This year’s summer was beyond the ordinary because for the first time in two decades, I get to spend a summer vacation with my entire Sumalinog family. All 6 of us Sumalinog siblings along with the spouses/significant others, our parents Pingping and Benjie, the grandchildren, and my auntie Nene all went to Bohol this summer. It was such a fun 3 days family affair that consisted of lots of laughter and catching up with our Sumalinog relatives from Bohol.

xx Growing my tiny butterfly wings xx Butterfly Sanctuary

On our first day, we book a Bohol countryside tour to their famous tourist spots. We got to see Tarsiers, eat lunch aboard a floating restaurant cruising along Loboc River, visit a butterfly sanctuary, go on off road ATV ride at the foot of the chocolate hills, and climb up the chocolate hills view deck. It became extra special and extra fun because I got to do it with the entire family.

Loboc Folk Dancers

ATV Ride at the foot of Chocolate Hills

Bilar Man-made Forest

We spend the second day chasing Dolphins, swimming and frolicking at Pamilican Island, swimming at Hinagdanan Cave, and roam around Bohol Bee Farm.

Our vacation turn out to be so much fun. However, there is just a very slight disappointment with our Island hopping tour on our second day. In our original itinerary we are supposed to go to Balicasag Island and Virgin Island after the Dolphin watching but according to our tour guide, there is an ongoing issue with local boatmen and the local tourism office in charge of the Virgin Island and Balicasag. That is why we end up at Pamilican Island instead.

While waiting for our ride at Panglao Public Beach

Most of us in the family did not fully enjoy the Pamilican experience because it is not what we expected. We are also dismayed because we are not informed about the change of itinerary ahead of time. Have we been informed, we could have lessened our expectations.

However, the vacation still served its purpose which is to unite the family and enjoy the summer.