A Day of Exploration in Bohol, Ph 🇵🇭 ⏤ Places and Food to Try ✨

I've been to Bohol in 2019 to attend a conference, it's a known event for the small community of physicists in the Philippines. I grabbed the opportunity to present my research and to travel in the chosen venue. Right there, I knew how beautiful the island of Bohol is, I wasn't able to go around the whole province but the one free day we had spent to explore the southern tip of the island was enough to convince me that it's worth going back for.

True enough, after four years, I was able to spend my holiday in the same area of Bohol where I had a glimpse of. I was so excited to see the things that changed since my last visit. We went to all the tourist attractions in the area. Unfortunately, our 2-day tour was cut to just a day, the island hopping and other water activities were cancelled because of the bad weather. Better safe! Nonetheless, we spent the remaining days as chill and relaxing as possible, just exploring and eating good food.

Bohol was jam-packed, full of people not just from the Philippines but also from all over the world! I was amazed by how the tourism in the island has attracted people from all over Asia and Western countries. I'm sure that all of us, tourists, coming from different places, were all taken to the same destinations and attractions, which I'm very excited to share with everyone here on Hive. What could a half-day tour look like when you visit Bohol?

The place felt like a mini zoo, where kids will surely enjoy the few variety of animals being taken care of in the sanctuary, which some are endangered. The sight of the butterflies still made me feel excited, I saw in that small canopy the life of a butterfly. Starting from eggs (this, I wasn't able to see hehe), caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult butterfly (with beautiful patterns on its wings). I was even able to hold in on my palm, it was a little bit ticklish. Some animals like Burmese and Philippine pythons, lemurs, freshwater and seawater crocodiles, hornbill, and the Philippine eagle can also be seen in the sanctuary.

The Chocolate Hills is a sight to see in Bohol, there's a viewing station where people can enjoy the sight of these many hills that changes color depending on the season. I remember my elementary books about the Philippine tourists' attractions, that it turns brown during the summer and green during the rainy season. That makes sense, I mean, just as trees would wither and turn brown and spring and turn green. Haha. I was more excited riding an ATV exploring the grounds where the hills roll. It was an hour of ATV ride on muddy, rocky, and steep slopes under the summer sun. I could say that during that time, I enjoyed a little too much of the sun, but totally worth it!

The tarsiers are known for being endangered, they're sensitive little creatures that look like monkeys, but are not. The sanctuary where these primates are being bred and taken care of was so quiet, noise and camera flash were prohibited in the area as these could trigger the tarsiers to be stressed. Somehow, they remind me of Gollum with their big eyes and webby hands, only that tarsiers are quiet (not looking for a precious ring to rule them all) and is the size of a palm or even smaller.

With all the activities we've done the whole morning, we were sooo excited to dine in this famous floating restaurant in Loboc River. I've been here before and the place still looks so mesmerizing! The food was great, the view was breathtaking, and the music was so lively! There's just really nothing I could ask for more, if I get to come back to Bohol again (third's time a charm!) I would still not miss the chance to dine here.

The Philippines is known for Christianity, although there's a diversity in religion in the country, most Filipinos are Christians. Visiting churches is a common part of itineraries. The Baclayon Church in Bohol is one of the oldest church in the Philippines. This was our last stop during the tour, the place brought me a sense of calmness, knowing that this stood tall for centuries already as it was built in 1727. A place that has seen and was seen by generations is something that brings some kind of peace and quiet, just perfect to end that half-day tour.

And so...maybe, with all the things that didn't go as planned during that trip, I was meant to go back to Bohol for the third time, hopefully in two years when I more ready to experience the things it offers under the sea. Next time, I will surely sea the dolphins, turtles, and the beauty of the corals when I try free diving! It will be a lovely experience, worth coming back for. ✨