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Philippines
Bohol
Bohol is another fascinating island province of the Philippines
and is located in the central Visayas region. The province is immensely
blessed with picturesque hills, enchanting springs and waterfalls, white sandy
beaches with crystal clear waters and centuries old churches and ancestral
homes.
Just like so many other places in the Philippines, Bohol in itself is a
major tourist attraction. Rolling hills dominate the landscape of Bohol. In
Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan, these hills form near perfect cones and are
referred to as the Chocolate Hills.
Bohol Tourist Attractions
The Chocolate Hills - The Chocolate Hills are Bohol's most famous
tourist attraction. Tourists will be hard pressed to believe that this
landscape is a natural phenomenon and not a man-made artifact. This is because
the 1268 or so hills are so identical and very uniformed in shape and are
mostly between 30m (100ft) and 50m (160ft) in height.
The Chocolate Hills are covered with grass that turns chocolate
brown during dry season. It is from this color that the hills gets its name.
Local legends claim that the hills came into existance when mighty two giants
threw rocks at each other in a fight that lasted for days. When the giants
were finally fatigued, they made friends and left the island leaving behind
the mess they had created, which are the Chocolate Hills.
For the more sentimental romantics, then the tale
of Arogo may be preferred. Arogo was a giant who fell in love with a village
girl called Aloya. When Aloya died, Arogo cried bitterly and his tears then
turned into the hills.
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Whichever version you prefer, these are probably just tales spunned for
tourists and children consumption as up till this day, no one really how these
hills came about.
The Bohol Museum – This museum was once the residential home to
the 4th president of the Philippines, Carlos P. Garcia. The Bohol Museum in
the town of Tagbilaran is a showcase of the Bohol's history and culture. The
Museum also houses the personal memorabilia of President Carlos. Near the
museum is the President Carlos P. Garcia Memorial Park where a life-sized
monument of the late president stands.
Hinagdanan Cave – See fascinating stalactites and stalagmites at
the Hinagdanan Cave. They are certainly a sight to behold. Hinagdanan Cave on
Panglao Island in Bohol is actually part of the Chocolate Hills. It is a
naturally lighted cavern lit by sunlight which filters through holes in the
ceiling. The underground lake is a popular swimming spot, but it has been
known to test for high levels pollutants and so, if you want to frolic in the
water, do so gingerly.
River Cruise - Bohol has four major rivers and they are INabang,
Ipil, Loboc and Abatan. The river cruises will take you from Busay Falls,
Loboc River and the seaside towns of Loboc, Loay and Bilar.
Swimming and Scuba Diving - Bohol is blessed with pristine white
sandy beaches and beautiful underwater marine life which makes scuba diving a
popular tourist activity. Panglao Island has a number of excellent beach
resorts where various watersports are available.
Balicasag island's surrounding water is said to be one of the best scuba
diving location in the Philippines. Schools of tuna, snappers, groupers,
mackerel and surgeonfish thrive in the waters around Pamilacan island. If you
are lucky, you can even see dophins and pilot whales playing in the distance.-
Bohol Tourist Attractions was posted on 19th Nov 2007.
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