Revisiting Bohol 2012 with HRCCAP

My first visit in Bohol last year has been a very enjoyable experience here. So when an opportunity to see it again this year came up, I made sure that my colleagues in HRCCAP won't miss what Bohol has to offer.

We arrived on a Sunday afternoon, dropped our bags to Vest Pension House, then proceeded to Punta Cruz Watchtower in Maribojoc. There were more tourists in the area that time, but the views are equally nice. 

I would have liked to see the sunset on this seaside, but we have another place to visit to maximize our tour. Anyway, we enjoyed all the photoshoots and the sea breeze, with the watchtower and the sea as the background.

Second stop is the Mag-Aso Waterfalls in Antequera. The viewdeck on a left side ledge is now finished unlike my first time in the area here. We were the last visitors in the area, so we have the whole place to ourselves for more photoshoots.

On our way back, Paul Incon our driver and owner of Incon Bohol Tours, suggested a "dampa" or palutuan place for our dinner. The good thing about this eatery is that they cook the food using firewood, instead of LPG, so the flavors are more enhanced. Cooking charge is Php 100 per dish.

Its just across a small wet market along the national highway where seafoods are fresh and mostly cheap, except for crabs. Shrimps, stingray, fishes, etc. are priced reasonably if compared with Manila prices. For that seafood feast, total expense was only Php 170 per person. The stingray cooked on coconut milk is surprisingly good!

To cap the night, we proceeded to Alona beach for some drinks.

Monday morning's free breakfast at Vest Pension House is good with an omelet-style corned beef, fried milkfish, egg, and garlic rice.

Right after our morning seminar in Bohol La Roca Hotel, we continued with the second leg of our Bohol tour. This time, a DOT-accredited tour guide Ms. Angeline joined us. First stop is at the Blood Compact site, but there were so many tourists, so its hard to get a clear photo of the statues. Next stop is the century-old Baclayon church built in 1727.

This time, I learned that one of the few remaining original church furniture is the wooden bench below, situated on the right side of the church, near the equally old, almost-collapsing pulpit.

At certain times of the day, the old glass stains of the church windows cast their colors on the church bench and floor.

Then we proceeded to the Tarsier Conservation Center in Loboc, to see our long lost "cousin" primates.

On the way to Chocolate Hills in Carmen, we stopped for some photos at the man-made forest in Bilar. Then after about 30 minutes travel, we arrived at Chocolate Hills. We waited for the rain to stop, before we climbed the stairs to the top of the viewdeck on a hill.

Dinner was at the Loboc River Cruise. There are fewer food choices on the buffet, yet its more expensive than the lunch cruise, probably because they are the only boat operator during night time. Anyway, my colleagues really enjoyed the dance show which is included on the cruise.

The night cruise has a more relaxing feel to it, especially when the riverside lights cast their rays on the Loboc church and on the river.

Next post will be about our Balicasag island hopping tour. :)

Paul Incon can be contacted at +63917-9107606 or +63929-7623614.