DOT Announces 3rd Leg of Phil. Kayaking Series 2009

Following the successful first two parts of the Philippine Kayaking Series 2009, Kayak Explore Hundred Islands and Kayak Explore Cavite-Corregidor-Bataan, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is urging all kayak enthusiasts and novices to join the 3rd leg of the series which will be held in Cebu and Bohol on December 4-6, 2009.

Entitled Kayak Explore Cebu-Bohol crossing, the 3rd run will follow the route of Mactan Island to Bohol, where paddlers will cross the 125-km scenic route passing through a motley of islets, coves, mangroves and river deltas.  The DOT together with the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC) is supporting the event.

“We have 7,107 islands, with infinite possibilities for kayaking adventure.  Exploring the span of our clear waters surely opens travelers to the unique splendor of our country,” said Ace Durano, Secretary of Tourism.

 
The tourism chief also commended different sectors for their active participation in boosting the eco-adventure package, “The Philippines can undoubtedly become the Kayaking Capital of Southeast Asia with these overwhelming support from the private sector and local communities.”

Eduardo Jarque Jr., Tourism Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions highlighted the country’s bountiful natural waterways, “This unique eco-adventure allows tourists inside secret coves, inlets, channels that lead to stunning views of our mangrove forests, limestone cliffs, unspoiled coastlines and other exciting mysteries around our islands.”

The Caramoan Peninsula offers a view of limestones, rugged coastlines, and white sand-ringed islands, complemented by a stunning view of underwater marine life by snorkeling around shallow waters.

 
For the high-spending market, the DOT offers Luxury Kayaking in Palawan.  Known for its idyllic beaches, lagoons and caves, Palawan enjoins travelers to kayak in El Nido and Coron.

 
Cebu draws attention to paddling in Hilutungan Island and Marine Sanctuary, Sulpa Island, Olango Island and Mactan Island for moonlight kayaking.

Travelogue XXIII: VISMIN TOUR 3rd LEG-Bohol Part V

The next series of travelogues that  I will be sharing with you consist of three weeks worth of vacation,  touring parts of Visayas and Mindanao two summers ago.  This was the time when both of us were able to scrimp the P40,000 we saved up for this adventure and learned the art of backpacking by experience. I’ve already posted the first and second legs of our trip (Cebu and Dumaguete) and Parts I-IV of our Bohol trip. Now, let’s check out Bohol PART V. Come, join us in our journey and explore the beauty of our country. Maybe next time, we can do a backpack tour of Asia and Europe as well. *crossing our fingers now*

~~~oOo~~~

 Peter: We found this adorable dog following us while finding a place to eat… Isn’t he cute? 

On our last day in Bohol, we just simply enjoyed the remainder of our time at Alona Beach. Lunch was simple in one of their many beach canteens.

 Wouldn’t you love to live in a place as beautiful as this beach?

Then, we again walked the long stretch of its fine white sand, only this time, we headed to the opposite direction. We passed by the nice beach front of Alona Palms, which was full of coconut trees, thus, its name. Farther ahead is another resort situated at the end of this stretch. Its beach has a rocky profile and that is where we stayed for a while, playing in the water and the boulders of rocks. 

Jen: That house behind me looks ok enough for me! Peter: As long as it’s near the sea, I don’t mind.

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Travelogue XXIII: VISMIN TOUR 3rd LEG-Bohol Part IV

The next series of travelogues that  I will be sharing with you consist of three weeks worth of vacation,  touring parts of Visayas and Mindanao two summers ago.  This was the time when both of us were able to scrimp the P40,000 we saved up for this adventure and learned the art of backpacking by experience. I’ve already posted the first and second legs of our trip (Cebu and Dumaguete). Now, let’s check out Bohol PART IV. Come, join us on our journey and explore the beauty of our country. Maybe next time, we can do a backpack tour of Asia and Europe as well. *crossing our fingers now*

~~~oOo~~~

On the last day of our Bohol adventure tour, Peter and I woke up as early as 6am in order to catch the 7am boat which we rented for island hopping that morning. The half day P900 boat ride brought us to two islands: Balicasag and Virgin. Crossing the semi-wavy waters of Panglao on that cloudy morning was quite refreshing. I was a bit worried though that if the sun won’t shine soon, Peter & I might not be able to enjoy this island hopping trip. Thank God, the sun did show its face upon our arrival on the first island, Balicasag, and boy, what spectacular sights we saw!

Click here to see more of Balicasag Island in Bohol.

Travelogue XXIII: VISMIN TOUR 3rd LEG-Bohol Part III

The next series of travelogues that  I will be sharing with you consist of three weeks worth of vacation,  touring parts of Visayas and Mindanao two summers ago.  This was the time when both of us were able to scrimp the P40,000 we saved up for this adventure and learned the art of backpacking by experience. I’ve already posted the first and second legs of our trip (Cebu and Dumaguete). Now, let’s check out Bohol PART III. Come, join us on our journey and explore the beauty of our country. Maybe next time, we can do a backpack tour of Asia and Europe as well. *crossing our fingers now*

 ~~~oOo~~~

Arrival at Alona Kew… waiting for the reception staff to process our payment 

This is theview that greets us everytime we go out of our cottage…
 

In the afternoon, after our trip to the different tourist spots in Bohol, we transfered to a bigger resort along Alona in Panglao — Alona Kew White Beach Resort. Our contact person there was a man named Noli (09205566597) who took care of us the whole time we were there. Even their front desk staff was very kind and accommodating (038-50290).

 Noli showed us the rest of the resort… This is our “love nest”… We later on moved our beds together.

We stayed there for three days and 2 nights before moving on to another destination.  Alona Kew is stationed right along Alona Beach where a lot of other resorts are stretched out. What’s good about this resort is that you get to have a homey feel to it. They have a lot of cottages available of varying sizes, depending on the number of people who will be staying per soom. In the middle of the resort, they have a huge swimming pool where you can swim and frolick, even at night, if you don’t want to stay by the beach. They also have a restaurant where you can order delectable  Pinoy food  at reasonable prices. And if you try to explore the streets at the back of the resort, there are convenience stores lined up that sells groceries, beach products and what-nots. You’ll never run out of stuff for your various needs.

This is the view of Alona Kew Restaurant from the back which is just beside numerous grocery shops…..         

Let me show you how beautiful this resort is…

Hiking to get to the swimming pool area sure did help us burn some calories! 

Almost there!Huff! Huff!

 At the top at last, where the swimming pool area is located…Whew!
 

Our agenda included swimming, snorkeling, exploring the beach and other nearby resorts, looking at the houses being built along the beach in the hopes that we get to build one as well, incorporating the various architectural styles we’ve seen. We also did a whole day of island hopping but I’ll show you that on another day, and of course, eat, eat and eat!

 We walked along the beach and saw different resthouses being built (mostly owned by Swiss nationals)

Peter liked the style of the house behind him… 

But I liked the one behind me better. It has a  modern Grecian feel to it, don’t you think?

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Travelogue XXIII: VISMIN TOUR 3rd LEG-Bohol Part II

The next series of travelogues that  I will be sharing with you consist of three weeks worth of vacation,  touring parts of Visayas and Mindanao two summers ago.  This was the time when both of us were able to scrimp the P40,000 we saved up for this adventure and learned the art of backpacking by experience. I’ve already posted the first and second legs of our trip (Cebu and Dumaguete). Now, let’s check out Bohol PART II. Come, join us on our journey and explore the beauty of our country. Maybe next time, we can do a backpack tour of Asia and Europe as well. *crossing our fingers now*

~~~oOo~~~

Early the next morning, the tricycle driver who drove us to Calypso was also the one who picked us from the resort and drove us to all the beautiful sites around Bohol. Yes, the drive was quite slow but we were in no hurry anyway and we only paid him P1000 for it. Furthermore, Bohol was so clean then and the air was so fresh. We might as well enjoy it, right? Anyway, these were the places we visited:

Blood Compact Site

Old Baclayon Church and Museum

They didn’t allow us to bring our cameras inside the musem. When we got in, it was no wonder. There really weren’t anything spectacular inside… just a bunch of old stuff like vintage priest clothes, linens and other garments, statues of saints, etc.  

 We passed by the Man-Made Forest while on our way to Chocolate Hills.

 
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Travelogue XXIII: VISMIN TOUR 3rd LEG-Bohol Part I

The next series of travelogues that  I will be sharing with you consist of three weeks worth of vacation,  touring parts of Visayas and Mindanao two summers ago.  This was the time when both of us were able to scrimp the P40,000 we saved up for this adventure and learned the art of backpacking by experience. I’ve already posted the first and second legs of our trip (Cebu and Dumaguete). Now, let’s check out Bohol PART I. Come, join us on our journey and explore the beauty of our country. Maybe next time, we can do a backpack tour of Asia and Europe as well. *crossing our fingers now*

~~~oOo~~~

Enjoying our Supercat ride… 

Click to read more about our Bohol adventure.