I have read a lot of travel articles lately. Some give me the hint as to which places are best to visit, others bring me back to the travel memories that I had in the past. Since I can't travel yet, I want to reminisce and bring you with me to one of my previous travels.
I became part of a missionary leader in one of the religious communities in the church. I had my very first travel far from home for mission as a leader. I was very excited to meet different people and befriend them.
Bohol is one of the famous place to visit in the Philippines. It is an island located in Visayas, in the middle of the wide ocean. It is famous for its wonderful view of chocolate hills. Every year the YFC-ICon (Youth for Christ -International Conference) take different places in the country. For the reason that Visayas was the host of the International Conference that year, they decided it to be held in the beautiful place of Bohol.
We rode a bus for the trip and it took as almost 3 hours land travel before reaching the ocean to crossed. We travel from our origin to Ormoc City to ride the ferry to Cebu going to Tubigon. Before reaching the vast ocean we are enjoying the view of the land as it unfolds us with different places we have never been to. Yes, I travel to Cebu long years via Hilongos. I wasn't enjoying the view that time because I am sad and anxious that moment. But this time I enjoyed it so much. The butterflies in my stomach were flying around as I bare the excitement to the place of our destination.
When we finally reach the ocean we rode a boat to Tubigon Bohol. Bohol is an island that is located in the middle of the sea. So, we need to ride the ferry. But our destination in Bohol is not in Tubigon but in Tagbilaran. We need to ride the bus again from Tubigon to Tagbilaran. Before reaching our final destination, we stop different tourist spot in Bohol.
Day 1
It was year 2015, when I touch down the place. It was so fun that I can't contained my happiness that time. At my back is the beautiful view of chocolate hills. The small mountains that color brown makes the view breath taking. It is our first stop to visit in our first day, that made our long tiresome ride vanish. I can't take off my smile in my face as I was roaming around. The beautiful scenery take my breath away.
I can't remember what was the name of the place because that's not what matters for me that time, memories do. Amazed with the hugeness of the different statue, I really enjoyed it and brings out the child in me. Everyone of us has the child in us, and it brought me with so much joy.
The heat was totally ignored, I don't care if it got me toasted. I loved how it made me for it reminds of the happiness and joy that it gave me even when I came back home after the conference.
Continuing the trip to our final destination, Tagbilaran. We made it there on time. The activity on the first day started on the evening, so, we have time to unpack things and learned our accommodation area. The first night was incredible, the mass was held and so as the first session. I met new friends on my first night together with my co-leaders. The night ended with a smile on my face. I still couldn't believe that I was there and I had the most amazing sleep ever.
Day 2
We started the day early because there are I guess thousands of participants to take a bath. At 5:00 am we took bath outside our accommodation area. It was so cold and freezing but because we took a bath together, we just ignored it. After we had ourselves ready, we went to the venue and sipped coffee at the same time had our breakfast which Chowking sponsored us. The day was well spent, the contest was held on different areas. Since I was not a sporty, singerist and dancerist type of person lol 🤣🤣, I just roamed around and watch the different contest. Me, and my friends loved to watch the dance contest so, we decided to go to the mall where the contest was held. Aside from the contest, we also enjoy the different view we could see in the mall. We took our time and enjoyed it.
We just had a great time. The mall was so big that we found ourselves lost. Whenever we realize it wasn't the way, we laugh our heart out and find our way back. We are really lost that time, lost with so much happiness and joy. The night came and we heard few sessions, inspiring stories and sharings of how they met Jesus in their lives. I know I already did met him in my life too. Someday I can also share my journey with Jesus to others and inspired them too. I realized so many things that night, especially my fate and my relationship with God. I wasn't able to sleep tight that night. Thinking and reflecting, plus the next day will be our last day.
Day 3
Our last day was a blast, kinda sad that we will be leaving the place, at the same time excited to tell others how the trip a life changing one, and inspired them. That day was a never ending worship 'til noon. We shout, dance and cried our heart out. I fell in love with the worship songs, that the band played. It warmed me as my heart dance with me with so much joy and peace.
I was moved and amazed about this little girl as she dance and raise her hands while closing her eyes. At her young age she has a huge and inspiring fate that can move any person could seen her. I was a bit shy to the Lord how much of a fate I had that time. Still, I was motivated and promised myself to be just like this wonderful girl. An inspiration and an instrument that could move others to journey with the Lord.
Photos are reminders of our journey, it served as a remembrance of the things that we experience. We took a lot photos together with our new and old friends that time. I only had only few of them in my phone but I had it deep inside my heart, I had compilation of it here 😊. It is safe here, no worries of memory full or memory format. It will not be lost unless otherwise I will decide to forget them.
It was so an amazing journey. I had so much fun and I learned a lot of things, that I will be carrying for the rest of my life. Memories that I will never forget. I don't know when I could come back but I know for sure that I will someday, because the place had a special place in my heart. I will forever treasure the memories that I had in the beautiful place of Bohol.
Thank you so much for reading. I really appreciate it.
Special mention to @gertu13 @Musso @SenyoritaWriter @JonicaBradley @MesesMylen @Eunoia @Zhyne06 @zolabundance2 for the upvotes and visit, even dropping to say kinds and heart warming messages on my previous articles. Thank you so much. You are inspiring me to continue writing.
And also to @Jane for her inspiring travel articles
I love you all 😘
I loved your walk and the pictures you took. I love the bengal tiger and you were very happy with that big bite. You are a very beautiful girl. May god continue to fill you with blessings. By the way thanks for the mention. I will stop by later because I ran out of tips to give you. I promise that next post I will give you double.