Bohol in a Day

When my Manila-based friends asked me if they can visit some of Bohol's world-class destinations in a day, I immediately nodded. Yes, in a day, and I mean in less than 8 hours, you can visit and have your photos taken at the Blood Compact Site, the Baclayon Church, the Loboc River, the Tarsiers, the Chocolate Hills, the Man-made forest, and the hanging bridge.

Sounds impossible? I've experienced it myself and it took me really less than 8 hours.

It was 8 a.m. in Tagbilaran City. I rented a van for the day trip. First stop was the Blood Compact Site, where Bohol's chieftain and some Spanish conquistadors sealed friendship by signing a document using their bloods. Took me around 5 minutes to read the marker, enjoy the scenery, and take photos.

A few minutes more and I was inside the oldest church in Bohol, the Baclayon Church, a witness to the province's transformation from a quite, laid-back province to what it is right now. Paintings from unknown artists are reflected on the ceiling and wall. Antique church relics are still present.

In less than an hour, I was already in Loboc, taking a cruise at the Loboc River onboard the floating restaurant. The 30-minute cruise of the scenic and serene Loboc River ends at the source of the water, a gushing line of waterfalls, and on the side are locals playing folk songs.

Then the floating restaurant brings you back to the place where you boarded it. Of course, there's unlimited food (it comes with the cruise fee of around P250 per person). After the cruise, you can go directly to the Tarsier garden where the famous E.T. look-alike are resting. For a mere donation (P20 will do), you can browse elbows with these creatures and have your photos taken.

The next stop was the hectares of man-made forest. Although the trees are not as big as that in the Amazon Jungle, the shade they give is so relaxing and the air is so fresh and cold it almost feels like you are in Baguio. You can park the vehicle on the shoulder and take some photos.

Final destination is the Chocolate Hills. Takes around 30-45 minutes but the road trip is not boring because along the way you can see the simple yet happy life of Boholanos who are either farming or tending to their fish ponds.

At the Chocolate Hills, you have to climb at least a hundred steps to reach the top and view the entire scenery filled with chocolated-coated hills, around a thousand of them, stretching to as far as the eye can see. Take some photos, or take a rest. The choice is yours.

On my way back to Tagbilaran City, the drive made a detour and brough me to the Hanging Bridge. A very exciting journey, however, short. Imagine crossing a bamboo bridge that moves with the wind. Hahahaha. I felt my legs shaking while crossing the bridge. What was embarrasing was that a local girl crossed the bridge running without a hint of fear.

See. The trip lasted for less than 8 hours and you can bring home souvenirs as many as your luggage can accomodate. But what's more fulfilling is the fact that, however short your trip is, you will be bringing home memories that will linger in your mind for a long time and the realization that real happiness and fulfillment comes in simple ways... like traveling to Bohol

Other travel suggestions: Blood Compact Site, Anibogan Massacre Site, Behind the Clouds, Camp Verde, Dagohoy Marker, Mt. Carmel Hill, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia Memorial Park, Ubujan Marker, The Historic Ermita Ruins, Punta Cruz, Baclayon Museum, Bohol Museum, Clarin Ancestral House, Anda Beach, Alona Beach, Alejawan Beach, Balbalan Beach, Bay Watch, Bikini Beach, Canuba Beach, Clarin Beach, Darak Beach, Chocolate Hills, Hinagdanan Cave, Sandugo Festival, Bohol Fiestas

Bohol's Hanging Bridge

Across the upper part of the Loboc River in Bohol is a hanging bamboo bridge that is a major tourist attraction.

This bridge hangs approximately 20 meters above the Loboc River and sways back and forth as you walk across.

This bridge over the Loboc river connects the village on the other side to the world and it's quite fun doing the walk... This is seldom part of a tour program.

Cruising at the Loboc River

Enjoy a fascinating boat ride in the serene waters of Loboc River, starting from Loay Bridge which is the outlet of the river, and along the palm-fringed banks inland.

The ride via motorized pump boat ends near the Tontonan water falls, where several falls with cascading water provides a pleasant bathing session
A cruise along Loboc River starts either from Loay Bridge (20 kilometers from Tagbilaran City) or from Poblacion, Loboc which is about 25 kilometers from the city.

A motorized boat or a floating restaurant will take cruisers upstream passing by large vegetations of nipa (palm tree), coconuts and other tropical flora. The two main destinations are the Tontonan Falls and the Busay Falls. Two islets in the middle of the river are ideal picnic sites. A resort nearby accommodate tourists.

The town of Loboc, less than 30 minutes away from Albur, is known not only for its floating restaurant and captive tarsiers, but also for its beautifully preserved church established in 1602, the second oldest church in Bohol.

Loboc River is where several floating restaurants carry visitors to the awesome source of the river. The water is blue. Its bed is lined by smooth white rocks and fine light-colored sand.

After a relaxing river trip, you may also visit the Loboc Church, first established in dedication to San Pedro Apostol. The church, however, was badly destroyed by fire sometime in 1660. But the parishioners did not lose hope. In 1670, the present church was built from the ruins of the old church, and it was completed in 1734.Inside the church, remarkable native paintings on the ceilings and walls tell fascinating stories of the past. The Spanish coat of arms can also be found in the stone wall near the entrance of the convent. Snugly nestled in the compound of the ancient building of God is Museo de Loboc where the well-preserved historical artifacts and a few old statues of saints are kept.

Also an interesting sight is the separate octagonal bell tower located a few meters away from the main church structure. According to parishioners, the bell tower was purposely detached from the church after the first church was razed by fire. The priests thought of building the tower away from the church so that the bell could be used to alarm parishioners in case another fire takes place.

HOW TO GET THERE:

From Manila:
Take a plane trip to Bohol
There is a daily flight to Tagbilaran City, Bohol's Capital
via Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific

From Cebu City:
Take a fast craft for Tagbilaran
Wessam Express is docked at Pier 4
Ocean Jet is docked at Pier 1
Fast crafts travel to Tagbilaran at least 4 times a day

From Tagbilaran:
At the airport or seaport, you will be greeted by van drivers
who offer commissioned trips to Loboc town, the site of the
Loboc River.