In-Laws In-Bohol

Bohol always holds a special place in my heart primarily because this is where my papa grew up and also where my lola, cousins, aunts, and uncles reside. But this Bohol trip was like no other as Marv chose to bring his whole family with him.

Preparing for this trip was also something new to me. We finalized our plans two nights before our actual departure and only booked our flights and hotel the day before we were scheduled to leave. Marv and I are getting used to spontaneous road trips but vacations that involved airplane rides are always done ahead of time. But surprisingly, the adrenaline rush actually kept me alive.


Day 1
March 14, Sat

Fueled by only 1-2 hours of sleep, the whole family boarded a Cebu Pacific plane to Tagbilaran early Saturday morning; still gushing over the fact that this trip actually pushed through.

Company loyalty. Thanks, Cebu Pacific!

The biggest challenge in Bohol isn't the regional dialect barrier but transportation. You wouldn't believe that a province with thriving tourism does not offer readily available transportation to one of its best spots, Panglao Island. Small groups have to make-do with expensive tricycle rides (cost PhP300-400) while big ones, such as our group, may opt to rent vans.

We had no decent itinerary and our fate lies on Marv's tourguide skills--he knows my province by heart already. Our first stop was our hotel; we were very fortunate to chance upon Bohol Divers Resort, a quaint beachfront resort in Panglao Island at a reasonable price. Originally, we were supposed to stay in two rooms but the resort upgraded us to a poolside villa with two rooms. This villa can only accommodate a maximum of 6 people but management offered us extra mattresses so that all 9 of us can sleep comfortably. Our accommodation package already includes free breakfast buffet.

Front of our resort

The resort has two pools. This one was in front of the beach.

Our kiddo, Marc, and the pool that is in front of our villa

These are photos of Bohol Divers Resort's La Residenzia, where we all stayed. All of these are grabbed from Agoda since I wasn't able to take much photos of the hotel.

Our first destination was my favorite resort, Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa.

READ: Beauty to Infinity: Panglao Island Nature Resort

The main problem was how to get there from our hotel. It is situated in a secluded area, not accessible to public transportation. One must hire a tricycle/car/van to get there and asked to be picked up again. Most tricycle drivers do not allow pick-ups as they opt to just stay there and wait for their guests. One tricycle can only accommodate 2-3 persons and if they will wait for us, they will charge us PhP1,000 per tricycle. And imagine, there were nine of us!

Good thing one of my cousins referred Kuya Ricky. He owns a Nissan Urvan and an Innova--he picked us up from Bohol Divers Resort and took us to PINR (Panglao Island Nature Resort) for only PhP500. Pick-up would only cost us PhP500 as well. Really affordable! Kuya Ricky was truly a blessing.

Panoramic photo of the infinity pools, the ocean, and the island

This was the view that greeted Marv's family upon entering PINR. The resort received a number of "ooohhs" and "aaahhs" while Marv energetically toured his parents and siblings around.

A&M

Ate Joy, Marv's sister

Goofing around with the twins: Marv and his mama

Day 2
March 15, Sun

Our original plan for the day was to go dolphin-watching before island-hopping. However, the buffet breakfast stopped us from doing so. We left the hotel a little before 7:00 in the morning to check if there were still dolphins but there weren't any left to see.

Here comes the sun!
Aboard the Stephany Grace, the boat we rode when we went island-hopping in 2014.

The highlight of our 2nd day in Bohol was snorkeling in Balicasag Island. Apart from Palawan, Balicasag Island has one of the richest marine biodiversity I've ever seen. 

READ: Bohol on a Budget

In spite of the strong current and sharp corals, we enjoyed swimming, feeding the fishes, and finding Nemo. I've got battle scars to prove how giddy I was while giving the fishes some bread. I cut my knee and foot because I got too close to the corals but I was too happy to care (note to self: buy aqua shoes).

Following the usual island-hopping route, the final stop was Virgin Island. We were there just in time to see the sandbar and watch it being swallowed by the rising tide.

First complete family photo

The Despis with Kuya Darren, Ate Joy's husband

A&M

Ate a fresh sea urchin!

Patrick Star

Waiting for the sunset

We spent our last night feasting on a scrumptious dinner cooked by Marv's younger brother, Martin. Our villa had a kitchen so our resident chef did what he loved to do. We had some drinks afterwards in one of the bars in Alona Beach and wrapped up at our resort's garden.

Day 3
March 16, Mon

The countryside tour kept us preoccupied on our last day in Bohol. At 7:00 AM, Kuya Ricky fetched us right after we checked out of the hotel. He drove us 1 & 1/2 hours to get to the Chocolate Hills viewing deck. Sadly, the 7.2 magnitude earthquake destroyed the original viewing deck. Management built another one but it was smaller.

A&M

The folks

Martin with girlfriend, Sharsie, and son, Marc

A&M

Bilar Man-made Forest

At the Tarsier Sanctuary. I think we woke up this little guy.

Loboc Floating Restaurant and River Cruise

Loboc Floating Restaurant and River Cruise

Loboc Floating Restaurant and River Cruise

Ending this blog entry with a wacky family shot while passing through Bilar Man-made Forest

Thank you, Ate Joy, Kuya Darren, Tito Marlo, and Tita Jo for a wonderful Bohol vacation. We enjoyed every minute of it and we hope you did too. Thanks, Martin and Sharsie, for fixing us delicious meals which filled us to the brim. And thanks to Marv for touring us around Bohol as if it was already your own hometown; you know it already by heart!



Sample Bohol Itinerary for 3D2N

Marv and I made sure our itinerary wasn't tight and we still had a lot of time to rest. We wanted to make sure his family had plenty of time to relax and bond.

Expenses

    *This does not include dinner meals for days 1 & 2 and lunch Day 2.

For more Bohol tips: READ: Bohol on a Budget

Contacts

Bohol Divers Resort
Tawala, Panglao, Bohol
Tel. No. (63-38) 502-9005 / 502-9047

Kuya Ricky Quidlat
Bohol Tours and Airport Pick-up & Transfers
Cellphone No. 0916 9824284
Highly recommended!

Kuya Carlo Lusterio
Boat Captain of Stephany Grace
Island-hopping and Dolphin-watching
Cellphone No. 0921 266 2233
Highly recommended!

Incredible Bohol
Bohol Tours and Airport Pick-up & Transfers
Jesser 'Tatsky' Cubero

Cellphone No. 0922 3671051 / 0915 7945556 / 0912 7472737
Email: jessercubero@gmail.com
Katherine Cubero
Cellphone No. 0923 8440241 / 0927 8218352 / 0921 7299549
Email: cubero.katherine@yahoo.com
Try to haggle :)

Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa
Panglao Island Circumferential Rd, Panglao Island 6339
(038) 411 5878

Bohol Sales Office

MetroCentre Hotel and Convention Center

C.P.G. Avenue, Tagbilaran City Bohol 6300, Philippines

Tel. Nos. (63-38) 411-5878 / 411-2599 / 501-7575

Fax No. (63-38) 501-8281

Email Address (Reservation): pinrrsv@panglaoisland.com

Email Address (Sales & Marketing): mchbnqt@metrocentrehotel.com

Manila Sales Office

#1 Sacred Heart Street, Horseshoe Village, Cubao, Quezon City 1109,Philippines

Tel. Nos. (63-2) 724-0538 / 724-1052

TeleFax Nos. (63-2) 724-1051 / 794-1228