Flourishing! Nothing but flourishing! This is how I can describe Bohol. One of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. Located in the Philippines, Bohol had catered us the “It’s more fun in the Philippines” atmosphere. I had dived in its white-sand beaches and been challenged by its high mountains. Everything is wonderful in Bohol!
World’s smallest monkey alive- the tarsiers.
To start our Bohol journey, wheels brought us to the world’s smallest monkey alive- the tarsiers. With its tiny-little bodies and exaggerated large eyes, the tarsiers welcomed us with awe and amusement. We can’t see them through only a glance, we peeked and peeked and peeked until we saw where they were hiding. Glued on the branches of the trees, these tiny-little tarsiers shield themselves from enemies around including us, humans. Their long nails were ready to scratch anyone who will try to get them away from their habitats. They are only for our eyes never for our hands. Cuteness overload!
Bilar Man-made Forest
Riding in a car, I wondered why the place became darker than usual. Then, I noticed that we were in a cave not of stone but of tress. The trees acted as a blanket that covered the whole road making the temperature cold. I was amused by the fact that those million trees covering the area were planted by the humble Boholanos thousands of years ago. Tall firm trees wrapped us and showed us like curtains in heaven. The place is called ‘Bilar Man-made Forest’. Dark, cold, and challenging; indeed Bohol has been blessed by God’s goodness.
The ride became more challenging as we passed curve roads and mountainous areas. While the music was playing, I enjoyed watching the beauties outside the windows of the car. Plants were designed in so many forms making the roads more attractive. Stone formations were viewed as guardians of the world.
Loboc Floating Restaurant
The car stopped! I knew already that another view was coming on our way! I jumped quickly out of the car and saw nothing but calm water. It was a river, I knew it! Suddenly, a man approached us and asked if we want to take a ride with the floating restaurant. Nobody in the group spoke out of amusement. A river and a floating restaurant? We answered a big yes! The Loboc Floating Restaurant located a few kilometers away from the main city. It was a large boat designed as a native house made to be a restaurant.
The crew was very hospitable. They welcomed us with beautiful songs and Boholano dances. As we started to discover more, good foods were being served to us. The place was full of uniqueness and very relaxing. We traveled along the river and had not noticed the time. We saw plants and flowers all over the riverside. The freshwater was inviting for a swim but was being prohibited. The boat sheered and so I knew that time that we were coming back our ways.
Three tourist spots visited, the sun shined still, we were physically tired but were emotionally excited! We were still up for another!
Chocolate Hills
The car was parked in between hills! In my excitement, I jumped out of the car and saw what’s outside of it. There was nothing extraordinary. But I was wrong! Extra-ordinary waited for us! Another man approached us and offered us a ride towards the top. I excitedly went on a small vehicle can’t wait to see what’s on the top.
As we were taking the ride, I saw a few numbers of hills one after another. Not knowing that the hills which I tagged few were actually thousands. The vehicle stopped. We were tamed in between hills. I looked around and saw nothing but small mountains. To clearly see the view, we took the two hundred steps towards the highest hill. And when I reached the top, I saw the thousands of hills hiding in between another. It was heaven for me! The view is called the Chocolate Hills, one of UNESCO’s seven wonders of the world. Accordingly, when the summer season comes, the hills start to change their color into chocolate brown looking like mountains of chocolate. And when the rainy season comes, the hills go greener, and grasses bloom.
I felt sophisticated and very much privileged seeing those wonders of Bohol. The tarsiers, the Man-made forest, the floating restaurant, and the chocolate hills; everything was so perfect. I felt owned by nature, gone to her beauty, and had witnessed God’s goodness.
Beaches of Panglao
But the journey didn’t stop there. The sea waited for us.
The next morning, everyone was excited to go to the beach. We packed all the things that we needed. Swimwears checked! Foods checked! As soon as everyone and everything was ready, we immediately took ourselves to the van and began our Bohol beach journey.
The road going to the beach was quite long yet enjoyable. Hurray! As we arrived at the beach, we were amazed by the white sand beaches of Panglao, Bohol. The sands were as white as the cotton and the sea was as clear as a sky on a sunny day. And the long seashore was really wonderful. As we took a walk in the seashore, we felt relief and unstressed. The atmosphere of the beach was really reflective!
It was like the soft waves of the sea were calling us! Seemed to ask us to take a swim and be part of its beautiful water. It was an amazing beach experience we have ever had.
We felt so tired from the long journey we had in Bohol! But the feeling of amusement and satisfaction overwhelmed us. It made us forget all of the problems of life and just enjoy every single moment of it.
Bohol is such a wonderful place.
What makes it beautiful are not just the beautiful places we have been to but also the hospitable people who showed us nothing but kindness and smiles in their hearts. Boholano people are passionate and family-oriented. Their band with their family amazed me.
Bohol is waiting for you to come! Hurray and enjoy Bohol! More about Bohol Tourist Spots: Why You Should Visit This “Little Paradise“
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