A Chronicle - Aloguinsan, Cebu

On November 24, the Tan family left Moalboal at noon for a late lunch at Aloguinsan, to proceed on  a local bangka cruise at Bojo River. This Aloguinsan sustainable tour was a special trip we had never experienced before. It was very Filipino, cultural, educational and fun. It featured everything native to the place. This sustainable tour was and is under the supervision of the Department of Tourism and the Department of Trade. Taking this trip made us proud and hopeful for our country so beautiful. We do really need to preserve our scenery and not deface it. This eco-system tour was really one of its kind. We totally enjoyed and appreciated this day tour. Thank you Tom for bringing us to Alonguinsan.
                        













While Tom was registering the group tour at the lobby, Lucas and I posed for a picture at the farm entrance. Luz Co on the other hand wanted to pose with the DTI sign board, so I posed with her too. Hahaha.

Father and son enjoying the forested pathway to the river.
We were welcome with leis made from the seeds, fruits and flowers of tropical plants. They were not edible though.














Suiling and myself with our beaded leis.

 This way to Bojo River.






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Upon arriving the river bank, we were welcome with Visayan songs and dance. Martha and Angel dancing to the lively tunes.

Look at the beautiful and colorful table setting!
All these fresh young coconuts made us extremely happy!

Healthy lunch! Tom was so proud that we were enjoying this experience to the max!

After lunch, we proceeded to the river bank for the eco-system river tour. Here everybody was getting his life vest and buri hat preparing for the cruise.

We took a bangka (paddled boat) around Bojo River. The guide pointed out different species of mangrove trees, the most popular ones were the nipa (palm) and the bakawan. It brought back a lot of childhood memories where I used to take a motorized boat with my uncle and cousins through the Rio Grande River of Cotabato City.

This was the mouth of the Bojo River going out to the sea. We were supposed to be brought out to the sea and go to a nearby beach. But because of the big waves that afternoon, the boat just stopped right at the mouth of the river for us to take a dip at the salty river water.

Hey look, who's that guy who jumped into the river first? 

After Dylan, all the young ones went down for a dip. The blue green river looked very enticing and invigorating

So I removed my life vest. (I find it more difficult to swim with a vest that is trying to go up to my throat. Haha.) and jumped into the water too. 

Upon seeing me enjoying my swim, Lucas and Luz also joined in. Emil and Suiling decided to stay dry on the boat.

More pictures from the Bojo River swim.

To those who intend to go for the river cruise, be prepared for a dip from the bangka or the beach. After the swim, you will be brought back to the river bank again. Leave your dry clothes at the river bank for a change of clothing for your next destination. Bring along towels, soap and shampoo. They have bathrooms for shower at the river bank huts. You can leave your things at the dining area while on cruise.

After drying oneselves, the tour package includes kakanin snacks like puto, biko, cassava cake and drinks. But because we have another place to visit for the night, we decided to pack along our snacks and enjoyed them inside the van instead.