World's smallest mammal tour in Bohol

Bohol is an island in central Visayas, Philippines. My journey began with a 2 hour boat ride from Cebu City in Cebu Island to Taglibaran Pier, the capital of Bohol.

From the pier, I took a tricycle to the hotel in Taglibaran. It is a small town with few eateries. One of the things that I like about Taglibaran is the cheap massage in the public park. Basically one can get a shoulder and head massage for only around USD2 per hour on the public bench. My friends and I went there for 2 consecutive nights for a public massage!

The key highlight in Bohol is watching the world's smallest mammal, Tarsier in Tarsier Sanctuary. Tarsier is a shy little mammal hanging on the tree. Unfortunately, not many are left and it was disappointing to only manage to spot just 1-2 mammals in the sanctuary. 

Shy Tarsier

The tour was followed by a boat cruise and lunch on boat along Loboc River with live bands. It was a relaxing ride with natural village views where we could see villagers bathed and washed in the river. 

Cruising along Loboc River

Stand up Paddle

Lunch on board

Next, the iconic and unique Chocolate Hill , where one can climb on the stairs to viewing platform to enjoy the surrounding Hersey Kiss Chocolate lookalike of Chocolate Hills. The hills are shaped in triangle, a typical isolated hill shape in clusters. We explored both the viewing platforms of Chocolate Hills, the viewing platform in Carmen and Sagbayan Peak in Sagbayan for amazing 360 degree surrounding view.

Chocolate Hill

View from Carmen Peak

View from Sagbayan Peak

The popular tourist spot in Bohol is Alona Beach in Panglao Island, where one can take a boat ride for island hopping and just stroll along the beach for a wonderful sunset evening. We took a public transport in a jeepney that was jam packed for about an hour to reach there. We went for island hopping from the beach, to Balicasag Island for snorkelling and Virgin Island with white, long sandy bar for sunbathing. The beaches are super white with fine sands that can hurt the eyes in a bright sunny day. I remember the boat ride was choppy that I was wondering if we were surfing on the sea with the water splashed violently. In the evening, many people hang out at the tables along the beachin Alona, enjoying the sunset with a drink. What touched me in the evening was the experience of riding a tricycle back to Taglibaran in a pitch dark road and the rider had to bear the burden of 3 adults in his tricycle as he was earning a living, riding in pitch darkness with rain. 

Balicasag Island

Virgin Island

Alona Beach

Happening scene during sunset

Before I left the island, I took an adventure by taking a public transport from the city to the rural village for a stand up paddle along Loboc River, where we had a boat cruise the day before. It was my first stand up kayaking experience.

After the adventure, I took a bus back to town in the outskirt of Taglibaran to explore the local market and local shopping center nearby. To my surprise, a cinema movie ticket cost nearly 5USD! The local market reminded me of the past back home though.

Bus station in Taglibaran outskirt

Coke in glass bottles

Charcoal iron - memory from the past

A rare sight of firewood sales these days

I have always love to explore Philippines as the Pinoy (Pilipinos) are friendly and places are amazing with natural landscapes especially mountains. The only thing that I don't crave is the food as I think Pilipino food lacks vegetables and variety which I may be wrong... Yet I enjoyed travelling in The Phillipines!

St Joseph Cathedral in Taglibaran

River view from Hotel in Taglibaran

Nature in Taipei City (Yangminshan)

Have you ever thought that in the midst of the bustling city of Taipei, there lies a greenery treasure? In fact, Taipei itself is a city of mountains with many small mountains around to hike. One of them is Mt Qixing (Seven Star), the highest peak in Taipei, located in Yangmingshan National Park.

Yangmingshan National Park is located north of Taipei City. It is a nature escape for city dwellers on weekends. There is a bus that brings directly to the national park from Shilin Station. 

My 1st destination was Xiaoyoukeng, a geological park well known for fumaroles and hot springs. There is a clear path where it leads to Mt Qixing at 1120m in about 1-2 hour with mountain scenery stops for pictures. The hiking trail is quite straight forward with some ups and downs. Mt Qixing is the highest peak in Taipei.

Fumaroles on the hill

Steamy trek

Looking back from Mt Qixing trail

Misty or steamy view?

From Mt Qixing, the path leads down to another direction to Lengshuikang, where it will lead through some forested trails to the most breathtaking grassland I have ever seen in a city, Qingtiangang. It is a big piece of grassland surrounded by mountain peaks with undulating walkway. It was misty in the late afternoon, adding to the feeling of winter. Along the way, there is Mt Zhugao to hike for another spectacular view. 

Flat resting area upon coming down from Mt Qixing

Downhill

Milk Pond

Green green grass of land

View from Mt Zhugao

Mt Zhugao

This one day excursion was the most memorable and enjoying experience in Taipei as I was immersed in mountains and greeneries. 

Qingtiangang Grasslanf

Mesmerising Grassland

Trekking on Volcano Mountain

Our trip started from Medan, the capital of Sumatra Island in Indonesia. It was a long 5-6 hour drive from the city to the world renowned lake, Lake Toba, a crater lake bigger than a Singapore country. From the pier, we took a boat the resort in the middle of the lake called Samosir Island. 

Our excursion started the next day, when we explored on motorbike around the island. The first stop was a museum with unique Batak culture, followed by a Batak Village, specifically built for tourism purpose. The iconic Batak culture is shown in the houses with high slanting roof with pointed ends. 

Unique Batak House

Traditional Batak Culture

The key highlight in Lake Toba is the mesmerising nature with volcanic greeneries on the hillslopes and the lush wild plants at the edge of the lake. What a wonderful world! The relaxing experience was enhance with the lake view of our rooms in the resort. Our journey then continued to Bukit Tinggi.

Samosir Island

Greenery abound

View from lake edge hotel

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Sunset in heaven

Bukit Tinggi is a small town on a highland in central Sumatra Indonesia. As the name Bukit Tinggi means High Land, the weather is cooling with abundant colorful fruits in the local market, one of the key highlights. Besides, it is well known as a gateway to the heaven of mountain trekking.

Start of Mt Sibayak trek

The journey continues

One such mountain nearby is Mount Sibayak, an active volcanic mountain. It took around 2 hours to trek from starting to the vantage point. From afar, Mount Kerachi can be seen. The trek along the way is quite rocky with gradual ascend. Sulfuric fumes can be seen escaping from the volcanic slopes. Upon reaching the peak, the volcanic lake could be seen below. It is a 360 degree view of surrounding nature.

Sulfuric hole

Sulfuric ash

Sulfuric lake near the peak

Hand drawn words?

Impressive view

Peak of Mt Sibayak

It is always refreshing to visit places of nature, especially through hiking.