Photo of the Week: The Chocolate Hills in Bohol, Philippines
One of the last great frontiers on the tourist circuits in South East Asia is The Philippines. Named for King Phillip of Spain, The Philippines are an amazing collision of cultures as a result of over 300 years of Spanish colonial rule, Japanese and American occupation and an influx of people from other local nations, namely China. The nation, which is comprised of over 7,000 islands is very affordable and offers everything you could want for a vacation from sprawling metropolises to nature so untouched, you might be the first human to lay eyes upon it in years.
The above picture is from the island of Bohol in the Visaya region of the country. Bohol offers some of the most pristine beaches in the whole world as well as bountiful beautiful landscapes including the Chocolate Hills seen here. They are a geographic wonder known as conical karsts that result from the dissolution of limestone after rains, tectonic processes and ground water. There are over 1,500 of these hills that average in height from around 98 to 160 ft in an area of about 50 sq km. They get the name “chocolate hills” because in the dry season, the vegetation that covers them turns brown, i.e. looking like chocolate kisses!
There are plenty of tours that will take you to see the hills from the beaches where most people stay, but a more fun option is to just rent a motorcycle or scooter and make the scenic drive at your own pace!