Nine years ago, I went on a trip with my friends to the island of Bohol in the Philippines. The trip was not easy but it was worth it. The area was so rural and less developed and even the roads were not done. However, if one wants a treasure, one must work hard for it.
We traveled through a boat for an hour then rode the bus for almost 2-3 hours. Then, we finally arrived at the must-see destination in Bohol, Philippines. This is called the Chocolate Hills.
The picture looks like ordinary hills but during the Dry Season, these hills turn brown as the green grasses that cover the hills dry up transforming it into Chocolate Hills!
No one knew about the origins of the hills and why shrubs and trees aren’t growing in these hills. These remain a mystery until today. The hills cannot be climbed as it is declared as a protected natural landmark. However one can enjoy the 360 degree view from the Viewing Deck. The viewing deck also has a wishing well and you can ring the bell and make a wish.
However, some of the Chocolate Hills were destroyed by an earthquake in Bohol in 2013. Some of the Hills lost its perfect cone shapes and magnificent look and even the viewing deck was destroyed. You won’t be able to see the same wishing well where I stood in this picture. As time passed by, the City of Bohol built a new viewing deck. However, one can see the proof of the damage during the 2013 earthquake as one can see lines in the cones of the Chocolate Hills and others were fully damaged losing their perfect cone shapes.
This teaches us that in this world, the only constant thing is Change. And as the world faces this pandemic, this too shall pass and the world will continue to change as time passes by.
@Ale_003 We only did a day tour in Bohol, Philippines. We had to get back for the last boat ride to the island of Cebu where we booked our hotel room. I might go back to Bohol and visit other areas like their beaches and butterfly garden. Thinking about it in the future.
@VinayKrishna They are called Chocolate Hills because during Dry Season the grasses that cover the Hills dry up and turn brown making them look like Hershey’s Kisses Chocolates thrown into the Earth. They look more beautiful and mysterious during Dry Season. I did not get the chance to take a photo during the Dry Season so in my photos they all look green.
@ShakilAK Thank you! I actually have a long list of places I have traveled to that I wanted to share but it seemed I don’t have enough time to post them all in a single day. So I’m taking one step at a time! Thank you!
@BorrisS You’re welcome! I heard there are a lot of places along the way where one can have a taste of Filipino Cuisine but I did not have enough time to check the restaurants during my visit to the Island of Bohol. I only did a day tour and ate lunch while on a River Cruise in Loboc River, Bohol. We also went to see the Tarsiers (known as one of the smallest monkeys in the world that can only be found in Bohol, Philippines). You can check my post here https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/Have-you-Seen-One-of-the-World-s-Smallest-Monkey/m-p/2399883#M801629 . Thanks!
