Country > Philippines > Bohol > Loboc
Date > 2018 > Mar
Activity > Traveling

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(Philippines)
Mar 2018

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Feb 16-Mar 15, 2018

Goodbye Loboc, Goodbye Philippines

Location : Loboc (municipality), Bohol (province), Philippines

Back to Lyn's Backpackers Inn
Not having found a suitable home in Dauis after my 30 days in Loboc, I came back to Loboc at Lyn's Backpackers Inn and extended my stay for another 4 weeks. Even though it was a continuation, it started a new chapter - one of self-healing from my cliff dive injury, preparation for my travel to Malaysia/Nepal and contemplating on settling down if I ever come back to my motherland.

Cliff Dive Aftermath

The Scare
Eight (8) days after my failed cliff dive, when I thought I was beyond the critical phase of my injury, my head starting spinning. If it happened on the first day, I would not have been as alarmed. This got me scared bigtime! I thought about extreme measures like going to a cave to be fully healed or not come out at all. With a CT scan, no head trauma was found. It felt like a new lease on life although the vertigo didn't completely go away. Still, getting my health back was more than what I bargained for. I started celebrating life!

Workout Celebration
I celebrated life by doing things I thought I could no longer do - yoga, mountain biking, calisthenics, cardio, rope skipping, etc. I even enjoined some of the locals to join me and Jeffrey on a yoga session which I offered to conduct free once a week. I worked-out intensely daily, pushing my limits almost, like squeezing the juice out of life!

offering free yoga/pranayama/meditation class to friends and friends-of-friends

Darting Lights
3 weeks after my cliff dive, after doing a full-on 30-minute non-stop rope skipping, I felt a mild headache. This was followed by seeing darting yellow lights in my peripheral vision. I started seeing floaters in my left eye, where none was there before.

I knew it immediately - my body was telling me that I wasn't fully recovered yet and that I should slow down. When the body talks, I listen. I rested for the coming days and only did yoga when there were guests at Fox requesting for a class.

Peoplescape

I continued to meet interesting lives whose path crossed mine. As promising as it got, it was only good while it lasted - for a traveler, it's always a changing landscape and a shifting peoplescape. It's a life of impermanence and forced detachment.

The Three Doctors
I don't think they want to be named, but I'm telling the world these 3 doctors are the greatest! Except for attending my yoga class, I was a complete stranger to them. But when I needed medical help for my failed cliff dive, they were there for me - gratis! Wow. Having them to hand-hold me when I felt alone, vulnerable and helpless, was very reassuring. Thank you Docs! The Christians have their 3 Kings. I have my 3 Doctors from Tagbilaran! ❤❤❤

Sam Sara Drake
After just a few hours meeting her, you had to pry us apart with a crowbar. With our common ground for yoga, our participation in Burning Man and our devotion to Vipassana Meditation, we were cut from the same cloth. I took her to Sapa to meet Mr. Raymond and relish the sikwate drink and later to Villagio Pizza for more talks. I can't count how many times we hugged that day. Missing you as I write this, Sam ❤

Roslyn Arellano
Another guest at Fox, I met Roslyn casually during one of my visits. We talked and found common ground and interest. Later on, it soon became apparent why we had to meet - one of those things I call karmic process. I had to share my insight about her journey, clearing the cobwebs and illuminating what might look like an obscure path. It's one of those informal life coaching I increasingly find myself extending. I live in a world of black-and-white with hardly any shade of gray. I can quickly discern right from wrong, dos and donts with such clarity that may not be obvious to most. That's my gift and I take solace in sharing it.

Jojo
We were both guests at Lyn's Backpackers Inn and got into a conversation that went into the wee hours over bahalina and cacao nibs. It was a good sharing between 2 travelers. We found common ground - Blues music, wine, culture, etc. It was like 2 ants coming into each other's way so they stop face-to-face for a brief exchange before moving on.

Sophie and Carole
A chance meeting at Sapa Foods for hot dark chocolate drink (sikwate) got me and 2 French travelers, Sophie and Carole, talking about Vipassana, yoga and travels. They attended my yoga class and later found ourselves at Villagio's Pizza for more meaningful sharing, together with good friends, Jeffrey, Joan and Fred. I had many such episodes at this pizza joint and Fox & Firefly where I found myself in conversation with passing travelers - some good while the moment lasts but for these two kindred souls, it's a promise of good things to come ❤

Gifting Resort Rooms
I still had a few nights credit balance in some resorts which I thought I could use in the event I come upon a love life. Well, it didn't happen so it was best to give it to people who helped me in some shape or form. I do enjoy giving. Since I don't have money to buy thank-you gifts for, I say thank you in my own currency. I see all these exchanges as energy in motion - the good that comes around, goes around.

Jagna for the Blind
I was invited by my German friend, Winfried, to join him and another friend, Rick, to Jagna to talk to the school officers to see how he can help in their efforts to provide education to its blind students who come from all over Bohol. Winfried has been providing assistance to a local blind boy. He wanted to see the bigger picture and how he can help in a bigger way. That's Winfried - he has a big heart. The most pressing need is a braille-embosser (it prints regular books into Braille format) which costs P200,000. Hopefully, Winfried will find a solution in Germany where he just left for.

blind students coming from all over Bohol

Settling Down
At some point in time, I would be too old to be backpacking with all the uncertainties of the open road with this heavy bag on my back. I would have to settle down - I can only take this lifestyle so far.

Actually, I don't even have to wait that long. At this point, I am tired of traveling. I would already like to have a place where I can wake up in the morning without having to think about packing/unpacking or being in transit. The thought got concrete when I stumbled into Epicurus.

Utopian Shangrila
Inspired by the Greek philosopher, Epicurus, I posted my thought about settling down in a place I can share with friends. The reaction was more than what I expected. I didn't realize such a concept was compelling and relevant to the times. Without asking for anything, I already received pledges for money, support to raise funds with lots of encouraging words! I'd like to exercise minimal control on this. I'm more curious how this organically grows and in what direction - specially now that I'm leaving the country. I will cover my bases and do my due-diligence as always but leave it to the bigger forces at play to shape things and make it happen.

I don't have the money for it, but my universe has worked in mysterious ways beyond my wild imaginings to manifest my desires for the greater good. All I need to do is put out the intention + do my due-diligence...and all is coming. If it never takes off, then perhaps it was never meant to be. I take faith in that.

A Brief Talk with Loboc's Movers and Shakers
While having pizza with friends close to 9pm already, Jeffrey nudged me aside and whispered that some Loboc VIPs wanted to have a brief talk with me. Really? He took me to City Hall where I met with the mayor, ex-mayor, special adviser and some municipal officers. They were interested to know more about the idea I earlier mentioned to the tourism head and the mayor in our passing talk during the holidays. In about 20 minutes, we covered the following:

mountain bike park - they loved the concept of a family-oriented mountain bike park in Loboc that entails camp grounds and specially designed mountain bike trails along its hilly slopes. It will be the first of its kind in the country. We're not reinventing the wheel. I've seen it go viral in the ski resorts of Canada. I'm a mountain bike hammerhead, I've riden Canada's trail system and I'd be happy to pour out what I know about making this a reality.
land for my Utopian Shangrila - I mentioned to them that I'll be leaving Loboc the following day but contemplating on developing my Utopian Shangrila in the Philippines to share with friends when I settle down upon coming back. I told them I love Loboc and seriously consider this place as one out of two other destinations - Valencia (Negros Oriental) and Coron (Palawan). Without batting an eyelash, they offered me 500m² of land, free for my use for the remainder of my life - just for me to choose Loboc. Whoa! Did they just manifest my vision for a Utopian haven? I knew my benevolent universe works in strange ways to manifest my desires, but I didn't see this coming!

Ending Thoughts

Being Homeless and Poor
I'd been in Loboc over 4 months now...a little unusual for me given that I've only allowed myself 30 days in a place. But it kept calling-out and it would have been arrogance on my part to have walked away. Let me put it this way - when the universe creates an opportunity for me, I don't question. I just say, "bring it on", always grateful for the opportunity and grateful that I can turn my life on a dime to accept the new challenge.

If I own property or have a home (which I don't), I will be burdened by ownership and that means my hands are tied. If I have money (which I don't but nobody believes me anyway), I can ignore the opportunity saying I have my fuck-you! money in the bank. So altogether, my being homeless and poor pave the way for me to devour the world as my oyster. Not even the richest people I know of, have that as an exercisable option.

Overseas Travel
But with my acceptance into the meditation course in Malaysia this March and a confirmed booking for Nepal in April, my days in Loboc (and in the Philippines for that matter) have come to an end. I now have to resume my overseas travel and see what life has lined-up for me.

In Pursuit of Happiness
As the Greek philosopher Epicurus once said, to which I completely subscribe to, to have a happy life you need 3 things:

an examined life to deepen your evolution
freedom to pursue your excitement
friends to share your wonderful moments with

Let me add a 4th (not necessarily in this order):

someone engaging to hug on a cold day

Who knows? With my recent talk with Loboc's powers-that-be, perhaps I can realize all 4 on the path leading me back to Loboc.

To all the wonderful people who helped shape my meaningful Loboc experience, daghang salamat!

--- TheLoneRider
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

healthy breakfast at Sapa with Raymond Cal

travel tales with travelers at Villagio Pizza

sikwate breakfast with Winfriend, the kids and Raymond Cal

lite moment with now-friends at Villagio Pizza

my usual cheese pizza and grated carrot topping

engaging breakfast talk at Riverside Native House Resort

spotting an ideal location for my Shangrila

slice of Loboc life: Saturday band at the plaza

acceptance into the meditation course in Malaysia

a few shots with Juan, Bossing and Marlon

pizza nite with Jeffrey, Joan, Fred, Sophie and Carole

impromtu meeting with Loboc's VIPs at the mayor's office

The 24-Hr Trip from Loboc (Philippines) to Gambang (Malaysia)

(Mar 15-16, 2018) Preparing and the fast-thinking of the 24-hr trip from Loboc (Philippines) to Gambang (Malaysia)....more »»

Next Goodbye:

Goodbye and Thank You Kuantan

(Apr 13, 2018) After staying 17 days in Kuantan, it was time again to pack-up and leave for a new destination. 17 days gave me glimpse of Kuantan's people, its culture, cafes, eating places and tourist attractions. I think the challenge for a traveler is to find the hidden gems in a place where it's not too apparent. I think I leave Kuantan having discovered a few.....more »»

Loboc Map

Loboc, Bohol, Philippines

tourist attractions

Cruz Daku - 80-foot white cross erected in 1986 on top of Loboc's highest mountain
Virgen de Guadalupe - giant statue of the Black Madonna perched on a Loboc summit
River Cruise - river cruise on a floating restaurant serving lunch with cultural presentation
Busay Falls - accessible only through the river cruise
Loktob Spring - cold water spring, free admission, huts for rent
Zipline and Cable Car Ride - at the Eco-Tourism Adventure Park

hotel

Fox & The Firefly Cottages - SUP paddle boarding, luxury riverside native cottages, mountain bike tours, SUP yoga
Lyn's Backpackers Inn - family-run guesthouse in the heart of Loboc

Bohol, Philippines

tourist attractions

Danao Adventure Park - zip lining, cable car ride, caving, river rides/trekking, off-road buggy ride, root climbing, rappelling and ultra-glide rides
Alona Beach - hub for tourists with hotels, resorts, restos, bars and dive shops
Chocolate Hills - hills side-by-side shaped like giant Kisses chocolate
Tarsier - pocket-sized marsupia looking like a monkey
Balicasag Island - one of the best dive spots in the Philippines
Loboc River - river cruise on a boat
Anda Beach - fine white sand beach with resorts, restos and cottages, 3 hours by bus from Tagbilaran
Cabagnow Cave Pool - brackish water pool about 5ft deep inside a limestone opening on the ground, 8 feet deep, P50
Lamanok Island - walk on a 100m bamboo bridge on stilts to a resto area to take a boat tour to caves and nearly attractions, P300
Combento Cave Pool - cave pool with underwater cave system, P20
Can-umantad Falls - long narrow drop until it hits a bulbous mound spreading it into a a curtain-like water canopy and down into a splash pool
Canawa Cold Spring - deep refreshing cold spring with developed pool area
Firefly Tour - evening boat ride into the river to watch fireflies

hotel

Fox & The Firefly Cottages - SUP paddle boarding, luxury riverside native cottages, mountain bike tours, SUP yoga
Baranggay Valladolid, Loboc, Bohol
Bohol Tropics Resort - seafront location, manicured surroundings, swimming pool, resto/bar
0133 Graham Avenue, Brgy. Cogon, Tagbilaran, Bohol 6300
Oasis Resort - Alona Beach location, dive center, resto / bar
Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol

yoga

Jing Yoga - health & well being through yoga
The Courtyard - Airport Road fronting the church
Bohol Meditation and Yoga Center - 2nd Floor Lim Magtajas Bldg. CPG Avenue

Bohol Travel Info/Tips

Bohol FYI / Tips

the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located within the Alona Beach area
the tourist attractions in Bohol are far apart and spread-out. It would be difficult to visit them all using public mass transit. Better hire a van (P3500/day) if in a big group, or rent a motorcycle (P400/day + gas)
Bohol relies on its tourism for revenue. As expected, everything they can capitalize on from tourism is extensively used and developed

Tagbilaran Port to Panglao

You can charter any tricycle from the port all the way to Panglao (~P300), but if you want to do it on the cheap,

don't take the tricycles lined-up inside the port. Walk past the port gate and immediately outside, you'll see many tricycles. Take one to the bus terminal in Dao (~P15)
in Dao, take the jeep that plies the Panglao route (~P20)

Tagbilaran (Bohol) to Cebu City by boat

** schedules and rates keep changing, call for latest schedule

Weesam Express - departs 6:15 AM, 11:30 AM, 4:00 PM
one way: Economy (aircon) P500.00, Economy (non-aircon) P400.00, First Class P600.00
round trip promo (at least 2 days advance booking): Economy (aircon) P600, Economy(non-aircon) P500, First Class P1200
round trip promo (1 day or on the day booking): Economy (aircon) P800, Economy (non-aircon) P700, First Class P1200
Ocean Jet - departs 6-7:05-8:20-9:20-10:40-11:40AM, 1-2-3:30-4:20-5:30-6:30PM, 2 hours, arrives Pier 1 in Cebu
Open Air / Tourist Class P800, Business Class P1000
+63(32)255 7560 / +63 (32) 255 0115 / 0917 638 0000
SuperCat (2GO) - departs 5:50-11AM, 3:45-5:25-8:15PM, arrives Pier 1 in Cebu
P 500.00
+63 32 233 7000

Things to do, Places to go in Bohol

Chocolate Hills - this is a clustering of more than 1200 hills within a 50km² area. They range in height from 30-50 meters. What's unusual is their near-perfect conical shape resembling an individual chocolate chip. No one knows how they were formed. Entrance is P50/pax.
Tarsier Conservation Area - located Upper Bonbon, Loboc. The tarsiers are no longer being played at by tourists as circus props, but instead, visitors now view them in cordoned-off areas in their natural 6ha habitat. As they are territorial and nocturnal, they are predictable on where they can be viewed. P50/pax.
Alona Beach (Panglao) - Alona Beach is the tourist hub of Bohol. It has 1.5 kms of white sand beach lined-up by bars, hotels and restos. Alona is also the jump-off point for Balicasag Island, a world class dive destination.
Danao Adventure Park - located in Barangay Magtangtang, 72 kms (2 hours ride) from Tagbilaran. Adventure activities include river trekking, tyrolean traverse, rappelling, bouldering, rock climbing and ziplining.

Blogs

Bohol blogs