Day 4 - Aug 9

The day started quite early 4am to be exact. We had to catch the 5 am mass. I thought Manilans are devoted since we start mass at 6 am. Cebuanos are more devoted. They start at 5 am! I thought well, it's 5 am mass, probably not a lot of people and it would be rushed.

To my surprise, the church was full as in standing room only. My rough estimates is it could hold 1,000 people sitting. Standing room only probably means about 1,200 people attending the mass! The mass was in Cebuano so we could not understand it. Likewise, the homily was quite long. The mass ended past 6 am! What was strange is this: the people waved at the end of the mass. I don't know who they were waving to. The priest also told them to clap to the Lord and they did!

At the Cathedral in Victoria, people clap for the choir, which they truly deserve. But rightly so, this has stopped, because this exalts the choir rather than the Lord. In Cebu, they clap for the Lord.

Anyway, we went back to the hotel for the buffet breakfast. The food was excellent. The trip to the ferry terminal had some hitches. But it was straightened out.

We finally got to the ferry terminal. The ferry was also impressive. Similar to the Victoria Express to Port Angeles. The trip was 1.5 hours long. On exit from the ferry, you can see the waters - very clear. You can even see fishes swimming.

Our first stop was the Loboc River ride. The river ride included buffet lunch with a group of musicians providing live music as the boat goes through the river. For Php 300 (about CA$ 6), it was worth the fee.

We also saw the 'longest' bridge. They started building it in the 70's was my understanding. Until now, they have not finished it. The reason? If the construction would continue, the bridge would hit a church. So they stopped its construction!

After lunch, our guide took us to Chocolate hills. The view is very impressive. On the way, we passed by the man-made forest lined up with mahogany trees.

Climbing up the highest hill was a feat in itself. It has 214 steps. But the view was breathtaking. The guide told us that the whole island was underwater for millions of years. So the island is made of lime stones. This is why the sand is white. You can actually see the white sands every where along the road. Actually, climbing down the hill, you can see limestones.

We went to the hanging bridge. The bridge floor was made of bamboo. We met the Buko King at the other side of the bridge. Mr. Buko King is said to be able to open a cocount with his teeth. We did not ask him to perform for us though. I told him I'll just watch him on YouTube.

We then went to the Philippine Tarsier sanctuary. The tarsier is a primate mistakenly called a monkey. It is nocturnal and a gentle creature. It is like a bat, mouse and owl.

After this, we went to see the largest python in captivity. It eats 40 kg every week, one whole pig!

We then went to the Baclayon church. It is the second oldest church in the country. The guide pointed a wall outside the church and he said that in a photo, the wall looks like a picture of St. Pio.

We toured the church a bit. Since mass was about to start, we had to leave. One of the things that caught our attention was signs in strategic places within the church that tells people of the appropriate wear when entering the church. My companions said they saw an altar server chasing a tourist to get her to cover her shorts and shoulders.

Some may say it violates a person's human rights. But you also do not just enter a mosque

dressed inappropriately.

After the church, we went to the blood compact site. This site commemorates the day when the Spaniard Miguel de Legazpi signed a treaty with Rajah Sikatuna, literally in blood. They put drops of their blood in wine and drank it. Some say it was the first time a Filipino was deceived by a foreigner and that deception has not stopped.

After this last stop, we then checked in at the hotel and had dinner. Dinner was expensive. We then called it a night.

Several things I observed about Bohol - clean place, roads are well paved, friendly, very friendly people - God's little paradise on earth.