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Have Fun at the Boracay International Beach Festival

  • Posted on October 31, 2011 at 4:49 pm

Boracay Island is one of the many tourist destinations in the Philippines. It is located in the Western Visayas region of the country and boasts of its many features including the spectacular beauty of nature, excellent hotel accommodations, and a number of exhilarating activities that both Filipino and foreign tourists may engage in.

One of those stimulating activities conducted on the island is the Boracay International Beach Festival which is held in October on an annual basis. This festival is one of the reasons why many tourists visit the island during this time of the year.

One of the highlights of the Boracay International Beach Festival is the cultural shows presented by the locals. This type of presentations allows foreigners to understand the culture and heritage of the people of Boracay. Moreover, it allows locals to rekindle the traditions that were passed on to them by their ancestors. These cultural shows include dance presentations, song numbers, and drama.

The Boracay International Beach Festival also includes exciting beach games that are enjoyed not only by Filipino and foreign tourists but also by locals. These include the ever-famous beach volleyball, beach frisbee, and kayaking, among other things. These games are the reason why many tourists who love sports fly to the island this time of the year.

Of course, just like in any other festivals, the Boracay International Beach Festival will not be complete without a food festival. The food festival showcases various specialty dishes originating not only from Boracay but from the entire province of Aklan. Some of these dishes are grilled fish and chicken marinated in spicy vinegar, chicken with banana pith, and broiled tuna in bamboo sticks.

The Boracay International Beach Festival serves as an event being conducted by Boracay authorities on annual basis to express their gratitude to locals and tourists who contribute to the island’s economic growth. This is the main reason why the festival features various types of activities, so it can cater to various types of people. The Boracay International Beach Festival is not only for people who enjoy beach games, but it is also for people who love history and for people who love to try different types of food.

The organizers of the Boracay International Beach Festival do not charge any entrance fee. However, tourists and locals who are interested in participating in the activities are nonetheless advised to allot a budget to ensure an ultimate festival experience in Boracay.

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Places to See In Davao

  • Posted on October 29, 2011 at 8:59 pm

Have you been planning to go sightseeing in Davao? Here are some places that you shouldn’t miss.

Let’s have a quick tour of Davao, the gateway to southern Mindanao, Philippines.

Davao is found in southern Mindanao or Region XI of the Philippines. It is comprised of four provinces – Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental and the Compostela Valley. It’s regional centre is Davao City.

In Davao Oriental prepare for a breathtaking experience when you reach the 338 meter high majestic cascading water of Aliwagwag Falls in Cateel. It is 360 kilometers from Davao City and accessible by bus or vans. Not too far from the area is a forest that cradles the burial site of the Lumads or Mandaya tribe.

Moving on, we go to the next province northwest of Davao Oriental which is Compostela Valley. Here we can find Maragusan, another haven with its cool weather, springs and waterfalls. This is where the Agusan River starts its journey towards the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary.

On the west side of the Compostela Valley we will find Davao del Norte. Here we find The Philippine Eagle Research and Nature Center in the rainforest of Malagos, Calinan. It is the home of the organization set out to save the Philippine eagle or Pithecophaga jefferyi. The Philippine eagle is known as the tallest, one of the two largest eagles in terms of weight, and holds the record for wingspan that can exceed to eight feet.

From Davao del Norte we go to Digos City, Davao del Sur. You can take a public van or motorcycle transport also known as the “habal-habal” to get to Kapatagan. From there find a ride going to Sitio Marawer. You can start hiking to go to Mt. Apo which is the highest mountain in the Philippines and Southeast Asia’s second highest with a peak of 10,311 feet. Mt. Apo is known as the kingdom of the mountain god Apo Sandawa. The best time to climb is during the summer.

The beautiful beaches of Davao are worth the trip especially if you want to relax after going around the area. You can take a dip at the water, go snorkelling, scuba diving, and Dolphin or whale watching. You can play golf in two of the country’s famous 18-hole golf courses – Lanang Gold and Country Club or the Apo Golf and Country Club. If you’re more adventurous you can go white water rafting.

Other places to see are the Crocodile Park, the bat cave in Kamudmud, the Pearl Farm Beach Resort, the T’boli Weaving Center and the Saukegee Cave where pre-Hispanic porcelain jars were found.

For souvenirs you can go shopping for fine artworks, handicrafts and handmade products made by the indigenous tribes of Atas, Bagobos, Kalagans, Mandayas, Mangguangans, Mansakas, and the Tagakaolos or visit Davao in August to witness the Kalibongan Festival where the old rituals of the Manobo tribe as well as their sports, songs and dances are presented.

After going around, you can recharge with the fresh seafood, the famous Durian fruit and other specialties in the different and many restaurants and bars in Davao and come out graciously full not only of food but of memories of the beautiful places in Davao.

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What to Do in Sorsogon

  • Posted on October 29, 2011 at 4:19 pm

There are a lot of activities in Sorsogon, Philippines that will entertain visitors, both the veteran jet setter and the first time tourist. The colors and vibrancy of life in this city is certain to arouse the curiosity of visitors and captivate them.

Those who come to the country very frequently will quickly realize that fiestas are held in virtually every barangay in every province, and Sorsogon is no exception. The Hin-ay Festival is held in honor of Saint Michael the Archangel, and the main features of the event are the colorful floats, a trade fair, and several cooking contests.

The Ginubat Festival is another popular fiesta that has its roots in the history of the town of Gubat. At the beginning of March there is the Butanding Arribada Festival heralding the return of the Butanding (whale shark). Joining these fiestas are among the most popular of the many activities in Sorsogon, Philippines you can do.

While not known as being a commercial center, there are actually some shopping centers that you can visit in the city to buy goods, souvenirs or other items. The Sorsogon Shopping Center is one of the premiere destinations for buying clothes, eyewear, various accessories, and even local delicacies. There are also some eateries nearby.

The LKY Mall offers Internet access and also has some of the most popular fast food joints in the country. There is also a drug store there in case you need some medication. Other popular stores here include Galoso Handicrafts, the Sorsogon Pasalubong Center and Jemm Heart Store.

The activities in Sorsogon, Philippines extend to its beautiful natural surroundings. The Bulusan Mountain National Park is where you can go on a trekking adventure. There are plenty of jungles and forests to go to, and there are caves to explore as well. You can get a nice view of the mountains and the surrounding areas by going on a bike.

There is also the Mateo Hot and Cold Springs Resorts, which is becoming one of the more popular places of relaxation. The area itself is close to a lot of rivers, lakes and streams so you can take leisurely strolls there.

Of course, watching out for the Butanding or whale shark is high on the priority list of activities in Sorsogon, Philippines. The best place to catch a glimpse of these creatures is at Donsol, a small town some 70 km from the capital. Aside from whale shark watching, you can also go diving in any number of fine dive sites, among them Manta Bowl, Matnog Island, Calintaan Island and Subic Island.

There are also several lovely beaches, including Rizal Beach, Dancalan, Sabang, and Libanon. The sands, the view of the sunsets, and the refreshing waters here are truly among the finest not just in the region, but in the entire country.

With the activities in Sorsogon, Philippines, it has, to no one’s surprise, become one of the most popular destinations come summertime. If you have not been here before, you are missing on quite a lot.

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Taking a Trip to Club Paradise Resort

  • Posted on October 28, 2011 at 5:51 pm

Club Paradise Resort is located in Dimakya Island, Coron, Palawan. This island resort is the abode of various animals such as Calamian deer, eagles, night herons, monitor lizards, to name just a few. As part of the Calamian Group of Islands, it is sprawled on a 19 hectare piece of land surrounded by white sand and turquoise waters.

Club Paradise Resort Palawan is the ideal place for people looking for a place where they can unwind while having the time of their lives. Most of the activities in Club Paradise take place in the clubhouse which is an alternative for indulging in other activities. It provides services to guests such as baby sitting, ticket reservation and reconfirmation, flight booking, guided tours, and others.

In addition, the clubhouse has centers that cater to the needs of both the adventurous and sports minded guests. They can take advantage of free indoor games such as billiards, table tennis, and darts. Likewise, they can indulge in outdoor activities such as beach volleyball, hiking, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, and others. They can learn how to dive by enrolling in courses supervised by PADI certified diving instructors. They can also take their lunch at the various picnic groves within the island.

Moreover, Club Paradise Resort in Palawan has an in-house library perfect for guests who would like to catch up on the latest news, read books in various languages, or boost their knowledge about marine life and species. It has a video room where travelers can watch old and new movies. Aside from that, it has a business center that offers Internet access to guests.

Club Paradise Resort Palawan also has a reflexology center where guests can have massage therapy sessions provided they make the necessary arrangements with the Front Desk. The massage center operates from 10:30 am until 7:00 pm.

Furthermore, Club Paradise Resort has a bar providing a wide range of wines and liquors. Friendly bartenders can concoct cocktail drinks and mixed beverages. The bar begins its operations at 7 am and continues until there is the very last customer leaves.

Finally, there is a restaurant that serves delicious Filipino and international dishes at the al-fresco inspired restaurant. Breakfast is available from 6 am to 9 am in the morning, lunch is served from 12 noon to 2 pm, and dinner is available from 7 pm to 9 pm. The restaurant serves food during cultural presentations and entertainment shows for the pleasure of their guests.

In the end, Club Paradise Resort Palawan can serve as one’s sanctuary away from home. And this is just one of the many places Palawan has to offer.

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Makati Taxis

  • Posted on October 26, 2011 at 9:55 pm

If there’s anything that’s most notable in Makati, it’s that you can find a lot of cabs running about all over the place. Riding a taxi is one of the main forms of transportation in Makati because jeepneys cannot travel its little streets just as it can on other parts of Manila. Cabs are all over the place, but just as they are there are also some important things which you need to remember.

Two Ways of Riding a Taxi in Makati

Hailing cabs can be sometimes easy and sometimes difficult in Makati. This is especially true if you have hit the rush hour in the morning and afternoon or if you are within the vicinity during a rainy weather. People there are all prepared to ride a taxi so expect much competition for cabs. Sometimes, it also does not help that you stand by the streets because most of the cabs that pass you by already have passengers inside of them.

One of the ways you can successfully ride a taxi in Makati is by looking for those taxi drop-off points. Here you will notice that a line is formed but that is okay, because these drop-off points always get cabs everytime. Makati is known for its strict street and traffic rules and so there are really specified places where cabs are allowed to load and unload their passengers. Take note of this. Should you be in a hurry and won’t have the luxury of time to wait in line, you can also phone any taxi company within Makati. So the next time you ride a cab, make sure you take note of the numbers or you can also contact the local directory to give you some Makati cabs you can phone.

What to Watch Out For

Although cabs in Makati City are plenty, there are also some which can take advantage of you. So never ride a taxi when the driver would not let his meter speak for itself regarding the payment you will make in the end. Cabs have a habit of “contracting” their passengers, meaning there’s a pre-agreed amount before the driver will agree to take you to your destination. Do not agree on this because most of the time, you can end up paying more for how much the fare should have cost with the use of a taxi meter. Always see to it that the meter gets pressed before your taxi finally drives off.

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Information Regarding the Natalia Apartelle

  • Posted on October 26, 2011 at 7:15 pm

The Natalia Apartelle, a three-star lodging facility in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines, provides local and foreign guests that are mindful of their vacation budget a safe and comfortable place that they can stay and afford.

Aside from that, the location of the apartelle makes it easier for visitors to travel around and enjoy the different tourist locations near the facility.

Rooms

The Natalia Apartelle offers more than a dozen rooms to guests and they are available in two variations; the Standard Room and the Deluxe Room. The 1st type of room is worth 1,600 pesos per night and the latter one is worth 2,000 pesos per night.

Each type of room offers different amenities like air-condition, a small functional kitchen where hotel guests can prepare their own food. If they do not want to cook their own meal, there is a refrigerator in the room that is filled with different food and beverages.

The rooms also offer hot and cold water, cable television, twenty-four/seven hotel security, laundry service and web access. The establishment is also armed with a power generator to ensure that the electricity in the apartelle will not be interrupted and that any blackout will not cause discomfort to hotel guests. The facility’s officials also installed a fire alarm in case of emergencies like fire, earthquake and others.

Amenities

Aside from the services that guests can take advantage of in their rooms, Natalia Apartelle offers a small store in their lobby that tourists can buy food that they need while staying in the hotel.

There is also a bar that offers coffee, which is an excellent way for guests to begin the day. With the apartelle located near Fields Avenue, guests are just minutes away from the different parks that are located in the area and they can also walk around and visit the different tourist spots, retail stores, theaters and restaurants in the CSEZ (Clark Special Economic Zone).

Some of the tourist areas in near Natalia are the Bayanihan Park, the different golf courses, the GoCarts, Fort Stotsenburg and others.

Contact Information

The apartelle is located at Fields Avenue, Balibago District, Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines. For tourists planning to stay at the facility, the establishment is adjacent to the Insomnia.

For reservations, guests can call (63)(45)8920661 or (63)(45)6256278. For additional inquiries, guests can also email napartelle@yahoo.com or visit natalia.fuseat.com. The credit cards that are accepted at the facility are MasterCard, Visa, Amex and JCB.

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Summer Place in Baguio, Philippines

  • Posted on October 25, 2011 at 1:12 pm

Known as one of the most inviting hospitality service providers in Baguio City, Summer Place is a three-star lodging facility that takes pride on its stylish architecture and classy interior design. Many people stay in this place because it has well maintained facilities that guests can use for their recreation or leisure. For the convenience of guests, it plays home to View Deck Café and Restaurant, which they can visit especially if they crave for American, Japanese, and Filipino dishes. Meanwhile, for banquets and special events, people can reserve and rent any of the available function rooms and convention halls. In general, these facilities are equipped with audiovisual equipment like overhead projector and DVD players.

For those who need to do some tasks involving the use of the Internet, they can spend time at its business center where they can use computers that have reliable Internet connection. For the enjoyment of children, this Baguio hotel features Kids Station. Moreover, for the relaxation and rejuvenation of adults, Summer Place features Power Gym and offers massage services. Above all, for the convenience of guests, the staff of this place offers basic but useful services like laundry and dry cleaning, air transfer, and housekeeping services.

When it comes to accommodations, people can have comfortable sleeps at any of the eight types of guestrooms available at this Baguio hotel. Rates at Single Standard Rooms and Triple Standard Rooms range from 2,400 pesos to 3,000 pesos. On the other hand, those who want to experience luxury can occupy any of these suites, Double Suite, Twin Suite, Triple Suite, Family Suite, Junior Suite, and Presidential Suite, which feature special amenities like bathtubs, mini bars, and kitchenettes. For the price range of 5,000 pesos to 13,000 pesos, guests can have luxurious stays at these rooms.

Situated at 288 Marcos Highway in Baguio City, Summer Place is very near to famous tourist attractions and destinations in the area such as Burnham Park, Baguio Cathedral, and Session Road. There are also nearby souvenir shops and retail stores that visitors at this lodging facility can visit if they are looking for affordable keepsakes.

For inquiries, suggestions, and complaints, guests are encouraged to call the management and staff of Summer Place at the telephone line (074)-446-0560. Likewise, they can also try contacting its alternate phone line (074)-446-5400. Moreover, if they have ample time to surf the Internet, it is best to check the hotel’s website for a chance to get a closer glance at its various facilities, services, and room rates.

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