Laguna: The Magic That Stays With You (Enchanted Kingdom)

We went to Enchanted Kingdom for the 'nth time to cheer up a friend. You may ask why, because for me the thrill and adventure excites a person's heart and produces happy thoughts and feelings. Well at least I know my friend a lot and I just simply know what will make her happy.

Enchanted Kingdom is a world class theme park here in the Philippines. A place where you can bring out the inner child in you.

Park opens at 11:00AM-9:00PM and everytime we go here, we always make sure to arrive before the park opens to avoid the long line in the ticket booth and maximize our stay.

How to get there:

We went here via UV Express van in Star Mall EDSA Crossing bound for Balibago and drop off in Waltermart Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Fare is Php 70. From Waltermart we rode a tricycle for Php 10 each.

Other transportation option:

Via EK SHUTTLE: A shuttle service is available in Ayala Center beside SM Makati across MRT Ayala station at  Intercontinental Hotel open parking, Fare is Php 300 per way. You may call 830-3535 for schedules.

Via Bus: There are buses bound to Balibago you can ride such as JAM and JAC Liner with bus stations are located in Pasay City near Buendia LRT Station. You will also drop off to Waltermart Sta. Rosa Laguna and from there ride a tricycle to Enchanted Kingdom.  Fare is Php 61.

Travel time is 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours.

You will be welcomed to the Grand Gateway where ticket booths, guest relation and security office is located. This is also where you can find restrooms, loading stations, ATM machines, locker and stroller rentals. Please take note that foods are not allowed inside the park so just leave it in the car or don't bring any foods as they will be confiscated upon entrance and you can't get them back. However we were able to bring bottled water inside.

Victioria Park

Victoria Park is what you'll see upon entering the park where you will see the carousel and the garden with dancing fountain in front.

Took the mandatory photo here, got our maps and proceed to the left side. 

For our first ride, Disk-O Magic just across the Flying Fiesta, this ride will literally keep you spinning, so for those who are not used to this kind of rides, make sure you don't have a full stomach before taking this ride.

Next stop is Portabello where Rio Grande Rapids is located. This ride is wet and wild so make sure you bring extra clothes and waterproof your things if you want to ride this. There are also Magic Dryer booths for Php 150 fee, or you may choose to buy clothes as there is a shop selling clothes just before you exit. Note: Ride opens at 2:00 PM.

Beside this is the 7D Interactive Motion Theater for an extra fee and Eldar's tent where they held broad way shows. Then the Arial Race, one of exciting rides here in EK where there are 6 acrobatic planes that fly either 180 or 360 degrees. The best part of it is that you are left hanging upside down for a couple of seconds.

Moving forward just beside the Arial Race is the Space Shuttle, our favorite ride.

After the thrilling rides, we headed for lunch then went straight to Jungle Outpost zone and rode the Jungle Log Jam. We got wet again!

We walked along Brooklyn Place where it's like you're travelling in time. Don't forget to try 3D theater Rialto.

We headed our way to Bump car and experience driving with the kids.

We got tired and rest for a bit, played a little games on the booth and got a dog stuff toy. We didn't notice it starting to get dark. 

For the remaining hours we have, we took the chance to ride the Anchor's Away and the Ferris Wheel.

And we were so tired so we just relaxed and waited for the fireworks at 8:30 PM. And that wraps up our fun and exciting day.

Park Schedules and Fess:

Enchanted Kingdom is open from Wednesday to Sunday except when the park is reserved for a private function, so be sure to check out their website before going.  Operating time also varies.

Website: www.enchantedkingdom.ph

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Enchanted-Kingdom/108721112485392

Bohol: 3D/2N Itinerary

Bohol is one of the popular tourist destination in the Philippines. And indeed this is one of the most beautiful places in the country. We stayed here for a week however, I know a lot of you doesn't have that much time so I'm sharing you a sample itinerary for those who wants to maximize their stay for 3 days and 2 nights.

How to get here:

By air. There are no direct international flights going to Bohol. You would need to take a flight either from Manila or Cebu in order to get to Tagbilaran .

By boat. Fast ferries sail everyday from the port of Cebu and they cost around Php 500 for one way and Php 800 for round trip. Examples of ferries are Ocean Jet, Weesam Express and Super Cat. Travel time is around 2-3 hours Fast ferries from Dumaguete are also available which costs around Php 700 and also takes 2-3 hours.

Day 1: Countryside Tour

From the airport or Tagbilaran port, you will already see travel guides offering tours and transport services. A van for hire which can accommodate 5-7 persons and costs around Php 2,500 that already includes a trip to your hotel at the end of the tour.

Note: entrance fees of each places are not included.

Entrance Fees:
Chocolate Hills Complex - Php 50
ATV at Chocolate Hills (for 30 mins) - Php 450
Butterfly Sanctuary - Php 40
Hanging Bridge - Php 20
Loboc River Cruise Lunch Buffet - Php 450
Tarsier Sanctuary - Php 60

Day 2: Dolphin Watching, Island Hopping at Balicasag and Virgin Island

How to get to Panglao Island:

There are taxis at the ferry terminal and Tagbilaran Airport which will cost around Php 500 - Php 1000. You might find this expensive, however if you're in a budget, you may hire a tricycle which will charge you around Php 250 - Php 500. There are also jeepneys and buses leaving for Alona Beach for only Php 25. Travel time is 20 - 30 minutes.

There are a lot of boatmen in Alona beach who will offer you island hopping, tours and water activities. We hired a boat for Php 2500 for an island hopping. To view the full story of our Island hopping in Bohol, please click here.

Day 3: Panglao Island Tour

You may hire a tricycle to take you around Panglao Island for Php 250 -Php 500 and visit places such as Hinagdanan Cave, Dauis Church,Shell Museum and Bohol Bee Farm.

Note: entrance fees of each places are not included.

Fees:
Bohol Bee Farm guided tour - Php 30
Hinagdanan Cave - Php 50

Here's our Bohol travel video. Enjoy!!!

Bohol: Henann Beach Resort

I'm the kind of traveler who would prefer to stay on a hostel rather than a luxurious accommodation with lots of amenities. This is because I choose to travel on a budget and spend my money on exploring the places I go rather than spending it on accommodation, cause in the end of the day I will just stay there to spend the night for sleeping. However in some trips that I have extra time, I would love to stay in a good place to relax. 

Henann beach Resort is the biggest beach resort in Panglao Island sitting in the shores of the famous Alona Beach.  I went here with my boyfriend's family and since we arrived, I couldn't stop taking photos as everything was so beautiful, the tress, the buildings, the pools, I just can't get enough. I didn't mind the long trip we had since we came from Davao del Sur all the way here (click here if you want to know how we make it here from Davao del Sur). 

You’ll see colors of blue of green everywhere

One thing I notice is that the entire beach is public, none of the hotels here along Alona has a private beach. Though its the only location where you cant see a beach cleared of parked boats, it can get crowded at times as this has the finest sand and the widest beach front along Alona Beach. There was even a time that we think those sands were imported. One issue we had during our stay was the poor WIFI connection. We even had trouble connecting to it and called the reception 2 times for that.

The resort has the only beach front that is cleared of parked boats.

Inside the resort, there are lots of pools that we surely enjoyed. One thing that fascinated me was the pool bars. So you don’t need to get out the pool just to get a drink and some snack. Its actually pretty convenient. Each pools has towel stations where you can borrow towels while you swim in the pool or in the beach so there's no need to bring your own towel or towel from your room.

They also have other amenities like spa, fitness center with gym, airport transfers, souvenir shop, laundry service, foreign currency exchange, convention/business center. If I just have longer stay here I would love to try their spa and fitness center.

We stayed in 2 Superior rooms since we are 7 in a group with 1 kid. We had to pay for extra bed since they can only allow 3 persons in a room but they provided extra bed for us. We went here last August so its a low season time and we got the room for Php 6,468. Charged additional Php 1,500 for the extra bed and Php 1,372.5 for the  breakfast of additional person in the room. 

It was clean, cozy and well maintained.

Breakfast will be on Sea Breeze Beach Club which features Asian, Western and Filipino Cuisine. They have the biggest buffet on the island that caters guest every day. We also had dinner here which has a charge of Php 854 per person. They also have a live band at night you can enjoy while having dinner.

Hennan Resort live up to its name as a luxury hotel with top notch services. We really enjoyed our stay. This is one great choice to spend your days in Bohol.

How to get there

Henann Resort is located along Alona Beach in Panglao Island. They offer airport transfer but if you find it expensive you may hire a tricycle from Tagbilaran for about Php300 - Php400. This is a popular resort in Bohol so I'm sure the drivers know the place.

Bohol: Island Hopping

Bohol is one of the must go to places when visiting the Philippines, not just because of the famous chocolate hills and the cute tarsiers, but also you shouldn’t miss the relaxing turquoise beach in Panglao Island. Staying in Alona beach in Panglao Island for days can be a bit boring, so why not spice it a bit by going on an island hopping.

We hired a boat the day before for Php 2,500. Woke up early in the morning and started the activity at exactly 6:00 AM, yeah the activity starts early as our first activity is dolphin watching and it is during early morning that dolphins are often seen swimming around the seas of Panglao.

Although there is really no guarantee that you will see dolphins as the boatmen have no control over them, we are lucky to see them swimming in their natural habitat. Seeing the first one swimming in the surface of the ocean gave us so much excitement that we all stand in the boat looking for them. The tricky part is that they only appear for a few seconds in the surface then suddenly disappear. The boat had to chase them several times until we can no longer see them around and proceed to our next destination which is the Balicasag Island.

We arrived on the white shores of Balicasag Island minutes after our dolphin-watching activity. Balicasag Island is considered one of the best diving spots in the country. But for us that are not trained for that, this island is also good for snorkeling and we definitely enjoy those colorful corals and fishes.

We rented snorkeling gears for Php 250 inclusive of boat, mask and snorkel and guide. You might be confused why we need to rent a separate boat to go to the snorkeling site. These are small wooden boats good for 3 to 4 person as big boats might damage the corals so we needed to transfer to a small boat. However, I think you can walk on the beach side to get in the snorkeling site if you choose to.

We were swimming in the water for almost 2 hours and can’t get enough of it. But we need to move and proceed to the next and last island which is the Virgin Island.

A small uninhabited picturesque sandbar, and this is why its called Virgin Island. There’s not much to do here, so we just enjoyed the sand and did some food trip as we got hungry swimming in Balicasag Island.

I tried sea urchins for the first time and for me it’s like eating oysters.

Tips:

> Arrive early. At the strike of the morning at dawn, you should be ready and already boarding the boat for dolphin watching. It is said that dolphins are really active during night time and wee hours of morning.

>Bring a good camera lens, dolphins will not be swimming alongside your boat and they can be far sometimes so make sure you’re ready to capture the moment they show up.

>Wear sunblock as it can get too hot.