[TYR@5] Day2: Bohol Countryside Tour

TheYELLOWRoadtrip @5: DAY2 Bohol Countryside Tour

We woke up very early the next day. We just nudged the taxi driver sleeping outside our hotel and asked to take us to the Pier. Since we already got our tickets c/o Ate Kathy, the check-in went on smoothly. We had breakfast at the station - our Oreo baon, siopao and coffee from the store inside.

Speaking of Ate Kathy who arranged our ticket, she is Kuya Tatsky's wife. If you are into forums like me (read Girltalk), you'll know who they are. Kuya Tatsky is the most famous tourguide in Bohol. All of other friends who've been to Bohol vouched for him. So after choosing between 3 options, I settled on getting Kuya Tatsky. Why? Because of his versatility. He can provide not only tours but accomodations and ferry transfers also. Well that part is Kathy's job. Kuya Tatsky seemed to be somewhat forgetful but you just have to kulit him every now and then. hehe

For reference, here are the contact numbers of the famous people doing tours around Bohol:
RJ Intano - (0917) 324 5488
Naldix (Tatsky's brother) - (0917) 324 1511
Tatsky Cubero - (0922) 367 1051, (0915) 794 5556
Kathy Cubero - (0927) 821 8352

BTW, we chose Oceanjet because it has the earliest schedules going to Tagbilaran. It will leave at 6am and will take us to Bohol at around 8am. The sun finally showed up that morning. And as expected Kuya Michael (Kuya Tatsky's sent tour guide for us) was already waiting outside the pier. After some getting-to-know stage, we began the tour. Ah BTW, he let me withdraw some cash first in the city because according to him there are no ATMs near our resort. He also let us handle our time during the entire tour. He just advised us to manage it so we can visit all of the places in our list. And did I already tell you how jolly he was? Haha there were no dull moments with this guy.

The tour started here:

1. BLOOD COMPACT SITE
This is the more famous Sandugo site. There are monuments built in it. But according to Kuya Michael, this one is fake. Just last year, the government has discovered the real Sandugo site. They just started to develop the area, but they still retain this site because of the tourists desire for good pictures with the statue. Hehe

us posing with Sikatuna et al

2. BACLAYON CHURCH
The second oldest church in the Philippines stood gorgeously against the scorching sun. Since i'm wearing shorts, I was only allowed to enter the church wearing their provided tapis. The church was so solemn inside. You can easily imagine a Spanish mass (ala-Noli Me Tangere peg) being held if you close your eyes. Kuya also took our pictures with the wall markings. He said they were markings of Father Pio and Mama Mary.

the church: inside and out

posing with the wall markings

3. PHYTON ENCOUNTER
I was not really excited about this. What if the phyton is hungry on the day I come in? Haha. But fortunately, it was not. It was asleep actually. aww. And the skin was not that impressive. Ate said that the snake is scheduled to change skin in the coming days. Ohh that's why. What made our visit worth remembering was the little monkey! D tried to get near him and he grabbed his Adidas eyeglasses. He even wore it to himself! haha Very clever!
Well, I do not like the girls manning the snake's cage. They kept on talking to each other and didn't even bother to entertain us. They only did when we asked questions. And we weren't able to see Marimar perform also. Maybe he didn't want to perform in front of just two people? Hmmm

us with the phyton!

D after getting his eyeglasses back from that monkey

4. REAL BLOOD COMPACT SITE
This is the real one. It was discovered just last year. Look at its state compared to the first one. Such a depressing sight right?

5. BUTTERFLY FARM
I was really looking forward for this one. Our friends has a bunch of nice pictures of these butterflies. Oh well the tour was really exciting. First, we were ushered for a lecture on butterfly lifecycle. Then we went straight to the live butterflies. And then last, the butterfly effects.

caterpillar and larvae

No we will not get blind!

the fairies!

6. LOBOC RIVER CRUISE

We reached Loboc River at around 11 in the morning. Kuya Michael said it is better to go early so we will be the first one to choose seats and the buffet will still be hot. True! Before entering, Kuya also advised us to use the very-clean restroom. He said we will be paying P100 for it so better use it. hehe. The buffet is really just P300, plus P100 for the facilities. So a total of P400 for the cruise. 

7. CHOCOLATE HILLS

Of course, Bohol tour will never be complete without seeing their wonder. They were not brown unfortunately, but breathtaking as well. So ignore the 200+ steps going up the viewing deck!

8. SHIPHAUS
We didn't enter the premises anymore. Not our priority to explore a ship out of the water. We just dropped by for some snapshots.

9. MAN_MADE FOREST

If I remember it right, Kuya said the trees here were planted as early as 1958. The place looked like you are really in a forest. So nice! We took a bunch of pictures here. We just watched-out for approaching car because it is a hi-way!

kids at work!

pre-nup style pictorials 

cam-whoring by the car with Kuya Michael

10. TARSIER SIGHTING
If there's Chocolate Hills, of course there are also Tarsiers. I've been seeing a lot of this because we used this as mascot from my previous job. But gosh, I didn't know that they were that small. Almost like rats! Disappointingly, they were covered when we came. The attendants said that they made some make-shift roofs for the tarsier to take cover since it's raining. They are also nocturnal so they were sleeping when we came. But it will not make any difference anyway, their eyes are always open no matter what. And as promised, we took pictures without flash on. I learned that they might commit suicide when depressed. Argh. 

This one's awake! Saw the 180deg head turn!

11. ZIPLINE
We were choosing between ATV and Zipline. I wanted ATV because we can get near the foot of the Chocolate Hills. D wanted zipline. So I agreed. It was both our first time to do it. So we were both scared to death! haha

12. HANGING BRIDGE
Kuya Michael said that this one was initially created not for public viewing but just for the people residing in the other side to pass through. You know, the usual bridge function. But some tourists found this amuzing so they made it a tourist spot. Across the bridge you will see the famous Buko Man, the one taking the husk off the coconuts. And this was where we bought the Peanut Kisses also. Cheaper stuffs here!

scary!

13. HINAGDANAN CAVE
Just an ordinary cave. What made it more interesting was the guide! Yes they have a bunch of volunteer guides in the area. And they're stars! Imagine Vice-Ganda touring you inside the cave. With the Beki Linggo and everything! haha. And they knew how to operate DSLR cameras! You see the cave is of course very dim-lit inside, but they can adjust the camera's settings so the view inside will be captured. Wow they knew my camera more than I do! hahaha. They were only volunteers so don't forget the tip.

14. BOHOL BEE FARM
I've been hearing raves about the famous Malunggay Ice Cream. And yes they were right. It was really yummy! No hint of Malunggay taste on it. Wow! I like that you can taste everything in their store. A bit pricey but yummy nevertheless. We didn't go around the farm anymore, I just need to taste the ice cream. hehe

The tour ended here. We were on our way to the hotel when Kuya Michael asked if we want to drop by a convenience store first so we can buy some food. Wow! After that, he took us to Chicken Ati-Atihan to buy take-out dinner. It was so yummy!

We reached the Dumaluan Beach Resort 1 at around 7 in the evening. Since I asked Ate Kathy to tell the front desk that we will be checking in late, they were expecting us that time. Kuya Michael volunteered to carry all our bags and make sure we were checked-in before he left. So nice! DBR1 Deluxe room exceeded our expectations.

 Everything's nice on our first day in Bohol - Kuya Tatsky, Ate Kathy, Kuya Michael, Resort Staff and the locals!