Bohol Day 2

Woke up on Day 13 atop a chocolate hill. We had breakfast at the hotel we stayed at and then drove down to Rio Verde Floating Restaurant. My dad and my uncle were able to charter a boat (they prepare a buffet on an open-air boat and travel along the river) so that our group could have a private one. We had some time to kill before then, so we went to Adventure Park nearby. It’s actually relatively new, and the property consists of a large gorge (with a river running down the middle). A zipline and a ski lift-looking thing went across the gorge. Jessica P, Jasmine, and I took the zipline. It was AMAZING my dad, JJ, and Lonnie went on the other thing. Then it was time to go to the floating restaurant. We had a small circular boat, and there was a guitarist/singer for entertainment. We traveled down a ways and docked at the Ati Tribe village, which entertains customers for donations; they’re actually from the island of Panay, but they moved down to Bohol about 20 years ago and have since formed a partnership with Rio Verde, I guess. I got a nice souvenir from them, which I hope to show everyone when we get home ^_^ after we docked back at the restaurant headquarters, my uncle and my cousin drove us to the pier to catch our boat back to Cebu. Right now, we’re sitting on an Ocean Jet and “Tangled” is playing. I’m ignoring it though, because I haven’t seem it and can’t hear it and don’t want to spoil the movie for myself. Therefore, as soon as I get home, I’m going to buy “Tangled” and watch it ^_^ Back in Mindanao tomorrow! Can’t wait!
–Jessica B.

Monkeys and Chocolate

Good morning everyone! Yesterday was Day 12 of our trip. We woke up early to catch the Ocean Jet from Cebu to Bohol at 6a. My Uncle Melvin and cousin Juven picked us up at the pier, and then we drove to the mall, where we bought some necessities and ate. Afterwards, we drove to the Tarsier Sanctuary. The tarsiers (which are actually primates, not monkeys) are a hallmark of Bohol and also an endangered species. They are soooooooooo cute!!!!! X3 We then Got a flat tire and pulled in at Baclayan Church (I think that’s the name), one of the oldest churches in all of Asia. I believe it was built in the 1550s. Very beautiful, and very conservative; if you didn’t have the proper dress, they gave you wraps to cover yourself before entering the sanctuary. Once the tire was fixed, we zoomed over to the Chocolate Hills, another hallmark of Bohol (see picture recently posted). Since it was already dark by the time we got there, we stayed the night at the hotel atop one of the hills. And now, on Day 13, we are going to relax and see more of Bohol. Next medical rally is in a couple days! Much love!
– Jessica B.

“That Rooster’s Trying Too Hard…”

Day 9 — we spent the morning at Plantation Bay. My mom and I went around to the different lagoons while pretty much everyone else headed for the spa. They looked like they were in zen mode when we found them after we left, we went to the conference headquarters and stayed at their guesthouse. Then, we went to Miller SDA Church for our first concert in Cebu, which went very well btw, there was a rooster right outside the guesthouse that was crowing at the top of his lungs every time!

Day 10 — Sabbath. They fed us lunch at Miller Memorial Hospital, and then we prepped for our afternoon/evening concert. That also went well, and then we had pizza for dinner XD

Day 11 — relaxation day. In the morning we visited the Taoist Temple, where my family always goes whenever we come to the Philippines. It’s quite a beautiful structure actually ^_^ we then visited my grandparents’ graves. It was bittersweet going back; I thought of all my memories with my grandmother and can’t wait even more for Resurrection Day, when I can see her again and when I can finally meet my grandfather. Afterwards, we went to the mall for some necessities as well as some things that weren’t necessarily necessary ^_^’
– Jessica B.

At McDonalds

Breakfast here at McDonalds…is…well…different…