I love Philippines! Beautiful women, beautiful islands, beaches, mountains, diversity of wildlife species, and marinelife as well. Nature tripping and even shopping and entertainment!
Watch this video from Bestdestination
Source
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Palawan now on list of high-end adventure travel destinations
From Experience Philippines
Mountain Travel Sobek and Wilderness Travel, two of the leading global international tour operators, have included Palawan in their list of high-end adventure travel destinations. With this inclusion, Palawan is now among the destination offerings of leading tour companies in the world alongside the Mt. Everest and Machu Picchu treks, the Kilimanjaro and Alps climbs, and other highly specialized tours. “Being on the list of these tour operators means that the industry can meet the expectations of more discerning travellers,” Philippine Department of Tourism Secretary Joseph H. Durano said. “This proves that the Philippines has what it takes to be on the map of top-quality adventure destinations,” he added.
Mountain Travel Sobek and Wilderness Travel are considered pioneers in adventure travel packages, which range from hiking and camping expeditions to photography sessions in wildlife areas. Foreign travellers are now being lured to try kayaking and snorkelling in the Calamian archipelago and in equally stunning islands in Palawan.
On its web page on the Calamian kayaking trip, Mountain Travel Sobek invites adventurers to “discover spectacular tropical wilderness scenery, wild primary rainforest, secluded sandy coves, and golden, empty beaches, all while experiencing perfect paddling conditions in crystal-clear turquoise waters and unparalleled snorkelling in coral gardens.” The package takes 11 days and costs around US$4,500 per person.
Wilderness Travel includes snorkelling in Palawan under its WT New Exploratory Expeditions for 2008. Destinations under this offering are considered the favourite places of WT’s tour experts who designed the trips with adventurers in mind. According to Secretary Durano, the islands of Palawan have always been a favourite of diving enthusiasts and those looking for the perfect island getaway with its balanced ecological system and well-preserved natural resources.
The Calamian Group of Islands, Palawan
Extending southwesterly toward the direction of Palawan Island from Mindoro Island is the Calamian Group of Islands or Calamianes. It is said to be a concentrated version of the rest of Palawan where you can find all the attractions of the island-province packed into a much smaller space: white-sand beaches, great adventure activity sites, private islands, dense rainforest and comfortable resorts. In addition, the islands boast of several attractions that cannot be found in the rest of Calamianes PhilippinesPalawan, including the crystal-clear lakes of Coron Island and some of the best wreck diving sites in the world. The Calamianes is an adventure-sports paradise where one can go snorkelling and diving in the shipwrecks littering the bottom of the pristine Coron Bay, mingle with the local Tagbanua people— who gather swallows’ nests from the islands’ limestone caves, and go kayaking around towering limestone cliffs and saltwater lakes where one may even chance across an endangered Philippine dugong, a close relative of the manatee. The island group is also a birdwatchers’ paradise as its vast Dipterocarp forests are home to a number of endangered and endemic birds including the Tabon bird, talking Mynahs, Palawan Peacock pheasant, Philippine cockatoo, Palawan Hornbill, the Palawan Flowerpecker, the Yellow Throated Leafbird, the White Vented Shama and the Blue Paradise-Flycatcher.
The Calamianes consists of 98 islands spread out in an area totalling 1,750 sq km (680 sq mi). Of volcanic origin, it is largely mountainous and forested, but has fertile areas yielding rice, sugarcane, tobacco, and tropical fruits. Important industries in the islands are cattle raising and fishing. The archipelago is recognized as one of the last unspoiled marine Calamines Palawanenvironments and animal habitats in the world. Fortunately, the area has begun to benefit from public and private environmental preservation efforts.
Easily accessible from Manila, flights from Manila to Busuanga, the main island in the Calamianes, take just 65 minutes.
Island Hopping
The Calamian Island group is among the most beautiful regions in the country and ringing with tiny islands. The major islands in the Calamian group are Busuanga, Coron and Culion.
BUSUANGA ISLAND,
The biggest of the island group, serves as the jumping point to all different activities and links to the other island. Included in its places of interest are: "Asia’s biggest Cattle Ranch," the YKR or the Yulo-King Ranch; the Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary, established as a private refuge ground for imported animal species from Africa like giraffes and zebras, and other indigenous animals like the Palawan bearcat and the Calamian mousedeer are kept and bred; Busuanga River, a great place to paddle a kayak to experience an ecosystem which is said to be reminiscent of the Amazon; Maquinit Hotspring; and Coron Town, located at the southern part of Busuanga island and haven for wreck divers, because of its "Japanese Wrecks" sunk during WWII.
Two kilometers southeast of Coron Town, is CORON ISLAND. It covers an area of approximately 75 km with a length of about 20 km. It is the ancestral land of the indigenous people of the TAGBANUA tribe, who generally subsists on fishing and edible birds nest gathering. Coron Island’s topography is highlighted by dramatic limestone crags, which rise from the water edge and valley floors to sheer vertical heights to 625 meters above sea level. These "karst" were formed 260 million years ago as coral reefs in a shallow sea running the length of Southeast Asia, and uplifted by tectonic plates movements 30 million years from Guilin, China to Sarawak, Borneo.
CULION ISLAND,
Used to be an old Spanish colony before it was declared a leper colony. The main island and around 13 islands consisted what used to be a reservation, but it is now an emerging municipality. Worth visiting in Culion town is the Museum and the Catholic Church built on top of an old Spanish fort, along the east coast. On the southeastern part of the island lies the Dicabaito Channel which is the location of white sand beaches and coral reefs whose crystal clear water is best for all kinds of water activities. On the western part of the island is the well known Halsey Harbor named after "Admiral "Bull" Halsey" where one can find the most diverse or the most number of varieties of healthy mangrove forests in the entire Calamianes— an awesome channel that link the sea to the fresh water river.
To read more and see more pictures go to
Experience Philippines
SOURCE
===========================
I love Palawan! That's why I wanted to share this place with you!
Mountain Travel Sobek and Wilderness Travel, two of the leading global international tour operators, have included Palawan in their list of high-end adventure travel destinations. With this inclusion, Palawan is now among the destination offerings of leading tour companies in the world alongside the Mt. Everest and Machu Picchu treks, the Kilimanjaro and Alps climbs, and other highly specialized tours. “Being on the list of these tour operators means that the industry can meet the expectations of more discerning travellers,” Philippine Department of Tourism Secretary Joseph H. Durano said. “This proves that the Philippines has what it takes to be on the map of top-quality adventure destinations,” he added.
Mountain Travel Sobek and Wilderness Travel are considered pioneers in adventure travel packages, which range from hiking and camping expeditions to photography sessions in wildlife areas. Foreign travellers are now being lured to try kayaking and snorkelling in the Calamian archipelago and in equally stunning islands in Palawan.
On its web page on the Calamian kayaking trip, Mountain Travel Sobek invites adventurers to “discover spectacular tropical wilderness scenery, wild primary rainforest, secluded sandy coves, and golden, empty beaches, all while experiencing perfect paddling conditions in crystal-clear turquoise waters and unparalleled snorkelling in coral gardens.” The package takes 11 days and costs around US$4,500 per person.
Wilderness Travel includes snorkelling in Palawan under its WT New Exploratory Expeditions for 2008. Destinations under this offering are considered the favourite places of WT’s tour experts who designed the trips with adventurers in mind. According to Secretary Durano, the islands of Palawan have always been a favourite of diving enthusiasts and those looking for the perfect island getaway with its balanced ecological system and well-preserved natural resources.
The Calamian Group of Islands, Palawan
Extending southwesterly toward the direction of Palawan Island from Mindoro Island is the Calamian Group of Islands or Calamianes. It is said to be a concentrated version of the rest of Palawan where you can find all the attractions of the island-province packed into a much smaller space: white-sand beaches, great adventure activity sites, private islands, dense rainforest and comfortable resorts. In addition, the islands boast of several attractions that cannot be found in the rest of Calamianes PhilippinesPalawan, including the crystal-clear lakes of Coron Island and some of the best wreck diving sites in the world. The Calamianes is an adventure-sports paradise where one can go snorkelling and diving in the shipwrecks littering the bottom of the pristine Coron Bay, mingle with the local Tagbanua people— who gather swallows’ nests from the islands’ limestone caves, and go kayaking around towering limestone cliffs and saltwater lakes where one may even chance across an endangered Philippine dugong, a close relative of the manatee. The island group is also a birdwatchers’ paradise as its vast Dipterocarp forests are home to a number of endangered and endemic birds including the Tabon bird, talking Mynahs, Palawan Peacock pheasant, Philippine cockatoo, Palawan Hornbill, the Palawan Flowerpecker, the Yellow Throated Leafbird, the White Vented Shama and the Blue Paradise-Flycatcher.
The Calamianes consists of 98 islands spread out in an area totalling 1,750 sq km (680 sq mi). Of volcanic origin, it is largely mountainous and forested, but has fertile areas yielding rice, sugarcane, tobacco, and tropical fruits. Important industries in the islands are cattle raising and fishing. The archipelago is recognized as one of the last unspoiled marine Calamines Palawanenvironments and animal habitats in the world. Fortunately, the area has begun to benefit from public and private environmental preservation efforts.
Easily accessible from Manila, flights from Manila to Busuanga, the main island in the Calamianes, take just 65 minutes.Island Hopping
The Calamian Island group is among the most beautiful regions in the country and ringing with tiny islands. The major islands in the Calamian group are Busuanga, Coron and Culion.
BUSUANGA ISLAND,
The biggest of the island group, serves as the jumping point to all different activities and links to the other island. Included in its places of interest are: "Asia’s biggest Cattle Ranch," the YKR or the Yulo-King Ranch; the Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary, established as a private refuge ground for imported animal species from Africa like giraffes and zebras, and other indigenous animals like the Palawan bearcat and the Calamian mousedeer are kept and bred; Busuanga River, a great place to paddle a kayak to experience an ecosystem which is said to be reminiscent of the Amazon; Maquinit Hotspring; and Coron Town, located at the southern part of Busuanga island and haven for wreck divers, because of its "Japanese Wrecks" sunk during WWII.
Two kilometers southeast of Coron Town, is CORON ISLAND. It covers an area of approximately 75 km with a length of about 20 km. It is the ancestral land of the indigenous people of the TAGBANUA tribe, who generally subsists on fishing and edible birds nest gathering. Coron Island’s topography is highlighted by dramatic limestone crags, which rise from the water edge and valley floors to sheer vertical heights to 625 meters above sea level. These "karst" were formed 260 million years ago as coral reefs in a shallow sea running the length of Southeast Asia, and uplifted by tectonic plates movements 30 million years from Guilin, China to Sarawak, Borneo.
CULION ISLAND,
Used to be an old Spanish colony before it was declared a leper colony. The main island and around 13 islands consisted what used to be a reservation, but it is now an emerging municipality. Worth visiting in Culion town is the Museum and the Catholic Church built on top of an old Spanish fort, along the east coast. On the southeastern part of the island lies the Dicabaito Channel which is the location of white sand beaches and coral reefs whose crystal clear water is best for all kinds of water activities. On the western part of the island is the well known Halsey Harbor named after "Admiral "Bull" Halsey" where one can find the most diverse or the most number of varieties of healthy mangrove forests in the entire Calamianes— an awesome channel that link the sea to the fresh water river.To read more and see more pictures go to
Experience Philippines
SOURCE
===========================
I love Palawan! That's why I wanted to share this place with you!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Google searches reveal top tourist spots
abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - Beaches or water sports destinations are popular this year, based on internet search data by Google Inc.
In Google's Zeitgeist (German for "spirit of the times"), a collection of top items searched on the internet by users from a particular area, the company identified the "fastest-rising travel destinations" in the Philippines.
Topping the list are beach destinations like Baler in Quezon province, a budding surfing hotspot; Coron town in Palawan, which is dotted with lagoons, caves, and rare fauna; as well as El Nido, also in Palawan, which is home to the posh El Nido Resort complex.
Filipino internet users who searched for travel destinations in the Philippines were also specific about the leisure areas they favored.
Resorts that made it to the Top 10 in the Zeitgeist travel list were the Acuatico Beach Resort in Batangas, 8 Waves Waterpark and Hotel in Bulacan, the Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC) in Camarines Sur, and the Amana Resort also in Bulacan.
All of these destinations offer a variety of liesure sports including wakeboarding, waterskiing and wakeskating.
'Boracay' makes way for other travel spots?
Another rising star in the travel world is reportedly the Anawangin Cove in Zambales, a crescent-shaped enclave nestled in the San Antonio Mountains.
The Anawangin Cove is known for its pristine sands, clear waters and a virtually undeveloped landscape.
Also a favorite among internet users is the Canyon Cove Resort in Batangas. The facility boasts of a waterfront palatial complex built on both mountains and the seaside with a gigantic pool.
The area, with its Malibu-esque feel, is reportedly a popular spot for weddings, pre-nuptial celebrations or long holidays.
Also figuring in the Google travel zeitgeist is the search keyword "eco park", of which there are a handful all over the Philippines.
The list, which is compiled from over bilions of search queries on Google each year, "highlights the top trends of 2009", according to a company statement.
Lists are automatically generated per country or worldwide, and within a specific time frame.
At times, the search results are helped along by companies that improve a certain web site's searchability through "search engine optimization."
Apart from travel destinations, Google had also compiled Filipinos' top search queries for Philippine celebrities, music, news events and even for 2010 presidential candidates.
SOURCE
======================================
Philippines is really a great place! There are a lot of tourist destinations, not to mention the diversity of plants and animals in the country.
MANILA, Philippines - Beaches or water sports destinations are popular this year, based on internet search data by Google Inc.
In Google's Zeitgeist (German for "spirit of the times"), a collection of top items searched on the internet by users from a particular area, the company identified the "fastest-rising travel destinations" in the Philippines.
Topping the list are beach destinations like Baler in Quezon province, a budding surfing hotspot; Coron town in Palawan, which is dotted with lagoons, caves, and rare fauna; as well as El Nido, also in Palawan, which is home to the posh El Nido Resort complex.
Filipino internet users who searched for travel destinations in the Philippines were also specific about the leisure areas they favored.
Resorts that made it to the Top 10 in the Zeitgeist travel list were the Acuatico Beach Resort in Batangas, 8 Waves Waterpark and Hotel in Bulacan, the Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC) in Camarines Sur, and the Amana Resort also in Bulacan.
All of these destinations offer a variety of liesure sports including wakeboarding, waterskiing and wakeskating.
'Boracay' makes way for other travel spots?
Another rising star in the travel world is reportedly the Anawangin Cove in Zambales, a crescent-shaped enclave nestled in the San Antonio Mountains.
The Anawangin Cove is known for its pristine sands, clear waters and a virtually undeveloped landscape.
Also a favorite among internet users is the Canyon Cove Resort in Batangas. The facility boasts of a waterfront palatial complex built on both mountains and the seaside with a gigantic pool.
The area, with its Malibu-esque feel, is reportedly a popular spot for weddings, pre-nuptial celebrations or long holidays.
Also figuring in the Google travel zeitgeist is the search keyword "eco park", of which there are a handful all over the Philippines.
The list, which is compiled from over bilions of search queries on Google each year, "highlights the top trends of 2009", according to a company statement.
Lists are automatically generated per country or worldwide, and within a specific time frame.
At times, the search results are helped along by companies that improve a certain web site's searchability through "search engine optimization."
Apart from travel destinations, Google had also compiled Filipinos' top search queries for Philippine celebrities, music, news events and even for 2010 presidential candidates.
El Nido, Palawan
Baler
SOURCE
======================================
Philippines is really a great place! There are a lot of tourist destinations, not to mention the diversity of plants and animals in the country.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Asiana Airlines expands Happy Mom services
The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines - Following high demand and appreciation from travelers, Asiana Airlines (OZ) has expanded its Happy Mom services, a unique set of services for passengers traveling with infants. Happy Mom services include exclusive check-in counters for those with infants, free breastfeeding covers, free infant slings inside the cabin, and cabin baby seat installation and rental.
Over 1,000 families have utilized the services since its launch last month in 10 international airports. Happy Mom services were initially available in the Asiana hub Incheon International Airport and in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, London, Frankfurt, Paris, and Sydney.
“With the steady rise of international travel, families with infants are also on a steady increase. According to the 2008 boarding results, around 20,000 infants boarded the planes. It is highly anticipated that the Happy Mom services will have a good response. We will increase the services to all our international destinations starting next year,” said Asiana Airlines Airport Services vice president Joo Yong-Suk.
Asiana will now offer the services in 66 international airports, and in long-haul flights of up to 10 hours. For other airports that Asiana operates in, passengers can request the service from the Asiana airport manager. The Happy Mom services have also been extended to children up to 36 months of age. The Asiana Lounge in Incheon has also now opened its doors and is allowing children under seven years old to enter for free. Most other airlines only allow infants aged 24 months and below.
Asiana formulated the service to resolve the inconveniences experienced by travelers with infants in airports and cabins. They underwent three months of passenger monitoring, trial, and preparation in nine domestic and international routes, and 10 airports.
The exclusive check-in services include express check-in, boarding, and baggage. Their baggage is also given a priority tag for travelers to faster claiming. For breastfed babies, mothers will not have to feed them in the galley but request for the use of a free breastfeeding cover.
Asiana already provides a bassinet service to a limited number of passengers. But since the average size of infants of less than 24 months sometimes exceeds the bassinet’s specifications, parents are faced with the inconvenience of carrying their infants during the flight. Asiana has contracted Agabang, a Korean infant product company, to provide infant slings inside the cabin. A flight will have a maximum of three infant slings.
For larger babies with purchased children’s tickets, Asiana is providing free installation of baby seats upon request. This way, passengers will not be inconvenienced by having to bring along their own baby seat.
The provision of breastfeeding covers, free infant slings and cabin baby seats are all airline industry firsts from Asiana Airlines.
SOURCE
==================================================
Well, this is not a destination per se. But I decided to post this news from The Philippine Star because this is a related news for travelers...
I see a lot of pregnant women these days...meaning, [of course] a continuous increase in people with infants! =) ...travelers with infants!
This is great customer service by Asiana Airlines! Making it convenient for travelers with infants. The free breastfeeding cover, so that mothers will not have to feed them in the galley! Nice job! =)
MANILA, Philippines - Following high demand and appreciation from travelers, Asiana Airlines (OZ) has expanded its Happy Mom services, a unique set of services for passengers traveling with infants. Happy Mom services include exclusive check-in counters for those with infants, free breastfeeding covers, free infant slings inside the cabin, and cabin baby seat installation and rental.
Over 1,000 families have utilized the services since its launch last month in 10 international airports. Happy Mom services were initially available in the Asiana hub Incheon International Airport and in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, London, Frankfurt, Paris, and Sydney.
“With the steady rise of international travel, families with infants are also on a steady increase. According to the 2008 boarding results, around 20,000 infants boarded the planes. It is highly anticipated that the Happy Mom services will have a good response. We will increase the services to all our international destinations starting next year,” said Asiana Airlines Airport Services vice president Joo Yong-Suk.
Asiana will now offer the services in 66 international airports, and in long-haul flights of up to 10 hours. For other airports that Asiana operates in, passengers can request the service from the Asiana airport manager. The Happy Mom services have also been extended to children up to 36 months of age. The Asiana Lounge in Incheon has also now opened its doors and is allowing children under seven years old to enter for free. Most other airlines only allow infants aged 24 months and below.
Asiana formulated the service to resolve the inconveniences experienced by travelers with infants in airports and cabins. They underwent three months of passenger monitoring, trial, and preparation in nine domestic and international routes, and 10 airports.
The exclusive check-in services include express check-in, boarding, and baggage. Their baggage is also given a priority tag for travelers to faster claiming. For breastfed babies, mothers will not have to feed them in the galley but request for the use of a free breastfeeding cover.
Asiana already provides a bassinet service to a limited number of passengers. But since the average size of infants of less than 24 months sometimes exceeds the bassinet’s specifications, parents are faced with the inconvenience of carrying their infants during the flight. Asiana has contracted Agabang, a Korean infant product company, to provide infant slings inside the cabin. A flight will have a maximum of three infant slings.
For larger babies with purchased children’s tickets, Asiana is providing free installation of baby seats upon request. This way, passengers will not be inconvenienced by having to bring along their own baby seat.
The provision of breastfeeding covers, free infant slings and cabin baby seats are all airline industry firsts from Asiana Airlines.
SOURCE
==================================================
Well, this is not a destination per se. But I decided to post this news from The Philippine Star because this is a related news for travelers...
I see a lot of pregnant women these days...meaning, [of course] a continuous increase in people with infants! =) ...travelers with infants!
This is great customer service by Asiana Airlines! Making it convenient for travelers with infants. The free breastfeeding cover, so that mothers will not have to feed them in the galley! Nice job! =)
Friday, November 27, 2009
Meco aims to make RP a favorite beach wedding location for Taiwanese couples
Written by Max de Leon / Reporter
BusinessMirror
THE Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) in Taipei is now bidding to make Philippine destinations as the favorite beach-wedding locations for Taiwanese couples ahead of Hawaii.
Ireneo Reyes, Meco director for tourism, said his office will aggressively promote Boracay, Palawan, Cebu, Davao, and other island and coastal areas in the Philippines to Taiwanese tourists as alternative to Hawaii.
“The beauty of our beaches remains one of our major draws for Taiwanese. Many couples looking to get married abroad do so in Hawaii , but Philippine beaches can more than hold their own, especially when cost is factored in,” Reyes said.
He said beach wedding is one of the major themes to be exploited by the Department of Tourism and Meco in their attempt to get a bigger slice of the outbound market of Taiwan in time for the long vacation during the Chinese New Year in 2010.
Both agencies conducted product presentations in Kaohsiung, Taichung and Taipei from October 26 to 29, and joined the Taipei International Travel Fair (TITF) held at the Taipei World Trade Center from October 30 to November 2. The Philippines’ 63-sq-m booth at the TITF with a beach-wedding theme and a giant video wall showcasing local landmarks was a major draw at the fair, with some 4,500 tourism industry players and visitors stopping by to get information materials and meet with their Filipino counterparts.
The Taiwanese also showed interest in dive sites, golf and Filipino schools offering the English language program.
Filipino participants in the fair were able to get a total of 221 confirmed bookings for group tours and more than 800 queries.
In the first three quarters of the year, the number of Taiwanese visitors to the Philippines declined by 14 percent to only 77,126, from 90,104 in the same period last year.
source
============================================
I really love the beaches here in the Philippines! I agree with Ireneo Reyes, Meco director for tourism, when cost is a big factor for couples wanting to have a beach-wedding, Philippine beaches are a great choice.
BusinessMirror
THE Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) in Taipei is now bidding to make Philippine destinations as the favorite beach-wedding locations for Taiwanese couples ahead of Hawaii.
Ireneo Reyes, Meco director for tourism, said his office will aggressively promote Boracay, Palawan, Cebu, Davao, and other island and coastal areas in the Philippines to Taiwanese tourists as alternative to Hawaii.
“The beauty of our beaches remains one of our major draws for Taiwanese. Many couples looking to get married abroad do so in Hawaii , but Philippine beaches can more than hold their own, especially when cost is factored in,” Reyes said.
He said beach wedding is one of the major themes to be exploited by the Department of Tourism and Meco in their attempt to get a bigger slice of the outbound market of Taiwan in time for the long vacation during the Chinese New Year in 2010.
Both agencies conducted product presentations in Kaohsiung, Taichung and Taipei from October 26 to 29, and joined the Taipei International Travel Fair (TITF) held at the Taipei World Trade Center from October 30 to November 2. The Philippines’ 63-sq-m booth at the TITF with a beach-wedding theme and a giant video wall showcasing local landmarks was a major draw at the fair, with some 4,500 tourism industry players and visitors stopping by to get information materials and meet with their Filipino counterparts.
The Taiwanese also showed interest in dive sites, golf and Filipino schools offering the English language program.
Filipino participants in the fair were able to get a total of 221 confirmed bookings for group tours and more than 800 queries.
In the first three quarters of the year, the number of Taiwanese visitors to the Philippines declined by 14 percent to only 77,126, from 90,104 in the same period last year.
source
============================================
One of the many beaches of El Nido, a marine reserve park and municipality at the northernmost tip of Palawan Island.
image source
----------------------------------------------------------------------image source
I really love the beaches here in the Philippines! I agree with Ireneo Reyes, Meco director for tourism, when cost is a big factor for couples wanting to have a beach-wedding, Philippine beaches are a great choice.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
The City of Baguio: Burnham Park
The City of Baguio (Ilokano: Ciudad ti Baguio; Tagalog: Lungsod ng Baguio) is a highly urbanized city in northern Luzon in the Philippines. Baguio City was established by Americans in 1900 at the site of an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway. Baguio City was designated by the Philippine Commission as the Summer Capital of the Philippines on June 1, 1903 and incorporated as a city by the Philippine Assembly on September 1, 1909. Baguio is the seat of government of the Cordillera Administrative Region. The name of the city is derived from the word bagiw in Ibaloi, the indigenous language of the Benguet Region, meaning 'moss'. The city is at an altitude of approximately 1500 meters (5100 ft) in a moist tropical pine forest conducive to the growth of mossy plants and orchids.
Tourist Spots to visit in Baguio City:
* Burnham Park – the oldest park in Baguio City
* Tam-Awan Village – established by Chanum Foundation, Inc. in 1998, the artificial village is a perfect place to view the sunset, Lingayen Gulf and the South China Sea.
* Mines View – silver, gold and some ores are quarried here before.
* Teacher's Camp – managed by the Department of Education that features numerous function halls, museum, race track and cottages.
* Camp John Hay – this is a world class resort that has a picnic area, skating rink, golf course. Hotels and cottages were also put up to accommodate their visitors.
* Botanical Garden (Igorot Village) – tribal meetings and cultural presentations are being done here. It also features the typical Cordillera architecture of native huts.
* Philippine Military Academy – future officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are trained.
* Asin Hot Springs – the hot springs is 16km northwest of Baguio. Cottages, private resorts and swimming pools are also built here.
OK, let's talk about Burnham Park first.
Burnham Park is centered around a man-made lake located at the heart of the city. It was named after the city's planner, Daniel Burnham. The park is a favorite place of local residents and visitors alike. There are different facilities for recreation and relaxation that are available in the park. You can row a boat, have a picnic, attend an outdoor concert, watch a football game, go biking, or just take a leisurely stroll around the park.
At the southern end of the park is a circular skating rink where skates can be rented. There are also tennis and basketball courts, a few restaurants, outdoor kiosks, a children's playground, and an orchidarium where various kinds of plants, trees and flowers are sold. Chairs and benches are distributed around the park for those who just want to sit down and relax.
The football field at the eastern side of the park is sometimes used for parades, carnivals, concerts, political rallys, and for display booths during special events and activities. On certain Sundays and some special occasions, cadets of the Philippine Military Academy perform a parade and review or a silent drill exhibition at the field. Just after the big earthquake that hit the city in 1990, many of its residents fled their homes for fear of aftershocks and temporarily set camp in this field.
SOURCES 1 2
==========================================================
When I was a kid, this was the first tourist place that I was able to visit in Baguio, Philippines. I have had fun here especially during the boat ride because you have the option to paddle it yourself! Of course, playing on the field is a great way spending time with your family and friends!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Zest Air is now HK-bound
By Lester Gopela Hallig
The Philippine Star
Capt. Eliseo Tabora, Zest Air EVP and COO, turns over a model of Zest Air’s Airbus 320, to CIAC president and CEO Victor Jose Luciano during Zest Air’s Clark-Hong Kong inaugural flight at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport last Oct. 24.
MANILA, Philippines - We have evangelized and romanticized about the great things happening for the local traveler. There are the fantastic vacation spots, the new resorts and hotels, the friendly fares, and the new modes of transportation.
The latter provides options for local travelers, whichever way they want to reach their destinations. At the end of the day, it is all about giving the Filipino a chance to travel.
The latter also boasts of a new development in the form of Zest Air’s first international flight: Hong Kong via Clark.
The maiden flight took place last Oct. 24, and was greeted by well-wishers and passengers alike with glee. The Clark-Hong Kong flight is available once daily. It leaves Clark at 3:50 p.m. for a two-hour flight to Hong Kong. The return flight from Hong Kong is at 6:40 p.m. and arrives at Clark at 8:30 p.m.
The flight itself is a pleasant one, with Zest Air’s friendly and competent flight attendants and pilots taking command. As part of its service, Zest Air serves in-flight meals — good value indeed for the weary, psyched-up traveler.
Zest Air’s Hong Kong trip makes use of the brand-new 162/168-seater Airbus 320. It is a comfortable single-aisle plane that gives enough legroom and space to move. The plane is likewise globally recognized as the benchmark of single-aisle aircraft.
“Our A320s provide our passengers with added space and comfort. It has proven to be reliable and operate at cost-efficient levels,” says Zest Air president and CEO Ambassador Alfredo Yao.
Highlight of the inauguration program was the ceremonial turnover of Zest Air’s Airbus 320 aircraft model by Zest Air’s EVP and COO Capt. Eliseo Tabora to Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) president and COO Victor Jose Luciano.
Gracing the occasion were CIAC chairman Arch. Nestor Mangio, Tourism Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab, and CIAC EVP and CEO Alexander Cauguiran.
Zest Air’s opening of the Hong Kong route is part of the airline’s expansion program to other Asian destinations. Soon, Zest Air will be offering flights to Sandakan, Malaysia; Shanghai, China; Incheon, Korea; Singapore; as well as Fukuoka and Osaka in Japan.
By opening this particular flight at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, travelers from the North need not go all the way to the domestic airport in the South to be able to catch their flight to Hong Kong.
The airline is currently serving a network of 20 destinations across the country, to and from the Manila and Cebu hubs, including Boracay via Kalibo, Bacolod, Busuanga, Cagayan de Oro, Calbayog, Catarman, Clark, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Marinduque, Naga, Puerto Princesa, San Jose Mindoro, Siargao, Surigao, Tablas, Tacloban. Tagbilaran, Virac, and Zamboanga.
In addition, Zest Air has signed an agreement with Amadeus, in line with the airline’s aim of expanding its distribution network. Amadeus is the leading global distribution system and the biggest processor of travel bookings around the world.
With this latest development, Zest Air is fast gaining a foothold in the airline industry and creating a buzz among travelers as an airline of choice. Truly, flying to a destination like Hong Kong — known for its sights, sounds, shopping, and savory cuisine — has never been this accessible.
* * *
For more information, bookings, or flights, call Zest Air’s reservation hotline at 855-3333 or visit the official website at www.zestair.com.ph.
SOURCE
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Hey, this is good news especially people living in the north area of the Philippines, like me!
The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines - We have evangelized and romanticized about the great things happening for the local traveler. There are the fantastic vacation spots, the new resorts and hotels, the friendly fares, and the new modes of transportation.
The latter provides options for local travelers, whichever way they want to reach their destinations. At the end of the day, it is all about giving the Filipino a chance to travel.
The latter also boasts of a new development in the form of Zest Air’s first international flight: Hong Kong via Clark.
The maiden flight took place last Oct. 24, and was greeted by well-wishers and passengers alike with glee. The Clark-Hong Kong flight is available once daily. It leaves Clark at 3:50 p.m. for a two-hour flight to Hong Kong. The return flight from Hong Kong is at 6:40 p.m. and arrives at Clark at 8:30 p.m.
The flight itself is a pleasant one, with Zest Air’s friendly and competent flight attendants and pilots taking command. As part of its service, Zest Air serves in-flight meals — good value indeed for the weary, psyched-up traveler.
Zest Air’s Hong Kong trip makes use of the brand-new 162/168-seater Airbus 320. It is a comfortable single-aisle plane that gives enough legroom and space to move. The plane is likewise globally recognized as the benchmark of single-aisle aircraft.
“Our A320s provide our passengers with added space and comfort. It has proven to be reliable and operate at cost-efficient levels,” says Zest Air president and CEO Ambassador Alfredo Yao.
Highlight of the inauguration program was the ceremonial turnover of Zest Air’s Airbus 320 aircraft model by Zest Air’s EVP and COO Capt. Eliseo Tabora to Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) president and COO Victor Jose Luciano.
Zest Air’s opening of the Hong Kong route is part of the airline’s expansion program to other Asian destinations. Soon, Zest Air will be offering flights to Sandakan, Malaysia; Shanghai, China; Incheon, Korea; Singapore; as well as Fukuoka and Osaka in Japan.
By opening this particular flight at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, travelers from the North need not go all the way to the domestic airport in the South to be able to catch their flight to Hong Kong.
The airline is currently serving a network of 20 destinations across the country, to and from the Manila and Cebu hubs, including Boracay via Kalibo, Bacolod, Busuanga, Cagayan de Oro, Calbayog, Catarman, Clark, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Marinduque, Naga, Puerto Princesa, San Jose Mindoro, Siargao, Surigao, Tablas, Tacloban. Tagbilaran, Virac, and Zamboanga.
In addition, Zest Air has signed an agreement with Amadeus, in line with the airline’s aim of expanding its distribution network. Amadeus is the leading global distribution system and the biggest processor of travel bookings around the world.With this latest development, Zest Air is fast gaining a foothold in the airline industry and creating a buzz among travelers as an airline of choice. Truly, flying to a destination like Hong Kong — known for its sights, sounds, shopping, and savory cuisine — has never been this accessible.
* * *
For more information, bookings, or flights, call Zest Air’s reservation hotline at 855-3333 or visit the official website at www.zestair.com.ph.
SOURCE
==============================
Hey, this is good news especially people living in the north area of the Philippines, like me!
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