The much-awaited “BOHOLiday” had finally arrived, and TeamGonzaga was all set for an exciting 3-day, 2-night summer adventure. After a hearty breakfast at the Mandarin Plaza, we headed straight to Cebu Port, which was just a quick 20-minute ride from Cebu City. Upon arrival at 6:30 AM, we checked in and were pleasantly surprised when the booking personnel at OceanJet informed us that we could board their 7:00 AM trip, even though our booking was for 8:00 AM. We eagerly grabbed our bags and hopped onto the earlier ferry.

Note: Click the image for Oceanjet’s current fares and schedules

The 2-hour ferry ride from Cebu to Tagbilaran Port was quite comfortable on OceanJet, an air-conditioned ferry that even had a movie playing on board. Although they were showing “Maleficent” during our trip, the kids were more interested in admiring the stunning sea views.

Bohol is a truly amazing destination that offers a complete package of attractions. While their white sand beaches are undoubtedly impressive, the breathtaking scenery and fun-filled attractions, coupled with the warm and genuine hospitality of the local Boholanos, make it an ideal location for a family vacation.

During our visit, our friend Andre arranged for our transportation and guide for a half-day countryside tour. We were greeted by Sgt. Elias, who drove us around to all the famous spots in Bohol. We are grateful to Andre for his generosity in making our trip to Bohol such a memorable experience.

When traveling in Bohol, there are various transportation options available to suit your budget and preference, ranging from private to public modes. For those on a tight budget, there are vans for hire at the port area which come with an itinerary and tour guide. The package is priced at a reasonable P2,500 and varies depending on the number of people availing it.

Alternatively, there are public transportation options such as buses, jeepneys (habal-habal), and tricycles. It’s advisable to haggle for the best deals and plan ahead. Booking your trip online with a complete itinerary is recommended to avoid wasting precious time, as there are plenty of exciting things to see and do in Bohol.

Our first destination on the countryside tour was the Blood Compact Site Monument, which holds great historical significance. It was at this site where the first treaty of friendship between the Filipinos and Spaniards was established. The ceremony, known as the Blood Compact or Sandugo, was performed by Datu Sikatuna, the Chief of Bohol, and the renowned Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

Although there isn’t much to do at the Blood Compact Site Monument besides taking pictures, the background view of the monument is truly breathtaking. You can see the vast expanse of white sand beaches in Panglao, which adds to the charm of the site. Moreover, the feeling of standing in the very place where Philippine history was born centuries ago is truly remarkable. The tour of this site takes just about 10 minutes.

Next on our tour was the Bilar man-made forest, a popular stop for those exploring the countryside. This 2 km stretch of man-made mahogany forest is part of a reforestation project launched in December 1953 to replace trees lost due to widespread kaingin practices in the past.

The tall mahogany trees provide a refreshing shade during the hottest times of the summer season, as they stretch up towards the sky. The patches of light peering through their thick green canopies create a stunning sight. It’s hard not to admire the forest and the thousands of hands that planted it. Tourists often stop to take pictures or selfies with the rising trees as a magnificent backdrop.

Our next destination was the one we were all eagerly looking forward to – the iconic Chocolate Hills, which is undoubtedly still the main tourist attraction in Bohol. As we arrived, we were greeted by a long staircase leading up to the viewing deck. Although the original deck where visitors could take a picture doing a jump-shot-with-a-broomstick was destroyed during the October 2013 earthquake, we didn’t mind. We were there to see the hills, not to do jump shots. The climb up the approximately 214 steps under the scorching heat was strenuous, but reaching the top was worth it. Hundreds of hills that looked like giant Hershey’s kisses welcomed us, and the view was spectacular.

Although some of the hills were destroyed by the earthquake, and others have been eroded over time, the view was still picturesque. Seeing our children in complete awe of the view was priceless. It was a moment that made the trip worth it, despite the arduous climb.

I still can’t believe that I am here face to face with Chocolate Hills. I have long since admired the magnificence of this famous iconic landmark. Being here witnessing the lovely view is really such a memorable experience.

Before heading to lunch, we passed by the Tarsier Conservation Area in Loboc. The kids were thrilled to see the cute tarsiers in real life.

Entrance Fee are as follows:
Tarsier conservation area Entrance Fee P60 Kids 10 years below are free
Tarsier conservation area Entrance Fee P60 Kids 10 years below are free

Tarsiers, which are considered one of the smallest primates in the world, are typically nocturnal creatures. However, as I gazed into their large, motionless and imploring eyes in broad daylight, I couldn’t help but wonder why they were wide awake and seemingly posing for the tourists, myself included, as we snapped pictures of these adorable creatures. Despite the small area we were in, we were able to observe 4 to 5 tarsiers from a close distance. Although touching them is prohibited, we were able to get close enough to take pictures, and if we were lucky, the tarsiers would even look straight at the camera and appear to be smiling, just like this little guy 🙂.

As it was already 11:30 AM, we were feeling famished and in dire need of sustenance. We decided to head to Loboc River Cruise, an ideal spot for dining. However, it is essential to make reservations in advance, since the queue can be quite long. We waited for an hour until our number was called and were then escorted to the floating restaurant. There were several local delicacies to choose from, and although the meal was just average, it did the job of satisfying our hunger pangs.

During our meal on the floating restaurant, we had the opportunity to witness the ruins of Loboc Church as we passed by.

Following our delightful Nature’s Way lunch cruise, we decided to head to Bellevue to prepare for our family’s scheduled outdoor photoshoot. En route to the hotel, we passed by the renowned Baclayon Church and couldn’t resist the opportunity to take a quick tour of one of the oldest churches in the Philippines.

The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon dates back to the Spanish era and is considered one of the country’s national treasures. Its origins as a parish church date back to the 1700s, and it has since withstood the test of time. However, the church suffered significant damage during the 2013 earthquake, and rehabilitation efforts are currently underway. Next to the church is an old convent that has been turned into a museum, with a small entrance fee charged for maintenance purposes. The museum houses century-old relics, religious statues, and artifacts dating back to the 16th century, although photography is not permitted inside the museum.

And that concludes our Bohol countryside tour! Now, we’re off to The Bellevue Resort to take a brief break and prepare for our photo shoot.