Philippine Travel Notes

Let's continue what I was saying in the last paragraph of my previous post. Good road from Balilihan to Batuan. But there is something wrong (see next photo below). The driver is too young! Definitely not even a high school kid. And they were running very fast. After Brgy. Hanopol Norte (Balilihan), we entered a Brgy. Mahayag (Catigbian), which confused me, as I thought Balilihan and Batuan were next to each other. That's when my driver said " It's Complicated "! So, he explained that... After Hanopol Norte, this road touches the southern border of Catigbian (although far from poblacion, at probably still 10 kilometers away). Right side of this road is still part of Balilihan, while the left flank is already Catigbian. Next it enters a short 5km stretch that is, this time, all inside Catigbian. Until you reach a bridge, where these three towns of Balilihan, Batuan and Catigbian are supposed to converge! Complicated nga! Balilihan and Batuan are next ...

If our drivers might have been zooming faster than usual this time, ah I was not complaining hehe. My principles on safety, comfort and convenience do get a bit twisted when the tummy grumbles. I think you my dearest readers should also take note of this. Its just impossible to depart from Tubigon in the morning and expect to have a timely lunch at Loboc River after attempting to enjoy Inabangga, Danao, Carmen, the hills, Batuan, Bilar, the Tarsiers and many other things. Don’t worry, I pre-advised the companion that I acceded to his plan on the condition that I will blame him forever and ever. The reply: we can always come back here. Awk! See that picture? I never even got to say hi and hello to the operators of that buggy tour. I could have asked questions like “what’s with those two front tires slanting inwards at the top” hehe! I snapped this photo by twisting my body as if to turn back as we sped past them. Then there was Batuan but we did not even make a stop anywhere in this tow...

I have been to this place on a rainy day, on a sunny day and many other day, so am now asking “what else is there to tell you”? Maybe I should start with… I let the companions go up to the viewing deck while I wandered around by the scattering of stores down below. There was no more rain and it was noontime, so I said I better stay down at the circular waiting shed hehe! This time, my aging self was happier sitting around watching the many buses and vans that deliver or pick tourists to/from the area. Hey there was this big bus that had a beautiful livery with “Loboc Youth Ambassadors” and that got me excited. Maybe I could chance upon some of those kids who are just a bit bigger than their instruments for some chit-chat or photo-op! Argh, I didn’t see anyone that might look like them hehe. That bus was just probably decorated so to advertise their group. Too bad, I would have requested a pic or two with them. I like those kids. I mostly watch them on You Tube! Anyway, I busied myself ...

How many of you have visited the famed “Chocolate Hills”? Hmm, I see a sea of hands being raised hehe. Now tell me, how many of you have seen the town where those hills belong? A… not too many, I see. This is why I opted for this kind of roam… to see what I was curious about – the places that the regular “Bohol Countryside Tour” does not normally go to. Those hills are actually scattered mostly in 3 towns, one we have just passed by (Sagbayan), another we won’t stop by on this tour (Batuan), and the third is this our destination: the town of Carmen, Bohol. Ah, like it was from Inabanga to Danao and Danao to Sagbayan, our Sagbayan to Carmen run was equally on picturesque rural scenes dotted by those hills. This time they were more frequent! Well yes, some parts of the road too were yet unpaved. And yes too, it rained along the way! But our ‘motocross tour’ kept on, ‘come rain or bed-weather’! Carmen should probably have the right to claim it is ‘the heart’ of Bohol. Its in the very midd...

This topic started with this article Have you been to Carmen? Carmen who?! Ha, there are 6 towns in this country that bears that name? Which came fist, the name of these six towns or the opera bearing the same title? We will know soonest! Curiously enough, these towns that bear the name Carmen are all in Cebuano-speaking places. First is the town of Carmen in the island province of Cebu (Region 7 – Central Visayas). Yes, the town is just about 40kms from Cebu city and just after Danao City! Oh yes, guns are still an industry in Danao, but thats a different topic hehe. Carmen in Cebu is a hub of small boat builders and the womenfolk weave sinamay. Well yes, there are caves and falls and that famous monastery up in the mountains. And of course, there is the M Lhuiller hacienda that you pass by going to the monastery. The next Carmen is a town right in the heart of the island province of Bohol. Yes, this town is your destination if you want to see and experience the Chocolate Hills. And w...

If you are looking for the best guided and annotated tour in the Philippines, you will only find it in Bohol. I will stand on that declaration with my chin high up! Howsoever you arranged for it, your tour will be the same - a grand look around the various natural and man-made wonders of the place, PLUS a barrage of historical information you will itch to write every detail down on a notebook. Best if you bring your palm or XDA! I have taken this tour three times (in three years) and each of those times I got so excited and too absorbed into the sceneries, the stories and the histories about the place. While the tour guides im part basically the same information, there is always something else new that I discover (or remember for good)! First time I went was with a big tour group – a whole bus load of about 40 tourists. Second time I went there, I was traveling with a special friend – only the two of us! And the third time, I was with seven of my adventurous friends! In all those tours...