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A personal post on the soon end of the year.

2011 has been all things. The drama, the joy.

But more, it was to live life with all I got

To experience

I have to admit, it started rather melodramatic. I was still unsure where this illness I have was leading me. I wasn't back to my original self (but do we grow if we remain?). I did have self-pity. Not being able to work on a normal job. Or not doing work at all. Of being unproductive. My days were spent at home alone taking care of two old people. That by early this year, one unexpectedly passed away. That was when I realized that hey, I should be doing what I want to do. What am I waiting for? It did matter that I wasn't able to walk or write or draw before. I was scared that it will happen again. But God, I didn't lose my limbs. And I didnt die

I haven't realized it much before,,

that I am pretty much capable of doing the things I love

I have all the time in the world and I slept through some

But I knew to make good use of the rest of it.

My heart belonged to a few things.

Travel, art and service

Ive exhausted my previous years to serving others.

Now it was time so serve myself.

I traveled like Ive never traveled before. Around the country

To places I havent been and places I want to go back to

Ive made art and found my calling in moulding dirt

I feel so much alive.

Growing, discovering.

Being.

And only being at the moment

And I wonder if it ends with the year.

Everything changes but nothing is truly lost

Still thank you

100th post: Panorama!

by Iori Espiritu

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Coron+Bohol 112011

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Bohol Bee Farm & Alona Beach

by Iori Espiritu

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Alona Beach in the southern part of Panglao Island, BoholIt is a lively area with lots of tourists and restaurants

while Bohol Beefarm lies on the eastern side of Panglao, a more laid-back option

Aside from the seaview restaurant and rooms, Bohol Beefarm also offers a tour of their livelihood center and their farm.

-end-
Previous entries: Countryside & Panglao Island TourBohol Cuisine

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Bohol Countryside + Panglao Island Tour

by Iori Espiritu

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Countryside Tour happened on our 2nd Day in Bohol. Nothing happened during the first day due to a delayed flight
First was the Blood Compact Site which signifies the treaty of friendship between the Spaniards and the Filipinos. Also called Sandugo.
This statue is located in Tagbilaran City, Bohol and was created by National Artist, Napoleon Abueva

Just a short distance is the Baclayon Church. The church interior is luminated with different colors from the stained glass fixtures. The chandeliers and pulpit was also preserved as well as the statues of saints adorning the altar

Back view of the Baclayon Church

Next was the Tarsier Conservation Center. The last time we went to Bohol, about 5 years ago, the tour guide brought us to this establishment where you can take pictures of tarsiers in close ups. I believe they were already abolished due to mistreatment of these endangered species. Most of them gets traumatized from being awake during the day and constant handling by tourists. Tarsiers are nocturnal by nature and are solitary animals.
In the conservation center, they are kept in a larger land area and are free to jump from tree to tree. You are also not allowed to touch or take flash photography of these little creatures. Which is good for them!

You can't take home a tarsier but these souvenirs might suffice.

Chocolate Hills!First, you have to climb up the stairway to heaven, so i called it

A pretty couple + nice view. I dont know them

Butterfly Sanctuary hosts, well, butterflies!And some flowers

What I learned from the guide was that butterfly caterpillars don't cause allergies. It's the moth caterpillars who make you itchy. He also said it's not true that their wing dusts are poisonous. Hmm... true or not true?
Another caterpillar trivia: Different species eat specific type of plants. Hmm...Butterflies are different. They sure love these mangoes.

And this one has a particular liking for my finger.

Bilar Man-made ForestIs a stretch of mahogany forest down the road.

Go to Loboc River for some River cruising and some lunch.First view would be the Loboc Museum

Then at the end is a small waterfalls

Try to enjoy the country singing on-board while doing some muni-muni by the river. Lolz

It rained after

After the river cruise, we crossed the bridge to Panglao IslandFor the Panglao Island Tour

Dauis church was next on the list. Tho the correct term is the Lady of the Assumption Church.Not good of a picture because it was too dark.
You can find paintings on the ceiling by a Filipino artist.There is also a well infront of the altar where it is believed to produce miracle water.

More impressive than the interior is the back view of the church.

This back view. Where a big acacia tree stands strong. And just by the seaside.

Last stop, Hinagdanan Cave on the southern part of Panglao Island.A small cave with pretty interesting tourist guides who would gladly take your picturesin this lowlight conditions.

Bohol got the funniest tour guides I've had. Every place we went, they would have a prepared pun for their place. Which albeit are scripted but well, I'm corny so I do appreciate their effort. Haha
On another note, the countryside tour is best for the oldies, as for what my dad says, due to its cultural and historical nature. For the more wild side of Bohol, you can find it in Danao for their extreme adventure like bungee jumping, zipline, etc. Panglao Island also has Alona Beach that offers a stretch of white sand and nightlife much like Boracay.
On a different post, Alona Beach & Bohol Bee Farm

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12.02.2011

Bohol Cookery, oh!

by Iori Espiritu

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Life would be boring if the early people didn't invent the art of cooking (and eating?)
Thank God for the artists in the kitchen!

Bohol Bee farm offers a different kind of culinary experience for a traveler.
They offer organic and homegrown food that will give your taste buds a new experience.

For starters, their store offers muffins: in squash and carrot flavors.
They also have squash bread and dips from pesto to mango honey.

And ice cream in cabcab cone.
Their icecream store offers flavors like spicy ginger, malunggay, durian, mango and chocolate
You won't go out of choices in this place.

For dinner, I thought their menu was quite expensive
But my mom and I ordered this buffet platter for Php550 (no repeat rounds)
And got too much for two persons

We had their vegetable salad (yes, they serve it with edible flowers)

Complimentary bread, seafood lasagna,

grilled fish, kalderetang baka, honey glazed chicken

and brown rice with kamote

Breakfast comes free when you avail of their rooms
Waffle and egg and ham. Wonder if these, too, are organic
chocolate tablea and watermelon juice for drinks
and papaya for dessert!