Chocolate Hills in Philippines by thetravelboss.com

No, they are not really made of chocolate, but they do look good enough to eat. Some people can't believe they are just the work of Mother Nature and that man played no part in their creation, but that is probably why they are so unique.

The Chocolate Hills get their name from the brown-colored grass that covers them during the dry season, which makes them look good enough to eat. The rest of the time they are just as green as the forest that surrounds them. There are 1,268 cone-shaped hills spreading across 50 square kilometers, in the middle of Bohol Island.

Geologists from all over the world came up with different theories about how these perfect limestone cones were formed, but so far no one can really say for sure. The most widely accepted theory is that the Chocolate Hills were once coral deposits that rose up from the sea during a huge geologic shift. The shapes we see today were molded by winds and erosion over hundreds of years.

Just like most of natures masterpieces, the Chocolate Hills have legends passed on by the locals, from generation to generation. The most popular one tells of two rival giants who threw rocks and boulders at each other for days. Exhausted, the giants forgot about their meaningless conflict, became friends and left the island without cleaning up the mess they made. The hills are testimony of their great battle. Another myth tells the story of Arogo, a young, powerful giant who fell in love with Aloya, a mortal girl. When she died, Arogo shed thousands of tears and when they dried up, they formed the Chocolate Hills.

They may look like just a bunch of hills to some people, but they managed to put Bohol Island on the international tourist map long before its hot, sandy beaches became so popular. People travel from all over the world just to gaze at the spectacular scenery offered by the seemingly infinite number of hills. The fact that they are all about the same size (between 30 and 50 meters) and shape makes the view even more surreal.

Malapascua Island in Philippines by thetravelboss.com

This little island off Cebu's northern tip has been growing steadily more famous over the years for its long, white beaches, great food and low-key approach to tourism. There are, or were at the time of writing, no cars or paved roads on the island, only a network of walking tracks. These tracks wind past such humble attractions as the waterside town cemetery, with its sun-bleached graves, the lighthouse on the island's northwest, and the 12m-high lookout up near Los Bamboos, which some brave/foolhardy souls treat as a cliff jump.

Divers are spoilt with three wreck dives, the marine sanctuary of Gato Island - a famous sea-snake breeding ground - and almost daily appearances of the otherwise rarely sighted thresher shark off Monad Shoal.

The simple villages of Malapascua blend seamlessly with the resorts and are a big factor in the island's charm. The people of the towns are almost invariably friendly and welcoming. A popular pastime among visitors is to head down to the basketball court in the main town of Logon, to take part in one of the frequent, informal tournaments that blend local and foreign talent.

It would seem that Malapascua offers everything that the discerning beach bum could wish for. But of course nothing is ever that simple.

The marine environment, including Gato Island, faces the usual challenges of this region - first and foremost, dynamite fishing. Despite protestations from local government that they are on top of the problem, divers report that on many dives they can still hear the sound of blasting. To combat the problem at Gato Island, local dive centres successfully lobbied the government to implement full-time patrols of the marine sanctuary. These patrols are paid for by a fee levied on divers of P100 per dive.

The preservation of the island environment is another matter. Ironically, where the dive centres have continually accused local government of not doing enough to halt destruction of the corals, when it comes to preserving the beaches, it's the government's turn to put the heat on local business.

San Agustin Church in Manila by thetravelboss.com

San Agustín Church is the oldest existing church in the Philippines. It is an essential tourist destination in Manila for those who are interested in Philippine history and culture.

The present structure is actually the third to stand on the site. It has 14 side chapels and a trompe-l'oeil ceiling. Up in the choir loft are the hand-carved 17th-century seats made of molave, a beautiful tropical hardwood.

The San Agustín Church lies inside the walled city of Intramuros located in the capital city Manila. It is the first European stone church to be built in the Philippines designed in Spanish architectural structure. It also houses the legacies of the Spanish conquistadores, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, Juan de Salcedo and Martín de Goiti who are buried in a tomb underneath the church.

Located in the historic Intramuros district of Manila (the oldest district and historic core of Manila, otherwise known as the "Walled City"), the Church of San Agustin was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site as an example of the Baroque architecture that was specific to the Philippines. A Roman Catholic Church, it was constructed by the Spanish in the sixteenth century, but was not consecrated until 1607. Its beautiful architecture is worth the visit all by itself, though it also houses the tombs of several historical figures, including several conquistadors, statesmen and artists.

The accompanying San Agustin Museum is housed in the adjacent San Agustin Monastery, and exhibits art and artifacts from the Philippines, Spain, Mexico and other cultural centers. The original Augustinians arrived in the Philippines in 1565 just a few decades after Magellan explored the islands, meaning that the aforementioned museum is no slouch. Despite having been damaged by British forces in the 18th century, American forces in the 19th century, and the Japanese in the 20th, it’s in fine fettle (partially owing to a painstaking restoration effort undertaken in the 1970s). If you’re interested in local and regional history, you won’t want to miss it.

Entry into the Church of San Agustin is free. The museum charges 100 PHP for adults, 80 PHP for seniors, and 40 PHP for children. There are also discounts for college and high school students, so be sure to inquire about pricing upon your arrival. The websites for both attractions offer up-to-date listings of upcoming special events. San Agustin is located on General Luna Street, and is open 8am to noon and 1pm to 6pm daily.