Chocolate Hills: Bohol

Second stop: Chocolate Hills. Right after few minutes of spending time with the tarsiers at the Conservation Area, (see it HERE) our team headed to the famous Chocolate Hills. We hurriedly went to visit this place before the sun sets! Good thing it's not traffic in the area otherwise we would have reached the place at night and will not be able to see how beautiful the famous hills.

Do I need to tell about these famous hills?! I guess no. Bohol is very much known for this wonderful Chocolate Hills. Most of the tourists in the province would probably find time to visit this place. You'll really be amazed how these hills are scattered along the place. That's how God's creation is very mysterious. 

So here I will post my pictures while spending sunset at the Chocolate Hills. So relaxing! If you really want to reach the top of the view deck, be prepared to take more than a hundred steps uphill. I forgot the exact count. Haha! Sorry. 

With Maureen, Mylovelle and Me

So there, first visit will always be remembered. Spending sunset in this wonderful place will always be priceless. Will definitely visit this place once I go back to the province. How about you?!

Panoramic View

Tarsier Conservation Area: Loboc, Bohol

Bohol trip wouldn't be complete without seeing the world famous Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta fraterculus). It was after the two-day race when my team was able to do some side trips! First target trip is the Tarsier! Happy enough to see how these small creatures live in the jungle of Bohol. I salute the local government for creating the conservation area. 

The Tarsier Conservation Area has an initial 6-hectare woodland area located in Brgy. Upper Bonbon, Loboc, Bohol. It is open for viewing with pebbled pathways for visitors around the wooden sanctuary. Now chill with these cute creatures!

Sleeping Tarsier

Awake Tarsier

Me as largest Tarsier LOL

Off course there is also a souvenir shop wherein you can buy lot of things. Plenty of things to choose from! I don't know if it's expensive or not because I did not check anything. I already got my tarsier-look fridge magnet before and that's enough for me. 

Assumption of Our Lady Shrine - Parish: Dauis, Bohol

I am always fascinated by old churches. Lucky enough to be in Bohol for the dragon boat race and good thing that the race venue was just nearby this wonderful church. This made me visit the church when I had free time during the race. Took some shots and say a prayer!   

ME: in front of Dauis Church

The church, convent and watch tower are all built of coral stone blocks. The church was founded by the Jesuits, under the matrix of Baclayon. It became the separate parish, under the titular patronage of the Assumption of Our Lady, 1697. 

The church was consecrated by Bishop Juan Gorordo of Cebu, 23 August 1923. The convent served as the shelter to nuns of the Holy Spirit Congregation of Tagbilaran during World War II. The church was declared Shrine of the Assumption of Our Lady, 15 August 2001. 

The entire structural complex stands as an example of Gothic and Neoclassic architecture and given the citation of National Historical Landmark, 2009.

The Shrine at Night

CASA Reyfrancis Pension House and Restaurant: Tagbilaran City, Bohol

Sharing you guys on where my team, Onslaught Racing Dragons, stayed during the 2nd Cobra PDBF International Club Crew Challenge in Bohol. 

It is located in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. It is safe, quiet, clean and affordable. The staffs are amazing! Got no more words to describe, thumbs up for this Pension House and Restaurant! Nice one CASA Reyfrancis! Go check more pictures below (myself included).

Chilling at the lobby!

Having some free time at the garden.

You'll definitely love their free wifi zone minibar and pavilion. It is a great place to stay once you hit Tagbilaran City in Bohol. I will stay here again once I go back to Bohol for some other trips!

Mini-bar.

Pavilion area.

CASA Reyfrancis at night!

You can visit their website for more details: www.casareyfrancis.com

2nd Cobra PDBF International Club Crew Challenge - Bohol Edition 2013

Who would have thought that one day I can join an international dragon boat race? This never came to my mind until my first experience for international race happened last April 27-30, 2013 in Bohol. It was barely two weeks after the 2nd Zambales Dragon Boat Festival wherein my team entries (open and women) landed both on semis. Zambales Race served as a great preparation for my team for this next race. It was a two weeks of hardcore training, aiming to beat our previous records. It needs dedication, passion and motivation to each and every member of the team to reach our goal.

We are: Onslaught Racing Dragons!

I just can't explain how excited I am for my first ever international race. Aside from that race excitement, it was also my first time to visit the province of Bohol, that adds up the excitement, is it not?! Paddlers are very much welcome for the race because there were tarpaulin greetings everywhere. Boholano's hospitality was surprisingly amazing. 

The race was set for 2-day activity. My team got entries for Open and Mixed Categories. Right after having our lunch at the resort, we visited the race location and tested the water for more or less than an hour training in preparation for the race. Tired from air to sea to land travel plus training, we ended up going back to the resort and took some rest for the race the following day.

Race day was great! It was great to see dragon boat teams from all over the country to compete. As they say "matira ang matibay". The pressure is on! Every time our team was being called to be at the loading area, I got nervous. Whhheww! I have been to this sport for couple of months now but still those nerves in me are shaking, I guess every race it has different feelings. 

Race on Motion

Is was a friendly competition! Well in any race, there is always a winner and there is always a loser. That's when the so-called spirit of sportsmanship is running into the veins of every athlete. Enjoy the race and that's it, whether you win or loss. Races like this will also help improve each member of the team. It is also a great time to meet and make some friends with new paddlers. Off course, taking pictures here, there and everywhere is so much fun!

posing with other teams

Awards Night was enjoyable. You'll see how energetic paddlers are even if we were tired for the two days activity. Got free dinner and got lot of beer and drinks! Some were drunk I guess. So proud that my team, Onslaught Racing Dragons was able to capture 4th Place for the 2000M Open Category and 3rd Runner-Up for Smart 250M. I've got the unexplained feeling of going up to the center stage with my team to get our trophies and medals! So proud to be Onslaught.

Onslaught Racing Dragons onstage!

3rd Runner-up!

Priceless experience. Now I think I will be addicted to paddling, not just the sport itself but what keeps me going is the people around me, my team, who is always ready for the challenge. I am looking forward for more races in the future and who knows I will be able to represent my country abroad. With constant training, motivation and discipline, that is possible. 

Bonding with batch mate paddlers: Jerumel and Mel

Holding our Trophies!

Claveria Beach: Claveria, Cagayan

There is no place like home as they say. My hometown, Claveria, is one proof on that! It is being dubbed as the "Coastal Paradise of the North". Now I will show you why by just sharing pictures of our pride, The Claveria Beach. Oh well, this is just one of the many reasons why I can't resist to go home during summer season. Now take a look at our beach and you'll see how will it take your breath away. 

So far, how do you like it?! Not a crowded type of beach right? Definitely yes! If you're looking for a beach wherein you just want to swim and relax then most likely you will enjoy your stay here. It's a long stretch of gray sand and big waves enough to make you crazy while just sitting down on the shore. There's a lot of resorts situated along the boulevard so there is no problem with accommodations.

Panoramic View: Claveria Beach

Now I will ask you, will you include this on your itinerary for the next summer?! If yes, I maybe willing to tour you around in case I will also be having my vacation at that time. As I've mentioned earlier, it's raw so don't expect motorized water sports. (How I wish I have enough investment for that!) People are very much free to spend the night along the shores though there is no night life like those on Boracay or Puerto Galera. Visitors can also enjoy bonfires!

Nephew: Charlemagne, Brother: William, Niece: Mercelyn

With my pamangkins!

Sunset view on the beach is spectacular! Now I am sharing the pictures we took during sunset. Time to dip on the beach. Most of the tourists and locals go on swimming during sunset because it's not too hot. Oh well memories, during my high school days, we used to hit the beach after class and stay on the beach til dinner (kilig moments LOL) My last vacation there, I've spent a sunset with my younger brother, nephews and niece. Such a great way to spend my vacation with them.... made me feel I am young once in a while.

Will you visit this place soon?! Might see you there! Who knows I will bump on you there once. Just make sure you hit this place during summer so you'll enjoy. Not a good place to visit during rainy seasons because waves are huge enough to capsize you. Just be safe everyone! Just try and spend one summer vacation and definitely you'll have one memorable experience.

How to get there:

           Land: 12 hours (night trip only)

           RCJ Lines and Florida Transport at Lacson Ave. cor Earshaw St. Manila 

           Air: (more or less 1 hour)

           Plane to Laoag International Airport then 3 hours bus or van ride bound to Claveria, Cagayan.