#boholdiaries

Bohol Diaries Day 3: The Long Way Home

Sunday began with peace at the cathedral

and taho at the park but the afternoon was all about the journey home.

After the Sunday Mass at St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral, I found my motor parked under a canopy of trees, decorated with fallen Kalachuchi flowers. It was a small, beautiful detail to end my time in Tagbilaran.

Before heading to the port, I made a quick detour to Mag-Aso Falls in Antequera since it was on the way to Tubigon. The turquoise water was so refreshing.. a great final breath of nature before returning to the city.

I officially returned my rented motor. Looking back, I spent 3 full days just riding around Bohol. It was honestly the highlight… feeling completely free on those roads that felt like entering a forest because of the massive trees.

From Tagbilaran, it was a 2-hour travel to Tubigon and then another 2 hours commuting to reach Getafe Port. Hahahaha! Kung saan-saan na talaga ako umabot sa pagmomotor.

Getafe was packed with vendors. Since this trip was all about me-time and just catching my breath, iniisip ko kung sino bibigyan ko ng pasalubong but I did treat myself to 3 pieces of calamay… 3 for 100! Couldn't resist the ube-flavored calamay. A sweet end to a long commute.

That’s new since my last visit in 2016.

I barely made it… Got the very last slot back to Cebu. Talk about perfect timing!

It’s been 10 years since I was last here and even with the rain catching me on the road while driving, I’m going home so happy. This biglaan trip was the perfect reset.

Bohol Diaries Day 2: Cardio 0, Survival 1

Woke up today with one goal: survive the mountains of Alicia. No cardio, no prep, just pure … bahala na energy.

Start of the day pa lang, disaster na. Bumibigay na yung hiking shoes ko habang papunta pa lang ng Alicia. Luckily, may nakita akong shoe repair shop sa gilid ng hagdan sa town… kaunting glue lang and we’re back in business. Buti pa yung sapatos ko may first aid, yung cardio ko kaya?

Medyo inaantok pa habang nagmo-motor, so I had to stop for a quick McDonald’s breakfast and roasted coffee. Long ride ahead to Alicia, so kailangan gising ang diwa.

9:44 AM na ako nakarating sa Alicia Panoramic Park (TAPP). Seeing the "The Mountains are Calling" banner made me realize na wala na itong atrasan.

Orientation muna bago ang bakbakan. Time to pick a walking stick… my third leg for the next few hours.

Imagine the heat at 10 AM! Plus, it’s been about 7 years since my last hike and literally zero cardio preparation. Biglaan lang talaga itong trip na 'to. It took us about 2 hours mula pagsimula hanggang makababa. Ramdam ko bawat step!

Buti na lang sobrang madaldal si Ateng Guide. Sa dami ng kwento niya about the place, hindi ko masyadong namalayan na hingal na hingal na ako. Distraction is key!

Inabot kami ng almost an hour sa tuktok para magpahinga at doon na rin kumain. My packed lunch was the real MVP… boiled egg, lumpia, bola-bola and saging for dessert! Hahahaha! Simpleng ulam pero sobrang sarap lalo na’t ganito yung view na kaharap mo. This is exactly why we hike.

01:35 PM - Reached the bottom and finally got my Certificate of Green Accomplishment. Isang litrong tubig at isang bote ng Gatorade agad ang naubos ko sa sobrang init. Nakatambay lang muna ako sa souvenir shop after, just trying to breathe again.

5:13 PM - Rode back to Tagbilaran to pick up my bags and officially check out of my first place. Tactical move talaga na iwan yung gamit para hindi mabigat sa bundok! Moved into AK Residences for my last night. Loving the clean, organized vibe here… perfect for recovery mode.

Lumabas ako for dinner and to find some Yakult… priority! 😂. In the middle of my walking search, I accidentally stumbled upon a food hub called "Tagbo sa Tagbi." The lights and the atmosphere were so good that I had to stop. Best accidental find of the trip!

Didn't stay out too long. My body was definitely feeling the hike, so I headed back to the accom early. Honestly, the best part of the day was just laying down on a fresh bed.

Tomorrow is my last day. Sunday na but to be honest? I haven’t even thought about what to do next. No itinerary, no alarms, no mountains to climb. Just going to see where the day takes me.