Bohol Part 3: Panglao Tour

I earlier shared that we stayed in Dumaluan Beach Resort, Panglao Island, Bohol. I was excited for our Panglao and Countryside Tour. I really did not know where our tour guide would take us that day but I earlier requested that breakfast should be at Bee Farm.

Welcome to Bohol Bee Farm!

I was really excited to taste their "gumamela salad" as what people i know calls it.

Bohol Bee Farm indoor pool

Views from Bohol Bee Farm's Buzz Cafe:

Bohol Bee Farm's Fresh Garden Salad
So, it's not just gumamela...

Next stop: Paying a visit to Bayoyoy

Bayoyoy, as of our visit, is already 64 years old. He is the smallest man in all of Bohol. Bayoyoy can't see nor talk but he is fortunate that he has a supportive family who never fails to take care of him. He's actually like a small child who could only eat cereal, oatmeal and milk. Visiting Bayoyoy is free, but the visitors' donations would really be a great help for him and his family.

Next stop: Dauis Church

The church of Dauis in Panglao is the home of the miraculous water. At the foot of the church's alter is where Mama Mary's Well may be found. This well is regarded as miraculous by the Panglao residents and is also known for its healing power. Also, the water that comes from this well is naturally fresh and potable despite its proximity to the sea. We were told that it was free to take water from this well, but that was before. Now, modernity has set in so you can now get your miracle water in bottles. The church does not charge a fee for the water, but of course, you still have to pay donate a minimal amount for its bottling.

Later that evening, we also went to Alona Beach. Boholanos say that Alona is like Boracay. I've never been to Boracay so I didn't quite know what to expect. When we reached Alona Beach, there were a lot of people, it wasn't really crowded but there were a lot of people. Boholanos say that Alona Beach is where the "fun" is. I was actually surprised about this place because I've imagined that Bohol is a very conservative place. In Alona Beach, there are mini bars and loud music

The next part of this series will be about our Countryside Tour. Stay tuned! =)

My love for Dahican

Dahican, Mati City, Davao Oriental

I love this place! I grew up spending my summer time in Mati and a visit at Dahican is always the highlight of my summer vacation. I didn't know how to swim, then, and I was always afraid of the huge waves. I stayed on the shore, got sand on every inch of my body, including my scalp!

As I became a teen, trips to Dahican were less frequent as we got busy with school. Between college, work, and law school, I could barely visit Dahican and I guess the only time I went to visit the place was on December 2008.

The past few years, skim boarding was getting popular as a sport. I immediately thought about Dahican's potential for skim boarders and surfers as the place is thrived with waves all year round. Plus, I have never really seen Dahican lose its water even on low tide...

I used to want skim boarding and surfing until I abandoned that "want" because I thought that I could never ever be able to do it. Not until my recent Dahican trip last October 30 to 31 that my skim boarding and surfing fantasies were brought back to life.

Skimboarding is not as easy as you see it. I incurred a lot of scratches on my knees and shins.

Thank you for the two consecutive long weekends, I was able to go back to Mati on November 5 to 6 to attend my cousin's birthday party and of course, do a quick visit to Dahican. This time, I was able to try my luck at surfing and I was surprised that I was able to stand on the surfboard at my first try! Yehey!

I wonder if I can still go back next weekend?

Anyway, here are the expenses for the Mati Trip:

Davao-Mati Van Fare: P220 (aircon, estimated 3-hour travel)
Davao-Mati Bus Fare: P272 (aircon, estimated 5-hour travel)
We spent P81 for gasoline from Mati Poblacion to Amihan, Dahican, two trips, using a motorcycle
Pedicab ride is available at around P70 one way from Mati Poblacion to Amihan, Dahican

By the way, the Seaside Restaurant in Mati serves the best fried lumpia at P7.00 per piece.

Bohol Part 2: Panglao!

I admit that Panglao, for me, is one of the most beautiful places I've been to. Last 2005, when I passed the CPA Board Examination, I was gifted with a trip to Bohol and I fell in love with Panglao Island. I said that I would really go back to Panglao.

From the Port of Tagbilaran, we hired a tricycle that would take us to the jeepney terminal going to Panglao. The fare was only P30.00 for us both. The jeepney fare is P20.00 from Tagbilaran to Dumaluan Beach Resort. Bohol's jeepneys have something unique. I experienced "jeepney extensions" when I was still very young but it has already been banned here in Davao City a long time ago. Can you imagine Bohol's jeepney extension that I'm talking about? Here it is:

Sitting on a stool

Some parts of the road going to Panglao are already concrete and some roads are already under construction. Just be sure that you're ready with your handkerchief if you'll be riding the jeepney (or any open vehicle) because the way could get very dusty. We alighted around 50 meters away from the resort entrance. We could have just walked but there were a few motorcycle drivers offering their services so we boarded one at a fee of P10 per person. The motorcycle driver gave us his cellphone number and also told us that if we wanted to go to Alona Beach, we could just text him. He quoted us a fare of P50 per person, one way. Wait for my Alona Beach post on Part 3. =)

When we were at the Dumaluan Beach Resort, we were greeted by their very accommodating receptionist and even allowed us to check in early. Check the photos of the resort below.

Standard Room P1,300 (approx. $30) per night
Good for 2 persons

The room was large, with a cabinet, dresser, and mirror. I was also glad that it had more than one socket so that we could charge our cellphones and camera simultaneously. The room was also equipped with an airconditioner, toilet and bath sans the hot shower (all the other rooms, except the standard room, have solar-powered water heaters).

Below are the photos we took at the resort:

Waiting for our lunch.
See photos here.

Unfortunately, our underwater camera broke down after the last pic above. We took shots for our day 2 using our phone camera. More stories and photos on the next part of the Bohol Series.