Luzon and Bohol

[fred]

Have a great trip Doc.. Sorry I may not be here to show you around..
Fred.

[purple]

Where the days go?

Enjoy your trip Doc Alan. I'm sure you will have great time in Bohol, specially in Panglao. We will be going there too for Christmas with my family.

[sars_notd_virus]

Enjoy and take care Doc

[Maria B]

Thanks Maria . You have already been a great help to me . Of course I will report back at the end of November .

[ynwa]

Doc, try Hinagdanan Cave in Dauis.

[Doc Alan]

The Philippines is still MY favourite tourist destination, and now I'm safely home I can say there were no problems with travel, health or security - thanks ( again ) to members and friends .
It was worthwhile paying the extra 90 GBP each way for Economy Comfort on KLM. I had an easily accessible window seat, with good views during daylight hours. My choice of Indonesian rice dish ( 11 GBP extra ) on the way out made a good start ( prepared in Amsterdam so unavailable on return ). My own headphone adaptor helped, even if it was the same choice of films on both flights.
St Giles Hotel ( www.St.Giles.Manila.com ) was well placed in Makati, with amazing views from the rooftop where the swimming pool was located. Staff were friendly and helpful, " superior " rooms were 4,500 Php / night, and while meals were inexpensive, there was a good choice of nearby eating places ( Shakey's Makati Avenue, www.shakeyspizza.ph ).
I went with American friends for a 3 hour City Tour on All Saints Day ( Nov 1 ) when traffic was quiet ( 1,600 Php each, www.greatsights.com.ph ), including Rizal Park, Fort Santiago, Intramuros, and the American Cemetery and Memorial - worthwhile even for those like myself who have been to Philippines before .
I went with other friends to the fairly new Manila Ocean Park ( www.manilaoceanpark.com ), behind the Quirino Grandstand in Ermita - good for all ages but " masyadong mahal " at 600 Php each plus extras - Pancake House had a great view over Manila Bay .
There was no time this visit to meet up with Aegis Band ( they had a gig in Quezon City on the weekend I arrived ), as I had other friends to meet including Steve.ry 's Charie.
I flew by Cebu Pacific ( www.cebupacificair.com ) to Tagbilaran ( Bohol ) - pre-booked return flight, including 20 kg baggage allowance, for 3,600 Php. Minimal delays and
great views .
Taking Fred's advice, I stayed at Dumaluan Beach Resort ( www.dumaluanbeach.com ) at Bolod Beach on Panglao Island for 3000 Php / night. This was less than half the minimum price of nearby resorts such as Bohol Beach Club,
and far cheaper than Alona Beach - with excellent facilities including restaurant adjacent to the beach, and beautiful swimming pool. The beach was cleaned daily by an army of manual workers. Nightlife was quiet - as intended .
There is so much to do in this area ! It helps to have local contacts, and to speak at least some Tagalog / Cebuano
Swimming in sea at 28 degrees, snorkelling and diving facilties are just amazing. A day's boat trip to Balicasag Island ( about 3000 Php including a huge breakfast ) and Virgin Island was spoiled only by the non-biodegradable human rubbish left behind .
The Loboc River cruise was worth repeating, and crossing the Hanging Bridge was fun . Similarly the Tarsier Visitors Center ( www.tarsierfoundation.org ) can't be missed. An even better view of the Chocolate Hills than the usual ( Carmen ) is available from the highest peak on Bohol,
Sagbayan - far fewer tourists, great photo opportunities, and ( at nearly 1000 feet ) slightly cooler .
Other sites less well known to tourists are Hinagdanan Cave, the Mag-Aso Falls, Bohol Bee Farm ( www.boholbeefarm.com ), Simply Butterflies ( www.simplybutterfliesproject.com ), and Punta Cruz Watch Tower. Some Spanish churches are well known ( Baclayon ) - others less so ( Panglao, Dauis, Loon and Calapi ). The Blood Compact site ( commemorating the agreement between Sikatuna and Legazpi ) is another "must" .
For eating places, MiraVilla in Tagbilaran City and The Prawn Farm in Island City Mall serve amazing seafood for around 1000 Php each . A shampoo, haircut and back massage at " David's Salon " in Island City Mall cost 200 Php.
There was some rain, but no typhoons, in Manila. Similarly there was enough cloud cover and rain in the Bohol area to avoid sunburn. Bohol does not have malaria, and I've been home long enough already to be confident I don't have dengue . I took over 500 pictures and short videos on a Panasonic Lumix TZ18, for which one high speed ( "10" ) 8 GB memory disc, and a spare battery ( all from Amazon ) was sufficient. My only concern was the fragile lens cover which stuck once or twice because of dust / sand particles - very careful cleaning with lens tissues and cotton buds sorted it .
I used two disposable waterproof cameras for underwater prints.
I had considered also another visit to Cebu but in truth the Bohol area was so enjoyable and interesting that 12 days went by all too quickly.
The points made on the " Philippines Tourist " thread are valid . I guess my fourth trip in over 30 years was the most successful yet because I did my homework and friends gave loads of good advice .

[Terpe]

Wow, it sounds like that was a really great trip.

That post was a good read and also informative, thats for the effort Doc

Must admit, I too was just so impressed with Bohol. I would recommend to anyone.

[Maria B]

Welcome back Doc Al.

I am glad you've enjoyed your Phil travel more this time around. Happy to hear that you are home safe & sound & not to mention ... you having a good tan

[andy222]

Welcome back doc. Glad you had a great trip with no problems. We were the same when we visited Bohol. So many things to see there. We stayed at Alona. The chocolate hills were great. Like you said a nice place overall. Never got to eat on the floating boat always fully booked.

[Dedworth]

Excellent write up Doc. Glad you had a good time at got back safe and sound. When you were on Bohol did you see the Blood Compact Site just outside Tagbilaran with the statue overlooking the sea - a nice spot



We went there whilst on the way to the old Spanish church at Baclayon, then like you onwards to the Loboc river & Chocolate Hills.

[Englishman2010]

Welcome back Alan
Thanks for the very comprehensive write up, and it's nice to read that you had a wonderful time

[stevewool]

all sounds good Alan, we would love to make the trip to bohol when we are there but you know what its like, plans can chamge , hope to see you soon

[alanmf1]

Welcome back Doc! Sounds like you had a ball and took in most of Bohols sights!
Did you get to Mag ASO Falls not far from Punta Cruz?

Look forward to more pics

[Doc Alan]

Thanks for the welcome back I did visit every one of the sites mentioned in my thread .
It's taken some time to organise the hundreds of photos, and I've started to upload a selection on facebook.

[Englishman2010]

How was the swinging bamboo bridge Alan? There were a few loose treads when I did it in Jan 2010, I hope they've repaired them since then

[Doc Alan]

How was the swinging bamboo bridge Alan? There were a few loose treads when I did it in Jan 2010, I hope they've repaired them since then

The hanging bridge was structurally safe, Englishman, the main danger being from obese tourists
Here are a few views from my trip ( click on photos for source ; DBR = Dumaluan Beach Resort, Panglao Island ; ICM = Island City Mall, Bohol; St Giles view = rooftop view from Makati hotel ).
Balicasag (20).jpgTarsier Center (11).jpgICM (18).jpgPrawn Farm, ICM(1).jpgSt Giles view (29).jpgDBR (129).jpgHinagdanan Cave (26).jpgSagbayan Peak (15).jpgManila Bay (24).jpgDBR (128).jpgSimply Butterflies (10).jpgNature Center (3).jpgSt Giles view (28).jpgBee Farm (13).jpgMag-Aso Falls (15).jpgHanging Bridge (11).jpgManila Bay (23).jpgChocolate Hills, near Sagbayan Peak (3).jpg

[grahamw48]

In case I haven't said it already (memory ) ...welcome back Alan !

Excellent pictures.

Can't wait to see some more.

And oh those lovely mangoes that I miss so much.

[Koala]

Sounds like Doc had a great trip......Doesn't it make you count the days left until you could finally make the move over here....

You could send a life time when retired travelling around the archipelago to small resorts on the beach to the big luxury resorts and have a round of golf.

Trust me this is a great place and you will never feel home sick...There is a lot of negetive things here but the good things out way the negetive decisively

Good trip

[Doc Alan]

In case I haven't said it already (memory ) ...welcome back Alan !

Excellent pictures.

Can't wait to see some more.

And oh those lovely mangoes that I miss so much.

You have welcomed me back, Graham, but thanks again
I've learned how to cut mangoes the filipino way - so cheap and so delicious in Philippines compared to the ones from Tescos . On the other hand, when I first visited the Philippines in the 1970's you couldn't readily buy such fruit in UK.

[Arthur Little]

Yes, indeed, Alan ... for sharing your recent memories - both here and with your friends on FB - I'm uncertain whether it's STILL possible to upload photos on the Forum 'Gallery' or not ... ...

[grahamw48]

You can still put them on your album here, and control who is allowed to view them.

Mine is open to members should you care to take a quick shufty Arthur.

[mikey73]

welcome back doc alan

sounds like it was a wonderful trip and the photos look great

[Doc Alan]

Sounds like Doc had a great trip......Doesn't it make you count the days left until you could finally make the move over here....

P1010238(1).jpgP1010339(1).jpgP1010237(1).jpg
Thanks Koala, here is the view from Panglao towards Siquijor and your city of Dumaguete on Negros, together with two aerial shots of the Visayas One day I was lucky enough to see Camiguin island to the south of Bohol .
Thanks also Mikey for the welcome back .

[BoholoX]

Hi Doc

Glad you enjoyed your trip, it looks fantastic as usual.

Apologies that I missed your private message I havent managed to work out the visitor messages function yet.

Maybe next time?

[Sim11UK]

Glad you had a good time Alan
You look well in your photo's.
Try and get to Camiguin on your next trip.

[Doc Alan]

P1010680(1).jpgP1010610(1).jpgP1010653(1).jpgP1010650(1).jpgP1010657(1).jpg
Thanks BoholoX and Sim11UK I'm sure there will be another time
The photos are of a star fish, and - from Island City Mall - tilapia, dried fish and prawns ... and of course tricycles outside the Mall (so cheap but not comfortable ! )

[grahamw48]

Are you sure those Bangus aren't Tilapia ?

[Doc Alan]

Are you sure those Bangus aren't Tilapia ?

Tilapia is correct ! Thanks for noticing .

[grahamw48]

Being an 'Aquarist', I'm supposed to know these things.

Hope I'm right.

[Terpe]

Being an 'Aquarist', I'm supposed to know these things.

Hope I'm right.

Must say Graham, that's impressive work.

Tilapia






Bangus (Milkfish)