Smart Backpacker: Bohol

Showing posts with label Bohol. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Top 10 Rivers in the Philippines for Tourists

In my eight years of travel around the Philippines, I have seen some of the best and biggest rivers in the Philippines. I have seen the the Rio De Grande Cagayan (top view) while I was on board a plane en route to Tuguegarao and the Rio De Grande of Mindanao while passing in Cotabato City.

But these rivers are not tourist spots. Here are the top rivers for tourists in the Philippines!

My Top Ten Rivers in the Philippines for Tourists

1. Enchanted River, Hinatuan, Agusan Del Sur (The only crystal-blue water river in the Philippines. The majestic sight is really jaw-dropping!)

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/enchanted-river.html

2. Pagsanjan River, Laguna (known for its majestic falls and its rapids, you will love the adventure going to the falls!)

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-thrill-of-rapids-in-pagsanjan-and.html

3. Davao River (The best river in the Philippines for white river rafting. The long, numerous, winding and perilous rapids will surely give you the adrenalin boost that you long for!)

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/white-river-rafting-in-davao.html

4. Cagayan De Oro River (The second best river for white river rafting)

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/12-of-my-best-adventures-in-philippines.html

5. Chico River, Kalinga-Apayao (Third best river for white river rafting)

from Chico River Quest, Inc

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/passing-in-kalinga.htm

6. Loboc River, Bohol (known for its buffet river cruise)

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/experience-bohol.html

7. Villa Escudero River, Tiaong, Quezon (known for its buffet lunch at the falls, bamboo raft cruise and fishing)

8.Governor's Rapids, Quirino (known for its river rafting using a canoe)

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/amazing-quirino.html

9. Panguil River Eco-Park, Pangil, Laguna (known for its trekking, tubing, and Ambon-Ambon Falls)

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2014/02/ambon-ambon-falls-natividad-pangil.html

10. Puerto Princesa Underground River, Palawan (Originally, it was not part of the list since I categorize it more as a cave. PPUR is known for its rock formations inside the cave. But since it is one of Asia's longest underground river, then PPUR should be included)

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Top Beaches in Visayas (A Review)

It's Summer! And as always, a trip to the beach is simply inevitable! Well, these are the best beaches in Visayas only. This is a simple review of the beaches that I have visited. I hope this will help you pick the right beach for your vacation.. =)

My personal rating
1 - highest/best
5 - worst

Antulang Beach, Negros Oriental

Travel Time from Manila - 55 minutes by plane
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Dumaguete, tricycle to Ceres bus station in Dumaguete, bus ride to Antulang, habal-habal ride (motorcycle) to the beach
Proximity from Manila - #3
Accommodation - #2
Expenses - #3
Food - #1
White Sand - YES
Nightlife - none
Drinking spree - only at the resort
Multitude of People - #3 (usually foreigners)
Adventure - nature photography, breathtaking view, walking along the trail
Serenity/Paradise - #1 (best reason)

Primary Reason - the view and the atmosphere are simply world-class

Related link -

http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/exploring-negros-oriental-and-negros.html

Camotes Island, Cebu

Santiago Bay Resort

Travel Time from Manila - 1 hour and 12 minutes by plane
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Cebu, taxi to North Bus Terminal, Bus to Danao Port, Ro-Ro to Camotes, habal-habal to resort
Proximity from Manila - #4
Accommodation - #2
Expenses - #3
Food - #2
White Sand - YES
Nightlife - none
Drinking spree - resort only
Multitude of People - #2
Adventure - lake, falls, spelunking (best reason)
Serenity/Paradise - #2 (best reason)

Primary Reason - going to Santiago Bay is the best reason to enjoy your vacation

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/camotes-island-white-sand-beach-and.html

Bantayan Island, Cebu
best choice!

Anika Beach Resort

Travel Time from Manila - 1 hour and 12 minutes by plane
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Cebu, taxi to North Bus Terminal, Bus to Hagnaya, Ro-Ro to Bantayan, tricycle to the resort
Proximity from Manila - #3
Accommodation - #1 (best reason)
Expenses - #1
Food - #1 (best reason)
White Sand - YES
Nightlife - YES, at the town proper
Drinking spree - YES, at the town proper
Multitude of People - #4
Adventure - #2 scuba diving, snorkeling, water sports
Serenity/Paradise - #1

Primary Reason - best white sand in Cebu!

Related link -

http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/bantayan-island-in-cebu.html

Biliran (Naval)

Travel Time from Manila - travel by air to Tacloban City, 55 minutes
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Tacloban, tricycle to van station, van to Biliran, motorcycle or tricycle to the resort
Proximity from Manila - #3
Accommodation - #4
Expenses - #4
Food - #3
White Sand - minimal (almost brown sand)
Nightlife - none
Drinking spree - none
Multitude of People - #2
Adventure - falls, trekking, hiking, island hopping
Serenity/Paradise - #3

Primary Reason - it has great falls (Ulan-Ulan Falls)

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/biliran-paradise-undiscovered.html
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/eastern-visayas-tour.html

Boracay (Station 1)

Travel Time - (varies) you can reach Boracay either by air, land or sea
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach -
if your flight is Kalibo - plane to Kalibo, van to Caticlan, pumpboat to Boracay
if your flight is Caticlan - plane to Caticlan, tricycle to the pier, pumpboat to Boracay
if you opted 2GO - ferry ride to Caticlan, pumpboat to Boracay
Proximity from Manila - #2
Accommodation -
Station 1 - high end (10,000 - up)
Station 2 - average (5,000 - 9,000)
Station 3 - 1,000 - 4,000
Expenses - #4-5
Food - #1 (best reason)
White Sand - #1(best reason)
Nightlife - #1 (best reason)
Multitude of People - #5
Adventure - #1 (best reason)
Serenity/Paradise - #4
Drinking spree - #1 (best reason)
Sunset or Sunrise - sunset (best reason)
Primary reason - best white sand in the Philippines

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/boracay.html

Guimaras (Alubijod Beach)

Travel Time from Manila - travel by plane to Iloilo, 50 minutes
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Iloilo, taxi to Pantalan (pier), pumpboat to Guimaras, motorcycle or tricycle to the resort
Proximity from Manila - #2
Accommodation - #3
Expenses - #3
Food - #2 (you have to taste the mangoes)
White Sand - YES
Nightlife - none
Drinking spree - only at the resort
Multitude of People - #3
Adventure - island hopping, spelunking, trekking
Serenity/Paradise - #2

Primary Reason - Mangoes!

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/guimaras-paradise.html

Malapascua Island, Cebu

Travel Time from Manila - 1 hour and 12 minutes by plane
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Cebu, taxi to North Bus Terminal, Bus to Maya, pumpboat to Malapascua, walk to the resort =)
Proximity from Manila - #3
Accommodation - #2
Expenses - #3
Food - #2
White Sand - YES (best reason)
Nightlife - none
Drinking spree - only at the resort
Multitude of People - #1 (usually foreigners sunbathing)
Adventure - #2 Thresher shark diving
Serenity/Paradise - #1 (best reason)

Primary Reason - One of the best diving spots in the Philippines

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/malapascua-island-best-island-in-cebu.html

Moalboal, Cebu

Travel Time from Manila - 1 hour and 12 minutes by plane
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Cebu, taxi to South Bus Terminal or Librando Bus Terminal, Bus to Moalboal, tricycle or motorcycle to the beach
Proximity from Manila - #3
Accommodation - #3
Expenses - #3
Food - #3
White Sand - YES
Nightlife - moderate
Drinking spree - only at the resort
Multitude of People - #4
Adventure - diving, boat racing
Serenity/Paradise - #3

Primary Reason - One of the best diving spots in the Philippines

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/passing-in-moalboal.html

Panglao, Bohol

Travel Time from Manila - 47 minutes by plane
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Tagbilaran, Bohol, van to Panglao Beach
Proximity from Manila - #2
Accommodation - #2
Expenses - #2
Food - #2
White Sand - YES
Nightlife - moderate
Drinking spree - moderate
Multitude of People - #4
Adventure - island hopping, scuba diving
Serenity/Paradise - #3

Primary Reason - best spot in Bohol

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/experience-bohol.html

Siquijor

Travel Time from Manila - 50 minutes by plane
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Dumaguete, tricycle to pantalan (port), Ro-Ro to Siquijor, motorcycle ride to the resort
Proximity from Manila - #4
Accommodation - #3
Expenses - #3
Food - #5 (be very cautious on what you eat or drink)
White Sand - YES
Nightlife - none
Drinking spree - none
Multitude of People - #2
Adventure - falls, visiting old churches, spelunking
Serenity/Paradise - #1

Primary Reason - the entire island is white sand =)

Related link -

http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/siquijor-adventure-in-three-hours.html

Related links:
Traveling in Cebu - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/04/traveling-in-cebu.html
Top Beaches in Mindanao - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/04/top-beaches-in-mindanao-review.html
Top Beaches in Luzon - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/04/ro-ro-travel-from-allen-to-matnog-ort.html
Islands of Cebu - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/04/islands-of-cebu.html
Eastern Visayas Tour - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/eastern-visayas-tour.html

Monday, March 18, 2013

Visita Iglesia - Cebu and Bohol (2011)

As part of my yearly routine during Holy Week, I am sharing the different churches that I have visited in the Philippines. Part of this annual custom is visiting at least 14 churches which symbolizes the 14 stations of the cross. And as a devout Catholic, this practice has been religiously observed throughout the years.

Visita Iglesia - Cebu and Bohol (2011)

It was summer 2011. And there I was in Cebu visiting the Magellan's Cross and it was a good thing that the Sto. Nino Cathedral is just beside the Magellan's Cross.

Second stop - Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

I stayed only 5 hours in Cebu and I went to the port and boarded the ship to Bohol.

Third stop - Tagbilaran Church

Then, the St. James the Apostle Church

Honestly, I forgot the name of this church..

Sixth stop - Loboc Church

Seventh stop - Loay Church

Eight stop - Alburquerque Church

Ninth stop - Baclayon Church

Tenth stop - Dauis Church

Eleventh stop - I forgot (sorry)

Twelfth Stop - Panglao Church

Thirteenth stop - Lila Church

Fourteenth stop - Dimiao Church

Fifteenth stop - Church of Valencia

Sixteenth stop - Garcia Hernandez Church

I know God wouldn't mind If I visited 16 churches instead of the usual 14 churches.

This is Bohol!!

If the exterior and facade are fascinating and breathtaking,

you should see the interior and the belltower of the church.

I simply love the churches of Bohol!!!

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Caves in the Philippines: A Spelunker's Dream!

The Philippines is blessed with a variety of tourist destinations ranging from white sand beaches, limestone cliffs, lagoons, mangroves, hills, mountains, volcanoes, rivers, water falls and breathtaking landscapes and seascapes. These destinations offer numerous ecotourism and recreational activities.

From the numerous recreational activities, my personal favorite is Spelunking.

taken from howstuffworks

According to Merriam-Webster, Spelunking/Caving is the hobby or practice of exploring caves. Some call it a sport in which people explore caves.

Others define it as an exhilarating journey to the deep, dank, dark depths of the Earth. I simply call it my passion!

The love for this ecotourism activity started in Sagada, Mountain Province. I had no idea then what was spelunking was all about. But the love and urge for it grew from then on.

Here are the caves that I have explored in the Philippines.

Sumaguing-Lumiang Cave, Sagada, Mountain Province

This a four-hour trek inside the cave starting from Lumiang cave and ending in Sumaging cave.

One has to be very careful inside the cave. It is very slippery and the terrain is rugged.

There are times you have to tip-toe walking in narrow cliffs inside the cave.

And even cross pockets of water inside the cave.

Year 2011, I went back to Sagada for the two-hour Sumaging Cave adventure.

The Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) is one of the Seven Nature Wonders of the World. It boasts of an 8.2 kilometer underground water system. But only 1.5 kilometers can be explored using a boat ride.

The tour is good for 45 minutes only.

Inside the cave, the sight is just magnificent!

Hinagdanan Cave, Bohol

From Tagbiliran City, a 40-minute van ride
will take you to the spot.

Callao Cave, Penablanca, Cagayan

The seven-chambered Callao Caves boast of massive limestone and other rock formations, skylights, and a chapel.Every chamber has natural crevices, which let light get into the cave, serving as illumination for the otherwise dark areas of the place. A boat ride is a must to reach the entrance of the cave.

Cagayan is the cave capital of the Philippines.

Sta. Victoria Caves. Ilagan, Isabela

There are three caves that you can
explore.

Aglipay Caves, Quirino

The spelunking can be finished in 1-2 hours.

There are times that you have to crawl inside the cave.

Amazing formations can be seen inside the cave.

Leaving the cave, you have to climb the man-made ladder.

Sohoton Cove, Bucas Grande Island

In order to reach the spot, one must ride the boat.

Odloman Cave, Negros Oriental

You have to trek just to reach the cave.

This cave is 8.9 km. long. Five entrances have been connected and the system comprises a mix of large and small galleries with some active streamway. This cave is the 6th deepest in the country.

I was able to reach our destination.

Unfortunately, we do not have the necessary equipment to enter the cave.

Mabinay Caves, Negros Oriental

Negros Oriental is home to a number of caves in the Philippines.

Silop Cave, Surigao City

The cave can be reached within 25-30 minute ride from the city.

Sohoton Cave, Basey Samar

One has to rent a boat to reach the cave. This is included as one of the 32 ecotourism spots in the Philippines.

And finally, the latest cave I trekked,

Calbiga Caves, Western Samar

The largest cave system in the Philippines
and third in Southeast Asia.

You can also enjoy bird watching while
trekking after your spelunking.

Try trekking, bird watching and spelunking in the Philippines.

It's more fun doing these activities in the Philippines! =)

Related links -

Adventure

Trekking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-neophyte-trekker.html

Spelunking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/caves-in-philippines-spelunkers-dream.html

Skywalk/Edge Coaster - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/adventures-in-cebu-city.html

Trekking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/two-mountains-in-one-day-mt-maculot-and.html

Mt. Pinatubo - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mt-pinatubo-trek-capas-tarlac-trail.html

Top Ten adventures - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/12-of-my-best-adventures-in-philippines.html

River Rafting - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/white-river-rafting-in-davao.html

Sagada - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/my-adventures-in-sagada-plus-itinerary.html

Mt. Makiling - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mt-makiling-trek-and-itinerary.html

Pagsanjan - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-thrill-of-rapids-in-pagsanjan-and.html