Cebu – Bohol Series: 4 Panglao Beach

After the hot and tiring Country Tour in Bohol, I’m finally in the Panglao beach front.

Panglao Island is very popular with its powdery sand and diving spots. It would really complete your Bohol tour by at least visiting Panglao beaches, get a dip in to the water and get to walk to its shoreline. Though the sand is not as white as you’ll see, it’s indeed smoother, softer and more powdery texture compare to Boracay. Can you imagine how soft it is?!

The most popular beach is the Alona Beach since it’s the most developed part in Panglao. However we decided not to stay in Alona as we prefer more quiet and secluded beach front. We opted to stay in Dumaluan Beach, which is also in the Southern part of the island but about 2 and a half kilometers east of Alona.

Grabbed from Whites and Greens.

We then settled at Whites and Green Resort. It’s a very basic resort but with peaceful feel. The room just fits for the four of us. The room is clean plus the beachfront. We also noticed that they woke up early to clean the surroundings before the guests wake up. Plus points for the accommodating receptionist and staff.

Choose which room you would like to stay.

They also provide complimentary water and coffee which I really like. What’s not good is that the fresh water in the bathroom seems like salty so I guess it would be hard for you to get a good bath. We spent 1,300 each for the 2 nights stay on this resort.

They told us that they do have a lot of guest that day but we felt like we are just few because of the quiet environment. Or I guess they are out for their Island tour.

The beach front.

More of the facilities.

And more...

We didn't stay much on this side. 

You can stay here and eat outside your room if you want.

Or watch the waves.

Or just seat by the shore...

We had a short dip to the lowtide beach until nightfall on our first day but we was able to fully explore the beach front only on our last day in Panglao and the calm and white beach really turned me on.

By the way if in Boracay there are sea weeds, here there are sea grasses that you should avoid. It can be bothering but you can easily noticed a lump of them because of the clear water so just moved away. By the way, no sea urchins in our part so we can swim freely and no need to worry.

If you feel like walking along the shore then you can walk towards the right side going to Bohol Beach Club, the view is better on this side but for me it’s just the same in our beach front as we are just sharing the same shoreline. We also spent our last day by exploring the BBC.

Next is the Sea Tour Where we will get to see the Dolphins and get to play with the fishes in Balicasag Island.



Check other posts related to this  trip:

Cebu – Bohol Series: 1. Cebu City Tour
Cebu – Bohol Series: 2. Kawasan Falls
Cebu – Bohol Series: 3. Bohol Countryside Tour
Cebu – Bohol Series: 3.1 Hinagdanan Cave

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"House Rules 1. Remove shoes 2. Fix cold drink 3. Get sunglasses 4. Sit down 5. Relax You're at the Beach!" - Unknown

Cebu – Bohol Series: 3.1 Hinagdanan Cave

Our last stop from our Countryside Tour is the Hinagdanan Cave. We immediately register and started our short spelunking. The sides of the cave are cemented for visitors with safety railings at some part of it. The cave is made of limestones with a hole about 1 meter wide which gives light inside the cave.  Beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations are inside plus a lagoon that glimmers inside because of the rays from above. 

Entrance Fee is 30php per person and another 15php for the parking fee. The Hinagdanan Cave is located in Barangay Bingag, Dauis, Panglao Island. 5-15 minute ride from Tagbilaran but easily accessible from those visitors that are staying in Panglao Beach. You can also see souvenir shops beside the cave in case you want to shop for pasalubongs.

And that ends our Country Side Tour. The summary of expenses for this trip was already included here. We also highly recommend Kuya Renato to be your guide in Bohol. Feel free to contact him for details: 09322275270

Check other post related to this  trip:

Cebu – Bohol Series: 1. Cebu City Tour
Cebu – Bohol Series: 2. Kawasan Falls
Cebu – Bohol Series: 3. Bohol Countryside Tour

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"We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure." 

Why Blog, Why Travel?

I know that every traveller feels great fulfilment every time they visit a new place. And so am I, it’s like an addiction that will let you see different worlds and cultures and will let you appreciate every details of the world you’re in. And documenting my travels is a way to share what I’ve learned and how I did it. And it feels so good to recall some details of it, put stories and life in my pictures than simply keeping it in my hard drive.

I am a bit late bloomer when I started to travel. I started after I graduated college I guess.  I am in a focus crisis and my soul is in different places that time and travelling help me to be in place. I had several travels back then but was torn in what I wanted to do in my life. I also created a personal blog that I was unable to maintain and then a Multiply account and then a Tumblr account until all of them was out-dated and I decided to close them all. I am not sure what I want. I am a blog hopper and a reader that time and I am so inspired to those people who know and do what they want, with no hesitations, full of inspirations and guts. Then I came across to No Spam, No Virus No Kidding and I admire how she was able to deliver stories in her own way, simple and very true and that’s the start when I promise myself to continue blogging and be myself too. What kept me going is when I decided to join an open trip to Anilao that was organized by the owner of the blog. I then was able to find my guts to explore and realized that it wasn’t only me who aspire to see the world and that will only happen if I’ll work on it and pursue it. I didn't expect that there's a lot of my friends who wanted to travel too but feels like nobody wants to join them. And if you feel nobody wants to join you, do it yourself or invite and organize for it.  Since then I started to maintain my blog because of my travels. I only started my travel blog August last year (2011).  I blog because I travel, and not the other way around.

So I wanted to thank my inspiration and my now friend Chyng for sharing her stories and inviting me in her travels. I am also a follower of those who inspires me and welcome me in the blogger world. Special thanks to Ms. Gay Mitra of  Pinay Travel Junkie for being a fearless mom and shows me that nothing is impossible including travelling with your baby and hubby together in different places, climate and environment. I also admire Marvin of Pinoy Adventurista for introducing different places in a cheap way plus a detailed guide which is very helpful. And also thanks to James of Journeying James for showing Philippines in a hard-core way with his hammock. And Mr. Estan Cabigas of Langyaw for my inspiration in photography. All of them inspire me to travel more and do what I wanted to do. I may not be as hard core like them but I am sure that I’ll soon be able to fulfill seeing the world someday and I am claiming it.

Collections of some of my travels before... 

“Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” — Helen Keller

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This post is my second entry to the Pinoy Travel Bloggers' Blog Carnival for July 2012 with the theme "The Journey That Made Us a Travel Blogger". 

Hosted by Mr. Edmar Gu-Quibb of Edmaration Etc.

Visit Estan Cabigas' Langyaw  to see the archive of Pinoy Travel Bloggers' Blog Carnival!

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Cebu – Bohol Series: 3. Bohol Countryside Tour

How I love to see you again!

Our 3^rd day started early as we bought the earliest ticket going to Tagbilaran. I am so excited because I am a beach lover and I was unable to visit Panglao the last time we went to Bohol (I guess that was 2009). We started the trip with the countryside tour first. I then remember the same tour we had few years ago with only habal-habal and that was fun.

Our first trip in Bohol, and hal was so thin back then.

We only started calling to inquire for our country side tour while we were sailing with Oceanjet. Out of some numbers we inquired during the trip, we selected the sheet of paper that was handed to us by the taxi driver from Cebu that brought us to the port that morning, "Baka wala pa kayong contact sa Bohol, kaibigan ko yan". And we are so lucky to have Kuya Renato as our countryside guide. And so here’s how we started our countryside tour. 

While we are in Oceanjet

Kuya Renato was waiting for us in the port already; we asked him to bring us to the nearest food stop to have a quick brunch. After that, we immediately went to our first stop which is the Chocolate Hills in Carmen, Bohol.

Luckily to pose like this again! :D

Nothing has changed, same view and I just saw the same magnificent Chocolate Hills. A grass covered limestone which turns brown during dry season. Almost symmetrical in shape; these hills are still the main attraction in Bohol.

After the Chocolate Hills, we also had a quick stop over to the “Ship Haus” in Batuan, Bohol that is privately owned by Capt. Gaudencio Dumapias and this was now publicly open for viewing. We didn’t proceed inside as it was scorching hot and we already wanted to go to our next stop. 

The Ship Haus

Our next stop is the Man Made Forest in Bohol. These huge Mahogany trees are located in the border of Loboc and town of Bilar. It’s technically colder upon entering the two kilometer stretch as the tall trees are almost covering the rays of the sun above.

Next is the Tarsier Encounter – we are glad that we’re able to see these cute little primates on Earth again. They are nocturnal animals but then these captive breeds are awake for their visitors. With their eyes bigger than their brains, ability to jump upwards of around 16 feet, with their rat-like tail, rotating 180 degrees head, with only 3 inches body. Who will not be amazed seeing these creatures up close? To give respect and protection, remember, no flash allowed and visitors should be silent at all times. 

We also had a quick stop at the Hanging Bridge in the upper area of Loboc River. Composed of bamboos and steels; this bridge are initially created for the locals to cross the river going to the Barangay on the other side of the main road.

The 2nd bridge on the left was created as an exit
as only 10 persons are allowed to cross all together. 

And then the famous Loboc River Cruise. These floating restaurants are famous as you’ll be able to try a buffet meal while cruising with live music. You’ll also see locals performing under a floating cottage in the middle of the trip. 

Promise, we are bloated after. 

Still not yet done. 

The locals on their Rondalla sing and dance. 

We are just so full and happy! 

I swear! The singer (on cap) is a great singer!

If you'll go for a river cruise here in Loboc, look for Riverwatch Floating Resto so you'll also get to see this man as he sings great, he can sing acoustic songs with such a great voice. He can sing Katy Perry and Adele songs in his own version and it was so beautiful. And yes I am a fan.

After our bloated tummies and sleepy head, we continued our tour to Baclayon Church. We were able to get inside this time and knowing that this is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines is such an amazing feeling. 

And then the last stop is the Blood Compact Site that seals the friendship of Spanish Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Datu Sikatuna on 1565

Sandugo Site

Bloated happy Tummies!

And that ends our Coutry Side Tour, we skipped some sites to save more time as we wanted to visit Hinagdanan Cave.

Other sites that you can visit:

• Butterfly Conservaton Center
• Python "Prony" Sanctuary
• Clarin Ancestral House (Loay) 
• Souvenir Shop 

Here are some tips:

• We recommend to go to Chocolate Hills in Carmen first to avoid afternoon heat. 
• It's cheaper to buy "pasalubong" in the store near the blood compact site. (Just right beside it); 
• For the Peanut Kisses, its cheaper at the hanging bridge, the stores on the other side of the bridge.

Our next stop is the Hinagdanan Cave and that will be on my next post. 

Check other post related to this  trip: 

Cebu – Bohol Series: 1. Cebu City Tour

Cebu – Bohol Series: 2. Kawasan Falls

Cebu – Bohol Series: 3.1 Hinagdanan Cave

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Shout joyfully to God...How awesome are your works.

- Psalm 66:1,3 

Versatile Blogger Award

Yay too! Before I continue my Cebu-Bohol Series, I am excited to received an award from Lawrence of Colors and Grays. I do not know him in person but I am a follower of his blog the first time I stumbled into his page. I am so happy to be one of the chosen 15 bloggers to be awarded. Super thanks! I am speechless! -_-

And the award is... Drumroll please…

  

Three rules to follow to proceed awarding your choice of favorite bloggers:

1. Thank the blogger who gave you this award. Don’t forget to link his/her blog. (thanks again Lawrence!)
2. Post seven random things about you. 
3. Give the award to 15 other bloggers you love and let them know you gave them this award.

Thanks again to Lawrence for recognizing me as a Versatile blogger. Am I really? :p And I hope to meet you someday too! And super thanks also for those who waste few minutes of their time to read my stories and my travels here in my blog.

Seven Random Things About Me

 

1. I travel but I am not good in directions.

2. I love beaches but I hate my dark skin after.

3. I have a weird laugh; and my friends can testify on it.

4. I always fail to answer phone calls and my check messages.

5. I easily get tonsillitis after eating sweets.

6. I like Piolo Pascual.

7. I always have Ice Tea in our refrigerator.

And here are the bloggers I called versatile:

1. Jess of Happy Feet

2. Kate of Keightie's World

3. Roseann of Soul-Orphaned

4. Sol of The Wanders of Solita

5. Ms. Pie of Whispers of My Life

6. Pauline of Wandershugah

7. Arvin of Written Feelings

8. Mitch of Round-Tripinay

9. Sendo of Sendorero

10. Anney of BlogniAko

11. Yamie of My Life in Charms

12. June of Life and Spices

13. Car of Tara! Usap Tayo

14. Kulapitot of Kulapitot

15. KillerFillers of Travelfillers

So there you are, pardon to all these bloggers and I hope you find time to respond to this blog award. I randomly selected those that are I guess not aware that they are versatile. I already skipped my idol bloggers because I know they are already aware that they are. :p