Bohol: Hinagdanan Cave

For me, Hinagdanan cave is the most interesting place in Panglao Island. It is a underground lake with a small grotto and beautiful rock formation. This underground lake is a popular place for swimming, however swimming is only until 4PM and we get there at around 4:30PM so we weren't able to swim. By the way, you need to pay extra Php 100 for swimming aside from the Php 50. The water looks green and when I asked our guide, they said that its because of the green limestone on the bottom of the lake. There is also natural lighting coming to the cave. It's easy going inside as there is a stairs from the entrance, however its a little slippery so be careful going down.

Entrance to Hinagdanan Cave

Stairs going inside the cave

Its a real fun experience as their guides are so funny and let them take your pictures cause they know the right setting for your camera, whether its a smart phone or DSLR. Its amazing, they really took good photos.

How to Get to Hinagdanan Cave:

Coming from Alona Beach, you may rent a motorbike for Php 250 roundtrip for 2 person. Please negotiate to the driver. If you're coming from Tagbilaran, you may rent a tricycle or habal-habal. Fare is around 300 pesos.

Bohol: Lunch at Loboc River Cruise

A festival themed floating restaurant is one of the famous travel must do when you are in Bohol. Imagine yourself enjoying in a buffet while crossing the clean Loboc River surrounded by lush green plants, such a relaxing vibe. And unlike the floating restaurant in Manila, which has a foul smell because of trash, as I've said the Loboc river is clean so you don't have anything to worry about as you will be able to enjoy the food.

After boarding the floating restaurant, you can proceed to your assigned seat and immediately start eating while waiting for other guests. Speaking of the food, it consists of common Filipino dishes. It tastes just average but still satisfying.

While on the cruise, there is a live performer who will serenade you while eating. A pleasant surprise also awaits as the boat stopped in the middle of the cruise, a musical and and dancing performance from the locals. They will also perform 'tinikling' dance where they will ask guests to come and try, so I went down the boat and dance with them. It looked easy watching them dance tinikling but when I'm the one there, its not as easy as it looks, but I had lots of fun.

That's me trying to dance Tinikling. :)

Rates:

Bohol: How we Travel from Cagayan de Oro to Bohol by Sea

View from Jagna, Bohol

It was my first time to ride a ship and I felt excited and anxious at first. Coming from Davao del Sur we traveled 6 hours to get to Cagayan de Oro. 

Lite Ferries is one of the sea transportation options when going to Bohol from Cagayan de Oro. Although searching for schedule of their trip to Bohol was not easy as their facebook page was not updated and it was hard contacting them in the contact numbers I was able to find online, we were still able to reserve and book for our trip. 

For those who are also trying to find the schedule of vessel going from Cagayan de Oro to Bohol, hope this one could help.

Cagayan de Oro to Jagna

10PM (evening) every MON-WED-FRI

10AM (morning) every SUNDAY

Jagna to Cagayan de Oro

10PM (evening) every SUNDAY

It takes 7 hours travel time from Cagayan de Oro and we arrived at Jagna around 5AM. There are bunk beds provided for passengers so we were able to rest while we were on our journey. There is also a convenient store inside where you can buy coffee and other snack.

Famous Kalamay from Jagna, Bohol

Travel Tip:

Make sure you arrive 2 hours before the schedule as their ticket booths are closing at 8PM, yes, even you already made a reservation. While we were on our way to Cagayan, at around 7:30PM, they called us asking if we are still boarding the ship going to Jagna and reminded us to be there before 8PM as they will already be closing in a few minutes. We asked them for favor if they can extend for like 30 minutes because we are still on our way and told us that they will be waiting for us until 8:15PM and the ticket booth will be closed. We almost didn't make it, but luckily we did. 

Since our trip lasted for 7 hours we arrived at the port just in time for the sunrise. I have always been a sunrise lover, my most favorite time of the day.

Stunning view from Jagna port

Just before sunrise

Bohol: Baclayon Church

Baclayon Church or the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is considered to be one of the oldest churches in the Philippines.  The first Spanish missionaries first settled in Baclayon in 1595. As of now, it is still under construction because it was destroyed in a 7.2 magnitude earthquake last October 15, 2013. I honestly didn't expect it to still be under construction since 3 years have already passed. 

Front part of the Baclayon church under construction

At the back of the church comes the Museum. There is an entrance fee of Php 50 pesos and please take note that picture taking is not allowed inside the museum. Inside you will see century-old things that will give you goosebumps. Those books with carabao skin covers and music sheets written in Latin was really nostalgic.

How to get there:

Baclayon Church is usually included if you are availing Tagbilaran tours. You may also take a bus or jeepney going to the direction of Baclayon, just ask the driver to drop you off the Baclayon Church.

Bohol: Blood Compact Site

The Blood Compact Site, also known as "Sandugo" meaning 'one blood' is a great symbol of friendship between Spaniards and Filipinos. The historic event was done in March 16, 1565 by Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Bohol Cheiftain Satu Sikatuna. 

We only spent a few minutes here as there are nothing much to see aside from the statue itself. 

Overlooking view from the Blood Compact Site

How to get there:
Going here is not so hard as this is usually included in the tours offered in Bohol. Also, this is along the way when you are going to Panglao from Tagbilaran. This is 15-20 minutes away from Tagbilaran port and you can just rent a tricycle if you want to go here.

Entrance Fee: FREE!!!

Travel Tip:
Bring umbrella as it can get too hot in the place.

Davao City: 3D/2N Itinerary and Expenses

Visited Davao again a few weeks ago and stayed there for a month and a lot of friends are asking me how to go around the city and what places to visit.So I created this sample itinerary to help friends who are hesitant to go to Davao not just because its far from Manila, but they think it might be expensive to go here.

Not only it is the home of our current president Rodrigo Duterte, Davao City is known for its cleanliness and for being one of the safest city in the country. Its easy to go around as there are lots of public transportation you may choose from and people are so friendly.

How to get there: 

Flights from Manila and Cebu are available through airlines like Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Asia.

Where to Go:

Jack’s Ridge

Jack’s Ridge is a popular destination for dining and recreation, it offers a great view of the city. This was said to be once a part of the Japanese forces headquarters.

>>> You may ride a cab from the city proper, just tell the driver to bring you to Jack's Ridge, fare is around Php 150. 

>>> You may also ride a jeepney bound to Matina/Bangkal/Ulas and drop off at crossing Shrine Hills, fare is Php 8-15. Once in the crossing, ride a tricycle to bring you to Jack's Ridge.

Philippine Eagle

A major tourist destination in Davao which is a sanctuary and protects the endangered Philippine Eagle. It is also a home for other birds, mammals and reptiles. It might be a bit far from the city center as it takes an hour to go here, but its worth it. It's also cheap to but souvenirs here aside from the pasalubong center in people's park.

Entrance Fee: Php 150 for adults, Php 100 for children

>>>From Bankerohan, take a van to Calinan, fare is Php 40. From, Calinan, take a tricycle or habal-habal to the center. Click Here

Samal Island

Blessed with white sand beaches and interesting underwater marine resources, this is something you shouldn't miss. There are resorts in the island if you want to stay overnight but there are also boats that can tour you around the island. 

>>> There are boats in Sta. Ana wharf going to Samal island, most of the resorts in the island provides a boat transfer, or if you're going on a day tour island hopping, there are private boats you may rent here as well.

>>> For cheaper option, you may choose to take a passenger boat that will bring you to Samal Island and just do an inland tour by hiring a habal-habal

See: Samal Island Hopping, Cannibad Beach, Giant Clam Sanctuary, Paradise Island

People's Park

This is the most popular park in the city at the heart of Davao. A 4-hectare tourist attraction is a perfect place for relaxing and enjoying recreational activities with your family and friends. 

>>> From Davao International Airport, you may take a taxi (Php 150) or jeepney (Php 15). People's park is located at J. Palma Gil streets in the city center. Click Here

Crocodile Park

One of the most visited tourist spot in Davao City. Aside from being a home for crocodile, they also have other animals here such as birds, snakes, tigers, ostrich and reptile.

>>> From the City Center, you can take a Jeepney bound to Buhangin (Php7) and tell the driver to drop you in the corner of the Diversion Road where the Habal-Habal (motorcycle for hire) are located. From there, take a habal-habal that will bring you directly to the park (Php20 - Php40). Click Here

Davao Museum

This museum features various tribes of the Davao region and handicrafts, instruments and information about their way of life. FYI, cameras are not allowed to be used inside the museum.

>>> This is just a walking distance from the People's park.

Davao City: People's Park

People's Park is a cultural-theme park located at the center of Davao City. A 4-hectare tourist attraction is a perfect place for relaxing and enjoying recreational activities with your family and friends. Durian Dome is the first structure that will welcome you upon entering the park, it resembles a local fruit Durian which is known for its powerful smell.

The park also features a mini forest where the air is fresh and lots of pigeons are roaming around. Aside from that, there are many beautifully handcrafted concrete artworks representing the indihenous people of Davao (Lumads). 

 How to get there:

• From Davao International Airport, you may take a taxi (Php 150) or jeepney (Php 15). People's park is located at J. Palma Gil streets in the city center.

 

 

Entrance Fee: FREE!!!!

Pasalubong Center just outside the People's Park

For complete Davao City itinerary: Click Here