Bohol Countryside Tour (Part 1)

As early as November of last year, I was already in search of possible tour guide cum driver (even before I learned of PAL’s promo) for our future Bohol trip kz gusto ko talaga I-visit ang Bohol. I’ve txtd several persons I’ve found thru net thus I learned na posible pala I-visit 11 spots in a daylong tour, did the usual ‘tawad’ thing and eventually came out with Ritchie for 3 reasons:

1. Calvin’s article was really convincing (safety speaking).

2. Ritchie offered us 11 spots though it was not his usual routine for only 2k.

3. He seems nice kz reply talaga sya sa bawat inquiry nmin and sya pa talaga tumawag when we asked for a favour re resort accommodation. Such a nice man!

It was not Ritchie who took care of us but his brother Rejjy, an equally great man. Dalawa lng kmi ni Gil but we were fetched by them with their Pregio van, so comfy! Then our countryside tour…tara! Sama ka! Pasyal tayo! ;)

1. BLOOD COMPACT SITE

Located in Brgy. Bool, Tagbilaran City. This was made in honour of “Sandugo’ or Treaty of Friendship thru blood compact between Miguel Lopez de Legaspi of Spain and Rajah Sikatuna of Bohol. The sculptures were made by a Boholano himself, Nat’l Artist Napoleon Abueva.

Good view of Bohol Sea is a plus.

 2. BACLAYON CHURCH

Our Lady of Immaculate Concepcion in Baclayon was known as the 2nd oldest stoned church in the country (St. Augustin of Intramuros being the oldest), which was established on 1595, its present structure standing since 1727.

There was also a museum beside it but still closed when we visited.

Gil, kuya Rejjy and our van in front of the museum

3. PYTHON SANCTUARY

Prony, the biggest and the largest python in captivity is located at Upper Sta. Fe, Albur, Bohol. According to his bubbly caretaker, Prony eats only once a month but mind you, 1 buong baboy lang nmn or 2 buong kambing ang pagkain nya (Baka daw kz mahighblood kaya may variances din haha!).

4. PHILIPPINE TARSIER

Philippine Tarsiers were known as the world’s smallest primates (mamag to locals). I was actually disappointed seeing only few tarsiers on small trees provided, maliit lng ung lugar as in malaki pa yung slot for the souvenir items. Nevertheless, the experience was something.

***We bought tarsier keychains pala d2 for P25 each only to find out, P20 each lng sya sa ibang spots. Buti di kmi d2 bumili ng Peanut Kisses.

5. CHOCOLATE HILLS

…not actually choco in color but green, made up of rocks daw kz ang mga ‘to kaya wala rin tumutubo other than mga damo, The color turns brown during dry season as summer. You’ll need to climb these 214 steps to have a better view of the hills (though two hills lng ang most prominent sa view).

Worth it nmn pala kz you'll be awed by the view! Spendid indeed! ;-)

6. BUTTERFLY SANCTUARY

From Chocolate Hills, we passed by Simply Butterflies Conservation Center. We were toured around by this kuya (forgot to ask name) and taught us everything about butterfly life cycle.

“This is Mariposa- a moth, not a butterfly” says kuya

Kuya explaining about the butterflies’ life cycle

7. MAN-MADE MAHOGANY FOREST

This was a product of tree planting lang daw according to Kuya Rejjy, little did they know na magiging one of the tourist spots din ‘to sa ganda. We already passed by this area going to Chocolate Hills (madadaanan talaga sya to and from). Sorry, mejo blurred ang kuha but I hope we gave the place justice pa rin.

...to be continued! ;-)