7.2 Magnitude Earthquake

Woke up to a heartbreaking news today.  Bohol and Cebu was rattled by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. Lives were taken and lots of historical sites been destroyed like the 400 ++ years old Baclayon Church and the viewing deck at Cholocalate hills.

Cebu and Bohol are one of my most favorite place here in Philippines. Aside from its natural beauty, they are also rich in history dating back to Spanish colonial era. 

I feel so blessed having witness all this historical places before mother nature destroyed it. :(

Bohol Island Escapade

Bohol is one of the best places we have visited. This island has lots of things to offer that you will surely enjoy. Since Bohol is big looking for  affordable package tour is important. I spent days searching on internet of who can provide me a cheaper tour. PackageTour is paid per peson most of the price that i found was ranging from 3,500 to 5000. But since there was only 3 of us, 2 adult and one kid it's not really practical to pay per pax so i opted to just rent a car for 2000 pesos.  A car can fit 4 person. They have their own list of places to go but you can ditch some of it and replace it with the other things/places you like

RJ Tour's Bohol - 0917 324 5548

Here are the links of our Bohol Island Escapades and hotel:
http://coffeeandglitz.blogspot.com/2013/09/loboc-river-resort-jungle-paradise.html

http://coffeeandglitz.blogspot.com/2013/09/hinagdanan-cave.html

http://coffeeandglitz.blogspot.com/2013/09/blood-compact-site.html

http://coffeeandglitz.blogspot.com/2013/09/loboc-river-cruise.html

http://coffeeandglitz.blogspot.com/2013/09/man-made-forest-in-bohol.html

http://coffeeandglitz.blogspot.com/2013/09/butterfly-garden-in-bohol.html

http://coffeeandglitz.blogspot.com/2013/09/tarsier-sanctuary.html

http://coffeeandglitz.blogspot.com/2013/09/zip-lining-with-my-boys-in-bohol.html

http://coffeeandglitz.blogspot.com/2013/09/baclayon-church.html

Chocolate Hills in Bohol

I'm glad that we finally get to see this natural wonder in our own eyes. This cone shaped, grass covered hills are actually limestone rocks. There is about 1776 of it. On dry season the grass turns brown an the hills looks like into seemingly endless rows of Hershey's chocolate kisses. This unique land formation was formed million years ago by the uplift of coral deposits and action of rain water and erosion.

Butterfly Garden in Bohol

Another enjoyable trip that we did in Bohol was the visit to Butterfly Conservation Garden. Here visitors get to acquaint themselves with the butterflies life cycle and even get to hold the baby caterpillars. Beautiful butterflies fly freely in the garden. The plants are strategically planted so the flowers will attract the same butterfly that they breed. The guide informed us that the male butterflies has more majestic colors to attract the females. (how cool is that) And we were told also that butterflies mate for 24 fuck*n hours. Wow!  :D And that the gay butterflies has mixed colors and irregular wing shape. The guides are very funny making the trip even more enjoyable. They also let us touch the butterflies and put it in our hands, hair or face. 

Tarsier Sanctuary

Tarsier is the worlds smallest primate. They measure only up to 8 to 16 cm. Their eyes is bigger than their brain, the tail is longer than their body and the toe is what they use to grip on tree branches. But this smallest furry creature can jump up to 16ft. (crazy right?) :D 

They are among those endangered species that's why Tarsier Sanctuary was made to protect them from extinction. Tarsiers are nocturnal and suicidal. They are put under stress when disturbed by touching, loud noises and moving the tree where they are staying that could prompt them to commit suicide. (yes not only human commit suicide) so tourist are advise to be quiet as much as possible and don't use flash when taking pictures. There are only few of them left in this world so we must take care of them even on simplest way like by obeying the rules at the sanctuary. 

Baclayon Church

Another historical site that we visited in Bohol was the centuries old Baclayon church. It is considered as the oldest church in Bohol and second oldest church in the Philippines. This was founded by the Spanish Jesuits missionaries in 1595. The Church is made of corals stones and whites of a million eggs to cement them together. The towering altar illuminating the whole church look stunning. Next to the church is the old convent that serves as mini museum now. Picture taking inside the museum is not allowed. The room is filled of centuries old religious stuff like relics of St. Ignacius Loyola, book with carabao skin covers, librettos of church music written in Latin on sheep skins, ivory statue of crucified Christ looking up to heaven, statue of Blessed Virgin Mary and old confessional booth. I'm so amazed of how the church is very well-preserve and I hope it stays that way.

Blood Compact Site

The second stop on our Bohol Countryside tour was the Blood Compact Site or Sandugo. It is a tribal ritual in the Philippines intended to seal a friendship or treaty by cutting their wrists and pour their blood into a cup filled with liquid like wine and drink the mixture. Miguel Lopez de Legazpi the Spanish explorer arrived in Bohol in March 16, 1565 and had formed a friendship with the Bohol's Chieftain Datu Sikatuna. This Sikatuna-Legazpi blood compact is considered as the first friendship treaty between Philippines and Spain. This is being taught in Philippines primary school. You can just imagine the excitement into Khenzie's face when he saw the shrine in person.

Bohol This Weekend

We are off to a new adventure this weekend and hoping that the weather would be good. This time we would be going to Bohol and we have Khenzie with us. It would be like educational field trip for him. I can't wait for him to see in person all the sites listed on their History Book at school.

Our Itinerary includes a visit to the famous Chocolate Hills, Tarsier Sanctuary, Baclayon Church, Blood Compact Site, Hanging Bridge, Hinagdanan Cave, Zip Lining, Buttefly Garden, Loboc River Cruise, and Man Made Forest. And just laze on beach on  Day 2. 

Photo from Wikipedia.