The Chocolate Hills of Bohol and ATV Tour

If you ask Filipinos what is the must see spot when visiting Bohol, there's not a chance that they will forget to say the Chocolate Hills. As It has been featured so many times in our textbooks when we are in grade school and high school and even tourism advertisements never forgets this place when promoting the Philippines. In short, this place has been an icon not only of Bohol but also the country as a whole.

How did we get there?
We met Kuya Bernie outside Tagbilaran Airport. He offers different tours in Bohol and one of the tour he has is Tagbilaran tour (I'll make another blog for it). He has a van for hire which can accommodate 5-7 persons. He also told us that he has another service which can hold up to 12 persons. What's nice about his tour is you can collaborate with him in terms of the places you want to visit. You can eliminate sites which you want to skip and replace it with another. As for our Tagbilaran City Tour, he only asks for 2,500 Pesos which includes a trip to our hotel in Panglao at the end of our tour. Note: entrance fees of each places are not included. Having said that, it is still pretty convenient and cheap than other tours I saw. You may contact Bernie at 0999-929-8445

Flowboarding at Flow House Manila

Calling all thrill seekers out in there! A new water activity has set and waiting for you to be tested! Have you already tried wakeboarding? Surfing? Skimboarding? Yeah? Hmm... how about flowboarding? Not yet? Well, flowboarding is the new hype in town which gives waterboard sports a new kind of face. Flowboarding combines the look of surfing, the tricks of skateboarding, and the boards of wakeboarding yet instead of doing it outdoor, flowboarding are being manipulated/controlled by mechanics. The said sport has been evolving since the 80's but been an underdog since the market which offers this sport is just limited as they are only seen on some resorts, cruise ships, etc. But worry no more because Flow House Manila brought it to the metro and they are now operating!

How to get there?
Flow Hose Manila is located at Molino Boulevard corner Masaito Drive in Bacoor City. If you are going to commute, you may take a commercial van in MOA having a signboard of Paliparan-Molino. Just inform the driver to drop you off at Flow House Manila as it is just along the road. Just in case the driver do not know where Flow House Manila is (since it's just new in the area), just tell them to drop you at V-Central Mall along Molino Boulevard. V-Central Mall is just beside Flow House Manila. Travel time is maximum of an hour.

Travel Highlights Of The Year 2014

Before 2015 kicks in, join me as I take a look back on some of the destinations I've been to this 2014. It has been a great year for me and to my travel buddies as we've unlocked and explored new places -- specifically in the Philippines. Although I hadn't worn my travelling shoes 'til the end of the quarter (due to some circumstances), I am still thankful and grateful for the 9 months of non-stop expedition.

Bangui Windmills of Bangui Ilocos Norte

Windmill is a machine which uses wind energy to generate electricity or extract groundwater. Here in the Philippines, we also have our own windmill farm and it can be found in the municipality of Bangui in Ilocos Norte. It is also said to be the first power generating windmill farm in Southeast Asia. The project was named NorthWind Bangui Bay Project (oftenly called as the Bangui Windmills).

Calaguas Islands of Camarines Norte [featuring Tinaga Island]

Situated in the northern most part of the Bicol Region, lies the picturesque paradise of Calaguas. If Camarines Sur is known for Wakeboarding and Surfing, Camarines Norte is known for its unspoiled, turquoise water and white sand beaches. Calaguas is a term used to define a group of islands in the province of Camarines Norte which includes Guintinua Island, Maculabo Island, the famous Tinaga Island and other minor islands and islets.

As for this blog post, I'll be featuring the Tinaga Island also known as the "Mahabang Buhangin" which translates as long sand.

Island Hopping and Snorkeling in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

If you're at White Beach, Puerto Galera and you find the beach shore to be too crowded to relax and enjoy the water then you have another choice. All you have to do is go out there and wait 'till a man approach you and offer you an island hopping tour plus a snorkeling experience. Do not worry because they were boat agents of the islands and that is just a normal scene in the beach front of White Beach.

Ardent Hibok-Hibok Spring Resort of Mambajao, Camiguin

Ardent Hibok-Hibok Spring Resort is one of the known site in Camiguin for both local and foreign tourists. I believe it is because of its calming effect it can give to an individual.  A visit to ardent is a great way to release stress after a day or week of work.  While backpackers and adventurers will surely love soaking in this hot spring after their long travel, island exploration and adventure in the Island of Camiguin.

Ardent Hibok-Hibok Spring Resort is a natural hot spring heated by Mt Hibok Hibok, an active volcano in the country. It is located at the foot of Mt Hibok-Hibok, Mambajao, Camiguin and this natural hot spring can reach up to 40 °C in terms of water temperature.

Taytay Falls [or Imelda Falls] of Majayjay, Laguna

Three names yet referring to one beautiful spot in Laguna. That's how I recall this waterfall...

Taytay Falls is a two-story high waterfall which others call it as the Majayjay Falls and even the Imelda Falls. The reason why it has so many names is because of its rich background. Its famous name is actually Taytay Falls but since it is located at Brgy. Gagalot, Majayjay, Laguna, people has started calling it Majayjay Falls. Another story is, it got its other name (which is Imelda Falls) from the First Lady of the late Ferdinand Marcos named Imelda Marcos, as she financed the promotion of tourism in this place and because of this, there was a time where the World Bank has sponsored the promotion of tourism in Taytay Falls. With those stories, I hope I eliminated the confusion when I use these 3 different names to refer the place for this post.

The Enchanted River of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur

Before my trip to Surigao del Sur, I searched and researched several times in the internet on different tourist spots this land can offer to its visitors. And most of my readings from different articles and blog posts are pointing and suggesting to a common and a must-see destination in Surigao. None other than, the Enchanted River of the municipality of Hinatuan.

As I Google for images of Enchanted River, my first reaction was like "Photoshopped! Photoshopped! Photoshopped!". Seeing the color of the water of this river in images were for me is unreal. It's like precious stones of jades and sapphires were melted in this river and colored the riverbed. But my initial judgement fades away as I continued reading more write-ups about this river and stands on how true and real the tint of this water is. By that, Enchanted River was immediately included in our itinerary.

A Quick City Tour In Butuan City, Agusan del Norte

Butuan City is situated in the north-eastern section of Agusan Valley, Mindanao. It is also the regional center of CARAGA and will be our entry point as we visit Surigao del Sur. Simply because Butuan's Bancasi Airport serves as a portal to the different provinces of CARAGA region.

As we land at Bancasi Airport of Butuan City, the first thing in our itinerary was to have a quick tour in different tourist spots and landmarks of this town. It will be quick because we need to head to Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur before nightfall. We had researched some good spots already before this trip but we chose to go and ask from the information section of the airport to gather some tips and advice. And I must say that it was a right decision we made. The guy in the information section was very knowledgeable of his town and really knew how to direct tourists like us. He even gave us a pamphlets that hold all the tourist spots and landmarks of Butuan City. Kudos!

Side Trip at Sumilon Island of Oslob, Cebu

After our "whale shark watching" experience at the municipality of Oslob, we decided to visit or just have a sneak peek on a near island known as Sumilon Island. Note: This blog entry about Sumilon will not showcase resort experience since we did not avail or tried it out. We only land on the shore and just enjoy the heavenly land and the crystal-clear water of this gorgeous  island.

Sky Experience Adventure at Crown Regency Hotel of Cebu City

Do you really want to test if you have Acrophobia or fear of heights? Then Cebu is the place to visit and try the Sky Experience Adventure that Crown Regency Hotel offers.

Be ready for a thrilling experience in the 37th floor of Cebu's tallest building - The Sky Walk Extreme. This heart pumping activity will let you (and your group) walk on the outer-rim of the building which let you see an amazing 360 degrees view of the city. Sounds cool huh?

Mt Marami of Maragondon, Cavite

Plenty, lots and many. These are just some of the synonyms for the Tagalog word MARAMI. It was so called Mt Marami because of the many rocks that formed this mountain. If Pico de Loro has "Parrot's Beak", Mt Marami has its own "Silyang Bato". An enormous composite of rock pillars.

Mt Timbak and Mt Tabayoc of Benguet

My first hike this 2013 is not the usual climb that I do because I hiked the 3rd and the 2nd highest mountain in Luzon, which are Mt Timbak and Mt Tabayoc. Both mountains are located in Benguet so expect a cold and freezing trek ahead.

The right clothes
A friend of mine invited me to join Baroc - a mountaineering group, as they will climb the said mountains. So I packed all my mountaineering gears and most importantly my anti cold equipment. I suggest you bring jacket [of course], sweatshirts, gloves [which I forgot to bring], thick socks [have an extra], and If you're planning to stay in a tent at night have a sleeping bag as well. This will prevent you from chilling and have a stress free sleep :]