There are a number of fun things you can do when at Alona Beach such as island hopping, diving, and snorkeling. But if you’re feeling a little adventurous and want to do something new and different from the rest of the crowd, I recommend eating fresh, raw sea urchins. Maybe that doesn’t sound fun and appealing to most of you. But if it’s something you haven’t done before… Never say never.
You can get them from an itinerant seafood vendor who usually goes around the beachfront late in the afternoons. If he’s nowhere in sight, you can ask other vendors where to locate him.
Sea urchins are round and spiny ocean creatures that feast on seaweed and other marine plants.
To eat them, they must be carefully cracked open, have the insides cleaned and its roe scooped out.
The sea urchin roe, also known as “uni”, is edible gold from the ocean. It has a rich, creamy, buttery texture with a unique sweet and briny flavor. Packed with protein, omega 3 fatty acids, unsaturated fats, and zinc, it’s a very healthy treat to have. The best way to eat them is to eat them raw. However, if you’re a little squeamish when it comes to raw food, just have them grilled. There are seafood vendors at night who can grill sea urchins for you at a minimal cost.
EXPENSES
Sea urchins – 20 PHP for 1 piece*
Grill – 100 PHP for 1 pail of sea urchins
*The vendor gave an irresistible deal after sunset. He offered the whole bucket of sea urchins for only 200 PHP.
Read about my solo trip to Alona Beach here
Budget hostel of choice in Panglao here
Bohol Travel Guide here
Since I had so much fun traveling solo to Chocolate Hills, I decided to travel alone once more the following day. Originally, I planned to go to Anda Beach but commuting from Tagbilaran to Anda takes 4 hours! I only had an afternoon to enjoy another moment of solitude and I thought I’d rather spend more time at the beach than on the road.
So I ditched Anda Beach on the last minute and opted to go to Alona Beach instead.
Only 30 minutes away from Tagbilaran, Alona Beach is a tropical getaway in Panglao Island with a gorgeous stretch of white sand, swaying palm trees and pristine azure waters.
Alona Beach has one of the best diving spots in the Philippines and is a popular destination for divers from different parts of the globe.
There are a variety of hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, travel agencies and specialty shops to choose from within or near its vicinity.
Alona Beach carries a sleepy beach vibe so its nightlife is fairly quiet than that of Boracay and Cebu.
Laidback beats are played open air by the shore – making it an awesome place to just chill out in the evening.
Alona Beach is Boracay’s easygoing cousin without the overwhelming number of vendors, rowdy crowds and hyper-commercialism. It is a serene vacation spot with a lively nightlife scene – offering the best of both worlds!
To get there, I took a tricycle from JJ’s Seafood Village to Panglao Island which cost me a whopping 500 PHP.
Thankfully, I was able to bargain with the driver later on to make that a round trip fare.
Please don’t judge me. Back then, I didn’t know better.
The cheaper way to get to there is to take a Tawala-bound jeepney at Dao Terminal. Although the trip will take about an hour, the fare would only be 25 PHP (but 50 PHP if you have a huge suitcase). A far cry from my overcharged tricycle fare.
TIME
Tricycle ride to Panglao Island – 30 minutes
*Jeepney ride to Panglao Island – 1 hour
EXPENSES Tricycle ride to and fro Panglao Island – 500 PHP
*Jeepney ride to Panglao Island – 25 PHP
*other option
Read about my budget hostel of choice in Panglao here
Bohol Travel Guide here
On the first week of November, my boyfriend attended a videography workshop in Bohol with some of the country’s biggest names in the wedding film industry. While my boyfriend was busy in Dao Diamond Hotel (where the workshop was held), I didn’t want to just sulk in our hotel room and waste 2 glorious days away doing nothing. So I thought it was about time to do something I’ve never done before… TRAVEL SOLO. Just the thought of it was pretty daunting: a young woman, strapped for cash, with poor navigational skills is about to embark on her first independent trip. Obviously, I was both excited and frightened.
Although I’ve already seen the Chocolate Hills more than a decade ago with my family in a guided group tour, I just wanted to see if I can make it there completely on my own.
My trip to the famous Chocolate Hills started with a tricycle ride from JJ’s Seafood Village to Dao Terminal. The ride was about 15 minutes tops.
Upon my arrival at Dao Terminal around 1:30 PM, I asked around which bus I should take. I was told to catch the bus that goes to Carmen and just ask to be dropped off along the highway where the Chocolate Hills would be located.
I climbed inside a non-air-conditioned Citi Transport bus, seated myself at the back and waited about 30 minutes for departure.
TRIVIA: It’s a norm in the Philippines that ambulant vendors sell bottled drinks and pre-packed goods to passengers before the bus takes off.
Throughout the entire ride, I persistently asked the passengers beside me if I was getting any closer and kept reminding the bus conductor about my stop.
It was already around 4 in the afternoon when I was finally dropped off along the highway. From there, I took a habal-habal and was on my way to the observation deck of Chocolate Hills. But halfway there we made a quick stop to pay for the entrance fee.
The habal-habal driver dropped me off at the base of a stairway leading to the observation deck. I made an arrangement with the driver to wait for me as I would not be taking a lot of my time. One must overcome over 200 steps before finally seeing the Chocolate Hills. Luckily for me, the climb up wasn’t as exhausting as I remember it to be (must be all the trekking I’ve done lately).
Behold, the iconic Chocolate Hills! A geological wonder that turns dark brown during the dry season. Composed of over 1000 hills, legend has it that these hills were formed when a giant named Arogo mourned over the death of Aloya, a mere mortal, who he loved dearly. As his tears fell into the ground, they turned into hills – a symbol of his lasting love.
Yes, the climb was absolutely worth it. The view was stunning. But to me, it was more than just the view. It was a symbolic climb of triumph – triumph over fear of uncertainty and fear itself.
TIME Tricyle ride to Dao Terminal – 15 minutes Bus ride to Carmen – 2 hours Habal-habal ride to Chocolate Hills Observation Deck – 5 minutes
EXPENSES Tricycle ride to JJ’s Seafood Village to Dao Terminal – 15 PHP Bus ride to Dao Terminal to Carmen – 60 PHP Habal-habal from Highway to Chocolate Hills and back – 100 PHP Entrance fee for Chocolate Hills – 50 PHP
Read about my ATV ride experience here My Bohol Travel Guide here
Although I am fully aware that getting organized group tours is the most efficient and convenient way to travel, I still prefer doing it the hard way by working on my own itinerary.
Here are 5 reasons why I think it’s better to NOT to take group tours:
YOU ARE THE BOSS OF YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
Having full control of what you want to see, eat and do allows you to explore and experience things at your own pace without sticking to a strict, inflexible schedule.
YOU CAN HAVE AN AUTHENTIC TRAVEL EXPERIENCE
Taking charge of your own adventure can be the best way to explore and learn more about the destination, its people and their culture. Immerse yourself by talking to locals, getting acquainted with their native tongue, eating traditional and street delicacies, joining festivities, taking public transportation, and visiting less-traveled sights.
YOU CAN MEET INTERESTING PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY
Not taking a group tour means that you don’t have to be stuck with the same crowd for the entire duration of the trip. You have the freedom to interact with like-minded travelers on transit or meet up with members from a global travel community.
YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR COMPANIONS
Traveling is more than just the journey; it’s about making memories as well. So choose your companions wisely because they can make or break your travel experience. Remember, you will be choosing activities, sharing responsibilities, working on a budget, and spending a LOT of time together. Compatibility is everything.
YOU BECOME MORE CULTURALLY-SENSITIVE
Without the safety net of a group tour, you become more attuned with your surroundings and the people around you. The more you discover and learn about a certain place on your own, the more you become open-minded, appreciative and respectful of its people and their culture.
Images are taken from Google Images and are believed to be in the public domain. No copyright infringement intended. Credit is given where it is due.
There are dozens upon dozens of hotels and resorts to choose from in Bohol – particularly in Tagbilaran and Panglao. However, most of these are catered to affluent tourists and if you’re a glampacker like I am, finding a place to stay that is comfortable yet affordable at the same time can be a trying task. But luckily, while I was perusing the bowels of the Internet, I found Moon Fools Hostel.
Moon Fools Hostel is a newly-opened bed and breakfast located in Brgy. Tawala, Panglao Island. Only a walk away from Alona Beach, it is surrounded by restaurants, convenience stores, travel agencies, rental shops and many more.
This industrially themed hostel prides itself as a clean, friendly budget hostel that is committed to making conscious efforts to be eco-friendly.
They also take pride in having supported homegrown artists by commissioning one-of-a-kind handcrafted wooden key chains.
Moon Fools Hostel has 2 dorm rooms, 3 matchbox rooms and 2 private rooms all with great air conditioning and free access to WiFi.
TIP:
Book your accommodation in advance. Since the number of rooms is limited, they are usually fully booked.
I stayed in one of their dorm rooms for only 400/night (introductory price) and was offered a complimentary continental breakfast.
They have gender-segregated communal shower rooms and lavatories too.
Currently, some facilities are unavailable such as hot shower, public kitchen and lounge area. Other rooms were unavailable as well when I was there since they are still undergoing minor renovations. I honestly was a little disappointed when I realized that the photos on their website are only artistically rendered images. But it does look very promising.
It is also worth mentioning that Moon Fools Hostel sits right above a bar that blasts loud music until 2 in the morning so expect a rough night if you’re an early sleeper.
EDIT: They just installed soundproof windows!
That being said, Moon Fools Hostel is heaven sent for young travelers on a budget. The place is clean, safe and comfortable. With a very strategic location at a competitive price, I’ll surely go back there when in Bohol.
Some images are taken from the official website of Moon Fools Hostel and are believed to be in the public domain. No copyright infringement intended. Credit is given where it is due.
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines that is situated in the Central Visayas region and is home to several historical churches, natural wonders, splendid beaches and the buggy-eyed tarsiers.
HOW TO GET THERE BY AIR
Take a direct flight from Manila, Cebu or Davao to Tagbilaran with Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines or AirAsia. You can check the flight schedules here. Please note that the schedules are subject to change without prior notice.
WHERE TO STAY There are numerous hotels and resorts to choose from in Bohol – particularly in Tagbilaran and Panglao. However, most of them cater to affluent tourists and the options for backpackers and “glampackers” are very limited.
Luckily, I found a good place for those of us traveling on a tight budget. My personal recommendation would be Moon Fools Hostel. You can read about it here.
There are many easy-to-use and secure websites that can help you choose your accommodation based on your personal preferences and budget.
Agoda
I’ve booked hotels through Agoda a couple of times and I love it. They have a great network of hotels to choose from at competitive prices.
AirBNB
I’ve also booked through AirBNB and this is a personal favorite. AirBNB offers the most unique travel experiences that can perfectly suit your budget and needs.
Booking, Trivago & Hostelworld I personally haven’t used Booking, Trivago, and Hostelworld before but they also have good deals and a wide selection of hotels to choose from.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
There are a number of travel agencies in Bohol that offer affordable package tours and I’ve seen a lot of them scattered in Panglao. Getting package tours is the best way to enjoy Bohol in the most efficient way possible. However, I love to make my own itinerary and be the boss of my own adventure. So here are my must-see’s and must-do’s in no particular order:
Ride an ATV to Chocolate Hills
Bike on a zipline at Chocolate Hills Adventure Park
Firefly watching under Loay Bridge
Cruise along Loboc River
Spelunking in Danao
Visit historical churches and sites
Scuba diving at Balicasag Island
Rent a motorcyle to get around Bohol Eat fresh, raw sea urchin at Alona Beach
WHERE TO EAT To all my foodie readers, here are my top picks:
Shortly, Ate She was hacking some coconuts for us to replace our lost electrolytes.
And out of nowhere, heavy drops suddenly pelted down from the sky, forcing us to huddle beneath banana trees that provided little shelter from the rain.
What we thought was going to be an effortless downhill hike turned out to be a challenging one because of the heavy downpour.
We really took our time going down the slippery slope and avoided the muddy tracks as much as possible.
In tricky areas, some were forced to go down on all fours…
some five – if you count the butt! In a situation such as this, a trekking pole would definitely come in handy. But if that’s unavailable, just improvise! Pick up any sturdy wooden stick and you’re good to go!
As we were retracing our steps, we saw one of the streams that we spotted earlier. We then took turns washing ourselves to rid of all the dirt, mud and bat droppings covering our bodies. It felt like such a treat!
The intermittent rain stopped for a while and we found ourselves back at the grassy field once again. All of us picked our own spot to sit and relax for a much-needed break.
Someone looks like he found the best spot. Hehe 🙂
Before going to Hindang Falls, we had marang for a quick snack. If you haven’t heard of it before, this fruit is native to the southern part of the Philippines and is closely related to jackfruit.
The walk to the first and second tier of Hindang Falls was unbelievably short and easy.
I couldn’t say the same thing for the third tier, however.
Some opted to remain at this spot and enjoyed the view. But some (I, myself included), dared to take on the challenge.
With no safety gear, not even a harness, we climbed up a very steep, slippery slope where very few people dared to go even on a good day.
We grabbed and gripped on to whatever we can just to see the sequestered tier. One false move and we may never see the light of day again. This climb is probably the riskiest thing I’ve done to date.
YEY! Finally… right in front of our eyes. The majestic third tier of Hindang Falls, one of Iligan’s hidden wonders, standing right behind a cloak of lush green foliage.
Its cool, refreshing waters give a good hydromassage to weary bodies.
For those of us who dared to do the death-defying stunt, the spectacular view and therapeutic shower was the best way to wrap up the entire adventure.
Here are my tips for a safe, fun and ethical trek to Hindang Falls:
1. Never go without a local as a guide.
2. Have a buddy system and never separate from your group.
3. Wearing of appropriate apparel is a must. Invest in proper trekking footwear. I cannot stress this enough.
4. Leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but photos. This is also worth mentioning again and again.
5. Bring proper equipment and wear safety gear. Don’t do what we did.
6. Assess your physical condition and climbing ability before going uphill especially for the third waterfall tier. It is for experienced trekkers and climbers only.
7. Check the weather forecast. Note that rain makes moderately easy treks difficult.
8. Give the guide a generous tip.
A quick shoutout to Manong Nick for being a patient, kind and generous guide. Look for him when in Hindang. He’s awesome!
We actually have a video of our Hindang adventure, check it out!
You can also read about our Hindang Falls Experience from these lovely people:
Bobby Timonera on MINDANEWS
Porsche on THEYANGONE
Yobz on AYOSAOI
It was towards the end of September that our trekking team once again organized an epic adventure somewhere in the hinterlands of Iligan. This time it was in Barangay Hindang where there lies a cave hidden in dense jungles and a less visited three tier waterfall which I will talk about in a different post.
Hindang is a long drive away from the city so we met with fellow adventure seekers before 6 in the morning in front of Shoppe24 Tibanga while Tito Bobby Timonera, barefoot runner extraordinaire and Elijah Dagaerag, experienced mountaineer were already on their way there on foot – that’s 14 kilometers from the highway!
It was about 7 A.M. when Mico Falame, mountain climbing pro arrived in his panoramic van with three of his friends.
Then off we went! We have a footage of the entire ride here.
Barangay Hindang is approximately 20 kilometers away from the city proper and is accessible by both private and public utility vehicles through Barangay Kiwalan and Kabacsanan. Granexport Manufacturing Corporation, simply known as Granex, is the landmark to look for. Should you choose to go there by jeepney or habal-habal, brace yourself for some uncomfortable, bumpy ride. Here is a map for directions on how to get there.
After a scenic hour and a half uphill drive through long winding roads (we got a little lost at some point), we finally made it at the Hindang proper and stopped at a basketball court. Tito Bobby and Elijah were already there waiting for us!
Upon our arrival, we went inside Delatado Store…
signed on their visitor log book, paid a fee of 25 pesos each…
and started walking to Mt. Pagangon (where the cave is located) from there.
The climb to Mt. Pagangon seemed a lot less challenging than our trek in Pugaan albeit it does require more stamina.
As we went uphill…
we passed through a grassy field…
a bamboo forest…
and a few streams.
There were a lot of interesting sights and sounds along the way that you only get to see and hear in nature. We all were our jovial selves…
up until this point. With our game faces on, we braved this side of the mountain and slowly made our way up the slope which has a vertical inclination of about 50 to 70 degrees.
Teamwork is essential for any trek to become successful.
And behind every successful trek are sweepers.
Sweepers are on the tail end of the trek and they make sure nothing and no one gets left behind. Elijah, who we fondly call Elai (pictured on the left), and Lope (right) were our designated sweepers for this trek. They are worth commending for their patience and invaluable sacrifice for Yobz the whole team. Salute!
Once we got to the top of Mt. Pagangon, we took a quick break and just enjoyed the view. Sitting beside me is my sister, Anna. 🙂
Our guide, Manong Nick then led us to his humble abode and offered sweet potatoes before proceeding with our trek.
To get to the hidden cave, we had to go down to the other side of the mountain…
through a rough, rocky terrain which finally then leads to…
THE CAVE! It was quietly tucked right in the middle of the jungle covered in moss, low-hanging vines and other wild vegetation. According to my fellow trekkers, the cave was reeking of dank odor like that of sulfur. But the funny thing is I didn’t notice it. I guess growing up near a dump site has desensitized me to most offensive smells.
As my eyes were slowly adjusting to the darkness of the cave, I felt the damp air cool my body.
Going inside the cave was one slippery journey. Caution should be exercised especially since some rocks may shift when stepped on.
When we entered the first chamber, I was surprised to find it spacious inside with its ceiling reaching to about 30 feet in height. The cave floor was soft and huge stalactites decorate its roof.
Unfortunately, some of the cave walls were not spared from the acts of boorish visitors. I hope locals would be taught to preserve the natural beauty of this cave and penalize anyone who vandalizes the cave. Nothing should be left but footprints and nothing should be taken but pictures.
To go to the next chambers, one must stoop down and duck walk through a narrow opening.
Compared to the first chamber, we felt a little cramped inside here. No light passes through at this point and several bats clung on the ceiling of the cave. But as soon as our lights flashed upon them, they woke from their sleep and swooped down towards us as a greeting. To climb up to the entrance of the next chamber, we carefully trudged through a blanket of thick mud. But it was only later on that we realized that it was actually inches and inches of bat dung and urine that accumulated throughout the ages when we touched the slimy cave walls.
We weren’t able to fully explore the cave though as we didn’t have enough time to do so. But this adventure was filled with fun and amazement.
Here are my tips for trekking to Mt. Pagangon and spelunking in Hindang Cave:
1. Bring lots of water and enough food.
2. Wear appropriate clothing. Rash guards are highly recommended as well as leggings and proper trekking footwear.
3. Wear a cap or bring an umbrella. You don’t want bat excretions landing on top of your head.
4. Bring wet wipes and rubbing alcohol to avoid possible infections caused by bat droppings.
5. Bring a flashlight.
Some photos belong to Yobz Tolentino, Porsche Carreon, Jeffrey Wong, and Bobby Timonera.
Bandoja, formerly known as Lupa-an, is a barangay in Tibiao rich in clay reserves. Here are where pots and bricks are made in the province of Antique.
Pottery is both an art and a science. It’s something I’ve always wanted to try and I am lucky enough to have experienced it. It’s actually very technical and entails an arduous process.
For a lump of clay to be molded into a pot, there must be enough water added to make it workable before placing it on the center of a spinning platform called the wheel.
The damp clay is then kneaded and shaped with the turning of the wheel in a steady pace, adding water whenever needed to keep the clay soft and pliable. Using a certain amount of pressure, the middle of the clay should be carefully pressed all the way down to the bottom to form an opening.
Then working it from the inside out, with the constant turning of the wheel, it is shaped to the desired form with its rough sides smoothed. (Hi Sir Alex!)
When it’s done, the clay pot is removed from the wheel by sliding a tightly stretched string through the base of the pot.
Here are our finished pots! Well, sort of.
They first need to be air-dried for a number of weeks till they become bone dry.
Then they will be fired in this thermally insulated chamber called the kiln.
Tada! This is how they look like when they’re done. 🙂
If you wanna do something different and challenging, I highly recommend you try pottery here in Tibiao, Antique. Special thanks to the potters of Tibiao and Sir Alex Española for taking us here!
I drew a blank for every futile attempt to blog about our two-day excursion in Tibiao, Antique because I’m always at loss for words.
But how could I not? Its enchanting, pristine beauty has held me hostage and left me utterly speechless.
Tibiao is a large expanse of open fields, lush greens, verdant mountains and relaxing tropical scenery.
It is a wonderful respite for all those who seek serenity outside the hustles and bustles of everyday life.
There is just something about the beauty of nature that can have a profound effect on our senses.
The tranquility of silent rivers calms the cluttered mind.
The invigorating fresh air enhances mood and revitalizes the body.
The stillness of the mountains brings peace and healing to the weary soul.
Happiness can be found outdoors and so I invite you to come to Tibiao to reconnect with nature.
HOW TO GET TO TIBIAO, ANTIQUE Tibiao, Antique is a great travel destination for nature lovers, soul searchers and budget backpackers. It is located in the heart of Antique province and can be reached by plane via Caticlan or Iloilo.
From Caticlan From Caticlan Jetty Port Terminal, walk to the bus terminal nearby and take a bus that is bound for San Jose. It will pass through several towns before it reaches to Tibiao. Average travel time is 2 hours.
From Iloilo
From Molo Terminal, take a bus or van that is bound for Culasi or Caticlan. Just ask to be dropped off at Tibiao. Average travel time is 2-3 hours.
WHERE TO STAY
I recommend staying at Kasa Raya. I will talk more about it in another post soon.
