Discovering Bohol after the earthquake-Part 2

(Conclusion)

After getting familiar with many of Bohol's more popular sights--like the Chocolate Hills, its tarsiers, and the heritage churches--more adventures await first-time visitors of the province. 

As experienced in the "Countryside Tour" by CCT.168 Travel and Tours Corp., the Visayan island has a rich biodiversity, which many local communities have learned to treasure by showcasing its beauty. At same time, they also protect it and earn from it altogether! 

I believe Bohol is one of the best proofs of how eco-tourism can uplift the lives of people. See, it's an example of a beneficial relationship between human and Mother Earth. 

Appreciating nature

A cruise along Bohol's Loboc River

One of Bohol's most famed eco-destination is its Loboc River, a scenic 11-kilometer stretch of deep green freshwater reflecting the lush forests surrounding it. And what makes the attraction unique to Bohol is that the scenic river can be cruised and enjoyed on board floating restaurants.

Filipinos love to eat, especially when boodle style!

Usually, traditional Filipino food is served in a buffet style by different floating restaurants but for the media group, a fun and delicious boodle fight was arranged. Savored were pork humba, grilled seafood, sotanghon guisado (sautéed noodles), chicken inasal, grilled vegetables and hefty servings of rice. Appetizers and desserts were also prepared. 

At the end of lunch and the three-kilometer cruise going inland, waterfalls await at the base of the mountain. A floating viewing deck is available to snap some shots. If you're lucky, there may be locals who will give you a good photo opportunity like this!

My favorite photo from my 3-day Bohol trip

On the way back to the floating restaurants’ port was a quick stop at the riverside Cotozan Balsa Performers Association for songs and dances from the Loboc community.

Touristy thing. 

While Loboc River is best experienced by day, its counterpart Abatan River is magical by night. 

Running along the towns of Cortes, Maribojoc, Balilihan, Antequera and Catigbian, Abatan is Bohol’s third largest watershed. 

It is famous for thousands of fireflies that live in mangroves. Every night, bandong, or small boat, goes to parts of the river for firefly watching.

To further understand nature, our tour guide Joshue Hinay also took us to the Punta Cruz Watchtower in Maribojoc. There, one can see how the earthquake thrust the seafloor previously submerged in water. After the natural phenomenon, about 5 kilometers-stretch of the southwestern coastline was extended to as much as 50 meters. 

The view from Punta Cruz shows how the earthquake thrust up
the seafloor previously submerged in water

For a culinary experience that is also close to nature, enjoy a dampa-style dining outside Tagbilaran’s Manga Market selling fresh seafood bounty from Bohol’s seas.

Panglao’s wonders

Bohol's tourism industry has come a long way. It started off as a diving spot for Europeans as early as the 1980s. By the 90s, the province became a side trip for tourists of nearby Cebu. By the turn of the 20th century, it finally became a stand-alone destination.

Today, the province has opened up not only to the rest of the country but also to the world thanks to its accessibility, as well as its many accommodations ranging from affordable to luxurious.

Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort offers privacy and quiet

For the DOT fam tour, media participants were billeted at the Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort in Panglao Island, which is on the southwestern tip of the island.

Bluewater Panglao's cozy restaurant invites guests
to have a filling breakfast before a busy day tour

Unlike those situated along the island’s famous Alona Beach—also called the “Little Boracay”—Bluewater Panglao offers privacy set amidst a tropical paradise and white-sand beach. Its well-appointed 54 rooms reflect the traditional but sophisticated Filipino design by artist, furniture designer and craftsman Benji Reyes.

Complementing the overall experience is a restaurant offering international and local fare, a poolside bar, the signature Amuma Spa of the hotel chain, and sparkling swimming pools.

The resort also houses a warm and caring staff that makes it one’s “home-away-from-home” when in Bohol.

On why stay in Panglao instead of the mainland, Joshue pointed out its proximity to Bohol’s countryside destinations, like the Loboc and Abatan Rivers. Connected by two bridges to the mainland, it takes about 30 minutes by private or public transport to get to Tagbilaran City, and one to two hours to reach other attractions like the Chocolate Hills. 

Panglao is also the best starting point to the famous diving spots for underwater adventures. One can go hopping from one island to the next, including Pamilacan, Balicasag, and Virgin islands.

Pamilacan Island is home to two sea sanctuaries
that give a glimpse of just how colorful Bohol's waters are 

The media group was able to explore Pamilacan Island, home to two sea sanctuaries. Through snorkeling, I was able to get a glimpse of how colorful Bohol’s waters are. 

The merienda prepared by the locality

An authentic merienda, featuring boiled earth crops and sweetened fruits paired with the locality’s corncob coffee, was also prepared. 

Pamilacan Island is 45 minutes away by pump boat from Bluewater Panglao. The beach resort also arranges and offers island activities, diving, boat tours, fishing, and dolphin or whale watching, among others.

Another discovery at Panglao was the Hinagdanan Cave, discovered by a farmer during the pre-colonial era to be lying quietly underneath his farm. Then, only two crevices in the roof’s cave served as entrance with bamboos as hagdan (ladders), thus the name.

In modern times, a bigger entrance was made when a big tree was uprooted. Concrete steps were built for tourists to easily come and go. Once inside, there is a hidden crystal clear lagoon with eight-feet deep of brackish water.

A beautiful ending

To conclude the three-day Bohol visit, hosts from DOT together with our local guide, brought the media group to a day tour in the Bohol Bee Farm, also in Panglao.

The Bohol Bee Farm opened in early 2000s as a guesthouse-cum-restaurant serving owner Vicky Wallace’s sought-after cooking. Today, it has grown to a 4-hectare property with villas, swimming pools, organic greenhouse farming, and complementary livelihood and pasalubong centers.

Enter the Bohol Bee Farm!

But despite all its progress, its highlight remains to the restaurant that still serves the recipes of the owner, who also concocts all other edible products—from dips to ice creams—sold in the property.

For the media group to have a filling lunch before leaving Bohol, the farm prepared a buffet of its favorites: organic garden salad, Cabcab appetizer, seafood soup, grilled fish, honeyglazed chicken, spare ribs, seafood lasagna, organic red rice, and homemade breads, dips and ice creams.

(Clockwise from top left) Braised spare ribs, Cabcab with pesto and green tomato,
 seafood soup and grilled fish

No trip is complete without pasalubong-buying. The best place to get souvenirs and delicacies is at Apronia Souvenier Shop near the Tagbilaran Airport.

Be it something historical, cultural, environmental or gastronomical—beautiful Bohol truly has it all. 

(Text originally published for The Manila Times. All photos are mine, taken using Nokia Lumia 1520.)