My BDJ box arrived just after my Bohol trip. Just when I needed a beauty loot the most. My skin needs to be refreshed and renewed. I wonder what's inside.

I cannot wait to open it. 



My eyes were all glowing when I opened it. Wah, BDJ Box just keeps getting better and better. Shiseido and Loccitane = LOVE!



I love every single one of them. 



The arrival of these goodies came very timely. I need intensive care for my sunburned skin. And glad to say that after a few days, skin got lighter and lighter.



 
I also got another set of inspirational stickers. Yup, we make things beautiful. So let go of all the worries, feel and make life as beautiful as it should be! ^_^

When I first visited Bohol, my tarsier encounter was one of my trip highlights. It was a close encounter, so close that I even touched it amidst the big sign telling tourist not to. I was so ecstatic to see the cute nocturnal furry little creature with a big spaced out eyes. They also look like little gremlins to me.



But because of the threat of stress to these creatures (touching and camera flashing), the government moved them to what is called a Tarsier Conservation Area. It's a 6 hectare woodland area where all private tarsier display owners share this space to showcase tarsiers in a more protective and adaptive environment to tourists. 



Aren't they cute?



Kazie enjoyed the whole tarsier tour even she can't really see them upclose. I think there were 15 or more tarsiers in the new sanctuary. Most of them are all asleep though, since they are nocturnal. So no big spaced out eyes the second time.

I think it was a 20 minute ride from the Python sanctuary going to Loay Bridge, where the river cruise will start. 

We were ushered by our driver to Riverwatch. They said Riverwatch Floating Resto has the best food, though only serves 1 round drink.

For Php400, you have a buffet of local delicacies from grilled fish, meat, seafood, fruits and desserts with a singer serenading guests throughout the cruise. 

The "cruise" is up the river, then down again after it reaches the Busay Falls, with a stop on a local choir group which does a song & dance number. 

I must say it was a pleasant experience. Though, I would appreciate more smiles from the rondalla group. They seemed so tired and bored already entertaining the tourists when we were there. 

Good thing, there was tatay who danced so gracefully that my disappointment  went away. He really entertained us all. Good job tatay!

After much appreciating architectural history, we proceeded to our next destination. I wasn't really planning on meeting Prony the Python face to face but can't help to scare my lil niece so off we went.

Just a little background, according to what I read in the internet, Prony is a female python caught in 1996. She was approximately 5 meters and 5 kilograms then but has grown to about 23 feet (7 meters) long and 300 kilograms with 30 inches body circumference and still growing. 

Prony captured the media's attention when it was known that the owner fed her stray cats and dogs and only done during full moon. GMA 7 was able to document and film the feeding. It was a clear violation of the Animal Welfare Act. After such media hiatus, the caretakers stopped feeding cats and dogs. Prony is now being fed with pigs and goats once every month.

We missed Marimar's (Tour Guide at Prony's) introduction about Prony but we did catch her doing a little extravagant performance.

Fake smiles. Lols.

We're a little surprised that my niece was more scared of the eagle than the giant snake. Good thing, she enjoyed seeing other creatures like monkeys and owls in the area. 

Last Nov 29-Dec 1, 2012, I set my foot again in Bohol. It was a business mixed with leisure trip (or the other way around). My goal is to check the service of my tour operator and find budget hotel & resorts in the area.





















Kudos to Zest Air for an on time flight. It didn't ruin our first day itinerary.


After arrival, we head out to start our 8 hour - 7 stops - bohol countryside tour. Our first stop was the Blood Compact Shrine. It is a main landmark of Bohol, aside from the Chocolate Hills. This is where the first treaty of friendship between Spaniards and Filipinos took place. It was a political event.



We didn't stay long. After 4-5 pictures, we head out to our next destination. The Baclayon Church.



I am not a catholic but I do appreciate old churches. So we went inside to take a peek. Good thing, there was no ongoing mass. So we had the church to ourselves that day. My niece carried a puzzled look when we came inside. Catholicism is unknown to her.



Proper dress code is expected when going inside the church. My sister and I had to wear sarongs to cover our arms and legs. No worries, cover ups are being provided at the church.

 

The old church was an interesting sight to see. I was imagining scenes from Rizal's Noli Me Tangere. 



We also explored the church grounds. Kazie was so thrilled to pose for the camera. I appreciate how the surroundings are so clean.



I would recommend a worthwhile visit to this old church. I am not a history buff, but visiting the Baclayon is like taking a road back in time.



Maya birds and their nests



Goodbye Church! Off to see other interesting attractions in Bohol.