Around Bohol in One Day

On our third day in the Visayaz, we travelled to Bohol. We failed to catch the 7am ferry trip but it's not totally a bad thing because we had the chance to have breakfast first. An hour and a half later, everyone dozed off while on the way to Bohol via Fastcraft –a ferry that moves faster in the water and looks like a submarine. Fare is P220 and P10 for terminal fee. We reached the seas of Bohol in exactly one hour. We were met at the pier by our tour guide.

The driver said they've been waiting for us at the pier since 7am so people, if you're planning to hire a van (which is very convenient, unless you have your own vehicle with you) make sure to make it on time because the guides follow an itinerary. A van rental for a whole day costs around P3000-P3500 and can accommodate up to 15 people.

Our first stop was Sagbayan Peak (the highest peak in Bohol), where a good view of hills and the seas can be seen. Entrance fee is P30 and if you wanna see their butterfly sanctuary, that's another P10.

Next stop was the famous Chocolate Hills. The park charges P50 entrance fee. Not so bad considering they have air-conditioned comfort rooms. It was raining when we got to the park and we had to wait for it to stop so we can take photos, of course.

We resumed with the road trip. Next in our list is Tarsier sightseeing. We stopped for a quick photo of this amazing man-made forest. The Tarsier park wasn't charging visitors entrance fee. Instead, they ask for donations (any amount) for the primates' food. We were lucky, because a sign says that in a couple of weeks, they will start collecting entrance fee.

We also stopped at a Hanging Bridge. Now this is how a challenging canopy walk should be. P10 fee for this activity.

At the end of the first bridge are refreshment stores and souvenir and pasalubong shops where most of us bought items. It was past 1pm and we hadn't had lunch yet. We were all famished but our driver/tour guide decided to drop by Danao Adventure Park where the kids rode the zipline and cable car. The park offers the highest zipline in the country for P400. I wanted to try it, too, but I wanted to spend my money on a Loboc lunch cruise instead. Dona and I wanted to have lunch at the floating restaurant but our companions thought it's boring so I guess I'll have to reserve that on my next visit to Bohol.

We had lunch at a carinderia near the Loboc River (where the floating restaurants pick passengers). I was amazed by how cheap our food was. I only paid P75 for two cups of rice and two viands, good for me and Dona. :D

We barely had few minutes rest and we're back road tripping again. I felt like we've gone halfway around Bohol and I was so damn tired so took a nap despite the glaring sun rays penetrating the window. (Dona and I were seated at the front). We stopped in Baclayon Church but I didn't bother stepping out of the van. Instead, I went back to sleep.

And then more traveling, before reaching another destination, the Bohol Bee Farm. I loved their Malunggay ice cream! The others couldn't appreciate it, and like the cassava cone instead. When in Bohol, make sure to drop by Bee Farm. It's an amazing place located few meters aways from Panglao Beach.

It was already dark but our driver managed to insert one more destination, that is Sam's Place. Meet Sam. Di ako maka-move on nung makita ko kung gaan siya kalaki. Grabe lang.

Kuya Jun, the driver/tour guide, said we could've been to more places had we arrived earlier and I was like, "What?? Di pa kumpleto yung tour? Eh naikot na ata natin yung buong Bohol ah!"

 It was past 7pm when we reached Villa Estrella Treasure Island. Let me tell you a quick story. Marj (Vera's friend) is originally from Bohol but her family moved to Cebu when she's a grade schooler. According to her, when she was young, before Bohol became a popular tourist destination, Treasure Island is very popular among the locals. But then other equally or more beautiful beach resorts surfaced and Treasure Island lost its fame. The resort was closed but the caretaker still gladly accommodated us. It was all dark and there were no people roaming around. We later learned that when they said they were closed, they meant closed as in the resort is close to tourists/visitors because the place hasn't been maintained. Maybe that's why Kuya Jun kept on suggesting we rather stay at Panglao Beach.

Cut to dinner. We stayed at Treasure Island, because we don't have anywhere else to go. We're all famished and tired. Good thing the caretaker and her family were so kind. They even gave us seafood for dinner. We made light of the situation by mocking local movies with a barkada-outing-gone-wrong plot. After dinner, we were even given the freedom to use the videoke. The perks of being the lone guests in the resort: we don't have to tone down.