Thursday, July 19

Captivated by Boholandia (Alonaland Beach Resort, Panglao)

AlonaLand Resort cradled us for 3 days. We were given a great bargain of 2,000.00 per night for a 5 person room capacity, complete with toilet and bathroom plus a kitchenette (the kitchenette's complete with kitchen stuffs and LPG). There's two queen-sized beds inside, a built in cabinet and a side table. The bathroom also has its hot and cold shower.

Alonaland Resort features
After breakfast
many hammocks surround Alonaland
It was a great deal since it was near Alona Beach. You can walk from your room to the beach or ride the shuttle service the resort offers.

shuttle service schedule
The swimming pool is just infront of our room, that's why its very accessible for us to dip in. We tried it the second night and we did enjoy it since we're the only one who used it that time.

the author, Yen, Ate Marilyn, Kim and Mich

me and ate marilyn posing beside the pool

hindi ko alam kung naachieve namin ni Kim ang gusto namin palabasin dito. hahaha

All in all, our 3d/2n stay @ Alonaland was simply satisfactory, though we had some problems during our last day of stay (water from the faucet ran out and we had problem bathing). I recommend Alonaland Resort to those who wants to have fun and satisfy their vacation in Panglao, Bohol. Its a great value for money!

"Disclaimer: Photos are from friends, Kim Buenafe and Yen Malamig"

Tuesday, July 17

Captivated by Boholandia (Bohol City Tour)

Yes, I love to travel. I love going to places and trying new things. I said to myself before, "Makapunta lang ako sa Puerto Princesa, Bohol at Boracay, kuntento na ako sa ganda ng 'Pinas". But then again, that was before! When I saw how pristine Bohol's beaches are, (Alona and Dumaluan Beach in Panglao) I realized that those places are only three of the thousand majestic places in my country. AND I promised myself that I will, as much as I can, as long as I live..try to visit ALL the stunning places of my country to my heart's content.

Frankly, it wasn't my plan to visit Bohol 2 months after I visited Puerto Princesa last year. Why? It's simple, I just don't have the money for the expenses! Good thing, I have the greatest mom who lends me cash (the typical utang na hindi na binabayaran! hahaha)

Enough with the intro and on with the story...

It was August last year when I was invited by my office colleagues to join their much planned escape at Bohol. Since I really love to travel and I wouldn't want to be left behind once they tell their stories, I joined them. We're booked August 25-27 via Zest Air. We planned the cheapest itinerary possible and contacted the best deal for the accommodation and the city tour.


Before I move on with the blog, let me first share to you our misfortune. Yen's luggage was mistakenly grabbed by someone else in Tagbilaran airport. We were supposed to be fetched by Kuya John Ray before lunch but since Zest Air's flight was an hour delayed, and we had to take care of the lost baggage, we were way too late for our first day itinerary. Good thing, we managed to visit all the places on our list. (except for Prony the huge python which I personally wanted to see).


We arrived at the airport an hour early only to find out that our flight will be delayed. But, of course we didn't want to spoil our trip so we thought of it as a good photo opportunity at the airport.


kulitan while waiting for the flight
After a while, the plane arrived and we proceeded to our designated seats. It was only a short 45minute plane ride to Bohol.

photo op muna before umakyat
seatmates

before alighting the plane
Arriving @ Tagbilaran airport
Add caption

e parang hindi naman nawalan ng baggage si yen (middle)
We chose Kuya John Ray (09106291268) to guide us on our Bohol City Tour. So far, he was the cheapest we could get for our complete Bohol City Tour. Though it was only a multicab, we still enjoyed the ride. (ang sarap kaya ng fresh air ng Bohol! charot!) 

sa aming hamak na multicab
talking about the fresh air of Bohol
It was past lunch when we left the airport. Since all our tummies are starving, we dined at Jo's Chicken Inato. Food is good, serving us with chicken inasal and grilled pork bbq, the Boholano's way. 

Chicken inasal, Pork BBQ, Buko Pandan and Leche flan


Kuya John Ray suggested we visit Chocolate Hills first because its the farthest. On our way to the ever famous hills, we passed by the manmade forest (a 2km grandeur with Mahogany trees).


stretch of Mahogany trees 
tall shades
Truly, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol is an amazing work of art by God's wonderful hands.

So far, keri at worth it naman ang entrance fee
Glimpse of the hill sa byahe
more than a hundred steps to reach the view deck
with sweetie
oo mahangin sa taas!
just picturesque!
After satisfying our eyes and hearts with the magnificent view of the hills, we proceeded to our next itinerary which is visiting the smallest primates, the Tarsiers. There is no entrance fee here, but you have to give some donations.


i really wanted to cuddle him!!!


This small primate is described to be shy and nervous that's why the caretakers don't allow the guests to touch it (or else it will commit suicide). They are nocturnal and they hunt for insects at night.
in all fairness, sakanya lang nakipagtitigan si tarsier!

group pic with the tarsier
with our guide kuya kulet
The next stop was the butterfly garden. Ate Marilyn and Michelle were the only people who are interested with meeting and playing with the butterflies, so the rest of us just waited outside and contented ourselves buying pasalubongs.

i think you have to pay 10.00 for the entrance fee

satisfying themselves with the butterflies



(btw, mura mga pasalubong dito sa butterfly garden! from the key chains and shirts, i bought 2 colored shirts for my dad for only 320, ref magnets for 50pesos each, and ung mga key chains, 20pesos each.)

bilihan ng pasalubong outside
On our way back to the city, we stopped by the Loboc River for some photography. We didn't have the privilege to dine at the popular Loboc River Cruise which offers buffet yummies due to budget constraint.

itong trip na ito ang pinakamalakas maka-friends forever! haha
Loboc River
I was a little frustrated when everyone else decided to call it a day. Why? Because I haven't met Prony the Python yet! But since its getting dark and our guide told us our travel time from the city to Panglao will take us an hour, I just accepted my dissapointment. BUT since Kuya John Ray is super kind, he brought us to a small zoo with a big (not as big as famous Prony) python. (Keri na 'toh, atleast makakakita at makakahawak ako ng python!)

super persistent kami ni Mich to meet Prony, kaya pinagtyagaan na namin 'tong pinsan nya kuno
We proceeded to a mall in the city to get Yen's luggage and to buy everything else we need (food, etc.). We were actually advised that delicacies of Bohol is bought cheaper in the groceries rather than buying it  on stalls. True enough, I only had 580.00 slashed on my pocket for a complete pasalubong for family and friends.

Expenses of the day:



"Disclaimer: Photos are from friends, Kim Buenafe and Yen Malamig"

Wednesday, July 11

F U (my unorganized thoughts abt life)

What is it to do?


When equality seems too far gone..
When everything else disappoints
When tranquility..serenity is lost


Whenever you open your eyes
All seems wrong


They bring you down
They brag about your being!
They brag about so much of everything


Humanity has long lost its respect
Everyone boast about their righteousness
When they don't even know what it means


What's left to say?


When you've already been judged
When they've already corrupted minds
and
When simple things become the biggest issue


Try reading between the lines
Everyone seems calm and good
But at the back of their minds they criticize


It kills, little by little, piece by piece..
Like the vultures who attacks when you're already down
Like the wind which blows mildly..
and kills silently


(unorganized, unplanned,unedited, but frees my mind, inch by inch..)