#prony

Château de Prony and the town of Oingt in the background, Beaujolais region of central France

Summer is coming and one of my goals is not just simply enjoy the sea, sun and sand but also to explore the extraordinary beauty of the Philippines. My initial plan was to visit the historical city of Cebu but Bohol is just hours away of my reach so I decided to include the province in my adventure.

With my itinerary ready, I took the seven AM flight to Cebu and rode a taxi going to Cebu port where I booked a ticket bound for Tagbilaran City where I will be spending three days and two nights. The travel took two hours via Ocean Jet, and mind you, the passengers of the fast craft are almost foreign tourists.

I stayed in Panglao Island for one day and one night. I enjoyed the powdery white sand, pristine sea and clear water. Panglao Island makes a great choice for a laidback beach life and perfect for relaxation because the place is serene with very few tourists and less high rise buildings and resorts. There are choices of hotels and resorts from tight budget to luxurious convenience and restaurants that offer delicious sea foods. You can also visit the bee farm and cave in the island.

The next day, I visited the major spots of Bohol. First is the farthest in my itinerary, the Chocolate Hills. It is the famous attraction in Carmen. The place is crowded by local and foreign tourists to get the glimpse of the famous group of hills. To enjoy the panoramic view, tourists have to climb hundred steps to reach the viewing site but the time of our visit, it is under construction due to the damage of earthquake. (P50 entrance fee)

After the Chocolate Hills, is the man-made forest of Bilar. The kilometer stretch forest is planted mainly with mahogany. This is an initiative of the provincial government of Bohol. People would usually make a stop within this place from or before going to Chocolate Hills and enjoy the cool temperature and picture perfect environment. (Free admission)

Few kilometers away from the man made forest is the Simply Butterflies Conservation Center situated in Poblacion, Bilar. The place breeds different species of butterflies and moths. Tourists get to have their tour guides who will accompany them during the tour and takes photo of them. (P40 entrance fee)

After the butterflies, visit the world’s smallest primate in the Tarsier Conservation Area of Loboc. There, I got a postcard of tarsier with my entrance ticket, then a tour guide gave us orientation of the rules during the trip to the area. The tarsier viewing requires silence because when these primates get depressed, they tend to suicide. Also, no camera flash allowed when taking photos. Only five to seven primates are available for viewing.

After the tarsier and that early travel hangover, it is time to spend lunch in the well-known Loboc’s floating restaurant. The floating restaurant is a combination of food trip, camaraderie and entertainment. A lunch buffet of sea foods and well-known Filipino foods, the tourists were serenade with local songs as the floating restaurant navigates the clean river surrounded by trees.  There are also floating huts on the sides where kids dance Tinikling accompanied with children singing while playing native guitars. Loboc church is just near the site of floating restaurant but it is still under renovation due to the damages brought by the earthquake. (P450 entrance)

After touring Loboc, I visited the Python Prony of Baclayon. It is known as the home of Bohol’s largest python in captivity named Prony. The preserved body and bones are on display. But if you want to see alive pythons, there’s a big one in one cell known also to be friendly to the tourists. If you’re brave enough to face the python, you can take a photo with it while hugging or touching the snake. There are also smaller pythons on display for picture taking and public viewing. Aside from pythons, there are also different species of reptiles and birds on display. (P30 entrance fee)

Few meters away is the well known historic Baclayon church but, like Loboc church, it is under renovation due to same reason. You can also stop to the blood compact site that is not visible when travelling.

I ended my Bohol adventure by buying many souvenirs, from key chains, wallets, to tshirts. Also don’t forget to try Bohol’s calamay and peanut kisses. After returning from the trip, I explored metro Tagbilaran. You will be amazed to see tricycles with Bible verses as part of their ordinance. You can go shopping in downtown Tagbilaran before leaving the province.

Indeed, Bohol is one of the many unspoiled places in the country that offers environment friendly tour, wide variety of foods, amazing adventures and warm people, be it foreigners or locals. It is more fun in Bohol!