South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR) recently announced that it will launch its first domestic jet services from Manila to Cebu on July 1, 2011 and Manila to Davao on July 2 as part of the SEAIR-Tiger Airways Partner Airline Programme.

Special starting fare offers will be for as low as 499 PHP one-way to/from Cebu for travel on July 1 to October 29, 2011, and 999 PHP one-way to/from Davao for travel on July 2 to October 29, 2011. Passengers can now buy tickets online at FlySeair.com and tigerairways.com, or call +63 2 849 0100, the SEAIR Hotline for domestic and international flights.

SEAIR will have up to 10 daily flights to and from Cebu and up to six daily flights to and from Davao from its jet operations base at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) domestic terminal.

Cebu and Davao are the major tourist gateways in the Philippines for Visayas and Mindanao, respectively. Cebu, the “Queen City of the South”, also known locally as Sugbo, is the capital city of the island of Cebu and the oldest city in the country. Its popular tourist attractions include the Magellan’s Cross Shrine, an important historical landmark that signalled the beginning of the Spanish occupation in the Philippines, and the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño (Minor Basilica of the Santo Niño), which houses the Santo Niño de Cebú (Holy Child of Cebu), the oldest Catholic relic in the Philippines.

Apart from exploring the Spanish side of Cebu, nature-loving travellers can discover rich marine life at scuba diving spots in Moalbal, Malapascua, and Pescador Island, or hop on a ferry to its island neighbors, Bohol and Negros, for dive safaris in Cabilao and Apo Island.

The largest city in the country and the premier hub of Mindanao, Davao is home to some of the country’s top beach and mountain resorts, most notably the Pearl Farm in the secluded island of Samal, just 45 minutes off the coast of the city. Adventure-seekers can sign up for a two-day climb at Mount Apo, the Philippines’ tallest mountain at 9,692 ft located just 40 km northeast of Davao, or sample durian, “the king of fruits”, which, due to its unusual flavor and odor, have aroused intense passion in some and dislike in others. The annual week-long Kadayawan Festival in August, the biggest of its kind in Mindanao, is celebrated during the peak season of durian and mangosteen (another fruit) as a thanksgiving celebration for the bountiful harvest of flowers and fruits that Davao is known for.

The Cebu and Davao flights are the first domestic flights under the SEAIR-Tiger Airways Partner Airline Programme, which allows SEAIR to distribute its seats through the established online booking system, www.tigerairways.com. SEAIR is the first Tiger Airways Partner Airline in the Asia Pacific region.

“SEAIR’s great value fares and this expanded network will offer travellers even more value-for-money destinations to choose from, together with worry-free bookings. The introduction of high frequency domestic jet routes will also drive the creation of new jobs as well boost tourism across the Philippines,” said SEAIR President and CEO Avelino Zapanta.

SEAIR is the second oldest airline in the country. It has the reputation of having pioneered commercial flights to the country’s fastest growing tourist destinations including Boracay, Batanes, and northern Palawan. Now on its 16th year of operation, it has expanded its reach regionally with jet services to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau.

During our trip to Cebu, we spent a day in the city. There aren’t a lot of tourist spots to visit in the city so the next best thing is to try the country’s only sky attraction, the Skywalk Extreme and the Edge Coaster at the Crown Regency Hotel & Towers.

The Crown Regency Hotel in Cebu is the tallest building in the city spanning 38 floors. On the 37th floor is the Sky Walk where you will walk around outside the building and get a view of the whole city. The Edge Coaster on the 38th floor is a ride around the edge of the building where you can tilt your seat downward for a vertigo-inducing view.

We took a cab to Crown Regency at Fuente Osmeña and entered the hotel. The receptionist told us to head to the 19th floor to inquire about the rates.

Rates

Since we went there after lunch, we didn’t avail of their buffet with rides rate. There’s also a 4D theater available but we only opted for the Sky Walk and Edge Coaster ride.

The rate for the two rides is Php600 per head inclusive of a light snack. Not bad I might say considering how expensive the sky walk in Macau is. For complete rates and packages, check out their site.

After paying, we head up to the 38th floor and went outside to check out the view of Cebu city first before doing the rides. You can already see Bohol from the hotel.

Skywalk Extreme

This is the first and only Sky Walk in the country so it’s something you might want to try when you’re in Cebu. You will go outside for a 10 to 15-minute walk around the walkway with a cord attached to the ceiling and into your harness.

You need to wear a flight suit and rubber shoes. No slippers nor any loose items. No cameras allowed as well! They will give you a locker for you to place your belongings. If you don’t have any rubber shoes on, you need to buy a pair of socks (Php20) and they will lend you the shoes.

Once on your suit, you will put on your harness. There’s also an instructor who will brief you on some safety procedures. He will also lead you during the walk and act as some sort of tour guide. There’s also another personnel who will be taking photos during the walk.

As you do your walk, your guide will make you stop at certain points for some photo op. You can walk near the edge and look over below if you want.

Make sure you ask the photographer to take lots of photos with different poses. Take your time at each stop. It’s probably going to be a once in a lifetime thing so make the most of it.

When you’re done, you have the option to buy your photos on a CD or have it printed.

Ok I’m going to take some time talking about claiming the photos. I was surprised when I learned that the CD costs Php550!!! It gets more expensive if there are more of you so splitting the cost won’t do any good. Unbelievable! The photos were amateurish despite using a DSLR camera (there were a big speck on the lens) and we only had 10 shots. You can’t say no because you want to bring home something from it. Having a photo printed costs about Php200+. What a rip off!

Ok that’s enough ranting… for now.

Edge Coaster

Back at the 38th floor is the Edge Coaster. This is a 3-minute motorized ride around the edge of the building so you can get a nice view of the city in all angles.

No need to get into any harness here, your seat will keep you secure. You can control how your seat is tilted. Backward if you’re afraid of heights and just want to enjoy the view from the top or forward until you’re literally facing the pavement below.

Just like the Sky Walk, you are not allowed to bring your camera with you. You can ask a friend to go outside and take photos of you while on the ride though.

I was hesitant in buying our photos because it’s another Php550 for a CD of amateurish shots. They won’t even put your Edge Coaster and Sky Walk photos in one CD so you have to pay more than the rides. Geez! We settled for a 6×8 printed photo for Php230 because Tia insisted on it.

Afterwards, we headed back down to the 19th floor for our included snacks. It’s just a choice of a donut, dimsum or sandwich and an iced tea for your drink.

It wasn’t really a thrilling experience especially if you’re not afraid of heights. If you are then it’s best that you go at night. You won’t see the ground but you’ll get to enjoy the city lights.

If I’m going to do it again, I’m just going to go for the Sky Walk and have more photos taken. If not for the absurd cost of the photos I would’ve enjoyed my time in the Sky Experience Adventure.

Jumpstart the summer travel season with Cebu Pacific’s Php999 “Go Lite” seat sale starting today until January 15, 2010. Travel time is from February 1 to April 4, 2010.

Included flights are major local tourist destinations such as Boracay (Kalibo), Puerto Princesa, Busuanga, Naga, Legazpi, San Jose (Mindoro), Tagbilaran (Bohol), Cebu, Laoag (Ilocos Norte), Siargao, Cagayan de Oro and Davao.

There are a total of 32 domestic destinations to choose from and accessible through hubs across the country: Manila, Cebu, Clark and Davao. With inter-island routes, a smash hit for those going home or opting to take weekend vacations with friends. These routes include Davao-Iloilo, Davao-Cagayan de Oro, Cebu-Dumaguete, Cebu-Ozamiz and Clark-Cebu.

Passengers without credit cards can book online and pay through Cebu Pacific Air partner banks (Bancnet, Megalink, Metrobank, Banco de Oro and Robinsons Savings Bank).

The Chocolate Hills in Bohol is one geologic phenomena most people know little of. Here’s one of the more accepted scientific explanation about it as printed in a bronze plaque at the top of the Chocolate Hills Complex View Deck.

About 2 million years ago, most of the island of Bohol was below a shallow sea coral reefs, similar to those now found offshore of Northern Bohol, thrived and extensibly covered the sea floor. During stormy days, fragments of coral and shells derived by waves from the reefs were deposited were mostly deposited in the landward side of the reefs. The coral and shell fragments formed relatively thin layers surrounding the live coral reefs.

Slowly, the land rose causing the coral reef formation to emerge out of the sea. The taller arrows shown in the diagram indicate that the southern sections of Bohol island have been uplifted more than the northern section.

The Chocolate Hills have been carved out from the relatively thin layers of coral and shell fragments. Gullies were developed in the low lying areas and lakes occupied pre-existing depressions.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is running a new “No-Frills” to all PAL domestic flights and selected Asian destinations. Promo ticket prices are only available for purchase through the PAL website. Below are the applicable routes and fares.

International Round Trip Fares (excluding taxes, surcharges and airport terminal fee). Valid for selling, ticketing and traveling until March 29, 2010 only.

* For as low as USD $48 (with PBWEB Fare Basis) / minimum 2 days and maximum 8 days of stay (between Manila to Ho Chi Minh* / Hong Kong / Jakarta, Indonesia / Singapore). * Not available for Ho Chi Minh to Manila.

* For as low as USD $58 (with PBWEB Fare Basis) / minimum 2 days and maximum 8 days of stay (between Manila and Bangkok, Thailand / Macau)

* For as low as USD 68 (with PBWEB Fare Basis) / minimum 2 days and maximum 8 days of stay ( between Manila and Taipei, Taiwan)

* For as low as USD 98 (with PBWEB Fare Basis) / minimum 2 days and maximum of 8 days stay ( between Manila and Shanghai, China)

* For as low as USD 188 (with PBWEB Fare Basis) / minimum 2 days and maximum of 8 days stay (between Manila and Beijing, China)

Note: International fares will be quoted in the currency of the country of departure except for Philippines and Indonesia where fares are quoted in USD$.

* For as low as USD $78 (PWEBSGN) / minimum 2 days and maximum of 8 days stay (from Saigon, China to Manila)

Domestic one-way All-In Fares valid for sale, ticketing and travel until further notice (excluding Aviation Security Fee (ASF) and airport terminal fee ).

* For as low as Php 488, between Manila and Laoag

* For as low as Php988, between Manila and Legazpi, Albay/ Cebu / Iloilo

* For as low as Php1,088, between Manila and Bacolod / Dumaguete / Kalibo, Aklan /
Puerto Princesa, Palawan / Roxas, Capiz / Tacloban, Leyte / Tagbilaran, Bohol

* For as low as Php2,088, between Manila and Butuan / Cagayan de Oro / Cotabato /
Davao / Dipolog / General Santos / Zamboanga

One of the must-see places if you’re going on a vacation to Bohol is the Loboc river. The famous Loboc River Cruise takes tourists to a lunch buffet while cruising into the Loboc river on a floating raft pushed by a motorboat (banca).

The one-hour cruise takes the diners to an hour-long lunch buffet with the great view of the Looc river. Onbard the covered raft, a sumptuous Bohol-inspired dishes paired with a pair of musician and singer combo for entertainment. 

The cruise will pass thru and dock on another flaoting raft (balsa) with an orchestra of ukolele players and dancers singing local songs while tourists are enourage to join in the revelry. One of the more challenging dance moves include the tinikling. 

Loboc is a 5th class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. It is mere 24 km away from Tagbilaran City, the provincial capital of Bohol. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 16,299 people. It is the Music Capital of Bohol.

Loboc is known for its floating restaurants along the scenic and winding Loboc River. Tourists also come to see the tarsier, a small nocturnal animal with large eyes, one of the world’s smallest primates in the world.

You might wonder why the river water looks yellowish-green. This is because of the soil content that’s mixed with rainwater flowing down the mountains (some sort of algae that turns greenish when exposed to the sunlight).

An ordinance by the provincial government of Bohol aims to restrict the public viewing of captive tarsiers in the island. The restriction has recently been made to protect the population and natural habitat of tarsiers in Bohol.

The Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary is the only body that is sanctioned to do public viewing of the tarsiers in Bohol. The Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, run by the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, Inc., is the only sanctuary with the area, facility, and expertise to handle the conservation and preservation of the Philippine Tarsier and thus was given the exemption.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order No. 38 included the Philippine Tarsier among the national protected wildlife species. The Philippine Tarsier is native to the island of Bohol.

Issues with existing owners of tarsiers and breeders who has raised tarsiers in captivity remains a debate.

The Amorita Resort in Panglao Island, Bohol is one of the newest resorts in the island that caters to the high-end tourists. Amorita combines the comforts and service of a 5-star hotel and the beautiful scenery of a beach-front vacation spot. Just be prepared to fork out Php8,500 per night on one of their queen-sized bedrooms.

From Manila: Domestic carriers such as Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have direct flights to Tagbilaran City Daily.

From Cebu: Fast craft sea vessels such as Ocean Jet, SuperCat and Weesam have daily trips to Tagbilaran City with approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes travel time.

Amorita offers escorted transfers (30-45 minutes) from the airport or the pier in Tagbilaran (Capital of Bohol)
to the resort.

Manila Sales & Reservations Office:
Unit 1632 City and Land Mega Plaza,
ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Tel Nos: +63 2 687-3641/914-0585/+63 2 914-1728/914-1527
Fax No: +63 2 914-0584
Mobile: +63 917 8619441/922 8593403
Email: inquiries @ amoritaresort.com
URL: www.amoritaresort.com

In Bohol:
Easter A. Lim Drive, Brgy. Tawala,
Panglao, Bohol, Philippines 6340
Tel Nos. +63 38 502-9001 to 03
Fax No. +63 38 502-9002

Raine (my son) and I don’t often go on a real vacation. Well, except for a quick trip to Manila and Los Baños to re-connect with friends.

I have included in my healthy new year’s resolution traveling out of town (if not out of the country!)  at least once a year.  My son and I need such bonding-retreats (be it just the two us or with a group of friends) away from our daily routine, every now and then.

I have discovered too that unplanned trips are the ones that eventually materialize.

Like we have been planning to visit Ruth in Singapore for half-a -year now but we haven’t gone to finally booking that ticket.  Either I have not much money saved or something comes up that makes me use the money I was supposedly saving.

And then suddenly, Ruth told me that her family is coming home to the Philippines and out of the blue said to me when we were chatting: tara sa bohol!

So, we’re going to join them. Yey!!

We are already booked at the Bohol Beach Club and thank God for the Cebu Pacific low fare rates.

When I went there, it was not the perfect season for vacation people but there are a lot of people that went to the 10th largest island in this side of the planet: Bohol.

It was Day 2 of our Bohol vacation and my team mates are preparing for the day with the sea.

Dol-FIN watching

So early in the morning, as our team departed to the sea from the powdery white sand beach of Alona in Isla Panglao, after packing up something to munch of and taking pictures. And the motor banca stopped and there was silence.

Bohol Sea is part of the whale’s and dolphin’s migratory route and habitat and so therefore there are many passers-by here. Between the island of Panglao, Balicasag in the west and Pamilacan in the east, the dolphin watching was a thing to get entertained, but to our dismay, the only thing that we saw are few dolphins with their fins the most visible.

Native fishermen once hunted these marvel of the sea for their meat. Yet ever since the media in Manila opened up this issue, the fishermen stopped slaying these gentle creatures and turned into subsistence fishing and now Bohol’s top industry, eco-tourism.

Paradiso Mar: Balicasag

After that dolphin watching and rocking with the waves and the deep blue sea, we head on to the island with a parola on his head. Named perhaps form a specific type of crab that was abundant back then: Balicasag. One of the country’s declared marine sanctuary, the main scene that made Balicasag famous is not on its shores but below the water.

Balicasag is a city of marine proportions. Fish and sea creatures here there and everywhere. The color was azure and the water is clear. It was a sight to behold.

We went their unprepared and no reservations with the PTA-owned resort but with the help of the local residents who are hospitable enough to accept these estranged visitors from the city, we had a sumptuous meal of fish and kilawin. Yum yum! Fresh catch from the sea.

The sun is blazing on a windy habagat breeze, the sky was clear, and we had satisfaction on our faces. Manong Bangkero (boatman) asked us if we wanted to go to a certain place named “Virgin Island” which is near mainland Panglao but for an additional fee. We agreed, it was early to go back to the resort and paid an additional P500.

As we left Balicasag Island, people who are into snorkeling and diving multiplied off-coast of the island. It was one in the afternoon. And we were off to this certain island that is isolated and uninhabited.

Isla Virgen (“Virgin Island”)

It was a choppy 45 minute ride with our banca as we braved the already rough waters of the monsoon wind. It was a thrill of a ride when suddenly the waters were calm. We were approaching Panglao Bay, a very shallow body of water made from several shoals, coral reefs and magnificent and a very virginal island known as, Virgin Island.

It was low tide and we can see the stretch of white sand beach stretching from the island, all the way to the sea, and we were just in time for it disappears during high tide. Silent and no people around. We disembarked and spent an hour in the said island. It was hot yet we relaxed in the shallow clear waters of Panglao.

Habagat sets in

The weather seemed to be very cooperative as we had our morning dolphin watching, an outdoor lunch and going to a different world known as a sea. But it was turning late in the afternoon when dark clouds are already appearing in the sea. As we went back to our resort, we went back again for half an hour snorkeling. And as the rain approaches, we decided to call it a day.

We weren’t tired. It was satisfying. Bohol by the sea has something truly amazing to offer. Azure, verdant and fish. That was one September day that we would never forget and oftentimes still convinces me to go back there again.