Chocolate Hills and Funny Little Primates?

Octapuss Hiding Out
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It was interesting to come face to face with ET's closest earth relative

Bohol gets top billing from the Philippine tourism people and fortunately it didn't let me down either. My first stop off was on Pangloa Island for a spot of diving. The nearby Balicasag Island has reputedly some of the best diving in the country. The corals really were alive, both themselves and with fish on them.

Local Boy Checking out the chicked, Alona Beach
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Unfortunately the currents stayed away and so did the barracuda, one of the things that the area is famous for. Nemo (clown fish) was out in force to protect his patch though. They love to come out to fend off anyone they think will get into their territory (even if they are only a few cm long). The one rare one that I did see was an octopus (see photo). My divemaster took off like a shot down to 34m and when I caught up there was the octopus crawling along to bottom to finding a hiding place. (a few photos from Fred, my dive partner)

The Philippine Tarsier
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Alona beach itself on Pangloa didn't hold too much except a beachfront full of resorts that built up around the local dive spots and that's why I didn't stick around for too long. Lots more to be seen on Bohol.

I moved to base myself on the interior of Bohol in the famous 'Nuts Huts'. About 1km off the road on a dirt track, it is beautifully perched along the Loboc River. Huts on stilts sit in the wilderness with only the nature around the area to keep you company at night. My first stop off was at the local Tarsier conservation center. The Philippine tarsier is one of the smallest primates in the world and probably ET's closest relative on earth also.

Loboc River
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They just cling effortlessly to a branch and are not concerned by their visitors (maybe that's why they're almost extinct!). Their massive eyes are suited to their nocturnal activities. During the daytime, the pupils are just tiny black dots. Their ears moving slowly to pick up any movements in the area. They can actually turn their heads a full 180 degrees. One minute they're looking right at you before they slowly start to turn their heads and next thing you're staring at the back of their heads. Really incredible little guys. There are only ten of them in the conservation center and how the guides can even find the 7 of them I saw in the enclosed forest is nothing short of a miracle.

Loboc Town in Full Swing
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Along with the tarsiers, the second scene that is on every poster for Bohol are the Chocolate hills. Named after their colour before the rains start, the round mounds still puzzle geologists as to how they got there. It's one that many complain about as being over rated, but I enjoyed my visit. The hills sat like scoops of ice-cream on a plate. Philippine tourists coming and going marveling at one of their countries most promoted sights. One person even complained that the hills were green and not their signature 'chocolate' colour.

Loboc Town in Full Swing
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The real highlight of my travels on Bohol though were in the local areas, on the dirt back roads. I had my own transport for the day (a nifty little scooter), so I didn't have to pull my hair out navigating the local transport. Everywhere I was greeted with a smile and a 'hey Joe', their greeting for every white faced foreigner. The Philippines is the only country that I have come across that not only do the people love to have their photos taken (and they're not shy about that either), but they actually thank you for taking a photo of them. In most other countries you have to pay out for the privilege. A thoroughly enjoyed stop off on Bohol.

'Mass Going on'?? (see the sign)
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