I guess it's about time I share my nostalgic vacation last May, right Lornadahl? =p. Yup, I've been back for a long time but I was looking for the right moment to write it all down without feeling extra nasty or mercurial. O_O! I know this entry should've been written a month ago, but aw what the heck. ^_^ Errr, as for the post cards, I hope you all received it by now (O_O if not, @_@...)
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Bohol: God's little paradise*

Destination:: Manila-Tagbilaran
Estimated Budget: Php 10,000 (for one-two weeks, but circumstances may vary, if you have place to stay in Bohol, this amount may be applicable. If you have no place to stay, well Php 20,000 would do? O_O lol!)
Transportation: Sea Vessel or Airplane

Image hosted by Photobucket.com
Source: Bohol.ph

Pier Boo-hoo's

I couldn't wait to get my ass on the ship the moment my mom and I pulled our luggages to the Pier. Nevermind the foul smell of Manila bay, we know that those moment of torture would be replaced with fresh air, and beautiful sea.

Now, I have to advice you guys to be extra picky on what and which ship you're riding. My best bet would be Superferry.

If you're sea-sick, then it's practical to hop on a plane and get that speedy ticket to Tagbilaran. Again, if you're keeping tabs on your budget, it wouldn't hurt to board on a ship and experience the sea for a change. (Paranoid travellers are advised to wear their life jackets at any time of the day. If you're feeling suicidal, I also advise you to give us all a favor and jump off the ship---you can do that while you're in Manila Bay.)

After waiting for ages, the ship finally propelled its way out of Manila bay. Yes! It's start of my momentary freedom! This is the vacation I've been waiting for! Armed with two cameras and crafty fingers, I furiously clicked on literally everything that I see. Too bad, the digicam's memory card can only keep up with 60 shots. T_T

I could not contain my excitement. That was the first island I've seen from the trip. I'm certain that we haven't gone far yet. By the way, that's still part of the bay.

The Ship and the people

Did I mention that we're actually in Negros Navigation? Err, I think not. Okay, I don't mean to be biased or anything but, one thing I dislike about their service is the food and the ship! The ship itself is making me neurotic. Hmmm, but props to the port people for providing us momentary distraction by dancing "Chocolatte".* (This incident happened while we were at the pier.)

I'm feeling a little Titanic now. Thanks to the lady who shamelessly sang "My Heart will go on" it perfectly matches the mood.

There is only ONE exit door in the ship. I repeat, there is only ONE exit door and before you reach the exit door, you have to pass through that stock-room like Economy room. Believe me, it does look like a stock room. The place is virtually packed with passengers and the place is poorly ventilated. Hey, if you've seen Superferry's economy room, you could've reacted the way that I did. (Don't worry if I have the time, I'll give you the floor plan of the ship XD.) Another complaint: The food. Anyways, let's not stay on that topic. Shrugging off my worries, I furiously took pictures of my unsuspecting and willing subjects:

Travel takes up to 26-28 hours (It depends on the speed of the ship). o.o Negros Nav left Manila at around 4:00pm

At around 5:00pm, we've reached the coast of Cebu. You can practically see Mactan Island on the other side of the ship. Sigh, someday Cebu. Someday T_T

From Cebu, it'll take three hours before you reach the port of Tagbilaran. Within the span of three hours, the passengers have packed their stuff and was impatiently going around the ship. I forgot to mention that it's fiesta in Bohol in the month of May. (It's literally fiesta everyday.). Once you've boarded out of the ship, make a mental list of the places you want to go. May is the ideal month to pester your relatives in Bohol and ask them to tour you around the island for free. *evil laughter*

Finally, after the long wait, we've reached Tagbilaran. You can just feel the blood rush through your veins. At last! New soil! TT__TT Fresh air! I'm in paradise!!! Errr, but first, we have to get past those people below. =_=

I noticed that Tagbilaran's pier have expanded and the place improved a lot the last time I went there (Oh well, that was like 11 years ago hahaha.) To my relief, my mom's friend in Tagbilaran was waiting for us nearby. I think I mentioned that it pays to have relatives or friends in Bohol, you wouldn't have a hard time looking for a place to stay. If you don't have relatives in Bohol, you can always check out Bohol Tropics Resort or at The Metro Centre Hotel & Convention Center. But make sure you've made reservations before hand. Accomodations may cost Php 3,000 (per day) or less. I'd like to add that Bohol Tropics and Metro Centre is 10 min. away from the Port of Tagbilaran.

Tagbilaran

Tagbilaran reminds me of Cavite City. No, seriously. Maybe it's the old houses that still stood there. Anyhow, it's impossible to get lost in Tagbilaran. Transportation comes off easy in Tagbilaran. (Tricycles, minivans (minicab to Bol-anons) and motorcycles.) I remember telling my mom, "Ma, ngayon lang ako nakakita ng napakadaming motorsiklo!" Hahaha. Okay so I may sound so-so there but believe me, Bol-anons are a sucker for motorcycles (Habal-habal). But judging from the use of motorcycles, in Bohol, I think it's very advisable to have a means of transportation to reach to other places---you have to brace yourself to feel your ass numb for quite sometime. The only problem you'll have in transpo is that you have to wait for the bus to come (if you're planning to travel as early as 5:00 am). I think there's a schedule for that. If you're in Tagbilaran and you're out of the house by 5:30am to get a bus ride to Carmen, you have to wait for another 30 minutes for the bus to come. If you're lucky enough to spot one, then you don't have to wait for half an hour or so.

The Night Scene

Discos have become quite popular in Tagbilaran. Friday night is Disco night for teenagers. On the other hand, Saturday night is ballroom night. Of course I'd go for Disco. XD!!!
Now if you think the teeners dress conservatively for the occasion, then you might be laughing yourself wrong at the idea. I swear I could've worn my sexy sleeveless blouse for kicks. >______>;;;

I was relieved to know that there's a grind contest ala Coyote Ugly as an opening event that night. Oh well, at least it's much better than that Totoy Bibbo song or other novelty songs played in the Bailehan in Cabilao Island. X_x; But, I didn't say that I despise dancing. Mind you, I was dancing like it is the end of the world (no I can't do backflips and breakdancing).

In Tagbilaran, there's only two popular discos for teeners: Atmosphere disco at the Metro Centre and Laser disco at Bohol Tropics Resort.

The food Pt. 1

I'd ditch that whole diet thing if I were you. You're aware of the May goings-on, by then you should be ready to fill your tummy with scrumptuous treat of the island. It wouldn't hurt to indulge a bit.

Talk about indulging. The treat was hard to resist. Tita Judith, my mom's close friend in Tagbilaran brought us to Kainggit. (Yep, you heard it, Kainggit is a place) It's sort of a string of Carinderia literally close to the sea.

Kilawin is one of my favorite dish in Bohol. It's fresh (sliced) Tangigue served raw. Ingredients include Vinegar, coconut milk, tomatoes, onions, and ginger. This has got to be one of the dishes you must not miss when you get there. Remember, it's not everyday you get to taste something as fresh as that.

Puso. It's somewhat similar to suman, although the rice isn't as soft as the suman. I forgot to ask the folks how they prepare this thing but hey, Puso ain't that bad.

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Note: The pictures are not taken from this date. They're actually my vacation photos way back on May 2005. I just forgot when I exactly had that trip. The journal entry however, is extracted from my old journal. :)