Organic Salad

Top 5: Bohol Bee Farm– It was a bit similar to Sonya’s garden, although it was more rustic and had a more provincial feel. I ate bouganvillas and roses in my salad! Their must try dishes were the Organic Green Salad and the Organic Herb Pasta, the Honeyglazed Chicken and the Lemongrass juice.

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The Loboc River Boat

Top 4: Loboc River Cruise– I loved this experience! Aside from the cruise and the nice view, there was buffet lunch too!

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Sleepy Tarsier

Top 3: Tarsier and Chocolate Hills– The Tarsiers were the cutest! They were so small! And I liked seeing both the Tarsiers and the Chocolate Hills because I studied about them both in school. Tarsiers are the smallest monkeys in the world and can only be found in Bohol, Philippines. The Chocolate Hills is one of the main tourist attractions in the country too. And if I am not mistaken, there is nothing like it anywhere in the world too. So I am glad that I finally got to see them.

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Top 2: Bohol Beach Club– Our driver served as our tour guide, mentioned that this was the nicest and longest beach front in Panglao Island, Bohol. I liked the fact that it was private and quiet.

Pretty Dolphins

Top 1: Dolphin Watching– If ever you decide to go to Bohol, this is something that you must experience! Or go to Bohol just for this, because it is definitely worth it! The best months to see them are from April to June. We had to be up at 5 a.m. so we can ride a boat and be at the site before 6 a.m. We enjoyed watching the dolphins swim and play and jump and flip up in the air for 2 hours! There were hundreds of them! And what a joy to see them in their natural habitat (I am not such a fan of animals held in captivity for zoos and shows).

A Few Thoughts (that I had during the trip):

• All of it points back to a glorious God. The clear endless skies and the vast sea, and the intricate details of all of creation reflects the magnificence of the Creator. Imagine how glorious heaven is! Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of His hands.

• Look at the Dolphins! I was reminded of the verses in the Bible, Matthew 6:26-27  ”Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ” It was so interesting and amusing to watch the dolphins. They looked happy and content swimming and playing in the sea. They had a seemingly endless playground and home. And I am sure their food is well provided too. It  was such a joy watching them! And yes, I am and we are more valuable than they. Therefore, we do not have anything to worry about.

• The view from the top is different. Traveling changes the way I think, broadens my perspective, and opens me up to a whole new level of faith. It makes me see more of how big and awesome God is, and on the same note, how small and minute I actually am. And the biggest concerns that I may have are actually so so so tiny, or even microscopic in light of how grand and powerful God is.

• On the way back from the dolphin watching, the waters were unbelievably still and looked as smooth as silk. It reminded me of Quietness, Trust, Meekness. I need to have that–I want to have that every single day. And I choose to rest in Him who is in control. It is only by losing control do I actually become secure and at rest. Psalm 46:10″Be still, and know that I am God;I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

• The world is not ours. It is Gods and He has entrusted it to us to take care of it and to nurture it, not to own it, use it for our own advantage, destroy and kill it. We have a beautiful planet that we live on. It is my hope and my prayer that we all become good stewards of it.

• Family time is irreplaceable! I love quality time with family. I love building memories. I want Andi to grow up filled with it. I told her the night before leaving for Bohol that she will ride the airplane and this is going to be the first of many airplane rides she will have. I told her that  one day we will travel the world together. I am so excited and thrilled at the thought of it. I know Andi will love that too. I’ve actually began collecting magnets for her of different places around the world so she can be exposed to it as early as now. We get to talk about these places, pray for our travels together and pray for the people in those places and nations too!

• I want to see the world! Yes, part of it is because I love traveling, and I love seeing new places. I love seeing different cultures and meeting people. But at the heart of it, I really really desire to see the world that God created. I know that the world is so much bigger than my life, and where I am now. And I know someday, JA, Andi ,my future kids and I will do just that!