Bohol is a good pit stop for those who want to relax from their daily grind. It’s adventure haven for backpackers, packed with full of unique stuff you’ll find when you journey across roads, forests, bridges, beaches, sea, hills. It’s a wonder how that little piece of land surrounded by major islands – Cebu, Negros, Leyte and the Mindanao region, lay asleep and quiet but is just waiting to be explored.

Docking  In Bohol. The trip was unplanned. From Cebu, The folks travelled by ferry. This was a 2-hour ride and is packed with lots of tourists. Soon, the ferry docked in the port of Tagbilaran City and we negotiated a local driver to take us to our first stopover – Panglao Island.

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Panglao. Reaching  the island, we crossed this narrow bridge that connects Panglao from mainland Bohol. Outriggers and fishing boat lay beside this bridge awaiting for their daily business. As we were closing in, I did not notice that i was actually in the island.  already. The landscape here reminds me of the lands i travelled in Eastern Visayas such as in the Camotes Isles. It's rugged yet fertile and abundant with various trees and shrubs. Even from the road, you can see that it's white sand. The lonely road circles the island passing to few towns here and to various, interesting spots like the classic Panglao Church, A wildlife sanctuary, the Hinagdanan Cave, some resorts to name a few.

Alona Tropical Beach Resort. The car carried us all the way to the famous Alona Tropical Beach Resort. A little bit quite as we entered its premises. Cottages line to the right. There was a gift shop, a pool and some caged local birds. A crew lady ushered us to the lonely wooden cabin. The beach is just a walk away but i decided to sleep it off and take a short rest from the trip.

Beach Life. In the afternoon, I woke up all perspiring. All i hear was silence. I have'nt check the beach yet. The sound of waves were inviting me. I tried on my hippest possible beach-look i can wear since i was not expecting a stopover to the beach since before this unexpected trip to Bohol. The beach was a great site. Clear white sand which spelled paradise. It was foreigner city out here with caucasians enjoying the sun in skimpy bikini and trunks. The shore all the way to the stretch of beach to the right were all teeming with activities. Alona Tropical Beach had this main cottage that hosts a restaurant below. This was the famous postcard scene. I decided to go all the way and look for interesting stuff. There were really lots of people and stuff going on. Fishing canoes, outriggers and diving boats rest by. Masseuses giving masage by the sand. More resorts and diving shops and fellow tourists like me wandering around. It was unbelievable for me- I have touched land  here in Panglao! All was great.

Sunset. I tried the clean, light blue water - very much cool, refreshing. Later on, i witnessed the famous beautiful sunset here which is seen to the far right in Alona Beach.  It was surreall as the sky dramatically changed hues -- from orange to purple until the whole panorama is surrounded by the dark canvass of space. Soon, the beach lights start to flicker and  glow. The whole beach atmosphere turned into this warm tropical ambience by night.

Alona By Night. The sun has set. After a good meal over the Alona Tropical resto where I saw a famous politician, Mr. Belmonte, the folks took a walk down the beach and checked out the night scene . The lights and sounds were alive, tables are set to be dined. There were some fishermen busy in the dark at sea, hoping to catch a big one. But i noticed it was kind of desolate at night with only few people around by the beach. I expected some wild night life and partying. All was good and we took some moments by the beach and watched the stars sparkle and watch the dark void over the ocean.

Cabin Fever. We went back to the cottage for a sleep since there was nothing to do. I expected it to be a quiet night. The cottage was a mere 2-bed cabin, without television and a little bit humid. It felt a little bit lonely - kind of that feeling when you are far from civilization and away from the comforts you usually have. My sister turned her cellphone's FM radio and listened to the lonely dj playing songs to pass the night.

Discoveries. Early morning , I wanted to see something new. I hurried up and check out what's on the farther right of this stretch of beach. I crossed the whole Alona Beach. I can't help but be amazed with how this beach is so beautiful. Alona is usually referred to as the "Next Boracay". It is sort of a sight of Boracay, 20 years ago. Before all the boost of tourists and popping of many resorts. Its much more peaceful here. So i passed by all the way to the other beach I haven't gone before. It was behind this jagged rock formations and I came across these stairs made of rocks. I was a little reluctant at first to go further but with my urge to find new grounds, I stepped up. At the top, all i see were bushes and trees. It was deserted. I noticed this waiting shelter made of bamboo. From this point, I can see a much clearer view of Alona Beach. The sun was hovering above Alona --Fantastic view. After some moments, I went further on my trek. Going thru the bushes, following this small pathway. I came across a rocky ridge. There was this hole on the ground, I see angry waves crashing below from this hole. I can also see what i think is Cebu or Siquijor or another minor island from here.

Into The Blue. As we were nearing to leave the island and move on to the next adventure in Mainland Bohol, my sister and I tried one last swim. This time, I came across a fish and a starfish. I also went further to the weedy area of the sea. Very mysterious part of Alona Beach.

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Hinagdanan Cave. 2 Days have gone by since we exited Panglao Island. We went back to check this cave 2.5 kilometers from Dauis town. Bats fly by and screeching in the dark as I descended to that cavern. This cave has a large number of stalactites hanging from the sealing, and matching stalagmites sticking out of the earth below them. A pool of cool, dark water keeps silent. It is said that swimming in this pool is not advisable as the waters here are not clean... Caves fascinate me. It's something you don't see everyday and is packed with mystery and fear yet behind this is an obvious beauty.

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After the stay in Panglao, I was back at Mainland Bohol where my folks and I stayed on a good pension haus (located in the heart of Tagbilaran City) for the week. It had free breakfast in the morning at the rooftop. It was 3 days already since the Panglao escapade and now, I began my journey early morning to experience Bohol for myself.

Blood-Compact. A 15-minute ride east from the city of Tagbilaran, along the coast, is the Blood Compact Site. On this site on March 16. 1565, Legazpi, a voyager/colonizer sent by the King of Spain and Bohol Chieftain, Sikatuna, performed a blood compact to seal their friendship between the locals and the Spaniards. From here is a panoramic view of the coast. You could imagine how it would look like from their time - Huge Spanish ships sailing along the coast, just like a scene from Pirates of the Carribean.

Baclayon Church. A centuries old church lies further east from the Blood Compact Site. It is considered to be one of the oldest churches in the Philippines and is one of the best presevered Jesuit built churches in the region. Lots of church paraphernalias of that time were preserved here. It was so old that even the floors creak at every step. It was like stepping back to Spanish era. I couldimagine how old inhabitants from this town lived and how they looked up to the church as this was a prominent/significant  landmark at the time.

Prony The Snake. Further down the road, in some corner features a famous python. This infamous python is said to be the largest python in captivity in Bohol. The snake was really abnormally huge! Other attractions here were flying lemurs, crows, pigeons, an owl and other local birds. Their hostess was this crazy/funny drag queen which i think they also proudly feature. :)

Panaghoy Sa Suba. A famous river down here in Bohol is the great Loboc River. I jumped on this floating restaurant where I got ready to fill my stomach. Food was good enough and at no limit. Afterwards, the engine took off and slowly we were being taken to a relaxing cruise. The whole view was amazing. Water was a deep green. The mountains look at us like giants and we were surrounded by a dense foliage of trees. It was relaxing to see the casual life of   people and kids on the banks during the cruise. It was about 20 minutes when the float stopped at a deadend, and a group of kids await us as they sing old skool christian songs, children songs and even to the tune of "Boom Tarat2x". I guess they are a spin-off of the famous children's choir here, the Loboc Children's Choir. Going back to our tracks, the folks came upon Mr. Franklin Drilon passing by in another float.

 

 

 

 

Tarsier. Just beside the river, in a corner by the road was a mini Tarsier garden. The smallest in the primate family. Wide eyes, tender extremities and irresistably so cute. (They remind me of the gremlins in the Gremlins movie.) They are possibly the only species of tarsier in the Philippines found here in Bohol. Another specie is found somewhere in the South East Asia but less popular. I'd love to keep them for myself but it's not allowed. A 411 about these creatures -- they are nocturnal, and being interrupted by viewers during the day, they don't get enough sleep. Guests should also turn off the flash in the cameras because this cause them trauma. And when they are handled by viewers, this cause them very much stress. Most tarsiers would die because of this and being in captivity causes their libido to slow down which is why they don't multiply quickly. Save the tarsiers.

Hanging Bridge. Further down the road is this hanging bridge that crosses a part of Loboc River. Beyond this bridge awaits a local gift shop.

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Manmade Forest. Going inland, before Bilar is a quite and serene forest. It's just relaxing how sunlight trickles down from the leaves of tall trees. I took a stop and took a chance to actually feel the whole area for myself and actually touch the trunks and hear nature as she breathes.

The Hills. Closing in to my search  of the famous hills, in Carmen, it is very evident that the road going there already has obvious chocolate mounds. It is nothing I've ever seen. It's a wonder that Bohol was a submerged land and was a great seabed eons before. Geographic changes molded this land in time to what it is now... The van ascended to the tallest hill. At the top, there's this long stairs that welcomes you and leads you to the highest point. After an exhausting hike to the top, there it was -- the mystifying Chocolate Hills. It was a vast space of mounds that reach to the horizons. A geographic art. A landscape i have never imagined before. It was much better than the postcards. It was steeped in mystery right now. Rain started to pour and the whole scene was wrapped in fog... Later, my sister and I was able to take a picture with Mr. Franklin Drilon who was touring at the time.

Sagbayan Peak. Last of the stops was here, an elevated area somewhere at the northwest, in inland Bohol. A park where one can have a great view over the Bohol Strait to the west. More of the hills are here as well. There is also a Butterfly Sanctuary which i have not visited and another mini Tarsier Garden where I saw a tarsier munching on a cricket.

Bohol In A Day. Now homeward bound after a day's road trip and I was exhausted but still excited of what I have caught up today. Bohol is a great trek for every traveller/nomad at heart like me. Bohol is alive. It had everything in it and I surely can never forget the encounters I had with the culture, the fauna, the land. Going along the coast, down south back to Tagbilaran City, I was able to take a glimpse of the Loon Church and the casual life of the Boholanos that live beside the highway. There is so much to discover here and so much it offers. The sun was closing in on that horizon over the sea and I signed off.

Tagbilaran City is a 3rd class city in the province of Bohol, Philippines. It is the capital and a component city of the island of Bohol. Tagbilaran lies on the southwestern part of the province. The city was originally a native settlement, involved in trading with both China and Malaysia a hundred years before Spaniards arrived in the Philippines. The settlement first encountered the Spaniards in 1565, where the Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi and the native chieftain Datu Sikatuna pledged peace and cooperation through the famous blood compact, where they drew their own blood, mixed it with wine and drank together. This is celebrated annually in Tagbilaran and the rest of the island during the Sandugo Festival which lasts throughout July. - Wikipedia.com

Streets. The downtown streets are narrow, and thriving with the daily business activities. The city has traffic lights which is surprising for a rurban area.

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Transpo. The passenger tricycle cabs are quiet small and has a 2-seater front seat with another vacant seat at the back of the driver. A different style from other provinces. The fare is 6 pesos per ride within the city.

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Malls. Tagbilaran hosts some big departments stores/malls namely Altura's, BQ to name a few. The newest one which is stylized from the SM Malls around the country is Island City Mall.

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Resto. The best food haus so far was the JJ's Dimsum Restaurant where they featured some good food, mostly Chinese.  They have this Beef Steak In Sweet Sauce - Boholano Style which is delish!

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Sweet Tooth. Local delicacies abound here such as the famous Peanut Kisses, Kalamay (try the not-so-common Ube calamay), Lady Fingers, Ube Polvoron, Boholano Mamon, and many others, which shows how the Boholanos have a sweet tooth and have this thing with nuts. hehehe..

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Downtown Evenings. At night, the city streets glow and hustle then slowly quiets down as the people goes home after a day's work later in the evening. I personally like the downtown walks at night, when it is cool. But just be careful and use your common sense if you are not from here.

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Culture. I also get to visit 2 friends who live here during my 5-day stay in Bohol. I tagged along this lady friend as she visited her old high school campus. Later, we reached Mango Point to visit another lady friend. It's nice to see the casual, day to day grind of people along the way. People here are friendly, and just mild-mannered.

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 My Take. The City is slow paced and relaxed. Its a mix of both a rural area but with a mix of urban because of the addition of many establishments that are sprouting here. Still the city is proud. The people have this strong regionalism and pride. What can you ask for, they hold the famous Chocolate Hills here, the tarsiers. It is very evident in the many promotional ads they have around the city, the small tarsier stuff toys, the souvenir shops, the tshirts. Its very evident in the people here. They live with these symbols, their emblem. It is nice to have that. Something to take intense pride of in your own town.