BOHOL MAINLAND TOUR 2009

Sorry for the long wait. Naabutan na ng Pyesta ng Patay post ko so 10 years na ang inabot all in all.lol

We left bee farm 7am the next day and since thereis a free shuttle transfer from the port and back

we instructed the driver to take us to the Provincial hall instead.There, our driver and guide Kevin was waiting. 

Again, thanks to Chyng, for introducing Rj and RJ TOURS to us. It's probably single best decision I made in the trip.....1st stop, MAG-ASO Falls.

Loboc Church Bohol

This is located in the town of Antequera Bohol. It's on the Western side so it's basically out of the itinerary . Good thing, the manager Rj was kind enough to change some sites and include MAG-ASO Falls on the list. There we a few people then when we arrived. The cool water is inviting but we were not in the mood to take a dip. One more thing, I'm not into waterfalls since I always have this premonition that a slippery rock will get me. Just got curious from all the positive reviews of the place. Sure is a good place to visit.

 

Antequera Catholic Church.....

 We only stayed here to take a few shots of the place then we were back to the town center. By the way, thisplace is known for basket making. They have displays in the plaza that time so we thought of checking it out.Teresa managed to buy to small trash bins. I stopped her from buying big items kasi dyahe sa plane. lol 

Then were off to the eastern side, next stop, Tarsier Sanctuary covering an area of 167 hectares within the three municipalities of Corella, Sikatuna and Loboc. currently under the administration of the DENR and is part of its Social Forestry Project

  

Here, you can see tarsiers in the wild. In their natural habitat. We learned a few things about these primates, that they are territorial and monogamous. The females at least. Usually, there is 1 male for 5 or so females. Lucky males. hehe It's quite hard to take clear shots though. Good thing, before going on a river cruise, Kevin, our guide took us to this place in Loboc where you can see them up close and even touch em if the caretakers are not looking. I managed to kiss one. hehe. Before getting there, we passed the LOBOC Church. Old and creepy as it may seem. Much to my fascination. The Church of san Pedro in Loboc Bohol is the 2^nd oldest Church in Bohol.

our car from---RJ TOURS with the church on the backdrop.....

We tried to take a peek inside but it's a bit dark given the fact that its during broad daylight. So I thought it's a bit creepy. Hope they renovate it and bring back the old glory days.

Next  stop, LOBOC River Cruise. One of the most memorable part of the tour. Since here, you get to just relax , enjoy the view and at the same time have your lunch for only 300 pesos, eat all you can. Native food is served and local song are being sang on the background by the band. They also played some Korean ang Chinese songs. Fun fun fun!!!!

A few meters at the end of the 1^st half of the cruise is this station where locals sing lively songs accompanied by small guitars. I donno exactly how to call it but it’s somewhat similar to that of ukulele.

Happyslip mentioned that this is her most favorite part of the tour when she visited Bohol a few months back. I now know why.

And there’s even this small waterfall at the end of the river trail which signals the boat to turn and heed back to the station.

 

After spending a few minutes on the restroom, we're off to the Chocolate hills. It's a long trip past the towns of Bilar and Batuan. you don't have to worry though, roads in Bohol are well paved. Kevin said the government officials here are really giving a priority to that. They sure know where to put their tax money. You will enjoy the view along the way anywhere you look. Bohol is simply beautiful.

Then this, the  man-made mahogany forest stretching two kilometers  in the border of Loboc and Bilar towns......

 

 with our car again.....who would not want to have a car in place like this. lol

I specifically asked Kevin to stop at every major church.  

 This one is in Batuan along the way to hills.

 Then the much awaited part. Alas. The famous Chocolate Hills.

I was actually disappointed a bit at first coz the hills are scattered in a vast area of land so you have to zoom the camera to emphasize them. Yeah, one might think that there are only a few of them. But if you look closely, there are many indeed. More than a thousand as a matter of fact. With some covered with trees. The hills in this area are covered only with grass so they turn brown during summer, thereby the name CHOCOLATE HILLS

 

It's also a bit difficult to get a good photo since there is this metal bar that ruins the view. You have to stand on top of a bench or mono block chair just to have enough elevation.

the most prominent hill in the area....hope they can give it a name.hehe

 

If you are lucky, you can ask for the assistance of the photographers there for free since tripods will not do any help. We did, after availing of their photo prints for 100 pesos each.

A noteworthy experience though. Teresa purchased a tee shirt with our faces printed in it for 350 pesos. Cool. As a bonus, we still managed to see the hanging bridge on our way back, the Albuquerque Church,

The Albur parish was established in 1869 after being separated from Baclayon, Bohol

the blood compact site and of course the BACLAYON Church. The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon is considered to be one of the oldest churches in the Philippines.

It is one of the best presevered Jesuit build churches in the region.

Too bad my camera ran out of battery at this point so I was not able to take pictures inside the church. huhu

The tour which started 8am ended 5pm that day. we retired into our accommodation in Vest Pension house near Tagbilaran City center. Our last night before the flight back to Manila. Has been a very tiring day. We retired with a grin on our faces.

thanks Rj and Kevin for the wonderful day trip. Really is a good choice having you guys. And thanks Chyng for the referral. For those who are planning on a day tour in Bohol. I highly recommend them. They sure do know how to take care of you.

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