Balicasag???

The look of the island from a far.

We took a motorized native canoe (bangka) to reach this place after the dolphin chase to fill our empty stomach, and I'm sorry that I have to rate this island, and I'll give it a 5 for the these reasons:

1. The only thing you can do when you arrive is to snorkel, and guess what?, their public snorkeling area is so alreeeaaady exploited!!! It is not well taken cared of. The sanctuary- which was on the right side of the island was so over-the-top-reserved that they do not allow anyone to take a peek at it. They have sea-police! Yes, I appreciate the cause, but we travel all the way here and get nothing but exploited view. My point is, set sanctuary rules, set fees, whatever it takes to protect it because that is what we came here for. I am sure tourist won't mind handing out a few penny just to try what the island has to offer, right?...:] Other than the steep cliff at the edge of the snorkeling area that made my heart jolt for fear of heights- but under water. I don't know if that exist though...hehehe the snorkeling part was not that memorable.

Arrived at the island.

2. The person that we ask about the Turtle Point in the island was not very thrilled to answer our question. He says "the turtles does not show often" and then walk away with disinterest. I was like, seriously?

Nonetheless, we still saw the brighter side. Here is what we got...hehehe

Hey! I got patrick with me.

Don't freak out guys, I released the poor starfish after getting this picture...hehe

Jumpers we are so not...wiiih!

Getting the summer tan after snorkeling...not bad eh?!

Clear blue sky.

3. Before arriving the island, you can see for a far the tower. We asked if we can hike and then climbed it, but very disappointed to hear that they closed it because some tourist have vandalized the tower- tsk tsk tsk. Unfortunate us, I guess. Aside from our friend Will who took the courage to see the tower even with the notice....hehe

Starting line.

He got this far!..hehe

They didn't come with us for the snorkeling. They took a tour on the entire island instead...looks like they had fun too.

I later known that there is a dive resort in the island as well. It is kind of private and they have a different port on the other side of the island. This island is also a diving area. We didn't even know that- exactly my point. I guess the tour guide is the culprit here...hehehe Anyway, let's move on coz we are still on for the best place ever!!! There is no time for a bad mood here, right?...xoxo

For Balicasag Island, this is what I got....hehe

Next stop: The best ever!!!

Photos by : Bill Ablong

The chase!

After watching the documentary movie The Cove, I was thinking why would they do such a thing to a defenseless and wonderful creature. I also though they might all be captured, and that I need to at least see one, silly me!!! So as I check into the packages, my first choice is the Danao Extreme Adventure, but as I browse through the packages, I saw the Dolphin Watching, the movie flashed back and I knew my heart belonged to it. Since we are in Bohol for the ICON, might as well grab the opportunity to see them first hand.....:]

Waking up at 4:00 AM is not such a bad idea after seeing this uh-mazing amazing sunrise from Alona Beach Resort!!!.

mwah!

The same crew going for a dolphin watching!...We are so break of dawn-ers...hehehe

And so we sail..and sail....and sail...

We waited for them to show up like for two hours! We are feeling very sleepy. Others might have actually slept through the ride...:P

It took patience before seeing these:

I couldn't stop from saying WOW!!!. I'm being a kid again....hehe

Having said that, the sacrifice paid off. They are wonderful. It's just that, it was not a dolphin watching, it was  a dolphin chasing!! so go figure how we got this shot. We need to actually be silent on some moments of the trip so that they will show up. Chase them again so that we can take a closer look, and then they are gone again. Wait and then chase again. It was exhausting but at the same time exciting. They are actually wild dolphins, they do not recognize the fishermen who take tourist for the watch. They just pass by every morning anywhere on that part of the sea, and so as to enjoy the ride, we need to be taken off for a chase, which made the trip challenging and exciting. Not the way I expected, but I must say, those under water creatures took my heart away...:]

Happy campers we are!...hehe

This chase taught me a lot of things, perseverance, patience, and love- for the wild life that is. I also though I was not there merely for the chase, I was there for a purpose. I was there to see them so that I can help protect them in my own simple ways. They should be protected, and that we humans have all the means to do so. I mean, they have the right to live and enjoy their home- we should protect the sea! We can do it!...There is a campaign to help protect them on this website (here). I'm thinking, we should be aware, right?..xoxo!

Next stop..guess where?..hehe
Photos by: Bill Ablong.

I set foot in Panglao Island!

Your Bohol trip would never be complete if you are not to take a side trip to the ever famous Panglao Island. 20 minutes and you're there. The white sand as well as their clear-turned-green-bluish water is enchanting!!! We are blessed to see the sunset and sunrise in Panglao. The view from a far is breathtaking and romantic...hehe I wish I can wrap it all around, and put the whole scenery in my pocket and take it with me wherever I go...(sigh) hehe...but these photos would be enough...:)

I would like you guys to meet my most favorite people in the world....:]

Ready to indulge ourselves to the summer sun!..hehe

Why of course be at Bohol Beach Club!

I'm thinking, I need to walk barefoot to exactly feel the white sand as well as the amazing-ness of the place...hehe

And so it is....:]

I just love the whole experience, I can still vividly remember how I felt while I was there. It's wonderful, but you may asked where we ate. Let me show you....hehe

One of my favorites....yum yum!

We found this affordable resort just right next to Bohol Beach Club called Dumaluan Beach Resort. If you are in Panglao and you are craving for those kinds of food, try Dumaluan. Its grilled-delicious and the price is reasonable!!!.

I have a confession to make, I take shells whenever I left a certain place or resort...umm, I don't want to spend so much on island souvenirs, instead I take shells, and let me tell you , I can remember where each shell came from, it's crazy!..hehe I have a lot of it in my aquarium...strange right?...hehe These are the pieces I got from Panglao...hehe

 We also went to Alona Beach. I think this is located at the other side of Panglao.Take a look.

Now, why I went to Alona? hmm...well lets just say the Panglao side trip is like a tip of the iceberg in the sea. The next couple of post are from my Bohol Escape. I'll keep you hanging for now...haha..TTFN...xoxo!

Bye for now, Joen!

Sometime in your life you'll get to know a person who'll make you say "for real?" First glance, you'd be clueless. It actually took a lot of time knowing this person, and every time a puzzle about him is known, you'd be like, "really?", "weh?", "for real?"...He is a bit private, and he might kill me if I'll start telling you guys about him...hehehe So now, he's going overseas for training, some studies, and some research maybe, so we had his thanksgiving and going away party at Sidlakang Negros Village.

The place.

The food. Yum yum!

The celebrant. The men in black...hehe He just won a gigantic shell for making it abroad...haha.

The well-wishers:

He flies Manila and Bacolod like it's just a neighbor away, and he does it almost twice a week!!!- the mere thinking of it is unbelievably stressful, but he says it's fine. He loves his job more than anything maybe....heheh, but mind you, he makes sure he attends to every badminton game, prayer meetings, fellowships, and community gatherings. He rarely sleeps in short..hehehe He never failed a single pasalubong as well..hehe...lucky us...:)

Joeny for Panagbenga Festival.

Joeny on Panglao Island.

Joeny for their very own Dinagsa Festival.

Joney for a nature trip in Kawasan Falls.

Joeny at Manila Ocean Park.

Having fun in Makati.

He shall return to Leyte.

Taking his time at Sumilon Island.

Wrote his name on the sand of Dakak.

Praising at any weather condition at Bantayan Island for the SFC Island Conference.

And a lot more. I'll have his page bombarded if I'll post everything...hehehe This foot is surely going places, and this man certainly knows how to work and play.

Bon Vogage Joen!!..you will be missed by the WiFi group. Promise well behave.. :D Bring something when you come back...Enjoy the spring, keep safe, and God bless too...xoxo!