Chocolate Hills

A fantastic experience, the tour leader was excellent and the time was well-organized.

The drive to the Chocolate Hills took over an hour from Banglao Island. Thankfully, the viewpoint isn't very high; there are only 221 steps from the bus stop to the top, making it suitable for both the elderly and children. While the tarsiers were cute, the commercialization was alarming. You couldn't get close to the monkeys, but you could pay to take photos and get extremely close! Each monkey was stationary along the path, almost like they were fixed there. Be careful of the mosquitoes. The river lunch included water, but other drinks were extra. The food wasn't great overall; the meat was poorly prepared, but the desserts were delicious. Interestingly, some children were seen jumping into the river to swim, which seemed like a pre-arranged performance by the vendors, a rather dangerous activity. Later, the driver took us to a small caged zoo, where the guide provided excellent explanations. We also visited a church. We were very grateful to our driver, Russell, for taking us to a convenience store before returning to the hotel and for his helpfulness in taking photos of the artificial forest along the way. He was always punctual. In conclusion, considering it was just the three of us with a Vios and a driver, we felt it was a bit pricey.

Riza was hands down one of the highlights of our Bohol trip. You could tell immediately that sharing the wonders of Bohol wasn't just a job for her — it was a genuine passion. Her love for the island came through in every story she told and every place she brought us to. It's not often you find someone who gets to work doing what they love, and it shows. If you're visiting Bohol, request Riza. You won't regret it.