Tag Archives: bohol
Philippines: The Recap
So when ever traveling there is always something to be learned. My trip to the Philippines was no different. It all started with Manila.
Manila:
- I learned this from my very first trip to India, but completely forgot. Do not trust those at airports. On my first trip I got conned into getting a room and paid 5 times the normal price. In Philippines I was kind of pressured into giving tips (that unwarranted in a country that does not give tips) for a large amount compared to the Philippine peso.
- People say to leave Manila quick and see the other sites. I say that is boo-hockey. I found I did not have enough time to see Manila. I did not get to see the “university belt”, only barely saw Intramuros, and never got to see the sunset or sunrise of Manila Bay. Not to mention the other things I didn’t even get to do.
- Visit Divisoria, and Wagas Market. Wasag Market you have to worry about at late night, as I was warned that there are snatchers around. But I had the most fun eating in a small shack of a home with people from the streets. I learned a lot.
General:
- Wander around the beach. Many times I walk the beach and locals would just invite me over to eat and enjoy sometime with them.
- Enjoy some Tuba. It is a great way to meet some people. When people are getting drunk off of some tuba it is always a good time for everyone there. If you are the kind who doesn’t drink, drink some slowly and take your time.
- Leyte I was told was no big deal to see. I say the opposite. I visited a springs, enjoyed the beach, climbed up a mountain, went on a pilgrimage, and that was a fraction of what I could have done.
- Although Bohol is a tourist trap, run with it. I usually do not do tourist traps, but it was actually fun for a day, at least. Do the Chocolate Hills, the tarsiers and all the other touristy things. It was actually fun for the day.
- Make new friends. Do not be afraid to go out of your comfort zone, it is a great way to meet some people and have new fun things to do.
- Stick to your budget. There are times where I was told A when I heard, or expected B. But sticking to my budget, B worked out, A would have costed me more money.
- Book your flights online. It is cheaper.
- Eating vegetarian is hard, but if you keep looking around you can find vegetarian options. Usually have to avoid the fast food/chain restaurants. Especially the chain restaurants may say vegetable/veggies, it mostly still has meat in it.
- A size Medium Tshirt from the Philippines does not fit the same as a size Medium from the USA.
Edit: 9/25/11 8:15AM
- I forgot the most Important thing I learned. That I am now thankful for what I have. There were conditions I saw that I never have been in. My friends live in way poorer situations than me. I am very lucky for the things I have in my life, and it makes me realize that I have almost too many things in my life. That is the most important thing I got from my trip.
- I also learned that the Ferry in Maasin to Ubay no longer leaves at 8:00 am, but instead at 7:30 PM.
- My friend Jess is an amazing cook.
There was a lot I learned. I hope this helps others in the future. Or you can just explore and let us know what you have learned as well. Happy future travels to all.
Philippines Days 11 & 12: Bohol Bee Farm and Divisoria
So my plan before leaving Bohol was to do nothing. And Bohol Bee Farm is a good place to just sit back and relax. With a rustic cottage and an organic farming experience, it was a great place to do nothing but eat good food. If you are a foodie like I am, then I would have to recommend Bohol Bee Farm for at least eating. It has wonderful fresh vegetables, which are all locally and organically grown on the farm.
For lunch I ate a fresh lumpia with a wonderful honey peanut butter sauce. I also tried a tomato soup, which was nice and fresh. And my main entree was a vegetarian pasta. Bohol Bee Farm was my paradise, being a vegetarian.
For dinner I enjoyed some chips, the lumpia again and a spicy eggplant with ginger called kinilaw na talong.
The next morning my travel mate and I ate our breakfast and headed off to the airport. We arrived in Manila into a guesthouse known as Makati Apartelle, and then wandered off to find some food, which included peanut M&Ms and Toblerone. Then to Chowking. At that point my travel mate’s cousin called her and invited us over to her place and that is exactly what we did next.
Now I had originally wanted to visit Divisoria area in Manila the first round I was in Manila, but rain and time was against me. This time, all the right things were working for me. We went to Wagas Market, a poorer area of Manila, where we met Donna, Jess’ cousin and then headed off to buy some food to cook. Donna’s home was a small little spot in an alley where convenient items were sold, like cigarettes, candy, water, soda pop. It was nice to be with everyday filipinos. It was also sad to see children sleeping half naked in the streets as the rain came down. It really was an experience. The only regret I had, was that I did not bring my camera to document it all.
After some amazing torta (eggplant similarly cooked like chile rellaños) and rice was consumed, we thanked our hosts and went on our way back to our guesthouse. The next day we are to fly back home.
Philippines Days 9 & 10: Bohol
When coming to Bohol, I was a bit hesitant. From what I heard, the place was a tourist trap. To tell you the truth, it is. But it is a fun tourist trap. There is a lot to do here including seeing the world’s smallest primates, seeing mini hills made of “chocolate”, and adventuring down a zip line.
It started after being early 12 hours for our ferry ride to Bohol into the port town of Ubay. Since it was late we decided to get a place to stay for the night. We got up early and made our way for some breakfast and then to the city of Tagbiliran. After 3 hours on the van we found ourselves in the city of Tagbilaran, the main city of Bohol Island. We checked into the Dao Diamond Hotel and headed off via trike to the Chocolate Hills.
But before that we wandered around the Tarsier Conservatory. Tarsiers are the world’s smallest primates, with big bugged eyes. There were a lot of tourists, both foreign and domestic. It was fun to see the cute little buggers.
Afterwards we made our way to the famous chocolate hills, which are a lot of hills look like chocolate during the right time of the year. They have been around for a long time. Afterwards we made our way to the Butterfly Conservatory.
At the Butterfly Conservatory was… well, butterflies. I learned a lot about butterflies, the creature I have always despised and now have come to respect. They aren’t so bad after all, they are not just for girls.
We made our way back and went to the Island City Mall to eat and do some shopping then slept for the night. The next day we would head off to Danao for an adventure Park.
EAT Danao, was recommended to me by a Korean friend, not a Filipino friend, as a place to visit when in Bohol. It was a good recommendation. The 3 hour bus ride paid off when my travel mate, Jessa, and I took a zip line across a canyon. Jessa screamed her head off the whole, time. And I was the one afraid of heights. I can say she made me not so scared knowing she was more scared than me. The second line back was a bit more fun as neither of us closed our eyes or screamed and just enjoyed the view.
We also went kayaking on the river in Danao, a nice peaceful journey, and painful on the arms. Not to mention kind of wet for my friend Jessa, as I could not resist the chance to splash her with some of the cold river water.
We then proceeded to head back to Tagbilaran and on the way we meet to Canadian girls who were coming back from EAT Danao. Was some good touristy stuff we did. Today we make our way to another tourist area, Panglao Island, Aluna Beach, at the famous Bohol Bee Farm Resort. Today’s plan, sit on the beach and do nothing. If the rain doesn’t hit us.
Philippines Day 8: Maasin… Oops!
“Don’t drink too much”, I told my friend. “we have to get early to catch the ferry to Bohol”. Yet still I am here in Maasin. Apparently I was using old information on when the ferry leaves from Maasin. Instead of leaving at 8:00am it leaves at 7:30pm. That put a huge kink in our plans. But that is fine, since we were late entering Maasin yesterday, we got take the hike up to Hanginan. This is a pilgrimage to a church on the top of a hill. Since it was not planned I hiked using sandals and my backpack stuffed with a laptop and a lot of equipment. It was a hard journey in the heat, but a good challenge. Now to kill some time. Anyone have any suggestions on what to do in Maasin?