Bewitching Bohol
I had opportunities to travel last summer to few places from my bucket list, so I am ecstatic to blog about those. One of which is the island of Bohol which has been one of my dream travel destinations in our country.
Bohol is located at the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. It's a neighbor of Cebu where I live but I never had the chance to explore the place until last summer. The island is known for its pristine beaches, gentle tarsiers, and its very own magnificent Chocolate Hills.
Though small, the island offers so many adventures that will cure any traveler's wanderlust. With the help of a local Bohol-based travel agency, my trip to Bohol was brimming my excitement and wholesome experience.
My short stay in Bohol was spent exploring its countryside wonders. I didn't bother checking out its clear waters since I have to head back home on time. Besides, I am satisfied with the waters of Cebu. 😊
Below are the places I've been in Bohol including the historical lodge where I stayed to rest and freshen up after being out in the sun.
I stayed in a heritage house turned into a hostel. Named Balili Heritage House, the house which was built sometime in the 1930s played a significant role in the political development of Bohol. It used to be the city's venue for grand social gatherings attended by important political figures including the late President Roxas and Quirino.
It was a real score for me to be able book a room with them since the place is strategically located at the heart of Tagbilaran City and because it's affordable, clean, and filled with historical value. Plus, the owner of the house Gloria Balili and her staff are very amiable.
The house is beyond beautiful in its own. You can easily tell that its architecture is a combination of Spanish and American style. It is a place where relaxation isn't compromised as it is surrounded with various local flora. The owners also set up a number of hammock ready for the guests to be laid over while listening to the sweet songs of the nearby birds.
Below are framed photos in the house showing the Balili family and a couple with Pres.Roxas and Quirino.
I booked a room using the app booking.com and it was really hassle free. I highly recommend the place if you want a laid-back and homely stay in Tagbilaran City.
My first day in Bohol is gloomy, but that didn't stop me from going all over the place and visit the first place on my list - the infamous Bohol Bee Farm. The cozy and relaxing place is tucked in an area surrounded by lush foliage. It doesn't only house and cultivate bees but it also has a restaurant, an ice cream shop, a bakery, a souvenir shop, a café, and resort rooms. All of which are run by the bee farm that sells organic and freshly made items.
Aside from the place being a perfect getaway for relaxation, what makes it special is that it is a champion in sustainable and eco tourism. Most of the items on their restaurant menu are made of organic and locally grown ingredients, straight from their farm!
It was my first time to see a group of these beeautiful creatures in the farm. I couldn't get any happier!
The place has a number of tables and chairs perfect for pleasure reading.
The farm also helps the local community by providing livelihood programs and hiring locals. Some of the products sold inside the farm are handmade textile decors hanging on its walls.
Early dinner overlooking a faint sunset.
Gumamela ice cream! Bohol Bee Farm's Ice Cream Shop offers ice cream flavors that are one-of-a-kind as they are mostly made out of local fruits and plants. Gumamela is a local flower ubiquitous in the Philippines and I was beyond surprised to know that they have created an ice cream flavor out of it!
My second day in Bohol was jam-packed with adventures. I spent the whole day going all around the island checking out its beauty.
First stop was the unique geological formation of what is named as the Chocolate Hills. Made up of at least 1, 260 hills, Chocolate Hills is an excellent example of a canonical karst hill. It is covered in green grasses that turns brown during the dry season. Hence, it's called Chocolate Hills.
Due to its examplary natural beauty, it is hailed as one of the Philippines' National Geological Monument. The proud hills also have enchanting legends that will surely keep you excited. One which reminds me of the Irish's myth on the Giant Causeway.
Don't worry about not getting a full view of the hills because a government-operated viewing deck is nearby. If you plan to go all the way up there, I recommend you to bring lots of water and wear comfortable footwear.
Bohol is home of the world's smallest monkey - the gentle and bug-eyed tarsiers. Located in Bilar, Bohol's Tarsier Sanctuary houses a 3 kilometer man-made forest that serves as a paradise to the endangered specie.
I was awestruck by the nature's wonder just by observing the tiny primates and learning about them. First off, I learned that they are really Liliputian in size contrary to what I used to see in photos. They do not grow bigger than a human adult's fist and the baby tarsiers have similar size to an adult person's thumb. I also learned that tarsiers are nocturnal and very sound sensitive. How sensitive? According to the sanctuary's local guide, there ar several instances wherein the animals kill themselves by banging there heads on the trees once disturbed by a really loud sound.
I laud the local government of Bohol for protecting such treasures. Unfortunately, some tourists do not know how to behaved properly while visiting the sanctuary. During my visit, there were Chinese Mainlanders who were so loud and rowdy despite several chutzpah all over the place. Some are even written in different languages including Chinese! Que horror!
I hope that whoever gets the privilege to visit the sanctuary knows how to act like responsible tourists. On the sanctuary's part, it would be nice if the authorities could do something about such issue.
Another highlight of my countryside tour is the Loboc River Cruise. The Loboc River is one of the main tourist attraction in the province. Borded by mountains with lush foliage, the spotless emerald river has a steady and high base flow all year round.
There are no words to describe the experience. You get to enjoy mouthwatering local dishes while being serenaded by local talents while cruising the placid river.
The river cruise takes a bit more than an hour to finish. It's best to have lunch at the floating restaurant, but you have to be there as early as 10:30 or 11:00am to be able to ride in one of their kitschy boats. If you have to wait, waiting isn't a problem because there is a comfortable waiting place with a flea market that sells souvenirs to keep you occupied.
Like most bloggers, I love visiting picture-perfect sites so I made sure not to miss out the picturesque Man-Made Forest of Bohol. It is mostly-made of mahogany trees that bends at the either side of the road passing two towns. Today, a colonnade of botanical treasures grow along the trees that form arches.
I wandered through one of Bohol's Butterfly Sanctuary. It houses various local butterflies that live amongst homegrown flowering plants. I have never been in a butterfly sanctuary before so my heart was filled with amazement the whole time I wandered with butterflies.
Built in 1727, the Baclayon Church is made out of corals. It is one of the oldest in Asia and foremost among the best-preserved Jesuit-built churches in the Philippines. The church was formally erected by Jesuit missionaries Padre Juan de Torres and Padre Gabriel Sanchez on 1596. Today, the church still serves as a place of worship and a monument of our rich colonial past, making it a national treasure.
From its ceiling, down to its floor, the church is a beauty. Photographed above are paintings on the church's ceiling.
It has high windows with colored mirrors that reflect a kaleidoscope of colored lights.
I had my last stop at the historical monument of the Blood Compact Shrine also known as "Sandugo". A walking distance from Baclayon Church, the shrine is composed of five life-sized effigies depicting the 1565 blood compact between Rajah Sikatuna of Bohol and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi of Spain. The compact is of great historical value as it is considered as the "first treaty of friendship" between Filipinos and Spaniards. The shrine is a bronze sculpture created by Philippine National Artist Napoleon Abueva who is a Boholano.
The shrine is best for those who appreciate art and history. If you are, make sure you get to see it in person while you are in Bohol.
After a couple of days exploring the treasures of Bohol, I capped it off by spending some time at a sea view park nearby the heritage house.
I've tasted the beauty of life looking at the setting Boholano sun while listening to Sufran Stevens. Bohol is no longer a mystery but it will always be a sweet memory.
Till then!
love lots,
Tin
