Phenomenal hills in the Philippines

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I’ve always wanted to visit the so-called Chocolate Hills on the island of Bohol in the Philippines. Could you tell me the best time to go? Barbara Clarke, Maidstone

A Sunday Times travel expert responds: The Chocolate Hills are an amazing phenomenon; 1,500 grass-covered hills scattered over 20 square miles of Bohol Island, 400 miles south east of Manila. Here, about 1,500 hills, each from 160 feet to 400 feet high, spread across the otherwise flat landscape, in a weirdly uniform pattern. They are perfectly dome-shaped and covered in grass.

The grass dies off and turns brown at the end of the dry season (March and April), hence the name. This is the time to visit for the full chocolate box effect, but they are still impressive when green. How they formed remains a mystery, but one local legend tells of two feuding giants hurling boulders at each other. Days later and completely exhausted, the giants forgot what they were fighting about and became friends, but forgot to clean up the mess.

Locals assume any foreigner arriving on their island is after a chocolate fix, and will happily assist with directions. Head for the middle of the island the towns of Carmen or Sagbeyan, where thereÂ¹s the Chocolate Hills Complex, and a viewing centre (www.sagbayanpeak.com.ph).

Â For further information, contact the Philippines tourist office on 020 7835 1100, or visit wowphilippines.com.ph, or www.bohol.ph
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http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,18409-2462267,00.html