Of Hills and Beaches
1:29 AM
214 steps. Those dreadful steps led us to this magnificent view. I didn't mind the cold breeze or my aching feet just to get a chance to see this masterpiece.
Chocolate hills sprawl into the vast lands of Carmen, Bohol. There are at least 1260 hills but it's speculated to be as many as 1776 spread over the area.
It was nearly sunset when we arrived and the cold air started to kick in. I'm a fan of a cold weather, don't get me wrong. I love snuggling my pillows and just burrowing my face on the sheets. But this breeze is nothing like that. Its the kind of coldness that reaches the insides of your bones. And I was wearing thin clothes that time, so, I'm pretty much naked out there. In the cold. I know you get the picture.
The advantage of going to tourist destinations off-season is that you don't have much of a competition when it comes to enjoying the view. There's no pressure to get in line or to get a better view than anybody else because mainly, there's no one there but you.
All I saw was this vast greenery with endless numbers of hills. It was a surreal moment because I'm just used to seeing it in postcards when I was in grade school, but now it's in front of me, it left me speechless and in awe.
And so, we chased the sun as it gradually sets. Our driver took us to the Man-made Forest.They are lined up so perfectly I felt like I was in Japan for a few moments.
As the darkness devoured the skies, we decided to take a quick stop at Sandugo or Blood Compact Shrine. I was a little disappointed not because it was dark, but because it was sandwiched between commercial buildings. I wish it has its own place to show its grandness.
We returned to our suite, Alona Beach. It's such a great place with a homey, cozy feel and it's really affordable, too. Near Hennan Resort, Alona Beach is really a great alternative for people who's on a budget.
Night life here seemed a little more reserved, a little quieter. Unlike Manila's overly loud party scene, Panglao offers a new kind of party experience. Pubs and eateries were scattered everywhere but still you find no chaos. It has still maintained the laid-back vibe it always exudes. Maybe that's the secret of Bohol. If you really want to relax and take a break from the bustling city, then Bohol is definitely your place.
The next morning, we rented a boat to go to Virgin Island, a sandbar that appear during low tides. The weather that day was almost unexplainable. We departed off Panglao with a bright, sunny weather but when we reached the islet, the skies turned suddenly grey. It was fun facing strong winds and rains. Though the falling rain kept hitting us on the face, we still swam like nobody's business until I stepped on an urchin. But thank God, I was not hurt or anything. I always treat my misfortunes as blessings in disguise because I can come home and tell stories that would shock my mom and that would inevitably make her lock me up inside my room for eternity.
Bohol has been a surprise to me. Yes, it started off a little sluggish. Yes, its not like the livelier and more colorful Cebu. But Bohol lets you connect to nature on a different level. Its quaint and quiet atmosphere will make you bargain a little more time to stay and just rest your weary body. It's harder to uncover Bohol. It's secretive but it's also seductive, like the islands were made by lovers as gifts for each other. Every sand formation, every hill and every creature living here, makes Bohol a wonder to discover.
I'm Eden Morales. A UI/UX Designer by day but a full-time dreamer. To travel and explore outside my comfort zone are the things I crave to do ever since. These are the chronicles of my first-hand experiences from all the places I have gone to and will go to in the future.
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