back in Bohol Divers Resort by 2:00pm. I was too tired to do anything else so I just slept the whole afternoon — my ideal vacation. :)
Day Five
Our trip had to end some time, much to my despair. The tour guide picked us up again at 6:00am to bring us to the airport. One-way transfer was still at PhP 400. By 10:00am, I was back in the office where our CEO and the Chairman of the Board were waiting for me so our meeting could finally start. Ha. Pasaway.
I hope this post has been helpful somehow. Contact me if you’ve got some questions!
Btw, this is my first post on my brand spanking new WordPress 2.5 blog! Those WordPress guys rock. *blows kisses to Matt Mullenweg*
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
