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)