First stop was the Blood Compact Monument. As we all know, it was in Bohol were Portuguese Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Datu Sikatuna of Bool performed the blood compact to signify their act of friendship. If you've already forgotten these characters, review your history guys :D
From here in Tagbilaran City, we can see Panglao Island, and also Pamilacan Island
Panglao Island
Pamilacan Island
In less than a half-hour drive, we arrived at the famous Tarsier Sanctuary. It is located in the town of Corella. The place was around 7000 meters enclosed from the surrounding forest. Since the tarsiers here are already accustomed to humans, they weren't frightened nor afraid while we took photos of them.
Aren't they the cutest? :) At the exit of the sanctuary, you can find these cool souvenirs you can take home with you.
Next, we went to Bohol's trademark - The Chocolate Hills!
There are over 1,000 of these unusual geological formation spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometers in Carmen. There are a lot of folklore on how these hills came to be. There was this about two giants... okey I wouldn't go into that. Go to Bohol to hear one of these legends from Boholanos themselves :)
We were on our way to lunch when we passed by the Bohol Man-made Forest. I was so taken by the place that I had to get out of the car and take a photo of this enchanting forest!
These Mahogany trees stand out because of its uniform height. It occupies a two-kilometer stretch of land between the towns of Loboc and Bilar. Some thought it's creepy. I think it's romantic, don't you think? Yeah, the hopeless romantic in me again :)
We were then on our way to that much needed meal! And what better way to spend your lunch than to have it on a floating resto! Cool, right?
The buffet lunch included various seafood dishes, grilled pork, fried chicken, the native pansit, a bottle of soda, fruits and a lot more. Now, I'm getting hungry :)
That's not all. A band on board played beautiful music all throughout the cruise. As if that's not enough, we made a quick stop where locals serenaded us with songs and showcased the Tinikling, a Filipino dance.
After about an hour the boat ride ended in a falls that they call Busay Falls.
To ensure that everybody is safe, there were also lifeguards along the river.
After the sumptuous meal, off we went to Baclayon Church.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon is one the oldest churches in the country.
If I remembered my history right, Bohol was where the first few Spanish Jesuit missionaries settled hence, this church.
This was the last leg of our tour and I was about ready to go in the car when our tour guide pointed at the wall of the church. There we saw the image of Padre Pio. I felt an inner peace seeing this. I just felt silent and watched in awe for minutes.
Then, when I turned around I saw this. An image of Mother and Child.
I felt so blessed to have seen these images. This trip was not only a time to unwind and breathe fresh air, it was also to relive my Filipino roots and more importantly it is a way of rejuvenating the soul :)
(For the fashionistas out there, what I wore to this countryside tour can be viewed HERE.)
