My Bohol Itinerary with Kids (5 days)

July 31, 2010


My Bohol Itinerary with Kids 
(5 days and 4 nights)

Day 0
-- pack (see my Bohol packing list)
-- if kids experience travel sickness in airplanes, drink Bonamine the night before so the kids don't become drowsy during the flight. Bonamine is effective for 24 hours after drinking it.

Day 1
Departure from Manila, Arrival at Panglao Beach
     530 am: wakeup
     630 am: leave the house and go to the Manila Domestic 
                 Airport  
     8 am: arrival at the Manila Domestic Airport  
     9 am: departure from Manila via Zest Air Z2 350
     1020 am: arrival in Tagbilaran Airport   
  • We booked roundtrip airport transfers from Bohol Tour Guide, Tatsky Cubero. See rate
My Tip:  After picking you up from the airport, you can request the driver to pass by a grocery in Tagbilaran City, so you can buy bottled water, breakfast items, and bread to feed the fish during snorkeling. It's more expensive to buy those items at Panglao Beach.
     12nn: lunch at Isis Thai Restaurant
     2pm: check-in at Isis Bungalows
     2pm onwards: bum around the beach
     7pm: dinner at Pyramid Resort

Day 2
Snorkeling at Balicasag Island, Visit Virgin Island
     7am: wakeup
     9am: pickup of boat to go to Balicasag Island  
     10am: arrival at Balicasag island
     10am-12nn: snorkeling at Balicasag Island
     12nn-1pm: lunch at Balicasag Island
     1pm-2pm: Virgin Island
     3pm: back to resort
     5pm: Mass at Panglao Church
Day 3
Countryside Tour
     8am: pick up by Tatsky Cubero, our tour guide.  
     6pm: arrival at Panglao Beach
     7pm: dinner at Pyramid Resort

Day 4
Free day 
     AM: swimming
     12nn: Lunch at Hayahay Pizza
     PM: Henna Tattoo, Swimming
     7pm: dinner in the room at the resort

Day 5
Departure from Tagbilaran, Arrival in Manila
     AM: swimming at the beach
     12nn: lunch at Pyramid Resort
     230pm: departure from the resort
     330pm: arrival at Tagbilaran airport  
  • see Tagbilaran Airport facilities
     455pm: departure from Tagbilaran via Philippine Airlines PR 178
     615pm: arrival in Manila

Pasalubong 
Cheapest peanut kisses: At the Biggest Python
Cheapest souvenirs (shirts, keychains, etc): Hinagdanan Cave, Hanging Bridge

Total cost of the trip:
Approximately  php 66,000 for 6 persons, 5 days and 4 nights, or 11,000 per person


For a details of tour cost and fees, see bohol travel budget and summary of cost

Facilities of the Domestic Terminal (Terminal 4) of the Manila International Airport

July 30, 2010


Facilities of the Domestic Terminal (Terminal 4)
of the Manila International Airport


The Manila International Airport (officially known as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport or NAIA) has 4 terminals:

1. NAIA Terminal 1: the main international airport where foreign carriers land, except Nippon Air.
2. NAIA Terminal 2, or the Centennial Terminal: exclusively used by Philippine Airlines (both domestic and international flights)
3. NAIA Terminal 3: the newest terminal used by Cebu Pacific (both domestic and international flights), Air Philippines and Nippon Air
4. NAIA Terminal 4, or Domestic Terminal: the oldest terminal and the original international airport. It was built in 1948 and currently used by Zest Air and Southeast Asian Airlines (Seair). This is called by the locals as a the Domestic Airport.

Check out the website of the Manila International Airport Authority for detailed information.

See my post Manila International Airport: Location of Terminals for information on where the terminals are located in the city and their distances from each other.

These four (4) terminals share the same runway so when one airplane experiences a problem at the runway, all the other flights are affected. 

We used the Domestic Terminal in our flights to Bohol and Palawan. In a span of one year between those flights, the facilities have been upgraded.  

Here's a summary of the facilities of the Domestic Terminal as of April 2010:

1. Toilets

  • Additional toilets have been constructed. Instead of just 1 toilet for male and 1 toilet for female, a new set of toilets was constructed. So there are now 2 toilets for male and 2 toilets for female
  • There are now hand sanitizers in all the toilets.
  • Bathroom sprayers are also installed in the new toilets located on the left of the photo.
  • Toilets are religiously cleaned after every use.
2. Stores

Public payphone, Red Ribbon bakeshop and a drinks store
The drinks store and the cellphone loading store
The magazine/book store, Goldilocks bakeshop, Cinnabon, Vibes massage
    My tip: Bring your own food and drinks. The price of the food and drinks are around 70% more expensive than usual. Surprisingly, they allow water to be brought in beyond the secure area.

    3. Massage area
    •  shown on the right side of the photo above
    4. Laptop area
    • although there is no free wifi at the airport, there is a laptop station with a desk where you can place your laptop and charge it.
    5. Chapel

    6. Cellphone charging station and public pay phones

    7. Waiting area

    Airport Lounge
    Airport Lounge facing the gate













    • As I mentioned before, since there are only two airlines using this terminal, the waiting area does not become crowded. There are sufficient seats for everyone. 

    A Shorter Bohol Itinerary with Kids (3 days and 2 days)

    July 26, 2010


    A Shorter Bohol Itinerary with Kids 
    (3 days and 2 nights)
    (2 days and 1 night)

    As I have discussed in my previous post, I recommend that 5 days be given when visiting a major destination (see my 5-day itinerary). But if if it is not possible to spend 5 days in Bohol, here is my suggested itinerary for a 3-day and 2-day Bohol trip:

    My Tip:
    1. Don't get very early flights. The kids accompanying you will find it so tiring to wake up very early to go to the airport. It will defeat the purpose of having a vacation if the kids end up tired and grumpy. They will not be able to cope with the hectic itinerary of a 3-day or 2-day trips.
    2. The typical countryside tour of our tour guide Tatsky Cubero  is composed of twelve (12) sights and normally lasts 10 hours. If you have little time to stay in Bohol, I recommend that you take the tour on the day of your departure, before going to the airport. This means that you will not able to take the full 10 hours and will be forced to miss some sights. Below is a list of sights you shouldn't miss when you go to Bohol.
    • Chocolate Hills: to see the magnificent formation unique to Bohol; this is what Bohol is known for.
    • Tarsier Sanctuary: this mammal can only be seen in the Philippines and Indonesia; no one has ever successfully transported the Tarsier in other countries. The tarsier die during transport.
    • Baclayon Church: you see the importance of Bohol to the Spaniards during the Spanish period when you see the magnificence of this Church
    • Blood Compact Shrine: traditionally believed to be the location where the Blood Compact was held. The annual celebration of the province is held at this site.
    • Balicasag Island and Virgin Island: a separate tour from the countryside tour but should be on the must-see list. Balicasag Island is one of the best snorkeling sites in the Philippines and Virgin Island is made of fine and virgin white sand and is uninhabited.
    3. By taking the countryside tour on the day of your departure  from Bohol, you save on airport transfers. The countryside tour  rate includes pick-up from the resort and drop off at the airport after the tour.

    Suggested Itinerary for Three (3) Days
    Day 1
    Departure from Manila, Arrival at Panglao Island
         530am: wakeup
         6am: departure from the house
            -- see how to go to the Manila Domestic Airport
        8am: arrival at the Manila Domestic Airport
         9am: departure from manila
         1020am: arrival in Tagbilaran Airport
         12nn: lunch at Isis Thai Restaurant
         2pm: check-in at Isis Bungalows
         2pm onwards: bum around the beach
         7pm: dinner at Pyramid Resort

    Day 2
    Snorkeling at Balicasag Island, Visit Virgin Island
         7am: wakeup
         9am: pickup of boat to go to Balicasag Island
         --- tour guide contact numbers and rates
         10am: arrival at Balicasag island
         10am-12nn: snorkeling at Balicasag Island
         12nn-1pm: lunch at Balicasag Island
         1pm-2pm: Virgin Island
         3pm: back to resort; henna tattoo

         5pm: If this day falls on a Sunday, Mass at Panglao Church
    Day 3
    Departure from Tagbilaran, Countryside Tour, Arrival in Manila
         8am: pick up by tour guide, check-out of hotel
         330pm: arrival at Tagbilaran airport
         455pm: departure from Tagbilaran
         615pm: arrival in Manila

    Suggested Itinerary for Two (2) Days  
    Day 1
    Departure from Manila, Arrival at Panglao Island

         530am: wakeup
         6am: departure from the house
            -- see how to go to the Manila Domestic Airport
         8am: arrival at the Manila Domestic Airport
         9am: departure from manila
         1020am: arrival in Tagbilaran Airport
         12nn: lunch at Isis Thai Restaurant
         2pm: pickup of boat to go to Balicasag Island
         3pm: arrival at Balicasag island
         3pm-4pm: snorkeling at Balicasag Island    
         4pm-5pm: Virgin Island
         6pm: back to resort; 
         7pm: dinner at Pyramid Resort; get henna tattoo
    Day 2
    Departure from Tagbilaran, Countryside Tour, Arrival in Manila
         8am: pick up by tour guide, check-out of hotel
         330pm: arrival at Tagbilaran airport
         455pm: departure from Tagbilaran
         615pm: arrival in Manila

     

      

    Bohol Packing List

    July 11, 2010

    Bohol Packing List

    Adult Handcarry

    wallet
    • money
    • credit card used to purchase airline tickets
    • ATM cards 
    •  IDs: driver's license, school ID
    • plane tickets/email of ticket purchase: to be able to enter the airport
    emergency medicines
    • for travel sickness: bonamine
    • for fever and headache: paracetamol, ibuprofen
    • for stomach problems: kremil-s, imodium, buscopan
    • for allergy: claritin, virlix solution
    ballpen and notebook/paper
    itinerary
    digicam, handycam, battery, memory card, charger
    laptop, charger, internet plug it
    ipod, charger
    toilet paper
    hand sanitizer

    food: sandwich or cookies
    water
    jacket


    Kids' Handcarry
    • jacket for plane ride 
    • toy, book
    • cellphone, cellphone charger
    • ipod, ipod charger
    • glasses, extra glasses (in case your child wears glasses)
    • cap
    • travel journal/ small notebook with friends' address
    • ballpen
    • emergency money 
    • name tag/kid's ID tag 
    • tissue/wetones

    Check-in Luggage
    toilettries:
    • shampoo
    • soap
    • toothbrush
    • toothpaste
    • perfume, 
    • deodorant, cologne
    • gel, hairspray
    • hairbrush or comb
    clothes
    • underwear
    • shirt, blouse
    • shorts
    • pants
    • nightclothes
    • socks
    • hanky
    • swimsuit, sarong
    first aid and medicine kit
    • vitamins
    • or travel sickness: bonamine
    • for fever and headache: paracetamol, ibuprofen
    • for stomach problems: kremil-s, imodium, buscopan, hydrite
    • for allergy: claritin, virlix solution 
    • for colds: strepsils, cough and cold medicines
    •  bandaid, iodine, buds, thermometer 
    for swimming:
    •  sunblock
    •  goggles, floaters, beach toy
    • snorkel n mask
    • aqua shoes
    • underwater camera case
    • underwater plastic case for gadgets, cellphones, wallet
       
    off lotion
    powder detergent
    sponge
    collapsible cooler: in case you don't have a refrigerator in your room
    airbed and airpump
    plastic for wet clothes
    belt bag
    laundry bag

    shoes
    slippers

    St. Augustine Parish, Panglao, Bohol (known among the locals as Panglao Church)

    July 6, 2010


    St. Augustine Parish, Panglao, Bohol 
    (known among the locals as Panglao Church)
    The Facade of Panglao Church

    Mass Schedule:
    Sunday: 5pm
    No Saturday anticipated Mass
     
    Contact Number:
    038-5029193

    How to get there:
    1. From Alona beach, walk to the Main Road going to Rona's grocery. The tricycle terminal is just outside Rona's grocery. 

    You walk along Alona Beach until your reach this corner. This corner leads to the main road. Your landmark is the Tourist center at the corner of the main road

    This is the main road that leads to Rona's grocery where the tricycle terminal is located. The main road has many restaurants along the way. The Bank of the Philippine Islands is also found on this road.

    2. Ride the tricycle going to Panglao Church which takes around 10-15min. The tricycle charges P100 per way, good for 2 adults or 1 adult and 2 kids. It's expensive because only tourists ride the tricycle. The locals usually have their own motorcycles to transport themselves from one place to another

    My Tip: Arrange your return trip with the tricycle who brought you to Panglao Church. They are willing to wait for you till the Mass ends. 
    The tricycle
     Other photos inside the Church:



    Location Map:

      No. 42 is the Tourist Center and No. 28 is Rona's grocery. The provincial road going to the right is the road that leads to Panglao Church. Thanks a lot to jimspears.net for the very informative map. If you wish to download a printeable version, go to http://jimspears.net/alona/map.htm