Finally, The Land of the Famous Chocolate Hills
{July 2010} Going to Bohol was actually just our Plan B. That was in case I didn't get called in for the job that I've applied for. But since I really didn't get any call back, I decided to book a day trip via Island Skip Trips (via Supercat). It was also a win-win situation for us since we've never been to Bohol. And me being the planner that I am, I already had my Bohol 'places-to-go' list. But I wasn't able to use it since the tour already had several destinations plotted out for the day. But much to my surprise, all the places that we wanted to visit were already part of the tour.
On the day of our tour, we've decided to wake up at 5:30 in the morning. We left Alba Uno around 6:45, and was able to reach the wharf at about 7:20. We immediately looked for the Island Skip Trips booth to pay for our package. As soon as we got our tickets, we got into the security area and waited to be boarded.
Our boat was set to leave at 8:30 AM. We actually left Cebu just in-time. We got to Bohol probably an hour and a half after, and was immediately greeted by our tour guide. Although I had to make a quick stop to the ladies room before boarding the shuttle (there were about 20 people inside the shuttle).
Basically, our Tour Itinerary went like this:
ITINERARY
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ACTIVITIES
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0830H
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Depart Cebu via Supercat --> oh we were early!
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1015H
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Arrival Tagbilaran Wharf
Lei Reception by Travel Village --> they gave us these cute necklaces that had tarsiers for pendants! Tour to Baclayon Church- Oldest Church --> was such an amazing place! But make sure to wear appropriate clothes or else they will ask you to wear these pieces of cloth that you'll have to wrap around your waist. Loay Backyard industry- Local Color --> this we didn't get to experience anymore.. I don't know why the tour guide did not bring us here. |
1200H
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Loboc River Cruise w/ lunch on board --> this was so-so. The food was ordinary. But the very highlight of that boat-trip were the ladies in Pink. They serenaded us with their beautiful voices and showed us their lovely dance moves. =)
Butterfly Sanctuary --> Got to pass by this wonderful haven.. we also got to taste some very refreshing avocado and ube ice cream! Tarsier Viewing in Captivity --> LOVED the Tarsiers! These tiny creatures are truly one of God's wonders! They are such rare primates especially when they start to stare at you with their big, googly eyes.. =P Billar mahogany Man Made Forest --> ohhhh..this was an interesting place as well. We even got to experience this really big & black centipede that was crawling on a tree! Chocolate Hills- Famous landmark of Bohol --> Being amidst a hundred chocolate-colored hills was remarkable! I could not help but be awe-stricken. Despite the heat that we had to experience, the climb up the viewing deck was so worth the physical pain! Blood Compact Monument- a historical site --> this was also an interesting site to be in. Souvenier Shopping -->we actually bought some ube and pili delicacies before heading back to the Tagbilaran wharf |
1730H
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Back to Tagbilaran Wharf for Check in -->I actually got hungry on the way back to Cebu so my boyfriend ordered a sandwich for me. For the price of P100, Supercat's egg sandwich was actually delicious! =)
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1830H
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Depart Tagbilaran for Cebu
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2015H
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Estimated time of Arrival in Cebu
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END OF TOUR
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PORT OF TAGBILARAN
BACLAYON CHURCH & LOBOC RIVER CRUISE
CHOCOLATE HILLS
BUTTERFLY SANCTUARY
BILLAR MAN-MADE FOREST
TARSIER SANCTUARY
There's still one more day left for us in Cebu.. so do stay tuned! *SPECIAL THANKS to Supercat for the awesome itinerary :)
Explore & Be Free!
Mai
68 comments
Hello - I'm abt to book this tour too. Question,does the part where you go to the Billar mahogany Man Made Forest involve a lot of trekking? Or do you just walk a few meters and that's it?
ReplyDeleteHello Reg! We actually didn't do any trekking when we stopped-by the forest. The tour bus provided us about 30 minutes worth of exploring and picture-taking during that specific stop. But we weren't allowed to go far, so we basically stayed just along the road. The place is already scenic as it is; and the gigantic trees will help do justice to your trip here. =)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, hope that helped. Just ask away if there are still questions on your mind. Thanks for dropping by Budget Biyahera! =)
Great review of the Bohol tour! We hope to experience the same trail on a future visit there. =)
ReplyDeletecan't wait to explore Bohol too! very soon! ;)
ReplyDeleteYou'll enjoy it there Violy, promise! :)
ReplyDeleteI so love Bohol. Imagine they have the chocolate hills and those cute tarsier. Then you have Loboc river cruise and the fine white sands. They are really blessed with all the attractions.
ReplyDeleteBohol is indeed blessed! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how the chocolate hills came about. I read a myth that Bohol was a turtle and the hills were his spikes at his back.
ReplyDeleteBohol is still one of my favorite island! One of my childhood dreams was to get there, and I finally made it 2 years ago during my birthday. :)
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to go to Bohol.My mother-in-law is from Tagbilaran Bohol.I always ask her what are the beautiful sceneries of Bohol.Thanks to your blog,I finally seen it.Wish I could go there too.
ReplyDeleteKakaingit naman. It is my college days dream to explore Bohol and see the famous Chocolate Hills and yes those cute tarsiers.
ReplyDeleteOne of my dream places since childhood. I hope that I will visit Bohol someday... Chocolate Hills were truly magnificent because of the verdant and perfectly-shaped round hills + I appreciated the century-old Baclayon Church and the petite and rounded-eye tarsiers. ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES!
ReplyDeleteGandaaaaaa! And oh, ang sipag mo talagang gumawa ng itinerary!
ReplyDeleteStay safe while you guys enjoy the beauty of nature. Bohol has always been a great place to unwind from the chaotic torture of the urban life ~ http://the-urban-walker.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteweee that's my homeland :D I can't wait to get back there soon. God willing, after new year next year. http://www.heartscontentofamama.com/
ReplyDeletelove love love bohol.... i wish i could make another trip there ... my cousins are waiting for me there (the tarsier) lol ... I wonder if Id been to the butterfly sanctuary ./ Is this still in Sagbayan Park? Memory gap ... love the post ... :)
ReplyDeleteI still have to see this and to think that Chocolate Hills and the Tarsiers are always mentioned in my children's studies.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate the itinerary. How much did it cost to visit the areas? Just getting an idea.
ReplyDeleteNakakainggit! I hope I can visit Bohol soon, too!
ReplyDeleteI've been to Bohol last year and I had a good time. We basically had the same itinerary but try to go to Panglao too, ang ganda talaga dun =)
ReplyDeleteBohol is on my must visit list. It's been a decade since declaring my intention to go there and I still haven't been there. I think it's time to make plans :)
ReplyDeleteHope I can visit this place too. Malapit lang ito sa Leyte.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely like to go back to Bohol and swim again at Panglao beach. I like the experience of Loboc river lunch but I would want to swim also and jump from branches of trees like those kids showing off when passing their communities... super linis ang river, hope they really keep it that way!
ReplyDeleteI love Bohol. I can't remember how many times I've been there since we stayed in Cebu for 2yrs. Its super beautiful and I love their food.
ReplyDeleteI was in Bohol just last week, but for a run at Panglao Island. I want to live there! The air is clean and I woke up to a beach sunrise for three days. Bohol is quiet and unassuming, but leaves such a big impact.
ReplyDeletewas looking at the stats at the side bar.. it says: 113 cities in 7 countries... might as well visit your sight often to get ideas on where to go... :)
ReplyDeleteAno muna ang pinakamalamig na lugar sa Pilipinas?
ReplyDeleteBaguio? NO.
Tagaytay? Hell, NO.
What happened to your geography? The coolest place in the PH is Bohol.
Why? It's really cold that the Chocolate Hills never melt.
Corny, but it's really more fun in the Philippines! :D
When I went to Cebu last 2006, I was not able to visit Bohol because of bad weather. I want to go there and see chocolate hills...
ReplyDeleteBohol really looks like a nice place to visit. Gusto ko makakita ng tarsiers in person :)
ReplyDeleteMy husband visited Bohol 2 years ago and he also experienced these activities. It was an expense-paid trip courtesy by their company. How I wish to go there with the kids and hubby as well.
ReplyDeleteBohol is one of my dream destination. i want to see Chocolate Hills
ReplyDeletei've been to bohol, it's a very cool place and i hope they can maintain so we can enjoy the place a bit more in the future.
ReplyDeleteLove the Tarsier Sanctuary, pwedeng prenup shoot location. BTW, did you get to try the famous sampaguita flavored ice cream?
ReplyDeleteAng cute ng Tarsier! Do they just stay in the branches or they 'approach' the people near them? I want to hold one, if that's possible xD
ReplyDeleteMaybe this is suitable for me, if I go on a solo trip :3
Great experience , great adventure.
ReplyDeleteI love Bohol. We were one of the lucky ones to receive an all-expense paid trip c/o the Philippine Daily Inquirer to Bohol and it was just AMAZING! We paid for our own diving tour though and it was worth every cent. The Balicasag Island should be in your list when you visit Bohol.
ReplyDeleteI missed Bohol all of a sudden. Me and my wife had our honeymoon there but with my camera that was pretty much broken that time.
ReplyDeleteYehey! Kudos for finally experiencing Bohol. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, it's better to see these attractions in person. Try to plan a future trip to Bohol. Will surely be amazed with what the city offers. :)
ReplyDeleteHello Sir Donald! Why not go to Bohol sometime? You and your wife could probably do another Honeymoon. :)
ReplyDeleteHey Jonathan! I'm sure you loved the Baclayon Church, since I've known your appreciation for old structures and the like. try to plan a visit soon. :)
ReplyDeleteHehehe.. I had an itinerary of my own kaso the one posted on top came from Island Skip Trips. Yun ang sinunod namin. :)
ReplyDeleteSure is! :) Still remember your post about the motorcycle law. :)
ReplyDeleteNice! Hope your plan pushes through. :)
ReplyDeleteHahahah! Natawa ako sa tarsier comment mo, Dennis! Malaki ba mata mo? Hehe! And yes, the Butterfly Sanctuary is still at Sagbayan Park. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, you will love Bohol Ms. Teresa! :)
ReplyDeleteHello Chef! We paid P2,850 each. :)
ReplyDeleteWhy not? Oh yeah, you're based abroad, right? :) But I think admiring Bohol can give you enough reason to visit the city. :)
ReplyDeleteHello Ricky! I've recently been to Panglao (last January) and was completely smitten with it.. we booked our whole stay at Bohol Bee Farm. I loved BBF but I would've preferred staying near the beach.. next time sa Dumaluan na ako. :) How about you? Where did you stay sa Panglao?
ReplyDeleteOh, it's time to make plans na nga! :)
ReplyDeleteAre you currently residing in Leyte? :)
ReplyDeleteOh, same sentiment here! I was actually able to take pictures of a bunch of local kids jumping and swimming during our Loboc River Cruise.. it was so innocent and playful! :)
ReplyDeleteNice!! Have you been to Bohol Bee Farm, sis?
ReplyDeleteI actually did not want to leave Bohol, the second time I was there. I really could not get enough of it. :)
ReplyDeletehehehe! Thanks Ana! :)
ReplyDeleteHahaha! This made me smile! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, all the more reason to go back and experience it completely. :)
ReplyDeleteThey're really nice to look at but are very fragile beings. :/
ReplyDeletehello Ms. Marri.. I'm sure you can save up for a future trip to Bohol.. given the airfare discounts, you'll surely be able to experience Bohol someday. :)
ReplyDeleteYou'll be amazed when you finally see the Chocolate Hills in actual. Breathtaking!
ReplyDeleteYou're right about that!
ReplyDeleteOh, I did not!!! San nakakabili? I think meron ng sampaguita ice cream sa Intramuros. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, the keepers don't allow the guests to touch the Tarsiers. They're very fragile beings kasi.. and do not want to be disturbed. Kaso with the amount of people that see them, impossible na magkaron sila ng peace and quiet -- well, in our case, we really kept quiet all throughout the tour para di maistorbo yung Tarsiers.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! did you join a contest or something or did/do you work for PDI? And yes, Balicasag.. will definitely do the next time we're there. :)
ReplyDeleteAwww.. di bale, sa photographic memory na lang muna mag-rely! :)
ReplyDeleteHow much did you pay for the package? I saw 2850 in their site but does that include other charges (tax)?
ReplyDeleteHi Cochise Miz! :) The P2850 cost is all-in. We weren't charged for other extra's nor taxes. We just paid it in full, and was provided a hassle-free day tour.
ReplyDelete