Can't Decide

Can't decide.

Isis Bungalow or Golden Palm at Alona Beach in Panglao Island, Bohol?

Map based from http://jimspears.net/alona/map.htm

Both Isis and Golden Palm quoted me the same price, except that Golden Palm included airport transfers and breakfast, while Isis did not. Cheapskate Chinese would opt for Golden Palm, especially since it has good reviews. But it's not that beach front, unlike Isis which is more beach front. And I want my kiddo to play on the beach. On the sand. On the beach. But I want airport transfers as well. Because also of kiddo. The more comfortable she is, the more comfortable we all are. Haha!

Yes, sometimes I obsess about these small decisions.

Buko King

He guards the Tigbao hanging bridge at the town of Loboc in Bohol.

Or rather, he sits by the foot of the bridge and will husk a coconut with his teeth for a "donation". Apparently, he's also almost famous, with home videos taken by tourists posted at Google, and mentioned several times by several people travelling in Bohol. His teeth must be a dentist's dream! Haha.

Meet Buko King. (As made famous by a noontime show's segment on weird pinoy talents)

First, he'll tap the coconut on the floor...

The he tears the husk to pieces with his bare teeth...

a happy Buko King

Bohol, Part II

Other Bohol pictures at my and jao's fotopic sites.

O diba parang bored na bored yung tarsier? Tapos ito pa, picture from jao. Diba ang cute cute nila? Hehe.

O, napaka-articulate ng post ko. Nakakainis. Ano ba ang mga gusto kong sabihin? Marami.

• Ulan ng ulan ngayon sa Manila.
• Nag-dive kami sa bohol, sa may Balicasag Island
• Nag-stay kami sa may Alona Beach, kung saan pino at maputi ang buhangin. Tumira kami sa Bohol Diver's Lodge, na 800 pesos bawat gabi ang isang standard room
• Walang murang pagkain sa Alona Beach. Wala. W-A-L-A. Maliban na lang siguro sa 20-pesos na BBQ. E binebenta nga ng 150 pesos yung bote ng gin dun sa sari sari store na malayo na sa beach front eh.
• Nag-Bohol din pala ako last year. At July din ha. Hanapin nyo na lang dito yung mga interesting things to see in Bohol.
• Last year, nag-PALakbayan kami, yung promo ng Philippine Airlines na package na ang airfare at accommodations. Ngayon, nag-Cebu Pacific promo kami, lumalabas na 3K para sa roundtrip airfare. Idagdag ang 1K na binayad namin tig-isa para sa apat na gabing accommodation, at panalo diba!
• Syempre hwag lang bibilangin ang mga ginastos sa pagkain, sa paglibot libot, at sa pag-dive. Haha
• Magba-bike at ATV sana kami para ilibot ang Panglao Island, ngunit nagkulang ang mga mountain bike na available. Note to self: matuto mag-motorbike. O magsama ng marunong mag-motorbike.
• Syempre di ako makatiis. Ito yung itinerary namin nung nandun kami:
  

  Day 1: Plane arrives. Look for place to stay. You can opt to stay at Tagbilaran City itself (there are many accommodations in the city), or you can stay at any of the resorts in Panglao Island. There are numerous beaches in the island, we opted to stay at the Alona Beach area. If you have more time maybe you can stay at Balicasag or Pamilican Islands. For honeymooners, Panglao Island Nature Resort on the other side of Panglao Island would be perfect. And for party people, you can look into Bohol Beach Club, among others.

  Day 2: Tagbilaran City tour. Hire a car or van and visit Hinagdanan Cave (on Panglao Island), Blood Compact Site (in the city), Baclayon Church (and museum) and the Chocolate Hills. Have buffet lunch on the Loboc River Cruise, and then go ahead and take a picture of the tarsiers kept near the Loboc Church. On the way towards Chocolate Hills, stop by the Man Made Forest in Bilar town. Take a picture of the different churches of the different towns you'll pass through. Pass by the Hanging Bridge. If you have more time, visit Prony the giant python at Alburqueque. Prony eats only virgin pigs. Most of the sites have "by donation" entrance fees.
  

  Day 3: Whale watching (if possible). Unfortunately the rainy months bring upon strong waves which for some reason the whales shy away from. In other words, there are very few whale or dolphin sightings during this time. So go diving instead. Balicasag Island has beautiful dive sites. And if you can't dive? Go snorkelling.

  Day 4: Swim. Eat. Bum Around. Go to Tagbilaran City to visit the malls and do pasalubong shopping. We went to the Island Mall where we spent the afternoon. Actually we planned to go biking around Panglao Island to visit the different beaches, but that didn't pan out. So went shopping instead. Bus fare from Panglao Island to Tagbilaran is 20 pesos. From Alona Beach, just head out towards Rona's Corner Store. Mini-buses and jeeps usually pass this way. It will be a bit of a long and bumpy ride however.
  

  Day 5: Eat hearty breakfast. Pack stuff. Head home.

Bohol

The weather was perfect...not too sunny, and not too cloudy. It was raining cats and dogs in Manila, but it didn't rain a bit in Bohol. Finally, took a break. Had a kit-kat. And despite it being the rainy season, the weather cooperated nicely. Ahh...the life. :)

Some points of interest:

• Baclayon Church -- The Philippine's oldest Church. Built in 1596 under the Spanish regime, the Baclayon Church still retains its original stone structure. There's a museum beside the church which showcases old statues of saints, and other church paraphernalia. An old old piano with a big big music sheet reminded me of old ghosts. The museum is made of wood, entrance is 25 pesos per head. Beside the Church and the museum is the school where Cesar Montano studied (according to our guide). Nagkamali pa nga ako ng rinig eh...nung nabanggit kasi ng guide si Cesar, sabi nya, "bakla yun". Natawa ako. Napagalitan tuloy ako...sinabi pala nya, "Baclayon", hindi "bakla yun."
• Chocolate Hills -- What more can I say? The Chocolate Hills of Bohol is one of the tourist spots that elementary school kids memorize whenever they're asked what's unique about the Philippines. A viewing deck is constructed on top of the highest hill. 200 steps lead up to the top of the hill. A small grotto lies halfway up the hill. Entrance is free.
• Loboc River Cruise -- Loboc River was immortalized in Cesar Montano's Panaghoy sa Suba. One can have a buffet lunch meal cruise for around 250 bucks. Some barges even have a karaoke machine on board. Ours had manong serenading us with good old acoustic favorites.
• Tarsiers -- Yes, the world's smallest monkey. They're cute, they're small, and they're being protected by the DENR. It's now illegal to actually hold one, the tarsiers have a tendency to die after being handled
• Panglao Island -- The beach is heaven. Fine white sand, clear tranquil waters. 'Nuff said.
• Blood Compact Site -- The original blood compact site was private property, so they erected the monument a few steps away from the actual site. This site commemorates Legazpi and Rajah Sikatuna's blood compact way back in 1565. Entrance to site is free (just donate something).

There are lots more to do (whale watching, diving, hiking, biking)...next year ulit. Sana libre naman ako. Hehe.

**Mura daw sa Nuts Huts, sabi ng guide namin na si Tata. May sign sila along Loboc River. Meron din mga foreign backpackers, at madalas daw marami nagste-stay duon. May bundok din daw na malapit, di na nga lang namin nakita.

More pictures here.