Chocolate Hills, Bohol Philippines

The small island of Bohol, about 2 hours flying time southeast of Manila, holds two of the Philippines’ most unique and interesting attractions; the tiny Tarsier and the amazing and peculiar, Chocolate Hills.

The Chocolate Hills are probably Bohol’s most famous tourist attraction. They look like giant mole hills and remind us of the hills in a small child’s drawing. Most people who first see pictures of this landscape can hardly believe that these hills are not a man-made artifact. However, this idea is quickly abandoned, as the effort would surely surpass the construction of the pyramids in Egypt. The chocolate hills consist of are no less than 1268 hills (some claim this to be the exact number). They are very uniform in shape and mostly between 30 and 50 meters high. They are covered with grass, which, at the end of the dry season, turns chocolate brown. From this color, the hills derive their name. At other times, the hills are green, and the association may be a bit difficult to make.

Legend has it that the hills came into existence when two giants threw stones and sand at each other in a fight that lasted for days. When they were finally exhausted, they made friends and left the island, but left behind the mess they made. For the more romantically inclined is the tale of Arogo, a you of his grief.ng and very strong giant who fell in love with an ordinary mortal girl called Aloya. After she died, the giant Arogo cried bitterly. His tears then turned into hills, as a lasting proof

However, up to this day, even geologists have not reached consensus on how they where formed. The most commonly accept theory is that they are the weathered formations of a kind of marine limestone on top of a impermeable layer of clay. If you climb the 214 steps to the top of the observation hill near the complex, you can read this explanation on a bronze plaque.

Tarsiers are small animals with enormous eyes; each eyeball is approximately 16 mm in diameter and is as large as their entire brain. Their fingers are elongated, with the third finger being about the same length as the upper arm. Most of the digits have nails, but the second and third toes of the hind feet bear claws instead, which are used for grooming. Tarsiers have very soft, velvety fur, which is generally buff, beige, or ochre in color. On first glance it’s hard to imagine that “ET’s” (the Extraterrestrial’s) finger was not based on this creature, and that the Star War’s creature, Yoda did not also draw inspiration from this animal.

The Philippine Tarsier’s eyes are fixed in its skull; they cannot turn in their sockets. Instead, a special adaptation in the neck allows its round head to be rotated 180 degrees. The eyes are disproportionately large, and provide this nocturnal animal with excellent night vision. The large membranous ears are mobile appearing to be almost constantly moving, allowing the tarsier to hear any movement.

Photographing the Tarsier is difficult to say the least; it’s tiny and hides in the dark areas of the trees. In the sanctuary they are protected from constant handling and live comfortable lives. In other areas Tarsiers are on display in cages. Some folks think that this is cruel and exploitative.

Tarsiers live in close proximity to local populations. These children attend a school located near the Tarsier sanctuary.