From The Highest Peak to The Deepest Sea: April 2016

UPDATING THIS WITH OTHER TIPS FOR I RECEIVE LOADS OF INQUIRIES :)

This guide is based on what we have experienced on our trip. Last April 01, 2016, I called my friend, Jhem, who just got back from overseas work, I told them that my plan on weekend was cancelled and I am free to go wherever two days and one night may take us. I suggested going to Jomalig Island, but since its 6hrs boat ride we hesitate at first and consider Cagbalete. But I've been dying to visit Jomalig Island way back 2014. I adjusted the itinerary I saw from my research and told them it is possible to go to the island.

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Friday night we start our adventure going to Jomalig Island.

How to go there?

1st - Land Travel
Go to Legarda and look for Raymonds Bus Terminal. This is in front of Arellano University. Bus leaves every hour. Ride a bus bound to Infanta Quezon and get off at Real Port Quezon. Make sure to inform the conductor that you are going to Jomalig Island so they can drop you to the exact port. There are a lot of ports there. Fare is 198 for aircon bus.

2nd - Boat Ride
From Real port, ride a passenger boat going to Jomalig. The earliest boat leaves at 10am. Yes. That's the earliest. But for us, since we are already full, I think about 50 passengers already? We leave by 9am. Fare is 350,inclusive of meal.

Where to Stay at Jomalig?

Bring your own tent is the best option. You can pitch in anywhere you want. There are also some locals who offer homestay. I don't have much idea about it, though.

The mother that we’ve met told us that they offer a nipa hut good for 10 for only 500. Not really sure much about it. But you can always contact her, details below.

TENT IS THE BEST OPTION. Where to pitch in your tent? Believe me you will never run out of it. During our stay there are only 8 groups, so we have the beach all by ourselves. Just please, leave no trace policy. Smile emoticon

Is There An Entrance Fee?

I don’t know if its called entrance fee but they will ask 170 pesos. Ate Malou of municipality treasures is the one in charge for this. But they will come to you on your place.

Where to Eat?

You can bring whatever food you may want. Basta yung Hindi madaling masira. You can also cook there if you are already been doing camping before. But be mindful of the fire. You can also have the locals cook it for you. Of course you'll have to pay for it. You can also order from them: meat, seafood’s, frozen goods, for as long as there are available, asked them first.

Restroom?

No restroom at the beach but many locals are offering this. You’ll have to pay again, of course. But I really don't know how much. They are very hospitable naman so you can politely ask them.

Electricity?

No electricity from 1am to 5pm. Even on the beachfront there are no source of electricity. Make sure to charge your gadgets beforehand and don’t forget to bring your flashlights, extra batteries, and power banks.

Contact Person?

We really don't have any contacts from the place neither to the boat. When we got on the island, my friend wants to eat fish and since this trip is spontaneous (I just asked them to join me last Friday) all we have is canned goods and chips. We met this very kind mother, Ate Denden, who helped us with everything. Food to charging our phones to using their restroom. She told us that a neighbor will be selling a pork meat and if we want we can buy 1kilo for the three of us and she will cook it for us.

These are the menu she cooked for us during our whole stay:

Dinner – Sinigang na baboy

Breakfast – Longganisa and egg

Lunch – Inihaw na baboy

All this meal with rice plus the use of restroom and charging our gadgets cost us one thousand only that we divide with ourselves. Not bad, eh?

Here's her number 09489936005.

Can We Rent Our Own Boat?

Yes, you may! A lot has been asking me about this, since the earliest boat that leaves real quezon is 10am and it is 6 hours sea travel, clearly, it is time consuming. But I asked Ate Denden and she told me that yes, you may. Just contact her directly for the details for she will be the one coordinating with the boat man.

Overnight Jomalig Island Itinerary
(this is just based on what we've experienced and may still vary depending on delays et al)

11:00 PM ETD at Raymonds Terminal at Legarda to Real Quezon, ride a bus bound to Infanta, Quezon | Fare is 198 for aircon bus

3:30 AM ETA at real, quezon (travel time will depend on how fast the bus is or if there is traffic, make sure to inform the driver/kundoktor that you will be sailing to Jomalig Island, there are loads of port there, but you can ride a tryk if you got off at the wrong one and asked them to drop you at the designated port going to Jomalig)

9:00 AM ETD from real, quezon going to Jomalig Island (yes, 9am. honestly, the first trip is 10am. but since we are about 50 passengers that time they leave early, if you will be going in a big group you can make a reservation so that the boat will wait for you, but make sure to be there on time because there will be some "walk-in" who wanted to go there as much as you want to and are also conscious of their time and boat travel time may vary depending on the waves of the sea and how fast the boat is) | fare is 350 each inclusive of food, don't expect much, it’s a fisherman's meal, but still delicious, on our way they serve pinakbet and plenty of rice! | They also charge us 20 each? I really don't know what was that for

3:00 PM ETA at Jomalig island | 170 entrance(?), someone will approach you when you have to pay for it. There is no exact place. I think they will just roam over the long stretch island and will ask you to pay for it. Official receipt will be provided. Ate Malou of Municipality treasure are in charge of it.

3:30 PM onwards - pitching of tent. Rest. Enjoy the beach. Walk and discover the long stretch of the island. Play and swim with the kids local and wait for the beautiful sunset. Watch the stars at night et al.

**I think itinerary will vary on whichever you prefer. But the earliest boat that leaves from Jomalig Island going back to Real port is 10am. Late is 2 pm. so base on that you may adjust your time and preferred breakfast or whatever activity you feel like doing the next day.

Breakdown of Expenses

Bus from Legarda to Real Quezon 198 pesos

Boat from Real to Jomalig 350 pesos (inclusive of food)

Other fees 20 pesos

Island fee 170 pesos each

Food(dinner,breakfast,lunch)/Restroom use 1000 divided by 334 ea

Boat from Jomalig to Real 350 (inclusive of food)

Bus from Quezon to Manila 178 pesos (ordinary bus)

TOTAL 1600 pesos

TIPS

- The first boat that leaves the port going to Jomalig is 10 AM as of April 2016. I really don't have much idea if it changed. We left by 9 AM because the boat is already full.

- Given the numbers that goes to Jomalig these days I suggest reserving one. You may contact Ate Denden for the reservation. Number posted above.

- You may rent a whole boat if you are too many. Ate Denden can help you arrange one.

- The first boat that leaves Jomalig going back to Real is 10 AM and the last trip is 2 PM. Adjust your itinerary based on the schedule. I suggest taking the earliest time. 2 PM may take up to night trip and you wouldn't want to be in the big waves at night, unless if you are like me, that is so used to big waves while riding a boat. No worries.

- Is the boat safe? big? Both yes. But I can't guarantee the whole safety of each of our trip for it differs everytime. Just be mindful that it is a 6 hours boat ride so you should schedule your trip properly. Be sure its a good weather.

- There are some changes on pitching of tent on the island. I called Ate Denden few months back and she told me that it is still allowed but on certain parts only.

- There are now resorts in the island that offers cottages as accommodation. No idea much about it.

- Other activities? Well aside from swimming we did not do anything there but to just chill and enjoy the view and have a good catchup with our friend Jhem who happens to just got home from work abroad. There are however activities such island hopping and all but we did not do that since we are already contented and just want to chill the whole time. I heard that you may tour the whole island using habal-habal for 600 php for a day per pax.

- Bring your own food. Especially water.

- We buy additional food to Ate Denden, that is because there are available that time, you may ask first, we only pay 1000 php for the 3 meals for the 3 of us plus the use of their bathroom for our wholestay.

If you have more concerns that are not posted here on this blog feel free to message me directly on facebook, I am more than willing to help you out. But if your concerns are already posted here I will refer you back to this link. Please let's make a reading a habit.

Ellie

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I was searching over google on what to do at Bohol aside from the usual activities there is. Good thing I came across this website that offers an exciting way to admire the beauty of Loboc River. The SUP Tours Philippines

I did not hesitate and book right away. I am a no-swimmer. So this activity will be a challenge for me. Aside from the fact that I am doing this alone on my solo trip to Bohol.

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I decided to book early to reserve the time I want and to take advantage of the good weather early in the morning as the sun is not on peak yet. The earliest is 8 am. I am just doing this for an hour, but anyone who wish to do it half-day or even for the whole day you may do so for they are also offering said package. They also have night paddling while firefly watching. But I still have more landmarks to visit so I only book their 1 hour session. Just to experience this exciting and one-of-a-kind and definitely new activity here in the Philippines.

I paid online through their bank account and I’m on set. For only 800 pesos I get a lesson and a paddling tour at Loboc River and a fresh whole buko juice after the activity. All I need to do is go straight to their resort and bring with me the official receipt (though they did not asked for it anymore on the day itself) Anyway, I did emailed and informed them about my reservation.

But if you are still not yet decided whether you like to try their SUP you can always go to their resort directly. All the other groups same on my date and time were just walk-in. I asked my guide if how many person they can accommodate, he told me that as there is available board. Didn’t really ask how many, but I remember him mentioning about this group about 20 pax.

I am so excited to do this activity. Preparation for any activity is important. Preparing yourself for the said activity gives you enough courage not be afraid of it. As I’ve mentioned, I am no-swimmer, the chance of falling from the paddle and be drowned crosses my mind of cours but they offere life-vest and I’m pretty much sure I will float with that. But then again, caution and extra careful is still necessary for any activity.

Finally, last Sunday, February 27, 2016, I woke up as early aas 6 am to prepare, plus I still need enough time to find their place. I thought it was just around the corner but when I wasn’t to find them I immediately called their landline and ask fro the direction. The lady behind the phone was kind enough to assist me. She told me ride a jeepney or bus and get off at the first Petron gas station. From where I am staying (Stefanie Grace Inn) near the Loboc ruins, there is a terminal at the foot bridge that goes to Tagbilaran, same way where I am heading. I ask one lady on the jeepney where Petron gas station is. She did not just answered me but she even made the call for stop on where I am getting off. Surprisinlgy, the gas station is just a few meters away from the terminal.

From Petron gas station, there are signage and directions going to SUP Tours Philippines. Just a few more walks and you will see their logo with their name SUP Tours Philippines. The staff are all friendly and accommodating, even the owners are very hands-on. It was when we are paddling that I learned that the woman from back at the resort who also followed and make sure every guest was given a proper guidelines happen to be one of the owner.

Before they will let you board the paddle, there are papers that need to be read carefully to understand more SUP Tours Philippines and their advocacy and esp their terms and policies, a precaution and what to expect while paddling (extremities) and will ask you to sign the waiver at the back of the page and you will have to include your allergies and any other medical conditions in relation or contact to water and anything related to it.

And you are set! All of their instructors and even the owners are ASI Certified SUP, so no worries or anything. Its probably one of the so many activities I did that I will be doing repeatedly again.

If you are interested you can visit their site and book your Stand Up Paddle adventure

www.suptoursphilippines.com

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The following itinerary was not exactly the itinerary I used, these are base on my experience; getting lost, mishaps and all made this itinerary as acceptable compare to mine.

My original plan is to do visit Chocolate Hills first for it’s the farthest from Tagbilaran and most of the landmarks are situated just nearby with each other, except of course this famous landmark of Bohol.

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Day 1 (Chocolate Hills)

My arrival at Bohol is exactly 12:45 PM thus giving me enough time in the afternoon to start of my adventure. But inevitable things sometimes became our worst enemy, especially in a trip like this. Landing on Tagbilaran airport to riding a tricycle up to going to the terminal of buses bound to go to Carmen is no hassle for it its much easier even if you are traveling alone like me.

It was exactly 1:40 PM when I boarded a bus going to to Talibon via Carmen; where chocolate hills was located. The two old couple whom became my companion from tricycle ride up to the bus station told me that the travel time may take up to 2 hours from the terminal. The plan is to do ultimate adventure: Tree Top and Bike Zip at Chocolate Hills. I chose this to give highlight and a unique way of admiring the hills. Given the time, I am still able to catchup for the company that offers it closes at 5 PM, thus if I arrive on the anticipated time travel.

But then unexpected things happen, we were at Baclayon when it started raining. At first it was all but a light rain but then it pours as hard as it wants. I was thinking that time if I will still pursue the chocolate hills adventure, them not allowing the bike zip is understandable because of the rain. But I am still praying that it will stop any moment. But it didn’t. We are few kilometer away from Loboc (I know from the signs) and the rain still not subside. By 2:45 PM we are at Loboc already. When the bus stops at Loboc municipal I get off the bus.

I started looking for Stefanie Inn Grace where I will be staying for a night. The rain is still pouring hard. It was raining that hard that I was able to check-in by 3:22 PM because that’s the time when the rain almost stops. And yes, I didn’t bring any umbrella with me. And Yes again, itinerary for that day was cancelled. The rain starts pouring again that long night and I am forever praying it will not the following day.

Day 2 ( Stand-Up Paddle, Loboc Ruins, Tarsier, Loboc Cruise, Hanging Bridge, Baclayon Church, Museum, Blood Compact)

On the open and close was the planned trip for my second day. Obviously it was adjusted due to the rain from my first day.

8 am starts my Stand-Up Paddle, I booked it week before and it will last for an hour. But we finished almost 10 am. After that I waited at the line for Loboc Cruise, this cruise will last for an hour and half. Right after the cruise I went home to my inn, fix my things, take a bath again, and ask the caretaker if they can lend me a map of Bohol, and leave my bag at them (good thing they offer this) for my checkout is 2pm and come back for my bag after I finish my exploration.

By 1:30 PM I am boarded in an ordinary bus going to Carmen. Finally! The sun is on its highest peak! By 2:30 I am starting to admire the beauty and magnificent work of our creator. Truly, these chocolate hills are one of a kind. But I was looking around searching for that company who offers the bike zip and it was nowhere to be found. I spent almost 30 minutes admiring the vast and hundreds of hills, of course, taking of pictures too, it was hard though, for there are a lot of tourist that day.

The motor bike driver I ride on told me that the company that offers the bike zip is 1 kilometer ahead where I got off. Its called CHAP or Chocolate Hills Adventure Park. Wasn’t able to do the ultimate adventure because I still have other places to visit.

Taking another ordinary bus I am ready to see the smallest mammal there is. The ride from Carmen to Tarsier is a lot more fun than going to Carmen, I was standing the whole trip and was standing at the foot of the stairs. That was my first time experience and I never imagined it doing especially here in Manila. Only tough guys and skilled men does that. Now women or old people for that matter.

By 4 PM I arrive at Tarsier Conservation Area. It took me 30 minutes to roam the area. There are about three tarsiers that I saw and they are all cute for they are too small and sleeping that time, one opened their eyes, it was big but still made it more attractive.

By 5 PM I arrive back at the Loboc municipal where I continue exploring the ruins.

It was already 6 in the evening when I leave Loboc and start my trip going to Panglao Island where I will be staying until my last day.

By 8 PM I finally arrive at Bohol Coco Farm where I will be sleeping in a ladies dormitory for a night.

And yes, many landmarks where not visited. I am furious already.

Day 3 (Alona Beach!)

Of all my planned schedule this is by far the ones that was pushed through.

Day 4 (Still beaching around!)

Yes, the plan is to just rest and lay down on sea shore for my remaining time.

But I’ve mentioned I was furious on my second day. And its not always I am at Bohol. Though many guides are offering me an island tour and I declined each of them.

By 9:30 am Ieave the resort and make most of my remaining time by exploring the places nearby. I was able to.

I started with Panglao Church. Then I boarded a jeepney going back to Tagbilaran, I visit their National Museum and Tagbilaran Cathedral in front of it.

Me still eager to visit Baclayon and Blood Compact. I asked for every local on where I is the multi-cab going there. And I did! I wasn’t able to get off the Blood Compact though, but you may see it just by passing the highway and it is just a monument.

By 1 Pm I am back at Tagbilaran airport and wait for my 3 PM boarding time.

SUGGESTED DIY COUNTRY SIDE TOUR (This is if you will be coming from LOBOC)

Day 1

7 AM – 7:30 AM Admire Loboc Ruins

7:30 – 7:45 AM Travel time to SUP Tours Philippines (8 pesos)

7:45 – 8:00 AM Orientation/Signing of waiver/Change clothes if prefer

8:00 – 10:00 AM Stand-Up Paddle (800 for 1 hour)

10:00 – 11:00 AM Board a bus going to Carmen (if you prefer doing the CHAP activity, asked the bus conductor to drop you off there, if not asked them to drop you at Chocolate Hills jump off) (fare is 35)

11:00 – 11:10 AM Habal-habal to highest view point of Chocolate Hills( Habal-habal cost 30 pesos, Entrance to Chocolate Hills is 50 pesos, you may opt not to ride habal-habal, honestly, you can just walk up there, I have limited time only that’s why)

11:10 – 11:40 AM Admire Chocolate Hills/Picture time

11:40 – 11:50 Go back to the highway and wait for bus bound to Tagbilaran

12:00 NN – 12:15 PM Travel time to Habitat Butterfly

12:20 -12:45 PM Explore the place

12:50 – 1:05 PM Travel time to Eco Park Bilar

1:10 PM – 1:35 PM Explore the Park and Manmade forest (You may opt this since you will pass by the manmade forest on your way to Carmen)

1:40 PM – 1:55 PM Travel time to Tarsier Conservatory Area

2:00 PM – 2:30 PM Admire the Tarsier

2:35 PM – 2:50 PM Travel time to Hanging Bridge

2:55 PM – 3:20 PM Cross the Hanging Bridge

3:25 PM – 3:40 PM Travel time to Loboc Municipal Hall

3:45 PM – 4:00 PM Fall in line for Loboc Cruise

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM Loboc Cruise/Early Dinner (450 pesos)

Day 2 Checkout

8:00 – 9:00 AM Breakfast/Prepare for Checkout

9:15 – 9:40 AM Board a bus going to Tagbilaran and get off at Baclayon Church

9:40 AM – 10:05 AM Explore the Church and the Museum

10:10 – 10:15 AM Ride a multi-cab and ask the driver to drop you at Blood Compact

10:20 – 10:35 AM Picture taking at Blood Compact

10:40 – 11:00 AM Ride a multi-cab going to Tagbilaran

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM Explore the National Museum of Bohol, the Tagbilaran Cathedral

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Lunch

12:30 PM – 12:45 PM Travel time to Island Mall in front of it is the terminal going to Panglao

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Travel time to Panglao, get off at Panglao Church

2:00 PM – 2:30 PM Explore the Church

2:35 PM – 2:50 PM Ride a habal-habal and asked the driver to take you to Alona Beach

3:00 PM – Beach time!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION && TIPS

These are suggested itineraries only. Time may vary depending on the availability of the transportation for they have very limited means of transportation, and also if you would like to extend more your stay on certain landmarks.

There are many other landmark you can also visit that are not listed here, one local mentioned the largest python where you can also take a look.

Bus fare for ordinary bus will depend on the miles you are going. From Tagbilaran to Carmen, bus fare is 50 pesos.

Multi-Cab and Jeepney fare is 8 pesos.

Habal-habal/motorbike is a bit expensive, price starts at 30 pesos no matter how near it is.

Always, always make it a habit to ask local if you didn’t know the direction. But make it a point to ask a reliable local.

Book ahead if you are decided to do such activity, specifically the CHAP and SUP.

Banks and ATMs are very limited especially from Loboc up to Carmen (the farthest I’ve went) so always bring cash with you. No credit cards or checks.