When I decided to visit Bohol, I had no idea what to expect. It was not as well-known as Palawan or Boracay. However, there was something about its unassuming reputation that intrigued me. I wanted an experience that felt genuine, one that connected me with nature and local life. Little did I know that Bohol would find its way to my list of favorite places in the Philippines.
The Alluring Chocolate Hills
My first adventure in Bohol led me to the Chocolate Hills, and as soon as I set my eyes upon them, I was mesmerized. I stood on the viewing platform and simply looked out at hundreds of cones lined up in the distance. The hills looked like large drops of chocolate capriciously littered across the earth by nature. When it is dry they turn brown, and hence the name but when I visited, every hill was lush and green, and it was an astonishing view that looked like a painting.
Seeing the Small Tarsiers
After that, I stopped at the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary to see one of the smallest primates in the world. The tiny animals had large eyes and little fingers. They appeared delicate and somewhat magical as they clung to the branches of trees and hardly moved at all. In that moment, I felt infused with respect for the imagination and creativity of nature. Meanwhile, the staff of the sanctuary asked everyone to try to stay quite because tarsiers can be sensitive animals and can be stressed. During this time, I felt the best way to show appreciation of nature was to just watch and listen.
Enjoying a Quiet River Cruise
One afternoon I spent time going on a Loboc River Cruise; an experience that rated as one of the most relaxing things I have ever done. The boat floated along the still green river water while locals sang folk songs and served previously cooked delicious Filipino food (grilled fish, pancit, and sweet banana turon). The boat was filled with charming laughter and music and the aroma of cooked food. It was astonishing to feel as if the entire river was happy and celebrating along with us.
The Serenity of Panglao Island
Eventually, I went on to Panglao, a small island connected to Bohol by a bridge. The beaches were pure white, while the sea sparkled like glass. I spent hours lying on the sand, listening to the waves, and watching the sunset turning the sky orange and purple. It was the kind of beauty that doesn’t cry out it whispers, quietly but profoundly.
What I Learned from Bohol
Bohol taught me that travelling is not simply about visiting famous places, it is about feeling the pulse of a land and its people. From the gentle gaze of the tarsiers to the peaceful current of the Loboc River, each moment reminded me beauty is in simplicity.
As I departed from the island, I realized that Bohol had gone and quietly taken a part of my heart with it. It was the kind of place that didn’t have to impress you. it just had to trick you into slowing down to see it in its whole glory. And I am glad that I did.