The Chocolate Hills.
Nearby to the little village of Loboc on Bohol there are the Chocolate Hills. It is about 25 kilometers away, so for the sporty people it is possible to do this on a mountain bike. The Chocolate Hills are a strange phenomenon. There are about 1270 of these hills, which are almost of the same height, overgrown with grass. At the end of the dry season the grass turns brown, so they look like chocolate hills. A cruise along Loboc River will take passengers upstream passing by large vegetations of palm trees, coconuts and other tropical flora. Another show up is the visit of smallest monkeys on earth known as “Tarsiers”. Sure enough, the Chocolate Hills are everything they are made up to be: beautiful, eerie, and nicest when the sun comes up.
Where is It?
If you come via Manila, you’ll probably want to take a connecting flight to Tagbilaran, which takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. It is also possible to take a boat to Bohol, but will take 25 hours, and is only advisable if you have plenty of time and enjoy a trip on sea. If you come from Manila, you can also go to Cebu by air, and then continue by boat. There are numerous daily flights from Manila to Cebu. The flying time is about 50 minutes. The transfer by taxi from the airport to the pier takes about 30 minutes in normal traffic conditions. The following airlines fly on the from Manila to Cebu: PAL, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, Asian Spirit, Astro Air, and Grand Air.
The Hundred Islands in Pangasinan.
This National Park covers a land area of 1,884 hectares with 124 islets (during low tide and 123 on high tide). However, only three (3) islands have been developed for tourists namely: Governor, Quezon, and Children’s Island. Of the three (3) Islands, only the Governor’s Island keeps a Guesthouse which is ideal for family use. The bahay kubos at Children’s Island are for budget travellers as it consists only of screened bedrooms with kerosene lighting and one (1) drum of fresh water and linens. Quezon Island is for picnickers and campers. Hundred Islands was established as a park on Jan. 18, 1940 under Proclamation No. 667 issued by the late President Manuel L. Quezon making it the first national park, and in whose honor the biggest of the islands was named. The islands are mainly composed of coralline limestone, characterized by a wide reef flat. A highly diverse ecosystem supports a variety of marine and terrestrial floral and fauna and wildlife resources while various marine resources such as sea grasses, corals and numerous fish species abound in the waters.
How far is it?
The Hundred Islands National Park in Brgy. Lucap, Alaminos City, Pangasinan is 250 kms. from Manila.