Patrik Lord Travel Blog

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Good snorkeling near Dumaguete

Going there

Marine Sanctuary in Dauin, is about 15-30 minutes travel from Dumaguete City. For those taking the public transport, you can find jeepneys to Dauin at the bell tower in Dumaguete City or near the Robinson's Mall. Fare is PHP 13.00. Inform the driver you are getting off at the corner leading to the Marine Sanctuary. It’s a couple of blocks away or a good 4-5 minutes brisk walk. The entrance fee for the sanctuary is PHP 150 with a table included. Without table it will be less.

Many fish to see

The beach with its brown sand may not look like much but wait until you get in to the water. The Marine Sanctuary starts a few meters from the shore and remains fairly shallow for about 20-50 meters before it slopes down into the deep. It's best to start snorkeling in the mid-morning until lunch, as the water gets shallower towards the afternoon. It said you can expect to see parrot fish, clown fish, anemone fish, neon damsels, hump-head banner fish, some baby black tip sharks, boulder coral, giant lobe and whorl bowl corals at the center. I myself saw most of the fish mentioned and also spotted a muraena. I didn't see any black tip sharks though. 

Definitely worth a visit

The conclusion is that the Marine Sanctuary is definitely worth a visit either for snorkeling or just relaxation.
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Going there

Casaroro Falls is located in Valencia roughly 10 km from Dumaguete. It’s considered to be the most photographed waterfall in the entire Negros province. To get there, take a jeepney from Dumaguete to Valencia Plaza, it takes 20-30 minutes depending on the traffic. The fare is 12 PHP per person. At Valencia Plaza take a Habal Habal up to Casaroro falls. Ask the driver to wait for you. The fare should be around 200 PHP per person and back and forth. Always try to negotiate. Travel time is around 20 minutes.

350 steps but worth the effort!

From the drop off point you need to hike. There will be steep stairs going down at first, it’s said to be 350 steps. I haven’t counted them but it might be true. Additional hike is required after the stairs. Be prepared for wet feet and to stumble around among slippery rocks. Depending on your fitness level the hiking time to the falls would be from 15 minutes and plus. The waterfall is mighty, beautiful and really worth the effort.
​Note! Click on images to see slideshow and captions! 
Hiking to the actual fall may take around 15 minutes The foliage is dense Sometimes there are many tourists here The water flows and drops at a height of 30 m Related links: Review of Fish 153 Korean Restaurant, Dumaguete Review of Mooon Café Robinsons Place, Dumaguete Review of Sta Teresa Restaurant, Dumaguete ​Review of San Rival Bistro, Dumaguete ​Review of Atong Kamalig Restaurant, Dumaguete ​​Review of Gabby's Bistro, Dumaguete ​Tierra Alta Residential Resort, Dumaguete​ ​Visit the Marine Sanctuary in Dauin ​​Hike the Puncak Tanawan, Negros Oriental ​Tempura, takoyaki and balut​
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Bohol and Panglao, the pearls of ​Visayas

​Bohol is a tropical haven of natural beauty. The coastline of the island is skimmed by gentle coves and white sand beaches. Dolphin- and whale watching tours are popular with both residents and visiting tourists. The best season is from March to June, but dolphins can be seen year-round. In addition to white sand beaches and dive spots, Bohol is famous among other sights, for its Chocolate Hills, the Tarsier – arguably the world’s smallest primate, heritage sites and old stone churches.
Baclayon Church Bohol Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The Baclayon Church, Bohol, is the second oldest stone church in the Philippines. It was partly destroyed in the earthquake 2013 which killed around 200 people.

White sand beach in Panglao Sonculan Lake Panglao The amazing Chocolate Hills in Bohol Rice farmer with his carabau in Tabuan Garcia Hernandez, Bohol Rainforest in Bohol, once the Tarsier territory The two shy sisters in Tabuan, Bohol Bohol and Panglao have it all ​Bohol together with Panglao are two very nice islands where you can have it all. I have been here many times. Either you can have a quiet beach life at some nice resort in Panglao or a more hectic party life in Alona Beach. I usually have Tagbilaran as my base and going around with tricycles or Habal Habal. I like Reyna's The Haven and Gardens hotel. It’s a nice budget hotel with breakfast included for 1000 PHP. From here I use to make trips out to Panglao or elsewhere on Bohol. Depending on where I am going I decide what transportation is suitable. Note! Click on images to see slideshow and captions! The Hanging bridges over Loboc River, Bohol The cable car at Loboc Eco-Tourism Adventure Park Loboc River in Bohol where you can do river cruises. My highlights Panglao Island Nature Resort, for its ambience, pools and nice location by the sea. See a review here >>> Buzzz café, for its healthy and delicious food.  See a review here >>> Virgin Island, for its beauty. Good for the budget traveler because everything is based on donations. See more information about Virgin Island >>> Loboc River Cruise, for its evening cruises. Nice and romantic to eat dinner on Loboc river with the loved one. They also have day cruises. Chocolate hills, for its beautiful landscape and it’s a nice day trip going there to see other parts of Bohol. See more information about Chocolate Hills >>> The tarsier, but try to see them in a real tarsier sanctuary. Not in a narrow cage, they are very shy animals and they don’t like to be disturbed. Avoid those places where they have them in small cages and go for the real tarsier sanctuary instead. For example visit the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, Inc. near Corella town. See more information about the Tarsier >>> The Philippine Tarsier has been a recorded life span of 12 years at most in captivity. However, a great many of these Tarsiers die only after a day or at most a few days if kept unhealthily in small cages and/or put under great strain while in captivity. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Note! Click on images to see slideshow and captions! The amazing Chocolate Hills Nice beach with white sand and shallow water in Panglao Two hills marked by the earthquake 2013 Talibon, a small city in north of Bohol Going around In Tagbilaran it’s very convenient with tricycle or Habal Habal. Going around in the central of Tagbilaran should cost 8 PHP. But as soon as you want to go to Panglao or further out in Bohol it will be rather expensive. Consequently if you are staying in Panglao you should rent a motorcycle. The price should be around 250-350 depending on the rental period and your negotiating skills. Ask around at the pier in Tagbilaran or in Alona. At Island City Mall (ICM) there is a busterminal for buses going around Bohol. Around A. Hontanosas Street, north of  the Plaza Rizal Park (City square) there are bus terminals for buses going to Panglao. When arriving to Bohol by the ferry or plane you need to negotiate hard when taking a tricycle. The tricycle drivers tend to try to take advantage of the tourists. At the airport there is a signboard with the tariffs for going to different places with tricycle. ​How to get there There are direct flights from Manila with all the domestic airlines. You can also take the ferry from Cebu. There are two major ferry companies, the Ocean Jet ferry company and the 2Go company. The fare is around 500 PHP from Cebu to Tagbilaran. But look out for promos! ​Where to stay There are numerous hotels in Tagbilaran. I prefer Reyna's The Haven and Gardens hotel at New Calceta street. 1000 PHP per night with breakfast. If Reynas is fully booked there are three other hotels just door to door to Reyna’s. One of those is Arabelle Suites see review >>>, a slightly more expensive option than Reyna's. This particular location in Tagbilaran and around the airport has very good LTE connection. Can be worth thinking of if you are dependent of a good internet connection via your portable WiFi device. You have also Staylite Park Bed and Breakfast near the airport, see review >>>. Staylite is a relatively new hotel. Nice and clean and suitable for the budget traveler. In Panglao you have tons of resorts from very cheap up to very expensive and luxury. ​Where to eat There are of course plenty of alternatives in both Bohol and Panglao. But here is a list of places where I have been to in Bohol and made reviews of. Click the link and you will see the review. Swiss Zurigo Restaurant Bojol Grill Restaurant A's Chicken Nuggets & Grill Haus Shang Palace Seafood Restaurant Bo's Coffee The Buzzz Café, my favourite. Golden Cowrie In Panglao there are even more choices specially around Alona Beach. Click the link and you will see the review: Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa Henann Resort Alona Beach Related links: Where to eat in Tagbilaran? Find a house for rent in Panglao Review of the Food Court in Island City Mall (Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines) Isola de Francesco or Virgin Island, Panglao, Philippines Review of Swiss Zurigo Restaurant (Bohol, Philippines) Review of Bojol Grill Restaurant (Bohol, Philippines) Review of A's Chicken Nuggets & Grill Haus (Bohol, Philippines) The giant Arogo and the smallest primate, what do they have in common? Review of Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa  (Panglao, Philippines) Review of Henann Resort Alona Beach (Panglao, Philippines) Review of Shang Palace Seafood Restaurant (Bohol, Philippines) Review of Bo's Coffee (Bohol, Philippines) Review of The Buzzz Café (Bohol, Philippines) Review of Golden Cowrie (Bohol, Philippines) Review of Staylite Park Bed and Breakfast (Bohol, Philippines) Review of Arabelle Suites (Bohol, Philippines)
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Magic and sorcery in Siquijor

Siquijor has a long-time reputation as a place of magic and sorcery which both attracts and repulses visitors. Siquijor is also well known for its festivals that focus on healing rituals where incantations are sung while the old folks make potions out of herbs, roots, insects and tree barks. Among the many attractions are the beaches, caves, waterfalls, Bandilaan natural park and butterfly sanctuary. White sand beaches make up most of the 102-kilometer coastline of Siquijor. The coral reefs ringing the island offer some of the best diving in the Philippines for snorkelers and scuba divers.
Siquijor my favourite island! Voodoo dolls for souvenirs. The pier View at Salagdoong Beach Note! Click on images to see slideshow and captions! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ​​My favourite island in Visayan This is so far my favourite island among the Visayan Islands. I was here almost two weeks. As long as you have a motorcycle everything is easy accessible. You can dive, snorkel and swim at beautiful beaches with white sand. In San Juan you have a variety of nice restaurants which can satisfy even your most hard headed tastebuds. I stayed at Xylla’s Guest House in Lazi, a simple and nice accommodation. It was located a little bit far though from San Juan and the beaches but on the other hand, if you appreciate the quietness this is the right place to be. But with your rented motorcycle you can easily go everywhere.  The friendly hotel dog La Gann Falls in Lazi View at Salagdoong Beach Nice sunset at the Danish lagoon. Sunbathing at Salagdoong Beach ​My highlights Kagusuan Beach, a nice and quiet white sand beach without tourists. Suitable for relaxing, swimming and snorkelling. The beach is little bit hard to find but with some map reading it will be no problem. There is a sign at the last turn, but sign is well hidden by a tree though. Tulapos Marine Sanctuary, for its nice snorkelling. It costs 20 PHP for snorkelling. You can also rent equipment there. You will probably be asked to be accompanied by a guide. It’s not really necessary, just go straight out a couple of hundred meters and you will see some rocks. There it is. Try to be there at high tide, the sea is very shallow at low tide. Baha Bar, for its food and drinks. The house is built in traditional Filipino style with four different woods and the ambience is really nice there. Larena Triad Coffee Shop, for its nice location with the most beautiful view. They have good Filipino food and a bakery with delicious bread. Infinity Heights Resort, for its good food, nice view over the north of the island. They also have a pool which shares the same astonishing view. Old Enchanted Balete Tree, for its fish spa. You can drink buko juice at the same time you enjoy the fish cleaning your feet. There are some bigger fish there too, but don’t be afraid it feels really nice when they are chewing, almost like foot massage. Note! Click on images to see slideshow and captions! Kagusuan Beach with white sand and no tourists. Tulapos Marine Sanctuary Baha Bar, the building is built with four different type of woods Fantastic view from the Larena Triad Coffee Shop The pool at Infinity Heights Resort is nice for a swim Old Enchanted Balete Tree The fish spa at the Old Enchanted Balete Tree. The big fish felt almost like foot massage. The pool at the Danish Lagoon ​How to get there I went there from Dumaguete with the Ocean Jet company and paid 220 PHP one way trip. You can also take the ferry from Cebu. If you encounter bad weather the Ocean Jet Ferry might be cancelled but then you can try with Montenegro Shipping Lines. They are using bigger and slower ferries and are not likely to be cancelled as easy as the Ocean Jet due to bad weather. ​Where to stay There are numerous resorts and guesthouses scattered allover Siquijor. Most of them you will find in San Juan where the most tourists are. I stayed at Xylla's guesthouse and paid 810 PHP. It was a simple accommodation with AC and fan in the room. Private toilet with cold shower. Breakfast was not included, but you could order Filipino breakfast for around 75-100 PHP. They had also motorcycles for rent. The nice Honda Beat automatic for 300 PHP day. I also stayed at Charisma Beach Resort in San Juan and had a nice bungalow for 1000 PHP. If you need to stay in Siquijor Siquijor I can recommend the Belleview hotel near the pier. New and fresh rooms from 1200 with AC and hot shower. They also have a very good restaurant which serving Cafe Latte and freshly baked bread from the Triad bakery. Note! Click on images to see slideshow and captions! The Belleview hotel near the pier. They had a nice restaurant also. Xylla's guesthouse in Lazi. A good simple accommodation. ​Going around Siquijor is a small island, you can drive around the whole island with motorcycle in a couple of hours. And talking about motorcycles you must rent one otherwise it will be both expensive and difficult to travel around. You can rent a motorcycle for around 250 to 350 per day depending on the rental time and your negotiating skills.  There are also tricycles and Habal Habal. The tricycles are using a tariff system with fixed prices for tourists. So for example going between the the port and San Juan expect to pay 250 PHP. Going from the port to Lazi is 500 PHP. There are also tricycles going fixed routes and if you can catch one of those you pay only 20 PHP for going Siquijor Siquijor (the port) to San Juan. Note! Click on images to see slideshow and captions! It's necessary to rent a motorcycle in Siquijor. Riding a motorcycle is a perfect way to explore the island. ​Where to eat You have plenty of restaurants in San Juan. You find the whole range from small barbecue places and canderias to more expensive resorts. My favourites in San Juan are Baha Bar and Danish Lagoon which serving Scandinavian food with a beautiful view over the sea. In Larena, try the Infinity Heights Resort and Larena Triad Coffee Shop. If you are in Siquijor Siquijor you have the Belleview hotel or Joel’s Lechon Manok, just opposite the Belleview hotel. Joel’s is really a good budget alternative for dinner. The secret is that they use lemongrass when they barbecues their chicken which makes it so delicious. Note! Click on images to see slideshow and captions! Bangus ala Pobre in Belleview restaurant The cat is waiting for the scraps The menu for Rastaman restaurant in San Juan. The food was nice there. Baby squids adobo with rice and a sea view. This was at Charisma Beach Resort in San Juan. Joel's Lechon Manok, deliciously grilled chicken. Larena Triad Coffee Shop, they had Cafe Latte, freshly baked bread and a fabulous view from the restaurant.
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​Mountain resort with a view

Tierra Alta is located 20 minutes away from Dumaguete City with tricycle. Expect to pay the driver around 150 PHP for the trip. The place gives you an astounding panoramic view of the sea and neighboring islands. Tierra Alta Clubhouse has a hotel and resort and fun amenities like zipline and swimming pool. Entrance fee per person is 50 PHP and for the pool 500 PHP where 200 PHP is consumable. I didn't expect much from the pool at first but when I saw it then I really got cravings for swimming. 
Note! Click on images to see slideshow and captions!
View towards the mountains It was so hot this day Overlooking Dumaguete City and the sea The kids were really enjoying the pool I got cravings to swim in the pool 500 PHP for swimming, 200 PHP consumable (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Restaurant and bar ​In the Clubhouse they also have a restaurant and bar. I tried the Croc Sisig, sautéed lean croc meat flavoured with herbs and spices. It was really delicious. Everything was clean and well maintained. I can recommend to go here as a half day trip or a whole day trip if you intend to use the pool. Note! Click on images to see slideshow and captions! The Clubhouse offered a variety of dishes, both Filipino and western style. Croc Sisig Some veggies had been nice, but the food was delicious after all Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent 4 Food  5 Service 4 Value 5 Atmosphere I was here in December 2016 Tierra Alta Residential Resort Palinpinon, Valencia, 6215 Negros Oriental, Philippines Phone: +63 35 536 0096 Related links:​ Red Rock Hot Spring, Valencia Dumaguete​ Going to La Verna with the girls​ Happy birthday Jas​ ​Sexy mama The Japanese Shrine​ Shopping spree​ Apo island the pearl of the Visayas​ Outing with the girls​ Baslay Hot Spring in Dauin Road trip to Sipalay​ A day of exercise The fine art of eating an ice cream​ Review of GK Coffee shop in Dumaguete​ Review of The Tres Bistro in Dumaguete Review of Chapters Café in Dumaguete​ The Christmas House in Dumaguete Tarbush, a story of love​ The boulevard in Dumaguete​ Review of 2Story kitchen in Dumaguete, Negros Review of Gabby's Bistro (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Fish 153 Korean Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Mooon Café Robinsons Place (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Café Mafioso (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Atong Kamalig Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of San Rival Bistro (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Sta Teresa Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Tierra Alta Residential Resort, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines
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Island of Bohol in the Philippines

They are both connected in its way to the island of Bohol in the Philippines. The Chocolate Hills and the Philippine tarsier are two major tourist attractions well worth a visit!
The Chocolate Hills Mga Tsokolateng Burol Bohol Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The Chocolate Hills. In Filipino: Mga Tsokolateng Burol

​​The Chocolate Hills and the giant Arogo

The Chocolate Hills, are a geological formation in the Bohol province. There are at least 1,260 hills spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometres. The romantic version how these hills were formed is the tale of Arogo, a young and very strong giant who fell in love with an ordinary mortal girl called Aloya. After she died, the giant Arogo cried bitterly. His tears then turned into hills, as a lasting proof of his grief.
Tarsier Bohol Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The Philippine tarsier

Tarsier Bohol Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Tarsius syrichta

​The Philippine tarsier

The tarsier, (Tarsius syrichta) is very peculiar small animal. In fact it is one of the smallest known primates, no larger than a adult men's hand. Mostly active at night and it lives on a diet of insects. ​They have the largest eyes relative to body size of any mammal. Each eyeball is around 16 millimeters in diameter, which is as large as the tarsier’s entire brain!
The majority of tarsier species are now endangered or threatened, and some are designated critically endangered. Threats include habitat destruction and fragmentation, hunting, agricultural pollutants and human disturbance.
Wild tarsiers which are caught and kept in captivity only show around a 50% rate of survival and in many cases they die quickly of overstress by committing “suicide”. So conservation efforts should focus on their wild populations and habitats.
Notice, that the information about which primate which actually is the smallest in the world vary and I leave it to the meticulous reader to find out which it is.​
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My favourite beach resort

Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa is located in Bingag area just 8.5 km from Tagbilaran city. This is my favourite beach resort, maybe because it's not the usual beach resort style with a big complex of buildings and down the sea front you will find the usual long beach with white sand. This resort consists of a reception, restaurant and some other minor buildings.

Overlooking the pools and the sea with a fantastic view

The whole area is overlooking the pools and the sea with a fantastic view. There are bungalows here for accommodation and they are scattered around the area nicely hidden in the vegetation. And yes, there is a smaller natural beach here as well. You reach it through stairs from the main area down to the actual beach.
Review of Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa Bohol Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa

Review of Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa reception Bohol Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The reception area

​Suitable for easy snorkelling and swimming

Just outside the resort a few 100 m out  in the sea you have a small island, partly artificial I believe. Around this island it's suitable for some easy snorkelling and swimming. If you prefer to swim in the pools there are three big pools and a smaller bubble pool available, all with different temperatures of the water. The  food in the restaurant is tasty and the service is good. They have a dinner buffet here which also is good, although not comparable to the one you find at Henann Resort, see the previous blog post. WiFi was only working in the reception area. 
Review of Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa 1 Bohol Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

View from the reception area

Review of Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa restaurant and me Bohol Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The restaurant from where you have a beautiful view over the sea

Review of Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa view over sea Bohol Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The view from the restaurant

Perfect for a day visit

It's perfect to make a day visit here, you can relax, swim in the sea or in the pools and enjoy some nice food in the restaurant. To enter the resort you need to pay an entrance fee, around 800 PHP per person and most of it is consumable in the restaurant. Access to the dressing rooms and showers is included. Notice, that this review comes from a one-day visitor's point of view because I have never stayed overnight here.  

​Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
4 Food 
5 Service
4 Value
5 Atmosphere
I have been here many times over the years, but last time was December 2015. 

Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa
Bingag, Dauis 6339, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: (63-38)510-8495 / 510-8497
Review of Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa view over pool Bohol Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Relaxation in the pool

Review of Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa view from sea Bohol Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The bungalows are nicely hidden in the vegetation

Review of Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa view sea front Bohol Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Mmm which pool shall I choose today?

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Ligñon Hill in Legazpi City rises to 156 m overlooking the Mayon Volcano to the northwest and the entire city and Albay Gulf to the east. Legazpi International Airport is located just below on the south side of  the hill.
Picture
Picture
On top of the hill you will find Ligñon Hill Nature Park. The park has a viewing deck with coin operated telescopes, a landscaped promenade as well as restaurants and souvenir shops. Other features include a zipline and a 50-foot tunnel constructed by the Japanese during World War II.
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Mt Pinatubo, the Sleeping Giant

If you are in Manila, why not enjoy the magnificent view of this once dormant volcano? Named as the "Sleeping Giant”. Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption in 1991 altered global climate and caused mudflows to cascade down its slopes, destroying everything along its path and leaving behind a labyrinth of towering lahar cliffs. The Crater Lake within the mouth of the volcano has a halcyon shade of blue that contrasts with the black, strombolic fury it exhibited years ago.

​​A perfect day trip!

There are tour operators which arrange day trips from Manila to Mt Pinatubo and back. Expect an early pick-up at around 4-5  am, drive for a couple of  hours to Capas, where your local guide will meet you. Upon arrival, transfer to a 4x4 jeep and experience a 2-hour ride and almost 2 hour-trek to the crater.

See the complete story here: Mt Pinatubo day trip
Hiking trip to Mt Pinatubo. I am standing at Pinatubo Crater Lake. © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

I finally made the hike and now posing for the photographer at the Pinatubo Crater Lake. © Patrik Lord Travel Blog