DIY: Part 2 of 3_MisAdventures in Bohol

BACKPOSTING: 2011 Cebu-Bohol Weekend Getaway!

Day 2 started with a complimentary breakfast at Amorita Resort. Plan: Make ourselves full to last the entire day! hahaha! We ate almost every bit of what’s served on the table, libre na eh! haha patay-gutom lang! :D Original plan for Day 2 was to go to Danao and experience the extreme activities, but it was just too far from Panglao that I (kase ako taga-decide eh! haha!) decided to change the plan. Plan B, roam around Bohol and see those tourist spots that were supposed to be visited in Day 1 :).

And so the itinerary for Day 2 was this:

Click Itinerary_DIY Bohol-Cebu Trip 2011_ResidentSlacker for the complete itinerary. :)

After breakfast, we started off with the Bohol MisAdventures! :D We went out of the resort and looked for a habal-habal to take us to Hinagdanan Cave in Dauis. Didn’t expect the travel from Amorita Resort to Dauis to be that far!!! And it was so scorching hot!!! hehe!

Hinagdanan Cave

This is still actually part of Panglao Island, but a little far from the beaches. Before we entered the cave, we had to pay for a Php15 entrance fee. And just when we started with a few steps down the cave, someone volunteered to accompany us and tour us around the cave, and he also volunteered to be our photographer! Hahaha! Echusero si kuya, pinakealaman pa ang settings ng camera ko! hahaha! His name is Joey.

The entrance of the cave is a hole of about 1 meter wide in diameter, visible from a limestone hill. Cemented steps lead to the interior of the cave. The cave is slippery, but there’s a railing to hold on to avoid accident due to the slippery stones of the cave. -Wikipedia

While we were inside the cave, Joey asked us to do a lot of poses, parang nanggagago lang! hahaha! In fairness, ang dami naming tawa nung nasa loob kame ng cave. He asked us to do the Santino pose while the light from outside reflects above our head; FHM model pose; tap-the-water pose; at kung anu-anu pa! :D

Hinagdanan Cave is a naturally lighted cavern with a deep lagoon and many large stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is lit by sunlight which filters through holes in the ceiling. The underground lake is a popular swimming spot, but it has been known to test for high levels of various pollutants, since it is fed by ground runoff. -Wikipedia

There are also drawings on the walls of the cave that are believed to be made by the ancient dwellers.

After Hinagdanan Cave, we walked our way again to find a vehicle to take us to Tagbilaran Bus Station (DAO) but couldn’t find one. So pikchuran muna habang nasa daan!

Finally, a van from the Pangalao Island Nature Resort and Spa stopped beside us and asked where we are going. Since the driver’s going to pass on the same route, he offered to take us to the bus station. Nakakakaba, pero pinatos na rin namin ang offer na yun, walang choice, wala talagang masakyan! :D

After about 15 minutes, he dropped us off at a trike station and asked a trike driver to take us to the bus station in DAO. Binigyan na lang namin ng TIP yung driver ng van for helping us get to the bus station haha! hay!

And then we took the Carmen-bound bus to take us to Loboc, thinking that the Tarsier sanctuary is just near the Loboc Church! hahaha! When we got off at Loboc, hindi pala dun yung tarsier sanctuary; we had to ride on a habal-habal to take us to barangay Candabong, where the Tarsier Conservation Area is located.

Loboc Church
While we were in Loboc, we managed to get a few shots! :D

The Church of San Pedro in Loboc is the second oldest church in Bohol. It was originally built in 1602, but soon reduced to ashes. In 1638, a stronger one was built. Located near the river, it has survived a number of floods. Inside the church, you can admire some remarkable naive paintings on the ceiling. A Spanish coat of arms can be found in the stone wall near the entrance of the convent. The bell tower of Loboc is about 100 meters from the church. Attached to the building is a three storey convent, which today houses the Museo de Loboc on the third floor. This museum houses a few old statues of saints, and some other antique religious artifacts. –http://www.bohol.ph/article8.html

And then we continued our misadventure via a habal-habal that brought us to the Tarsier Conservation Area in barangay Candabong in Loboc.

Tarsier Conservation Area

While we were in the conservation area, we noticed several guides surrounding the tarsier-inhabited spots, giving information about the tarsier, the new sanctuary and also guarding the small species from noise and camera flashes caused by the visitors. Having talked to one of the guides, we were informed that the tarsiers, about 150 of them, were recently transferred to that area in barangay Candabong.

According to a news story last July 24, 2011, The Protected Areas for Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) has finally decided to free the tarsiers in captivity even if the firms are still having permits. This came after a series of consultation meetings with the 12 wildlife farm permit (WFP) holders, local government units of Bohol, and other stakeholders, following a number of complaints that tarsiers have been mishandled while in captivity.

Bohol’s Tarsier – A cuddly-looking creature with soft, grayish-fur; about 100 millimeters in height; with rat-like tail which is longer than the body and bat-like ears, the Tarsier (Locally called the maomag). It thrives mostly in secondary dense forests with a diet of crickets, beetles, termites and other insects as well as small animals like lizards, frogs, and even small birds but has almost no natural enemies in the wild. Furthermore, this nocturnal creature has the unique ability of being able to turn its head 180 degrees as well as to jump backward with precision. Yet ironically, is listed as one of the country’s threatened species. –http://www.tarsierfoundation.org/the-tarsiers-of-bohol

After our visit at the Tarsier sanctuary, we waited for a vehicle just outside of the area. It took us so long to have found a bus that’s bound for Tagbilaran, and it was so crowded that we had to stand during the entire trip! hahaha! with all the dress, hassle! ahahaha! :D It was a 45-minute bus ride, torture lang. Aside from having to stand the entire 45-minute trip, sobrang init pa talaga kase crowded and syempre hindi air-conditioned ang bus! ehehe! pero ayus lang, ekspiryens! :D

We were supposed to get off at Bool, that’s near the Blood Compact Site, but the kundoktor forgot to tell us when we were already in Bool, so we went down at the wrong bus stop! rarr! :) Pero sige lang, that’s part of commuting in an unfamiliar place! :D So we had to hire a trike to take us to the Blood Compact Site and Baclayon Church.

Baclayon Church

The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon is considered to be one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. It is one of the best preserved Jesuit-built churches in the region, although in the 19th century; the Augustinian Recollects added a modern facade and a number of stone buildings that now surround the church.

Although Baclayon was the first seat of the Spanish Jesuit missionaries, fear of Moro marauders soon forced them to move their headquarters more inland, to Loboc. It was only in 1717 that Baclayon became a parish, and construction of a new church commenced. –http://www.bohol.ph/article8.html for more info.

Blood Compact Site

Just a few minutes away from Baclayon is the Blood Compact Site. Bohol’s Blood Compact Site is located in Barangay Bool, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines. This particular site was made in honor of a very important event in the Philippine history done between Miguel Lopez de Legazpi of Spain and Rajah Sikatuna of Bohol.

This Sikatuna-Legaspi blood compact is considered as the First Treaty of Friendship between two different races, religions, cultures and civilizations. It was a treaty of friendship based on respect and equality. This event is commonly known as “Sandugo”.

The Bohol Blood Compact sculpture was made by the National Artist, Napoleon Abueva, a Boholano himself. It is placed on an open and raised dais portraying five (5) life-sized images of men gathered around a table with Legazpi and Sikatuna supposedly making a toast. Standing on the dais, visitors are treated to a good view of the Bohol Sea and the contour of that particular side of the island of Bohol. –http://www.bohol-philippines.com/blood-compact-site.html

After a few poses at the Blood Compact Site, we decided to head back to Island City Mall. We stayed took our dinner at the foodcourt, and I bought an extra memory card for my cam! hahaha naubusan! :D And then we went to the bus terminal to take the bus bound for Panglao! It was an hour trip back to Panglao (including waiting time for the bus to be fully-occupied).

But when we reached Amorita Resort, we still had the energy to do night swimming in the pool. We also went down to the beach to check on the night life. After swimming, we then prepared for the free massage at the resort!!! (Pics and details about the pool and massage will be included in a separate post!)

Such a long and tiring day! :D

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