The Countryside, Tarsiers, Chocolate Hills and Island City Mall (Day 2)

I remember a music video back in my youth (naks, feeling matanda, haha) entitled "Tara Byahe Tayo" sang by various local artists and promoted by the government under the Wow Philippines tourism campaign.  Back then, I wasn't in love with travel yet, but I think the beautiful images shown from our national attractions got ingrained into my subconscious  and explains why there is like a magnetic force pulling me to visit all of them.  Now, I cross one out one on the list, and boy was it worth the visit! 

The van picked us up around 9 am for our Countryside Tour costing P 2,400 as today we explore Bohol's most famous attractions.  Hearing a lot of good feedback from other people who've been here, there was a palpable sense of anticipation among the group.

First stop is the Blood Compact Site.  This is the sight of the historic treaty between Sikatuna and Legazpi known as Sandugo.  The ritual involved the Filipino and Spanish leaders drinking wine mixed with drops of blood drawn from the other as a sign of friendship.  It is a heavily visited area with tourists all lining up to have their photos taken.  The background set on top of a cliff also provides a dramatic view of the Bohol sea.  During July, the Blood Compact is celebrated by the townspeople in a feast filled with food and lively activities. 

Cheers!

A little further away in the town of Baclayon, is the oldest church in Bohol and one of the oldest in the country, the Baclayon Church.  The exterior is sort of plain looking, made of coral stones cut into blocks, concealing it's long history.  The insides though, shows the centuries of wear and tear, from the crumbling walls & fading statues to stained windows.  An interesting phenomena pointed to us by our driver is that an image of Padre Pio's face is visible on the middle wall at the side of the church.  Now cannonized as Saint Pio, he was a priest suffering from the stigmata with miraculous healing prowess.

A mini museum is also found beside the church containing religious artifacts from the Spanish times.  Entrance costs P 25.

Baclayon Church

If you look closely, you'll see Father Pio in the middle

Located in the town of Alburquerque, is Prony, one of the longest pythons in captivity.  Reaching 23 feet and weighing 660 pounds, looking at the python across it's cage is a scary sight.  What's even worse is standing next to it inside the cage and forcing a brave smile while having your picture taken, like I did!  Other animals like monkeys and birds are also on display.  Entrance costs P 20.

Good boy Prony, good boy

Now, it's time to meet one of the main icons of Bohol, the small and cute Philippine Tarsiers.  The tarsier is a shy, nocturnal primate with big eyes and looks just as big as my palm.  These fascinating creatures cling on to branches in their sleep and are even more adorable up close.  To me it looks like a hybrid monkey and mouse.  I don't know which one trait it is, but there seems to be an instant likability generated when you see one of these animals.  Maybe it's the fact that they're so tame and yet, so fragile or probably how they stare right through you with those adorable penetrating eyes!  One thing that's certain, everyone who comes for a visit, always leave with a good impression of tarsiers.

Sadly, it is now endangered due to deforestation and the terrible practice of selling them as pets.  A Conservation Area in Loboc is now in charge of it's protection and supervises tourist visits.  You are not allowed to touch tarisers or make loud noises around them or use flash photography.  If you insist on taking home one with you, it won't work.  Tarsiers have suicidal tendencies when separated from their natural habitat, they will just bang their heads to whatever they find until they die.  Brutal, but true.  Entrance costs P 50.

Cute

Tong isa kamuka ni Yoda, mean look

On the road to the hills, literally on the road is our next attraction, the Man-made Forest of Bilar.  Stretching a couple of kilometers are thousands of giant mahogany trees which make for scenic drives in the daytime or creepy horror setting at night.  With uniform trees blocking sunlight and extending their branches thereby wrapping the area; being here gives you the feeling that it's on a world of it's own.  A funny but terrifying thing to watch here is when tourists have their picture taken at the middle of the road and then have to suddenly scamper out of the way as a vehicle passes through.

Camping tayo, anyone?

After a somewhat long drive we've finally made it to the town of Carmen to see one of the Philippine's most popular landmarks, the Chocolate Hills.  While no one knows exactly where they came from, these thousand kisses shaped hills are one of nature's greatest wonders.  The hills are of identical shape and covered in grass which turn brown during the dry season, hence the name.  One of the hills has been converted into an observation deck where one has a landscape view of  the majestic hills and life around it.  Entrance costs P 50 each.

The thing I thought of the most while up here, was how cool it must have been to live surrounded by an icon. Some might say that there's nothing special about a bunch of hills that turn brown but seeing them in real-time  gave me a different perspective.  I see minute details like how some hills are slowly getting swallowed by trees around them or how despite the uniformity, you see some slight variations in shape, accessories and/or color which makes every hill unique.  It doesn't really hit you how massive the scope of the hills are until it's all towering all over you!  Losing count of how many there were and just by being in the moment being able to experience it with my senses was awe-inspiring.

This way to awesome!

100% All Natural

Lil bro imitating other tourists

Sarap siguro tumira dito

A quick stop in the area of Batuan is an eye-catching structure know as the Shiphaus.  Originally a former sailor's house, it now serves as a hotel and a mini-museum about ships.   Also on board, is a souvenir shop and a food grill with live band.  Entrance costs P 30.

I imagine it's creation going something like this: a person being extremely dedicated in pouring time & money to make a childhood fantasy come to life.  If only I could start making a bed that automatically circles around a race track.... Keep dreaming...

Flood proofed

Located in the municipality of Sevilla are two parallel bridges stretching 50 or less meters jointly known as Bohol Hanging Bridge.  The bridges are made up of sturdy bamboos, supported by steel railings and overlooking the Sipatan River.  The overall shakiness of the bridge combined with the deep plunge view below makes it not a good idea for people with fear of heights.  It's a sneaky way of making quick bucks because there's really nothing to see here, and the artificial bridge will pale in comparison to better hanging bridges in the country.  On the other side of the bridge are souvenir shops, food stalls and a paid CR.  Apparently, crossing the bridge is pee inducing!  Entrance costs P 20 each.

 

Wala pa daw nahulog dito? Ows?!

It was way past lunch time, but we finally made it to Loboc for the Loboc River Cruise.  The cruise involves a slow, scenic ride upstream passing small bancas, lush trees, and riverside inhabitants.  The journey takes an hour, ending at tiny Busay Falls, with live bands playing continuously and Filipino buffet served on board.  Amidst the sweltering heat, the view of nipa and coconut trees in abundance while traversing these pristine waters truly show the beauty of nature, unspoiled and unexplainable.  

The food though can easily be described as unappetizing.  The spread was few, food were cold, and dishes were tasteless to average at best.  We definitely picked the wrong boat (There are other floating restaurants offering different menus), also, drinks aren't included and it's annoying having to guard your food from hordes of flies.

Another highlight of the cruise is a cultural show by native Boholanos.  They sang and danced inspired by their rich tradition and you couldn't help but be infected with the lively mood.  The performances are free but donations are more than welcomed.  The river cruise costs P 400 each.

Floating Restaurant

Nature's finest

Pic says it all

Busay Falls

For the last part of our tour, we headed to Butterfly Garden.  For the P 50 admission, you get to see one small room of butterfly information and a butterfly enclosure with not a lot of butterflies.  Kids may enjoy the interactive experience with butterflies but for the same price as the Chocolate Hills, it's undoubtedly  a tourist trap.

Nakaka kiliti daw sabi niya

Not yet wanting to call it a day, we requested our driver to drop us off at Island City Mall (ICM for the locals) instead of our hotel.  ICM is the newest and most complete mall in the province, all in 3 packed floors.  You will find local and international retail shops, chain fastfoods, a few restaurants, a cinema, a food court and a supermarket.  Of the three malls I’ve been in, this is by far the best in Bohol.  It’s already comparable to small SMs in Luzon, with a lot of recognizable tenants like Bench, National Bookstore and Jollibee etc.  

Be sure to look for one shop (forgot the name) where you can get personalized Bohol souveniers.  Also of interest is the supermarket where most of the goods sold at souvenir shops are available at lower prices like peanut kisses, calamay, Emari’s pastel bread (very addictive) and banana chips.

To get here from Tagbilaran city, take a 15-minute tricycle ride which shouldn't cost you more than P 30 for 3 passengers.

ICM

For dinner, we ate at Prawn Farm restaurant located at the mall's ground floor.  This is the best restaurant we've tried in Bohol.  The food is high quality, the service is excellent and the setting is classy.  The menu has a good international selection mixed with the usual Filipino favorites and the prices are surprisingly affordable.  Everything we ordered were delicious but those that stood out as really good are the shrimp balls and bagoong rice.

Recommended

Calamares, Pork Ribs, Chicken

Shrimp Balls & Bagoong Rice

The Day's Expenses: (P per person)

Car & Driver        400

Entrance Fees       620

Accommodation   520

Food                      ?

Shopping                ?

Total P 1,540