BOHOL
Bohol is a nice respite from the major cities of Manila and Cebu and the tourist packed beaches. I am able to stay with my girlfriend's relatives when I visit the island which further adds a feel of tranquility as I dive deep into the local experience. Despite the tranquility there are two very distinct attractions on the island: Tarsiers and the Chocolate Hills. All you really need to know about the oddness of the Tarsier is that it was Steven Speilberg's inspiration for the ET character. One look at the fist size animals curled up in a ball clutching a tree branch for dear life and staring at you with large glass eyes and you'll immediately see the resemblance. There's a sanctuary forest where a few of these animals can easily be spotted. Farther north from the Tarsier's sanctuary is the Chocolate Hills nature reserve.
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The Chocolate Hills are limestone mounds that dot the landscape in a section of Bohol. The Hills, which aren't more than 500 feet in height, receive their name because in the fall the green foliage turns brown and the hills look like Chocolate. On the drive to the hills you will pass several small isolated hills but the best view is from an observation deck on one of the central hills. In October 2013 there was a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struct Bohol. Several of the Chocolate Hills crumbled and unfortunately the debris ran over local businesses. Quite a few of the Churches on the island were also completely or partially destroyed.
Bohol's Tarsiers and Chocolate Hills attractions are reachable via a long day trip from Cebu, however, there is also plenty of accommodation on Panglao Island or Tagbilaran. I hired an Uncle to drive me to the attractions so I'm not sure how to reach them independently but I would advise against renting a mini-scooter. The Chocolate Hills are relatively far away and up an incline. There's a bus that does a loop starting in Tagbilaran but it makes infrequent stops.
Bohol's Tarsiers and Chocolate Hills attractions are reachable via a long day trip from Cebu, however, there is also plenty of accommodation on Panglao Island or Tagbilaran. I hired an Uncle to drive me to the attractions so I'm not sure how to reach them independently but I would advise against renting a mini-scooter. The Chocolate Hills are relatively far away and up an incline. There's a bus that does a loop starting in Tagbilaran but it makes infrequent stops.
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On the coast on the way to the Tarsiers and Chocolate Hills is a statue commemorating the Sandugo, a blood compact between Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and local Filipinos in 1555. Magellan had reached the Philippines over thirty years earlier but the Spanish failed to established a colony until Legazpi came over from Mexico. The Spanish ruled the Philippines for the next three hundred and fifty years - losing the colony to the US during the Spanish-America War. The Spanish legacy remains - Filipinos love pigs and Roman Catholicism.
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Amazing Catholic churches are scattered across Bohol.
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My wife is from Valencia. I like the town so much I want to retire here. There's a main street with a ton of activity. There's a massive church that's buzzing every Sunday and at Christmas. There's a market with everything you'd ever need.
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Another shot of the Valencia waterway. Despite being surrounded by water, Filipinos aren't exactly huge beach goers. When they want to swim they go to private pools at places like hotels. It's still a great environment. You swim while someone else is grilling pork belly. That combo can't be beat.
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For additional Bohol photos see FLICKR ALBUM.