LIFE AFTER CUBES

Sea-turtles and baby sharks as swim buddies?

Stressed? 

When hassles of everyday life start to overwhelm, it is comforting to know we can escape to the warm sun and surf or swim on a beach. Luckily, Philippines has a wide great choices of beach destination located in all parts of the country...   

And really lucky me, for i'm residing in Laguna, i can choose to escape quickly either to Tagaytay or  Batangas. I preferred Tagaytay but my family opt for Batangas. T'was then a two hours drive from our place to Eagle Point Resort in Barrio Bagalagit, Mabini Batangas. Consulting google map, EPR is situated on the tip of the Calumpang Peninsula and on the Southern part of Balayan Bay.  

Pinoy Trivia: Locals calls the town Bagalagit, from the word Bagalangit, meaning "Almost heaven"...

EPR is about 6hectares of slopping land, the biggest resort in Bagalangit. Being at the tip of the Calumpang Peninsula, it has one of the best view of the seascape.

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Are there eagles in Eagle Point Resort?

Known as the Philippine's premier dive resort in Batangas, are there eagles, too, in Eagle Point Resort? This is the question that first popped out of my mind upon hearing the invitation from my sister to come with them. It was year 2005, when my itchy feet first landed on EPR's acquired Sepoc Beach. Sepoc Beach Center is EPR' s private island and its about 20 minute boat ride from the main resort. For snorkeling novice like me, i considered it already a great one for its extensive coral reef garden lies not far away from the beach. 

Meanwhile, to answer the question, YES. In fact, EPR is named after the white-hooded kites that play and hunt the area. 

Luckily, i was able to saw some birds flocking freely in one of the island's secluded area. But, i'm not a birdie expert, so I'm not sure what kind of bird specie it is.


I guess it was between 2PM to 3PM, (I'm not wearing a watch) when I begun hearing some noises from birds. Out of curiousity, i followed these winged creatures flew from one tree to another, until finally discovered to where they flocked! It was a mixed reaction of amazement and fear! Amazement, for that's one of a kind experience! Fear, because I've realized I am alone, and well, a few meters away from the main cottage. So i hurriedly went back. My only regret was that, i didn't bring my handy video camera when i followed them.       




That was five years ago. 

DUMALUAN BEACH RESORT 2, Panglao Island 


This is one among the cheapest places to stay in Panglao Island. It does not have the amenities of the higher end Bohol Beach Club or Alona Beach Resort but it has a great beach front just like Alona or BBC. It is located next to Bohol Beach Club and their beach fronts are adjacent to one another.

Dumaluan Resort has its own stretch of white beach. It is better to stay here if you prefers serenity, but if you like the Bora-like crowd, then Alona Beach/Kew is right for you.



You can choose either to stay in hotel/cottage/suite. The place has  re-creation area and fresh water  swimming pool. Pool is open until 10PM.

There is a live band at night and free WIFI within the  restaurant.

 
I still couldn't get over tarsiers, especially when i saw how they turn their heads 180 degrees around and though they have big eyes, their eyes are  sensitive to light. Therefore, taking pictures with them with flash on is highly prohibited, otherwise tarsiers would commit suicide (by banging his head).
             

After that face to face encounter with the tarsiers, we already headed up to the town of Carmen to see the famous Chocolate Hills. There are other 2 municipalities wherein you can precisely see the chocolate hills. Aside from Carmen, its in Batuan and Sagbayan.  



T'was already mid day when we got there. The sun's heat was searing and was already hungry... Oh, and if only i had my way, i would come here early morning or late afternoon..

White Beach and Sabang Beach are just among the popular beaches in Puerto Galera. White Beach is popular among Filipinos while Sabang is the foreigner's choice. 


Sabang is a barangay (village) of the tourist town of Puerto Galera located on the northeastern coast of Mindoro Island, Philippines.  Sabang also consists of the following beaches:

1. Sabang Beach
2. Small La Laguna Beach
3. Big La Laguna Beach
4. Coco Beach formerly Behiya
5. Dalaruan Beach

Among the five, Sabang Beach is the liveliest while Big La Laguna Beach is the best for swimming with its clean sand and coral reefs.

You should not  pass up a vacation in Bohol by not experiencing their famous river cruises...

Past 12:PM already when we headed down from the Chocolate Hills. Our tour package includes river cruise and dining via Rio Verde Floating Restaurant...Meals are pegged @Php  300 per person, eat all you can, authentic Filipino and Boholano dishes.


The floating restaurant is run by motor boats and can accommodate 20 people on-board at a time. The cruise ran for an hour along the Loboc-Loay river.





There are grilled seafoods, grilled meats, native delicacies and fresh fruits. I enjoyed their ginataang kuhol, shrimp, and the pork barbecue because the meat is so tender and the glaze is just exactly sweet. I heard that the seaweed is also good but i didn't try it. 
By the way, drinks are not inlcuded in the 300 peso  meal. You have to pay for the drinks separately.

 Antiquity at CLARIN'S ANCESTRAL HOUSE

 
Tarsier, one of the smallest primates on earth, naturally shy, and sensitive to lights.
(I'm referring to the tarsier, not me :-) 






 


Tarsier up close, has tail longer than its body, has large mesmerizing brown eyes, hairless ears and long finger-like claws. Tarsiers can rotate their heads 180 degrees in each direction. 























 Meeting Prony, the famous Bohol Python

Prony is caged in Upper Sta. Felomina in the town of Albur, which is about 15 minutes away from Tagbilaran City. They used to fed Prony live chickens but due to her large consumption and the cost of chickens, they now fed her with pig or goat every month. This Python has an amazing ability to sense unsuitable food such as sick pigs and goats. Prony doesn’t like dark, spotted and dirty pigs. She chooses clean white pigs that weigh over 40 kilos. The Python is given a bath 4 times a day and celebrates her own birthday annually.

Entrance Fee : Php10.00 /per person









 
BACLAYON CHURCH, Philippine Heritage
The church is considered as one of the oldest in the Philippines. The construction begun in 17th century where some 200 native forced laborers (obras pias) cut and dragged coral blocks from the sea, using only bamboos in moving and lifting the stones in position. Millions of white eggs were said to have been used as cement. (reference: bohol-philippines.com)