Province of Bohol Favorite Tips by nodarcdam Top 5 Page for this destination

NOVEMBER 2006: LOW SEASON, LOW TIDE SEASON

Favorite thing: Just like any other tourist destinations, August to November is considered a low season for Bohol. For Bohol, it actually means low turn-out for local tourists as I noticed that there are still foreigners, mostly Europeans, in Bohol, more specially in the beaches. I suppose that they are more into diving than beachcombers. Besides, local tourists do not constitute the bulk of Bohol visitors even during peak season. Most of the time, the local tourists are part of corporate sponsored seminars/conferences.

This month, I went to Cabilao and re-visited Loboc and Panglao and I would say that that it is less crowded but it could hardly be considered a low season.

This is also the time of the year considered as low tide season. Even from the plane, I could see the receding water revealing the white coast line of Panglao Island. With the low tide season, it means less clean sandy beaches. The small rocks which usually are kept hidden by the water and can only be felt when venturing far from the beach are not exposed. The garden of sea weeds are not protruding leaving the image of unkempt sandbars.

I was not disappointed though as I have learned to appreciate and love Bohol as a whole. As I discovered in this recent trip, I was able to explore and enjoy certain things, with or without the beautiful fine white sandy beaches.

It was never my intention to present a negative side of the "dirty" beaches. Rather, I hope to impart that whether we like or not, it is only nature which can control nature.

SUGGESTED BOHOL ITINERARY: DAY THREE

Favorite thing: You will notice that the two nights, there are no suggested activity after supper. At night, Bohol is a quiet place and the province sleeps by 10 pm. There are some entertainment establishments in Tagbilaran City and Alona Beach but they usually close before 12. For me, it is no big deal if I sleep early or just enjoy the silence of the night. I want my vacation that way.

If you take the afternoon flight, there is still time for some dolphin watching and snorkeling. But before you anything else, watching the beautiful sunrise. You have to leave Alona Beach minutes before 6 am and the boat ride will be for 20-30 minutes or depending on the dolphins. You can stay dolphin watching as long as you see them. They somewhat disapper when the sun is up.

Since you are in the middle of the sea, you can choose to visit the nearby Pamilacan or Balicasag Islands and do some snorkeling. I suggest Balicasag because it is nearer Alona Beach and the travel time is about 30-45 minutes. Your snorkeling may last for two hours or longer so long as you leave Balicasag at 10:30 to reach Alona Beach before 11:30.

Check out time at 12:00 pm, you can ask and they always oblige, to leave your luggage at the resort office and take your lunch. Make sure that you leave Alona Beach by 2pm on your way to Tagbilaran Airport.

Fondest memory: RECAP:

For three days, we were able to do the following:

1. see beautiful, pristine and unspoiled white sand and beach
2. swim in clear and clean blue water
3. if you did some snorkeling, the colorful marine life
4. see the geological wonder, the Chocolate Hills
5. take a river cruise, a river so clean with verdant mountains as background
6. observe the charmingly rural, rustic and bucolic Bohol
7. see some old churches
8. see the tarsiers, one of the existing smallest primates
9. get in a cave with underground fresh water pool
10. watch dolphins
11. enjoyed fresh seafood or even organic food
12. etc.

and most probably, meet some friendly Boholanos.

If you want to see and experience more, come back or stay longer and there are still so many wonderful things in Bohol waiting for you.

SUGGESTED BOHOL ITINERARY: DAY TWO

Favorite thing: Day two will take you to the major Bohol destination, the Chocolate Hills in Carmen.

For this trip, I suggest you travel by hired van. You may also opt for a cheaper mode and hire a jeepney or multicab. The van is more comfortable and faster, though. The trip to Carmen is about 2 hours from Panglao thus better start the trip at 8 am. You may skip the first two stops, i.e., Blood Compact site and Baclayon Church or you may spend 10 minutes each. At the Baclayon church, you will see the oldest church in Bohol. There is a museum but you have to leave your camera and cellphone at the front desk. Next the towns of Loay, Loboc (dont stop there yet and do it on your way back), Bilar (see the man made mahogany forest) and Batuan. There is a long and winding road between Loboc and Bilar.

You will reach the Chocolate Hills by 10 am and stay there for an hour. On your way back, another trip under the mahogany forest then ask the driver to take a detour to Sevilla if you want to see the hanging bridge, if not straight to Loboc. Take your lunch at any of the restaurants lining the main road or pick Loboc Riverside restaurant or the floating restaurant. Hire a boat for a downstream Loboc River Cruise. It will end when you see Busay Falls then the boat will take you to the restaurant with caged tarsiers. There are around 10 tarsiers there and take a look or picture but do not stay long. Ask the driver to take the interior road, instead, and you will pass by the towns of Sikatuna and Corella. The interior road has some portions still under rehabilitation, hence some rough roads. You will see the rustic and bucolic side of Bohol, the lush mountain and forest and the laidback community.

When you reach Corella, insist on seeing the Tarsier Sanctuary where you can see tarsiers in their natural habitat. This is a must.

Fondest memory: You will then pass by Tagbilaran City on your way to Panglao. Ask the driver to take the Bingag route and have a short stop at the Hinagdanan cave. If you have kids, pass by Daks Zoo.

By 4 or 5 pm, you will be back to Alona beach. Take a dip or simply rest by the sea.

If you can arrange it and you fancy organic food, have your early dinner at the Bee Farm, near the gate of Bohol Beach Club.

The driver would also serve as your guide along the way. if you do not speak Cebuano, he will explain everything in English. They take their driver/guide vocation seriously . Take note that it is advisable that you talk to the driver of the van about the additional places you want to see, like Sevilla bridge, Tarsier Sanctuary and Hinagdanan Cave. These are not usually included in the tour and if time would really permit, the driver would readily oblige. If he does, please do not forget to part him with your generosity. For them, it was not the extra income but they take it as an appreciation of what they have done.

Cost: P2,500 for hiring the van, P20/person entrance fee, Chocolate Hills, P250/person lunch, P500 Loboc rivercruise, P20/person entrance fee, Tarsier Sanctuary, P10/person entrance, Hinagdanan Cave. Just about the same cost if you will hire a jet ski and take a banana boat ride for two hours while you are on a beach

SUGGESTED BOHOL ITINERARY: DAY ONE

Favorite thing: This itinerary is recommended for those who avail of 3 days 2 nights packages or would like to stay in Bohol for the same period. This is based on the usual queries received and based on my what I think would be the best way to maximize the time and cover considerable destinations in Bohol

First rule: Take the morning flight going to Tagbilaran and the afternoon flight leaving Tagbilaran.

Upon reaching the Tagbilaran airport it will take just 2 minutes to get out of it (or 15 minutes if you checked in your luggage). From the airport to Alona beach in Panglao is a 30-45 minute ride. By 10 am, you will be in your hotel/resort.

If you want to economize, it is not advisable to avail of the tour packages offered by the resort/hotel as it is more expensive and the schedule is very structured

Rule No. 2 Be friendly..

Make a cursory survey of Alona beach, this would be easy as it is less than 1 kilometer. You will then know if the beach would be suited to your liking. if not, go to other parts of Panglao island. How? You will meet some folks who would offer you assistance and don't hesitate to ask and negotiate. They are nice people and wont take it against you if you will decline the offer. They may even be your friends later. In my case, I met my friend/guide that way. Most of the guides are motorcycle drivers so you can visit their station near the Flying Fish Bar and engage in some friendly chat.

Tip: Alona beach is just one of the places to swim in the island. For me the best part is the shallow parts of the sea several kilometers from the beach.

If you decide that Alona beach would be fine, then you have the whole day settled. Try the beach on the eastern side or near Alona Palm. The beach is wider. If not, I recommend either going to Dimaluan Beach (5 minutes by boat) or visit Pungtod Island and Gakang Island (15 minutes by boat)

Fondest memory: Dimaluan is on the left side of Alona while Pungtod and Gakang, on the right. Both may be reached by boat. The usual rate is P500-800 depending on the size of the boat and for maximum of 3 hours.

Dimaluan is the most popular public beach among the locals and you will pass by the beautiful beachfront of Bohol Beach Club. You will see the almost talcum white sand. Expect to see a number of people on the beach in Dimaluan than in Alona. it is different in Pungtod. Expect no company in Pungtod and Gakang or may be a group or two. Pungtod has fine white sand bars and shallow beach which is good for children. The water near Gakang is good for snorkeling. There are a lot of spots which are chest high deep near the two islands where you can swim to your heart's delight.

Back to Alona, you can relax near the beach or just walk and observe the rustic place. Go to Crystal Coast resort nestled atop a cliff and see the whole stretch of Alona beach. One good thing about Alona is that it is shaded in late afternoon as the sunset is on the other side of the island. But it has a magnificent sunrise.

For supper, try the ihaw ihaw stalls and i recommend the one in front of Oasis.

POPULAR DESTINATION: LOBOC RIVER

Favorite thing: Loboc river runs from the twon of Loay to Sevilla but the part of the river in Loboc is the most popular. Right after the town proper, the restaurant which lines the road and by the river banks offer boats for rent. The river is green during hot weather and turns to brown during rainy days. The usual route of the boat is downstream which will end at the small waterfalls.

You may choose whether you want the boat cum restaurant type or an ordinary boat. There are boats with restaurant complete with serenading singers. The ordinary boat will bring you to the riverside restaurant after the cruise. The riverside restaurant offers buffet (eat-all-you-can) for P250 per person.

If you want to know more or see more pictures, you may visit my Loboc travel page.

POPULAR DESTINATION: CHOCOLATE HILLS

Favorite thing: Cluster of small hills abound in Bohol. The Chocolate Hills in Carmen, Bohol is the most popular. Every visit to Bohol should include Carmen's Chocolate Hills as it is really a sight to behold. From the viewing deck, the chain of hills seems endless. The best time to go to Chocolate is hills is during summer where the hills are brown but the hills are still full of splendor any time of the year.

A viewing deck is located at the peak of one of the highest hills in Carmen. It is being renovated and the facilities are being improvedl

if you want more information and picture of Chocolate Hills, you may go to my Carmen travel page.

WHALE OF AN EXPERIENCE.

Favorite thing: My Bohol vacation for this year, January 17-20, 2006. It would seem then that it would not be a good one as it was raining when I arrived in Tagbilaran City Although it was raining, the sea was not that rough. I was resigned to just spend the afternoon at Alona beach and hoped that the weather would improve the next day.

The next day, the sun was shining but the sky was overcast. I scheduled a trip to Balicasag island for snorkeling, a staple in every Bohol visit. I planned to spend the whole day snorkeling. The sea was calm when we left Alona Beach. Just after Gakang Island, the engine of the boat conked out and Mang Felimon, the boatman did some troubleshooting. 20 minutes passed and we were still in the middle of the sea and the dark clouds hovered in Panglao Island. The sea became rough, the roughest that I have experienced in all of my trips to Balicasag island and then the heavy rains. The boat was being tossed by the big waves and the we were enveloped by darkness. After a while, the boat engine hummed and reved and we started moving. I thought then that my first Bohol vacation for 2006 might just be the worst.

The roughness of the sea was increasing, I opted to look at the side of the boat, avoiding the front as I could see the big waves coming to us. At a fleeting moment, I looked forward and amidst the big waves, I saw something, asked myself if that was a fluke. The answer came swiftly when a creature, bigger and slower than dolphins, emerged then submerged. It was a whale. No, there were whales. I could see 5 of them and they were so tentative.. Their eyes are black and seemed to be looking at us. I was literally breathless and completely overhelmed with the enchanting sight of whales right before us, emerging from the waves only to disappear few seconds later. The snout would come out of the water followed by the fin and torso which would form an arc then the fluke would be the last to disappear.

Fondest memory: The whole experience lasted for two minutes, maybe. I was completely enthralled that I forgot that I have a camera and it was too late when I remembered. Still I took it out and took a picture of the spot where I last saw them. Mang Felimon informed me that it was very rare to see whales in that part of the sea and I was very lucky. I asked him what kind of whales are those and he was not really sure, that they could be whale sharks. He was, however, certain that they are indeed whales.

A series of misfortunes turned out to be a saving grace as it paved the way for an experience of a lifetime: An unscheduled whale watching at no extra cost!!!

First, most probably the last, time I will ever see whales in the open sea.

BOHOL OR TAGBILARAN???

Favorite thing: Unless you passed by Tubigon from Cebu or Jagna from Mindanao or Ubay from Leyte, Tagbilaran City is the main door to the island of Bohol. When you reached either the pier or the airport in Tagbilaran, you may say you have reached Bohol. In a loose sense, yes, but strictly speaking, you reached Tagbilaran City.

More often than not, Bohol is equated with Tagbilaran City, the capital of Bohol. While Bohol had been reaping the accolades, the city of Tagbilaran had been ignored if not totally forgotten.

In this travel page, I have separated the Province of Bohol from the City of Tagbilaran. My Bohol travel page intends to cover the province in general while I maintain the Tagbilaran City travel page for the tips that the city rightfully owns.

CLEAR WATER

Favorite thing: Bohol is blessed with pristine beaches and clear water. Everywhere you go where there is a view of the sea, you just cannot stop and marvel at the clean clear water. Take some time to have a complete stop and spend some five minutes to see how clear the water is and you can see the seabed.

DON'T LET THOSE DRIED SEA WEEDS DETER YOU

Favorite thing: Dried sea weeds on the shore may look offensive, disgusting and dirty but do not let them deter you from appreciating the beauty of the waters of Bohol Seaweeds are important part of the whole eco-system. The first time i saw them I thought that the government should do something about them as they are destroying the good view of the sea!! Several trips later, I was no longer bothered by their sight as I just let nature takes it course.

Please don't be bothered by the sight of dried sea weeds, they are there for an important purpose.