Chocolate Hills, Philippine Tarsier, Bohol Land Tour, Bohol, Philippines
On our third day in Bohol on May 18, 2009, we went to see the place in Tagbilaran City where the blood compact was supposed to have been performed on March 16, 1565.
The blood compact or “Sandugo” in Bohol was made between Don Miguel Lopez de Legazpi of Spain and Datu Sikatuna of Bohol to seal their friendship as part of the tribal tradition.
Afterwards, we went to see the Baclayon Church and Museum in Baclayon, Bohol, Philippines. The Baclayon Church is the second oldest church in the Philippines. The San Agustin Cathedral in Intramuros is the oldest church in the Philippines. Regarding the museum, it was not allowed to take any photos inside the museum.
From Baclayon, we went to see the Chocolate Hills in Carmen, Bohol, Philippines. The unique landform of the hills was formed ages ago by the uplift of coral deposits and the action of rainwater and erosion. The Chocolate Hills are the famous attraction in Bohol and have been declared as the Philippines’ 3rd National Geological Monument.
From Carmen, we then went to Loboc for the Loboc River cruise passing through the man made forest of Bilar. This manmade forest project was started 50 years ago and by the way the forest looked like, it seemed like the Boholanos were successful in their endeavor. Unfortunately it was raining, so we were not able to take any photos.
We arrived in Loboc, Bohol, Philippines and had our cruise on the Loboc River. We had a buffet lunch first at the floating restaurant before cruising on the Loboc River up to the Busay Falls. During the Loboc River cruise, there were stopovers where we were entertained by the locals with traditional Filipino songs and dances.
Lastly, after the Loboc River cruise, we went to see the Philippine Tarsiers in captivity. The tarsiers are the smallest monkeys or primates in the world. The Philippine Tarsier is considered the second smallest primate in the world and an endangered tarsier species endemic to the Philippines.
In my opinion though, the tarsiers in captivity being displayed and shown to the public in Loboc should be prohibited. It was not allowed to take photos with flash but some people tend to forget it. Then, regardless of the size of the tarsiers, the place in Loboc is too small for these tarsiers.
The Philippine Tarsier sanctuary in Corella, Bohol is off the tourist path but it should be enough. If people would like to see the Philippine Tarsier, they should devote time to go to Corella instead of putting the tarsiers in captivity in danger.
It was after 2:15pm when we finished our Bohol Land Tour. We arrived before 3:29pm at Bohol Beach Club in Panglao Island.
The next day we left Bohol and went back to Manila.
Related Links:
Bohol, in Wikipedia
Blood Compact, in Wikipedia
Sandugo, in Wikipedia
Baclayon Church, in Wikipedia
Chocolate Hills, in Wikipedia
Loboc River, in Wikipedia
Philippine Tarsier, in Wikipedia
[...] at Bohol Beach Club with nice white sand beach and friendly staff. We did not forget to book the Bohol Land Tour to see the Chocolate Hills and the Philippine Tarsier among [...]
[...] After a few days in Manila, we went to Bohol and stayed at Bohol Beach Club in Panglao Island. We did not miss seeing the famous Chocolate Hills and the Philipine Tarsier during our Bohol Land Tour. [...]