Chocolate Hills

The airport in Manila is as crowded as an anthill. There are a huge number of flights. The Philippines is an archipelago of islands. Ten of them are the largest, where eighty percent of the population lives. The most convenient way to travel between the islands is by air. Planes continuously take off from here in all directions. Air routes, following a complex scheme through the islands, return to Manila. For example, you cannot fly directly from Bohol to Cebu or, say, from Cebu to Palawan. In each case, you have to return to Manila. Therefore, when traveling around the Philippines, you have to return to Manila several times to catch another flight. Of course, you can also use sea transport, but that requires significantly more time.
The flight to Bohol takes just over an hour. On the island, a powerful tropical downpour is pouring, a real hot shower. But it doesn't last long. Soon the sun appears, which quickly evaporates the moisture that has just fallen from the sky. Tagbilaran is the main city of Bohol with a population of about 100,000 people.
Our resort is right on the shore of an exotic lagoon. A rocky coast, wrapped in a network of tropical forest roots, mysterious caves washed by the tide—this is, so to speak, the view from the outside. When the gates of the resort closed behind us, I thought—this is paradise on earth. Perhaps the owner of this little resort also dreamed of seeing paradise and created it on this distant Philippine shore. The beauty of this amazing corner is hard to describe. You have to see it. Hanging gardens sprinkled with bright flowers, pools overlooking the sea, a church, gazebos and ponds, fairy-tale pavilions, an open restaurant, lighting, music... And comfortable rooms with access to stairs and platforms leading to the sea and the pier. All of this is in absolute harmony.
Of course, I reasoned, here, in the conditions of the Philippine climate, there are significantly more opportunities for imagination and architectural solutions. Firstly, it is eternal summer here; there is no need to insulate or think about heating systems. To maintain a comfortable temperature, an air conditioner is sufficient. Bathtubs in the rooms are usually open to the sky, with exotic trees and flowers growing right in them.
In the morning, we swim in the sea, with coral reefs right off the shore.
Then the pool, breakfast. Servants bow around us, smile, and wish us good morning. We even feel a bit awkward.
At nine, our guide arrives—a lively Filipina. Her name is Maile. We travel by minibus to get acquainted with Bohol. However, sometimes many pronounce it more softly—Bakhole. The island is of volcanic origin. The maximum height is 870 meters above sea level. The coastline stretches for 261 km. Bohol is surrounded by seventy small islands, the largest of which, Panglao, is connected to it by a highway.
The residents of Bohol are considered descendants of the aboriginal Pintados, which literally means "painted," that is, tattooed people. The name of the island comes from the locality of Boool, where in 1565 a historical treaty of friendship was signed between the local chieftain Datu Sikaton and a representative of the Spanish crown, Miguel de Legazpi. This treaty, sealed with blood, is still of great importance to the island. In memory of the event, a monument depicting the moment of signing the treaty has been erected.