WITH the feel of the gentle wind breezing through my face and the sound of the peaceful night as the background, I was taken back to my childhood days, when, together with friends, we would look at the stars in the sky and talk about what we would be like in the future.
That was how it felt, as the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) took us to a firefly-watching experience at the Abatan River during our second night in Bohol.
Going through that one-hour experience in the river, I felt like I was a kid again. I cannot do anything but lean toward the side of the boat, place my two hands there, and rest my head on my hands as I look up at the stars in the night.
My eyes were wide open, as I gazed into the night. I was again in awe at the vastness of the universe, and how but a tiny fragment we are in the overall scheme of things.
I was looking at the stars trying to remember what we were taught in school about the different constellations. I scanned for the big dipper, my favorite of them all. I also wanted to see a shooting star, hoping that I could be granted to make one wish.
And when the boat would stop at mangroves that were being lit up by the fireflies, it felt like it was Christmas in June. Those little creatures can really mesmerize people, no matter what age they are.
There was really something magical to the whole experience. Call me naïve but, for that short moment in the river that night, it felt like the world was right and everything fits in its right place.
Yes, that three-day trip to Bohol, the latest PTAA familiarization tour for its members, really did felt right for me. I was again in the company of familiar faces. People whom you could say were long-lost friends.
The familiarization trip started on a humorous note for me, as on the road to the Loboc River Cruise, I glanced at a place in Tagbilaran that offers “sweet hour” rates.
This was the time when our tour guide back then was just introducing herself while also talking about Bohol’s population, the tricycles and their inspirational signages, and fast-food giants McDonalds and Jollibee finally seeing the light of having branches in the province.
I chuckled. I hoped that no one saw that sheepish smile I had then. I said to myself that whatever it was they were offering must really be tempting. But what the heck are sweet hours anyway?
Now, I only saw it for a couple of seconds, and I really did not see the name of the establishment. But whoever owns that place must be someone with a really creative mind. Interpret it anyway you want, and sweet hour could really be nothing more than experiencing a memorable time.
It was basically what I experienced over that three-day stay in Bohol. You could say that sweet hours were really sweet days in a province that has plenty to offer to people from all walks of life.
Outside of the Abatan firefly-watching experience, the PTAA ensured that its members would get to see and feel the best of what Bohol has to offer, with stops at Chocolate Hills viewing deck and its adventure park, the Bilar Tarsier Sanctuary; a drive through at the manmade mahogany sanctuary; Bohol Bee Farm; Baclayon Church, and the Blood Compact shrine.
There was also dolphin watching and island hopping, including a brief swim on the Virgin Island and a courtesy call on the office of Bohol Gov. Edgar M. Chatto.
Then outside of the group’s stay in Bellevue Resort, there were also visits to the Panglao Island Nature Resort, South Palms Resort, Belian Hotel and Flushing Meadows Resort.
Along the way, I learned new things, including meaning of town names like Baclayon, which is to walk on; Loay is to sway; Loboc connoted murky river; and Panglao describes fishing gadgets.
I also learned that Bohol is composed of 47 municipalities and one city, with a current population of 1.40 million and that its total circumferential area is just 265 kilometers.
I also found out that the Order of Sikatuna, the award bestowed by the Philippine government to people in the diplomatic community for fostering, developing and strengthening relationships between the Philippines and their country, traces its origin to the blood compact that happened in Bohol between Datu Sikatuna and Spaniard Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.
Then, there are the tricycles in Bohol, which, I learned, will not be given permit to operate if they do not carry any inspirational signage in them. It is the reason in most of tricycles, there are Bible verses inscribed.
I also saw firsthand that travel agents can, at times, behave like high-school students when the teacher is absent. It was so raucous inside the tour bus when most of the PTAA board of trustees went to their board meeting.
There was banter left and right. There was a bit of dancing. And with the bus equipped with videoke, you already know what to expect.
Just in case you were wondering, here is the song list from the whole videoke experience—“Bakit,” “Breathless,” “Valentine,” “Nightbird,” “No Touch,” “Kunin Mo Lahat Huwag Lang Siya,” “Just Another Woman In Love,” “Di Ko Kaya,” “You Made Me Live Again” and “Open Arms.”
Do the choice of songs tell me anything about travel agents? Probably not, except for the fact that they do know how to have fun. It was really fun.
If you are traveling, that is one example that should really factor heavily in getting the services of a travel agency, instead of booking online. You have to understand that these are people who want you to enjoy your trip and would do everything they can so that your trip becomes a memorable experience for you.
And speaking of trips, I chanced upon Swiss Oliver Wittwer and Spanish national Teresa de Miguel, who were exploring Bohol on a rented motorbike.
They told me they were staying in Bohol for eight days, and that it was their first time in the country. Out of all the countries in Asia, they said the Philippines was the one they truly wanted to visit. And to think our country still does not have any direct flights yet from their respective countries.
Now, imagine what Bohol would be like once the new international airport opens in Panglao by 2019.
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Image credits: Rodel Alzona