Bilar Man-made Forest of Bohol

This blog post is just a short one compare with my other past entries. It might still be the shortest even if I compare it with my future work but this place really deserves a solo blog entry. First, let me take this chance to commend the person or group of people who stand and support this project and made it come true. It was really a notable and bold move to have this kind of project. Simply because Bilar Man-Made Forest was actually just a part of a bigger reforestation project which conceptualize decades ago which was initiated due to the alarming deforestation or kaingin in Bohol.

Today, aside from its main purpose as a nature preservation, Bilar Man-Made Forest became a well-known tourist spot in Bohol because of its unexpected beauty. Who ever thought that this forest is not naturally grown by nature hence it was by man? Honestly, I can't stop myself from admiring its beauty when I saw it in person despite already seeing it so many times in photos of my friends whose been here also. It's 100x more beautiful seeing it personally than in photos.

Taking this chance to sit in the middle of this amazing road!

Taking the Beatles style to this man made forest

This man made forest is quite accessible as it is along the way to Chocolate Hills (another famous site in Bohol). You'll have to passed through this 2 KM long dense forest composed by tall mahogany trees which almost covers the road and only let patches of sun ray passed through it during daytime. I also suggest that once you start driving along the site, that you open the window of your car. As you will feel a sudden change of temperature. You'll start to feel a cooler and freshness of air. And if you can, pull over your car in a safer part of the site then get down and start wondering along the site.

Thank God that bus didn't hit me straight on! Haha

As I end this blog entry, I hope that more projects like this will be conceptualize in the future. Not only because it can be an eye candy or a tourist spot in an area but also because man can benefit a lot from it (like preventing natural calamities). If they've done it decades ago, I strongly believe it's not late to do it again today.

The Chocolate Hills of Bohol and ATV Tour

If you ask Filipinos what is the must see spot when visiting Bohol, there's not a chance that they will forget to say the Chocolate Hills. As It has been featured so many times in our textbooks when we are in grade school and high school and even tourism advertisements never forgets this place when promoting the Philippines. In short, this place has been an icon not only of Bohol but also the country as a whole.

How did we get there?
We met Kuya Bernie outside Tagbilaran Airport. He offers different tours in Bohol and one of the tour he has is Tagbilaran tour (I'll make another blog for it). He has a van for hire which can accommodate 5-7 persons. He also told us that he has another service which can hold up to 12 persons. What's nice about his tour is you can collaborate with him in terms of the places you want to visit. You can eliminate sites which you want to skip and replace it with another. As for our Tagbilaran City Tour, he only asks for 2,500 Pesos which includes a trip to our hotel in Panglao at the end of our tour. Note: entrance fees of each places are not included. Having said that, it is still pretty convenient and cheap than other tours I saw. You may contact Bernie at 0999-929-8445

Going back, the Chocolate Hills latest count already reached 1,776 and are widely spread in different barangay in Bohol merely in Tagbilaran and Carmen. Each cone-shape hill ranges from 30-50 meters in height. The hills are covered with grass which turns brown during dry season which makes the hills more look like chocolates. For viewing, one may visit a government-owned and operated resort called "Chocolate Hills Complex" which is located in Carmen, Bohol. It is no more than 1 1/2 hours away from the airport and has a 50 pesos per person entrance fee.

Just a portion of the hills you can see on top

Chocolate Hills Complex

The site is a converted two chocolate hills transformed into a complex. The complex has a restaurant, swimming pool, grotto of the Virgin Mary, a conference room and a view deck. In order to reach the view deck, one must climb up the 200+ steps. So, better prep up those sleeping thighs. Nevertheless, a 360 degrees scenic view of the hills awaits once you reach the top.

It was tiring but worth it!

View from the view deck

Good job guys!

Time for some groupfie!

(Side Trip) Chocolate Hills ATV Guided Tour

At the foot of Chocolate Hills Complex, there's a vicinity which offers ATV tour near the chocolate hills. A 30 minutes ride costs 450 Pesos which includes a helmet and a guide that will go along with you. Note: make sure you have extra clothes when trying this activity. The ride tends to be dusty when dry season and muddy when rainy season.

One of the stop over in the site

Photo op at 3 sisters hill :)

Breakdown of Expenses:
Tagbilaran Tour - 2,500 PhP (good for 5 pax)
Entrance fee to Chocolate Hills Complex - 50 PhP per pax
ATV for 30 mins - 450 PhP
Food - **.**