Behold Bohol Part 1: COUNTRYSIDE DAY TOUR
By LAPADIDAY - Monday, October 22, 2018
I have lived my entire life in this little island of Bohol in Central Visayas, which ironicaly is the country's 10th largest island.
I am a bone-deep, true-blue, native Boholana... and proud of it. During my pageant days (I know *eye roll* haha!), I have encountered the question "How will you describe yourself?" way too many times in the Q&A portion and in the many adjectives known to human, the best description I could find, describing myself almost accurately was "a Boholana". When I was a bit older, I became less proud of it. Not so much because I do not believe it fit me, but because I was conflicted as to how I could possibly proudly claim I am a Boholana when I haven't even immersed myself fully to the Boholano culture; not experienced every town---every destination---in Bohol: met their people, tasted their food, seen their way of living; among many others. This little place, I know, has a lot to offer.
I understood only later the adage "Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan" ("Don't be an alien in one's homeland") when I travelled in places outside Bohol and I meet people asking me where I'm from, only to be silenced later on when they begin inquiring further about Bohol because I honestly have not truly experienced my province.
So I swore to myself that I will not be a stranger to my own Bohol. With the help of my trusted friend/driver/touristguide/photographer/director (@kooya), I decided to set up a standard Bohol Tour. Here's us visiting (re-visiting) some Bohol Tourist Destinations.
N.B. I've arranged the places below chronologically as I have (re)visited them.
N.B. I've arranged the places below chronologically as I have (re)visited them.
I ❤ BOHOL symbol at Plaza Rizal, Tagbilaran City, Bohol
PART 1: COUNTRYSIDE TOUR
DESTINATIONS:
❤ The Blood Compact Monument (Bool, Tagbilaran City, Bohol)
❤ CHOCOLATE HILLS (Carmen. Bohol)
💕❤ ShipHaus (Pob. Norte, Loay Interior Road, Batuan)
❤💕Mahogang Man-made Forest (Bilar)
💕 ❤ Bilar Eco Park (Bilar)
❤ Twin Hanging Bridge (sevilla)
❤Village floating Resto and Cruise (Loboc Floating Restaurant, Valladolid, Loboc)
❤💕La Purisima Concepcion de la Virgen Maria Parish Church Or Baclayon Church (Poblacion Baclayon)
❤Hinagdanan Cave (Dauis)
❤Alona Strip (Alona, Panglao)
Bool, Tagbilaran City (5 minutes from St. Joseph Cathedral , 2.8 km)
TRIVIA: There has been a debate about the actual blood compact site where the Sandugo between Manuel Lopez De Legaspi and Datu Sikatuna took place. Historians argue that the actual Sanduguan happened at Loay. In fact, there is now another blood compact monument in Loay after the claim had been made and evidence had been produced supporting the said claim. Although at present, the Blood Compact Monument in Tagbilaran City remain more famous and well-visited by tourists.
TIP: Arrive early so you can take pictures without photobombers and/or so you won't have to hasten yourself because it is awfully awkward to take a pose in front of lot of people waiting for their turn.
ENTRANCE FEE: NONE
SECOND STOP: CHOCOLATE HILLS
Carmen, Bohol (1 hour and 17 minutes from St. Joseph Cathedral, 57 km)
1 / 8
The Chocolate Hills
2 / 8
It takes 214 steps to reach the top of this stairs
3 / 8
The Viewdeck
4 / 8
Breathtaking view
5 / 8
Selfieeee
6 / 8
Children performing
7 / 8
The Chocolate Hills
7 / 8
The Chocolate Hills signage at the Parking Bay
This is one of the things Bohol is famous for. To truly appreciate this landscape, you have to climb 214 steps to reach the top of one of the hills and have a great view of more than a thousand hills that turn chocolate in the sun.
TIP: If you are bringing your own vehicle, you can park at the designated parking area (ask for directions) and you can avail of the free-shuttle transport from the parking area to the top. Also, bring water and stay hydrated.
ENTRANCE FEE: P50.00 (PARKING FEE APPLIES)
(DRIVER IS FREE)
THIRD STOP: THE SHIPHAUS
Batuan, Bohol (1 hour and 4 minutes from St. Joseph Cathedral, 48 km)
This one is more of a novelty more than anything, frankly speaking. It is a house, simulating a ship, where guests may don a uniform while roaming around and taking photos of the halls and rooms. They offer free iced tea/coffee too. It is also a bed and breakfast, which can accommodate guests for a fee.
TIP: You can skip this if you are not into themed houses. But if you have time, just really curious, or have 50 pesos to waste, then go ahead and drop by the place.
ENTRANCE FEE: P50.00
(DRIVER IS FREE)
FOURTH STOP: BILAR MAN-MADE FOREST and BILAR ECO PARK
Bilar, Bohol (1 hour from St. Joseph Cathedral, 34 km)
It's a stretch of equally-tall mahogany trees. The instant you enter this forest, you will feel the abrupt drop in temperature. You can opt to drop by Bilar Eco Park Viewdeck to enter the forest.
TIP: Clear the road when vehicles are coming. That self portrait in the middle of the road underneath the canopy is definitely not worth being ran over by a speeding truck. Be mindful and please keep the place, as in any other place, clean.
ENTRANCE FEE:
MAN-MADE FOREST- FREE
BILAR ECO PARK - P10.00 (DRIVER IS FREE)
FIFTH STOP: SIPATAN TWIN HANGING BRIDGE
Sevilla, Bohol (48 minutes from St. Joseph Cathedral, 31 km)
TIP: Although it's not an extreme adventure thingy, it is still not for the faint hearted. Here, you get to cross two parallel bamboo bridges for fun... but because it's long although sturdy, could be quite wobbly especially if you'll be crossing with a number of people. They might even tease the crossers by intentionally shaking the bridges.
ENTRANCE FEE: P10.00-P35.00 (DRIVER IS FREE)
SIXTH STOP: LOBOC RIVER
Loboc, Bohol (1 hour and 12 minutes from St. Joseph Cathedral, 41 km)
Take the Loboc River Cruise with buffet lunch/dinner.
Tip: Schedule your trip so as to reach this destination during lunch. It is advised to arrive here an hour early of your lunch time as it could get crowded fast come 12 noon.
The boats are now centralized so that you no longer need to choose which resto to eat from as you will be ushered to the boat which is available. They all serve the same entree, I believe. Mostly Filipino food.
LUNCH/DINNER RATE: starts at P450.00
SEVENTH STOP: BACLAYON CHURCH/ LA PURISIMA CONCEPCION DE LA VIRGEN MARIA PARISH CHURCH
Poblacion Baclayon, Bohol
The Place has been reconstructed following the devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake in 2013 which damaged the Church's facade.
ENTRANCE FEE: It's a church, it's free (or at least, supposed to be). But if you wish to conduct a tour of the church and of the museum behind it, the entrance fee is P25.00
EIGHTH STOP: HINAGDANAN CAVE
Dauis, Bohol
Inadvertently discovered by the landowner while clearing decaying branches in the area. It is called Hinagdanan Cave because a ladder would lead you into the cave, thus the name "Hinagdanan", when translated means "laddered".
TIP: It's a cavern with a lake. If you wish to swim in it, come early and not beyond 4:30 in the afternoon as they no longer allow anyone to do so. An on-duty lifeguard will be on the watch as you swim. There are vendors in the area selling various souvenirs and other goods. It also has a paid parking area.
ENTRANCE FEE: P30.00 (DRIVER IS FREE)
NINTH AND FINAL STOP: ALONA BEACH, PANGLAO
Alona, Panglao
This isn't normally part of the city tour but rather of the seaside tour. But it is the best place to end the day and to watch the sunset in.
TIP: Schedule your trip in such a way that you could arrive in time to watch the sunset in the horizon.
Vegetarian Pizza at The Buzz Cafe, Alona, Panglao
ENTRANCE FEE: None. Parking fees apply.
Behold Bohol!
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