I’ve noticed that most travelers nowadays travel solo or with friends/acquaintances who have similar age and interests. There’s nothing wrong with that but I think it’s also best to share the same activity with parents or family [if we can (financially) and while they can (physically)]. If you know someone or if you are planning for a worthwhile activity that you can cherish all your life, why not treat parents/family once in a while and create beautiful and long-lasting memories.
In this blog, let me share about how I organized a spectacular travel with a goal of honoring parents through this worthwhile trip. Here, I will talk about it in three parts–PART 1, The Profile of Travelers, PART 2 – The 5-Day Itinerary, and PART 3-Where to Stay. All of these are only based on my research and actual experience. So let’s get started!
Part 1 | THE PROFILE OF TRAVELERS
| No. of Travel Planner | 1 budget traveler |
| Total No. of Travelers | 4 |
| Age | 25-60 |
| Point of Origin | Baguio City (6-8hrs to Manila) & Nueva Ecija (4hrs to Manila) |
| Destination | Cebu->Bohol->Negros Oriental |
| No. of Days | 5 days of adventure; 2 days travel time |
| Remarks | Parent 1: First Plane Ride Parent 2: First Domestic Flight Sibling: First Plane Ride |
| Parent 1: No previous adventure Parent 2: Limited physical activities in the past few months 10% swimming skills |
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| FIRST TIME IN CEBU, BOHOL & NEGROS ORIENTAL | |
| Goal | To honor parents with a special trip by showing them how beautiful Philippines is (while they can walk and run) 🙂
I only have limited resources but with a good plan, I worked and saved up for this. Hence, there’s no excuse for me not to let them experience it in 2017. |
Part 2 | THE 5-DAY ITINERARY
Here is a summary of our DIY itinerary to Bohol+Cebu+Negros Oriental, Philippines. A travel full of wonderful memories. I have saved some videos to keep myself reminded how beautiful it is to spend quality time with family.
DAY 0
Travel time (Baguio/Nueva Ecija–> NAIA–>Cebu)
DAY 1
- Bohol Part 1 (Countryside Tour)
Click here to Watch Bohol Country Side Tour
Travel Highlights:
Blood Compact Site, Baclayon Church, Loboc River Cruise, Chocolate Hills, Tarsier Breeding Area, ATV Ride, Dumaluan White Beach
Means of Transportation:
Van Rental (Actual): Php2300
Contact: Cresente “Cris” Balaba 0920-885-3635
Itinerary:
Tagbilaran Port–>Blood Compact Site –>Baclayon Church–> Loboc River–> Tarsier Breeding Area–> Chocolate Hills–> ATV Ride–> Ship Haus–> Dumaluan White Beach–> Hennan Resort-Alona Beach–>Henann Beach Resort (Alona Beach)
DAY 2
- Bohol Part 2 (Hennan Resort–Alona Beach)
Travel Highlights:
Henann Resort/Alona Beach
Means of Transportation:
Van Rental (Hotel to Tagbilaran Port): Php600
Contact: Cresente “Cris” Balaba 0920-885-3635
Itinerary:
Hotel –> Tagbilaran Port–>Argao–>Tanawan
DAY 3
- Cebu Part 1 (Oslob Whale Shark Watching)
Click here to Watch Oslob Whale Shark Watching
- Cebu Part 2 (Sumilon Island)
Click here to Watch our Sumilon Island Travel Highlight
- Cebu Part 3 (Binalayan Hidden Falls in Samboan)
Click here to Watch Binalayan Hidden Falls
Travel Highlights:
Whale Shark Watching + Snorkeling, Binalayan Hidden Falls, Sumilon Island
Means of Transportation:
On foot (Whale Shark Watching)
Car Rental (Binalayan Hidden Falls): Php800
Boat Rental (Sumilon Island): Php1500
Bus (Tanawan to Liloan Port): 120 (4pax)
Bus (Sibulan Port to Bais City): 200 (4pax)
Itinerary
Whale Shark Watching–>Binalayan Hidden Falls–>Sumilon Island–>Liloan Port–>Sibulan Port–>Bais City
DAY 4
- Negros Oriental (Manjuyod Sandbar)
Click here to Watch our Negros Oriental Travel Highlight
Travel Highlights:
Manjuyod Sandbar, Dolphin Watching
Means of Transportation:
Boat Rental (Dolphin Watching & Manjuyod Sandbar): Php2700
Itinerary:
Dolphin Watching @7AM–> Manjuyod Sandbar (Bais City) @ 8:40AM
DAY 5
Travel Highlights:
Rest time. Dumaguete Food trip. Travel back to Cebu city.
I could do a lot of activities for this day if I’d want to but I’m with parents, lets be considerate 🙂 We had too much activities in the past few days and we need to recharge.
Means of Transportation
Bus (Bais to Sibulan Port) Php200-4pax
Ferry (Sibulan to Liloan) Php180-4pax
Bus (Liloan to Cebu City) Php800-4pax
Itinerary:
Rest time–>Dumaguete Food trip–>Sibulan Port–>Travel back to Cebu city.
DAY 6
- Cebu Part 4 (Cebu City Tour)
Travel Highlights:
Cebu Heritage Monument, Cebu Cathedral, Magellan’s Cross, Fort San Pedro, shopping/pasalubong, food trip
Means of Transportation:
On foot (few minutes walking distance from the hotel)
*In the original itinerary I prepared, we were supposed to visit the Taoist Temple and the Temple of Leah (however, we skipped them due to travel buddies’ preference. Instead, we went around shopping affordable but quality stuff) nawili sa pamimili 😀
DAY 7
Travel time from Cebu–>Manila->Baguio/Nueva Ecija
Part 3 | WHERE TO STAY
Day 0
We arrived at around 10PM and went directly to the pension house.
Robe’s Pension House: http://www.robespensionhouse.com/
Cebu Guesthouse: http://www.cebuguesthouse.com/
How to get there:
Ride a taxi from the airport.
Day 1
Henann Resort in Alona Beach: http://henann.com/bohol/henannalonabeach/
We arrived in Tagbilaran at around 9AM. After the Countryside Tour, we went directly to the hotel that we booked. This is a little bit pricey compared to others but this is part of the Parents’ Treat factor. We stayed at one of the Pool Villas with its own private plunge pool and veranda and it was great! We also indulged ourselves with sumptuous buffet meal. My travel buddies enjoyed it and didn’t want to leave.
How to get there:
We rented a van for the Countryside tour and the driver agreed to drop us off at the hotel after the tour.
Day 2
Chateau de Tan-Awan: 0917 912 7783
Here’s the Facebook Page
It’s walking distance to the Oslob Whale Shark Watching area!
If you are a budget traveler, this one is for you. It’s a home away from home. The hosts are very accommodating and kind. Highly recommended. There are also other budget accommodations around the area.
How to get there:
If you ride a bus going to Liloan from Cebu South Bus Terminal, tell the driver/‘konduktor’ to drop you off to Chateau de Tan-Awan (in front of Tan-Awan Elementary School) in Oslob. It’s along the national highway.
Day 3-4
Casa Sandoval Pension & Restaurant: 0917 777 0826
Here’s the Facebook Page
Email: [email protected]
Nearly an hour bus ride from Sibulan Port, the place along the national highway. We chose to stay here in order to be early the next day for Majuyod Sandbar. We didn’t want to miss it.
How to get there:
From Sibulan Port, we walked our way to the national road. We ignored the tricycles parked in front of the port knowing that it’s just close (based on research.. and it is!). Go to the Bus Stop near Birdies’ bakery shop. Ride a bus going to Manjuyod, Bacolod or San Carlos. Ask the driver to drop you off the Bus stop near Jollibee in Bais. Walk/Ride a tricycle to Casa Sandoval (if the bus strictly unload passengers at the bus stop). It’s just along the highway.
Day 5-6
Cebu View Tourist Inn: http://www.cebuviewtouristinn.com/
(032) 254 8333
Sogo Hotel: http://hotelsogo.com/branch/cebu.html
Reason for choosing this is its proximity from the South Bus Terminal. As I mentioned, no one among us has traveled here before. So, staying near landmarks is best for us. It is 5-8 minute walking distance but if you carry a lot of stuff, you can ride a taxi parked near the bus terminal.
How to get there:
Option 1- Check the google maps and follow the lead 😀
Option 2- Ask locals
Option 3-ride a taxi
Option 4- Combination of 1&2
Day 7
HOME SWEET HOME!
There you have the formula! 🙂 Plan>Work>Save>Explore/Travel
We travel not to escape life but for LIFE not to escape us.
In the end we only regret the chances we didn’t take.
The Official Traveler
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