2012 Travel Series No. 1: Part 3 - Bohol: Panglao, Balicasag, and Virgin Islands

Part 3 - From Bohol to Cebu, Off to Dinner and Catch my Flight Back to Manila.

Mang Herme's, Herbert's father, was kind enough to let me use their toilet...I needed a shower. :-)  Instead of paying another 250pesos for a tricycle ride back to Tagbilaran, I hitched a ride on Herbert's motorbike to the town proper and took a jeepney ride for 20pesos.  Travel time was almost an hour though but I did manage to save 230pesos...not bad.

It was a downpour when I reached Tagbilaran...more blessings, I thought :-).  Or more of a welcome shower.  As we reached the Pier, the rain stopped.  Haiya!

Tagbilaran City, mid-summer rain

TIP:  Make sure you book your tickets, for the ferry to Cebu, early on as the Economy class tickets get sold fast.  There are three (3) companies serving Bohol-Cebu (and vice versa).  The cleanest, most modern are the ferries from Super Cat.

It was 2pm.  I had two choices, get the Business Class ticket for 760pesos leaving at 230pm or wait for the other ferries at 430pm. It was an easy choice, the former of course :-).  Business Class passengers have a special entrance at the back of the ferry leading to the second floor.  Yes, better view, lesser passengers.  And best of all, free snack...business class style (sarcastic me).

For 760 pesos, Super Cat serves business class snack (Haist!)

Two hours of traversing Cebu Strait, I finally reached Cebu. Hopped on a cab and the first thing that came to my mind - Ayala Cebu...but then again, SM Cebu is nearer to the Pier and Radisson Blu Hotel is just across SM.  So, dinner at SM then coffee at Radisson Blu.

Check out SunBurst restaurant...endemic to the Visayas...no branch in Manila.

I gave up after 15 minutes of trying to locate Saisaki.  Only to find out that Saisaki no more...:-(  I remember having the best seafood buffet several years back.  So there I was, looking for the best alternative authentic Visayan restaurant.  Eureka, Sunburst.  One catch, though, their best seller is fried chicken.  My tummy was rumbling, I had little choice.

Crispy fried chicken better than Jollibee Chicken Joy.  Promise!

I initially wanted a grilled taningue steak but changed my mind last minute and went for the chicken, it's their best seller after all :-)

Feeling bloated and stuffed, I needed a caffeine fix.  Starbucks or Bo's.  Bo's was the better choice since it's an authentic Cebu coffee shop.  But then again, what about Radisson Blu? So there I was.  (I'll write something about Radisson Blu some other time).

The coffee was not really that spectacular...the cafuccino in the office is better. :-)

How about some sweets?  That should wash all the Sunburst grease down...cheesecake...yes!  This was no ordinary cheesecake...it's a slice of coconut cheesecake...very Filipino :-)  Thank God for the cheesecake, Radisson managed to redeem itself...and I almost never wanted to come back.

Radisson Blu's coconut cheesecake had the right sweetness and creaminess.  I'm sure to take another bite next week when I go back to Cebu.

6:30pm I hopped on a cab for the airport.  Flight is not until 9pm but I had more than enough relaxation.  After all, I miss my comfy bed.

NEXT ADVENTURE - Cebu & Mactan Islands, 31 March 2012 - 1 April 2011

2012 Travel Series No. 1: Part 2 - Bohol: Panglao, Balicasag, and Virgin islands

DAY 2 - Panglao, Balicasag, Virgin Islands, Cebu Adventure...dolphins, starfish, clown fishes, and more...

As promised, Mang Hermes's son Herbert came to pick me up from the resort at 530am.  I was expecting a small boat since there is only me...to my surprise it was a vessel good enough for 20 people...a good deal at 1500pesos.

It took Herbert and his uncle, Jojo 15 minutes to navigate through  seaweeds...
it was low tide, at its lowest

We reached the deep around 6am.  I hour of dolphin searching, my head was starting to ache, I was very dizzy and wanted to throw up.  Was about to tell Herbert to give up the search when he shouted, "Sir, dolphins sa kanan (Sir, dolphins to your right).  And there it was, a family of dolphins.  We followed them and other families of dolphins for nearly an hour.  It was worth the wait! (will upload video some other time...Internet connection is too slow).

At 8, we headed for Balicasag Island.  First thing I looked for after hitting the beach...FOOD! (And I still wonder how my weight shoot from 135lbs. to 175lbs...and stayed at the same level for the longest time...don't ask..I'm still in denial).

The beachfront had rows of restaurants (makeshift)...I was given the menu...and damn...it's like being in a 5star hotel restaurant - both breakfast choices and the price).  The waitress suggested "paluto, dampa style" (choose the seafood, they'll cook for you).  For a 820pesos, a cup of coffee, 4 cups of rice, 1/2 kilo of oyster clam soup, 1/2 kilo of fried flying fish, 1/4 kilo garlic shrimp, and 1 whole grilled unknown fish...2nd best decision I made on this trip.  I would have easily thrown away 750 for 3 Continental (toast, jam, egg, juice) or Filipino breakfast.  It was a feast!

A feast at 820pesos, cooking charge included..there's more clam in the pot :-)

TIP:  Make sure you invite your boatmen to the feast.  Not only because your lives depend on them but it's what good Christians should do. :-)  God's blessings are best enjoyed when it is shared.

After the sumptuous breakfast (cum lunch and merienda), I took a 3 minute trek to check the Balicasag Lighthouse (old and new).

The new light house is almost always closed not unless you chance upon the key keeper.

Finally, it was time to hit the waters, to the fish sanctuary.  Lumix underwater camera will finally be put to the ultimate test.  Nollie (who happens to be the cook) was my guide.  One has to pay 150pesos.  Water shoes are also needed, it is being rented out for 100pesos...and snorkeling set for rent at 150.  Here are some shots by Noli - the able boatman, guide, cook, and cameraman.

first plunge...Nollie said I'm not swimming in a pool...hence, no point  in using my Goggles...
no choice,  I ended up paying 150 for the mask :-)

It was all worth it...even if he asked for 500...these pictures are well worth it.

Feeding frenzy...banged my head twice...overly excited

bring water grip shoes...the corals are sharp

met Nemo...and Nemo...and more Nemo

One last plunge

Thirty minutes and I'm done...asked Nollie to take some underwater pictures for me.  Check out my Facebook site for more pictures: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1030256760 or search Richard Peig in FB.

By 10AM we were on our way to Virgin Islands, which was not so much of a virgin anymore :-)...it has the longest stretch of sandbar I have ever seen...longer than those in Cebu, Bora, and Davao...lots of starfish and sea urchins.

Of all places, I bumped into people in the office...not once but twice.  what the!!! Instant Oracle Upgrade 12.1.3 meeting :-)

People from the office...did'nt manage to take a pix with the other group

Fifteen minutes after, I had enough.  I called it a day.  Back to Panglao and off to Cebu.

NEXT POST...tips on travelling from Bohol to Cebu

2012 Travel Series No. 1: Part 1 - Bohol: Panglao, Balicasag, and Virgin islands

DAY 1 - Exploring Panglao

Five more days and it will exactly be a year since I wrote something in this blog...it's either I have been too busy or too lazy...well, that doesn't matter anymore...I know now what I will be writing now, at least for the next couple of months :-)

A little over two weeks ago, I found myself checking all the local airline websites...and ended booking a ticket to Bohol and Cebu for last weekend's escapade.  The plan was to fly to Tagbilaran on a Saturday and cross to Cebu that same afternoon and come back Sunday.

I was sure that for the nth time I'll be burning my tickets.  But the best of me persisted and ended up hopping  on a Cebu Pacific flight to Tagbilaran, Saturday, 17 March, 8:30AM...flight was delayed for nearly 30 minutes...not a good start, I thought.

Upon arrival, I was greeted by a gang of tricycle drivers, Manong James was the most persistent of all...we agreed at 250 pesos, airport to the Pier in Panglao as I wanted to cross to Balicasag Island.  It was almost 11am when we reached Panglao and I was afraid that I will not be able to follow my itinerary (that's the beauty of solitary travelling, no worries when things don't go as planned...no one throwing a tantrum).  Panglao is nearly 20km from Tagbilaran.  

TIP: If you're a little low on budget, from the airport take a tricycle to the city center, then take a bus or a jeepney to Panglao, fare is 20 pesos per head. Once in Panglao, take a tricyle or a motorbike to your destination, fare should not be more than 50pesos per head.

Traversing the Panglao Hi-way...yes, it's a hi-way :-)

Upon reaching Panglao Pier (located at the back of the Panglao Cathedral) I was told that there were no boats regularly plying the route to Balicasag (except during the fiesta season in May).  Mang Hermes Milay suggested that I checked-in at Alona Beach and he'll have me picked up at 5am for some dolphin watching and island hopping.  Dolphins??? Cool.  We closed the deal at 1500pesos (was surprised to find out the following day that the boat can accommodate a little over 20 people...and I had it all for myself).  I paid 250 advance, for gas.

TIP: No worries about giving advance to local folks...just make sure you ring the number they give you before you leave.

I asked Mang James to stopover at the cathedral (uttered a little prayer of thanks...and shot a couple of pixs) before taking me to Alona Beach, additional 50pesos...300 all in all.

The facade has lost its glory but inside check out the Sistine-like ceiling

Reached Alona almost noon...was tired and hungry...I'd been to Bohol and Panglao several times but the resort I use to stay was fully booked - Alona Tropical Resort (well recommended)...I walked the whole stretch of Alona Beach (Alona Beach is about 1/4 of the total stretch of the famed Boracay Beach).

I settled in at Playa Blanca Resort (beach front) for 800pesos (fan room)...I got a whole nipa hut with a bathroom that could fit 10 people.  The hut comes with a verandah to dry your clothes, inside is a fan, and two beds (no TV)...use the aircon and you end up paying additional 500...I settled for the fan :-)

TIP: There are cheaper rooms about 100meters from the beach at 500pesos.  Alona Beach is not a long stretch. Check out the resorts before checking in.  If you're ready to splurge check out Vida Resort.  For the more affordable yet classy check out Alona Tropical Resort.

I wanted some good food...I was hungry and dead tired...I scouted for a good resto...but I had to wait for 30-45 minutes and had to shell out about 500 pesos...I didn't mind the price but I was dead hungry...so I settled at the cafeteria-canteen in front of the Playa Blanca resort...one of the best decision I made during the trip..food was yummy and very affordable...95 pesos for lunch...and 65pesos for merienda.

Veggie, meat, a cup of rice and a canned pineapple juice = 95pesos.
I had fried chicken and  pansit (noodles) for merienda = 65pesos

TIP:  On a tight budget, there are several canteen like shops along Alona Beach...just walk the stretch.

After lunch, I hit the beach...put on some sunblock, took my underwater camera for some testing, and read Aleph by Paulo Coelho...a long deserved relaxing vacation at last! :-)

I've always wanted to try to get a massage on the beach...and there were a number of "Manang's" just waiting for my sweet "yes"...the Manang I picked said she'll be using herbal products...she scraped my sole real good...but what was the red stain? metaiolate? waaaahhh!!! For 300pesos I should have just gotten a body massage...well, it was one for the books...will not ever try to have my sole scraped again. :-)

The following day, soles were very dry and chapped...and darn I forgot to bring some lotion...
one week now and it's still very dry...next time, I'll settle for a body massage.

After 4 hours of laying on the beach, taking several plunge in the cold Panglao waters, and 60 pages of Paulo's book, I was sleepy.  I hit the cot.

Overall Assessment of Alona Beach:

Alona Beach is the most famous stretch of beach in Panglao Island.  It's nearly a quarter long of the famous Boracay White Beach.  A number of resorts operate in the area which will satisfy every single traveler's taste.  I highly recommended, Vida Resort, Alona Tropical, and Playa Blanca (ordered by affordability with the last being the most affordable).  Most resorts cater to divers.

Night life is not as vibrant as Boracay, which is good.  Only a few resorts and bars stay open after 10pm.  I checked out one bar, forgot the name, and they serve Margherita Pizza better than Aria in Boracay (and for half the price too).

Dinner time...250 Pizza and 70per bottle of San Mig Light (I finished 3)

BALICASAG ADVENTURE in the next post.