debandfredseeingtheworld: The Countryside Tour

Our tour began at 9:30, when we were picked up with a tour van. There were already 7 people in the van and we picked 2 more up in Tagbilaran, a mix of young and old. Everyone was quite quiet, no one wanting to engage in conversation. We arrived at the Tarsier Research & Development Center, a tarsier sanctuary.

There were quiet signs everywhere along the path. A person stationed at each place a tarsier was located.

Some facts about the tarsier:

- cuddly little primate that can fit in the palm of your hand

- it can leap 5 m

- rotate its head almost 360 degrees

- move its ears in the direction of sound

- has huge imploring eyes

- world's smallest primate

- oldest surviving member of the primate group at 45 million years old

- is an endangered species

- main threats to its survival are habitat destruction, introduced species, hunting and the pet trade

Bohol Island is doing the most to promote awareness of the tarsier, in attempts to ensure its survival, as this is the most likely place for visitors to see the tarsier. A very cute little animal.

Next, off to the Chocolate Hills. The road wound around and up the hills where we first saw lots of rice fields. Along side the roads were mats of rice drying, and in the fields we saw rice being harvested and workers tending these crops at different stages. We weren't able to get any pictures as we were too busy hanging on while our driver wove the van along the narrow road through the villages with cars, motorbikes, tricycles, people walking, cows and chickens on the side of the road at a very fast pace.

Chocolate Hills

The hills get their name from the lawn like vegetation that roasts to chocolate brown in the dry season (Dec - May). We didn't see the hills as chocolate brown only as a sea of grassy hills stretching as far as the horizon.

Scientists say that the hills ranging in size from 40 m - 120 m are the result of the uplifting of ancient coral-reef deposits, followed by erosion and weathering.

Where you ascend you must descend, this happened just as quick or maybe even quicker. We were soon at the Butterfly Sanctuary...somewhat disappointing. We saw about 3 or 4 butterflies flying around and many beautiful ones in glass frames. The info was no more than we already knew. Good thing for our entertaining and comical guide...he was great at taking our pics.

We are the beautiful butterflies at the this sanctuary.

Taking flight with our new set of wings.

The Sipatan Twin Hanging Bridge...now how was I going to do that.

The bridge is constructed of woven bamboo slats and steel cables on the sides to give it added safety and stability. The bamboo flexes under your feet as you walk so it was somewhat daunting to me but I made it across the 40 m which crosses over the Sipatan River.

I made it, but now I needed to return on its twin.

Beautiful view of the emerald Sipatan River below.

This was half way across where we stopped to get this pic of the river.

Next was the River Cruise on the Loboc River. We were suspicious of what we would get for for the 250 PP/person, but we needed to eat anyway so we purchased our ticket to get on the cruise and for the floating restaurant. Well I must say we made the right decision.

The Loboc River

The food on the buffet was plentiful- pork, chicken, crab, rice, noodles, vegetables, soup, fruits and desserts. Everything was very tasty and you could help yourself to as much as you wanted.

Entertainment as we ate and as we cruised. We were sitting with a man from Poland. He was very interesting to visit with and also very curious about life in Canada. A most enjoyable conversation.

This is how our boat was powered...a small boat pushing the raft like boat, we were sitting on. We were moving down the river.

We were moving down the river...very picturesque. Jungle on both sides of the green watered river with a few houses on shore.

A pleasant surprise for us was stopping at a hut along the shore for a musical performance with Filipinos singing and dancing in costume. Then they called everyone to join them - to play the ukulele, sing, dance or jump over bamboo slats.

Donations were accepted. Fred went down to give a donation and then was included in playing the ukulele. Fun time to watch and take part.

We carried on to where the boat turned around at a small waterfall which was a ways away. We returned back to the same dock. This was a very pleasant and scenic cruise...most enjoyed.

We had 2 more stops. The Loboc Church...which is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines.