The Bohol Experience

“Find what you are afraid of, face it, and then you won't be afraid of it anymore.” - Marilyn Manson

When you reach 30-ish something, when club crawling gets low and coffee shop visits get frequent, you start recalling what you've done in your life and if it made sense.  I've asked some and i think it's just a healthy pause. Most interesting people I know have gone this stage.  So don't freak out when this phase surprise you! You are still normal and you are not losing your mind.

Bohol.  The first island I set outside my hometown, Cebu City, aside from Mactan island which is connected by a bridge.  I have visited the island several times already yet it has always something new to offer. It is accessibility, you can go there in the morning and come back home in the evening.  Ferries are available every hour (I can be wrong).

Everyone knows it is only in Bohol we can find the smallest primate in the world, the tarsier. Before this photo gets controversial, this was taken long time ago and yes we were allowed to touch it until recently. Part of wild life conservation, these little creatures are for your eyes only now to keep them since they have became endangered.

I've tried cruising the Loboc River, nothing much really except for the greens and the small waterfalls. Some bigger banca while lunch is served, you are serenaded by the locals with string instrument called ukelele.

On our way to the famous Chocolate hills, you get to experience their man made forest.  Kudos to the Boholanos for their environment awareness.

The breeze gets chilly.  The wind produces a relaxing sound with the leaves. Truly a good way to pamper your lungs.  It's like spa for your lungs.

While most postcard features chocolate hills in Carmen. The photo above was taken in Sagbayan peak and it is equally breath taking.  Bohol is also proud of their white sand beaches.

I remember what I said, "if this is their public beach, i wonder how Bohol Beach Club looks like".  and I was right, it was simply amazing.

The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon

The Sandugo or Blood Compact Shrine monument

Part of the tour is history class.  I'm bad with dates, an actual tour can be a good lesson. Bohol Tropics, Metro Centre and Bohol plaza are some famous place to stay in.  You can get the things you need in Bohol Quality, Plaza Marcela and Island City Mall.  I love their sweets too, peanut kisses and calamay. (drooling for Calamay!)

Like I said, every time I visit Bohol, it has something new to offer.  Maybe this is the craziest thing I've done. I am always scared of heights.  After a long habalhabal ride (motorcycle) going to Danao, I can't just chicken out.  It was the only reason why we went there and I don't know when I'm coming back.  My friend bravely tried it first and she was okay.  Some tourists tried it and they were okay. For 3 seconds I died, then I heard myself screamed when I was swayed to the other side of the cliff.  I felt gravity. My feet were desperately searching for solid ground. I never felt so alive after.  "Yes, I can face any challenge now!" that's how I felt after.  The feeling made me push to do things I was so scared of doing.  Life is so beautiful. No reason not to go on.  "What wont kill you will only make you stronger" as the song goes.  Good thing I didnt turn my back, it gives me the courage to go on.  Yes we may encounter problems along the way, but you've got to pause and ask yourself, is it your battle to fight? if not leave it, if yes, clearing your mind is a good start to sort things.

There's more to explore: blue whales.  Thank you Bohol for these great experience.