BOHOL FAMILY VACATION: Countryside Tour

Since this tour is meant for my family, I really planned it for almost 6 months, been through a lot of reading and researching. Good thing all the “a must see places” in Bohol can be found in the net, even a readymade itinerary.

For our Country side tour:

1st Stop: Chocolate Hills

Over the hilly town of Carmen in Bgy. Buenos Aires is where we found one of world’s famous tourist attraction and truly nature’s wonder, Chocolate Hills of Bohol. Named as such, because the 1,776 rolling hills covered with green grass turn brown during summer.

The view deck can be reached by foot through the long stairs up.  The Chocolate Hills complex provide a panoramic view of 50 square km. expanse of the breathtaking chocolate kisses, Oops I mean hills. T

2nd Stop: Bilar man-made forest

We passed through the beautiful  Loboc – Bilar man-made forest. It’s a 2 km. stretch of asphalt road set in between towering mahogany trees. The temperature suddenly drops inside this rain forest.

3rd Stop: Butterfly Sanctuary

About 5 minutes away from the Mahogany Forest is where the Simply Butterflies Conservation Center is located. This center aims to protect and preserve the natural environment of the butterflies by means of research, breeding and releasing. With an entrance fee of P15, you will be educated by an in-house guide who will present to you anything you need to know about butterflies and its conservation. This lecture is a must before you get your close encounter with the butterflies. This tour is really educational. (sabi nga ng mga pamangkin ko, as if nag ffield trip lang daw sila)

4th Stop: Hanging Bridge

Not far behind, we get to cross a hanging bridge made of woven bamboos and  indulge in the scenic view of Loboc river. At first, I was kinda hesitant kasi naman talagang nakakalula plus nakakahilo din. hehehe 

4th Stop: Tarsier Place

Our hot day was just beginning, so we took off to see the famous tarsier. Measures 4 to 5 inches and is considered as the world’s smallest primate. Its size is no longer than an adult man’s hand and weigh only about 113 to 142 grams or four to five ounces. Much like the owl, the tarsier can rotate its head 180 degrees in each direction. Tarsiers are nocturnal creatures, like the owls – sleeping during daytime yet very active at night.

5^th Stop – Prony the famous Bohol Python

Just a few minutes away, between rough road and off to the woods, we were welcomed  with the biggest surprise of the day, Bohol’s largest snake in captivity at a mini-zoo in Alburquerque. The living python, Prony, weighs 300 kg and measures 23 feet. The python named Prony is Albur's star and has known to the people as "Live Anaconda of Bohol."

We were too late to witness its feeding time, where I heard a piglet was served lunch a la carte

We don’t want to meddle with Prony’s siesta though, so we just visited its friends, owls, eagles and the monkey na mahalay, (promise, mahalay talaga sya, naabutan sya ng mga kids na naglalaro ng…)

Back in the city...We dropped by at the famous Blood Compact Site.

 

Sandugo (Blood Compact) Shrine, is a monument built to commemorate the first treaty made by Spanish explorer, Miguel Lopez De Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna to seal their friendship through tribal tradition.

Bohol has a number of very old churches, dating back to the early years of the Spanish colonization. That’s why hindi talaga nmin pinalampas na bisitahin ang mga ito.

1^st Church to visit – Baclayon

Look at this photo below, embossed is the picture of Padre Pio in the church wall.  

The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon is considered to be one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. Next to the church is the old convent, which also houses a small museum with centuries-old religious relics, artifacts and other antiquities, dating back to the 16th century.

2^nd Church to visit – Dauis

Another beautiful church in Bohol is the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Dauis, on the Island of Panglao. The church's patron saint, the Virgin of the Assumption, is said to possess miraculous powers. An old legend relates that once, when the town was invaded by pirates, the people of Dauis locked themselves into the church. However, they soon ran out of provisions and water. Then a miracle occurred: a well appeared at the foot of the altar. This same well is still the main source of water for the people living close to the church, and, although the well is only a few meters from the sea, the water is absolutely fresh. The water is said to have healing powers, so, if you're visiting here, don't forget to bring a bottle and take some home.

To summarize, we were all captivated with Bohol’s charm and an excellent display of visual thrills. It’s something we Filipinos can truly be proud of. Bohol offers both historical and natural winder. My family and I really enjoyed our vacation, the warmth of boholanos let us feel at home. Nice tropical weather plays perfectly for the beach lovers.