Sun and Sea Escapades
This section contains the images and information about some Viellja and Oabba's holiday in the Philippines. Dubbed as Sun and Sea Escapades, this section aims to provide whatever information this webmaster can share about traveling in some areas, without having to deal with expensive travel agencies in making one's trip enjoyable.
SUMMARY OF THE TRAVELS
JUNE 1999
The first travel together took place last June 21 to July 7, 1999. The places visited were CEBU CITY(considered as the Queen of the South), BOHOL (home of the famous Chocolate Hills and the smallest monkey in the world, the tarsier), BORACAY ISLAND (famous for its white, powdery beaches and clear, blue waters) and GUIMARAS ISLAND (considered as the Mango Country of the Philippines).
CEBU CITY. In Cebu, a visit to the Taoist Temple was remarkable. The place was ultimately quiet, as this is considered a very religious place. Chinese structures abound in the area, as well as ponds (considered as good feng shui) and greenery. Statues of dragons line up in elevated lawns.
CASA GORORDO MUSEUM. A trip to the Casa Gorordo Museum was made. Exhibits of antiques were in the place.
BASILICA DE MINORE STO. NINO, CEBU. Then came the visit to the Basilica de Minore Sto. Nino which houses the oldest relic in the Philippines, the Sto. Nino. However, since it was a Wednesday, the place was filled with believers, so it wasn't possible to see the relic at that time.
BOHOL. In Bohol Island, traveling is made easy through a package tour by Super Cat. From Cebu, one has to take a Super Cat ferry for an hour and a half trip to reach Tagbilaran. There, the city tour of Tagbilaran took place, then a view of the tarsier, the Philippines smallest monkey.
CHOCOLATE HILLS. Then next stop was the famous Chocolate Hills of Carmen. Upon reaching the Chocolate Hills complex, one has to go up a 200-step staircase. Once on top, one can see more than a thousand green mounds that stretch to the horizon. Legend has it that these hills were made by a giant who wept because he was separated from the woman he loves, because she, after all, was one of those normal people. These hills were those tears. Based from a scientific explanation, there was a time in history wherein these mounds were created by an increase in the level of water in the area. That is also why only grass grows on these hills because of its high salinity content.
CRUISE OF THE LOBOC RIVER, BOHOL. After a trip to the Chocolate Hills complex, came the river tour onboard a makeshift huge and flat bamboo raft, whcih can accommodate at most 20 people, and which is being guided by a motorboat behind it, for motion. The cruise gradually made its way through the length of the Loboc River.
GETTING TO BOHOL. To make the trip easy, it's best to get a package tour from Super Cat wherein the whole Tagbilaran, Carmen and Loboc trip including lunch and transportation are included. It is suggested to book the trip beforehand by calling Super Cat's office in Cebu. One must be at the Super Cat Ferry pier at 6:45 a.m., or at least 30 minutes before the trip to Bohol starts.
INDUSTRY IN BOHOL. Apart from the tourist attractions, the traveler is being introduced to the different industries in Bohol. One industry is the knife making, as well as handicrafts.
GUIMARAS ISLAND. Iloilo City is the jump-off point to Guimaras Island. Numerous ferries ply the Iloilo-Guimaras-Iloilo route, for as low as P25.00 per head. However, if you prefer privacy with your fellow traveler, one can hire the whole boat for at least P200 (1998).
TRAPPIST MONK MONASTERY. Our trip only landed us in the Trappist Monks' Monastery. Upon entrance to the place, so much trees and modest landscaping surround you. Some monks (if not during their prayer time) can be seen busying themselves with the upkeep of the place, including doing about their business. One should try their originally made mango jam and guava jam, which do not contain preservatives. These are much sought after products which you can see not only in Iloilo Province's supermarkets, but also in other provinces.
BORACAY ISLAND. During the first trip to Boracay Island, thankfully, it wasn't yet the middle of the rainy season where typhoons are expected to hit the country relentlessly.
GETTING THERE. We took a bus from Iloilo City to Caticlan, Kalibo. It was a 5-hour bus ride to the Caticlan jettyport. An aircon bus costs approximately P150.00, and a ferry to Boracay Island from Caticlan jettyport costs P17.50 per person. Traveling time to the island is at least 15 minutes. For those traveling from Cebu or Manila, there are already Philippine Airline flights to Kalibo.
ACCOMMODATION. Mushrooming resorts line up the White Beach front. Station 1 contains the most expensive resorts which mostly cater to foreign businesspeople. Station 2 and 3 contain affordable yet very clean and comfortable resorts. We were traveling with a group that time, so we were billeted at the Casa Pilar resort. A fan room costs P800 as it was the lean season at that time. It also has a private toilet and bath which is really clean and huge, and two beds. Yet the room can accommodate as much as 3-4 people.
ISLAND ACTIVITIES. Activities the group enjoyed there were island hopping, while doing some fishing, fish feeding and snorkeling along the way. A three-hour boat ride, with at least 5 people onboard cost P500.00 (1998). That is exclusive of the snorkel gears which can be rented at a nearby rental shop in the White Beach. Jetski was another watersport the group has enjoyed. For a more adventurous group, one can try the banana boat ride, para-sailing, waterski, diving and more. Almost all water sports in Boracay Island can be had.
NOVEMBER 1999
MANILA. The second vacation was only for 8 days, but it was equally wonderful and eventful. The trip was very historical in nature because Fort Santiago of Intramuros, considered as the Walled City of Manila, is the first stop. The place reminds the tourist of what life was during the Spanish period, when the Philippines were once colonized by the Spaniards. Barracks of Spanish soldiers, as well as their military official's offices, fortifications and exhibits of well-known heroes' words and momentos were featured.
AUGUST 2000
WATERFRONT HOTEL AND INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER, CEBU. The third vacation was last August 13 to 28, 2000. This two-week holiday was exhilirating, as well as very memorable. First stop was Cebu. A trip to the Waterfront Hotel and Convention Center was awesome. The entrance to the said hotel generated a very imposing feeling. The hotel is considered as the biggest in the Philippines, with its 562 rooms, Casino Filipino and international convention center. This is not just a hotel, but has become a landmark in Cebu's tourism industry.
TOPS. Located at the Beverly Hills of Lahug, The Tops is perched on one of the highest points of Cebu. In the evening, the view from the top is spectcular. A visitor is enabled a complete view of the whole of Cebu, and the lights in the life-filled city glitter.
GUIMBAL, ILOILO. Next stop was in Iloilo City. A visit to the Racso's Woodland in Guimbal, Iloilo was made. There, numerous wild birds and animals abound the place. Preserved bodies of wild animals are being exhibited inside a cave.
BORACAY RAINFOREST RESORT, BORACAY ISLAND. Boracay Island is the next agenda for the trip. The stay at Boracay Rainforest Resort can be tantamount to staying in paradise itself. This is because the resort is tucked in an ancient rainforest, and the cottages are perched on top of the mountain, overlooking the Sibuyan Sea, its islands and the abundance of coconut trees in the area. Sight of fireflies, and other insects during the evening, as well as the sound they are making ( not to forget the big lizard in the cottage) make the rainforest package complete. For those who are interested to be booked in this wonderful resort, just call its Roxas City office at +63 36 2711 772.
Activities we enjoyed there was the jetski provided by Scuba World (located at White Beach). A tour of the island through a motorbike was really fun. The feel of the sea wind against one's face, the sight of native houses, and more, are captivating.