I've only visited Bohol twice. One, for business and the second, a family trip. Both in very different areas with very different experiences. On a business trip during summer (how very opportune), i stayed in the lovely Amorita Resort. At that time, the family have already booked a trip for Bohol on September and so i decided not to go on any tours or extend my trip - which i now regret. You'll find out why as you read along.

That first trip, though short-lived and semi serious, was to an extent, enjoyable. Let me show you.

The resort itself was pretty amazing. The downside? It doesn't really have it's own beach. You will have to go down a flight of stairs to get to Alona Beach - know more about the beaches of Bohol, here. This is considered the most popular beach strip in Panglao Island. Sadly, i was not able to experience it during the day. I did go there for a round (or two) of drinks with a few colleagues and i thought at that time i am not missing out. Still, I thought i can check it out during the day at the next trip instead. 

The second trip, set on September had quite a few bumps on the road. It was a very busy month at work. So much so that i needed to book a much later flight than my family. Two days late to be exact. Even then i still had to work. 

I arrived Friday morning and we were not off to a good start. After finishing my workload for that day, we headed out to the city for an early dinner. Much too early to our disappointment. The restaurant they wanted to try was closed and will resume for dinner service at a much later time. Why none of them cared to check online the operating hours of the restaurant, i could not fathom. It was hot and we were hungry - not good.

We ended up in a local place, Payag, located in an unmentionable shopping mall.

To make the story short, I am never going back there. In fact, i don't think any of us are.

With a belly full of dissatisfaction, we headed back to the hotel.

We scheduled a countryside tour the next day, optimistic it will get the ball rolling in the right direction.

We drove to the town of Carmen - where the Chocolate Hills are located. Along the way was the very serene man-made forest.





With the current season, it was more Matcha than chocolate. But it was just as beautiful as it is in photographs.

After some leg work on those stairs, we headed for the butterfly garden located in Bilar.

I was not particularly excited about this visit. We went to one in Malaysia some years back and didn't really find anything that interesting. Surprisingly i enjoyed this one. The guide was very entertaining! Giving us little tidbits of information in the most hilarious way. He wasn't trying hard either - he was a natural comedian.

And the place had little surprises that are Instagrammable.






Next stop, Tarsier sanctuary. This, i was really excited about. These tiny creatures are the smallest known primates (not considered a monkey) and are nocturnal. Don't expect much excitement when you visit them. In fact, it's highly discouraged as these animals get easily stressed and may not survive.

One more stop before heading to lunch, the hanging bridge. For some reason, i pictured in my head a death defying cross. Have no idea where that came from. Needless to say, this is a stop that you can definitely skip.



It was i believe almost 1:00 PM when we arrived at the Rio Verde for lunch. We missed the high end boat and had to settle for the regular boat that carried a supposedly less than stellar lunch menu. It was relaxing having a meal on a boat. Nothing special with the food by my cousin says it has already improved compared to when she last visited. I thought, "Okay, at least there is improvement."

Loboc River is beautiful. I wouldn't go on that boat for the food. I think going in you really don't focus on that. You focus on the view, fresh air - the cruise on its own was very relaxing.







The lunch river cruise included a stopover - a tribal village. It included little activities that you can participate in. No fees are required, only a modest donation or tip will suffice.



Our last stop before heading back to the hotel was The Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary Church or more commonly known as  Baclayon Church.

It was devastating to see how much damage in the aftermath of an earthquake in 2013. Still, seeing how much effort locals are doing to restore the place is inspiring.




Come Sunday, the family just wanted to chill and so we decided to head for the hotel's private beach house located in Bikini Beach. I made arrangements for a lunch barbecue and turned out to be the best food we've ever sampled in the entire trip.

2015 will be a year of discovery. At least that is one of the goals I've set for myself at the start of the year. And after almost 2.5 months, I finally discovered something new - Pinto Art Museum.

The entire place and experience was just amazing. Every turn felt like a wonderful surprise. I wanted to live there. Or have one built for myself... I can't wait to come back... Tayo na sa Antipolo? :)

Hugs & Besos

Last January, i decided to pack up the familia (well at least the four of us) and head to Tagaytay for a short but sweet vacay. 

I was able to get this awesome deal at Deal Grocer -  an overnight stay for 4 complete with breakfast and massages at T House Tagaytay. It's this little B&B right after Mahogany Market when you turn left (assuming you're coming from Sta. Rosa, Laguna). It's bigger than it seems, specially from the outside.

Let me give you a quick tour of the place.

The first thing you see when you drive up (or is it down?) is the open air lobby. You check in, sip your welcome drinks and get escorted to your room. The parking is on the other side and you'll have to go back out to the street and back to the main driveway in case you forgot to unload. It would be best drop all your stuff off at the lobby before parking your car.

After checking out every nook and cranny of this B&B, we decided to chill for a while in the room.

Exhibit A

Mommy loving the room and obviously the bed. I have no idea what the "L" sign is for. LOL.

Exhibit B

A big ass vanity mirror and four women. I think you get the picture. Hahaha!

And, always.. almost always one member will be in charge of the camera. And well, have a LOT of fun with it. Here's an homage to our official photog and discovering that her favorite sin... is vanity. Hahaha!

After tiring ourselves with our vanity, we decided (for whatever reason) to change into our swimmies and take a dip in the pool. 

Damn was it cold! We wanted to stay longer.. But alas none of us can bear the temperature. We washed up and headed to the spa for our massages.


After our massages, we were starving. 

I was too lazy to drive around anymore. Considering we're quite far from all the good restos. So we decided to have dinner at T House's restaurant. Now I'm wishing I had the energy to do so.

We had the salad to start off our dinner. The only course i really felt like eating on that table. We also had the bulalo (a must!) but i find that the ones served at Green ATS and Pamana are way better. The lechon kawali, well.. it was alright. Not sure what to really think of it. And then came dessert. Chocolate lava cake.. more like plain chocolate cake. No gushing chocolate lava.. the very thing i was looking forward to when i ordered the damn cake. I mean it tasted what a chocolate cake is supposed to. It was good.. not what i was looking forward to though.

And then there was wine.

After dinner we headed to our room and opened one of the bottles we had brought with us. A nightcap of some sort. Not before we chilled at our favorite spot. It was beautiful at night.