Chocolate Hills and Water Falls

When I think of the Philippines, I think of crystal clear water and beautiful beaches. While that's 100% true, it turns out that this country has way more to offer! Andrés and I both agree that so far, this is the country with the most exciting nature excursions packed tightest together that we've been to so far!

We wanted to go to the Chocolate Hills, because every top 10 article of things to do in Bohol says that you have to go there! It seems that we were a bit off season, because when we arrived, the hills were not chocolate at all - they were beautifully green! This didn't take anything away from the experience.

We skipped the touristy area where you have to pay to play, and instead headed into the middle of nowhere and found our own little "chocolate" hill. We climbed to the top in five minutes and had an even better view than the official area! Looking out over the hills really made me feel like I was in Oh, the Places You'll Go - if you know, you know.

While we sat and took in the breathtaking views, we googled how these hills were formed and our minds were blown. Thousands of years ago, the area was ocean, and now these hills are the leftover coral!!! So if you dig down into one, you'll find fossils! It's crazy to think about how long this world has been around, and how much has changed.

Next on our list was a waterfall. Now, living in Colombia for two years, I've been to my share of beautiful waterfalls. So when I tell you that this is my favorite waterfall EVER, it's not for nothing! It was so giant, so perfectly greenish blue, and the best part? The water was warm. When have you ever swam beneath a waterfall and not been freezing cold?

When we got there, there was literally nobody else there and we had about an hour all to ourselves. People did end up coming a little later, but the space is so big that it never felt crowded. It was stunning, and it's not on any top 10 lists, even though it totally should be. Just look at this picture! It looks too good to be true.

In short, the Philippines is blowing us away with its natural beauty. I can't believe our time here is so short - I feel like there's still so much to do! And this is only on two tiny islands! We will definitely have to come back to the Philippines one day and explore more.