Hinagdanan Cave: Much Ado about Nothing

It took many trips to Bohol before I finally decided to visit one of its major attractions, the Hinagdanan Cave. Probably I suspected that it will be one big disappointment. It was indeed a disappointment! And I just tried to make the most out of it.

Hinagdanan Cave is a small cave with an equally small pool where people can supposedly enjoy a cool swim in its clean and clear waters. As in the other caves being promoted as a tourist attraction in Philippines, it is hard to appreciate the stalagmites and stalactites because of poor lighting. At least here, there is some amount of natural light supported by some light bulbs which are however still inadequate to provide good visibility. Underground river in Palawan relies on flashlight and in the others like the caves of Sagada, you have to bring your own flashlight or torch.

Nothing really much going for this cave. I was even warned by my guide not to take a dip in what appeared to be a clean pond because it is actually dirty and a lot of people have complained about itchy skin and rashes after taking a swim in the pool.

Good thing, the admission to the cave is a cheap P15 (US$.35) and it is just about 20 minutes away from the resort where I was staying. Stayed only about 15 minutes inside and the trip was only worth taking if only to say that I have been to Hinagdanan Cave.

Bohol Bee Farm: Organic Farm Paradise

The latest addition to Bohol's diverse attractions is the Bohol Bee Farm. It has deservely become one of Bohol's most popular destinations. Good thing I went there around 9am so I was able to explore the place with some peace and quiet. By the time I left at around 11:30 am the place was already filled a large number of tourists.

Bohol Bee Farm is an organic farm that operates as a resort and restaurant similar to the concept of Sonia's Garden in Tagaytay. The restaurant offers delicious buffet meals at a very reasonable P500 (US $12). Salads on the buffet have organic vegetables freshly harvested from the resort's farm. The buffet also includes servings of home made ice cream that comes in different flavors (i.e. mango, ginger, chocolate, pandan, etc). My personal favorite was the ginger ice cream. They also sell the ice cream at their shop at P50 (US$1) for 2 scoops.

Accommodations in the resort are also good value with prices ranging from P2,000(US$46) to P5,000 (US$116) per night. It also has a shop where the farm's produce are sold. Good buys are squash muffins, honey, home baked bread, and the unique Cab cab (made from cassava) which is a healthy alternative to potato chips and comes with a coconut jam dip.

The resort offers a guided tour of the place for only P20 (US$.46) per person. So when in Bohol, the Bee Farm is definitely a "MUST" place to visit.

Bohol's Alona Beach: Intimate Beach Place

Bohol's most popular beach destination is Alona Beach in Panglao Island. The place is a most pleasant alternative to the more popular Boracay in Aklan. Alona Beach has a much smaller stretch of white sand beach than Boracay but this is compensated by the relatively quieter and intimate atmosphere of the place.

Probably because this is a more laid back place since it has fewer restaurants and bars, the locals and tourists are friendlier. There was a large number of foreign tourists, mostly Europeans and Koreans, during the time I was there. However, food and hotels here are relatively more expensive than Boracay.

Nevertheless, Alona Beach is the better place (rather than Tagbilaran City) to use as a base to go diving and to visit the other popular Bohol destinations including Chocolate Hills, Balicasang Island, Pamilacan beach, and Loboc River.