Byahe sa Bohol

PRICE
Air Fare: Php 1,551.68 for a two-way ticket from(to) Manila to(from) Tagbilaran via Cebu Pacific
Room Rate: Php 1,800 per night for an A/C Room for a  group of 4 at Dumaluan Beach Resort

Tours: A. Panglao Tour for 1,800 (plus 200 tip) B. Countryside Tour for 2,000 (plus 300 tip) C. Island Tour for 2,500 (plus 200 tip)

ITINERARY:
DAY 1 Arrival, Panglao Tour, Dinner by the Beach (paluto)
DAY 2 Countryside Tour with Buffet Lunch @ Loboc River, Packed McDo Dinner
DAY 3 Island Tour, Lunch on the Island, swim and rest at Dumaluan, Dinner at Dumaluan Restaurant
DAY 4 Buy Pasalubong, Departure

DAY 1

Straight from the airport, we had our Panglao Tour. Whereas some would only have 3 or 4 places visited for the whole day, we were able to visit around 7 places from 1:45 pick up at the airport til we checked in at our hotel in Dumaluan Resort at past 6. We first went to Dauis Church, had some pictures taken, looked at the miraculous well with the miraculous healing water and bought some. We then visited Boyoyoy, a man the age of 63 with a dwarfism syndrome. We simply dropped by, asked a bit about his life and found out that there were 15 of them as siblings with 6 having the same condition. He’s the only one with the condition, who’s living to date. We gave a little donation then off we go to Bohol Bee Farm where entrance fee is at 25 each. Here we were able to appreciate more the life of the bees. I even learned some new infos like the males being lazy bees and works by having sex with the queen bee but dies right after the deed. We also tried their ice cream (malungay-avocado flavour on a –casava cone—for the price of 50). Next we visited the Hinagdanan Cave. An entrance fee f 15 per head. The water was very clear and very cold.  Then we went off to Ostrich Farm, where monkey, baby leopards, and other animals are found. Entrance fee is at 30 per person. We also went to the Watch tower though most of the pictures taken were not that captivating since the place was a bit dark and it’s almost evening when we got there. We also went to the Shell Museum. Also at 30 per head entrance fee. I used to collect shells from beaches I’ve been in but only for the sake of having a free (priceless in the literal sense) souveneir. But never have I been amazed by shells as when I saw this collection. I was even surprised to see the smallest shell, where a magnifying glass even had to be used just to see it and to know that there are also poisonous shells existing. Tired of the fun filled yet exhausting flight and tour, we went straight to Dumaluan Resort. I was just a bit disappointed because based on the phone conversations, we were supposed to be booked at Dumaluan 2 (the more hotel type of Dumaluan) not Dumaluan 1 which is more of the house to house type. We also had our dinner there in Dumaluan 1, with the paluto by the beach side.

 

DAY 2

In Day 2, we are scheduled for our Countryside Tour. We first went to the Blood Compact site, had some pictures taken. Then off to Chocolate Hills, the much awaited place by my mom. Entrance at 30 per head. The view was really nice. We also visited the Butterfly garden. Because we had a really good tour guide I was able to enjoy butterflies this time. I was amazed with the silahis butterfly, learned that a moth is itchy, not butterflies, that they only had 27days to live.  We also had our pictures taken as if we were butterflies J

We went straight to Loboc River, had our buffet lunch at River Watch while cruising on the river and being serenaded. 100 is the entrance and the price for the buffet lunch was 300. We had Seaweed (guso salad) for appetizers, grilled fish, pork barbecue, chicken, pansit, mixed vegetables, various fruits and a variety of rice cakes for dessert.

 Since it was raining hard, we did not stop by the Bilar manmade forest. We just passed by, and had pictures taken inside the car. Too bad though we were not able to see Prony, the famous python, because the area has been flooded. But I wouldn’t miss what I came here for -- Tarsiers. I was so happy to see one (and touch one even if it was forbidden and I felt guilty after for I’m not sure what would have happened to that little monkey hours after we’ve left). We then went to Baclayon Church. – that has a good number of saint displays. On the way home, we just stopped by for McDonalds and Donuts so we could save a little more for what’s ahead the next day.

DAY 3

Day 3 was more relaxing. This is the time for beaching! We started our day really early.  We were picked up at aroung 530am and had to ride the motorcycle for around 15-20mins. We also had to walk around a kilometer on the shore. This was because of the low tide. We first went to Balicasag where we rented another small boat to bring us to the snorkelling place, a charge of 600 and a 50 fee for those who would be snorkelling. After an hour or so snorkelling, we had our early lunch on the island. We feasted on pansit, a really big big fis , halaan soup with talbos ng kamote. For a group of 5, including the rice, it cost us 1000. We then went to Virgin Island where there was a sand bar. It’s pretty cool how there can be a sort of walkway to another island during low tide. We only spent around 15mins there for fear that hightide will soon come and the sand bar will be washed away. My father had experienced eating very fresh sea urchins for the price of 100 for 3 pieces. It was only splashed with calamansi and it can already be eaten. The seller said it was good for arthritis. We went back to our hotel and had a chance to have a beach view of the other resorts, one which caught my attention was Villa Escaya, which upon checking over the net is way way over priced compared to Dumaluan. We had our dinner at Dumaluan 2 this time, where a live band playing on one side and the sound of the waves lulling me on the other.

Again for the summary of expenses:

HELPFUL CONTACTS

Melbert  – 09263128305 (the driver/contact of a group of friends who went before us, we booked our tours with him)

Panglao - 1800

Countryside – 2000

Island - 2500

Tata Rabe – 09173060608 (We had a quotation from a package from her, less hassle but a little more expensive)

Hotels and Package Tours were given at the price of 5,600 to 7,500 depending on the hotel of our choice.

Ciano Danila – cianodanila@yahoo.com (someone I only met at the airport during our departure and he seems to be offering the tours for less as he was giving the Countryside Tour for only 1,800)

Celo Busbuso – 09278589940 (my parents’ driver from sea port to air port, also seems to be offering the tours at a lesser package)

Hongkong Here We Come

PRICE

Air Fare:Php 3,548.55 for a two-way ticket from(to) Manila to(from) Hongkong via Cebu Pacific

Travel Taxes:Php 1,620; Terminal Fee:Php 750

Room Rate:HKD 50 per night
Entrance Fees:

DisneylandHKD 350

Ocean Park HKD 222

Peak Tram RideHKD 36

OurMeals Expenases total HKD 201.4 per pax

Our Trasnportation Expense total HKD 152.75 per pax. This consists of the Tram, Bus, Taxi, and MTR, the different trasnportations available in HK.

My pasalubong amounted to HKD 388.6 and the pair of boots I got for myself is at HKD 130.

The first thing that I was surprised with in Hongkong was…the climate. I did not expect it to be this cold. One can wear two shirts, two jackets and two pants and still feel cold.

Upon arriving at the airport, we went straight to Disneyland, thinking that we could avail of the discount for day tourists. But of course our departure tickets would be checked and so not only were we not able to get a lesser price for the entrance tickets, we even had to add HKD 60 per rented storage per bag. We did enjoy the ride and the fireworks show, but this day was really more for the kids than for adults. We had also been lucky enough to watch the float/parade. It was really nice, all the dancing and music and display. Some of the rides/attractions we get to enjoy are as follows:

• Mickey's PhilharMagic

• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

• Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad

• Dumbo the Flying Elephant

• Mad Hatter Tea Cups

• Stitch Encounter

• The Jungle River Cruise

I would really love to try Space Mountain andAutopia too, but we had no more time as the line was really long and the kids may not be allowed to take those rides anyway.
We had our noodles with us, and traveling with a limited budget we just asked around for a two cups of hot water and got ourselves a steaming noodle for merienda. Poor us. But it’s better than nothing.

We then took the tram to a certain station I already forgot the name of, to meet the contact person for our accommodation. They said it was a small house but I did not expect it to be that small. It wasn’t even a house, just a room, something that might be even smaller than a studio type condo here in the Philippines. I did not expect that the seven of us would crowd ourselves in a double deck bed. Neither did I expect that the house will not be to our own, that is, there’s another double deck bed in the same room where the renters of the unit would be spending their night. Add to that the small door that leads to the comfort-room-slash-kitchen. Poor us. But sill it’s better than having nowhere to sleep.

For Day 2, we had an early morning departure as we had a long day ahead of us. Today is the day for Ocean Park. To tell you honestly, I was actually more amazed with the Ocean Park than the Disneyland. Disneyland was fun but it was more for kids than adults.

There were two separate locations for the amusement park, and we had to ride a cable car to get to the other side. Too bad for my companion as she seemed to have fear of heights. These are the park attractions that we got to ride (not necessarily enjoy :s):

·         Dragon Roller Coaster (something I would not dare try again)

·         Raging River

·         Panda Village (this is where I had my first Panda Experience!!!)

·         Sea Jelly Spectacular

·         Ocean Park Tower

There were other rides too that we were not able to try either because the line would take up much of our time or because those who were with me were too afraid of the ride and I am hesitant to try them on my own. Some of which are The Abyss, the Mine Train, Space Wheel, Eagle, Flying Swing, and Ferris Wheel.

We had a really tiring day this day because we did a lot of walking in the amusement park but we still managed to have some energy for the Night Market at Mong Kok. It was just like what you see in Divisoria or in Baclaran, only we’re in Hongkong. Good thing is you get to haggle too. I was actually able to buy myself a pair of boots for only 130HKD. Had I not been on a strict budget, I would have bought myself a gadget too or my would-be first Nike rubbershoes.
We had our evening meal at McDonalds. There were no Chicken rice meals, only burgers – big burgers. And the orange juice taste a bit bitter but it tastes real, not some eight o’clock orange juice. When we got home, we had to clean up a little then get to bed early so we can start early again the next day.

For Day 3, we spent the day going to Peak Tram – a Tram going up the peak. At the peak there was this sort of mall where you can also visit the wax museum and have a view of Victoria Harbor, only it was bad timing and we saw nothing but fog. There was also a souvenir shop, though it’s a bit more pricey than the night market.

Overall, it was not a very relaxing vacation. It was rather tiring.
But I guess, it was worth it, to see another place outside the country, to experience the rides from another place, to meet Disney characters in person, and to witness first hand another culture.

Too bad though we were not able to go visit Macau. Poor us. J

**When you would like to visit another country, it’s better to make some researches about the place you’re going to live in. There’s Google map that will allow you to see at least the place where you’d be spending the nights of your vacation. There are sites available also that will enable you to know the weather/climate and be prepared for it. If you’ve got friends around the country, you can also ask them for tips on budget, tourist places to see, suggested clothing, and any other things you might need to know.



For a more funny version of this trip, please visit:
http://the-7th-sense.blogspot.com/2011/02/kakaibang-trip-sa-hongkong.html