Thinking about Bohol, all I have are pleasant and delicious memories. Though the whole experience wasn’t without its flaws, I remember it more for the lessons it taught me rather than what could have been a better family trip.
Expectations: Pre-Arrival
This whole trip was my sister’s idea and being the planner in our family, she did all the planning—from booking cheap flights to the budgeting and collection, she did everything. I have so much respect for her planning a great family trip. The research she did to find us the perfect, quiet resort was nothing short of superb.
It was expensive for my usual excursions, but I was with my parents, and they aren’t particularly fond of basic accommodations. They have a level of comfort that we need to maintain, so there’s more shelling out when we bring them on trips.
Besides this to be really expensive, I can’t believe it, but I was able to shoulder half of the accommodation cost. That was almost PHP 7,000. Not including the other expenses outside of the tour. To sum up my spending, it would be a little over PHP 10,000 for a 3D2N trip to Panglao, Bohol but again, I didn’t mind the cost because we were spending time as a family and that was very important to me.
Arriving in Panglao Island
The new Panglao Airport opened in November last year and have never been to Bohol before, I had no comparisons or expectations. As my sister planned everything, all I had to do was show up and pay my share of the total vacation expenses.
Unlike my previous travels where I’d usually scrimp and save so I could stay longer, this was a short and slow trip that wasn’t for the backpacker types.
The plane ride was short at just about an hour if you’re flying from Davao City. The Panglao Airport was new and modern, spacious, and only lacked more natural lighting, but otherwise, it was decent.
Since we booked a tour around Bohol, a driver was to pick us up and bring us for a day tour and drop us at our hotel afterward. What I liked about Bohol was how they were able to organize all private tour operators and have everybody accredited.
As expected in local tourist destinations, the drivers were also the tour guides, and they were trained well to converse with their guests and make them comfortable. Sometimes they talk a little too much, especially if you’ve had a long flight and to rest but it was not a problem. I’d much rather have a jolly tour guide rather than a sour one.
Panglao Land Tour
It was the architectural wonders of Bohol churches that were the highlight for me. It wasn’t the tarsiers, and I hate to have to pay to see captive wildlife in person. I’ve known too much to want to witness wildlife in captivity, so the old churches were the ones I enjoyed going.
Sadly, most of the churches were destroyed in the previous earthquakes from the past years. Though even they were in their damaged state, they were still a marvel to look at.
Stay tuned next week for the continuation of our Bohol famiy trip! Check out my Instagram @ferinasantos for more snaps!
