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bohol

Bohol Trip : Day 3 – Abatan River, Anda Beach & Lamanoc Island

by Taufulou 26/01/2015

First 2 days of our trip is rather interesting as the historical place in this island do amaze me.(Day 2 click here) Now on our third day, lets head to the villagers zone as our first stop of the day is Abatan River life tour located at Cortes, Bohol.

The Abatan River flows over 13.5km and the word “Abat” is taken over the context of “converge” where fresh water meets sea water at the Abatan River.

Along the river, lies a community rich with the culture and tradition of the Abatan River fisherfolk and farmers. .

We are now all suit up with life vest and ready to go!

aye aye captain as safety is the captain number 1 priority. On board a traditional bandong, the guide will delight you with traditional stories and folklore of the place.

First side stop is at this Kwahaw Channel as this huge piece of land are with the growth of the plant “NIPAH” that enables the locals around the area to harvest it for their living which is a contract that sign in between the villagers around the area with the government in order to create job opportunities for the folks. Rather impressive on this.

Upon harvest, then it will be tie in a bundle and sell it off at market. Usage of it is to stitch together and create roof top for many homes.

As we pass by this bridge the guy is throwing flowers from the top to give good luck to all tourist that passing by this river and bridge.

The bridge below it was destroy in the strong quake 2 years ago.

Our first stop was a village called Maribojoc and we were greeted with this group of villages with so much enthusiasm and smiles especially the chubby kid in grey.

The Jackie post. . keke

A few villagers around the area do harvest it and also do provide services of stitching it.

We were all then seated and one of the performer telling us the story of the whole performance later.

Enjoy the mini performance from the folks.

Lets drift to another place. . .

Crusing along the river, you sure do see some interesting things, such as this place is actually a place for some villagers around the area to do some cleaning. Cleaning as you can see in the picture such as bathing, washing clothes, washing bikes and its fresh clean water from the hill top.

Moving up the stream, Ellie and Jerome got more curious while Kittie looks like “Pening”.

After a while, we reach another village as they are all standing at the dock, singing and dancing as a sign of welcome. Antequera village is slightly different from the other one as this is more like a ‘kampung’ version of Malaysia as it have a huge paddy field behind it.

Its very peacefull, filled with greens and surround by many tall coconut tress.

We were then show to a classic way of this village by using a huge wooden stick and pound it for at least 30 minutes as to differentiate the rice from its shell. Then only can it be pack and sell to the market.

Young ones and their elderly.

In this village do have quite a number of tourist drop by and they do have alot of handcrafted gifts are sold in this house.

Any purchase of the item here is to support the local villages in terms of many things. So do feel free to buy some item off when you are here.

Paddy field and buffalo . .

This kid is so cute as he is half shy yet he still wanna try out. .

Our lunch is prepared by the villages and its just as good as it is.

WE were all so hungry and ate a few rounds as its too good not to have them.

Love this as its like a bit of steam banana and shower with something like “gula Melaka” to eat along.

In this village do not have entertainment element including electronics gadgets. So what do the kids do here. They climb up this tall coconut tree and jump down to the river . .

Nobody build a bridge for them to connect one side to another and how do they cross over, they build a long wire, and a bamboo rack boat and both of it are tied to each other to prevent it from flowing away. Then using the wire to pull one end to another end to cross the river.

In the itenerary I am very excited over this place – ANDA BEACH as they have one of the best diving spot in Philippines according to the Mayor. There are alot of divers that come here to stay for 1-2 weeks just to dive.

Super crystal clear water and blue sky – a noncommercial area just nice for you to get away from all the noisy places.

The only bar in the area. .

Then we have to walk at least 300 meters out to the sea to catch our boat to another interesting island. .

letsss go too . . ..

La Manok Island which is about 20 minutes boat ride away from Anda Beach, as this place (from its history) is also known as The Witch’s Island..

Here we are at The Witch Island as you can see the base of this mini island, do look like a crack at the bottom not actually low tide, it is actually the tectonic plate that have been shifted that cause the lift of this whole area upwards twice.

A very unique and interesting story around this whole island.

A few kinds of star fish in this area. .

This huge area used to be filled with beautiful coral and because of the uplift, they have all dried up and died.

First place to visit is this Boat Coffin. .

hiking up to visit this mini tomb. .

This is really a huge ass seashell and reminds me of Little Mermaid cartoon . . IT really do exist as this huge shell is more than a century if not mistaken.

resting area. .

Another very interesting site for human mankind is this Red Hematite or Red Rock Painting.

see the crystal clear sea water. I am mesmerize with the view.

Our human mankind that used to stay in caves and use red rock to draw paintings on all the caves that they stayed.

Caves that used to live by human donkey centuries ago . .

Another huge clamp shell . .

AS heading back to Anda Beach, we chose different route, as this round is mini boat and take a van back. .

Thanks to Illa for helping us to capture this pic.

I guess our pattern really “manyak”

To reach to our transportation, we have to walk thru this newly refurbish bridge with bamboo and also through the swamp. . Not missing out the opportunity to capture the soon to be sunset.

Quite a long walk . .

Reaching back the beach, every one just chilling as most of them went swimming, ASh enjoying smooth sandy beach and crystal clear water before jumping and dive into the sea.

While me and Jerome just stay by the beach area, enjoying our beer and just chill. Just love this feeling and if they do blast abit of house music/Ibiza those kind of range would be even more perfect. 😀

We had our buffet dinner here at this windy beach and special thanks to the mayor for hosting us.

Since its last night here, and I do not want to miss the opportunity of the resort, we stayed back at the seaside area with the bean bags, and just lazying around and of course with San Miguel – Super Dry.

Next early morning, we are heading back and time really just flies during holiday. HEading back to reality and do prepare P100.00 for terminal fee.

While you are at Manila airport, then you have to prepare another P550.00 for airport tax fee.

Heading back to reality and I really have to mention special thanks to Air Asia for flying us all the way here, especially Ashman for taking care of us for the past 4 days. Bohol Tourism and Eric our super informative guide in Bohol and with his humour, you will never be bored.

If you would like to get move around with some expertise, do check out Angels’ Wings Tour and get in touch with them at [email protected]

Great to meet all of you in this trip Ashman, Jerome, yours truly, Kittie, Syahir, Jacky, Illa and Tatie.

Places to stay in Bohol you can check out: South Palm Resort

Places to stay in Manila (very convinient) : F1 Hotel

26/01/2015 1 comment

Bohol Philippine Travel

Bohol Trip-Day 2: Tagbilaran –> Tarsier –> CHAP

by Taufulou 12/01/2015

written by Taufulou

Upon arrival, I was shock as we were arrange to meet Governor or Bohol. As Bohol was hit by a strong earthquake few years ago, there are quite a number of buildings are damage, including the governor office. So this is his temporary working office.

Governor of Bohol, Gov. Edgar Chatto is a friendly man, his love and passion on contributing and puttng a mark in the island for international tourist is remarkable.

When in this town, I find that their mode of transportation change as in Manila, its more like a huge long Limousin version and here is more like pimping a motorcycle and easily a few people cramp in here to move around and to save cost too.

Our very first stop in this island is Blood Compact Shrine which located in Barangay Bool of the Tagbilaran City. It has a great history as this monument were built by Napoleon Abueva, a fellow Boholano artist in commemoration of the Sikatuna-Legaspi blood compact in 1565; a treaty of friendship between Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Bohol chieftain Datu Sikatuna.

With its history, this place now serve as one of a stop for tourist attraction. There are locals who help you to take pictures with the monument then print it as souvenir if you wish to walk away with it as souvenir. Any how, sourvenir here are more cheap compare to other places that we have went, and its a recommendation to buy it here if you plan to buy anything back for your colleague or friends.

Blood Compact Shrine

Tagbilaran East Road,

Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines

Next is this Baclayon Church. One of the oldest church in Philippines and currently its under storing process as it was damage by the quake few years back. This is also my first time entering a church.

The Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary Parish Church, the Baclayon Church stands as the oldest Christian settlement as it was founded in the year 1596 while the construction of the church itself was completed in 1727.

As we were taking pictures here and there, then saw this little ticketing counter with friendly lady smiling at us, where she mention “entry is just 50 peso”, as it cost us RM 3.70 which is to cover their current restoring job only and of course we paid and went in to check it out.

During the quake, they still manage to safe as much statue as possible and now these are those that in good shape.

When I walk into the main hall of the church, I am totally mesmerize as the structure, colour, the detail of the wall is amazing.

The main hall – altar of the Baclayon Church, untouched and complete.

Then we move upstairs to further check out what’s up there. day 2 (25)

The past and now where the top tower is damage by 7.2 quake previously.

Baclayon Church

Baclayon Bohol, Philippines

(Along the Tagbilaran East Road)

Our next destination where we will have our lunch on the cruise with live music. Lobac river is another destination for tourist to enjoy

while waiting, this 2 fellow non stop selfie. .

Village Floating Resto & Cruises, the boat cruises down Loboc River for about an hour or so and makes a stop by a village where there are locals waiting to sing you songs and perform unique dances for you to enjoy. Donations are encourage by end of their performance but its really up to your generosity.

This is another well known old church being damage also from the quake.

As all the table arrangement and setting is already done and welcome us, we have coconut drink to start off with and while we are on the way up to the stream ..

There is this guy on board already started singing, cheering adding in the ambiance to be more relaxing.

Lunch on board for the packages were decent. .

The boat driver is seated far behind and wonder how does he navigate his route.

While you wish to chill, they even have hammock for you.

For safety purposes, they also do have lifeguard around the river area. . .

AS we reach the final bank of the upstream, there are a few mini waterfalls and also a platform at the side for us to take pictures.

As we are heading back, then we stop by at this village for the villager to perform. .

Its very interesting how they get the villager to come out and participate in dancing, singing and greet us by showing their culture.

For the package of the river cruise, I find it reasonable as for PHP 450 – PHP 500 (RM 33 – RM 37) per person but that includes the entrance fee, river cruise and food costs plus other maintenance needs. (its like Pau Ka Liau) and its something worth to explore.

Village Floating Resto & Cruises

Barangay Valladolid,

Loboc, Bohol

Follow by we were brought to this Tarsier Conservation area. To me, I associate Tarsier close to MAgadascar charactor. 😀

Entry is PHP 60 (RM4.20)

Tarsiers is one of the tiniest primates ever and now they are now considered an endangered species around the world and are actually found in Asia and some in even in Europe. In fact, they’re also available in Sabah, Malaysia. (Never know we have tarsier in Malaysia – maybe in Zoo?)

This s a preserve area and you have to walking along the trail to reach those little hut that have been built for them to rest.

Arent they small? But they sure do have long tails.

Ellie trying to be the big Tarsier. . keke.

Tarsier Conservation Area

Upper Bonbon, Loboc,

6316, Bohol

Let the adventure begin, as we are at this famous Chocolate hills adventure park (CHAP)

Entrance to the park will set you off PHP 60 per person and there will be additinal charges if you decieded to go other extra adventure.

day 2 (58)

Let’s go . ..

Heading to the butterfly farm first. .

I have goose bumps when I see this Caterpillar.

Then taking this gigantic Caterpillar is interesting. .

Photo opp with the butterfly . .

Mini gimmick and see, Now I can fly . . . .

Next to our very first adventure yet very exciting. .

Before taking on this adventure, we have to sign off first for any casualties happen is at our own risk . .

Then taking blood pressure to check are you suitable for it or not.

Your first fitness test, before you ride on your bicycle in the air .. Lets go to the viewing deck.

Photo,opp. . Behind is is also famous Chocolate hills, whereby there are tons of mini hills that being form out. This is the only place in the world where you can find this mini hills.

Getting ready for my exciting ride up there. A Bike Zip is where you cycle thru to another end and cycle back.

I just love this sign. Chicken out? Make a U-turn la. . .

Ready?

Do not worry as its so safe that you can just let go both of your hands and pose! The only interesting thing on this is when its windy, you will find that you are cycling left and right and its quite scary as is estimated 15 floor levels from ground.

Entrance Fee: PHP 60

The Rush (Bike Zip): PHP 400

The Snake Ladder (Tree Top RCA): PHP 200

The Pentagon (Tree Top RCB): PHP 350

Gymnaskids (Child Rope Course): PHP 300

Eco-Hiking Trail: PHP 200

Chicken & Fish Feeding: PHP 50

Chocolate Hills Adventure Park

Camanayon Brgy Buenos Aires

Carmen, Bohol

Email: [email protected]

www.facebook.com/pages/Chocolate-Hills-Adventure-Park

AFter our adventure park, we are not heading for our dinner place. Another well known place for dinner among the folks here is this place known as Bohol Bee Farm. Nope we are not eating bee, nor a place filled with bee also extends as a Bed & Breakfast hostel for those who wants such great amenities by their doorsteps and holds a souvenir shop that sells delicious foods such as mango spreads, honey spreads and other specialties to boot.

Its a short walk from the main area all the way down to this restaurant. Believe its located next to the seaside and it will be a perfect view if we reach before the sunset.

itself also extends as a Bed & Breakfast hostel for those who wants such great amenities by their doorsteps and holds a souvenir shop that sells delicious foods such as mango spreads, honey spreads and other specialties to boot.

This is one of my favourite as their homemade bread is just so soft and pair with their restaurant special made jam which is available outside the souvenir shop. Butter honey, garlic butter honey and mango butter.

Love their organic salad as the dressing is very appetizing, seafood lasagna is also my next favoruite as its quite cheezy, follow by their organic red rice. Interesting texture as it looks dry yet eating it its not.

Their Hot sauce is pretty spicy and yet you would still want to continue dipping it.

Their homemade gelato is a must try item too . .

This is interesting as its Rice coffee. Taste is certainly not acidic but do taste more like our kopi in the usual run down kopitiam yet slightly more diluted and aromatic.

Bohol Bee Farm

Dao, Dauis,

Panglao Island, Bohol

12/01/2015 0 comment

Bohol Philippine Travel

Bohol Trip : South Palms Resort Panglao @ Bohol, Philippines

by Taufulou 30/12/2014

written by Taufulou

After a quick exploration of Manila city for a few hours (click here), we were then follow by an early wake up call, grab our quite breakfast on the go to the airport as we are catching the earliest flight transit from Manila to Tagbilaran (Bohol) which is 7.30am flight. The flight duration is estimated 1h 20 mins.

Flying above all this beautiful island and I am sure that Taglibaran is gonna be another great place.

This airport is really really small one as everything is still on manual mode.

We were then welcome by the locals . .

What I mean small as in this conveyor belt area, one glace you see all.

For first timer here, you can ask all your queries here and they are pretty helpful with all the information you need.

Right outside the airport they have this 3 pop up booth to cater for car rental, or any adventure package you keen to take up. Taxis are available right outside the airport. In Bohol, its they have very unique type of mini taxi or pretty similiar to those in Thailand, Tut Tut.

Right after picking up our luggauge, we were then transport to our hotel, South Palms Resort Panglao.

We reach our resort after 30 minutes ride from the airport. Its a 45 hectare spread of a beachfront view, South Palms Resort Panglao is a 9.3 hectare tropical enclave that sports just 90 rooms and villas; most of which brings you close to the sun, sea and sandy goodness to boot.

Right after check in, we then did a quick explore on the resort and I am totally impress. Then head to our Deluxe Garden View @ PHP 7,500 . . Fits up to 2 adults and 2 children while additional guests can opt to pay PHP 2,500 a night @ RM 186 each inclusive of breakfast and dinner in the resort itself.

Our room is not bad, I just find it a bit small and well, as I will spend most of the time outside the room, so it does not really bother me.

Our bed is greeted with a card and also a pack of peanuts.

Toilet is big enough as all the necessity is there, with bathing products from Face.

Bathrobe, security box and slippers for your convenience and also an umbrella just in case it rains and you need to walk to the cafe area.

Its a huge beach front, with tons of palm trees and just right for a simple gateaway from bustling cities. Sea water with white sandy beach is just perfect.

This is where I spend most of my nights are, with beanbags placed at the beach area, and I built 3 for my fort and just park there for few hours and chat with the rest.

Did try their massage and its good, and its very reasonable for a resort, with an option to do it at the mini hut or it can be done in your room.

Infinity pool

Meet Kittie Yiyi, a crazy person that does alot of crazy shots during the trip.

If you are planning to catch sunrise, its quite early from our time as it rise around 5.30am. At our current picture, its at 7.30am which is very bright and getting hot.

This is how I park myself at the beach during night.

Their breakfast area is quite relaxing, with unique fan that the blades look like a huge leaves, and I chose my table seating facing the pool and sea.

Quite a good range they have it from the usual bread section, fresh milk, pastries, pancakes, asian to western delight are all available.

Bacon, sushi in this early hours ..

AS mention above, this is my main hangout area during night as they only have one bar only. They close early if there is no crowd but you can still order from the coffee house as what I did during my second night stay, as the bar closed early.

While waiting for my meal and this 2 Kittie and Ash went to look for treasure in the sea. 😀

During my stay here, manage to met the 2 young owner of this resort and I am impress how they build this whole place up.

For any reservation, please check out their website www.southpalmsresort.com.

Location:
South Palms Resort Panglao
Barangay Bohol, Panglao,
Bohol 6340, Philippines
[email protected]

30/12/2014 0 comment

Manilla Philippine Travel

Bohol Trip : F1 Hotel Manila @ Philippines

by Taufulou 13/12/2014

written by Taufulou

I guess I have been travelling around quite alot yet none I did not blog any of it detaily for the past 3 years and I guess this trip would be the first. Was early to arrive in the airport for the flight as I always got confuse in their boarding time is the departure time. Well, its good to be early in this new gigantic KLIA 2. If you are late and need to run for international flights, do prepare to run at least 800 meter and check into F1 Hotel Manila.

This would be my first trip to Manila as I have always wanted to visit this country for its culture and food of course. Well, this one is slightly different as we are heading to Bohol, another unexplore or not commercialize compare to the famous one like Boracay. As for this route, we are flying off with Air Asia to Manila, Philippine then take another transit plane the next morning to head to Tagbilaran to reach Bohol Island.

This is what I mean if you are late, you have to run accross the bridge which I estimate easily 400-500 meter by estimation and one of the side wings another 200-300 meter to reach into the gate.

Another new item being introduce for their meal is this Maans Pasta Arrabiata that can only be order on their pre-book meals. Slightly spicy, and for a simple meal up there, there is no complain.

In flight, I have always love to see at cloud and always got me curious how those cloud are form to give you the imagination like its a tiger, elephant and stuff.

Here we are, reaching to Manila.

Upon arrival, we are being transit with this bus to the main terminal as we are in Manila Low Cost Terminal.

We were then transported to this nice accommodation for the night – F1 Hotel Manila. I am impress with the security here as I thought it was the goverment move but actually it is not. It is an initiative of some of the private property/developer owner to hire a private security that comes with K9 unit.

I am impress with the lobby as I reach here without any expectation. Warm and classy interior that gives me the impression that this is a business traveler hotel. The hotel is situation in the middle of this new town Bonifacio Global City.

I love my room as its very spacious, that comes with a bed to die for, easily can sink me in for the night. Build with a partition to separate the reading area and mini living room. The only set back in the bed room was the TV as the room is so huge yet the TV is small .

This is the mini living room, that can fit any guest that comes along . . .

Bathroom is clean and comes with all basic necessities, towels, shower gel, lotion and others.

Also including safe, robe, iron board, complimentary coffee and tea. . .

Great gym room, a cafe/bar area for you to chill and they have 3 pool. 2 Children pool and 1 infinity pool.

Upon Check in I do have another 90 minutes to stroll around as some of them decided to take a rest in the hotel. The night sets in early as when comes to 6pm its turning dark very fast.

As I wander around bymyself in this new Bonifacio Global City with their new goverment planning and direction for this, I am totally involve with the ambiance of it. It does not give me the feel that I am in Manila as most of the architecture here are so western and the instant build up and walkway reminds me Melbourne.

They have nice modern dining area, restaurant and cafe. ITs all wihtin a stone throw away from the hotel.

Then came acorss this PAn de Manila as the smells of the bun is so good. Decided to grab one as pretty hungry while waiting for dinner session. It is more like a Hot Cross Bun. Serve pippin hot, aromatic, super soft and without any filling. Just nice to eat it like that for breakfast.

Found that they have quite a number of Burger and Burrito Joint. Love every of their concept as its very nice.

Then I walk to the other side of my hotel I came accorss this Shopping area which build low rise by max only 2-3 levels but stretch 4 blocks away. Bonifacio High Street would be one of the place you would want to drop by as they have hotels, cinema, high end shopping brand to low end shopping brand. Something similiar like our Bukit Bintang. The concept is more like a park walking style.

Bonifacio Global City is very clean, well light up and modern.

Right in the center of the city, the goverment also build a jogging track that reminds me like those in movie, New York Central Park, but in a very much smaller scale but good enough for the folks around this business district area.