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Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Life begins where WIFI is weak

Published on: September 8, 2018

Hiking in Corella, Bohol

Breakfast before hiking

Before you go hiking you need to eat a real breakfast, right? So this morning Danica went out and bought the breakfast... I usually advised her not to buy so much food, but as usual it was more than we could finish. For just around P100 we got noodles, chicken livers, vegetables, some kind of pork meat, soup and of course the mandatory rice!

Bohol, Breakfast, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

Danica prepared the breakfast, means she went out and bought it.

Noodles, veggies, chicken liver, some pork meat, soup and all served together with rice of course

Corella, Bohol, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

Now happy with a full stomach Danica was ready to go

Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary

One of the starting points for the hike is the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary. We had decided to make a combo, first visit the Tarsier Sanctuary and then do the hike since the hiking trail starts just behind the sanctuary. As usual we were assigned a guide who took us along some narrow trails around the sanctuary. Despite the dense vegetation I was able to spot several of the shy tarsiers and I regretted deeply that I had been lazy and hadn't brought my big camera with me. Grrr...

Corella, Bohol, Tarsier sanctuary, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

We were not allowed to talk loudly or use the flash on the camera

Our guide showed us the way through the dense vegetation

The tarsier is very shy but we spotted several of them.

After tarsiers then hiking

Our main objective this day was the hiking. We easily found the beginning of the trail behind the actual sanctuary but after a couple hundred meters into the rainforest the trail wasn't that that clear to follow. We had been told it was easy to "just follow" but suddenly it didn't feel obvious. Danica was more concerned of the potential "monsters" hiding in the rainforest but I was afraid to get lost.

Corella, Bohol, Hiking, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

Hmm just follow the trail...

We were relieved when we spotted the first signage but hmm... we were heading for viewing deck one and this was viewing deck two (!)

We decided to walk in the opposite direction of viewing deck two and 10 min later we finally discovered something on the ground...

Yess we found the direction to viewing deck one! So yes... easy peasy just follow the signs!

The trail was slowly getting steeper and steeper...

When we approached the viewing deck the trail become even more steep

The rewarding view

Soaked in sweat with empty water bottles we finally came up to the viewing deck one. The view was breathtaking! We had almost a 360 degrees view over Bohol. It was worth all the blood sweat and tears to come here. A perfect spot to take photos from or having a romantic picnic or why not do both! Maybe even stay here overnight to experience the most awesome sunset and the sunrise... in that case I guess I have to convince Danica that there are no monsters hiding in the bushes beneath...

Corella, Bohol, Hiking, Amazing view, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

Ohh the view was really rewarding!

Snack time! But we had ran out of water so be sure to bring some extra bottles of water

The mandatory picture picture time!

Finally before it got dark it was time to go back!

Facts:

How to get to Corella

It's about 13 km going to Corella from Tagbilaran City.
Via public transport: From Sikatuna Jeepney Terminal, (This is right infront of Island City Mall) get into a jeepney bound to Sikatuna via Corella. This jeepney drops you off at Philippine Tarsier Foundation. Fare is P17.00. Tell the driver of the jeepney that you are headed to Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella. Upon arrival there is a huge signage and rough road, take it and walk for 300 meters to the research building.
Going back, just take a jeepney headed to Tagbilaran. And yes it is safe to hitch hike here. Fare is P15.00 for jeepney.
If you have your own motorcycle it's very easy to go there, just follow Google maps.

Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary and the Sikatuna Tree Park

You can start your hike either at the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary or at the Sikatuna Tree Park. There are two viewing decks to visit and the hiking trail connects the Tarsier Sanctuary with the Tree Park. Just follow the signs. Viewing deck one is closer to the Tree Park and the viewing deck two is more close the the Tarsier Sanctuary. Hiking from the Tarsier Sanctuary, visiting both viewing decks and end up at the Tree Park should take around 2-4 hours depending on your fitness level.

Comfortable shoes and water

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, it can be very slippery. Bring lot's of water. Plan ahead so you will be out from the rainforest before it gets dark, unless you intend to spend the night there. When it's dark it will be very hard to negotiate the trail.

Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary is worth a visit

If you begin your hike at the Tarsier Sanctuary you should take the opportunity to visit the sanctuary itself. The entrance fee to the sanctuary is P60. If you just go for the hike, it's free of charge whether you start from the Tarsier Sanctuary or the Tree Park.

Click this link to see other posts about Bohol:

Bantayan road trip part 4

A real Filipino breakfast is never wrong!

What can be better than salty bangus (fish) fried to crispy perfection, scrambled eggs, rice together with spicy sawsawan sauce? Did I hear crispy bacon and eggs?? Well, I guess nothing excludes the other, right?

Bangus breakfast, Bantayan Island, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

Salty bangus (fish) fried to crispy perfection, scrambled eggs, rice together with spicy sawsawan sauce

Why are mangroves so important?

Fully loaded with protein, good healthy omega 3 fats, carbohydrates and caffeine we headed for Oboob Mangrove Garden. Maybe you have heard that mangroves are important...? So why are mangrove habitats so important? Basically Shoreline protection. Mangroves protect shorelines from damaging storm and hurricane winds, waves, and floods. Mangroves also help prevent erosion by stabilizing sediments with their tangled root systems. They maintain water quality and clarity, filtering pollutants and trapping sediments originating from land.

Oboob Mangrove Garden, The Entrance, Bantayan Island, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

Welcome to the Oboob Mangrove Eco Park

Oboob Mangrove Garden, Walkaway, Bantayan Island, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

The Eco park has a bamboo walkway through the mangroves which makes for a refreshing stroll with good photo opportunities

Oboob Mangrove Garden/Eco Park

It was easy peasy for us to go there with our beloved scooter. We paid the entrance and then attended a short lecture about the Eco park. In my opinion they are doing a great job preserving this sensitive habitat. We were assigned a guide who told us more about the Eco park and of course she even helped us to take some pictures according to Danica's directives.

Oboob Mangrove Garden, Lecture, Bantayan Island, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

We had a short briefing about the Eco park

Oboob Mangrove Garden, The Guide, Bantayan Island, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

Our guide who showed us around and helped us with some picture picture!

Oboob Mangrove Garden, Bantayan Island, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

Along the walkaways there were spots suitable for picnics, not visible on this pic though

The Eco park is relatively big and this is the utermost tip towards the ocean

Dannica is pointing a finger... hmm

A walkaway back to land

Park Entry Fees:

How to get there:

Adults – 50 pesos
Students and Children – 20 pesos
Kayaking – 150 pesos
Boating – 350 pesos

From Sta Fe: travel west on Bantayan Sta Fe road. After roughly 7 km turn left on Obo-ob Road. There are a couple of signs there that mention the eco park.
After additional 2 km The Mangrove Eco Park will be down on your right.

Tropical storm Basyang

This morning at breakfast it had been quite windy. So later when we came back to our resort we heard about the tropical storm Basyang. There were rumors that the ferry would be cancelled for going back to Cebu Island. So of course we became a little bit worried. It was not the first time we had been stranded on an island. We had already been away for two weeks and it was time to go back to Dumaguete. In the evening we clearly noticed that the wind gained strength. Me: What's the problem it's romantic to be stranded on an island, right? But Danica: I am longing for my daughter huhu...

Tropical storm Basyang, Bantayan Island, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

In the afternoon we really felt the weather was changing

Later on in the evening the wind increased in strength

Stranded

The typhoon luckily became degraded to a tropical storm but still with hard winds and lot's of rain. The result was that the ferry going back to Cebu island was cancelled. We decided to move from the somewhat remote Bantayan Nature Park and Resort in to the more central located Adelaida Pensionne. We were lucky, we got the last room! There were many other guests with the same strategy, staying near the ferry terminal and wait for the ferry to resume.

Adelaida Pensionne, Bantayan Island, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

In Bantayan Nature Park and Resort we had no tv... but here at Adelaida Pensionne we had so someone was very happy for that!

Bantayan Island, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

After a few days the tropical storm faded in strength and the sea became calm again

The ferry was resumed

After a couple of days the ferry was resumed. That day we had a quick breakfast at the Boulangerie Francaise and off we went. We reached Cebu Island at lunch time and then we had roughly 300 km to travel from north to south to our second ferry over to Negros. We had our dinner break at McDonalds in Toledo. I was beginning to be stressed. Time was already 5 pm and in one hour it would be dark.

Boulangerie Francaise, Bantayan Island, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

It was like a meeting point at the Boulangerie Francaise for the french speaking guys on the island... I wanted to join but my french was too bad

The driving went awkward

Around Barili the the driving really went awkward. The tricky road crosses the mountains and the traffic was horrendous. Big trucks and buses speeding and overtaking each others and not to mention it was pitch black! We took a short break at a little sari sari store and I swept two Coca Colas to regain some energy. We still had roughly 60 km to Alegria where we had booked a room at Lucci Pension House for the night. Slowly I realized my mistake, 60 km is very far when driving in the Philippines specially when it's dark and you are drop dead tired. Lesson learned, be sure to plan ahead so you can avoid to drive long stretches in the dark.

Lucci Pension House, Cebu Island, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

After Barili we soon reached the coast again and the road got straighter with less traffic. Around 11 pm we arrived at Lucci Pension house where we spent the night.

Coffee with creamer, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

A quick coffee in the morning before saddling up on our scooter again.

Dulot Eatery, Cebu Island, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

We had our lunch break at Dulot, an eatery with true Filipino food. No fancy Jollibees or McDonald's in sight here... Hey we were still in the province after all!

Fish soup, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

Nutritious and healthy fish soup, full of good Omega 3 fats!

Back to Dumaguete

From our lunch stop at Dulot we just had a couple of hours more to go before we came to the ferry over to Negros and back home. We had been away for roughly 2 weeks. We drove 600 km back and forth and maybe at least 200 km on Bantayan Island.

Road trips are fantastic!

Making a road trip is really a fantastic way to experience the true Philippines. You see a lot and have full flexibility to go and stay wherever you want. But beware of that the traffic might be very different from what you are used to from back home. In my experience you need to adjust yourself to the Filipino way of driving otherwise it might be difficult. Always bear in mind that there are many accidents daily in the traffic so driving a scooter in the Philippines is certainly a high risk activity. Use your common sense and follow some basic guidelines and you will be less likely to get in serious trouble.

The guidelines:

1) Be sure you rent a scooter in good condition and with all paper works in order
2) Don't drink and drive and always wear helmet
3) Don't drive fast and furious, better to be safe than sorry
3) Avoid driving in the dark. You don't want to collide with a stray dog...
4) Plan ahead, out in the province it can be far between the nice places you want to stay at
5) Don't bring too much stuff, travel light and easy is part of the freedom!

Seagulls

Shooting Seagulls - with a camera

Today I tested the camera for fast flying objects, Seagulls. I took 1K+ photos and I actually cheated a little bit... I had an assistent who threw bread to attract some attention from them. And yes! We got attention and the competition for the bread was fierce.

Fiskmås, Sea gull, Larus canus © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Sea gull - Larus canus (Fiskmås)

Silltrut, Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Lesser black-backed gull - Larus fuscus (Silltrut)

Skrattmås, Blackheaded gull, Larus ridibundus © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The competition about the bread was fierce. Blackheaded gull - Larus ridibundus (Skrattmås)

Blackheaded gull - Larus ridibundus (Skrattmås)

Ok enough now...Good bye!

Published on: April 3, 2018

Flight 5J 628 from Dumaguete

Good bye Dumaguete

Good bye Dumaguete for this time. But I will be back.

I will miss my girls

Flying Dumaguete-Manila

The flight from Dumaguete to Manila went smoothly. It departed ahead of time and consequently arrived ahead of time to Manila. The video shows start and landing and an awesome view over Dumaguete and the Sibulan airport.

Published on: March 28, 2018

Happy birthday Jas

Two years old

Yesterday we had a mini celebration for Jas, who already turned to two years old. Fries, cake and eat as much as you can... What else can you ask for when you just turned two?

Published on: March 26, 2018

Tumalog falls, Cebu island

Tumalog falls is easy to find

Tumalog falls is easy to find. About 1 km north of Oslob Whale Shark Watching you find the signage along the highway which tells you where to turn. Drive additional a couple of kilometers. The last bit to the falls you have to walk 5-10 min. Eventhough the road is good I was surprised because it’s pretty steep walking down to the falls.

We were lucky. Time was late around 4 PM and they close already at 5 PM so there weren’t many other people there.

There were pools where you could swim in. But the water was very cold.

Check out the video

Struggling with steep roads and get amazed by the beauty of mother nature

I hadn’t that much of expectations but I was impressed. The falls was bigger and more beautiful than I expected.

Conclusion, it’s well worth a visit

The reality exceeded my expectations and that’s not bad. The falls is easy to find and we had fun going there so according to me it’s well worth a visit if you are in the neighborhood.

Published on: March 24, 2018

The Japanese Shrine

Japanese Shrine in Valencia

This historical monument called the Filipino – American – Japanese Amity Shrine (Fil-Am Japanese Shrine). It stands on a sacred battle ground where an encounter during the World War II actually took place. It was built to remember the many lives taken by the vicious war.

The Japanese shrine is beautifully situated and well worth the effort to visit

Erected 1977

The pillar has three angles, making it appear 3 sided similar to a triangle. These three sides represent the three countries: Philippines, United States of America and Japan. In 1977 it was erected and unveiled by the war veterans, the surviving families of the water veterans, and the descendants of those who marched and died in the same war.

The view from the shrine is really amazing

We hiked there

We hiked from Valencia proper heading in the direction of the more well known Casaroro Falls. After roughly 4-5 kilometers the road divides and there is clear signage, Casaroro Falls to the left and the Japanese shrine to the right. After the signage the road soon gets rough and it’s more suitable for hiking rather than driving unless you are an experienced driver. Going from Valencia to the shrine and back is around 14 kilometers.

The road uphill to the shrine offered nice views over Dumaguete

Hot and sweaty

It was hot, sweaty and tiring to hike uphill. On our way up and down we encountered amazing views, barking dogs, the pure sound of the jungle and people singing karaoke.

Published on: March 21, 2018

Shopping spree

I am sure many men have encountered themselves in this situation...

Published on: March 18, 2018

Bantayan road trip part 2

Crystal clear water

Already from the ferry we spotted those nice fabulous beaches with white sand that we had read about. This was really promising. Even in the port in Santa Fe the water was crystal clear. In fact many of the big resorts are located close to the port.

Bantayan Island is surrounded by many pristine beaches with crystal clear water and white sand

Bantayan Island Nature Park and Resort

Most places were fully booked the day we arrived at Bantayan island. But on the fly we had managed to get a cottage at Bantayan Island Nature Park and Resort. On the map it looked close to Santa Fe and the port. But the reality turned out to be different. The distance was 6-7 km and the road going there was partly very bad.

Happy to have reached the destination or hmm just hungry?

Simple accommodation but nice

When we finally arrived there someone was very hungry. We ordered lunch and ate it in their open air restaurant. The accommodation was simple but nice with private bathroom, AC and fan. I really liked the place because the whole resort was surrounded by lush forest vegetation but with a nice view over the sea.

The food was good but maybe a little bit pricey

Remote location

Due to the remote location of our resort, we were really dependent on our scooter, without it we had been stuck there. But every time when we were going back from town after darkness it was an adventure. Not so much for the traffic more on negotiating bad roads and watching out for stray dogs.

Two beauties posing together

Driving in the darkness was all ways adventurous!

We never ate at Tristan’s despite the nice location by the sea

Food market in Santa Fe

The Food market is an area big as a few quarters where most restaurants and bars are situated. Are you looking for nightlife, then it’s here you should be. Many times we went all the way from our remotely resort in to the Food market for our dinner.

One small part of the Food market

Those kids seemed not mind to be photographed

Cge naah! ( come on! )

Our favorites

One favorite was the French bakery, he had super delicious cheese cakes and baguettes. Another fabulous place was the Tiki bar which had very yummy food, specially their hamburgers which were both big and tasty. Outside the central of Santa Fe we sometimes ate cheap at small eateries and barbecue places.

Did I hear the word food??

The French baker guy made nice cheese cakes accompanied with real strong and good coffee

The reason why we became valued customers at Boulangerie Française

Here they had the delicious Tiki hamburger with egg and bacon

At the local barbecue place

Fresh barbecue sticks for the people!

Digging deep in the pots here

Back to basic, barbecued chicken with rice!

To be continued...

Published on: March 16, 2018

Sexy mama

A walk downtown Dumaguete... and who said a mum can’t be sexy?