Tuesday, 22 April 2014

A Walk in Tagbilaran City

We had one free day to roam around Bohol's capital, Tagbilaran City.

There were lots of people going about with their daily lives. Tricycles are also abundant in the city. A ride will cost you a flat rate of Php 8 going to anywhere in the city. Convenient way to travel especially on hot summer days.

We took a tricycle going to the St. Joseph Cathedral. The St. Joseph Church is one of the oldest churches in Bohol. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1798 then later re-built during the 19th century.

Fronting the church is Bohol's Rizal Plaza which has miniature chocolate hills displayed. Locals and tourists sat on benches to feed the pigeons.

If you want to learn how the Chocolate Hills came to existence, you may want to view the National Museum just across the plaza. You can learn about Bohol's history, their livelihood and their ecosystem here. Entrance fee is only Php 10.

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

Bohol Sea Tour

Sea Tours in Bohol normally starts at Php 1,500 per boat which is already good for 4-6 persons. But since tourism is low in Bohol it looks like you can actually haggle the price to as low as Php 1,000. Try strolling around Alona Beach when the sun sets and you will be surprised that there will be people offering you their tours at really low prices. We got ours at Php 900! Snorkeling masks included as a package.

Alona Beach

The day before our scheduled sea tour, we strolled along the white sandy beach of Alona just before the sun sets. The beach stretches for 1.5 kms and borders by rocks on both ends. Its sand were fine but not as fine as that to Boracay's.

Balicasag Island

Sea tours start early around 6 AM to be able to see the dolphins swim near Balicasag Island. We departed from Alona beach quite late around 7AM because unknowingly we were waiting for two more tourists to join. Luckily we were still able to see the dolphins swim in groups, many of which were still babies. They were so cute. Unfortunately we were not able to take pictures of the dolphins.

After watching the dolphins swim around for 15 minutes, we started heading towards Balicasag Island which is one of the best dive and snorkeling sites in Bohol.

The sandy shell shore of the island is lined-up with make-shift stores offering visitors seafood to be cooked while we are away for snorkeling. Be warned that prices are really expensive. You will be charged Php 500 per kilo for any seafood plus Php 100 for each viand. We ordered half a kilo of their Jack Fish and a buko for Php 75.

When in Balicasag Island, you will also be approached by a resident guide to do the snorkeling. Snorkeling costs Php 200 per head. Your guide will lead you to a smaller boat where you will be taken to the snorkeling site which was declared a marine sanctuary. Water shoes are also offered for rental because the snorkeling area is surrounded by hard corals. We opted to skip renting the shoes and used our slippers instead.

Truly this island is a really nice snorkeling spot as there was a diversity of marine life in it. I can rank this one as second best from our Coron snorkeling experiences. What's unique about our snorkeling experience is that we get to see bigger fishes like Mackerels on the cliff of the reef. Scary yet fascinating!


After snorkeling, we went back to the island to have our early lunch. Even though food are expensive there we still wanted to buy some to help the locals there as we believe that tourism is their main livelihood.

After taking some relaxing time in Balicasag Island, we are off to the Virgin Island. It took around 30 minutes to reach the island but sadly the tide was high that time that the sand bar was still submerged in water.


Lined up along the sand bar were several bankas and stalls selling coconut, banana-Q, and urchins! I got the chance to try eating a sand dollar urchin at Php 20 a piece (you can haggle for it to be at Php 10 each). It was slimy but I especially liked their spiced vinegar to go with it.
Sand Dollar Urchins
Stalls selling fried bananas. Yummy!
Giant Sea Urchins! These are the ones used in Unagi sushi
We took our time strolling in the island's fine white sand in bare foot. The Virgin Island was called so because there was no inhabitants there, but from the looks of it - I think it will soon become a resort because there were several workers there constructing a building.

When in Bohol, don't fail to experience their Sea Tour - it's definitely worth it. If you still have time, you may also want to swim with the Whale Sharks (Butanding) in Oslob - this tour is also available in Panglao Island at Php 2,000.

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

Resto Review: Payag Restaurant, Bohol

Payag Restaurant is a famous Chicken Inato restaurant in Bohol. We were not able to go to their Tagbilaran City branch while we were staying in the city - luckily they have a branch just outside Alona Beach. This branch is only open on specific times in the morning and late afternoon.

They offer unlimited rice for their chicken meals: Jo's Chicken Inato Php 105, Pork BBQ Meal Php 79, and Super Inato Combo Php 127. You may also want to try their other specialties like Binakhaw (Kilawin with mayo) Php 115 and Sizzling Gambas Php 185.

Since we want to try both their chicken and BBQ we ordered their combo and both were delicious. But after taking several bites into the chicken, I realized that it was kind of salty or maybe it was just the soy sauce.

We ended our meals with their Halo Halo (Php 75 - not sure with the price) which is also available with coconut at Php 95. They will provide a container of sugar for you to add according to your liking. Their Halo Halo had camote, beans, bits of langka, tons of jellies and topped with ube ice cream then sprinkled with crispies. Perfect way to end a meal in one hot summer day.

Payag Restaurant is definitely a go-to place for affordable and fast meals when in Bohol.

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

Monday, 21 April 2014

Resto Review: L'Elephant Bleu, Panglao Island, Bohol

L'Elephant Bleu Restaurant was ranked #2 in "Ang Pinaka-Yummy in Bohol" list so we had to try out their food even knowing that it may be expensive.

We walked our way to the restaurant and one would probably miss it if not for the bright blue elephant sign along the road. The exterior of the restaurant was dimly lighted, anyone would think twice to come in thinking that it might be closed.

The restaurant was cozy and rustic with wooden furnishings. They even have a mini courtyard where you can lounge in their sofa.

Most of the items in their menu are alien to us so we asked our waiter for food suggestions. I don't recall the exact names of the menu items though because I was not able to take a picture of their menu.

For our appetizer, we ordered their Mixed Tapas (Php 180) which is Spanish for appetizers. We don't know what's in it but we both loved it. Their greens and tomatoes were fresh, bruschetta were crispy and whatever toppings it had was so savory.

And for our main course, I ordered their Chicken Cordon Bleu (Php 280) while my husband ordered their specialty for the day, Prawn & Garlic Pasta (Php 420).


Their serving of Chicken Cordon Bleu was huge. I can even suggest this one good for sharing. The side vegetables were buttery and tender (I don't like the string beans though because it was stringy). The fried potatoes were flavorful. As for the chicken, its breading was quite tough for me and cheese inside was still firm. I was kind of expecting the cheese to be oozing out once I cut it.


And finally, the Prawn and Garlic Pasta also came in huge portion. The penne had just the right firmness and the prawns were sumptuous. The tomato-based sauce however was not garlic-y as we expected it to be. This dish was surprisingly expensive because of the tiger prawns.

Overall, we'd love to come back to have their Mixed Tapas again and maybe try out their other dishes.

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

Buen Bella Pension House, Tagbilaran City, Bohol

On our first day in Bohol, we decided to stay within Tagbilaran so that we can explore their city and also to be able to buy pasalubongs as well. After several hotel comparisons, we have finally decided to stay at Buen Bella Pension House for a night.

Buen Bella Pension House is located at 26 Miguel Parras St., Tagbilaran City.
Image from Buen Bella website


Room Rates:
  • Single - Php 800
  • Twin - Php 950
  • Deluxe Double - Php 1,100
  • Executive - Php 1,300

Pros:
  • Free transport to and from airport/pier (Tagbilaran pier only)
  • Complimentary breakfast included at a Tapsilog Store located on the ground floor (which is also open 24hrs)
  • Air-condition is okay
  • Hot and Cold shower
  • Cable TV
  • WiFi is okay
  • Wholesale souvenir shop is located just below the building
  • Alturas and BQ Mall is just nearby
  • Room rates are affordable
  • They offer tour packages

Cons:
  • No complimentary water (which contradicts to what was indicated on their site)
  • Beddings are not well-maintained
  • Pillows are not comfortable, its fillers are not even
  • Only their Executive room offers a Queen bed

Cellphone No: +63918-5297742
Email Address: info_buenbella@yahoo.com.ph

* Price posted is based on our 2014 trip. Contact them directly to inquire for their latest rates.

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)