Island Hopping in Panglao, Bohol: Alona Beach, Dolphin Watching, Balicasag Island and Virgin Island

If you think that the province of Bohol is just about old churches, hills, tarsiers and all on land travels, well, better think again. As this province is also blessed by stunning beaches, rich marine life and incredible islands and islets. In fact, Panglao is an island in the southwest region of Bohol which is famous for island hopping activity. The island hopping covers a visit to Alona Beach, Balicasag Island and the Virgin Island. Along side, some of the activities you can do during island hopping are: dolphin-watching, fish feeding, snorkeling and of course swimming.

How to get there?

Going to Panglao - if you are coming from Tagbilaran airport you may ride a taxi to take you to Panglao. Taxi ride may costs you 500-600 Pesos. Or if you are in a tight budget, you may rent a tricycle which you can haggle for about 300 Pesos. Inform the driver to drop you at Alona beach as that will be your jump off point for this island hopping activity. Alona beach is a well known spot in Panglao so most of the drivers know where it is located. Island Hopping Tour - Once you've reach Alona beach, there are bunch of agents/boatmen which will approach you that offers island tour. Price ranges from 1800 - 2600 pesos depending on the season (off peak season is of course much cheaper than peak season). This is the time where you should use your haggling technique. 

You may contact Kuya Bernie for Panglao service and island hopping tour at 0999-929-8445. Tagbilaran to Panglao charge is 500 Pesos. Island Hopping Tour charge is 2,500 pesos. Both are at group expense and NOT per head.

With our bangkero

Alona Beach

The busy shore of Alona Beach

Just like what I've stated before, Alona Beach will be the starting point of your island hopping adventure. It is usually the area where you will be picked up by your boat. But aside from that, Alona beach is also a nice beach to for you to relax. Alona beach has this long shore which is characterized by creamy white sand. The water here is pretty clear which is perfect for swimming! There are also a lot of hotels along the shore as well as restaurants just in case you decided to stay a couple of days in Panglao.

Alona Beach during night time

Dolphin Watching

Trip start very early in the morning

Island hopping adventure in Panglao usually starts at 6 am or earlier and it is due to the dolphin watching activity included on most of the package. As per our boatmen, dolphins are only visible early in the morning. In fact, if you happen to see a dolphin around 8 am then you're one lucky person. So I strongly encourage you to wake up early and be there on time for you not to missed this activity.

However, although we we're on the right spot and time where dolphins are usually seen, we still had a hard time to see them. Our boat was sailing round and round hoping to see even a single dolphin. After sailing for almost 30minutes, thank God that He heard our prayers and wish that day! We're blessed because we did not only saw a single dolphin but we found a group of dolphins swimming along. Once we had them in sight, we started chasing them on different directions which is kind of crazy yet super fun and cool! They're even flipping in mid-air while we were tracking them which WOWs us! These creatures really swims fast. There are times that they're meters away from us and there are times where they're just right in front of our boat and seems like touring us in their habitat! Dolphins here are free which makes it fun to watch.

Finally! A group of dolphins show up!

Got lucky to have a shot like this

Balicasag Island

Right after our encounter with the dolphins we then head to our next destination, at Balicasag Island. From the dolphin watching area, we traveled for no more than 30 mins to reach Balicasag Island. The island is known for marine sanctuaries and with that, this site makes it a perfect place for snorkeling and fish feeding activities.

Hep! Hep! But before you can dive into the sanctuary, you have to settle first some fees:

• Small boat - 250 pesos/head (mandatory)
• Snorkels and goggles - 150 pesos/head (optional)
• Water shoes - 150 pesos/head (optional)
• Fins - 250 pesos/head (optional)
• Underwater camera - 1,000 (optional)

The small boat includes a boatman/guide which will take you to the sanctuary. I find the snorkeling gears too pricey so if you own these gears, I strongly recommend that you bring them with you so you don't have to rent from them.

Moving forward, as we alight and jump on the sanctuary, I was amazed on the different fishes I saw in the area! It exceed on what I expected to see because there are LOTS of fishes nesting in Balicasag Island. And if you're lucky enough, you might able to see turtles as well. Too bad we don't have underwater camera to document what we saw. (Soon: The pictures I am sharing for this section are from my officemate who also happened to visit Balicasag Island)

Virgin Island

Just enjoying the sun...

As for our final stop on this island hopping adventure, we visited Virgin Island. If Balicasag boasts its rich marine life, Virgin Island of Panglao is popular for its simplicity. Simple in a sense that the main attraction of this island is its long and narrow sandbar. Just prepare to be burn because there isn't much shade in this island. Who cares anyway? Just enjoy your island escapade!

The long sandbar of this island

Hahaha... Trying out some dancing pose here

To sum up my experience, it has been a great trip to see the other side of Bohol. Island hopping in Panglao is a really must try activity when visiting the province of Bohol. It was worth the penny and time. Just don't forget to bring your snorkeling gears in case you have them. It will surely save you and your pocket! Haha


Breakdown of Expenses:
Island hopping tour - 2,500 Pesos/good for 6 pax
Small boat at Balicasag Island - 250 pesos/head (mandatory)
Snorkels and goggles - 150 pesos/head (optional)
Water shoes - 150 pesos/head (optional)
Fins - 250 pesos/head (optional)
Underwater camera - 1,000 (optional)
Food - **.**

A Quick Getaway to Sky Ranch, Tagaytay

It's been years since I last visited an amusement park. I'm not fond of leisure parks but I enjoy seeing those humongous machines which can carry 20 or more people. Well maybe because I think I'm already too old for it. But just recently, I was able to spend time on one of the famous amusement park to Ma�ilenos. Nonetheless, the Sky Ranch -- which is found in the cool and chill town of Tagaytay.

How to get there?
Sky Ranch is a famous spot to Ma�ilenos because it does not only offer fun rides but also because it is very accessible. In fact, it is just one bus ride away if you'll be taking the bus terminal at Coastal Mall in Para�aque. Just take the route going to Tagaytay or Batangas and just ask the bus conductor to drop you off at Sky Ranch. And yes, this amusement park is just along the way. That is why it is hard to missed out.

Sky Ranch is a 5-hectare leisure park which has no more than 20 rides. I consider most of the rides here to be child-friendly. Rides such as the Express train, Bubble-O-Fun, Grand Carousel and more. Sky Eye is also found in Sky Ranch which is dubbed as the tallest ferris wheel in the Philippines. Cost of rides ranges from 50 PhP to 500 PhP depending on the ride's extremity. And by the way, there is an entrance fee to Sky Ranch:

80.00 PhP � Weekdays (Mondays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
100.00 PhP � Saturday, Sunday and Holidays (8 a.m. to 10 p.m.)

I want to try this... if only I was still a kid

Test your fear of heights 

The famous Sky Eye of Sky Ranch

If you have a car, parking will not be a problem as Sky Ranch has a wide parking lot. Parking rates are 30 PhP for bicycles, 50 PhP for cars and 150 PhP for buses. Other amenities includes Gazebos for rent, comfort rooms, clinic / breastfeeding station and souvenir shops.

Souvenir shops and pasalubong centers

I love the view from here

Overall, my experience in Sky Ranch was just fair and nothing magical. But I will not say I didn't enjoyed it because I still did. If you have kids I recommend that you bring them to Sky Ranch. Your kids will surely love and enjoy the rides in this amusement park. And as for you, adults, just enjoy the view and the cool breeze of Tagaytay.

A 180 degree view from Sky Ranch view deck

Note: Do not worry about the food. There are restaurants near the entrance of Sky Ranch. And remember you're in Tagaytay, there are bunch of diners and eateries all over the town which serves great food! 

Tottori: 1-Day Itinerary

We did a day trip to Tottori and it was more fun than we expected. At the tourist centre at JR Tottori Station, you can rent a taxi for 3 hours for 1000 yen per person if you show a foreign passport. It says that you should reserve ahead of time to guarantee a driver but it is possible to just walk-in.

We didn't need the taxi to get around but we thought we would try our luck. When we entered, there was a group of tourists who were travelling together and the employees at the tourist centre were so occupied with them that they did not even regard us. Until I asked where the queue actually was (since everyone was standing in clumps), did someone talk to me. His answer was, "We can't help you right now, we're very busy. Please just wait."

Tottori Sand Dunes

After waiting a few more minutes and not seeing any progress, we grabbed a few maps and left. Most importantly, we got a copy of the Loop Kirinjishi Bus schedule which stops at most of the sightseeing spots in Tottori. A day pass cost 600 yen per person.

Entrance to Tottori Sand Museum

There was a station just outside the JR station and we took it to the Tottori Sand Museum. It cost 600 yen to enter and is only open April to early January of each year because January through March/April is when they build the structures for next year's display.

The theme for this year was Germany and there were many symbolic sand structures from German castles to Einstein to Brother Grimm stories. I recognized Neuschwanstein Castle which I had the fortune of visiting this past June. Each work of art was detailed and amazing to look at. Be sure to go up to the second floor so you can see the work in its entirety because on the ground level you miss some of the details that you're not tall enough to see.

Featuring Neuschwanstein Castle in the middle

Next, it was a short walk from the sand museum to the famous Tottori Sand Dunes. There were camel rides here but most people opted to walk. I was glad I went in autumn because I cannot even imagine how hot it would be in the summer. It was quite difficult to walk up the steep slope to see the Sea of Japan because you'd slide back half a step every time you took a step forward. But the view was well worth it!

On this sunny day, the breeze from the sea cooled us down as the warm sun reflected off the sand. It was as if the sand dune was a gigantic beach when it was viewed next to the Sea of Japan. It was gorgeous!

Camels

Looking out to the Sea of Japan

Sea of Japan and Tottori Sand Dunes

Our last stop of the day was to Karo Port. There was a seafood market, crab museum, supermarket and restaurants there. We ate kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) for lunch and it tasted pretty fresh.

Kaisendon

From the port back to the JR station, it was less than half an hour bus ride. The bus is pretty convenient if you time it right because it does not come that often but it does go to the places you would want to visit.

Shikoku 3-Day Itinerary: Day Three

Read Day 1 here - Uzu no michi, Mount Bizan
Read Day 2 here - Iya Valley, Oboke Gorge
Read Day 3 here - Kochi Castle, Ritsurin Garden

We got into Kochi (??) in the evening last night but the morning of day three, we noticed that the temperature was warmer than Tokushima which was not that far more north. We didn't have much time today as it would be a long journey back to our town so we did not get to explore Kochi as well as we would like.

Kochi Castle

We took the tram from Kochi Station to go to Kochi Castle (200 yen). The tram went to Harimaya Bridge, then we had to hop off and transfer to another tram which took us to Kochi Castle. The castle opened at 9am and we were there about 10 minutes before so it was quiet and relaxing. Entrance to the castle cost 420 yen and there were some displays inside. At the top of a few flights of stairs was a panoramic view of Kochi city. This is the fourth Japanese castle I have been to after the ones in Himeji, Nagoya and Matsuyama. Unfortunately I would have to rank Kochi Castle as number four.

Displays inside Kochi Castle

Model of Kochi Castle

Panoramic view from Kochi Castle

Instead of taking the tram back, we walked back under the arcades (covered shopping streets). We passed by Hirume Market (?????) which had an assortment of food goods. I found a kinken shop (??????) nearby which is a discount ticket shop and bought my train ticket from Kochi Station to Takamatsu Station (3050 yen).

Taking the 11:13am train to Takamatsu Station (??), we arrived at 1:32pm. We hopped onto another train (210 yen) that departed at 1:40pm for Ritsurinkoen kita-guchi Station (???????). This latter train only comes every half an hour. The ride to Ritsurin Koen/Garden was only 5 minutes and it was another few minutes walk to the north entrance of the garden. Entrance fee was 420 yen each.

Koi at Ritsurin Garden

Tranquility at Ritsurin Garden

Boat ride at Ritsurin Garden

The garden was beautifully trimmed and the abundance of koi fish in the water brought colour to the otherwise largely green garden. Sunlight filtered through the leaves and made the green glitter. I really experienced what the Japanese call komorebi (????) here. It's a great place to slow down your footsteps and collect your thoughts.

Walking back to Takamatsu Station took about 40 minutes and there was a long shopping arcade on the way. Again I bought my train ticket from Takamatsu Station to Okayama Station (??) at a discount shop and it cost 1320 yen. We took the 3:40pm train to Okayama Station and the journey was about an hour.

Okayama Castle

We took a tram from Okayama Station to Shiroshita stop (100 yen) which was only a few stops away. From Shiroshita, it was about a 10 minute walk to Okayama Castle. We saw it from the outside because it was closed by the time we were there.

That is the end of our Shikoku trip and we even managed to fit one sightseeing spot from Okayama in the end. From Okayama you can take the Shinkansen or train to wherever is next on your Japan journey.

Read Day 1 here - Uzu no michi, Mount Bizan
Read Day 2 here - Iya Valley, Oboke Gorge
Read Day 3 here - Kochi Castle, Ritsurin Garden

Shikoku 3-Day Itinerary: Day Two

Read Day 1 here - Uzu no michi, Mount Bizan
Read Day 2 here - Iya Valley, Oboke Gorge
Read Day 3 here - Kochi Castle, Ritsurin Garden

For day two of our trip, we headed to another part of Tokushima Prefecture (???).  Yesterday when we arrived at JR Tokushima Station, we went to the travel agency located there and asked about tours for Iya Valley and Oboke Gorge. She recommended the Bonnet Bus tour. I found the Bonnet Bus tour online prior to the trip but since it required telephone reservation and I didn't have enough Japanese to communicate, I didn't make the call. The travel agent called and made reservations for us and we paid her on the spot. It was 7500 yen for an almost 6 hour tour including lunch. 

Bonnet Bus

The All Shikoku Rail Pass can also be purchased there for 6300 yen for 2 days of unlimited JR rides in Shikoku. It even allows rides up to Okayama for when you leave Shikoku. 

JR Tokushima station

In the morning of day two, we took the 9am train from Tokushima Station to Awa-ikeda Station (????). We arrived at around 10:15am and waited until 10:40am for the tour to begin. There were about 20 people in the tour and half were foreign tourists while the other half were Japanese. The tour itself was mostly in Japanese but they gave us a poster in English at the beginning so at least we knew the names of the places we were going to. The language barrier wasn't a huge problem as long as you knew how to tell time in Japanese so you can understand when the guide wants you back on the bus.

The bus was a small and old vehicle but it zipped through the narrow, often single-lane, mountains roads. In mid-October, the weather forecast said low 20C in the afternoon but it was much colder in the mountains so dress warmly! 

Iya Valley

Peeing boy statue

A 40 minute drive took us to the first stop, which was the statue of a peeing boy overlooking Iya Valley (????). Some parts of the tour had English recordings playing over the loudspeaker to explain the sights. I didn't quite catch the story behind this statue but in any case, it was quite amusing to see the placement of this statue. The valley was very deep from our height up in the mountain and that itself was great.

Lunch

The next stop was already lunch. I was expecting a simple meal because it was included in the tour fee but it was actually a nice meal in a restaurant overlooking the valley. We were served soba noodles, a grilled fish, rice, miso soup and an assortment of other side dishes. I was very full at the end of the meal. 

Kazurabashi

After a short drive, we arrived at Kazurabashi (????). The bridge was 45 metres long over the Iya River. I have been to a few other suspension bridges before but this one was pretty special. It didn't sway especially dangerously but the floor boards were wide apart such that my small feet could easily slip through. As well, it looked like the bridge was only held up by vine and some pieces of wood (I sure hope there was more reinforcement underneath!) 

Walking on Kazurabashi

Vines that held up the bridge

The Heike Folk Museum was next and it was a traditional Japanese house with different old items inside from baskets to money. Then we went to a rest area in Oboke (???) and a monster greeted us as we alighted the bus. The rest area had a monster mansion and since it was the month of Halloween, they had staff in costume roaming the area and also costumes for kids to wear and take photos in. 

Monster!

The last stop of the tour was a boat cruise down Yoshino River in Oboke. This was the first time where I had to take off my shoes to ride a boat. The floor of the boat was matted and we took off our shoes at the bow before sitting down. The ride was leisurely and we rode in a calm part of the river where the guide pointed out at rocks that resembled animals on the way. He did so in Japanese and none of the rocks looked particularly like animals to me so I didn't know what animals they were supposed to represent.

Yoshino River

Boat ride

Observing interesting rocks

We were driven back to JR Awa-ikeda Station by 4pm. Overall I think this tour was pretty worthwhile because it would have been difficult navigating the large area via public bus. As well, all the places we went to, except for the rest area, required admission fee and the tour fee included all of those plus a good lunch.

We took the 4:30pm train from Awa-ikeda Station to Kochi Station (??). The ride was about 75 minutes and cost 2820 yen.

Read Day 1 here - Uzu no michi, Mount Bizan
Read Day 2 here - Iya Valley, Oboke Gorge
Read Day 3 here - Kochi Castle, Ritsurin Garden

Shikoku 3-Day Itinerary: Day One

Read Day 1 here - Uzu no michi, Mount Bizan
Read Day 2 here - Iya Valley, Oboke Gorge
Read Day 3 here - Kochi Castle, Ritsurin Garden

We were able to explore three prefectures in Shikoku (??) over three days. Shikoku is one of the four main islands of Japan. Departing from Sannomiya Station in Kobe, we took a bus to Naruto koenguchi (?????) where the whirlpools are. We took Shinki Bus which took 78 minutes and cost 2280 yen one way for advance purchase at the conbini.

Naruto Bridge

The bus dropped us off by 10:15am and a lady at the tourist booth told us that the next tidal change was at 11:30am. Since we had more than an hour to wait, we opted for the promotion which was 900 yen for entrance to the museum and Uzu no michi. The museum was small but informative about the whirlpools and famous bridges in Japan and around the world.

Interactive parts of the museum

Uzu no michi (???) was a walkway under the Naruto Bridge and had glass flooring so tourists can see the whirlpool in action below. I was mesmerized as the water swirled stronger and stronger as it approached 11:30am. The colour was a bright blue mixed with navy and pictures did not do it justice. I have heard that some people were disappointed by the Naruto Whirlpools but I think that it is just important to check the high and low tide times of each day to see them at their height of action.

Uzu no michi

Whirlpools forming under my feet

Uzu no michi

A short walk away from the bridge, down a flight of stairs behind the museum was the bus stop for heading to Tokushima (??). The ride took a little over an hour and cost 710 yen one way.

After dropping our things off at our hotel in Tokushima, we headed to Mount Bizan (??) with the intention of riding the ropeway up to see the sunset and night view (1200 yen round trip). However, there happened to be an anime festival that weekend and the queue for the ropeway was at least 1.5 hours long because there was an event on Mount Bizan.

On the hike up Mount Bizan

View of Tokushima City from Mount Bizan

Instead of waiting, we opted to hike up the mountain. It took about 45 minutes and most of the trail were rocks or tree roots. Only the beginning and end of the trail had proper stairs. I actually preferred the rocky trail because it was less tiring than stairs.

Sunset from Mount Bizan

The view at the top was great! We could see far out into the city and the sunset were gorgeous shades of crimson and orange descending behind the shadowy mountains. The queue going down the mountain was pretty long as well so we began our hike down before nightfall since it was not lit. We did not get to see the the night view but the beautiful sunset made up for it.

Read Day 1 here - Uzu no michi, Mount Bizan
Read Day 2 here - Iya Valley, Oboke Gorge
Read Day 3 here - Kochi Castle, Ritsurin Garden