Thai Cuisine, Dishes and Food
Thai food is presently one of the fastest-rising and highly regarded cuisines of the world. The cuisine is highly influenced by Chinese and Indian cooking art but still retains its own identity. Creativity is quite evident in such areas as fish decoration and carved fruits and vegetables are used as dish embellishment. Thus highlighting not only the taste but the appearance as well.
Considered a diver’s paradise, Bohol is surrounded with beautiful coral reefs that never fail to attract professional and even neophyte divers. In fact, one does not have to go deep into the sea just to get a glimpse of marine life in the island of Bohol. By just putting on snorkeling gear, one can already observe some of the corals at beaches in Panglao.
Some of the finest diving sites in the Philippines are found in Bohol. These dive sites, apart from being beautiful and interesting, are also teeming with marine life that would surely delight first time divers and professionals alike. Below are the different dive sites in Panglao, Balicasag, Pamilacan and Cabilao islands.
Butterfly Sanctuary
One of the must-sees when in Cebu is the Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary and Art Gallery of the multi-awarded artist-lepidopterist J. N. Jumalon. This haven for nature and butterfly lovers is located near the Basak Elementary School, Barangay Basak – Pardo, Cebu City, is a butterfly sanctuary cum botanical garden. The sanctuary provides a natural habitat for at least 53 butterfly species and different kinds of moths. More than a hundred plant species that are mostly the life support of butterflies in their larval and adult stages are also being grown in the sanctuary.
Since Oriental Negros is home to a number of marine sanctuaries, the most famous of which is the Apo Island marine sanctuary in the municipality of Dauin, the place is also ideal for diving enthusiasts who want to explore life under the sea. Below are the different dive sites of Apo Island, Dauin, Zamboangita and Siaton.
The church in Loon, built by the Augustinian Recollects in 1853, is considered the most beautiful of the 19th century churches in Bohol. It was designed by Domingo Escondrillas, a government employee, and is made of finely cut coral. The convent, built at the same time as the church is now a school. The church’s long flight of 174 stone steps believed to be the longest step stairway in the country reminiscent of Spanish forced labor.
Cebu Philippines offers a variety of activities for tourists and those who are on business trips. One such activity is golfing in the many golf clubs in the province. There are at least four popular golf clubs in Cebu. These places not only offer sprawling golf courses for enthusiasts but other facilities as well such as basketball and badminton courts and even swimming pools for adults and children. These golf clubs also have restaurants that offer sumptuous food that will surely satisfy the appetite of the golfer and his family.
Hinagdanan Cave, Dauis, Panglao Island, Bohol
Some 1,400 caves have been identified in the province of Bohol Philippines, and one of the more popular and easy to reach is the Hinagdanan Cave in the town of Dauis in Panglao Island. Located in Barangay Bingang, which is around two and a half kilometers from the town proper, the Hinagdanan Cave is named as such because a hagdan, or ladder in the local dialect, takes visitors in and out of the cave.
Punta Cruz Watchtower in Maribojoc, Bohol
The watchtower in Punta Cruz, Maribojoc town is located 14 kilometers from Tagbilaran City and is made of stone. A wooden cross is planted in a slightly indented area in front of the tower. According to legend, the cross has been enchanted with a mysterious spell that had saved many people from the ravages of pirates. The cross is said to extend its arms to the sea, preventing marauders. The tower, which has windows that overlook nearby islands Cebu and Siquijor and the Mindanao Sea, served as a lookout for pirates.
Photo by Julia Sumangil
Bais Dolphin & Whale Watching
Among the many adventures that Oriental Negros has to offer is the dolphin and whale watching in the city of Bais. Known as the “Sugar City” of Oriental Negros, Bais City is located some 44.7 kilometers from the province’s capital, Dumaguete City. Bais City is bounded in the north by the municipality of Mabinay, in the northeast by the town of Manjuyod and in the west by the City of Bayawan.
Pamilacan Island Dolphin & Whale Watching in Baclayon
The small island of Pamilacan lies at the heart of the Bohol Sea. It was named as such from the word “pamilac” or harpoon, a large hooked implement that is locally made and used by the islanders to capture manta rays, whale sharks and Bryde’s whales. The island, which is a 45-minute pump boat ride from the town of Baclayon, is composed of three sitios, one facing Baclayon, another amid an island and a third sitio on the southern coast.
