When I first heard about the Chocolate Hills I was intrigued. How did Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Hills from Charlie and The Chocolate Factory travel all the way to Philippines? But guess what, they have. Presenting one of nature’s many wonders, the 1,268 hills spread across the Bohol Province, The Chocolate Hills.
Are they made of chocolate (I so wish they were)? Is cocoa grown on them? Why are they called (of all names) Chocolate Hills? Well, the hills, spread over an area of more than 50 kilometres, are covered in green grass which turns a yummy shade of brown during summers, hence the name.
Photo Credit: http://www.logoinn.net/
There are several legends and geological explanations about the formation of the most famous tourist attraction of Philippines. Some believe that the hills came into existence when two giants fought and threw stones at each other. After the fight was over and they became friends again, heaps of stones (hills) were left behind as is. Others say that the mountains are the symbol of love lost by a young giant Arogo, who cried bitterly when the mortal girl he fell in love with, Aloyo died. The tears turned into hills, a symbol of grief.
The last explanation (closer to the truth than the stories above) is that the place where Chocolate Hills Philippines exist was actually a shallow river basin composed of lime, coal and corals on the river bed. During the Ice Age the whole area was lifted and the coral deposits took shapes of mountains on which grass grew. Fascinating isn’t it?
Don’t forget to visit the old observation deck to get the best views of the hills. The 214 steps you take might exhaust you but the views will definitely be worth the wait.
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