Geographically speaking, Boracay is part of the municipality of Malay in the province of Aklan, which is located in Panay, one of a cluster of islands that constitute the central section of the Philippine archipelago.
Boracay can be reached from Manila by daily flights on Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, Asian Spirit, Seair and Pacific Air. Caticlan is nearer the island, but the airstrip is short and narrow, and only the smaller planes of Asian Spirit, Seair and Pacific Air can land on it. The larger aircraft of Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines fly to Kalibo, the capital of Aklan. From Caticlan it takes about 15 minutes by boat to Boracay; from Kalibo, an hour and a half by bus plus the 15-minute boat ride.
From Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the 7,099 islands that makes up the Philippine Archipelago offers a wide variety of sights, sounds and tastes that would provide interest even for the wary traveler. Up North in Luzon, the provinces of Ilocos and Vigan give people a view of majestic Spanish churches all made during their 300 year reign on the country. In Vigan, the town center has been restored to it’s original look as a Spanish town for all tourists to see. These old Spanish churches hold some very interesting relics from the past such as antique figures made of ivory, silver and gold. Behold the silver guilt altar of Vigan that used to grace the main church now housed in a museum a walk’s distance from the town center. In the hustle and bustle of Manila, we find Intramuros, the Spanish made fort where the center of the Spanish Aristocracy in charge of the colonizing forces once ruled from. See the wonders of the thick walls and restored buildings of days gone as you get to see dances and events that showcase the rich heritage of the place. See the area where Jose Rizal was jailed and executed as the country’s defiant voice against the rule of foreigners.
See the relics of war in Corregidor where the Philippinnes was lost and regained from the Japanese with Gen. Mc Arthur’s words, I Shall Return!, famous words as he fulfilled his promise to American and Filipino forces as he left when the country fell into Japanese hands in 1941.
The country is wide and varied, with all the conveniences of modern life. From isolated and pristine beaches to idyllic towns with people who speak many dialects but share one common trait, that smile that is for all to behold as you go to the Philippines the “Pearl of the Orient”.
The Philippines is one of the most sought after travel destinations for tourists and that is because Filipinos are known to be fun-loving and friendly people.
It has one of Asia’s finest Beaches. The Boracay Philippines, which is located in Southeast Asia, is known for its beautiful weather that relaxes the mind; fine white sand are very smooth and comforting to the feet; clear sea water that you can see six feet under and amazing resorts. Any beach connoisseur for sure will include Boracay, Philippines as part of their Top 10 Favorite Beaches. The locals and tourists flock there just to relax and unwind.
When you get there, natives would be warmly welcoming and sooner than you think, Boracay would feel just like home!
The Philippines has got a whole lot more to offer, so come visit the Philippines and enjoy the experience with the warm hearted Filipino People.
Image source: www.rimba.um.edu.my
Mount Kinabalu is the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia and is located at the National Park of Malaysia. Standing 4101 metres above sea level, the mountain is in Sabah, the East Malaysian state on the isle of Borneo. It is located about 2-3 hours away from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah’s capital.
Top 3 Things about Mount Kinabalu:
1. Scenic Walk: Take in the fresh air as you walk up and notice your surroundings change from the large tropical trees to scrubs to rock. The whole mountain area is a national park – many floras not found at sea level are sighted here. The large venus fly-trap is one to look out for as you walk. You may catch the odd wildlife too.
2. Leisure Climb: At 4101metres, Mt Kinabalu is manageable for the average tourist – not climber or mountaineer – tourist – ladies climb too! There are steps cut all the way up to the top of the mountain, good water fountain supplies (water is probably your heaviest item) and rest houses. You must be accompanied by a guide when you climb, and these folks are willing to carry up to 10kg of your stuff all the way up the mountain for you for what it very little. There may not be many such mountain climbs with all these features available.
3. Sunrise: You have absolutely got to see the sunrise from up there. For many, it may be the highlight of the walk up! From Laban Rata where you stay overnight, there is a buzz as you hike up to get to the peak by sunrise. As you are walking up, the sun just breaks through the clouds, the air is cool and the scenery 360 degrees all round is just reward for 2 days’ climb.
We all know that the Philippines is rich in beaches and one of the spots that is visited often are the Palawan beaches. With great maintenance and obvious means of making sure that the upkeep of these beaches are truly harbored towards ensuring tourist influx, the Palawan beaches are a good place to check out if you are fond of the sandy beaches in the world today.
The exotic beauty of Palawan remains undefiled. Branded as the country’s last frontier, Palawan is a sanctuary to an amazing variety of exotic flora and fauna that are found nowhere else. Palawan is also home to Tubbataha Reef, the only national marine park that made it to the World Heritage List and whose grandeur is comparable to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.
For places like Bangladesh and the Philippines, you will be surprised at the various traditions that their culture practices. Both Asian countries have varying cultures both modern and old. Festivals and annual events are the key points of celebrations that will surely be something worth experiencing.
This is what these local town folks take pride. They celebrate feasts and the manner of celebrations and rituals are something that any wondering tourist will surely want to check out. Food, programs and dances, you name it. You will surely enjoy celebrating with the locals and add another feather in your cap as far as history is concerned.
Beaches and resorts are among the great stops you can expect when you happen to be considering a trip to the Philippines for well-deserved rest. Boracay is one of the key destinations that you can check out in the Philippines, the acclaimed party continent there.
But you should make advanced bookings however. At times, this is one of the packed destination points in the Philippines, a trooping place for both local and foreign visitors. While there may be a lot of resorts to check in with, you may want to avoid the tourist rush as you want to avoid enjoying your vacation in the beaches of Boracay.
The Chocolate Hills of Bohol is a well-known tourist attraction of the Philippines. It has been declared as the country’s 3rd National Geological Monument and has been proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Chocolate Hills is an unusual geological formation composed of around 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills of almost similar sizes, spreading over an area of more than 50 square kilometers. The Chocolate Hills got its name from the hills’ green grass that turns into a brown shade during the dry season. The Chocolate Hills can be viewed from a government-owned and operated resort/viewing station called “Chocolate Hills Complex” located in Carmen, Bohol. The Complex has a restaurant, a hostel with swimming pool and an observation deck (210 feet or 64 m above the ground) where tourists can get a perfect view of the hills.
The Peacock Garden sits on top of a prime hilltop land, consists of three fully separated villas that houses the guest rooms and dining outlets. The fourth villa, which is nearing completion and is set to open before the year ends, will house the Roman spa.
The resort’s three dining centers are already in full swing. The main restaurant, aptly named Old Heidelberg is the place where guests can taste traditional German cuisine as well as popular Continental and Filipino dishes, whose ambiance reminds you of the Old-World allure of 19th-century Germany. A haven for discerning connoisseurs, The Hemingway Lounge, houses the well maintained wine cellar with a fine selection of cigars.
The Peacock Room is transformed into a dining lounge during the evening to give way to piano music and live performances by Bohol’s talented musicians, which has a more relaxed and laid-back ambiance. Freshly baked breads and pastries are served daily from the resort’s kitchen. But the most beautiful attraction is perhaps The Peacock Garden’s huge infinity pool, perfectly designed to give the illusion that it connects to the Bohol Sea and its crystal clear beaches. It is almost feels like you are in paradise, viewing the sunset on the horizon while you cool off at the pool or at the outdoor jacuzzi, just relishing the feeling and illusion that you are in a heavenly place, a place called Peacock Garden.
The Philippines recently earned top prize in the Top Value Destination for the Pacific and Indian Ocean Region category in the 2007 Top 100 Readers’ Choice Survey published in the January 2008 issue of Scuba Diving Magazine. It is the the most extensively read publication for scuba diving hobbyists in the United States of America.
The Philippines edged out other destinations in the Pacific and Indian Ocean region such as Palau, Indonesia, Fiji, Truk, Galapagos, the Egyptian Red Sea, the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, Cocos Island of Costa Rica, and Hawaii’s Oahu and Maui as the top diving vacation that gives you more value for your money. The Philippines garnered a near-perfect score of 96.6 points.
Scuba Diving’s Reader’s Choice survey results also showed that the Philippines ranked 2nd and 3rd respectively in the Top Macro Life and Top Dive Destination categories.