Panglao: Tarsier Botanika

The following day we decided to move to Bohol bee farm. Because the Bohol Beach Club was closed, we have no itinerary for the day so we decided to see the newly opened Tarsier Botanika and end the day at Dumaluan Beach. 

Going to the Botanika was not a bad decision after all. You see, I'm not really into zoos. I believe animals should not be caged, they should be in the wild, where they rightfully are. But I was amazed how the whole zoo was kept. Most animals roam the place freely. Of course, under supervisions. But you get to see them, touch and feed them. It was just unfortunate we came in at their siesta time, so most were lounging, sleeping. Nonetheless, the whole experience was great.

The whole Botanika is located on a ten-hectare private property owned by a Filipina ballerina, who loves horses and a French businessman whose into collecting art. Which, explains the horses and the massive art collection. On which, I may say was awesome. 

At the receiving area of the Botanika, you can immediately see that the place is something. We paid Php200 for the whole tour. A tour guide is provided upon arrival. You can opt not to have the services of the tour guide but I think you need one. The place is huge, one can easily get lost.

We started the tour of the animals.
70 percent of the animals in the botanika are rescued from illegal vendors of wildlife animals and the remaining 30 are owned by the couple. I was wondering why it was called Tarsier Botanika and I can't see any tarsiers. The local government doesn't allow private citizens to own one, all tarsiers in captivity are surrendered at the tarsier conservation center. This was implemented a short time after the Botanika was built. I wonder if they'll change their name.

Then we proceeded to see the art collections.

It was unfortunate I can't take picture inside the galleries. But men, the pieces were exquisite. According to the tour guide, the husband loves attending auctions, where he purchases his art collections. The gallery is divided into Asia and Europe. On the Asian collections, there were period pieces from China and some pieces were purchased from their travels. I liked most the Europe collections. There were paintings from Picazzo's student. 
Every single thing in the area where personal collections of the couple. From the ceramics found at the garden to the most exquisite painting. It was a private property which, in turn, was opened to the public.

We ended the tour at their restaurant, Tarsier Paprika, a fine dining restaurant. From the restaurant, you get a panoramic view of the ocean. I was wondering how the place looks like at night.

Tarsier Botanika is not finished yet. Our tour guide said they'll soon be opening accommodations at the place. The whole place was magnificent. I didn't heard of the place until I was in Panglao. When the word's out, people will surely be flocking to see this place. 

view from Tarsier Paprika

Panglao Island: Whale and dolphin watching, Balicasag snorkeling, Puntod island

The following day, we woke up early to see Bohol's dolphin and whale watching. It's really different whenever you see animals in their natural habitat.

And went to Balicasag for snorkeling. Corals aren't at par with Coron, which I was expecting would rival them. But the marine life was impressive. I saw a school of fish and a turtle! Still, my heart is in Coron. Coron parin!

Then went to see Puntod island. This island was featured in a Travel and Leisure magazine. Hailed as one of the world's secret beaches and one of the reason why I wanted to go to Panglao.

And I'm in awe. 
I cannot wait to get off the boat! 
The only thing is, a lot of vendors set up their stores along the shore occupying and blocking the whole view of the island. We should have gone earlier to see the whole island before it was submerged underwater. But still, the beauty of the island is still there..
Let the photos..

  

 

 

Panglao: Bohol Bee Farm

For our last day, we moved to Bohol Bee farm. We were smitten by the place when we had our lunch there on our first day in Panglao.

Bohol Bee Farm is not a beach-front property, instead it sits on top of a cliff. We got a room for Php2,500. Big enough for the three of us. This comes with a buffet breakfast and a free shuttle to either airport or pier.

We stayed at their newly opened building, which is a far cry from their old one. I do hope they'll renovate the old building. And lucky us, we get to try their new rooms. I also notice that herbs are planted in almost every empty space there is instead of the usual ornamental plants. In fact, in front of our room were a patch of basil, thyme and among others.

the new building

I first knew Bee farm when we tried their malunggay ice cream on cassava cone at Loboc River. We loved their organic-flavored ice cream that when I finally had the chance to actually be in their farm, I can't wait to try their other dishes. I notice how they often make use herbs. I find it amazing how two or three herbs can make a simple pasta tasty.

They usually have their farm tours in the afternoon but we were informed that there were no bees at the time because of the last storm. Nagsialisan daw un mga bubuyog. Sayang. excited pa nman ako dun sa beekeeper outfit.

honey ginger iced tea

breakfast, lunch, dinner..everything served was superb!

Most of the things were either recycled or refurbished. Unused bottles were made as lamps. Old stools/chairs were spruced up. They find use to things that are usually thrown. And it works. 

Notice how furniture are brilliantly mix-matched

old sewing machine used again as a table

Aside from the restaurant and the hotel, the farm has its own store which sells their well-known organic products. Honey, spreads, bread, chips. Their store is a well-known tourist stop over.

We really had fun at the Bee farm mainly because of the food. Will definitely be back and recommend this place.

    Live, Laugh, Love in Bohol? Do it in Bee farm!

Bohol: Panglao Island

The second day, we moved to Panglao Island. For four days, we will be staying at Panglao Regents Park, a modern hotel situated near Alona beach, not a beachfront hotel but less kilometer walk from the beach.

We had lunch at Bohol Bee farm. I was impressed by how the farm was built and designed. There is no beach, instead, the whole property is situated on top of a cliff. I love how the furniture pieces are so out of place when seen individually but look good together as a whole. Most are recycled. And the food? The food served at Bohol Bee farm are grown right from their farm. Now, how organic is that? Best food in Bohol, I may say.

We drove a few kilometers to see the Hinagdanan Cave. Of course, since I already saw Sagada, this was incomparable but still, the history that comes with the cave. It used to be a shelter for wounded soldiers during the Japanese occupation. It is so well hidden and with the fresh water it provides, it was the perfect sanctuary for our fellow guerillas. Stairs and handrails were built and a few lights were installed for safety purposes.

Then we went to see Dauis Church.

And ended the day at Alona beach.

For this tour, just ask any locals you want a tour of the Panglao Island and they knew exactly where they'll take you. Since we were only three, we took the tricycle for Php600. That's a half day tour since we already started late.

Kuya Junie - 09269224233

Bohol 2013: Countryside tour

Straight from the airport, we asked our tour operator to just drop us to our hotel to in Tagbilaran to leave our things and go on with the tour. For this tour, I asked the tour agency to focus on churches. I omitted the butterfly and snake farm.

Finally, I'll get to see the Chocolate Hills.

We first went to Loboc River for lunch.
Food, as always, is so-so. The ambiance though makes up for it.

We went to see the nearby Loboc church.

Then the tarsiers.

Going to Chocolate Hills we stopped by to see the Man made forest.

Then finally, the Chocolate Hills..

Dati sa Sibika at Kultura books ko lang nakikita 'to.hehe

The Hanging Bridge.

Then the Baclayon church. Philippine's oldest church. 

We had our dinner at a nearby newly-opened restaurant, as the receptionist's suggestion. Food is okay. For Php230, we have a lobster on our plate. Is that cheap? I think so..hehe

After dinner, we head to the nearby St. Joseph's church. And called it a day.

St. Joseph's Cathedral

Panglao 2013

SEA2 trip: of things to come..

i know, i've always known that i do things differently.. and with travel..it was my way of coping..or reacting..to the pressures..routine..
usually, people my age would resort to parties, drinking..or worst..they just go on about their lives doing nothing..accept that things just happen..that its normal..and that its okay..

travel..the best thing that happened to me.

i can never imagine myself not travelling.
not being on the road.

my second southeast asia trip proved to be quite good. i lowered my expectations and just let things be. i wish i could have more time coz i was just settling in and enjoying this backpacking thing on my fifth or sixth day.

the moment i boarded that bus en route to Ha Long bay, it seems i never left. felt like i was just continuing my first SEA trip. the waiting. the long rides. the unfamiliar. it felt second nature to me. i was home.

i'd definitely do this again. i don't know when but i will. i know i will.

i was still on high few days after the trip. i wanted someone badly to talk to about the trip but was afraid i might come as a show-off. people just don't get it. (see. hehe) 

few days of settling in to my work, felt like the trip didn't happen..slowly, it becomes a memory..i'm starting to forget the feelings.. the stories.. the experiences..

my routine life is pulling me back to why i started to travel in the first place
but then again, i started to see things differently.. at work.. at people.. at myself.. the things that weren't ok to me back then, i'm fine with it.. i dont know why or how.. but something's changed.. not externally but inside, i know, somehow, i did changed..

taking that trip wasn't a bad decision after all..

i realized..those crazy stupid ideas of yours that sometimes may seem absurd to other people..might be..if not..the best thing that can ever happen to you..

as i always say..
the crazy/scary/stupid things, sometimes, are  the most worthwhile..

My most anticipated 30 effin hours bus ride from Hanoi to Luang Prabang

And now the saga continues...

haha.

This is what I've been NOT looking forward to.thirty effin hours bus ride to Luang Prabang. that this deserve a blog entry of its own.. so how do i start.

06:00pm - pick up at St.Joseph's Cathedral. Met a girl travelling alone who has been to the PH and agreed that Coron is way better than Halong Bay..

06:30 pm (day 01) - van arrives. Inside were a couple of backpackers whom the girl we just met knew. I sat in front, beside the locals, who were sooo quiet. A South american couple seated at the back were getting married to each country they've been to. Cool! 

07:00 pm - arrive at bus station. We got settled in. We were five foreigners. Two European girls and a European dude. And the rest were locals. To our surprise and dismay it wasn't the VIP bus we were promised to. Argh.

08:00 pm - Bus leaves. here goes...

11:00 pm - Bathroom break.

12 mn - 3 a.m. - Bus picks up and drops off passengers along the way. I would like to go back to Hanoi and strangled the lady who told us the bus wont be picking up any passengers. Argh.

6:00 am (day 02) - woke up at the border. hungry. and no food.

8:00 am - border crossing. left Vietnam. officially my passport has been stamped by a grumpy Laotian immigration officer, who pronounced my name as if I was convicted of something. 

10:00 am - Laos!

12pm - lunch at a roadside. bus stopover. We almost got left behind by the bus, who have no idea they left us! Good thing the guy from the nearby store helped us, called the bus driver. We were able to catch up with them. Boarded the bus, as if nothing happened. Is it me or I was half wishing, the bus DID left us behind, something to tell and BRAG back home. haha. 

4:00 pm - hungry..there were stopovers but we don't have kips! salivating over our seatmate's bananas and pringles. Butt cramps!! Are we effin there yet?? dreaming of a hot meal and a hot shower.

10:00 - finally! we arrived. can't believe it at first, but we actually are here. Hot shower never felt good.

12midnight (day 03) - super late lunch AND dinner at a roadside grill. amazingly, our meal was tasty. we could have eaten everything the guy sells. it's unfortunate we don't have enough kips

2:00 am - snooze. early to rise for that alms giving ceremony


won't be doing any long hour bus rides yet. nope. not soon. now, the 8 or 10 hour bus rides are looking as "short trips" to me.

Different person

You're wrong when you think that the joy of life comes principally from human relationships. 
God's placed it all around us. 
It's in everything. 
It's in anything we can experience.
People just need to change the way they look at those things

~Into the wild

Photoblog: Proposals