BOHOL - Day 3
We started the third day of our Bohol Tour very early. At six in the morning, we were already on the road on our way to Panglao Island, our drop off point going to Balicasag and Gak-ang Islands. The reason being for our early set-off was our hopes to watch dolphins play in their natural habitat. Dolphins usually go out to play during daybreak and disappear the rest of the day.
Yes, we did spot dolphins alright, but before our motor boat could go near them, they would have been gone by then. The horrid noise coming from the engine of the motor boat was what probably drove them away. In the end, what we did was more like dolphin chasing than watching.
We were a little disappointed but we did not allow this to dampen our mood as we had a full day ahead. We proceeded to Balicasag Island as planned.
We came to Balicasag with only one thing in mind: snorkeling! From the island, we rented canoes paddled by our guides going to the marine protected area. Motorized boats are not allowed to enter the area as they may do damage to the coral formations and disturb the underwater marine life. We did not waste any minute and we put on our snorkeling gears: masks, glides and flippers.
The water going to the marine protected area was so clear we could see corals, hundreds of tiny fish, and quite a number of blue starfish. But this was just the tip of the ice berg. The moment we dipped our heads in the water, we were astounded by the sudden drop of the sea floor. If there is such a thing as fear of heights under water, I definitely felt that for a few seconds!
And then I was amazed. This is my second time to snorkel at Balicasag but I still get that utter amazement feeling. I would have dropped my jaw if not for the snorkeling glide that was stuffed inside my mouth for my dear life! The water was so blue and there were different schools of fish. I saw Nemo, Marlin, Dory, Gill, and other fish I have never seen before. If you have watched Pixar's movie Finding Nemo, you know what I'm talking about.
And to say that we enjoyed snorkeling in Balicasag is an understatement. We are not snorkeling experts but due to the splendor of Balicasag's underwater life, we were inspired to try simple diving tricks.
Balicasag Island is truly a diver's paradise.
I was really having the time of my life snorkeling the Balicasag waters that morning. I would have stayed there the whole day, not minding if I get toasted under the sun, nor would I feel a bit tired from snorkeling. There was just so much to see under the sea! But alas, I felt hunger pangs as we did not eat anything for breakfast and we had other agenda apart from Balicasag Island that day.
Regrettably, snorkeling time had to stop. We had lunch at the Balicasag Island prepared by the local residents and we did a quick tour around the island.
We then hopped to another island, Gak-ang Island.
Gak-ang Island is more popularly known as Virgin Island. The island has sand bar extensions both to its left and right sides, forming a crescent-shaped island. According to our guide, the long stretch of sand bar extensions would disappear during high tide.
The surrounding waters of Gak-ang Island is inhabited by sea grass, an indication that the water is unpolluted. And true to its word, the island, though visited by a considerable number of tourists, remains beautifully untouched.
From Gak-ang Island, we returned to Panglao Island. We visited the Bohol Bee Farm in Panglao and savored their organic delicacies. There is a viewing deck in the farm, where you can also opt to dine, with a majestic view of the sky meeting the sea. What a perfect way to end our whole day of nature tripping.
This ends our May 2009 Bohol Tour. We had an early trip the following day going back to Cebu. Before we left Bohol, we were already talking about a repeat next year. The boys wanted mote airsoft action (Day 1), another zipline ride (Day 2), and more snorkeling time at Balicasag Island. I really don't mind a fourth visit to Bohol, even a yearly visit that is. And in truth, I really don't need to find any reason to visit Bohol because I just simply love, love, LOVE going there.
~sunnyprincess
Yes, we did spot dolphins alright, but before our motor boat could go near them, they would have been gone by then. The horrid noise coming from the engine of the motor boat was what probably drove them away. In the end, what we did was more like dolphin chasing than watching.
We were a little disappointed but we did not allow this to dampen our mood as we had a full day ahead. We proceeded to Balicasag Island as planned.
We came to Balicasag with only one thing in mind: snorkeling! From the island, we rented canoes paddled by our guides going to the marine protected area. Motorized boats are not allowed to enter the area as they may do damage to the coral formations and disturb the underwater marine life. We did not waste any minute and we put on our snorkeling gears: masks, glides and flippers.
The water going to the marine protected area was so clear we could see corals, hundreds of tiny fish, and quite a number of blue starfish. But this was just the tip of the ice berg. The moment we dipped our heads in the water, we were astounded by the sudden drop of the sea floor. If there is such a thing as fear of heights under water, I definitely felt that for a few seconds!
And then I was amazed. This is my second time to snorkel at Balicasag but I still get that utter amazement feeling. I would have dropped my jaw if not for the snorkeling glide that was stuffed inside my mouth for my dear life! The water was so blue and there were different schools of fish. I saw Nemo, Marlin, Dory, Gill, and other fish I have never seen before. If you have watched Pixar's movie Finding Nemo, you know what I'm talking about.
And to say that we enjoyed snorkeling in Balicasag is an understatement. We are not snorkeling experts but due to the splendor of Balicasag's underwater life, we were inspired to try simple diving tricks.
Balicasag Island is truly a diver's paradise.
I was really having the time of my life snorkeling the Balicasag waters that morning. I would have stayed there the whole day, not minding if I get toasted under the sun, nor would I feel a bit tired from snorkeling. There was just so much to see under the sea! But alas, I felt hunger pangs as we did not eat anything for breakfast and we had other agenda apart from Balicasag Island that day.
Regrettably, snorkeling time had to stop. We had lunch at the Balicasag Island prepared by the local residents and we did a quick tour around the island.
We then hopped to another island, Gak-ang Island.
Gak-ang Island is more popularly known as Virgin Island. The island has sand bar extensions both to its left and right sides, forming a crescent-shaped island. According to our guide, the long stretch of sand bar extensions would disappear during high tide.
The surrounding waters of Gak-ang Island is inhabited by sea grass, an indication that the water is unpolluted. And true to its word, the island, though visited by a considerable number of tourists, remains beautifully untouched.
From Gak-ang Island, we returned to Panglao Island. We visited the Bohol Bee Farm in Panglao and savored their organic delicacies. There is a viewing deck in the farm, where you can also opt to dine, with a majestic view of the sky meeting the sea. What a perfect way to end our whole day of nature tripping.
This ends our May 2009 Bohol Tour. We had an early trip the following day going back to Cebu. Before we left Bohol, we were already talking about a repeat next year. The boys wanted mote airsoft action (Day 1), another zipline ride (Day 2), and more snorkeling time at Balicasag Island. I really don't mind a fourth visit to Bohol, even a yearly visit that is. And in truth, I really don't need to find any reason to visit Bohol because I just simply love, love, LOVE going there.
~sunnyprincess
0 Response to "BOHOL - Day 3"
Post a Comment