I’m back again! This is my second time doing the Countryside Tour. I was supposed to go to Ilocandia, but had to move it to another month.
I went on the countryside tour on my second day in Bohol because it needed an early start and finish before lunchtime. It was my first visit since the strong earthquake hit the island last October, so I wanted to see how Bohol looks now.
Eventually, it’s all the same. There are just ruins in some of the famous spots. Nevertheless, the beauty remains. So, I’ll be comparing the tourist spots then and now, in the order of our tour, with photos below.
1. Blood Compact
The Blood Compact actually took place in the middle of the sea, near this area, but not exactly at this spot.
The changes are:
– photographers everywhere with their DSLR taking pictures of you and suddenly prints it and sell it for 100 or 150 pesos
– an infrastructure beside the area
2. Baclayon Church
This is one of the old churches in Bohol that has been devastated by the earthquake last year. The good thing is, it only ruined the bell tower, just like in Cebu’s Sto. Niño Church. Unfortunately, they have decided to close the church permanently, but the museum is still open to the public.
The changes are:
- Renovated museum
- Church closed to the public due to damage
3. Chocolate Hills
Slap me if you haven’t heard of Choco Hills in Bohol! Just kidding.
The changes are:
– some hills were severely damaged
4. Man Made Forest
Located in Bilar, this first and only mahogany forest was planted by the old local students before.
The changes:
– there’s vendors along side of the road selling souvenirs
5. Bohol’s Biggest Python
Unfortunately, Prony, the largest python in Bohol, died in August 2013 due to heart complications. The photo above isn’t of Prony himself, but the skin actually belongs to him and has been well preserved. Check out the photo below to see his well-preserved bones as well.
The changes:
– Prony was replaced with 2 small pythons
– smaller area I guess( ? )
6. Tarsiers
The smallest monkey on Earth! hahaha!
The changes are:
– they’ve been transferred into a forest sanctuary now which is more better
– you can’t go near to them unlike before which is also good
7. Hanging Bridge
Located in Sevilla, try to cross the hanging bridge to face your fear of heights!
The Changes:
– you can spot Mr. Buko King here right now hhahahaha
8. Loboc Floating Restaurant
A floating restaurant where you can eat your lunch before or after your tour.
The changes are:
– damaged loboc church
– does this mini waterfall even exist before(?) Just correct me I’m wrong.
So that is how the tour ended. Started at 8:00 in the morning and ended at 3:00 in the afternoon. The van that I have also rented dropped us in Panglao Island, which is included in the tour.