Loboc at Night: The Fireflies

 One of our favorite memories in Bohol was our time on Loboc River at night. Our hotel had 'firefly tours' that took off from the tiny dock connected to the resorts dining room. We scheduled a tour one night and waited for our tour guide by the water. Zachary had fun testing out the night shot options on our camera.
Once our tour guide arrived, we jumped into his tiny boat, and headed down the river. Our tour guide, the same guy who took me to feed the monkeys, was one of the sweetest people we met. He spoke 0 English, but was always all smiles. The river was beautiful & peaceful during the day but even more peaceful at night. It was smooth as glass, lined with mangrove trees & pitch black except the moonlight. We made our way down the quiet river in search of all the trees filled with the famous Bohol fireflies.

I couldn't get a good picture with my camera but upon a quick Google search I found a few that give you a small glimpse at how beautiful these twinkling trees along the river were.

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It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. They lit the trees up like decorated Christmas trees. It was magical really. That ride down the river at night was such a peaceful, worshipful experience. It was impossible for us to be out there in the beautiful water and not think about God!

 Should you find yourself in Bohol, take a night cruise down the river! Do it on a tiny, private boat out of Loboc River Resort. They're are tons of dinner cruise options with bands & dinner available on them but don't waste your time looking at the fireflies on one of those! Do that activity a different time. Trust me. You'll treasure those peaceful moments on the river, viewing the fireflies.
 

Simply Butterflies Conservation Center

Bohol Butterfly Farm in Bohol, Philippines, is just a short 10 minutes from the Chocolate Hills, which is one of the great things about Bohol, you can get all the "must see" sights in in just half a day. Leaving the rest of your time in Bohol for relaxing and soaking in the culture.
Bohol Habitat is a conservation center for over 150 butterfly species, half of the 300 species found in Bohol. Bohol Habitat has a butterfly enclosure, butterfly garden, nature trails and a restaurant serving some of the best food we had in the Philippines for only 99 pesos.
Entry into the Habitat costs less than $3.50 per person and includes a tour through the Habitat, a hilarious and friendly tour guide and a delicious lunch.
Our tour guide showed us how to properly handle a butterfly by holding their wings together, close to their bodies. You could definitely tell that these beauties were used to being held.

I loved holding these gentle giants. They're so light and fragile.



Zachary and our tour guide checking out the flower garden. For info on visiting the Simply Butterflies Conservation Center at Habitat Bohol check here. Also be sure to check out Trip Advisor here. 

Entrance Fee: 40 pesos
Lunch: 99 pesos
Time Needed: It takes a short 30 minutes for the tour and lunch.

Open Daily 8:00-4:30
Poblacion | Bilar, 6317, Philippines

Mornings in Loboc

If I could somehow recreate and multiply mornings, these would be the mornings I'd multiply. Mornings in Loboc. It's no secret by now just how in love we were with Loboc & our time at the Loboc River Resort. I'm dreaming of years to come (well at least the next 3) of a week of mornings there as a spiritual retreat. It was just so idyllic. The perfect place & time to reflect & reconnect with the Lord.

Our mornings in Loboc started a little later then usual, even Zachary slept in a bit. We'd wake up & step out onto our balcony to see how far the river overflowed each morning. We'd give a good morning to our friend, Boo. We'd then make our way, past the flowers, the shimmering pond & pool, to the dining area.

We'd always choose a table next to the water, because duh.

Also, I'd always get lattes. And because we were in Loboc, I'd get a regular latte. And what do you know, Reader, lattes made with real milk, not non fat, are quite delicious. I didn't even add Splenda. ;)

Each morning we'd get a simple American breakfast. Toast, with butter & jam, eggs & bacon. Fruit & coffee for me, tea for him, on the side. Aren't these type of breakfasts just delicious? Why do we never make these at home? 

We'd also always get a little something extra from the chef. This day we had grilled sweet potato with chocolate sauce.

This day he treated us with candied bananas.

Some days we'd get mango.

Some days we'd drink entire coconuts.

And some days we'd get mango and banana and the chef would give us a little pineapple, too. Because he's nice like that. And it's our mornings in Loboc, where everything is wonderful.

After breakfast we'd make our way to the lounge chairs by the river or the ones by the pool. We'd listen to worship music, pray, journal, read books or the bible. Talk. Dream. Enjoy.

After a few hours, we always found ourselves drinking on of these chocolate, banana shakes, too.

If I could recreate mornings, I'd recreate them here, in Loboc, with my husband & our Lord. I'd do the breakfast thing, the relaxing thing, the praying thing, the chocolate banana shake thing, the take a run & work off my breakfast thing & then I'd get ready for a lunch, next to the river, with all our friends & family. We'd laugh, and dream. We'd kayak. We'd eat. We'd play. It would be like heaven on Earth. It'd be amazing. Isn't the Lord so sweet to give us these moments?