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Exploring Bogo City, Cebu

Location : Bogo City, Cebu, Philippines

Leaving Bantayan Island
I had to leave Bantayan Island as soon as the ferry resumed operations or risk being stranded again due to Typhoon Auring. Malapascua was no longer appealing, given the weather. At this point, I wasn't looking for a beach destination anymore - more like a little city with a movie house. I'll just watch movies as the rain pours. But where to go? From the map, I saw a blip, not too far away from the San Remigio mainland port was Bogo City. Not knowing what's there, I set my sight to it.

Lodging
My arrival was fraught with difficulties. I was lugging my heavy and bulky backpack in the middle of town with no place to stay yet while the rain poured. Finding Gaisano Mall, I checked-in my backpack. This freed me to look for a place to stay. I visited the 4 major pension houses but no decision makers to take my x-deal offer. Fortunately, I discovered an obscure lodging for P150/night - Pumar Lodging House. It wasn't much, but it wasn't a dump either. That was good enough for me.

rain and beach...they don't go well together

Bogo Larsian
While roaming around town in the evening, I came upon an array of alfresco barbeque places by the dock. They serve bbq pork, chicken and grilled seafood. Price is very reasonable. I ordered grilled squid, grilled fish and a beer - P145 ($3)! This is perhaps the best place in town to have dinner.

Titan Triggerfish
Bogo has a sizeable wet market. I found Titan Triggerfish being sold together with other colorful reef fishes. It's heart breaking that these fishes that used to be ignored by fishermen are now fair game. The Titan is the scourge of the reef and I had even been attacked by it. Still, I would much rather see it in the reef than on the dinner table. Moreover, the Titan has toxins (Gambierdiscus toxicus) that render it inedible. I would not encourage its consumption.

Beach Resorts
There used to be 2 popular beach resorts close to town - Nailon Beach Resort and Hisoler Beach Resort. Unfortunately, Nailon Resort was not able to recover after the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda (Typhoon Haiyan) in 2013. I stopped by Hisoler Resort even on a rainy day. It had a good size ground with a pool, elevation for a better view, concrete beach cabanas and protected swim area.

Ending Thoughts
After 2 nights, it was time to go. I wasn't expecting much in Bogo but still glad I stopped by. Every coastal town has its own charm. For Bogo, it has its slow unhurried pace, the seaside grill places and its isolated beach resorts. The one tourist attraction of Bogo is perhaps the Capitancillo Islet - a dive spot with a lighthouse. However, in this weather, still on the tail-end of Typhoon Auring, it was best to simply stay on land.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

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Bogo City Info

Bogo City Map

Bogo City, Cebu, Philippines

tourist attractions

• Capitancillo Islet - dive spot, lighthouse
  address - 10°59'24.61"N 124°06'13.89"E

- hotel

• R&F Pension House - 11°03'03.57"N 124°00'21.13"E
• Northomes Pensione - 11°03'05.98"N 124°00'12.58"E
• Bogo Park Lodge - (032) 516.2636 | 434.7086
  11°03'08.7"N 124°00'12.64"E
• Wyn's Pension - 11°02'57.01"N 124°00'19.04"E
  0932.502.0632 | 0917.829.3216 | 434.8801
• Pumar Lodging House - popular for working locals, students and transients
  11°03'00.98"N 124°00'21.38"E
• Hisoler Beach Resort - big manicured grounds, wifi, beach bungalows, picnic cabanas, protected swim area, swimming pool
  11°02'52.22"N 124°02'19.86"E | (032)434.8014 | 0917.322.2213

restaurant

• Capitancillo Bar and Resto - big serving, wifi, a/c
  11°03'05.9"N 124°00'12.7"E

cafe

• Urban Cafe - coffee, cake and wifi
  11°03'05.9"N 124°00'12.7"E

Cebu Province Info

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