The Loboc River

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Here tourists enjoy an amazing view of the mountains clothed in green and lush Philippine flora while enjoying a ride on floating restaurants that ferry visitors along the long winding limpid river. One of the smallest primates in the world, known as the Philippines tarsier is also found here. Some are wild and others are tamed, perching on low branches that one can freely fondle the cat-like hair of these tiny mammals. For a complete enjoyment of these tiny monkey-like creatures, visit the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary at the nearby town of Corella.

Local tourists enjoy tarsiers on their arms at Loboc River.

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The Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary-Corella, Bohol

Tarsiers at the sanctuary.

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The Philippine tarsier now gradually disappearing from the forest due to farming and logging (legal or illegal) are being preserved by the Philippine government in a sanctuary at the town of Corella. Once covered by the National Geographic Channel, it is now one of the top tourists' destinations in Bohol. The experience of the visit is highlighted by the excitement of directly catching hold and playing with the diminutive, lovely and submissive creatures. They are very exciting to play with for they are no larger than an adult hand; in fact these indigenous tarsiers in the Visayas and Mindanao region of the Philippines are one of the smallest primates in the world.

The Chocolate Hills

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Standing among the most unique geological features in the world is this grand array of almost uniformly sized-haycock hills. During summer seasons, grasses wither and turn brown, thus its name. Spread across a land area of about 50 square kilometers, the chocolate hills has become the symbol of this central Philippine province even of the country itself. Rest houses on hilltops afford visitors a panoramic and grand view of over 1,000 perfectly-coned shape and 30 to 50 meter-tall hills that would left anyone in awe, an experience that will surely stay in one's memory for a very long time or forever.

The Panglao Beach Resort

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Anyone wishing to treat himself/herself of the foretaste of paradise should consider this island beach resort. Being endowed with crisp and fresh air blowing from the fronting and calm Pacific Ocean makes the island in the frontline of foreign tourists' itinerary. Aside from the bracing and invigorating atmosphere provided by the ambience of crystal and limpid waters, visitors will have their own memorable experiences of Filipinos' ever warmest hospitality.

The Religious Historic Sites

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Being adjacent to Cebu where Ferdinand Magellan docked in 1521 to pave the way for the eventual Spanish occupation of the archipelago for over 300 years, Bohol become one of the historical heritages of the country. Testament to it is the presence of numerous historic catholic churches dating back to the Spanish era. One of them is the Roman Catholic Church in the old town of Albuquerque; the sight of which is like a travel in time back to 17th century Philippines that bears much semblance of those Hispanic countries in South America. Today, a visit of Bohol by both local and international tourists is incomplete without having visited these antiquarian churches.

The Pamilacan Island Dolphin and Whale Watching

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Bohol also provides best dolphin and whale watching experience. Tourist guides are former dolphin hunters themselves who have abandoned their age-old tradition of butchering these giant but harmless and kind sea creatures. Instead they are now serving as dedicated stewards of the sea. For a minimal pay for the guides and other related expenses you surely will have one the most rewarding maritime experiences while contributing for the preservation of the species as well.

I hope you enjoy the virtual tour? You may now start planning and saving for at least once in a lifetime visit of Bohol. I heard once and it's true that the world is like an enriching book; if we do not travel then we simply open and read the first page.

Let's begin our travel in the third largest continent - North America.

1. Dinosaur Provincial Park: Canada

   
   
   The first destination in our list is Dinosaur Provincial Park. This unique tourist destination which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in Alberta, Canada.
   
   
   
   The park is famous for being one of the greatest dinosaur fossil beds in the world, attracting more than 350,000 tourists annually. Thirty-nine dinosaur species have been discovered at the park and more than 500 specimens have been removed and exhibited in museums across the globe.
   
   From North America, let's slide down to South America - the land of the Incas, who were regarded as “Romans of Americas” because of their ability to conquer.

2. Salar de Uyuni, Salt Flat: Bolivia

   
   
   Second on the list is the Salar de Uyuni. This is the world's largest salt flat at 10,582 km² or 4,085 square miles. It is located in the southwest of Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes, 3,650 meters high. The major minerals found in the salar are halite and gypsum.
   
   Due to its large size, smooth surface, high surface reflectivity when covered with shallow water, and minimal elevation deviation, Salar de Uyuni makes an ideal target for the testing and calibration of remote sensing instruments on orbiting satellites used to study the Earth.
   
   
   
   Salar de Uyuni is estimated to contain 10 billion tons of salt, of which less than 25,000 tons is extracted annually. Every November, Salar de Uyuni is also the breeding grounds for three species of South American flamingoes: the Chilean, James's and Andean flamingoes.
   
   From South America let's proceed to Asia, the continent with the largest population.

3. Chocolate Hills: Bohol, Philippines

   
   
   Chocolate Hills is the most famous tourist attraction in Bohol. This popular tourist spot is currently ranked number 6 in the list of New Seven Wonders of the world. Chocolate Hills consist of around 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped haycock hills with heights ranging from 40 to 120 meters. The Chocolate Hills is a wonder of nature The Hills are considered as a Philippine National Geological Monument.
   
   
   
   During the summer, the dome-shaped, grass-covered limestone hills dry up and turn brown transforming the areas into rows and rows of chocolate “kisses,” hence the name.
   
   There is no natural formation like these in the world. From a distance, they look like half a ball grown out of the ground. The molehill-shaped and almost uniformly sized hills dot the landscape with green and brown.

4. Fansipan Mountain: Vietnam

   
   
   For mountain climbers, Fansipan Mountain is one of the best mountains to climb. This tourist spot is currently ranked number 12 in the list of the New Seven Wonders of the world. Fansipan Mountain is located 9 km south-west of Sapa Townlet in the Hoang Lien Mountain Range. Fansipan is branded “the Roof of Indochina” with a towering height of 3,143 m. Fansipan had been proposed to be one of the very few eco-tourist spots of Vietnam, with about 2,024 floral varieties and 327 faunal species.
   
   
   
   The peak of Fansipan is accessible all year round. The best time to make the ascent is from mid-October to mid-November, and again in March, when the flowers all flourish and the climbers may behold the carpets of brilliant blossoms, violets and orchids, rhododendrons and aglaias. Fansipan Mountain also contains rice terraces like the famous Banawe Rice Terraces in the Philippines.

5. Mount Mayon: Albay, Philippines

   
   
   The majestic Mount Mayon, which is considered as the world's near perfect cone-shaped volcano, is one of the candidates of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and is currently ranked number 9 in the list. This scenic volcano is located south of Manila, in the province of Albay, Philippines. Mayon Volcano is the Philippines' most active volcano (47 eruptions since 1616) and is considered to be the world's most perfectly formed volcano for its symmetrical cone.
   
   

6. Pamukkale Springs: Turkey

   
   
   Do you want to experience a new kind of bathing? Well, then try taking a bath in a hot springs at Pamukkale. Pamukkale which means “cotton castle” in Turkish, are located in south-western Turkey. It is a natural site and a famous tourist attraction. This unique hot spring is 2,700 meters long and 160 meters high and can be seen from a great distance. About 250 liters of hot water that contains large amount of hydrogen carbonate and calcium rises from the spring every second. This natural phenomenon leaves thick white layers of limestone and travertine cascading down the mountain slope, which resemble a frozen waterfall.
   
   
   
   From Asia let's move to Europe, the second smallest continent.

7. The Burren: Ireland

   
   
   This place is truly a unique place to see. It is a place where there are no trees to hang a man. A place where there is not enough water to drown him. And if you finally succeeded in killing him, it's too rocky to bury him. This place occupies an area of approximately 300 sq. kilometers.
   
   
   
   Burren's landscape is special. The limestone is split and weathered. Everywhere are traces of Megalithic Tombs (like this famous Poulnabrone), ring forts, souterrains, cairns, holy wells and stone rows. There are relics of human habitation dating back almost 6000 years. In this area alone there are more than 60 wedge tombs and the densest concentration in Ireland.
   
   The Burren is situated south of Galway in County Clare, Ireland. Burren means “stony places.” The vast amount of stone works on the imagination of people. Not only 3000 years BC, but even today stones are piled up into nice shapes, maybe even with some (unknown) purpose.
   
   
   
   There are also different rock formations in this place. This area is also rich in historical ecclesiastical sites.

8. Camargue Marsh: France

   
   
   The Camargue is home to more than 400 species of birds, the brine ponds providing one of the few European habitats for the greater flamingo.
   
   The marshes are also a prime habitat for many species of insects, notably (and notoriously) some of the most ferocious mosquitoes to be found anywhere in France. It is also famous for bulls and the Camargue horse.
   
   From Europe, let's go down to the hottest continent in the world - Africa.

9. Djoudj Sanctuary: Senegal

   
   
   The Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It lies on the southeast bank of the River Senegal in Senegal, north east of St-Louis. It provides a range of wetland habitats which prove very popular with migrating birds. Situated in the Senegal River delta, the Djoudj Sanctuary is a wetland of 16,000 ha, comprising a large lake surrounded by streams, ponds and backwaters.
   
   
   
   It forms a living but fragile sanctuary for some 1.5 million birds, such as the white pelican, the purple heron, the African spoonbill, the great egret and the cormorant. There are about 400 species of birds and a wide range of wildlife that inhabit the park.
   
   From Africa, let's sail our way to Oceania.

10. Mariana Trench: Pacific Ocean

    
    
    This is the right place for those who are fond of underwater or deep-sea adventure - the Mariana Trench. It is good place to see some of the most unique deep-sea creatures too, like the amphipod above.
    
    
    
    Marianas Trench is the deepest part of the world's oceans, and the deepest location on the surface of the Earth's crust. It has a maximum depth of about 11 km (6.8 mi), and is located in the western North Pacific Ocean, to the east and south of the Mariana Islands, near Guam.

Where would you like to go? Pick your choice and see some of these unique tourist attractions in person. Bon Voyage.

Mayon Volcano is located in the Bicol Region in the Province of Albay in the Philippines. This volcano has been world famous for its perfect cone shaped. All volcanologist classifies this volcano as a stratovolcano which is a composite volcano. Its perfect cone was formed though the alternate pyroclastic and lava flows. This is an active volcano in the Philippines and has erupted for over 47 time in the pass 400 years. The Mayon Volcano is part of the Pacific ring of fire because it is located along the Pacific Oceans rim.

The most destructive eruption of the Mayon Volcano was in 1814 which buried the whole town of the Casagawa leaving the bell tower of the church as the new surface.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is found in the Island of Palawan in the Philippines. It is about 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa which is the Capital city of the Island of Palawan. This park is most commonly known as the Underground River. This park features the different formations of the limestone. The river takes about 8.2 km and it is very navigable which ends to the South China Sea. The lime stones formations include stalactites and stalagmites and chambers which some of them a larges ones. This underground river is the longest in the world. When you enter the cave you will find a lagoon that is framed by growing trees on the edge of the water. You will also find monkeys, monitor lizards of large sizes, squirrels on the beach that is near the cave.

Tubbataha Reef

The Tubbataha reef is located in the middle of the Sulu Sea with the island of Palawan in the Philippines. It is the only Marine National Park in the country. It is also in the UNESCO's National World's Heritage site. Tubbataha Reef has the most beautiful reefs in the world. The name Tubbataha means long reefs exposed at low tides by the Samal people who had the first access to this park in the 1980's. There are about one thousand different species in this park that includes many endangered species and you can only find them in this reef. The manta rays, clownfish, sharks, lion fish and the tortoises are just a few of them.

Chocolate Hills

The Chocolate Hills is located in Bohol Province, in the Central Visayas of the Philippines. This is the famous tourist spot when you visit Bohol Province. The Chocolate Hills consist of 1, 268 cones that is perfectly shaped hills. These hills are covered in green grass but it turns brown during the summer season the reason why they were called “chocolate hills”.

These hills have been spread on the area of more than 50 sq km. It is also included in the Provincial Flag for Bohol. It is the 3rd on the National Geological Monument in the Philippines.

Popular Tourists Attractions

Chocolate Hills

This is the most famous tourists attraction in Bohol consisting of 1,268 haycock hills with heights ranging from 40 to 120 meters, the Chocolate Hils is a wonder of nature. The Hills are considered as a Philippine National Geological Monument. During the summer, the dome-shaped, grass-covered limestone hills dry up and turn brown transforming the areas into rows and rows of chocolate "kisses

Diving Sites

Bohol is surrounded by a large number of coral reefs, which are very rich in life, and a delight to observe, and a prime tourist attraction. Bohol is blessed with white-sand beaches and serene dive spots. Panglao Island has a number of beach resorts for sun lovers where various watersports are available. Near Panglao are the island of Balicasag and Pamilacan. Balicasag is considered as one of the best dive spots in the country. The waters of Pamilacan are brimming with schools of tuna, snappers, groupers, mackerel and surgeonfish. Dolphins and pilot whales can also be viewed from a distance.

Beaches in Bohol

Kaingit Beach, Santa Fe Beach, Anda Beach, Laya Beach, Bikini Beach, Imelda Beach, Duero Beach, Canuba Beach, Claring Beach, Lintuan Beach, Alona Beach, Doljo Beach is ideal for scuba diving, and Momo Beach is another white sand beach.

Hiking and Cycling

Bohol's numerous hills, valleys and plateaus are ideal for hiking and cycling. In Bilar, a three-kilometer man-made forest is sanctuary to the province's endangered species including the tarsier.

Hinagdanan Cave

With its breath-taking symphony of stalactites and stalagmites jutting out of the earth, the Hinagdanan Cave is certainly a sight to behold. Bring a swimsuit if you want to swim its cool springs aptly lit from above by natural skylights.

Badiang Spring

An underground freshwater spring gushes from twin pipes near the sea. The large volume of water normally flows over a waterfall but can be diverted to fill an adjacent swimming pool.

Old Churches and Other Religious Institution

One of the earliest Spanish settlements, Bohol is home to one of the country's oldest stone churches, the Baclayon Church. The legendary Dauis Church, which is just a few minutes from Tagbilaran features a fresh water well at the foot of the altar. The waters are said to be blessed with healing powers. Still another religious must-see is the Panglao Church with its marvelous ceiling murals and intricately-carved antique confessionals.

Bohol Museum

One of the homes of former President Carlos P. Garcia and his family. On display are memorabilia, relics and samples of the island's flora and fauna.

Falls

There are three popular falls in Bohol, Busay Falls, Inambacan Falls and Tontonan Falls.

 

Cebu, Philippines

Famous Tourist Attractions

Lapu-Lapu Monument

Proudly standing at Mactan Island is Lapu-Lapu's bronze form. He is the first Filipino leader to resist Spanish attempt of colonization. His statue ironically stands across the street from that of rival, Magellan.

Magellan's Cross

In 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan planted a cross on the very spot where the first Filipinos were baptized People started chipping off parts of the cross because of supposed supernatural powers until the city government encased it in tindalo wood and housed it in a monument. It now stands at the corner of Magallanes and Burgos streets.

Mactan Island

A coral island and famous for scuba diving, where beach resorts of international standards are located.

Badian Island

South of Cebu - Located southwest of Cebu City, famous for beautiful corals and reefs, white sandy beaches excellent for diving.

Kawasan Falls

Located in Badian, one can feel the coolness of the surrounding lush greenery of this panoramic waterfalls.

Olango Wildlife Sanctuary

Olango Island supports the largest concentration of migratory birds found so far in the country. Migration starts from the breeding places of birds in Siberia, Northern China and Japan.

Religious Image of Santo Niño

It is considered as the oldest religious relic in the Philippines. It was on April 14, 1521 that Magellan gave the image to Queen Juana as a baptismal gift. Forty-four years later, on April 27, 1565 when Miguel Lopez de Legaspi arrived, Fr. Andres de Urdaneta who formally Christianized the Cebuanos, found the natives hostile. Legaspi himself besieged the settlement and set the village on fire. It was on one of the burnt houses that Juan Camus, a soldier, found the image of Sto. Niño unscratched. Since then, the miraculous image has been venerated by the Cebuanos as its Patron Saint.

Basilica Minor Del Santo Niño

This church was built by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Fr. Andres Urdaneta on the site where the image of Santo Niño was found in 1565.

Mandaue- Mactan Brigde

Built in 1972 at a cost of P65 million. This 864-meter bridge connects the islands of Mactan and Cebu. The bridge is situated on top of Busay Hills, an excellent sight seeing spot which offers a breathtaking view of Metro Cebu and the islands of Mactan and Olango.

 

Mindoro, Philippines

Tourists Destinations in Occidental Mindoro

Apo Reef National Park -UNESCO World Heritage Center

Apo Reef National Park is acclaimed as one of the best diving sites in Asia. It is a 34-kilometer reef, with a narrow channel running east to west, dividing this reef into two lagoon systems, north and south. Apo Reef is the second largest contiguous coral reef in the world and the largest one in the Philippines.

Mt. Iglit-Bacu National Park- UNESCO World Heritage Center

Mt. Iglit is one of Mindoro's reservation areas, declared as a game sanctuary for tamaraws, wild animals found nowhere else in the world. The tamaraw bears a close resemblance to the Philippine water buffalo, commonly known as carabao.

Mamburao Beach Resort

This resort is within a completely secluded cove covering 14 hectares of developed beach resort amidst coconut trees. It has a four-kilometer long light grey sand beach. The place is ideal for swimming, boating, scuba diving, wind surfing, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, and water skiing. Water sports facilities such as glass-bottomed boat, speedboat, hobbie cat, and outrigger boats are available.

Mina de Oro Beach Resort

This resort serves as a jump-off point to other attractions of the island of Ilin. There are ancient burial caves of early Chinese traders, ethnic fishing villages, and numerous dive sites from which to view many tropical fishes.

Ambulong Island

The 3,000-hectare Ambulong Island is one of the three islands found in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. It is characterized by white sand beaches, cliffs along pillars jutting out of the water, and underwater caves. Coral gardens and tropical fish are abundant in several coves.

Ilin Island

Ilin Island is the biggest among the group of islands located in San Jose. It lies between San Jose and Ambulong Island. The area abounds in shells which can be obtained inexpensively on the island.

Lubang Island

It was in this island where a Japanese soldier named Hiroo Onoda was found in 1974. He surrendered as a prisoner of war after 30 years of hiding in the mountains. Another Captain of the Japanese Imperial Army, Fumio Nakahira, held out for another six years before being discovered in April 1980 at Mt. Halcon in Mindoro.

Ambil Island

An interesting attraction of Ambil is the scenic Besay Falls.It features a series of waterfalls, each cascading into a crystal clear basin, about five meters in diameter.

Pandan Grande Island

Pandan Grande Island is a 30-hectare islet surrounded by a white sand beach. This beautiful little coral islet is located with snorkeling distance from a submarine drop-off, inhabited by schools of reef.

White Island

It has an almost mile-long beach with smooth and powdery white sand. The tranquil and peaceful island is an ideal place for swimming, scuba diving and fishing. Turtle eggs are occasionally found buried in the sand and visitors are cautioned to keep them undisturbed.

Enjoy your stay in these beautiful islands of the The Pear of the Orient-Philippines.