In Search of the Next Destination

Location :

Searching
After my 30 days in Loboc, I scouted several places to spend my next 30 days - Baclayon, Dauis, Maribojoc, Carmen and Talibon. It took 6 days of constantly traveling. There were a few half-decent rooms I could get for my meager P2,500 monthly budget, but nothing really called out. While in Talibon, I decided to stop by Ubay for a sikwate treat. It was here I saw a decent room that called out - and fit my budget. Ubay it is - surprising that Ubay wasn't even in the list.

Carmen
My first choice was Carmen. Carmen was at the center of Bohol. It also seemed to be rich in tourism offerings in addition to the Chocolate Hills. It offers good sikwate/puto maya at the market. But I couldn't work-out a hotel deal (Banlasan Lodge, La Ne Resort, Villa Luisa) or find a decent P2500 room. I found cheaper rooms but they looked more like a dog cage. I even went there a few times but it was a stonewall.

pounding the streets of Carmen

Baclayon
Baclayon was also appealing. It was only a few minutes away from Tagbilaran. I could have the best of both worlds - (city) life in Tagbilaran and provincial life in Baclayon. I made good friends with Ms. Beth of Astoria Bohol who liked my proposal but couldn't spare any of the 8 units they have. She referred me to Ms. Telly of Blue Apartelle but it was the same situation. I even attended a heritage house launching and hung a few times at Crescencia Cafe. At the end of it all, there was nothing for me.

Dauis
Dauis wasn't really calling out, but I thought I'd give it a shot with Mithi Resort - it stood out during my visit to Hinagdanan Cave. I met with one of the owners, Gretel Ong, who explained that they were almost always fully booked. I was curious how they could do it. Most resorts in Panglao are hurting and had to cut down on staff or even close shop. Obviously, they didn't need my service.

Maribojoc
I didn't know there is a place called Maribojoc, but the name was bounced around a few times because of the Abatan River, so I decided to make the trip and check it out. It's a very small town. It's so small there is no lodging. A newly opened building offers room rental but the rooms weren't ready yet. Additionally, the attractions in Abatan River are closer to the town of Cortez.

Talibon
I didn't know anything about Talibon, but because it's a port town, there must be something interesting there. Because it's 3 hours away from Loboc, I decided to spend a night at Way Side Inn. It's a busy port town with 2 Alturas Malls side by side but finding a place was difficult. I met Ms. Rachel, the tourism head who saw merit in what I could write about its tourism. She tried to help, sending her people to scout Talibon for a place for me. There was something affordable but too far off the main drag. I would have stayed in Talibon given the good vibe I had with Ms. Rachel.

Ubay
Ubay wasn't in the plan since I've already spent 2 days here in July of this year. Except for a busy port town, there isn't much of any tourist attraction here. But I can't say I really tried to explore. I wanted to just visit and have a sikwate treat. Lo and behold, I found a room for P2000 at Goddy Goddy Lodging. It's clean, within town, includes water, electricity, bed and mattress. There is a common tv area. For wifi, I can go to their other location where I can do my online thing. It was effortless! No struggle! It's also my universe's way of telling me to stay.

Ending Thoughts
Right now, I have no clue what I'll be doing here or what is in store for me. But like my experience in Loboc, I am confident that the town will unravel with the coming days.

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

Next story:

Ubay Life

(Nov 17, 2017) Life in Ubay came off to a slow start. I had to cover my bases first - sourcing a water supplier, identifying wifi areas, frequent walks about town getting familiar where to get what, and getting a bearing on Ubay's culturescape through the locals....more »»

Bohol Google Map

Bohol, Philippines

tourist attractions

• Danao Adventure Park - zip lining, cable car ride, caving, river rides/trekking, off-road buggy ride, root climbing, rappelling and ultra-glide rides
• Alona Beach - hub for tourists with hotels, resorts, restos, bars and dive shops
• Chocolate Hills - hills side-by-side shaped like giant Kisses chocolate
• Tarsier - pocket-sized marsupia looking like a monkey
• Balicasag Island - one of the best dive spots in the Philippines
• Loboc River - river cruise on a boat
• Anda Beach - fine white sand beach with resorts, restos and cottages, 3 hours by bus from Tagbilaran
• Cabagnow Cave Pool - brackish water pool about 5ft deep inside a limestone opening on the ground, 8 feet deep, P50
• Lamanok Island - walk on a 100m bamboo bridge on stilts to a resto area to take a boat tour to caves and nearly attractions, P300
• Combento Cave Pool - cave pool with underwater cave system, P20
• Can-umantad Falls - long narrow drop until it hits a bulbous mound spreading it into a a curtain-like water canopy and down into a splash pool
• Canawa Cold Spring - deep refreshing cold spring with developed pool area
• Firefly Tour - evening boat ride into the river to watch fireflies

hotel

• Fox & The Firefly Cottages - SUP paddle boarding, luxury riverside native cottages, mountain bike tours, SUP yoga
  Baranggay Valladolid, Loboc, Bohol
• Bohol Tropics Resort - seafront location, manicured surroundings, swimming pool, resto/bar
  0133 Graham Avenue, Brgy. Cogon, Tagbilaran, Bohol 6300
• Oasis Resort - Alona Beach location, dive center, resto / bar
  Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol

yoga

• Jing Yoga - health & well being through yoga
  The Courtyard - Airport Road fronting the church
  Bohol Meditation and Yoga Center - 2nd Floor Lim Magtajas Bldg. CPG Avenue

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