Life got in the way. Manila Water and Maynilad under fire from Duterte. Taal volcano eruption. Novel Coronavirus/COVID-19 global health emergency. ABS-CBN franchise renewal/press freedom issue.

Too much.

Anyway, here is my last entry about my trip back to Bohol after 16 years.

Hinagdanan Cave

Hinagdanan Cave. Sorry, I only had my Oppo F7 to take pictures with. This photo is owned by callmecreation.com

When I went there in late October 2019, I had the chance to go to Hinagdanan Cave in Panglao, a limestone cave with brackish but clear water. There is a small parking area for motorbikes and four-wheeled vehicles in front of some stores selling souvenirs, bottled water and snacks. They have a bathroom there for those who wanted a quick shower after swimming in the cave. But I didn’t. Good thing I resisted because all they had there was a drum with water of questionable cleanliness. There’s a small storefront there manned by people from the local government of Panglao. You have to pay the entrance fee (tourism fee) of P50 per person. I think that’s reasonable since they employ people to keep the place clean and some life guards. They also keep the place well lighted.

According to one of the swimmers there, the deepest part of the natural pool was 10 ft but it looks deeper because it was dark so it was a bit scary. But they have lifeguards there so swimmers have less to worry about.

Alona Beach is the first place I’ve been to in Panglao. It was a busy strip of white sand. I barely set foot in this area this time around. Too many tourists for my taste but they have a wide selection of food choices compared to where I was near Dumaluan Beach.

Around Bohol: Baclayon Church

A day after I went around Panglao on a motorbike, I hired the van (the one that brought me from Panglao International Airport to Dumaluan) to tour me around Bohol again.

I skipped the Blood Compact Monument because there was really nothing there but photo op. I already saw it 16 years ago so no need to stop. It is one of the first stops that tour vans will offer tourists.

Then it was Baclayon Church. I was curious how it is now holding up after being destroyed by the 2013 earthquake that shook Central Visayas.

Loay River Cruise

I asked the driver to skip Loboc River Cruise because it eats up too much time and I’ve already been there. But since it seems like tour drivers get their free lunches from these dine-in cruises, my driver insisted that I try Loay River Cruise in lieu of Loboc. Ok fine, I was already hungry too. It was ok, I guess for P500 per head for a buffet. Same price for a meal at Dumaluan. The floating restaurants have singing MCs that serenade diners the entire river cruise. Ours sang a variety of foreign songs, much to the delight of the Korean and Chinese tourists onboard.

One of the stops in the Loay River Cruise is the make-believe tribal community comprised of local Agta/Ati/Aeta people. This gimmick caters mostly to foreign tourists who do not know any better. I should be offended that our local indigenous peoples are exploited this way but at least they are employed…I’m conflicted.

Chocolate Hills

After lunch, my driver brought me to an area where I can ride ATVs to view the Chocolate Hills from the ground. I spent about P1,000 an hour for this. Nothing spectacular. I just got myself muddy but I learned how to drive an ATV. No photo.

Last stop was Chocolate Hills in Carmen, Bohol. I was curious because I heard that the lookout area was partially destroyed by the 2013 earthquake. Thankfully, it’s already restored. It’s not yet brown since the region is still experiencing habagat.

The driver asked for P3,000 for the roundtrip but I asked for a discount since we skipped some tourist spots like the butterfly farm and the Tarsier Center. I ended the trip by going straight to the airport.

Panglao International Airport is a big improvement over the old Tagbilaran airport where I arrived 16 years ago. But it could do with more (more, more) improvements now that Aboitiz Infrastructure won the concession for its redevelopment and operations. It needs more seats, commercial establishments (food concessionaires), and more electrical outlets where we can charge our gadgets.

I want to go back to Bohol again. And again.

👋