City Tour, Bohol
-June, 2010-
Our flight arrived the previous day in the afternoon. We had a lot of time to rest for the day's city stops. Our group stayed at a friend's (Nico) place who had a pad there. We were, myself, Oliver, Nico, Monique, Eric and Jho. We rented a van with a driver who served as our tour guide. He was Johnny Calulo ([email protected]). His contact number were as follows (038) 411-5755/ 0922-8213055/ 0917-7031664. He knows the history of all the places we visited and he had been helpful to us. I recommend getting him for your tour. The cost is around P2,500 for the whole day tour already inclusive of all fees.
Our first stop was the Sagbayan Peak. Sagbayan Peak offers a number of facilities such as a restaurant, well maintained gardens with some Disney characters statues, a butterfly dome, swimming pool and a view point where visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Chocolate Hills.
Our flight arrived the previous day in the afternoon. We had a lot of time to rest for the day's city stops. Our group stayed at a friend's (Nico) place who had a pad there. We were, myself, Oliver, Nico, Monique, Eric and Jho. We rented a van with a driver who served as our tour guide. He was Johnny Calulo ([email protected]). His contact number were as follows (038) 411-5755/ 0922-8213055/ 0917-7031664. He knows the history of all the places we visited and he had been helpful to us. I recommend getting him for your tour. The cost is around P2,500 for the whole day tour already inclusive of all fees.
Our first stop was the Sagbayan Peak. Sagbayan Peak offers a number of facilities such as a restaurant, well maintained gardens with some Disney characters statues, a butterfly dome, swimming pool and a view point where visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Chocolate Hills.
After Sagbayan Peak we then went to Chocolate Hills National Geological Monument. It is located at Carmen in Bohol. This is the highest viewing point for the famous hills. It rained as we got to the top. We had to rush down to keep ourselves from getting wet.
Simply Butterflies Conservation Center was up next in Bilar. To Oliver's surprise I held in the palm of my hand live caterpillars. It was a first. It was an informative tour about butterflies. It was nice playing with them inside the garden. They are quite friendly and do not fear humans. In fact they come near without much coaxing.
Near the Butterfly Garden stood the Mahogany man-made forest, a dark area of thickly reforested land. We stopped here for a short while.
Our next stop was at Sevilla. We visited the famous bamboo hanging bridge crossing the Sipatan River. Crossing it is quite different from crossing a concrete or wooden bridge. You can feel that the bridge is swaying and bouncing as you cross, especially if there are several people crossing the bridge at the same time. Luckily there are two bridges, one for each direction. Oliver, having a fear of heights didn't enjoy the visit.
For lunch we cruised at Loboc River on a floating restaurant. It was a buffet. I greatly enjoyed the shrimps I downed all throughout the cruise as a local band serenaded us and local folks danced for us on certain stops.
After lunch, although not part of the IT, I requested a visit at the Loboc Church or better known as Saint Peter the Apostle Parish. It is a historic Spanish period church, with a small museum in its large convento and a separate bell tower. Beside it lies a partly completed bridge, which, if it where to be completed would require the monumental church to be destroyed.
We then viewed live tarsiers. They were so cute about the size of my thumb.
After the tarsiers we visited Prony, a self-developed and trained python. Captured on October '96 when it was a mere 5ft. and 5 kilos python. Its current dimensions are 23 ft. and 200 kilos measured during 2005.
From the snake, we then went of to visit the monumental Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception at Baclayon. It had an interesting pillar stain, which the locals believed was the silhoutte of Padre Pio. This church also has a small museum, with some old church relics on display. You won't be permitted to go inside with shorts or sleeveless tops on, the ladies of the church would provide you with cover ups before you could enter.
Our last stop was the Sandugo blood compact site, which is located at Tagbilaran city. The site offers a nice view over the Bohol sea, with Panglao island to the right and Pamilacan island a bit farther away to the left.
We then went to the mall to buy stuff we needed and ate a locally made ice cream popularized due to its interesting flavors such as lemon grass, ginger and the like. I tried the lemon grass. It was nice.
Other 2010 Travels:
> Hong Kong
- Disneyland
- Ocean Park
- Peak Tower
- HK Night Life
> Macau, China
> Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao
- CDO
- CDO Night Life
- Bigby's Cafe
> Camiguin, Mindanao
> Bukidnon, Mindanao
> Batanes
- Northern Batan
- Itbayat
- Sabtang
- Southern Batan
- Basco
> Bohol
- Island Hop
- Panglao
> Tree Top Adventure, Subic
> Singapore
- SG at Night
- City Tour
- Chijmes
- Singapore Zoo
- Universal Studios Singapore (USS)
- Sentosa
> Bali, Indonesia
- Cultural Visits
- Temples
- Tourist Spot
- Menjangan Island
- Menduk Waterfall
> Tagaytay, South Luzon
> Pueblo Por la Playa, Pagbilao Quezon
- The Wedding
- Morning After
> Hundred Islands
- Islands
- Maxine's Restaurant
> Anawagin Cove, Zambales
> Cebu
- Shangri-La, Mactan
- The City
> Hong Kong
- Disneyland
- Ocean Park
- Peak Tower
- HK Night Life
> Macau, China
> Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao
- CDO
- CDO Night Life
- Bigby's Cafe
> Camiguin, Mindanao
> Bukidnon, Mindanao
> Batanes
- Northern Batan
- Itbayat
- Sabtang
- Southern Batan
- Basco
> Bohol
- Island Hop
- Panglao
> Tree Top Adventure, Subic
> Singapore
- SG at Night
- City Tour
- Chijmes
- Singapore Zoo
- Universal Studios Singapore (USS)
- Sentosa
> Bali, Indonesia
- Cultural Visits
- Temples
- Tourist Spot
- Menjangan Island
- Menduk Waterfall
> Tagaytay, South Luzon
> Pueblo Por la Playa, Pagbilao Quezon
- The Wedding
- Morning After
> Hundred Islands
- Islands
- Maxine's Restaurant
> Anawagin Cove, Zambales
> Cebu
- Shangri-La, Mactan
- The City