In Love with Bohol

We chose to celebrate our first year as a couple at the beautiful Bohol Beach Club in Panglao, Bohol. 

You get the beautiful white sand beach of Boracay, minus the noise and the people. 

Can you sense my excitement? Haha

Truly nature at its best.

We decided to walk the long white stretch of the resort to look for a place to eat, and we ended up eating at the buffet at the end of the strip. The resort has about 3 restaurants offering buffet and a la carte meals. 

After satisfying our hungry tummies, we headed back to the beach to bask in the sun. 

Jino wanted to go snorkeling, so he went to the dive shop to rent some snorkeling gear for us. After a couple of minutes, and once the sight of sea creatures stopped being amusing, I realized how dirty the gear was so I left Jino alone. Haha he was able to take some nice pictures though!

The following day was spent on a tour around Bohol. There are so many things to see in this island. Tours can be booked at the resort lobby, and rates vary depending on the number of people in a group.


First thing to see was the Blood Compact Site, made in honor of the Sikatuna-Legazpi blood compact.

Next, we went to see the Baclayon Church. It is considered as one of the oldest churches in the country. Behind the altar is a steep staircase leading to the image of Mother Mary. People line up to pray and leave some offering. 

A lady stands at the entrance to hand out pieces of cloth to girls wearing shorts, skirts or sleeveless tops. Hence the very "fashionable" shawl. hahaha

There's also a museum holding old church relics, but if you ask my opinion, I'd say it isn't really worth seeing.

Our third stop, the famous Chocolate Hills of Bohol. The grass turns brown during the dry season and the hills start looking like giant Hershey's Kisses. Hence the name, Chocolate Hills. 

On our way to the Loboc River, we saw a sign that said zipline, and being the adventurous person that he is, Jino insisted that we check it out. 

Let me just tell you that I am scared of roller coasters. I've only ridden the Space Shuttle once and we got stuck on top. It  just stopped for 5 minutes, right before we were about to take the big drop. AND it was raining. Ack.

Anyway, I didn't want to be the boring girlfriend, so I agreed to try this out. AAAAH!!!!

It was quite awesome and the view of the Loboc River was amazing! But I was ready to go home after crossing the river the first time. However, when we reached the other side, we were told that the only way to get to the car was to zipline across the river. AGAIN. AAAAHHHH!!!!! And this time, you can't go together. I wasn't ready for this. 

Look how stiff I was! hahaha

Anyway, we made it back safely. And it was finally time for lunch. WE WERE STARVING. We planned to have our lunch at the Loboc River. There are a number of floating restaurants to choose from. Each restaurant would have a booth where you can purchase tickets for the boat ride. 

1 booth=1 restaurant= a different boat= a different departure time. Get it? hahaha

We chose the most crowded booth. That must mean they have good food right?

BUFFEEETTTT!!!!

Yum! And last stop before we ended our day was the Tarsiers. Yes. I get teased a lot for looking like these little critters. Oh yes I have big eyes. I know!

It was already 5:00 pm by the time we returned to the resort, and I saw the most beautiful sunset. I say I, because I experienced it alone. My romantic boyfriend wanted to rest instead. 

The following day was our last day, and we decided to spend it at the beach. 

The weather was very erratic-- it would be really sunny one minute and cloudy/rainy the next. But who cares when you're on this beautiful island right???

We saw squishy, jelly creatures on the sand and no one knew what they were. They were harmless though, just a little gross. Who am I kidding, they were REALLY gross. haha

It was tough to leave this island, but we can always go back. I really love this country!

The Best of Barcelona

So we only had one full day to see all of Barcelona and what better way to do this than to take the All Barcelona Highlights Tour!

I knew we had a long day ahead so I decided to eat a lot for breakfast... A lot of sweets that is! Haha I really loved the hotel's breakfast buffet, they served so much cakes and pastries. My kind of breakfast!

After breakfast, we headed straight to the meeting place and the first stop of the tour was Park Güell. 

Park Güell was designed by the famous architect, Antoni Gaudi. He was tasked by the rich industrialist, Eusebi Güell, to create a residential village inspired by the concept of the garden city. Only 2 houses were built and today, it is considered a municipal property and has since been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Doesn't this look like a gingerbread house?

I won't pretend to know a lot about art and architecture but I do know how to appreciate beauty. You don't need to be an expert to notice the intricate details placed on each area of Park Güell. I love the whimsical feel of the curves and mosaics!

Next stop: The Sagrada Familia! I am in awe of this place. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site and another work of Antoni Gaudi. 

Construction started in 1882 and after more than a century, it is still on going.

Then a quick stop by the Barceloneta Beach for pictures. It was a holiday, and it seemed like everyone decided to go to the beach! 

Next on the itinerary, Mirador de l.Alcalde or the Mayor's Lookout. 

This place boasts of the best view you can get of Barcelona. 

I was entranced by the different shades of blue of the Mediterranean Sea. 

And there's the city. With my huge face covering most of it. Haha FAIL.

Last stop of the tour was El Poble Espanyol. Originally built for the 1929 International Exhibition on the mountain of Montjuïc, it was supposed to be demolished at the end of the exhibition. It was, however, saved due to its popularity. 

It is now considered an architectural museum wherein one is allowed to see and somehow experience the different autonomous communities of Spain within a matter of a few hours.

Each street looks different, and there are numerous restaurants, artists' workshops and souvenir shops to choose from and see. I actually panicked because we were only given an hour to eat and explore. And while I was starving, I also wanted to see EVERYTHING. 

Hunger won though, the tummy always wins. Hahaha

At the Plaza Mayor-- I had to take one last picture before the tour ends.

And back we went to La Rambla for some last minute shopping and sightseeing before the day ends.

I am in love with this city. I hope I'd get a chance to go back!

And Then Came Barcelona.

Barcelona. Our last stop for this trip. Oh I am in love with Barcelona. We came here thinking that our days would be spent shopping, but God had other plans for us. Haha 

We arrived on a Sunday not knowing that most, if not all shopping centers are closed on Sundays. We also didn't know that the following day was a holiday and only one mall was going to be open. (We really should do some research before leaving the country!) Disappointed as I was, the charm (well--more like the masculinity) of our hotel was enough to distract me from the problem.

We stayed at Hotel 1898, located in La Rambla, at the center of Barcelona. One cool thing to know about this hotel is that it used to be the Philippine Tobacco Company Headquarters!

Nice, yes?

We decided that we weren't too tired from our flight so out we went to explore La Rambla! And guess what greeted us outside our hotel door. These two didn't seem too happy to see us. Probably because I took their picture without dropping money in their can! Haha I didn't have any change yet!

I looooved this street. It's so full of life. Walk the strip and you would see all types of trinkets, different pieces of artworks and entertainers of every kind.

Behind me is the Columbus Monument, built at the site where he returned from his first expedition to America.

If I lived in Barcelona I'd probably be one of those kids hanging out on this bridge. (Across this bridge is a mall! )

And because I couldn't get my mind off the Belgian Waffles I saw in Brussels, I decided to try it in Barcelona instead. Haha

YUM!!! But let me tell you, it is not advisable to eat waffles while walking. You'll end up looking like a two year old who just had her first taste of chocolates. hahaha that little yellow fork doesn't really do anything. 


I had to stop taking photos because of all the chocolate syrup on my hands and face! Haha guess that ends Day 1 of Barcelona 2010!