Happenings from Zamboanga-Cebu-Bohol Trip

The day has come to say goodbye to my hometown. It’s been hard for us (my family and me) to bid an “adieu” to each other. For now, I’m with the newlywed and my partner in life for a Bohol trip. As planned, four of us will have a quick honeymoon in Bohol Philippines. A 5 days leisure only for us away from the busy and rowdy roads of the big cities.

Flight from Zamboanga to Cebu

However, the “trajets” (trips) aren’t easy. We have to take an hour and a half flight from Zamboanga to Cebu. Normally after that, we go to Tagbilaran, Bohol City directly but unfortunately our flight from Zamboanga was in the afternoon.

It was the only flight for that day since the festival in Cebu City has just concluded the day before. We have also heard from the National Television that there will be some problems with internet connection throughout the city.

At the Waiting Area

Hence, we are forced to stay a night in Cebu and pursue our Bohol trip on the next day.

The flight wasn’t that much delayed, only some minutes. The funny thing was when we were in the queue to get on the plane there was an old man in front of us (he looks barely old actually). My hubby saw that the guy’s boarding pass and it stated there that his seat number was not the same as what the officer announced.

Hubby told the man that he cannot queue yet cause his seat number is not yet included on the list. However, the man took it badly and became anxious and told hubby that he is a “Senior Citizen”. 

Thus, I immediately intercepted and apologize to the man. I told him that my husband thought he wasn’t a senior citizen since he looks really young. Afterwards, I explained to my hubby how Asian people look really young and indeed could be deceiving to others. 

Aerial View of Zamboanga City

Boarding the plane, it was kinda bizarre you know why? the plane was minuscule. There was only one entrance it’s at the back part of the plane. Before I thought the smallest plane that I’ve ever had been in Prague but now, I came to realize that Cebu Pacific Air aircraft are smaller than the rest.

Those who were intended to seat on the first rows were us, we walked down the aisle and installed ourselves. Perceiving the city from above, it was just stupefying. I have never imagined the great charm of my hometown.

Pictures can’t really expose the remarkable view that I’ve seen. It was stunning!

Welcome to Cebu

At last, we arrive in Cebu City. It was getting dark and it’s time to get a taxi. Due to our situation (with big items of baggage) we have to get a big taxi as much as possible.

We headed directly to the taxi station and there the first dilemma of our Bohol trip came. The taxi driver doesn’t want to embark us with him cause he said “Four people are too much” so we decided to wait for another with a bigger trunk to fit all our 2 large baggage plus my brother and sister-in-law’s baggage as well.

I talked with the officer who assisted us, and told us normally that taxi driver can take us without a problem. These days some particular taxi drivers refuse to be paid with a normal rate with a lot of luggage. (well, sorry for them) I don’t have that patience insist so I told that taxi driver he can go no problem for me.

We waited for about 5 minutes and finally, a taxi driver agreed to take us with him. (whew what an experience)

Quick tip: If ever you encounter the same situation, don’t argue with the driver it’s better to be patient and wait for another one who is willing to be paid how much the meter is. You can give tips (recommended) but don’t exaggerate. 

Dinner at the Hotel

Minutes after, we have arrived at the hotel. As expected, I took the same hotel as last time when we arrived in Cebu going to Zamboanga. The hotel staff welcomes us pleasantly as usual. We had our respective rooms and it’s time for us to eat our dinner.

We were truly starving as the result of being too long at the airport and the trip itself. The night has started for us and the best way to begin is the “chibog” the food of course.

A buffet wasn’t an option (haha) we just ordered normal meals Filipino style dishes certainly. The couple (my brother and sister-in-law) ordered the “Sizzling Mussels” and “Lechon Kawali”. While I and hubby took “Sweet and Sour Fish” and “Pancit” all accompanied by rice indeed.

For the drinks, it was classic for us girls. We took juice and the two guys ordered one bottle of beer for each one. That was a great dinner for us!

Cebu to Bohol Trip

The day after we are heading to Tagbilaran Bohol. It was a great day to start our vacation, we woke up as champions (late in the morning of course).

Our plan is to buy our ferry ticket on the spot, anyways we don’t have a choice since we arrived late in the afternoon yesterday. I thought of buying our ferry’s ticket online but I have read one of the blogger’s page who recommends to buy it on the spot because of the online scam.

Ready for the Ferry Ride

There were some surprises as well, the first one is we have actually asked the taxi driver from yesterday that we wanted to hire him to bring us to the ferry port that day. The driver texted us and told that he can’t come due to his family work and he’s recommending another driver to work for us.

This driver was actually the same person that my parents and I hired last April 2017 to do the Oslob Cebu tour. 

The second surprise was, there were a lot of people queueing to buy the ferry ticket. We were stuck at the entrance waiting for my brother at the long queue to buy tickets for us. Our Bohol trip was doomed!

It was a bad timing cause “Sinulog Festival” ( the biggest festival in Cebu City) had just ended yesterday. People are now departing from Cebu to go back to Bohol. In addition, there were a lot of tourists as well that makes us vulnerable when it comes to this situation.

The only solution was to buy a first class ticket to be on the ferry as soon as possible. In the end, we bought first class seats for us and finally, we can now enter the port’s passengers waiting area.

Reminder: 

Whenever you will travel after or during big festivals in the city, make sure to buy your ferry tickets in advance because people are precipitating to buy it on the spot as well.
You can buy at any ticketing office in the area.

Cebu to Bohol trip prices are from 500 Pesos (4 Euros) to 1,000 Pesos (8 Euros). For the Ferry Company OceanJet, you can buy your tickets online here. 

Welcome to Bohol

Our Bohol trip was a success! We safely arrived at Tagbilaran City, our driver was waiting to fetch us. But because of our 2 large luggage, we have to wait for the porter to bring them out of the ferry.
It took us some minutes to claim all the baggage then we all went inside to the car for a 15 minutes ride to Dauis in Panglao. And there we have our Hotel.

I won’t divulge any information about the hotel yet. You should absolutely check out my review of the hotel after.

We have installed everything (our belongings) at the hotel and the staff told recommend us to buy some food in the city center since the location is somewhat isolated.

Island City Mall

For our visit to this biggest mall in town according to our local guide (hotel staff), we opt to eat dinner first then do our grocery shopping. I personally thought about eating fast food (Jollibee) but this time it’ll be some healthy food for us.

Strolling around the mall we decided to go to seafood that night. The restaurant’s name is Prawn Farm Grill & Seafood. That night we will eat as much as we like for sure!

What did we order? mostly seafood of course (haha). Anyways we ordered fried garlic rice, sizzling bangus, sizzling squid, fried fish, and vegetables. The restaurant even serves fresh fruit shake, I got a mango flavor (as usual).

The food here tastes impressively good. We ate everything, nothing left on our plates. The only negative factor is that you have to wait a long time for your dish to be served. Don’t forget to bring a gallon of patience with you. despite of the waiting, you’ll have one of the most delicious meals of your life.

Dinner was done, grocery for our 5 days stay should be settled tonight. We bought everything that we needed especially snacks including chips & curls and other goods.
I also tried “Mogu Mogu” drink which was popular last year in the Philippines. Well, I’m late but at least I tried it. The taste wasn’t bad at all I even bought one to bring with me to Brussels.

Day 1 Wrap Up

We came back to our hotel and arranged all the goods that we bought. We have a fridge so I bought some yogurt, I didn’t buy a spoon though but don’t worry I can borrow from the hotel.

Verdict for today’s experience? So far it was tiring and stressful at the same time but I’m very pleased to arrive on time at the hotel and everything did happen well as expected despite of the problem at the port (queuing for ferry tickets)

Ending our Bohol trip day 1 with a swim in the pool. It was relaxing! Catch us up on the next day adventure!

For this kind of travel, I advice you to bring the necessary travel gears. Here below are my recommendations!

Bohol Trip