Bohol highlights

Last week’s 3-day weekend was spent in Bohol with Boyfriend.

I have to commend Bohol’s local government for making the province uber tourist-friendly. The place is lovely, what with its nature spots and sights, and the very organized day tours.

Here’s my top 10 list of Bohol raves:

1. Nice, clean, safe place – no squatters, no beggars, no pollution. The place is pristine!

2. Old churches and museums – we both love going to museums so it’s nice that Bohol has a lot of old churches still boasting of old religious relics. Baclayon church is a must-see.

3. Organized day tour – from the pick-up to the Tagbilaran airport at 10am, we were ushered to the van that will take us to the whole day trip to the city. All the pit stops were planned. When a tourist spot is filled with other tourists taking the day tour, the tour guides know well enough to skip it and move to another place and just go back later on in the day when there’s not a lot of people.

4. Loboc river lunch “cruise” – actually, the food was so-so. Nothing uber fab but the idea of eating lunch in a floating restaurant, cruising in an unpolluted river is a great experience in itself.

5. Chocolate Hills – considered to be the 8th wonder of the world. Hello? Need I say more?

6. Tarsier – I’ve only seen them in pictures. They look more like rats, if you ask me. They’re cute. I was actually annoyed by hard-headed, inconsiderate tourists who kept on touching them and tugging at their tails when the guides specifically told us not to do so.

7. White sand beach – although the fine white sand of Bora is still on top of my list, Bohol’s shoreline is not bad at all! Clean, clear – with the fish swimming around you in only 2 feet of water.

8. Panglao Nature Island Resort – can compete internationally. Very well-maintained. Very private. Loved our bungalow room with its own Jacuzzi.

9. Infinity pool with a cocktail bar on the side – with your feet submerged under the pool, you can down your margaritas and rum coke and wade in the pool at the same time. How fantab! The pool also overlooks the beach so when you take a photo, you have this optical illusion that the pool stretches to the sea.

10. Mit-hi Spa at the resort – I placed this last because Mit-hi Spa, is by far, the best spa I have ever been into! Boyfriend and I have tried the best spas in the city and in Thailand but we were surprised at the massage technique here. If you want a beck and call service in a spa, this is the place to be.

Bottomline, if you want an uber worth it local trip, pack your bags and head to Bohol.

Don’t forget your bikinis!

Joie De Vivre

Happiness...

1. Having the time and the means to get away during long weekends.

2. Quiet beach trips. The feel of fine white sand on my bare feet. The sound of waves crashing on the rocks. Margaritas and rum cokes while sunbathing at the pool side.

3. Jet ski racing.

4. A 2-hour soothing aromatherapy massage.

5. Pizza and vodka cooler nights in my apartment with girlfriends to cap a hectic week.

6. DVD marathons. Matrix Trilogy. Entourage. Chick Flicks.

7. Staying in at Mandarin for a week and ordering room service.

8. Hoarding books during Powerbooks 70% off sale.

9. Quiet evenings just reading, armed with a hot cup of chocolate or soya milk.

10. Bags, bags, bags.

11. Shopping. Of any kind.

12. Museum and art gallery tours.

13. Happy mornings = not having to wake up super early for work and seeing him sleeping beside me like a baby.

14. Hong Kong. Travel.

15.












Enough said.