Philippine Travel Notes

Before we get out of Bohol, I would like to share some random sights, sites and scenes I encountered around Tagbilaran, my "base of operations" while roaming the southern towns of this island/province. Let's start with this, a view inside the St. Joseph Cathedral of Tagbilaran City, Bohol ... The Old Provincial Capitol of Bohol , now a museum. Still not ticked-off from my bucket list! Part of the urbanized areas of Tagbilaran... "Oling" = "Uling" = "Charcoal"... an essesntial in the Visayas - a barbecue country! There are still big old wooden houses in the city, but they're slowly modernizing... I saw an interesting 'vintage' vehicle on the road. It looks like a fairy-tale ride! It's an old 'carriage' or 'caruaje' or 'karwahe' that you would imagine being drawn by horses. That's one ride (I guess) that no Pinoy would wish to do anytime soon. Would you? If so, may you R est I n P e

I had to rush back to Tagbilaran City as my meet-up was all-of-a-sudden happening here, instead of at Alburquerque as previously agreed. Ah, it happens when we mix work with leisure. Lesson duly noted! What was the lesson? Ah eh... kalimutan na ang %^!%$* work na yan 😈 bwahahaha ! Wait, does this mean I skipped the town of Baclayon on this westward joyride back to Tagbilaran from Anda ? Well yes, because nga of the meeting . Although I actually also considered skipping Baclayon if evening fell, since I've been there many times before, and am sure to pass by it soon again and again. Anyway, I said yes when my 'kausap' changed the venue to Ocean Cafe, even if I didn't know where in Tagbilaran it may be. My reasoning was: it's only in Tagbilaran, I or my driver should be able to find it. Eto na.., we easily found it via google, right beside the "Sandugo" or " Blood Compact " Monument! Hesumalusep andito lang pala! Even my guide says he pa

In the evening after my unfinished joyride among Bohol's southern towns, I strolled around the vicinity of my hotel, hoping to stumble upon an eatery that might appeal to my eyes, taste buds and stomach. Nothing that serious, I'm not a fan of fancy dining places anyway. Turo-turo or fastfood is always fine! But of course I was 'armed' with helpful tips from the hotel's front desk. They told me to head right (as before), passing by the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Birhen sa Barangay - also known as the Cogon Shrine , and at the highway (the Circumferential Road) I could turn either way to find good restaurants. I remembered though, the girl said she prefers that I try Gerarda's Restaurant, so I went for it... This place is not hard to find since it is just by the main road, and under a gigantic tree! The interiors are chic with a lot og glass everywhere, akin to fine dining restaurants. I am guessing this is probably a second branch since the signage out

Let us continue my previous story - I was this time taking the SuperCat from Tagbilaran to Cebu. So I boarded St. Sariel. For some reason (that am still pondering about), I knew how to find my seat! I did not need the kind assistance of that guy. I knew: big door in the middle - since the smaller one at left is the toilet of this class of service - there's one in my class of service, upon entering that big door! By the way, did you know these supercats have different layouts? Yep, they're not the same. Example: this one, St. Sariel, is configured like OceanJet, meaning there are non-air-conditioned economy seats. Those are at the rear part of second floor, and only from where you can enter business class section. Anyway, I entered business class section and this is what I saw.., empty - no passengers but me! Lesson learned.., I should have researched thoroughly if today was a busy passenger day/season. Eh, maluwag anywhere I shouldn't have spent for a business clas

Going out of Alona Beach, Panglao into Tagbilaran and eventually to Cebu then Tacloban was a merry combination of land, sea and air travel - by design! I wanted to ride a fastcraft once again, that is why! But let's start from the very beginning... of the end of my trip! One last glance at a paradise that is the southwestern end of Panglao's Alona Beach.., As many travelers would say.., "no turning back" for you will just feel bad leaving a paradise so soon! Hey look! This is that ' abandoned house ' beside Blue Ocean Bohol that I have earlier been mentioning ! It looks good, right? A chance to look at it in full view, as I was going up those stairs at right because... I availed of the transfer service offered by Blue Ocean Bohol from the resort to Tagbilaran Sea Port. Thus, here was my way, climbing up the stairs from the resort.., up the hill where the vehicle awaited. As said earlier, this "parking area" is actually the grounds of Domos