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Scenic Bohol casts an enigmatic charm drawn from the many archaic mementos spread throughout the oval-shaped island - from unique rock formations to a 45-million-year-old mammal species, from massive stone watchtowers built by the Spaniards in the 18th century. Surrounding the mainland are 73 other smaller offshore islands and islets whose palm-fringed coastlines are rimmed by white sand and sheltering coves. Serpentine coastal highways wind along unsullied beaches and rustic rivers where the tourist can stop at any point and jump in for a dip. Bohol is famous for whale watching, river cruising, smallest primate-Tarsier, Sandugo Festival, beaches, scuba diving, mountain climbing, caving, cambuhat oyster farm (ecotourism activity), Bird watching Town visits promise exciting cultural treats that include scheduled performances by the Teatro Bolanon, Dimiao Rondalla, Diwanag Dance Theater and the award-winning Loboc Children's Choir. Bohol is an anchor tourist destination and one of the 7,000 times more islands that make up the Philippine archipelago.
Chocolate
Hills More than 1000 hills in number - consisting of thousands of cone-shaped mounds scattered over 50 sq kiliometers around the towns of Sagbayan, Carmen and Sierra Bullones in central Bohol. Each hill rises 30 to 120 metes above the surrounding plateau. The hills look like chocolate drops when the grass turns brown, hence the name. Two of the hills have been developed into a resort with youth hostels, cottages, a swimming pool, and tennis court. Also on top of one is an observation deck 213 concrete steps. In the dry season when the grass is dry, the grass become chocolate coloured, because of that, the name "Chocolate Hills". The most lovely time to see the Chocolate Hills is early in the morning, so you can see it in the sunrise! Origin of the Chocolate Hills The first legend tells of a fight between two giants who threw stones and sand at each other for days, until they were so tired and exhausted they made friends and left the island. They didn´t however, tidy up the battlefield, leaving the Chocolate Hills. The second legend is a lot more romantic. Arogo, a young and unusually strong giant, fell in love with an ordinary mortal, Aloya. After Aloya´s death, Arogo cried bitterly. The Chocolate Hills are proof of his grief, for his tears turned into hills. Some geologist, means Bohol lay under water in prehistoric times. Volcanic eruptions caused unevenness in the bottom of the sea which was gradually smoothed and rounded by the movement of the water. Most serious geologist means the explanation as nonsense. Even though the geological origin of the hills has not yet been explained beyond doubt, the consensus is that they are weathered formations of a kind of marine limestone laying on the top of impermeable clay soil. Comparisons have been made with hundred Islands of North Luzon. Settlement known to have dated back as early
as 15th century as the "Bool Kingdom". Early settlers
have established trade relations with China and Malaysia. Spanish
Captain Miguel Lopez de Legazpi landed on March 16, 1565 and included
a treaty of friendship with local chieftain Datu Sikatuna in the
famous blood compact which became the forerunner of the City's
traditional celebration of Sandugo. Tagbilaran City, the capital of Bohol is hidden from the open sea by the island of Panglao. Tagbilaran is bounded on its western and southwestern sides by 12.2 km. of coastline, on its north by the town of Cortes, on its northeast side by the town of Corella and to its eastern side by the town of Baclayon. Tagbilaran City sits on generally flat
Pliocene-Pleistocene limestone formation with thin soil cover.
The thin superficial unconsolidated soils are derived from the
residual weathering of the underlying coralline limestone. The
lack of rivers and other surface water channel ways around the
city could be explained by the existence of a normal fault which
obviously serves as the underground channel ways for the infiltrating
surface waters. As a consequence of a normal faulting, fissures
and joints were produced that ultimately widened enlarge (due
to the action of ground water) and finally formed into large underground
caverns and other subsurface cavities.
You will most likely be approaching Bohol from Cebu but there are direct flights to Tagbilaran from Manila that probably depart at least once a day. Check with Philippine Airlines and Asian Spirit for flights rates and schedules. From Cebu, Bohol is easily visible from any vantage point that provides view across the 20-mile wide Bohol Strait. You can fly the short distance on Asian Spirit. If you do fly, remember to confirm your return trip as soon as you arrive at the Tagbilaran Airport. If you choose to go by sea, there are many ferries that ply the Cebu-Bohol route throughout the day. Besides saving a few pesos, there's nothing like an inter-island ferry for catching the beautiful vistas that the archipelago has to offer. If you'd like to bypass Cebu City altogether and go directly to Bohol saving some pesos along the way, take a taxi from the airport to Lapu-Lapu City which is still on Mactan Island. Ask the driver to drop you off at the pier. Here you can catch a small ferry that goes directly to the Cebu pier about every hour for 10 pesos more or less. This is also a scenic ride. Since you arrive at the ferry pier you can go direct to the next catamaran or ship to Bohol.
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