Top 8 Reasons to Visit Bohol

Source: Think Philippines

Bohol is found in the Visayas group of islands in the tropical country of the Philippines. Known for its friendly people, beautiful beaches, and of course the most famous Chocolate Hills, Bohol is a tourist destination through and through.

The best time to visit Bohol is in the summer when it’s easier to go visit some of the country’s popular tourist spots. When we say summer, it’s around March to May. And no, Bohol isn’t just about going to the beach, there’s more to it than meets the eye. So if you’re planning for a trip to this island, here are top 8 reasons to visit, mostly centered on the town of Panglao:

1. Chocolate Hills

When we say hills, we really mean hills! Hundreds of ‘em! Visiting Bohol for the first time, I thought it was just hype but it’s NOT! Chocolate-colored in the summer and green during the rainy months, the Chocolate Hills will astound you with their number (1268 hills according to experts). Hills as far as your eyes can see atop the viewing deck.

This is located at Carmen, Bohol. From Tagbiliran City, go to Dao bus terminal and take a ride to the town of Carmen. Get off at the Chocolate Hills complex and take a 10-minute walk up the viewing area.

2. Beaches

Bohol is surrounded by beaches and not one should disappoint. If you’re looking for a place to stay by the beach, Alona Beach is a good place to go. Lots of resorts line this beach and during the night, the seemingly quiet shore turns into one big party place in the evening.

3. Dolphin and Whale Watching

While enjoying your stay by the beach and if you’re an early riser, catch the dolphin and whales during the wee hours of the morning around 5 am near Pamilican Island. A local boatman will take you to see these great creatures.

4. Tarsiers

Before whale watching, Bohol has already been known to be the home of the smallest mammal in the world, the tarsiers. These wide-eyed creatures can be seen in viewing areas that dot the Panglao Island in Bohol. Just words of caution though, do not by any means take pictures of these gentle creatures with the flash on. They are actually nocturnal animals and get stressed out with sudden flashes of light. According to experts, tarsiers can go into depression and do hara-kiri.

5. Mahogany Forest

These 2 kilometer stretch of man-made Mahogany Forest is located at the border of the towns of Bilar and Loboc. This is a sight to see while driving up to see the Chocolate Hills. Mahogany trees flank the road left and right in perfect geometry.

6. Loboc River Ride

Tired from the sight seeing? Relax, ride on one of the buffet boats along Loboc River and enjoy their lunch and snack buffet meals. This floating restaurant goes downstream and back along the length of the Loboc River for an hour while you feast on Bohol’s dishes and listen to the band playing on the boat.

7. Loboc Children’s Choir

Founded in 1980, the original Loboc Children’s Choir has done the country proud by winning in many competitions abroad, including winning the National Champion of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) - Children’s Choir Category, three times. It began as a school choir of 30 elementary students. Catch them in one of their practice sessions in the hall right across the dock where the Loboc River Ride begins. Listen to the fantastic voices of these children and I bet you, you’ll weep.

8. Adventure Tour

Now most of the activities are not just centered in the area of Panglao, Bohol. If you’re looking for some real rough fun, visit the town of Danao and go, tubing, trekking, rappelling, and caving. It currently has the longest and highest zipline in the country.

There are a lot of activities for every tourist in Bohol, whether you’d just want to laze around, go on an adventure or want to explore what the island has to offer!

Indonesia for more info go to: Wikipedia link

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Republik Indonesia Republic of Indonesia
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Old Javanese) Unity in Diversity National ideology: Pancasila[1]
Anthem: Indonesia Raya
Capital (and largest city)		Jakarta (land)) 6°10.5′S 106°49.7′E / -6.175, 106.8283
Official languages		Indonesian
Demonym		Indonesian
Government		Presidential republic
-	President	Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
-	Vice President	Jusuf Kalla
Independence
-	Declared	17 August 1945 (formerly Dutch East Indies)
Area
-	Total	1,919,440 (land) km² (16th) 735,355 sq mi
-	Water (%)	4.85
Population
-	July 2007 est. estimate	234,693,997 (4th)
-	2000 census	206,264,595
-	Density	134/km² (84th) 347/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2007 estimate
-	Total	$837.8 billion[2] (16th)
-	Per capita	$3,725[2] (120th)
GDP (nominal)		2007 estimate
-	Total	$433 billion[2] (20th)
-	Per capita	$1,925[2] (115th)
Gini (2002)		34.3
HDI (2007)		▲ 0.728 (medium) (107th)
Currency		Rupiah (IDR)
Time zone		various (UTC+7 to +9)
Internet TLD		.id
Calling code		+62

The Republic of Indonesia (pronounced /ˌɪndoʊˈniːziə/, /ˌɪndəˈniːʒə/) (Indonesian: Republik Indonesia), is a country in Southeast Asia. Comprising 17,508 islands, it is the world's largest archipelagic state. With a population of 222 million people in 2006^[3], it is the world's fourth most populous country and the most populous Muslim-majority nation; however, no reference is made to Islam in the Indonesian constitution. Indonesia is a republic, with an elected legislature and president. The nation's capital city is Jakarta. The country shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Malaysia. Other neighboring countries include Singapore, the Philippines, Australia, and the Indian territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The Indonesian archipelago has been an important trade region since at least the seventh century, when the Srivijaya Kingdom traded with China and India. Local rulers gradually adopted Indian cultural, religious and political models from the early centuries CE, and Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms flourished. Indonesian history has been influenced by foreign powers drawn to its natural resources. Muslim traders brought Islam, and European powers fought one another to monopolize trade in the Spice Islands of Maluku during the Age of Discovery. Following three and a half centuries of Dutch colonialism, Indonesia secured its independence after World War II. Indonesia's history has since been turbulent, with challenges posed by natural disasters, corruption, separatism, a democratization process, and periods of rapid economic change.

Across its many islands, Indonesia consists of distinct ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. The Javanese are the largest and most politically dominant ethnic group. As a unitary state and a nation, Indonesia has developed a shared identity defined by a national language, ethnic diversity, religious pluralism within a majority Muslim population, and a history of colonialism and rebellion against it. Indonesia's national motto, "Bhinneka tunggal ika" ("Unity in Diversity" literally, "many, yet one"), articulates the diversity that shapes the country. However, sectarian tensions and separatism have led to violent confrontations that have undermined political and economic stability. Despite its large population and densely populated regions, Indonesia has vast areas of wilderness that support the world's second highest level of biodiversity. The country is richly endowed with natural resources, yet poverty is a defining feature of contemporary Indonesia.