Fresh Ideas

It is not looking good after the Baclayon Church tour as rain drops is falling and we are anxious that we might not be able to finish our countryside tour because of the impending downpour. We now head to Loboc River to have lunch on its famed Loboc River floating restaurant.

The Loboc River is one of the major tourist destination in Bohol. Taking lunch at one of the floating restaurant while cruising over this winding river is the highlight of the tour.

We had a hard time picking one of the four restaurants operating the cruise because of their broad choice of menu. You also need to get listed and be on time before they set sail or else you will need to wait for half an hour before their next trip.

We picked Riverwatch because we saw good reviews over the net and we are surprised by the many tourists hurrying their ass off to register and the myriads of pictures on its walls of celebrities that dined there so we think that this restaurant might be serving a pretty darn good food! The buffet and tour fee is P300 per person and there is an additional entrance fee of P100 per person at the dock.

Several souvenirs shops are also thriving in this area. You can pick a shirt or two at the stores, together with other souvenirs and pasalubongs.

Our tour started at around 12:30PM. The river is strikingly jade in color. We were worried before we arrived that it might turn into brownish color because of the mud that is bothered when rain pours. Luckily it didn’t! The view is awesome!

But we noticed that the nature is already altered by the progress in this location because of the several lampposts that are erected near the riverbank. According to the locals, these were put up by the government to support the floating restaurants during night cruises.

We were then served lunch at a stopover, which served as the company’s kitchen. The menu is extensive which include grilled meat, chicken, fish, seafood, fruits, desserts and a round of drink. The food is nothing spectacular to talk about and we just have our fill.

The view of the river is magnificent while eating lunch! There is also a small falls about a meter high named Busay falls at the end of the river before we take a turn.

The cruise stop at a makeshift platform where we are then serenaded by locals, both adults and children. A remarkable dance number also impressed the spectators. They did a great performance and you can donate any amount. The trip takes 1 hour so it will not eat much of your tour time.

If you are a backpacker that wants to experience nature first hand, I suggest you try the small boats or banca and just cruise around without being tied up with the floating restaurants and their mediocre menu.

I am not sure if the proliferation of these business help preserve nature but for sure it promote local tourism by providing jobs to the locals.

Getting a glimpse of the tarsiers is our next destination after the Loboc River cruise.

Things you need to know:

• Be ready to shell out P400 for the buffet lunch and entrance on the cruise. Some countryside tours already include this on their package and some are not. Just ask before you sign up to be sure.
• It is best that you do not eat anything aside from breakfast before the river cruise so that you will enjoy the feast.

For details on the trip, you may read on these related posts:

• Day 1 Cebu trip
• Day 2 Bohol Experience
• Blood Compact Shrine: Day 2 Bohol Tour
• Baclayon Church: Day 2 Bohol Tour
• A Day with the Tarsiers: Day 2 Bohol
• The Magnificent Chocolate Hills: Day 2 Bohol
• Butterfly Center and Man Made Forest: Day 2 Bohol
• Crossing the Hanging Bridge: Day 2 Bohol
• Pasalubong galore at Aproniana Souvenir Shop: Day 2 Bohol

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