فليبين مرشدة

Looking for the perfect getaway from all the work-related stress? Searching for that perfect honeymoon spot? Imagine yourself lying on a pristine white sand beach dotted with lush greens and grass thatched cottages, a cool tropical breeze kissing your suntanned cheeks, the sound of rushing waves from the clear blue ocean beckoning you to dip into it’s cool, soothing waters. And then head back to your private villa to relax and enjoy the scenic view. Experience all that bliss and more in Bohol’s Panglao Island Nature Resort.

Located in Bingag, Dauis, Bohol, all it takes to get there is a one and a half hour plane ride from Manila to Tagbilaran. The resort offers free shuttle bus transfers to and from the airport which only takes around 30 minutes.

Upon arriving at the resort, guests are treated to a welcome drink and a cool towel to freshen up.

Choose from either a beach front or garden view guestroom, with each cottage having its own private lanai. Or opt to have your own bungalow nestled atop the cliffs, with a private jacuzzi and a spectacular view of the sea.

The rooms in themselves are already a mini-paradise for the weary. Each room is equipped with an in-room coffee and tea maker, remote controlled air-conditioning, satellite cabled TV, IDD/NDD phone service, refrigerator, personal café, hairdryer, veranda with drying rack, and a private bathroom with hot and cold shower, (bathtub in the De Luxe rooms and outdoor Jacuzzi in the Bungalows). The large glass windows allow you to enjoy the view outside, even while taking a shower in the bathroom. Wi-fi internet access is also available throughout the resort; just take note that all electrical outlets are 220 volts.

Even dining is a delight to the senses. The restaurant features the best of Filipino and Western cuisine in an elegant yet relaxed beachfront setting. Breakfast and dinner are complimentary.

If you’re up for some fun, you could visit the resort’s natural underground Cambagat Cave, which is just a 5 minute walk from the hotel lobby. Feel free to use the fitness gym, and the lap pool at the spa or take a dip in the cool waters of their infinity pool. A game room complete with facilities for darts, chess, table tennis, and billiards is also available.

For the more adventurous, there are a variety of activities and guided tours to choose from including: scuba diving, kayaking, windsurfing, fishing, Island Hopping Tour, Sunset Cruising, Bohol Countryside Tour, cave diving and swimming, Loboc River Cruise, Chocolate Hills Tour, Old Churches Tour, and Antique Shopping.

You are sure to get excellent service and exquisite pampering from the resort’s staff and crew with the 24-hour room service, laundry and dry cleaning service, and dining service.

The rates are reasonable, with a Superior Room at $143 per night, De Luxe Room at $168 and the Bungalow for $183. For more information on their rates and services or to make reservations online.

The fine amenities, spectacular views, and excellent service make this island resort a natural paradise where one could simply relax, be pampered, and leave all their cares behind. A perfect getaway for families, couples, and a great venue for business gatherings, Panglao Island Nature Resort is definitely one of the best resorts in Bohol that is worth including on your list of dream vacations.

Tags: Pinoy, philippines-beaches, Scuba, Visayas, Wordpress, vacation, Philippine Islands

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Dolphin watching has never been as exciting and easy as tourists travel to Panglao, one of the 7,107 islands in the Philippines. This destination boasts of pristine beaches, spectacular coral reefs, honest and endearing local guides and most of all, peaceful waters under the hot sun.

Panglao Island has many beach resorts lined on its coasts. The place welcomes both back packers and first class tourists. Travelling to Panglao is an hour plane ride from Manila, the Philippines’ capital, to the province of Bohol. When the traveler reaches the Tagbilaran Airport, they then take a 30-minute taxi ride to the Panglao resorts. It’s that simple!

Tourist packages include sea tours and land tours. While the land tours will bring tourists to amazing destinations such as the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, the emerald green Loboc River, pools under caves, viewing of the smallest primate in the world called the Tarsier, and walk the aisles of century old churches with walls made from egg shell concoctions, the sea tour should not be missed by first time travelers to the island.

The sea tour starts at 5 am when tourists clad in favorite swim outfits are welcomed by the sunrise with breakfast in motorboats. The motorboats’ destination is the breakfast areas of the dolphins a few kilometers away from Panglao shores. Due to the keen skills of the boat drivers, tourists will see the dolphins in no time. It would be hard to get camera shots of these beautiful harmless creatures because they would be swimming here and there and everywhere by the dozens!

After two hours of sheer madness looking at dolphins bobbing up and down, swimming right beside one’s motorboats, the sea tour will bring the travelers to Balicasag Island for snorkeling. Balicasag reef is a protected sanctuary where fishes abound due to the untouched corals. Big motorboats park in deep waters while smaller canoes called “bancas” bring the sea travelers to the snorkeling site. The boatmen let the swimmers bring small pieces of bread because once in the waters just barely half a foot deep, the bread will entice fish to go near it. Literally dozens of fish in varied sizes and colors instantly appear right in front of one’s mask. The famous Captain Jacques Cousteau once said that the Philippine coral reefs diversity is the best in the world and Balicasag Reef Sanctuary is living proof of this remark.

After snorkeling for an hour or two, the travelers grab early lunch at the Balicasag Island where fresh fish can be bought and have a friendly local cook prepare it. By 1pm, the swimming travelers would be back in their resorts in Panglao and laze away the whole afternoon, reminiscing the excitement of Philippine dolphin watching at its finest.

Tags: Boracay, Manila, Pinay, traveling, filipino food, Filipino, Filipina

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Bohol is the 10th largest island in the Philippines and one of the most attractive tourist destinations located in the Central Visayas region. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. This place is referred to as God’s Little Paradise. The island is famous for its fabulous white sandy beaches and resorts, scuba diving, numerous historic places, river cruising, Sandugo Festival, Philippine Tarsier which is the smallest primate and indigenous to the island and lastly, the well known Chocolate Hills.

The Chocolate Hills are located in the Municipality of Carmen, and considered as one of Philippine’s natural wonders. It was named that way because during summer the grass that grows into the uniformly cone-shaped limestone hills turn chocolate brown making the landscape look like it had chocolate mounds all over and the perfect time to see this fantastic view is early morning.
 
Tagbilaran City is the capital of Bohol and the main point of entry to the island including nearby Panglao Island . Panglao Island is situated opposite Tagbilaran City and just 30 minutes drive away, which is famous to some of the finest white sand beaches and best resorts in the Philippines. Bohol already has an abundant numbers of hotels, resorts and other facilities where tourists can stay and enjoy.

To name well known resorts are Alona Palm Resort, Alona Kew Resort, Philippine Island Divers, Bohol Beach Club, Panglao Island Nature Resort, Alona Tropical, Flushing Meadows Resort and Amorita Resort. Whereas in Tagbilaran City, they have Bohol Tropics and Soledad Suites Hotel to name a few. There are lots of places to stay in Bohol and experience exciting treats the island offers.

All of the hotels and resorts provides complete recreation and offers great services. The places offer spacious bedrooms, complete amenities that everyone can enjoy, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, sumptuous foods featuring local and foreign cuisines, relaxing and adventurous holidays.
 
Bohol can be reached by air and boat. There are numerous flights available everyday. If via Manila, it will take at least 1 hour and 15 minutes connecting flight to Tagbilaran City. By boat which is cheaper rather than taking the plane, the ride will take 25 hours and only advisable if one has a lot of time for holidays and when in a tighter budget. It is wise to plan ahead before traveling and search for promotional packages that most of the travel agencies offer and can save a considerable amount of money.

Tags: Tourist Destinations, Davao, Bicol, Beach, Divers, Cebu, Pinay

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A relaxing vacation to rejuvenate an urban – exhausted office junkie will not be complete without a hotel reservation. In fact, it cannot even commence without lodging, most especially if you are traveling to an island or to a destination that requires travel by plane or by boat. And where else can the change of scenery and breath of fresh air take place but in the unscathed island of Bohol.

So before you pack your bags and journey to the Bohol islands and get that long awaited tan, here are a few suggestions as to where to stay, there is a sure place to cater to your whim.

Tagbilaran and Panglao are the most frequented places in Bohol, and they offer very different landscapes. If you want to have a vacation but at the same time stay in the metro with all the hustle and bustle of the city, then three Tagbilaran hotels can offer that. MetroCentre Hotel, Hotel La Roca, and Soledad Suites are the lodging place s to choose from.

MetroCentre Hotel is the premiere business destination if you want to incorporate both business and travel. It has the usual amenities of a hotel found in the city, like a health and fitness area, a coffee shop, an internet café, a health spa and pool, a cinema, bar and grill, among others. If you want to stay in the city but at the same time have the bed and breakfast feel to it, stay at Hotel La Roca. Just five minutes away from the airport, Hotel La Roca’s homely amenities include a café, a restaurant, and a pool. If you do not want to splurge on the lodging budget, then Soledad Suites is the place to be. Soledad Suites is the first and only boutique hotel in Bohol, and has a café, a restobar, and function rooms to suit your needs.

If the city life has taken a toll on you, but you still want to stay in Tagbilaran, then you might want to check out Bohol Tropics Resort Club. Situated at the white sand beachfront, it is surrounded with waterfalls, rivers and caves. Perfect for those who would want to see the myriad of aquatic life below.

Panglao, where you could unleash your inner mermaid because this island is paradise, is the destination for those wanting to totally have the best r & r. An island separated from Bohol, Panglao has four beach resorts that are fighting for your attention. These are the Bohol Beach Club, the Alona Palm Beach Resort, the Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa, and the Amarela Resort.

Since all of them are situated at the beachfront, and they all have the same amenities like that of a swimming pool, a café, a restobar, among others, what you would want to know probably are the rates. For over-all room rates, Amarela comes in with the cheapest rates of an estimated 85 to 110 dollars per room with two single beds. The Bohol Beach Club offers room rates ranging from 75 to 312 dollars, while the Alona Palm Beach resort has more of less the same rates. If you want to spend a lot for your lodging, then the Eskaya Beach Resort and spa will definitely suit your preferences. Rates range from 500 to 3500 dollars per room.

Having a vacation is all about you and your loved ones having the time of your life. Make sure that you choose the hotel that suits your lifestyle best and your budget too.

Tags: Tourist, Philippines, vacation, Travel Philippines, Pinay, Diving, filipino food

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If you are looking for a perfect island getaway, then Bohol is just a perfect paradise for you. Situated east of Cebu and southwest of Leyte, it is an island set out as a mound of brown and green in the velvet blue sea. This mound of brown and green is composed of fertile lands with chocolaty brown hills in the midst of lush forests and grassy meadows.

Bohol is indeed a paradise which does not only boast of rich agricultural lands but also of rich marine life in the form of schools of tiny reef fish to pods of dolphins and whales amidst colorful corals. Aside from its rich historic and cultural heritage and its warm and friendly people, Bohol is also known for its handicrafts such as mats, baskets, raffia woven cloth, fashion accessories, wood craft, processed foods and pottery.

If you want to explore Bohol’s beauty, there are a number of Bohol hotels and resorts situated along Panglao Island.

Situated in Panglao Island, Alona Kew white beach resort is a stretch of fine white sand with coconut trees, surrounded with the cool, blue waters of Bohol. This Bohol resort has a variety of air-conditioned suites, bungalows and deluxe cottages to suit your needs. Alona Palm Beach Bohol hotel is a 4-star hotel located on the stretch of fine white sand, and boasts of 12 elegant villas. Alona Tropical Beach Bohol resort is composed of 27 elegantly furbished double rooms, either in a longhouse or bungalows. If you want to be close to nature, Alona Vida Beach Bohol resort is a perfect choice, because of its shady coconut trees and tropical plants.
 
Not far away from Alona is Alumbung Bohol Resort, a place which offers two secluded Balinese rice barns, or lumbungs. If you want an airy view, you would surely love Amorita beach Bohol resort, which is nestled on top of a beachside cliff surrounded by verdant gardens.

Scuba divers would surely love Anayana Beach Bohol resort, a scuba diving Bohol hotel resort with a 150 meter beachfront of white sand and crystal blue waters. A partner resort of Alona Palm beach and sun apartelle, Philippine Island Divers Bohol Resort also offers first class accommodations.
 
If you want a native touch, try Bee Farm Bohol Hotel. It is a boutique hotel amidst landscaped gardens made of native materials such as bamboo and wood. They also offer a wide range of native souvenirs to take home, such as bags, mats, hats and wall decors.
 
Bohol Beach club is a famous spot of white sand amidst the blue waters. It boasts of 67 guest rooms, 40 standard rooms, 20 superior rooms, 6 executive suites and 1 family suite.
 
Another Bohol hotel which offers a hillside spectacular view is Bohol Plaza resort. It faces the city of Tagbilaran and offers a sight to behold during night time amidst twinkling stars and city lights.
 
A 5-star beachfront Bohol resort in Panglao Island is Eskaya Beach Bohol resort. It faces a 5-kilometer coral white sand stretch you would surely admire.
 
For sports lovers, Flushing Meadows Bohol Resort boasts of an international standard tennis court and a kid’s fishing center which boys, young and old alike, would surely love.
 
Be surrounded by the mystique of flowers in the Flower Garden Bohol Resort. It is a 4-star hotel which has well-landscaped gardens full of blooming flowers and tropical plants.
 
Far from the island’s hustle and bustle is Flower Beach Diving resort, a place with a relaxing atmosphere perfect for meditation.
 
Indeed Bohol is the place to be, with these Bohol hotels and resorts. So fly now!

Tags: philippines-beaches, Pinoy, vacation, White Beach, Filipina, Tagalog, Pinay

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Bohol (an island situated in the Visayas in the Philippines, is a place of lush history and is a wonderful tourist destination. It is the home of the Tarsier and the Chocolate Hills. What not many people know is that Bohol also has one of the most beautiful and awesome beaches in the Philippines or maybe even in the world. Some beaches there are not only a nice place for swimming and picnicking but also an excellent place for diving. Here, below are some of the beautiful and breathtaking beaches of Bohol.

Alona Beach – it is the most developed and probably the most beautiful beach on Panglao Island. It is located in the southwest side of the island with nice resorts and a numerous well equipped diving establishments. One must only be very careful in wading in the water because 20-30 meters away from the coast are some sea urchins.

Dumaluan Beach– is located 2 ½ kilometers from Alona Beach. It is here where Bohol Beach Club and some other more exclusive beach resorts of Bohol are located.

Bikini Beach – located about 8 kilometers away from Tagbilaran City. This beach is an ideal place for people who are fond of picnics.

Momo Beach –this one is situated on the north side of Panglao Island with shallow water and also with white powdery sand.

Doljo Beach – not far from Momo Beach and on the northwest side of the island is where this beach is located. It has clean blue water which is an ideal spot for scuba diving where divers can find undisturbed coral reefs abundant with many colorful fishes and many beautiful sea shells. It has also a long white sand shoreline.

Kaingit Beach – this beach is also in Tagbilaran City and is situated in a cove. It was developed by the city government of Tagbilaran and also maintained by them. One can observe here a sea which remains calm even on stormy weather.

Santa Fe Beach – this beach is located near the Poblacion of Albuquerque which is also 13 km from Tagbilaran City. It has white sand also and is fronting the open sea of Mindanao.

Laya Beach – located in Baclayon and is about 9 km from Tagbilaran City, is shaded by tall coconut trees. It is ideal for picnics and the rest houses are available at a minimum cost.

Duero Beach – this beach is situated 77 km from Tagbilaran City and is in the eastern part of Bohol. It is also a white sand beach which is shaded by palm and coconut trees.

Imelda Beach - it is located in Damiao and about 40 km from Tagbilaran City. It was once used as a campsite for boy and girl scouts of Bohol.
 
Canuba Beach – located in Jagna, is also blessed with white sand beach and clean blue waters shaded by palm trees.

So, if you’re planning to spend your vacation on a beach, why not try spending it in one of the beautiful beaches of Bohol in the Philippines. You can enjoy nature in a most relaxing atmosphere with the advantage of modern facilities at a more reasonable cost.

Tags: Davao, Cebu, Boracay, Mindanao, Snorkeling, Divers, Dive Sites

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Let us capture the best sunrise and sunset in the Philippines.

And where else can we see this if not in the famous white beach at Boracay?

Let us enjoy the comfort of staying in a home away from home, Crystal Sand Beach Resort.

Crystal Sand Beach Resort is located in the midst of the long white crystal sand of Boracay beach. This is the reason why it is named Crystal Sand Beach Resort. It has enough rooms to accommodate visitors coming from the different parts of the world.

Indeed, the comfort of the visitors is the top priority of the hotel that is why first class amenities are offered to visitors.

The 24 hour air conditioning to make the occupants of the room warm and comfortable is the number one feature. Added to this cable TV, in case the visitor gets tired of roaming around the island, is provided in all rooms. A telephone and hot and cold shower are other plus factors in their room accommodations.

For those who are occupying the suite and superior rooms a refrigerator is an additional provision. To assure that there are always lights around the vicinity even in case of brown outs there are 2 standby generators. And of course to add colors to the experience of the visitors the resort has its bar and restaurant where different people meet and exchange stories. As the saying goes, this is where East meets West.

For the rates of the hotel these vary according to season and the type of rooms one is occupying. But definitely, the price is fair and reasonable.

For the super peak season which covers the period from December 23 to January 23 including the Chinese New Year as well as Holy Week the prices are a little bit higher. For standard a single room the charge is 10445 PhP and an additional fee of 4400 PhP for an extra night. For a double room the price is 6300 PhP and an additional payment of 2200 PhP for an extra night.

For superior single room the resort is charging 12150 PhP and an additional 5250 PhP for extra night. In case it is a double room the cost is 7450 PhP and an extra fee of 2630 PhP for another night. Again, this is for super peak season.

During the super peak season the cost of single suite room is 14745 PhP and an additional charge of 6550 PhP for an extra night. For twin or double room the rate is 8310 PhP and an additional 3275 PhP for extra night.

However during peak season which starts every January 24 to June 15 the rates per type of room are different. For single standard room the rate is 8550 PhP and an additional payment of 3400 PhP for extra night. For double or twin room the hotel is charging 5390 PhP and an extra fee of 1700 PhP for an extra night.

For single superior room the charge is 10150 PhP and an additional 4250 PhP for another night. For double or twin room, superior type the rate is 6200 PhP and an extra 2125 PhP for an additional night.

For single suite room during peak season the cost is 12745Php and an additional 5550 PhP for an extra night. For double or twin room the charge is 7480 PhP per night and another 22775 for extra night.

The lowest rates of the hotel can be experienced by the visitors during the low season which starts every June 16 to October. For a single standard room the rate is only 6100 PhP and an additional of 2085 PhP per night. For a double room the charge is 4400 PhP and an extra payment of 1300 PhP for an extra night.

For single superior room the rate is 6900 PhP and an additional charge of 2500 PhP for an additional night. For a double or twin room the cost is 5100 PhP and another 1570 PhP for an extra night.

For the single suite room the hotel is charging 8250 PhP only and an additional 3290 PhP for an additional night. For double or twin room the cost is 5500 PhP and an additional charge of 1800 for an extra night.

So we can see that the rates differ according to the seasons which are all reasonable in the sense that all these payments include 3 days and 2 night’s room accommodations, daily breakfast, roundtrip airport transfer and welcome drinks.

Indeed visitors who will come to this white beach of Boracay in the Philippines will really experience the first class hospitality of the Filipinos once they decided to check in at Crystal Sand Beach resort. From the time they arrive to the airport up to their stay at the hotel until their departure they will feel their being important as visitors and will never regret that they have chosen this resort to be their home away from home.

Tags: Beach, Mindanao, Tourist Destinations, Boracay, Philippines, traveling, philippine-beaches

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Bohol is located in the south-central part of the Philippines, right in the heart of the Visayas. Although Bohol is known primarily for the Chocolate Hills, the Tarsier, and as an ideal spot for diving and snorkeling, there’s one other attraction that Bohol can boast about, and that every vacationer on this island should try— and that is the floating restaurants along the Loboc River.

Each floating restaurant can hold about 20-25 people each. The boat ride starts at the Loay Bridge, just 20 kilometers from Tagbilaran City. A motorboat maneuvers a large bamboo raft upstream through the Loboc River, and the buffet begins.

This extensive selection of tasty, native dishes positioned in the center of the raft makes for an extremely pleasant dining experience, which one can enjoy buffet-style for approximately P250 per person. Dishes usually offered are soup, grilled seafood such as squid, prawns and fish, and barbecued chicken, pork, and vegetables. For dessert, a variety of fresh fruits are available, as well as overflowing coffee and tea. While dining, a small group of singers serenade you with everything from folk songs to local pop songs.

Another reason that makes dining along the Loboc River so enjoyable though, is the breathtaking scenery that surrounds the raft. The lush greens all around the raft are captivating against a perfectly blue sky which adds tranquility to the ride. As the boat goes further upstream, one cannot help but notice that the river is full of life.

Locals go about their business on small boats and canoes, carabaos are wading and drinking the river water, while children are everywhere, swinging from tall coconut trees and jumping into the river. Sometimes, the children swim up to the boats and try to catch the tourists’ attention, performing random stunts in the water. Other tourists and locals call out to you, wave and smile at you, as their restaurant and yours cross paths.

The boat takes about 45 minutes to reach a small waterfall called Busay, where it will stop for a while in order for those aboard to enjoy the view. Afterwards, the boat turns around and makes its way downstream the river.

During the summer, the river is clean and green, while during the rainy season, the water is rather brown. It doesn’t really matter what time of the year you decide to go here though, because either way, you’re still in for fresh air, scrumptious food, and a completely unique experience.

Tags: Tourist Destinations, Tourist, philippine-beaches, philippines-beaches, Philippine Islands, scuba diving, traveling

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“Fresh” is the operative word here. Fresh seafood. As in just plucked out of the sea a moment ago and cooked before your very eyes. Freshly slaughtered suckling pig roasting in a pit of hot coals. Fresh vegetables. Harvested just a few steps away. Some garnish the seafood; some are processed for salads and side dishes. Fresh fruit. A local picks them off the bushes, shrubs or trees and ably adds these to the growing menu.

We are going to have a fiesta. In these parts, fiesta is a vital component of celebrating life. What seems like a growing cacophony of food preparation activity is actually an orderly exercise in merrymaking. It is the lifeblood and the tradition of these islands.

These are the Philippine islands. Home to a warm and hospitable Filipino people. And if there is anything Filipinos love to do, it is to eat well. Compared to many other nationalities worldwide, Filipinos share the peculiar reputation of celebrating the small and big events of their lives with food. To them, food is indispensable as a means of merrymaking. It seems well entrenched in the national psyche that good food; processed and handled and served well, is every homemakers status symbol. It is a widely held belief that a self-respecting Filipino will go to great lengths to transform the humblest of food into something special at the dinner table.

Native cuisine is often an eclectic mix of Chinese, Spanish, American, and local food reflecting influences from their neighbors, colonizers, and trading partners. The staple food is rice, fish, and vegetables, but pork and chicken is also popular. Each region of the Philippines is justifiably proud of its local specialties which take advantage of the dazzling range of fruits, vegetables, fish, and meats available. But let us focus on Bohol’s restaurants and its unique seafood festival.

Scenic and historical Bohol Island is a popular tourist destination located among the cluster of Visayan Islands in south-central Philippines. It is home to some spectacular dive sites that attract international divers who very often take up long-term residence here. Add to this the seasonal tourist, the resident mix-blood whose ancestors traded with or colonized the islanders, the local migrants, and the islanders themselves, and you get a picture of a Bohol island which is peopled by a merry mix of nationalities, all of whom have their own food tastes and preferences. This gives rise to a clientele for a wide variety of restaurants in Bohol which cater to every need, want and budget.

Yet most Bohol restaurants are no different from that which is typical to the Philippines or from similarly situated tourist destinations throughout the world. Even the mildly unique restaurant structures that are set partly on land and partly on the shallows of the beach are typical in many coastal tourist destinations. Fresh catch may be the operative word here, but that is true in most all quality restaurants throughout the world.

But what is unique to Bohol restaurants is the sheer variety of fresh catch and the price for which they can be had. A recent World Bank publication and the United Nations Development Program have cited a good number of marine resources scientists who claim that the Philippines is at the center of the world’s marine fish biodiversity. That study rings most true in Bohol which is situated at the center of the Philippine islands. The sheer variety of fresh catch at near bargain prices. This allows for a seafood festival unique to Bohol restaurants.

Tags: Davao, Philippines, Dive Sites, Beach, Philippine Islands, traveling, Tagalog

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