Missing Bohol

Last May, my friend Laila and I finally managed to pursue our overdue trip to Bohol. After two years of planning and daydreaming, can you imagine?! She visited the place a few weeks before our trip with her husband, but we've already been meaning to go there as early as 2010. Our former boss in my previous employer, which I will name in my blog as sir Omet, was re-assigned as the Battalion Commander of the ever "courageous and determined" Army's 2nd Special Forces Battalion in Bohol.

Meet sir Omet, our former boss

 Unfortunately, our former boss wasn't there in the most days of our visit because he had a conference in Cebu. And so he had his men to take care of us. Until today I'm still ever grateful for their hospitality!! Go SF! :)

We were so spoiled I think I still owe them something. I promised to give back when they visit Manila. They even prepared an itinerary! But we had to cut a portion of our schedule to meet our former boss in Cebu before heading back to Manila.

Our host the Army 5th Special Forces Company. 

We toured almost the whole Bohol. We visited the Sandugo, Baclayon Church, Prony the python, the Man-Made Forest, Bohol Bee Farm, Danao Adventure Park and a dinner cruise by the Loboc River among others. And of course, it's not Bohol without the tarsier and Chocolate Hills!

But what made this short vacation unforgettable was my diving experience. It really meant a lot to me because I'm scaredy shit of huge waters and I can't swim! I almost backed out when we were about to dive! Hayyy embarrassing "inarte" moment it was!

We spent the night in Panglao Island on our second night and the next morning I thought we were only going for a swim or dolphin-watching. To my horror, our military tourist guides (who happened to be certified scuba divers) squeezed a short dive  in our schedule.

Going diving, baby! (But scaaared)

While in great disbelief, we were brought to Mr. Divers Dive Center, where the military people in Bohol rent their gear. The owner is an Isabela-descent, which was why I kind of felt at ease having an Ilocano around. Proud northener here! Anyway, our guides and the owner kept reassuring me that I could still go diving even if I don't know how to swim at all. Laila convinced me to try the diving gears for photo ops. After we changed our outfits, she said, "O sige pag di ka nag dive lalagay ko sa Facebook nagpa photo ops ka lang!" Wahahahahaha! What a true friend. :)

PROUD MOMENT!! :)

We had training near the shore for less than an hour. And then THE moment came. We rode on a motorboat and went several meters from the shore. Laila was the first to jump, and once on water she kept reassuring me that she was okay and I will be fine too. But until the last moment I was having second thoughts as I'm very accident prone! Seriously! But the boys were also persistent saying I'd be missing a lot if I won't go down. I also imagined that my father, who is always scolding me for skipping swimming lessons every chance he gets, would at least be proud if I would be able to do this. AND SO I DID IT!!!!

Once I made it to the water, my friends were already cheering and clapping!!! Nakakahiya but I was so happy and proud! Laila and I both had a "buddy" with us to control our apparatus as we went 30 feet down. Imagine, it wasn't that deep for real divers, but I was already making a show. Unfortunately, Laila's buddy had the underwater camera and when they both reached 30 feet deep they had to go back up because Laila was having ear problems. What luck, I wanted to have my photo taken but I was still scared I want to go back up too.

Nevertheless, it was such an accomplishment and I could say it was the highlight of our Bohol trip. :) :) :) I always look back at that experience with a smile...and pride! I like that feeling when I conquer a fear-- what a natural high. :)

I miss Bohol and I hope to go back there within a year maybe. How nice it was to realize that I could actually have a life outside of my job. I also miss Acacia de Bubu, the best "tusok-tusok" place I know! Here are other photos form the trip. There are also photos in Facebook. :)