Sunday, April 12, 2009

Reliable Contact Persons and Tourist Spots Around (Panglao, Alona, Tagbilaran, Balicasag Island) Bohol

For Boats and Tour Guides WITHIN Balicasag Island,
contact Elmer or Rey at 63.921.630.3325

For A Reliable and Safe Bohol Tourist Guide,
contact Mang Roger at 63.920.405.4883


Read on for some of the Tourist Spots you should not miss in Bohol!! Ü


- ATV (All Terrain Vehicle). This could be found at the base of Chocolate Hills. Ask Mr. Roger, or your driver, to bring you there. Locals know that place because tourists makes sure they go drop by there because it is the best way to appreciate the beauty of Chocolate Hills. It's usually P750/hr but try to haggle most especially when you are a group (we were 6 people that time, we were able to haggle for P600/hr).

- Chocolate Hills. A Bohol Tour would be incomplete without visiting this majestic place and getting a background pic of this wonderful view. When we were there last Feb 2009, the hills were still green because it was rainy then. I bet this summer they have already turned brown in color for the leaves have went dry because of the scorching heat of the sun!

- Baclayon Church. This is more than a century old church. If you're fond of sort of creepy but historical old churches, then this site is for you. =) There are some areas, though, that you're not allowed to take pictures. But you will see a lot of statues of saints and Catholic idols displayed that are centuries old too!

- Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary. Awww! One of the most memorable place to go to in Bohol! These tiny little creatures that lay motionless when placed on your head or arm. They display this kind of tranquility that you would rarely see from anyone most especially when living at a fast paced society. These mammals are nocturnals that are awake at night and lie sleeping in the morning. Please do not use flash when capturing their pictures 'cos they get surprised, traumatized, and freaked out! Capiche?

- Prony the Python. Not to miss! Most especially its gay handler, Prona! Hahaha. By the way, this python could eat a whole live pig, I suppose it could eat a whole human being too. But because it was sleeping when we got there, we were able to take a pic and hold its cold-blooded flesh too.

- Loboc River Cruise. Well, Yang Tze River is longer and better, of course, but you still shouldn't miss eating, listening to great guys serenading you while eating lunch or dinner, while cruising this clean smelling, fresh looking river. And oh! At night, it just couldn't get any better! The lights, the ambience of romance... Some men could actually propose here, I must say. Just make sure you won't drop the ring on the river! =)

- Man Made Forest. These are thin Mahogany trees planted neatly close from each other. They were supposed to be thick trees, but because of the distance of one seed from the other, instead of the trees growing horizontally, they grew vertically with its unusual height!

- Dolphin Watching. A must. These are another majestic view that no one should ever miss. You should be there at about 5 to 5:30AM. If you would leave the beach at 6AM, you wouldn't see a lot.

- Snorkeling at Balicasag Island. One of the things I would not forget my entire life. The 1000 meter drop, the clown fishes, the feeding of fishes with unsalted bread, the sort of wavy waters, the scary sea urchins, the colourful sea bed with all the many different species swimming and living in it, the scorching heat of the sun, the tiny boat the 6 of us riding, the friendly fishermen / tourist guides, and of course... the tan lines. Hee hee.

- Virgin Island. The white pure sand, the 2.5km sand bar, the wonderful scenery, the salty smell of the sea, and the nice cheap pearls that could be bought about P500 to P1,000 a set!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Best Cheap Transient Hotels and Pensions Houses in Panglao, Bohol

OMG! Such a wonderful place! =)

Let me guide you to the Best Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts in Bohol.

Here are some of the recommended Cheap Hotels and Pension Houses in Bohol that I myself had gone to (and maybe will return to sometime soon!): =)

Paragayo Resort = http://www.panglaoisland.net/paragayoresort/
Situated along the main road of Panglao island, Paragayo Resort boasts their affordable, clean, and hygienic rooms. It may not be a beach front hotel but it's only about 3 minutes leisurely walk going to the Alona beach. Powder Keg is just a few meters from the resort, which specializes in authentic Italian Pizza.

Room = Clean! 5 Stars
Toilet and Bath = Very Clean Also! 5 Stars
Aircon = Working and Cold! 4 Stars (there's just this buzzing tone at night. Not sure if everyone would appreciate it)
Water = Sort of Salty! 3 Stars (hey, you're near the beach! what would you expect?! =p )
Sheets = You will have to request for it to be changed before they do. 3 Stars
Customer Service = Great! 4 1/2 Stars (the ladies there were very friendly. Although I suppose they could still improve their English? But they are good enough, understandable Ü)


Isis Bungalows = http://www.isisbungalows.com/en/index.html
Just right in the beach front, Isis Bungalows boasts of its bungalows (or rooms) that are painted in clean white combined with its crystal blue curtains. Not to mention that they serve delicious and chili curry and great cocktail drinks as well! (like Sex on the Beach, Tequila Sunrise, Shirley Temple, Mindoro Sling, etc.)

Room = Affordable Luxury. 5 Stars!
Toilet and Bath = 5 girls can fit in lying down! Always Clean! 5 Stars!
Aircon = Still has this humming sound at night. 4 Stars.
Water = Less salty. 4 Stars!
Customer Service = Great! 4 1/2! =) (there were just some gaps, but they're nice!)


For A Reliable and Safe Bohol Tourist Guide,
contact Mang (Mister) Roger at 63.920.405.4883
- He knows the whole of Bohol and Panglao Island
- He knows how to speak English
- He has a couple of vehicles like vans, cars, and boats. You can request for any of those depending on your requirement
- He could give you discounted tour rates

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Widdles, Tweedles, and Meedles 05/04/09

Last Saturday, Y and I went to the doctor to get him checked-up and all that. I had come into a conclusion that we should be at the doctor's clinic two hours before it opens so that we could be the first few patients on the line. We were fifth among the 15 patients last Saturday and I was so elated to know that we'll finish early.

While we were waiting for the doctor to arrive, I managed to take note of the questions that swifted my thoughts in passing. We were already in the clinic and Y was playing with an eyeglassed-kid, so there was nothing for me to worry. 'Sides, he's already in the stage that I don't really need to always be after him cos he can manage most of the time.

He's growing up so fast. On a pace I myself couldn't keep up.

I was able to write about 2 pages of questions and verifications and follow-up queries for the doctor. Experience has taught me that Y's doctor, Dra. Pamela Caedo, is very spontaneous. She does her sessions in a flash. Like about 5-7 minutes and she's done! Thus, me writing all my queries so as not to waste my time thinking, recalling my questions nor her time as well.

Here's what I have found out (some of which I have already put into actions):
- By the age of 3, Y needs to get his eyes checked up (he's almost 3 so I'm going to get his eyes check-up by next week)
- He could join swimming classes (Will enroll him at Bert Lozada Swimming School by May!! =) --- or June) -- visit www.bertlozadaswimschool.com; They are offering this 10 sessions/30-minute per session course for only P4,000.00! I'm working out my sched on May so that I could bring Y to the office and after work, we could go to his swimming lessons at Somerset Salcedo Makati. Aye! Ü
- He needs to get boosters for his shots
- He's been advised to take Cherifer as his vitamins (Done!)
- It's OK for him to fly to Palawan
- It's advisable for him to go to school rather than staying at home and watching TV
- He needs to be de-wormed once a year, whether or not there is a symptom (Done!)

After we went to the doctor, B met us at the Festival Mall. We ate at Super Bowl and enjoyed their offer of P159.00 for a whole feast of dimsum and dumplings, which composed of siomai, siopao, shrimp dumplings (these were yum!), and fried vegetable lumpia. We also ordered Lechon Macau and a platter-full of Yang Chow rice. They were all YUM! ~~~ And of course, this time, we didn't miss ordering Super Bowl's Taho... It's a Filipino favorite (and maybe Chinese too, not sure tho), made of soft tofu gushed with brown sugary syrup topped with tiny tapioca balls. It's like all Filipinos have went through buying, touching, tasting, and enjoying Taho when they were young! The most enjoyable part of that Taho session was when we were scooping out the jiggling soft, white tofu out of the stainless steel container, then placing it on our little ceramic dessert bowls, then putting about 3 spoonfuls of those sweet, sugary syrup and finally topping it with those glass-like tapioca balls.

Ah! That was a moment to remember.