Bohol: Day 1 of 5.
Around this time last year, Cebu Pacific launched a seat sale for most of it's domestic destinations (kinda forgot if they did international too).
Still pleasantly hungover our Oslob/Dumaguete trip, we booked for two destinations: Palawan and Bohol. The Palawan trip has already been completed early this year.
So anyway.
Bohol.
I was in charge of doing the itinerary and budget on this trip, and in spite of this being planned months ago, I sort of waited until last month to actually do my assignment. (Sorry, Abs.) Had everything mapped out three days before the trip, sent a final email to the girls
, and nearly gave them a heart attack with the budget plan, since the spreadsheet excluded the airfare (since it was paid off last
year) and lodging (because we'll be staying at my parents' house in
Doljo).
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| See what I mean? |
The good news? We didn't spend that much. Even better news? Lica did dive.
Manila - Tagbilaran (DG7902)
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| 1ABC. (c) Lica |
We took off Manila 20 minutes behind schedule via Runway 31. Weather wasn't so good due to Typhoon Ineng, that we were expecting a delay of an hour or two minimum. Flight was smooth, and the approach to Tagbilaran Airport gave us an awesome view.
As soon as we landed Tagbilaran, we met up with Rikrik, the assigned driver to us for the day. We had previously contacted Jesser "Tatsky" Cubero (forgot where Abi got his contact details from, basta it was also from a blog) for land arrangements. We had a countryside tour planned for the day, but customized this one. We arrived the Doljo house around 8:30am, unpacked, freshened up, and left at 10am for our tour.
First Stop: Chocolate Hills ATV Tour
I think everyone (well, except for Rikrik) was passed out on the way to Carmen. We had an early start for the day, so we took the opportunity to nap in the car. Travel time from Panglao to Carmen is approximately an hour. We did pass by Dauis, Baclayon, and Loboc churches, and it's still quite heartbreaking to see them in scaffolds and ruins.
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| (c) Abi & Lica |
We decided to take the 1 hour tour from the package rates offered, which included the Three Sisters Hill and the Eight Sisters Hill. For the day, they threw in the Mini Rice Terraces (included in the next package) for free. We also had to pay the Barangay fee that they per person, on top of the ATV rate.
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| (c) Abi & Lica |
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| (c) Abi & Lica |
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| ...tubi tubi! |
Up Next: Bohol Habitat Conservation Center: Butterfly Sanctuary
After Carmen, we headed to the Butterfly Sanctuary in Bilar. We were met by a very witty guide (too bad we didn't get his name). As soon as we entered the area, he proceeded to teach us about moths and butterflies, their caterpillars, life cycle, etc. We were allowed to hold the butterfly larvae (only Abi and Lica did, though) and reminded us to be careful.
"Pag nahulog po yan magiging caterpilay po yan."
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| Abi with two butterfly caterpillars |
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| Butterfly pupae. They were actually moving. |
After the "lecture", he ushered us into a net enclosed area, where the butterflies were. He even assured us that
"Hindi makakalabas yung mga butterfly dyan. Bakit? Kasi entrance po yan." Very good, kuya.
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| ...I think we have been harassing just one butterfly. (c) Abi |
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| Lucky shot! |
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| (c) Abi |
Next Stop: Manmade Forest of Bohol
Confession: We only stopped to take photos. Mostly of ourselves.
Although we only saw the mahogany trees that can be seen from the road, it is a
2km stretch of densely planted mahogany trees bordering Bilar and Loboc.
Boholanos nurture and protect this area, and make sure that not a single tree is cut.
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| One buwis buhay shot out of several |
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| (c) Abi & Lica |
Next: The Bamboo Hanging Bridge
Located in Sevilla, the hanging bridge crosses the Sipatan River. There are two bridges now: one is exclusively for going to the other side of the bridge that sells souvenirs, the other is solely for the ones on their way back. First fear Lica (hilariously) conquered: Gephyrophobia.
Next: Bohol Bee Farm
It was nearly 2pm when we arrived Bohol Bee Farm in Dauis, Panglao. We were here to dine, actually. Not to tour the farm. Typhoon Ineng at this time has been throwing a massive fit over the northern part of the Philippines, and is somehow affecting the weather (and the waves!) in the Visayas too.
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| Waves. |
**Due to funger pangs, we didn't snap photos of our food. But we assure you that lunch was great.**
After lunch, we made a pit stop at their shop. Abi bought organic spreads, tableya and cabcab (cassava) chips to take home as
pasalubong. Bought a bag of cabcab and honeyed banana chips to munch on, and thinking about it now, I regret not getting more.
Last Stop: Hinagdanan Cave
Unfortunately, had no decent photos inside the cave. (Hinagdanan: 1, GoPro: 0)
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| End of the stairwell; stalactites |
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| Fish! |
Bohol is rather a spelunking enthusiast's dream come true, as it houses
around approximately 1,400 caves. Some of the famous ones are:
- Francisco Dagohoy Cave (Danao)
- Kamira Cave (Danao)
- Baliho Cave (Danao)
- Buhong Tiawan (Antequera)
- Hagakgak Cave (Antequera)
- Inambacan Cave (Antequera)
- Antequera Cave (Antequera)
- Carmaloan Cave (Jagna)
- Sudlon Cave (Alicia)
- Anda Burial Caves (Anda)
- Guindulman Burial Caves (Guindulman)
- Batuan Cave (Batuan)
- Hinagdanan Cave (Panglao)
Source:
http://www.bohol-philippines.com/bohol-caves.html
Hinagdanan Cave, located in Dauis, Panglao, is the most accessible. Hinagdanan means "
laddered". The cave is made of limestone, and classified as
a karst cave.
Inside the cave, there are electric lights fixed on some formations. They also had some railings installed by the pool of water. I assume that it's allowed to swim there, as I overheard one of the guides asking some of the other tourists if they're up for a swim. We didn't, though.
We finished our tour at around 4pm and made a market stop in Poblacion, for dinner (and next day's breakfast) before heading home to Doljo.
Related Link:
Dagohoy's Danao
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