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
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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! =)
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