Foot and Fire

We started the day by heading to the famous Davao City Philippine Eagle Center where they artificially hatch and raise the endangered specie. We were early by 30 minutes so that we roamed around before the gate opened. Lucky we were because the caretaker was around so that we were able to have our photo ops with the heavy bird.  *** *** *** We were told that the birds are named after their sponsors, the latter pay for the medicine, food, maintenance of the center and the caretaker. Aside from the Philippine Eagle, we saw the endemic owl, and some other bird species.  From there, we proceeded to Eden Farm which is an eco-trail where we skipped the group tour on a tourist vehicle circling the whole place filled with trees. Instead, we played with the caged birds and the butterflies. *** *** *** We then proceeded to Jack Ridge supposedly for lunch but we were not able to have one there because they open for dinner. The ...

Chocolate Hills. This viewing deck on top of the highest hill  may now be a ruin but it surely is cemented in our thoughts  when we were enjoying the cute drops of mint hills (they're green not chocolate colored) after climbing more-than-a-hundred steps. Taken November 2009, our family entourage was joined  by my 83 year old Lola who was serenaded by Lobor River Cruise singers that day because it was here birthday  and by my nephew who was 3 years old at the time. *** The oldest and youngest of our troop posed by the door of Baclayon Church. They froze the beauty of the intimate detail of the structure with them. *** The dance troupe of Loboc was also joined by Boholanos of the community;  they are of all ages from children to grandmas... *** My Father in Bohol's Butterfly garden.  It can be everywhere but it was here where he was tickled like this. *** Bohol's hanging bridge. *** T...

BOHOL BUTTERFLY GARDEN. I wish today that I can narrate how tickled I was  when these two butterflies were placed right on my ears like earrings. yeeeeey. ***        One of the reasons I travel is because I want to write. And I discovered lately that in order to chronicle my travels itself, I have to write right away. Otherwise, the thrill, the zest, the freshness of the recollection will be abandoned to almost forgetfulness. Photos help but it is not everything there is. There is a crisp quality in one's writing when done right after the travel as well as magical feeling after putting everything down. I am not referring to insights and essays which can be written even years after as a reflection. I just miss the chronicling of what happened. Those moments one do not want to forget because they are fleeting moments. I don't even want to forget the name of the guide or places we went to. While I have a lot of backlog of travels to tell (One reason...