Thursday, April 12, 2012

Luneta Park

Luneta Park or Rizal park, consider as the National Park on the Philippines, located along the center of Manila, fronting world famous natural harbour known as Manila Bay. Luneta was established to honor our National hero, pacist Jose Rizal, the location mark by Rizal monument as the exact location of Rizal's execution. Since the Spanish colonial period, the park is a favorite destination for family picnics and unwining during Sundays and Holidays. The Luneta park is just adjacent to Manila City Hall and Intramuros, old walled city of Manila.

 The Luneta park is bounded by Roxas Boulevard, Taft Avenue, Padre Burgoz, and T.M. Kalaw. It is 40 minutes away from Manila International Airport depending on the volume of traffic, it is accesible by Public Utility Jeepney , Taxi cab and Light Rail Transit from Baclaran (Southern part) and Monumento (Nothern).

Place of Interest on Luneta:

Luneta is a popular tourist destination in Manila as there are a lots of place of interest with in its vicinity. Manila Bay is one of the busiest harbour in the world is just a walking distance from Luneta, the bay is popular with its sunset scenic view. The park is also adjacent to Manila Hotel, a popular 5 star Hotel right on the heart of Manila. You could also always visit Intramuros while in Luneta as it just adjacent on the area. Manila Ocean Park is another place of interest when visiting Luneta, the ocean park is located just across the Quirino Grandstand and along Manila Bay. Manila Ocean Park is comparable with Hongkong Ocean Park as it features different sea species and creatures on its life size aquarium. National Library, Philippines premiere public library is also accesible along with other historical places such as Manila Cathedral, National Museum of the Philippines.The park also open to the public a raised map of the Philippines, it is a scale map of the country located on the center of man made lake.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Mindanao Travel Guide

Mindanao is the second largest Island in Philippines, located in the Eastermost part of the country. It is also known as one of the three main Island of  the country,  the other 2 namely Luzon and Visayas, Mindanao is compose of the main Island along with its smaller Island. Mindanao is the only place in Phillipines where there is significant Muslim people.
Mindanao is blessed with natural resources along with its best tourist destination, but due to some insurgency along with peace and problem on some isolated area of the Island that is often attached to the island of Mindanao. As I have said the problem is just isolated on some remote area of Mindanao and those conflict ridden area must be avoided. In reality Mindanao is a big area and majority of those places are inhabited by peace loving Christian and Muslim aswell, and some of those area was blessed and offers so much for travel aficionado. Mindanao is called the land of the promise for its vastness of natural resources and wonderful tourist spot destination.
I have here top local attraction in Mindanao for both foreign and Local tourist guest:
Cagayan de Oro : Birth place of my father, Cagayan de Oro (CDO) is a major entranced to some landlocked major tourist destination in Mindanao province. Cagayan de Oro City is very accessible for tourist from Manila as it has its own Domestic Airport and Seaport aswell, Both opens Cagayan de Oro to its neighboring province for trades and commerce that makes it as one of the most progressive area in Mindanao. The area is known for white water rafting adventure. Increase your bodies adrenalin with wild river ride, be cautious because the adventure is not for the faint of heart because you have to navigate the river from a small rubber boat while strong current of water threatens to overtun your boat. When leaving Cagayan de Oro, don’t forget to buy the cities original sweet delicacy known as Pastel along with roasted peanuts.
Camiguin Island : Camiguin Island is known for its active volcano known as Hibok-Hibok, for its amazing white sand beaches and its underwater cementery. Be amazed with the natural beauty of the area while and feed your mind with its astounding natural sceneries.
Bukidno : Bukidnon is known as the largest pineapple farm in the Philippines, the area is known for its vast plain and mountain allows the well of to own herd of farm animals within their haciendas, want to see real life Filipino style cowboy, visit the province.
Davao City : The province is known for its commercial and economic importance in Mindanao with its Domestic airport and seaports that open the city on its neighboring places. Davao is known for its pungent smelling Durian fruit but once the fruit is tasted it seems that you were in heaven. Davao is also a major producer of sweet sour Pomelo and export quality tasty Marang and Banana. Along with its fruits, Davao is also known for its fascinating tourist destination and to name some are Pearl Farm, White sand beaches of Samal Island that offers variation of lodges that will surely anybodies budget, Mount Apo as the highest peak in the country is aso located at Davao province. The province is also known for its wildlife preservation with its crocodile farm and Philippine eagle sanctuary.
Siargao Island : The area is now recognized as the best surfer destination in the Philippines for its huge rolling waves, The island is starting to established a name as one of the best in the world nowadays as it host international surfing events every month of October.
The destination is just a handful list as a Mindanao travel guide.Please come back for more Philippine tourist attractions and see best place where to travel to while in Philippines.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Vigan Tours

Calle Crisologo of Vigan is one of the most visited tourist destination in Nothern Luzon, it features historical building architectural design
Vigan- The capital city and a fifth class cities in the province of Ilocos Sur, it is situated in Western coast of Island of Luzon, fronting West Phil. Sea. The city is consider as one of World Heritage Site, Vigan is known as one of Hispanic towns left on Philippines, it features cobblestone streets and architectural design that fuses Philippines and oriental building designs and construction.

Vigan tours and travel from Manila usually takes 8-9 hours, but sometimes it takes ten hours to reach the city depending how frequent a travel stop over, the distance between Vigan and Manila is approximately 408 Km, almost double the distance between Manila- Baguio. There are several bus companies that cater transportation for local and foreign guest and visitor when visiting Vigan, Partas is one of the leading bus company that provides transportation, the terminal is situated within the heart of Quezon city, Cubao. Farinas, Dominion, Maria De Leon, Philippines Rabbit, Viron Transit are other Bus company that cater such trasportation. Other means of transportation is by domestic airplane, the travel usually takes an hour from Manila Domestic Airport to Laoag Airport, from Laoag it usually takes 1 1/2 hours travel to reach Vigan proper.

 Vigan Tours and Place to Visit :
Baluarte of Vigan is a well known animal sanctuary to protect and preserve animals especially endangered apecies

Baluarte : Baluarte, is an interactive wildlife animal sanctuary and facility. Unlike with the tradional Zoo, guest and visitor are given a chance to play and interact with the animal. The area was established to educate people, conserve and protect endangered species and animals, the area also features natural boulder on the center of green and trees.

Calle Crisologo : Calle Crisologo, "kameztizoan Districy of Vigan" , it features ancestral houses with ancient construction design pattern with Spanish- Chinese - Mexican Architectural design. Calle Crisologo brings back memories of Spanish era due to Kamestizoan District in Vigan is replete with ancestral houses with ancient tile roofs, massive hardwood floorings, ballustrades and azoteas in varying Spanish-Mexican-Chinese architectural styles.
Calle Crisologo brings back the old Spanish atmosphere starting with the cobblestone streets, the beautiful eaves of the ancient houses against the shadows of each other houses, and  the clacking noise of kalesa, a horse driven carriage.The street is the most popular site in the city and a visit is not complete unless you experience and walked though this street.
The street is also known as the only surviving street in World War II because of a loved. It is believe that a Japanese General that fell in love with a Filipina made an agreement with the parish priest that he will protect and avoid damaging Calle Crisologo in exchange that the priest will take care for his family.

St. Paul Metropolitan Church :  The chuch was constructed on 1790-1890 by Augustinian, the church was built on Earthquake Baroque style to secure the church from earthquake and typhoon, The church was supported by thick beam (butresses) for durability. A separate bell tower is located 15 meters away from the main structure so just in case the main building was damage by an eartquake there is another bell tower structure remain.

Where to Stay in Vigan (Vigan Hotels) : There are a lots of decent and unexpensive accomodation when staying in Vigan, among them are;

  • Aniceto Mansion Hotel
  • Casa Teofila Lodge
  • Codillera Inn
  • El Juliana Hotel
  • Godion Inn Bed and Breakfast
  • Grandpa's Inn
  • La Feliza Tourist Inn
  • La Fernandina Hotel and Restaurant
  • Mom's Courtyard
  • Paraiso ni Don Juan Beach Resort
  • Playa de Oro Resort Hotel
  • Socio Pastoral Center
  • Taj Hotel Resort and Bowling Lanes
  • UNP Guestel
  • Vigan Heritage Mansion
  • Vigan Plaza Hotel
  • Villa Angela Heritage House
Are you ready to experience Vigan now, It is time to visit one the of the most popular tourist spot in Philippines, Vigan.

    Tuesday, March 13, 2012

    Palawan Travel

    palawan puerto princesa underground river


    Situated on Southern Tagalog , region IV of the Philippines, Palawan is one of the biggest province in the Philippines in terms of total area covered. The islands of Palawan expand from Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the southwest. It was situated between South China sea and Sulu sea .
     Palawan Island is measuring 450 kilometers long and 50 kilometers wide. Palawan is generally considered one of the best tourist spots in Philippines  due to its scenic and natural landscapes that sorrounds the place. The Island is less than an hour travel by air from Manila Domestic Airport to Puerto Princesa International Airport, the airport is the major getway to Palawan and other tourist spot destination.
    Palawan economy depends on its rich bio-diversity as well as progressive ecotourism. Aside from its famous beach resort and natural wildlife, Province of Palawan is globally recognized for preserving 2 top tourist attraction, The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park also  known as the Palawan Underground River (PPUR) and the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Sanctuary, which is also honored to  be part of the World Heritage Sites of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO.
    Palawan travel  is also known for its to various international heralded and extremely distinctive and remarkable tourist destinations , among them are white sand Palawan beach,Coron Reefs, Calawit Game Preserve, and El Nido Marine Reserve Park to name some. Although each one of these amazing sites have their individual distinctive lineaments and features, all of them play a role in the truth that Palawan possesses one of the most prosperous and best conserved natural environments in the whole world. On top of that, environmentalists from all over the world have absolutely nothing but admiration to the men and women responsible for this rich and prosperous natural preservation of the wildlife despite a considerably developed economy.
    El Nido Marine Reserve Park is known for its coves and islets and amazing white sand beach resorts which will surely impress every one of the fascination as well as passionate tourist out there. In addition to the natural beauty and glamour of El Nido, it also offers a vast collection of Philippine wildlife  such as cockatous and giant clams aswell.
     Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) or also known as St. Paul Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 km North of City proper, Puerto Princesa. The entrance leading to subterranean river is a short hike from town of Sabang. The main attraction on PPUR is the Underground river cave, the length of the underground river is within 24 kilometer long that includes a 8.2 Km long section of underground Cabayugan river, the river flows directly to West Philippine Sea where Spratly Island is located. The area is also known as a habitat for biodiversity conservation and was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage SIte. On Nov. 11 , 2011 Puerto Princesa Underground Riverwas provisionary chosen as one of Worlds New Seven Wonders of Nature. On January 28, 2012 PPUR was officially included as One of World's New Seven Wonder of Nature along with Amazonia, Halong Bay, Iguazu Falls, Jeju Island, Komodo Island and Table Mountain.
    El Nido Park also known as one of the most thrilling and exciting diving spots not just in Palawan but probably everywhere, it feature sunken Japanese warships which were used during Second World War. Palawan local government issued and implement some guideline to safeguard the site and its wildlife  from abusive guest and visitor.
    Another Palawan’s popular destination for touist and travelers is Coron Reefs that are situated on Coron Bay, Busuanga Island on Norther part of the island, Coron reef also features sunken warship of Japanese imperial army during Second World War, the sunken ship has become a haven and habitat of unlimited sea creatures that adds excitement during the visit. Coron Reef is best for scuba diving, snorkeling, and dive safaris.
    Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary houses some of the country endangered species that makes this sanctuary a haven for wildlife lover.
    By preserving wildlife and its natural remarkable environment, Palawan has emerged as one of the most visited Philippines by local and foreign tourist,