Panglao, Bohol

Our third time in Bohol turned out just like what we expected it to be - relaxed and quiet. We didn't engage in any other activity since we already tried it all during our first and second visit. For this trip, we just island - hopped to see the dolphins and to visit Balicasag Island for some snorkeling. Nothing more beyond that. Just chilled, lounged and slept during the afternoons when the heat was unbearable.

We arrived at Bohol a little before lunch and filled our hungry tummies with Chicken Inato at Payag Restaurant then proceeded to our budget hotel in Alona Beach Panglao. The rest of the afternoon was spent sleeping and reading. Here are some of our pictures from that day.

Saint John Cathedral

jeep to Panglao from Tagbilaran - P25/person

Yes, dont!

choose, buy and they will cook it the way you want

Clockwise(L-R) Dolant, Reuel, Jepay, me, the Boss and Janet - dinner at Graziella Italian Restaurant

We had dinner at Graziella Italian Restaurant which is a must try for their home-made pizzas, affordable salads, pastas and complimentary bread. What I liked more about it is you get to do your own dressing for your salad. Bottles of EVOO and balsamic vinegar, pepper and salt is a staple on every table. We capped the night after as we needed to wake up early the next day for our dolphin watching.

second day

with Mr. and Mrs. Delez

photo by Reuel Delez

There were a lot of dolphins around our boat and Jepay and I just couldn't stop shouting with joy. Haha! It made us feel like kids again! (Made me wonder how and why dolphins can instantly make you feel happy). We arrived at Balicasag Island after an hour and we went inside to explore and take tons of pictures.

big tree inside Balicasag Island

we found these little kids eating there and instantly fell in love with them

photobombing!

at the lighthouse

aloe veras are everywhere

tons of fishes

 

our boatman went really deep and took this picture

free as a fish

Mrs. Delez

Mr. Delez

the Boss

We had lunch after in our little hut and rested. Food in the island is a bit over priced but understandable. I will post our expenses in a separate entry for reference. After lunch, we went to Virgin Island which is already a private property and now called Pungtod Island. There's no entrance fee though but the area where there used to be trees and just high grasses are being cleaned. There is even a security guard in uniform haha! (as if someone is gonna intrude an island, chos!)

refreshments for sale

We met Dolant and Janet later that day for dinner at Trudi's Place when something very funny happened while I was taking pictures. Read our paraphrased conversation below:

Gian: (while showing Janet their picture) "You can use this picture when you guys get married!"

Janet: .................

Dolant: (smiles)

(no one talked for a good minute)

Gian: "Oops. Akward" (while looking at Leo)

Leo: (smiles)

Janet: (still smiling)

Dolant: "Actually Gian..."

Gian: "What? Don't tell me you guys already got married?"

Janet: "Well actually, we are getting married".

Gian and Leo: O__O

Dolant: "We are planning to tell you about it---"

Janet: "Yeah but we are just waiting for the right time so thank you for making it easy."

Gian: "I think I'm gonna cry".

Leo: "Congrats!"

Janet: "But you are not required to attend I mean, I don't want to hassle you knowing you are busy and all that stuff  but I was thinking of making you my maid of honor"

Gian: "Huh? What me? *scrambles for words* OF COURSE! I WON'T MISS YOUR WEDDING FOR MY LIFE AND YES! I WILL BE YOUR MAID OF HONOR! THIS IS MY VERY FIRST TIME!"

Janet: *gets up and hugs Gian both in tears*

So yeah, that's how our dinner basically went. Hahaha! I am so happy for my friends! We are going back there on May! I am so excited! By the way, dinner at Trudis was okay. I ordered their shrimp pasta in olive oil (I can't remember its exact name) and it was just P160 but the serving was huge enough for 3 persons.

soon to be Mr. and Mrs.

The following morning, we all woke up early to take more pictures of Dolant and Janet who invited us  for a wonderful breakfast (thanks J!) at their resort in Alona Tropical. Thanks to Reuel for lending us his camera and Jepay for the polaroid shot.

 

breakfast at Baybayon Restaurant inside Alona Tropical

Deluxe Fan Room - P1320

awesome pool! we swam for free haha! :D

last night at Alona

dinner at Panglao Bird Watchers Bar - P50 for the Veg Kebab and P50 for the Chicken BBQ

made new friends from Germany

last morning at Alona

The last time we were in Bohol, we stayed in Dumaluan beach and I can say that Dumaluan has a better shoreline and finer sand than Alona beach. During high tide, the waters in Alona reaches the break water kind of wall so the water doesn't reach the establishments. You cannot really spread a mat and lay out in the sun except in the morning when the water is still low. Nevertheless, it is still a very beautiful beach with all the restaurants and bars and stores where you can get your daily required needs.

Here are some videos from the Boss and Reuel.

Hasta luego!

PS: No Kid of the Trip for this one because again like Mt. Maculot, we didn't find any. :(