Bohol
Bohol is a first income class island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas Region, consisting of the island itself and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City.
With a land area of 4,117.26 square kilometres (1,589.68 sq mi) and a
coastline 261 kilometres (162 mi) long, Bohol is the tenth largest
island of the Philippines. To the west of Bohol is Cebu, to the northeast is the island of Leyte and to the south, across the Bohol Sea is Mindanao.
The Island of Bohol is oval-shaped and surrounded by 73 smaller islands. The main island has a gently rolling terrain. Bohol's mountainous interior is home to rare and endangered flora and fauna; at certain points, hills drop steeply to the coast from a maximum elevation of 870 meters above sea level. The interior uplands are fit for agro-forestry and high value agricultural production, while the central and northern lowlands also have fertile grounds and an abundant water supply. Over a hundred caves have been identified, the biggest of which is found in the eastern part of the island.
The Island of Bohol is oval-shaped and surrounded by 73 smaller islands. The main island has a gently rolling terrain. Bohol's mountainous interior is home to rare and endangered flora and fauna; at certain points, hills drop steeply to the coast from a maximum elevation of 870 meters above sea level. The interior uplands are fit for agro-forestry and high value agricultural production, while the central and northern lowlands also have fertile grounds and an abundant water supply. Over a hundred caves have been identified, the biggest of which is found in the eastern part of the island.
We came from Cebu City by plane and then crossed the sea via a ferry ride to go to Tagbilaran City. Ferry fare Php500 one way. When we get here the first time it is Php500 (roundtrip already!). The fare doubled in 8 years huh!
Before going to Bohol, it will be most comfortable if you already have a contact person regarding your vehicle to be used in touring Bohol. Price starts at Php1,800 for renting a car and Php2,300 for a van. A list of vans/cars for rent here and here.
Our first stop... Loboc River.
Before going to Bohol, it will be most comfortable if you already have a contact person regarding your vehicle to be used in touring Bohol. Price starts at Php1,800 for renting a car and Php2,300 for a van. A list of vans/cars for rent here and here.
Our first stop... Loboc River.
Loboc River Cruise Restaurant is a great way to start your Bohol trip. It is a floating restaurant with live music played by the locals. We really enjoyed this... while eating unlimited seafoods, we are on board the boat with soft music in the background. It costs Php250 before, I'm sure it costs more now. The pick up point is at Laoay Bridge, around 20 kilometers from Tagbilaran City.
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| eat-all-you-can at Loboc River Cruise |
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| with my super friends, Rowie, Pau, Buboy, Karl, Dad and Olive |
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| the calm view of Loboc |
Bohol Tarsiers (Tarsius Syrichta) measures 4 to 5
inches and is considered as the world’s smallest primate. Its size is
no longer than an adult man’s hand and weigh only about 113 to 142 grams
or four to five ounces. The primate belongs to the more primitive
sub-order Prosimii or prosimian that dates back 45 million years.
With its tail longer than its body, it has large brown eyes, hairless
ears and long finger-like claws. It has gray fur and a nearly naked
tail that is more often than not about 232 mm in length. The tails arc
over their back when they hop on the ground apparently to balance
themselves. The underside of the tail has dermal ridges such as those
found on human hands and feet.
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| Baclayon Church |
The Church of Immaculada Concepcion in Baclayon is considered to be one
of the oldest in the Philippines. Construction began in 1717 where some
200 native forced laborers (obras pias) cut and dragged coral blocks
from the sea, using only bamboos in moving and lifting the stones in
position. Millions of white eggs were said to have been used as cement. The current building was completed in 1727.
http://www.bohol-philippines.com/baclayon-church.html
http://www.bohol-philippines.com/baclayon-church.html
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| Blood Compact |
The Blood Compact site is the same spot where the friendship between
Datu Sikatuna of Bohol and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi of Spain was
cemented.
The ritual was made for two leaders to enter a pact of friendship and end their hostility against one another.
The Chocolate Hills are considered one of Philippine's natural wonders and Bohol is often referred to as the Jewel of the Philippines. They are hills made of limestone leftover from coral reefs during the Ice age when the island was submerged. They turn brown during the summer, hence their name.
The Chocolate Hills are consistent in their cone shape and size and
estimates show that the number of hills reaches at least 1,260 but may
be as many as 1,776. The Chocolate Hills encompass a 20 square mile (50
sq km) area creating a sea or rolling terrain of these haycock hills.
The height of the hills varies from 98 to 160 feet (30 to 50
m) with the largest hill reaching a peak of 390 feet (120 m). The
Chocolate Hills are actually grass covered limestone, but during the dry
season the grass dries up turning brown which is where the name is
derived from. The dried up brown hills look like a sea of "chocolate
kisses."
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| at the Hanging Bridge |
From Chocolate Hills, you will pass by Sipatan Hanging Bridge. The hanging bridge is located in the upper area of Loboc River. At the other side of the bridge is the Sevilla town with lots of coconut water juice for sale and a lot of souvenirs. This is the best place to buy your souvenirs. You can still haggle the already lowered price.
On 15 October 2013, Bohol was devastated by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. The epicenter of the earthquake was 6 kilometers south of Sagbayan town. The earthquake, which also devastated neighboring Cebu City, claimed 156 lives and injured 374 people. It also destroyed or damaged a number of Bohol's heritage churches, including the churches of Baclayon, Loboc, Loon, Maribojoc, Loay, Dimiao, and Dauis.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohol
For accommodations in Tagbilaran, click here.
On 15 October 2013, Bohol was devastated by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. The epicenter of the earthquake was 6 kilometers south of Sagbayan town. The earthquake, which also devastated neighboring Cebu City, claimed 156 lives and injured 374 people. It also destroyed or damaged a number of Bohol's heritage churches, including the churches of Baclayon, Loboc, Loon, Maribojoc, Loay, Dimiao, and Dauis.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohol
For accommodations in Tagbilaran, click here.
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