off to bohol (day 2)

My second day on vacation started early. By 6:30 am we were already at the pier waiting for the fastcraft leaving for Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

The almost empty waiting area at the pier.

The SuperCat fastcraft was almost empty also

Embarking from the Tagbiliran pier the dark and sunburned "sea gypsies"(at least that's what I would like to call them) started rowing their boats nearer. Unfortunately, diving for coins thrown into the sea is now prohibited.

Sun-kissed sea gypsies

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We had splurged and booked a tour. Instead of commuting via bus, jeepney, or tricycle like we used to we had rented a car to take us around Bohol.

The first stop was the Blood Compact Site at Barangay Bool in Tagbilaran. This site marks the spot where Datu Sikatuna forged a treaty with Don Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. We were not the only tourists/travelers there early in the morning. It was actually difficult to take photos without having some other people walk across the frame and into the shot.

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Baclayon Church, about 6 km from Tagbilaran City, is the second oldest stone church in the Philippines (the first being the San Agustin Church in Intramuros). The church was constructed in 1595 from coral stones held together by what must have been a million eggwhites.


The Baclayon Museum located within the convent contains a collection of vestments, religious relics and artifacts including sheets of church music printed in Latin on animal skin.

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Of course, a trip to Bohol would not be complete if I did not get to see a tarsier. We came and saw a few feast on some crunchy bugs. I still like to joke about how they are cousins of both Gollum (LOTR) and Dobby (Harry Potter).

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We took the Loboc River Cruise after that. The river cruise and lunch buffet cost us P300 each. Although the buffet spread was not so bad there really wasn't anything to praise either. I wish they had more fresh fish, fruits and seaweeds. Para sulit my friend ate two platefuls of shrimp. Too bad I couldn't partake of the same. I'm allergic to shrimps.


We stopped midway through the ride to take pictures and to sing and dance with the kids on a bamboo raft.



More pictures from the ride:

Spending some down time on a relaxing ride

Two boys about to jump


A boy waiting

We were unable to stop by the Loboc Church and Museum, but we did get a glimpse of the facade from the river.

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On the way to Chocolate Hills we passed by the man-made forest in Bilar. We didn't stop so I had to take pictures from the moving car. The sky was starting to get dark and it looked like it was going to rain.

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To be continued . . .