Czeched!: P.I. in pics (part 3)

PANGLAO ISLAND, BOHOL

Bohol has always been one of my favorite places in the Philippines. It has everything you can feast your eyes upon-- hills, beaches, waterfalls, caves-- you name it, Bohol has it. The people are sunny and chirpy. You ask one for directions and the entire barrio will be glad to help you. Its being so accessible from Cebu is a plus. I simply heart Bohol along with Surigao and Cebu.

Panglao is its answer to Boracay. This was my third time there but the first two were spent in Dumaluan Beach where on my second stay I had difficulties in maneuvering my kayak and almost hit an entire family with it. It's open to the public though Bohol Beach Club is off limits to non-guests. However, one can pay for the entrance for you to use its facilities and it's also consumable. I remember Dumaluan having places devoid of people, but this time when we dropped by, it was teeming with them we had to go somewhere relatively quieter; Alona Beach. It's more or less 3kms. away from Dumaluan and it's far more expensive than I thought.

When I say expensive, I mean it by Filipino standard. July is off-peak season in P.I. but the cheapest double room we found at Alona Beach was still for Php1,600. Breakfast consisting of toast, butter and jam with your choice of instant coffee or juice is for Php150. I guess this means it would cost twice more during the peak season. Of course, if you have dollars and euros to burn, these prices don't really count. (1 USD- Php45 or 46)

At Alona Beach, the sea is crowded with boats like these all the time. These boats will take you to the neighboring islands of Pamilacan where you can go dolphin and whale-watching, and to Balicasag which is considered one of the best diving spots in the country. Boat rental for a day ranges from Php 2,000- 5,000.

These girls were all smiles while selling fresh fish, fruit and veggies. Notice the blue fish? It's called parrot fish but seriously I've never eaten it or heard anybody ate it all my life. I thought they were just for aquariums? But what do I know about them except the fact that fish used to be my daily diet?