The short but beautiful Loboc River winds its way through lush scenery in the heart of Bohol Island. Its banks are lined with dense forest, broken here and by clearings with simple houses. Its waters are crystal-clear and emerald green. Unsurprising then that it has spawned a significant amount of tourist activity.
I’m travelling this week (in Sicily and Malta) so I won’t be joining so many challenges. But that gives me a chance to share some as yet unseen photos from the Philippines. After our visits to see the tarsiers and Chocolate Hills we were taken to have lunch. And lunch on this occasion was a movable feast! We had it on board a floating restaurant on the river.
Our first impressions weren’t great. We waited to board in a cavernous hall with many tour groups of both local and international tourists. Yes, we were tourists too, but our preference is to avoid travelling with large groups whenever possible. When it came our turn to board we found the boat already quite full with one such group, seated at tables either side of a central buffet which ran the full length. But our guide found us a table for two right at one end, which suited us better.
The buffet was nothing special to be honest, although I liked the fresh bananas and a weird but tasty coffee jelly dessert. The live music on board wasn’t wonderful either, as the singer just couldn’t hold a tune. Nor can I, but I know better than to sing in public, football matches excepted!
However, what did make the trip special was standing at the front after our meal, watching the river scenes and catching the breeze. The landscape was very lush and green, especially once we were away from the town. Here is a gallery that I hope captures some of that lushness.
We moored at one point to watch a display of local dancers and musicians performing a couple of traditional numbers. I shot a short video but refused our guide’s suggestion that I join the dancing! Luckily others on board were happy to oblige.
I visited Bohol Island in March 2025
23 Comments
sheetalbravon
The photos are beautiful, Sarah. Really fantastic places you’ve been to.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Sheetal – we know we are very fortunate to have been able to visit all these places 😀
lisaonthebeach
Wow, what beautiful photos, Sarah!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Lisa 😊
Anne Sandler
You may not have enjoyed the boat or food, but your lens had a great time with the lush scenery Sarah! Thanks for sharing.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Anne – the scenery was lovely and I also really enjoyed just standing at the front of the boat with a cooling breeze 😀
Heyjude
Lovely scenery, any mosquitos? The dancing reminded me of when I worked in Norway in a hotel, when there was an American cruise ship in we used to perform Norwegian folk dances for them in the evening (our uniform was Norwegian traditional dress) but fortunately we didn’t have to sing!
Sarah Wilkie
No mosquitoes to speak of – they would have sought me out if there had been! That sounds like an interesting past job 😀
Heyjude
It was. I loved it.
EgÃdio
Food and singing aside, you hit the jackpot with these beautiful photos.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Egidio, it was well worth the ride for this scenery 😀
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
The greenery is beautiful. I would not be dancing or singing either, but i enjoyed the video. The woman with the pearl headband in your last image has a beautiful smile.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Anabel 😊 There was something about her face that caught my attention
margaret21
The lushness of all at greenery is quite something – lovely. The dancers are fun too. I’d have been on the sidelines too, not joining in.
Sarah Wilkie
I suspect many of us Brits are too wary of making fools of ourselves!
margaret21
Yup!
bushboy
Wonderful scenery and loved the video. They always look so happy….well most of them
Sarah Wilkie
It’s beautiful, isn’t it? And generally we found the people there so positive and friendly 😊
Sue
So glad the scenery was great and the trip then was made worthwhile and I love your video of the dancers! Lady on the right looked terribly serious!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Sue. That lady caught my eye because she was concentrating so hard!
Sue
Oh, brilliant!
Teresa
So sorry that you didn’t enjoy the meals and the singing as much as I did when we went there. The singing and dancing was fun for me because I joined them haha I remembered my husband didn’t enjoy it because he didn’t feel well that time. Anyway, great photos of the performers, Sarah
Sarah Wilkie
I enjoyed the singing and dancing display on the river bank Teresa, and I’m sorry if I gave the impression that I didn’t. But the singer on the boat wasn’t very good, and then an American tourist was persuaded to have a go and she was dreadful!