Place: Punta Bay, Maribojoc, Bohol, Philippines

These kids are just about ready to take a dip at Punta Bay, Maribojoc, where the famous Punta Cruz watch tower is just nearby. The beach is okay for swimming and because waves can be bigger compared to the beaches in Panglao, it adds to the fun.

Little kids and toddlers may not like to get splashed over their heads though so they should just stay near the shore.

The beach is a bit rocky but the rocks are relatively smooth so they are not so much of a hassle.

Punta Bay is an alternative beach area with a smaller crowd because it is less known compared to the beaches in Panglao. I also suspect the reef area might be a good dive spot but haven’t tried diving there yet.

The swimming pool at the Bohol Tropics Resort in Tagbilaran City is one of the better designed and maintained in the city.

We spent an afternoon way back in June 2009 at this resort and the kids enjoyed it very much. There is a kiddie pool but the pool for adults have a large shallow area where kids can still jump about and have fun. Of course, they should be supervised all the time.

We didn’t mind the very bright sun at 2PM but we made sure to have enough sun block to avoid sun burn.

This resort is highly recommended for those who prefer to stay in the city and yet enjoy resort facilities. This allows tourists to have a wide array of choices for food entertainment while a quiet haven is just nearby.

Ermita Ruins is said to be a secondary burial site. In other words, the body of the deceased is buried somewhere else and is only transferred here when all that’s left are its bones. It is believed that the bones buried here are either of aristocrats or the Spanish clergies. Some locals say that these ruins were a resting place for the victims of an epidemic, which of which is still unknown.

Reasons for building such a structure, still remains unsure. And it has been recommended that the ruins be excavated, in order to unravel its mysterious past and to finally find answers to long-kept questions.

Punta Cruz is located along the shorelines of the town of Maribojoc, which is 14 kilometers away from the city proper. It is a tower built in the Spanish times to guard the land from pirates. The tower overlooks the Cebu Strait, Siquijor Sea, and Mindanao Sea thus providing a great view from incoming marauders.

Just across the tower is a wooden cross, which legend has it, protects the land since its arms are outstretched straight to the sea thus preventing pirates from invading.

Punta Cruz is now becoming one of the tourist attractions here in Bohol because of the new cottages located just beside it, to enjoy the beach just below. With a scenic view from the tower or cottages and the beach nearby, you will find Punta Cruz a lot better than the usual sights. Just remember to put on some slippers when swimming, that sea floor (mostly of rocks) can be teasing.

Sagbayan Peak is beginning to be a popular spot among tourists and sightseeing locals alike. From the few times that I’ve been there I can certainly see why. The place is reminiscent of the Chocolate Hills resort located in Carmen, a neighboring town, although more spacious and a whole lot less crowded, with ample parking space for your vehicles. From the resort’s parking lot, and upon registering at the entrance, a few steps leads one to the resort itself, which boasts of an in-house restaurant. Several wishing fountains abound around the place–a treat for the sentimental soul. There’s even a telescope around that’s very convenient if you want to look over the surroundings and gush at the lushness of the environment. But perhaps the resort’s primary attracton is its butterfly sanctuary. The sanctuary is home and habitat to numerous winged creatures of multi-colored variety and certainly makes one feel as if entering a whole new dimension. Leave the frazzled and busy modern world–get up close with nature instead. After all, the best way to spend one’s time in Sagbayan Peak is to just forget about it.

Sometimes the most ordinary places can hide a gem within. This can most certainly be said about the town of Loay, Bohol. Hidden within the heart of the town lie a cluster of diminutive and verdant hills called Himontagon Hills that are beginning to attract tourists of the sentimental and romantic sort. While not yet comparable at present to the famous Chocolate Hills in terms of popularity, the hills can boast of an ambiance that brings to the traveler a feeling of serenity and tranquility— a paradise away from the hussle and bustle of the city. A dirt road leading from the main highway brings you to the scene; the travel can be a bit bumpy along the way but the effort is truly worth it once you get to the place. The hills can be seen at their best during sunrise and sunset, when the intense orange-red glow of the sun fully illuminates the surroundings— a golden paradise indeed.

On my frequent travels around Bohol I have often passed through a snake-like road in Bilar town that the locals call “tinae sa manok” in the vernacular, or “chicken’s intestine”. Quite a funny name for a road that seems darkly forbidding at first, but if you’re a sucker for atmosphere then I highly recommend that you stop for a while if you ever pass through this place. The air around this place is very cold–so it’s recommendable that you bring along a sweater if you’re going to stop by–it sort of reminds you of Baguio or Tagaytay. The cool air is attributed to the tall, leafy trees that abound in the place. The trees do have a history: according to the stories, in the 1950’s a group of Boy Scouts gathered in the area and planted seedlings in the area in one of their reforestation projects. Five decades have passed and the trees have grown to be the same trees that abound along the sides of the road–a testament to their hard work.

If you want to be really isolated and away from it all, stay at La Estrella at Cabilao Island, Loon, Bohol. The resort has a great beach front and all you can hear is the waves splashing at the white sands on the beach. It is also has a dive shop where all your needs in order to dive or learn to dive are available. More details about La Estrella is available on their website.

They have one guest cottage which has the basic amenities except for a kitchen. The Schmockers like to treat guests as family and would have you join them for meals, so there’s no need to cook your own food. They also wash and iron your clothes which is pretty convenient. The guest cottage is overlooking the sea and offers a great view of the shore.

Bed and Breakfast can be as cheap as $10 per person. Add $5 and you have dinner included. Children up to 12 years of age enjoy $8/day rates. The Schmockers have a gallery of pictures which includes photos of the family and scenic views around their guest cottage, as well as some pictures around Bohol.

Built from the usual materials found in other old churches built by the Spanish colonizers, the church retains the classic look at the front facade. The increase in number of the faithful has made it necessary to expand the building at both sides to accomodate more church goers.From the inside, the church is both simple and majestic. Simple because the decorations are not as ornate as those found in Baclayon Church or that of the Sto. Nino Basilica in Cebut. Majestic because it inspires awe when you look up at the display of saints behind the altar. Weddings are grandest at the cathedral which would explain why it is not easy to get a reservation for the wedding schedules. Give yourself a year to reserve in order to be sure.

The church has a playground for the kids who prefer to frolic than stay quiet during holy mass. Parking can be a challenge during Sundays. The parish and the diocese have strong and well supported programs that encourage neighborhood associations to hold Sunday masses at their chapels as well as the formation of Basic Ecclesial Communities. The parish publication, the ‘Lantawan’ is published weekly on Sundays and is also available online at Auza.net/lantawan.