The Chocolate Hills is probably the most famous tourist
attraction in Bohol. We can never leave Bohol without seeing this unusual geological formation.
This is our first Bohol road trip destination
with Beng, Ate Cecile,and their mother – Nanay Medila.
We rented a van owned and driven by Manong Pepe who also
acts as our tourist guide. We have no planned itinerary beforehand but Manong
pepe is so enthusiastic to let us visit all the “must-see” of Bohol.
We attended mass first at Bohol Loboc church and we are fortunate enough that
the famous Loboc Children’s Choir is singing although in visayan dialect and
remembered the words “gugma” and “igsoon”. After that, we head on to chocolate
hills with almost an hour travel. Manong Pepe’s enthusiasm never runs out and
he is talking all the way, all day about Bohol.
I remember he mentioned about the myth of Chocolate Hills about two giants
having a fight that went on for days and threw stones and sands at each other
that’s why there’s giant mole hills that is scattered throughout the municipalities
of Bohol. He also mentioned that it’s called “Chocolate” since when its summer
or dry season it turns brown but that time it’s all green…and that’s why we
jokingly called it “Green Hills”. We have to go up to the peak by walking in
order to have the majestic view of many Chocolate Hills. Going up is tiresome
but not to Nanay, at 70+ years old, she can still walk up with a smile and with
matching picture takings. There a lot of tourists at that time and each one are
so excited about taking their own pictures and so are we.
I still wanted to stay more but we have to move on and
maximize our one day Bohol road trip. While on
the road, Manong Pepe stop the car and said that we have to make pictures with
this man-made forest in Bilar Town with the Mahogany trees and giant ferns…it
looks like we are in the twilight movie. Taking pictures in the middle of this
road is like capturing an act of courage. It’s a picture I really would
treasure.
One thing that always reminds me of my mother during our Bohol trip is her only request to buy Cacao. I always
check if there is a Cacao for sale in our every stop over. We have a quick
picture taking at the Shiphaus then went to Tarsier Reservation area. I’m just
quite disappointed at seeing this little animal…because it is soooo little. We
cannot hold it, nor touch it, nor communicate with it. It’s already away from
its man-visitors unlike before when visitors can touch or have a closer picture
with it coz they told us that they are already protecting the tarsiers.
Interesting fact about Tarsiers is that Tarsiers are able to rotate their head
180 to compensate for their immovable eyeballs! I just wanted to see the
tarsiers move and jump and hear them sing… but I didn’t…I just wished that they
would be just in a more large secluded place where they can enjoy their natural
habitat. Just glad that we made it to this place coz this is where I bought my
mother’s request of Cacao and one of my favorite…peanut kisses.
We have our lunch at Loboc long river cruise. It’s a buffet
lunch and yes we have our good lunch but what is more enjoyable is the soothing
melody of music inside the cruise. There is also a music and dance presentation
of a group of men, women, and kids in the cruise stopover…I was so delighted to
see this with some of the diners joining the presentation. It’s a happy
Christmas indeed!
Four more places to go and short time left that‘s why we
have a quick visit and picture taking at Blood compact, Old Clarin House, and Old
Baclayon church where Manong Pepe show us a hidden picture of Padre Pio at
Church façade and there also we lighted up pink, red, and orange candles that
represents areas to be prayed over. Lastly, we went to Hinagdanan cave that
reminds me of my Sagada adventure at Sumaging cave. This cave is just a short
trip inside with touring assistant and there’s already a clean and easy way of
getting in. There a lot of cheap items you can buy around this area especially if
you are looking at “pasalubong”.
It is almost beyond
our travel contract time with Manong Pepe but still he has lot of energy to
accompany us. We have dinner together near Alona beach and this is my first
time to taste grilled Longanisa Cebu. We went back to Bohol Bee farm at past
7pm and we did enjoy the day. It is a long day…another journey I would never
forget!
Next…my refreshing Bohol Bee Farm story.
;Des
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