Siargao: The Philippines’ Ultimate Surfing Destination
In Northern Mindanao lies a small island with a big reputation. It has been dubbed as the ultimate surfing destination in the Philippines. Foreigners and out-of-town locals alike have traveled to Siargao to experience for themselves the waves that have lured many surfers to stay in this island for good. For many, what was once a weekend of surfing has become a lifelong pursuit. Many dedicated American and Australian surfers now call this island home. It is not hard to see why. Siargao has a beauty unique from all others. Its land is unspoiled by commercialism; it has no pollution, and offers a laid-back and relaxed way of life. Many visitors find it very hard to pack up and leave the island.
Surfing
Since the late 1990s, committed local and foreign surfing enthusiasts have sought out Siargao. The Cloud Nine Surf Break has literally placed Siargao on the map as one of the premiere surfing destinations. The much-anticipated event of the year is the Siargao Cup Surfing Competition. It is held in late September or early October.
Siargao does not guarantee surfing waves year-round. However, excellent surfing can be done from April to October. The best time to surf in Siargao is during the northeast monsoon, where spectacular waves appear on the ocean.
For the Non-surfers
Non-surfers can still go to Siargao and have a great time. They can simply enjoy watching surfers take on the waves. They can also learn how to surf. There are many surfing camps to choose from. Majority of these surfing camps are run by Australian surfers, who could not bear to leave Siargao and had made the island their home. Some foreign surfers as well as local ones offer surfing lessons at reasonable rates.
Those who want to enjoy the natural beauty that Siargao has to offer can go on guided day tours to the many beaches and rock pools, as well as the vast mangrove swamps, and waterfalls. Siargao also has lush inland forests where uncommon wildlife such as tarsiers, flying lemurs, and monitor lizards can be found. Trips to the islands surrounding Siargao can also be arranged from most, if not all, of the resorts. The more popular islands are: Guyam, which consists entirely of white sand and palm trees; Dako, which has a stunning beach and is great for snorkeling and diving; Bucas Grande, which has the Sohoton Cave, with an inland lake with unique marine animals such as the non-stinging jellyfish; and Kangbangyo, where you can look for crocodiles in the mangrove swamps of Caob.
The nightlife in Siargao is not as wild as in other popular destinations in the Philippines. The resorts are good enough to enjoy quiet drinks at sunset. There are many good restaurants to choose from. Most offer Filipino cuisine. Most resorts have their own in-house restaurants. These places serve delicious meals and give visitors enough reason to dine in instead of going out to eat. For surfers and non-surfers alike, Siargao is an ideal place to go on vacation.
Traveling to Singapore
When you have travelled the world, lived and seen what is beyond, you will appreciate more and realise how beautiful your own country is, despite its small size or lack of natural resources.
Singapore is indeed an interesting country to visit. To borrow a phrase, “A city is as boring or as interesting as YOU want it to be”. So, lets try making it more interesting. As a start, it can go like this:
1) Singapore is a multi racial nation. Our neighbours next door include many nationalities including Chinese, Indian, Malay, Eurasian, Philippines, Koreans and many more. Come and visit us and see how we live harmoniously together.
2) Yes our public transport is safe, comfortable, convenient and reliable. Schedule is almost always on time. If it doesnt, complaints will come instead.
3) We have diverse culture and nationalities and celebrations are varied and interesting. For example, one major celebration include Deepavali which is also known as the “Festival of Lights” where the streets along Serangoon Road or “Little India” are decorated and lighted.
4) We are not separated but each culture tends to congregate at specific areas where a large community live and trade eg. Serangoon area is also known as “Little India”, Geylang area is where the Malays are and Chinatown area as you can guess, is where the Chinese are. Lets explore and get lost here!
5) Singapore is a shopping haven. While Orchard Road all the way to Suntec City is one of our main shopping areas, there are other shopping places that you can go if you want to shop. Take the MRT train and stop at every station. I can assure you, you will find a lot of interesting places to shop….and cheap!
6) Singapore has many little islands around it, not just Sentosa. Take a day trip to any one of these islands and you will have an interesting experience to tell your friends back home.
7) Other than Clarke Quay and Boat Quay area, Singapore is also a city that never sleeps. There are plenty of nightlife spots here in Singapore. Not just the pubs, a lot of restaurants in Singapore operate 24 hours too!
If you want to visit Singapore, come anytime. You don’t have to wait for some years later. There are plenty of interesting things and places to visit now.
Lets go!
Retire Overseas The Best Places To Retire In Asia
Choosing a place to serve as a retirement home is always a major decision for anyone. The right decision can lead to years of contentment, and a wrong one can be costly. In order to make the right decision, one needs to gather information about the various options before settling on one.Job Outlook – Since many people work at least part time after retirement, availability of jobs is required in the desired place.Cost Of Living – It should be affordable; preferably less than the cost of living in the U.S.Travel – It should be well connected to the other cities and towns and be easily accessible.Climate And Weather – this is a major factor that needs to be borne in mind while selecting a place for retirement.Food – A variety of food of all regions should be easily available at a reasonable cost.Consider Asia in your Retirement Location ChoicesBelow are some of the best places to retire in Asia:Malaysia is blessed with a pleasant, warm climate, inviting shorelines of white sands skirted by crystal clear waters. Lots of public and private hospitals, recreational/entertainment facilities and developed and quality education system are also available.Thailands reputation as a holiday paradise and an exotic, colorful and easygoing country is well deserved. To add to this, Thailand has a sophisticated and modern culture, fantastic sceneries, cheap shopping options, wonderful food and great nightlife.The Philippines are comprised of over 7,000 islands, with clear blue waters, white sand beaches and coconut palm trees. The climate is moderately warm all year. Day to day expenses are low, living is easy and the people are warm, friendly and helpful.Located in Southeast Asia, the tiny country of Laos is also a great retirement option for those looking for something different. The culture, lifestyle and mannerism of the people of Laos is greatly influenced by the Buddhist religion.India The country is rich in culture and traditions, the effect of which is clearly visible on its people who have distinctive manners, habits, and cuisine, relative to their specific geographical location.Copyright by Best Places to Retire and Alex R Valdivia
This article may be used freely in ezines, newsletters, websites, to offer as free bonus or part of a product for sale as long as no changes are made and the byline, copyright, active links and this resource box is included.
Travel destinations: The Philippines – Part 4
There is more to the Philippines than Imelda Marcos’ 3,000 pairs of shoes. This country is rich with breathtaking scenery, glorious food and friendly people.
Language
For a foreign visitor, it would not be difficult to find your way around as all the signs and directions are in English. Most of the people speak English, too, so if ever you find yourself lost, you will not have any troubles asking the next person.
Food
Filipino cuisine is not as spicy as Indian or the Thai curries. It is not laden with monosodium glutamate either like most Chinese dishes, either. Its heritage comes from Spanish but over the years, Filipinos have gladly made it their own. Full of flavour prepared with a smile!
Beaches
Boracay has been compared to the beaches in the Caribbean and have won! Divers have come back again and again to explore the richness of the marine life existing amongst the Philippine waters. With 7,100 islands, you’ll bound to find a paradise and feel right at home.
Party
Yes, Pinoys know how to party! Nightlife in the big cities features the best of Filipino talent by showcasing them in live shows and gigs. Dance the night away with world-class DJ spinning the decks.
And after all the excitement, one can wind down with a good massage served with all the care and gentle touch, Pinoy style!
Pattaya and Jomtien Beach – Thailand’s Twin Fun Paradises
The Kingdom of Thailand draws more visitors than any other country in south East Asia, with its irresistible combination of breathtaking natural beauty, inspiring temples, renowned hospitality, robust cuisine and ruins of ancient kingdoms. Pattaya and Jomtien Beach are considered by some as Thailand’s twin fun paradises based on their beaches, diving, windsurfing, island trips, numerous golf courses, and world renowned nightlife. Pattaya, and especially Jomtien, have been growing at a fast rate. Proof of Pattaya and Jomtien’s popularity is their forever-growing cosmopolitan flavor, with a large contingent of Expats from all over the world who have either settled and retired here, or invested in a holiday home. Many Expats could only have dreamt of buying a property here in Pattaya, looking over the ocean and waking up to the sea breezes, at a fraction of the cost that they would have paid in their home countries. The growth in the residential market has been further boosted by a demand for property from Pattaya locals and other Thai buyers due to the closeness to Bangkok. As a result of the new airport and continued improvements in infrastructure, more property developers are also entering the market to launch a variety of developments, including residential, international chain hotels and retail projects. Based on the number of property developments currently underway, its a clear indicator that this trend is set to continue.
One of the main advantages of living in Pattaya Jomtien Beach, apart from the climate and low cost of living, is their world class infrastructure. Many world travelers we have talked to are impressed with the infrastructure when compared to the Philippines, Costa Rica, and other exotic travel destinations. At Thailiving.net we have scoured the internet for the best information available on Pattaya Jomtien Beach and posted them on our website under “Useful Linksâ€. Our objective, similar to the Pattaya City Expats Club, is to make your stay in our ‘Paradise†as enjoyable as possible. We have divided our “Useful Links†into the following categories:
• Pattaya Festivals and Events
• Pattaya and Jomtien Beach Photos
• Pattaya Sports and Activities
• Pattaya Map
• Pattaya and Jomtien Beach Map
• Pattaya Expat Clubs and Forums
• Pattaya and Thailand Hospitals
• Pattaya Emergency Numbers
• Embassies and Consulates in Thailand
• Banks in Thailand
We hope you find this article as useful and informative as we had fun in researching it. To access the “Useful Links†webpage, please go to http://thailiving.net/pattaya_useful_links.htm
This article has been sponsored by http://thailiving.net/. A specialist in the Pattaya and Jomtien Real Estate market for condos and houses.
Porting To Puerto Galera
Are you looking for the best harbor in the world? Well, do not look too far because it is found just in the very heart of the Philippines and its name is Puerto Galera. This place was discovered in the early 16th centuries by Spaniards in the midst of typhoon and storm. This is a Y-Shaped peninsula found on the northern part of Mindoro Island. It is bounded on the North by Verde Island Passage and by Municipality of San Teodoro on the South.
Aside from the very strategic and wonderful location of Puerto Galera, its wonderful geographical features and notable history will surely attracts you to go and visit the place.
Puerto Galera is bounded by mountains that are covered with luscious and green tropical rainforest. Waterfalls and cool waters of rivers and beaches will surely make your vacation a memorable one. See the Tamaraw Waterfalls, take a deep bath on its waters. Experience its cool waters. Explore the jungles hidden on its tropical rainforest. Trek, hike and camp around and experience safari adventure in an Asian setting. Go and climb Mt. Malisimbo and have the adventure of your life. Visit Puerto Galera and you will rediscover and unveil the beauty of nature of the Philippines. Other interesting must see in Puerto Galera are the tamaraw that are native in the place.
Water is Puerto Galera’s noun! Experience water sports like scuba diving and snorkeling. Are you the type of person who loves water extreme adventure, well, Puerto Galera is the best place for you! Do kayaking, sailing or simply swim along the cool waters of Puerto Galera. Do wind surfing, experience how breathtaking Puerto Galera is. Your vacation will never be complete if you will not stroll around its crystal clear waters and white sand beaches. Do exciting gigs on dark on the shore.
One of the top beach resorts in Puerto Galera is the Atlantis Beach Resort. It is located 110 kilometers South of Manila.
Unwind at night at Big Apple’s 24-hour Bar ad Billiard located at Sabang Beach. This first class bar and resto offers a wide variety of local and imported drinks. Name it and you will surely have it and tale note, it is in reasonable prices! This bar also offers billiards tables where you can play with your family and friends. Experience Asian, European and other unique dishes because in Big Apple’s 24-hour Bar and Billiard these are just casual cuisines.
Put your self insane and crazy in the morning with the extreme sporting adventure. Feel the heat and excitement Puerto Galera can offer. See the breathtaking sceneries from the mountains or even while you are in the air with the available aircrafts and wind adventure. During the night feel the effervescence of the night outdoor activities. Party all night out! Feel the tropical atmosphere of Puerto Galera. Get hot and witty with the discos along the shore of the beaches.
Now, are you tempted to have a stay on Puerto Galera your next question should be “how will you get there?” Well, the most convenient and easiest way to get in Puerto Galera from Manila is by riding the ferry service. Arrange your transportation through Batangas Pier.
Nature and adventure – these are words that will surely suit to describe Puerto Galera!
Cruise Vacation is a ’sampler’ of Several Exotic Locations
To cruise or not to cruise – that’s a question many of our middle-age friends are asking. Most people think cruises are either a bunch of young people intent on 24/7 parties, or senior citizens enjoying their Golden years.
The truth is that most cruises fall somewhere in between, although there are cruise lines and destinations known to appeal to the very young or to the very old. We just came back from our second trip on Holland America Line – this time to the Western Caribbean – and we found both of those cruises to have a smattering of the young, a few more of the old, but a lot of people like us who were smack in the middle.
When friends ask us if they should try a cruise, we say by all means. We view cruising as a kind of sampler vacation – a week or 10 days in which you get to try several destinations and decide which ones you think you would enjoy visiting for an entire vacation period. The disadvantage for us is that we often feel like we would like to spend more time in a port when it’s time to leave.
But consider the advantages. With cruising, you never have to unpack your bags more than once, while the destinations change before your eyes. With most cruise lines, the meals are no-muss, no-fuss, always cooked and ready for you to eat when you’re hungry — and also when you’re not. Meals are usually covered in your fare, although alcoholic drinks are extra. Most onboard activities are covered and only shore excursions cost extra. Dining arrangements usually put you in situations where it’s easy to meet new friends.
Our most recent cruise was on the Veendam out of Tampa, Florida, visiting Cozumel, Mexico, Montego Bay, Jamaica and Grand Cayman Island. This seven-day itinerary was about the right combination of shore time — one day per destination – and cruising. The Veendam produces a program each day outlining the myriad of activities that are available for the passengers. The line-up is impressive – spa classes, yoga classes, culinary classes, shopping classes, art seminars, numerous games and recreational activities, live, high-quality entertainment in the theaters, pubs and restaurants — and even Catholic Mass.
Of special note to parents bringing children, Holland America Line makes Club Hal available to passengers who want to drop off their grade school-to-pre-teen kids. This was a hit with our seven-year-old who enjoyed the games and crafts but especially liked the idea of meeting new friends on board that were her own age. There is a separate meeting and program area for the teens.
On the Veendam, our “triple” stateroom gave us a couple of twin beds and a couch for our daughter to sleep on. With lots of closet and drawer space, the couple of hundred square feet didn’t seem particularly small. We didn’t have a veranda – or private outside balcony – but going with just a window saved us about $500 a week.
While a veranda is great to kick back in privacy, read a book and watch the ocean go by, we found an excellent substitute on the Veendam: Deck 6. This is the outdoor promenade deck which is lined with a single row of deck chairs perfect for watching the scenery. It’s also where we did our daily walking – four times around to walk a mile.
Days in port can be pre-planned by buying shore excursions such as boat trips, snorkeling trips and various sightseeing tours. We did do one snorkeling adventure – on the Nautilus “submarine” in Grand Cayman, which turned out to be an especially great way to see the abundant fish life in George Town Bay – but generally we preferred to not have any set schedule for our days in port. Our preference is to just walk the town on our own, taking taxis and local buses as necessary to see sights we has previously read about.
As you might expect, great beaches and warm-water swimming and snorkeling were plentiful in all three of these destinations. But each destination had its own flavor and attractions and we especially enjoyed such destinations as the Harbour Street Craft Market in Montego Bay – where we loved getting to know the local merchants and vendors – and Cozumel’s Chankanaab National Park, where there are beaches galore, giant iguanas run wild and even a pool where visitors can swim with dolphins. On Grand Cayman Island, we found the perfect snorkeling beach at Seven Mile Beach – ideal because the water was clear, the fish plentiful and the people sparse.
Back on the Veendam, the food was generally prepared to a high standard and we usually ate breakfast and lunch in the cafeteria-style Lido restaurant, and dinner in the Rotterdam dining room. There were three formal evenings – meaning everybody gets to dress up for dinner — with all other meals remaining casual. Interestingly, we overheard some older passengers complaining there was too much cafeteria dining, not enough formal – yet we probably would have preferred even fewer formal dinners. It’s hard to please all the people all the time.
With Holland America Line, there is a $10 charge each day that goes toward tipping your cabin attendant, waiters and others who have helped you during your stay on the ship. Frankly we were glad to pay it – the service was as good as any umpteen-star hotel we’ve visited, always cheerful and responsive. For decades, Holland America Line has been recruiting most of the ship’s workers from Indonesia and the Philippines – even to the point of establishing training facilities in those areas – and it seems to be a great marriage. Second and third generation workers are happy to follow in their parents’ footsteps and Holland America Line continues to score high with passengers in the category of service.
One thing our friends sometimes ask about is this whole thing about people getting sick while cruising. Indeed, with news stories cropping up from time to time about illness aboard cruise ships – including one very recent episode on a San Diego-based ship – it’s only natural that prospective passengers want to know if they’ll be safe on the high seas. Television, newspapers and the internet jump on the story and you can almost feel the air being squeezed out of the industry as cruise companies try to unring the bell of negative publicity.
On this most recent cruise, we spent some time with the captain and his executive staff talking about the precautions that Holland America Line employees (and indeed most cruise lines) take to prevent an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness. The captain and his staff explained that, once a virus breaks out, it’s quite difficult and time-consuming to purify an entire ship. And so Holland America Line for some time has been waging a pro-active battle – what they call a “Code Yellow” alert – that encourages passengers to wash their hands frequently and avoid physical contact with other passengers. The Veendam greeting, the captain said – only half joking – is to touch elbows, not shake hands.
Indeed, before we even stepped on board the Veendam, we had already been told to wash our hands using one of dozens of Purell dispensers placed all around the ship. Every time we went to eat, dispensers were at the ready. And we noticed railings on the ship were scrubbed and polished many times each day just to avoid transferring germs.
AT A GLANCE
WHERE: Holland America Line’s Veendam currently is cruising out of Tampa, Florida. This particular trip included destinations in the Western Caribbean.
WHAT: Cruising, whether the Caribbean, the Mexican Rivera or anywhere else in the world is getting even more popular with baby-boomers who enjoy the amenities and convenience.
WHEN: Any time of the year, depending on your destination. Cruise lines generally re-position ships to take advantage of increased passenger interest for certain destinations during certain seasons.
WHY: Cruising, in a word, is convenient. Today’s ships are so large there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. Cruising also is a way for you to sample several destinations in one short trip without having to pack and unpack bags at each stop..
HOW: For more information on Holland America Line cruises, phone 877-SAIL-HAL or visit www.hollandamerica.com.
WMSU Socialization 2007 (TOKYO DRIFT)
DISCOhAN SA WMSU GYM.. just a snap from “IVAN J CHIONG” a student of WMSU BSN
Fields Ave Angeles City Philippines
Shots from the Birds of Paradise in the heart of Fields Avenue in 1989
Top 3 Destinations In The Philippines
The Philippines is an archipelago, having 7, 107 islands, and is abundant in nature, warm people, natural wonders, and filled with pleasant discoveries. Philippines is now considered as one of the top destination in the world, having 1.5 million foreign tourist arrivals for the first semester this year.
With hundreds of destinations in the country, the top 3 on my list are the following:
1. Boracay
Boracay is located in the northwest corner of Panay Island that belongs to the Visayas island group of central Philippines in the Pacific. It is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, and now, became an international destination too. The White Beach and Bulabog Beach are just the two primary tourism beaches, which are located on opposite sides of the island.
Aside from taking dip of the crystal blue water, you can also take a boat around the island, hire a motorbike or scooter to explore the place, or go horse back riding, and experience the native villages and sceneries that usual visitors don’t do.
And, did I tell you that Boracay has one of the most beautiful sunsets? Well, you don’t surely want to miss it. And, the fun doesn’t end there yet, since Boracay nightlife is pulsating with so many bars and restaurants around that will give you fun until dawn.
2. Bohol
Located in the Central Visayas region, Bohol is the home of hospitable and warm people. Boholanos, as what the natives are called, are very proud of the natural wonders that are bestowed in the island. To name a few, it is the home of the famous Chocolate Hills! Imagine seeing no less than 1268 hills, that are uniform in shape and will turn chocolate brown during summer, and from which the name was derived. You can also see the Tarsiers, one of the smallest known primates and be amazed when they turned their heads by 180 degrees.
Bohol is also blessed with a numerous white sand beaches, and Panglao Island is one of the famous destinations, having powdery sand. It has a large number of top class diving sites, which both foreign and local divers would consider it as diver’s haven.
3. Palawan
Palawan is located in the Western Visayas Region and the islands stretches from Mindoro to Borneo in the southwest. The place is for adventure seekers and nature lovers and its famous for its marine sanctuaries, white sand beaches, and exotic wildlife.
One of the “a-must-see” in Palawan is the Tabon Cave. It is a 138-hectares, of rugged cliffs and deep slopes. Because of its importance to Philippine History and heritage, the site was declared a Museum Reservation Site by virtue by the Philippine Government.
Another is the El Nido marine reserve. The scenic landscapes, crystal clear waters and the isolation from the big crowd of the city usually attracts and fascinates the travelers of the place. Kayaking, snorkeling, diving, hiking to the peak of the island, bird watching, sunbathing in a white beach are just some of the activities you can enjoy.
There are still a lot of things that Philippines offers, and it’s just there, waiting to be discovered. So, travel in the Philippines now!
