BLOGGED PHILIPPINES

After the buying souvenir items from the Sevilla Souvenir Shop at the Hanging Bridge , we proceeded to the Loboc River Floating Restaurants . Loboc River Floating Restaurants There are four restaurants to choose from, each of them has something different to offer. In our case, we chose the first one, the Riverwatch Floating Restaurant. Apart from the fact we thought the menu suits our taste, we also managed to get a substantial discount from them. The typical price of the buffet is 300 pesos and there's an entrance fee of 100 pesos. All in all, without any discount of whatsoever, you will spend 400 pesos for the cruising buffet meal. As expected, the buffet meal was delicious. There's also a live music performance while you are eating and occasionally, the boat will stop at stations where there's a floating stage at the shore where there are people performing either a native dance and/or a song. BOHOL. The Loboc Floating Restaurant

This is the second part of my Bohol Day Tour last August 2011. Bohol Ship Haus After the fun at the Chocolate Hills in Carmen , we are bound to visit the Man-made Forest . But along the way, we our driver told us to try the new spot in Bohol , the  Ship Haus . As you may have already thought, ship house is a house resembles a ship where sailors work. It was owned by Capt. Gaundencio Dumapias, a native of Bohol who was once a poor boy and later become a successful sailor. The Ship Haus features the equipment inside the ship, the room of the Captain, Chief Mate, etc. The roof deck of the Ship house resembles the front of the ship where you can "pretend" to see the endless sea in your view. The entrance fee to the Ship Haus is 30 pesos per head. You can also buy souvenir items inside for considerable prices.

It's been my second time going to Bohol , but I still find it surprisingly exciting. Here's the first part of the story: From Cebu to Tubigon Port, Bohol My friends from Manila visited in Cebu and after a couple of days touring in the city, we decided to go to Bohol before they go back home. We decided to have a one-day tour, renting a tourist van to accommodate the five of us. The price of the van is 3500 pesos for a day tour from 7AM to 5PM. We left Cebu very early in the morning to be able to catch the first trip to Tubigon port riding a MV Star Crafts vessel . MV Star Crafts is a shipping line company catering the Cebu to Tubigon route . The first trip of Star Crafts is 5:45 AM. Before that time, you should have already purchased a ticket from their ticketing office just outside the gate of Cebu Pier 1 or else you will have to wait for the next trip which is at 7AM. If you will have a day tour, you should go for a 5:45 AM trip or else the time won't be enough...

White Beach Boracay , found in Aklan, is one of the best beaches you can find in the Philippines. The coastline is long and the sand is white and really fine. The water of this Boracay beach is so clear that even if you are riding a boat and you are at the deep part of the beach, you would still be able to see the white sand at the bottom and it would make you think you are still at the shallow part. BORACAY. The white sand beach of Boracay island. Boracay Station 1 - Luxury The coast of Boracay is divided into 3 stations. Station 1 is where you will find the most luxurious and expensive accommodations and establishments. There, you will find D'Mall . It is called that name because it is the Mall of Boracay . But unlike any mall, this has open space with many stalls selling different kinds of souvenirs and keepsakes like t-shirts, magnets and other native products. There are also plenty of restaurants and establishments there. One particular interesting establishment i...

Many are surprised to know that I haven't been to Baguio since I lived in Luzon for 22 years. Although I reasoned that I don't have money during those years while I was till busy studying, they are still shocked find out. Yes, Baguio is the most popular tourist destination in Luzon. Let me tell you why. Baguio is considered to be the Summer Capital of the Philippines. The obvious reason is  because it offers the lowest temperature in compared anywhere else in the country. Tourists go there to cool off from the scorching heat during the sunny season. And during February, they have the Panagbenga or Flower festival. It attracts thousands of tourist from different parts of world. Last December, I finally had a chance to visit that unique and wonderful city. In this article, I'm going to relate some of my experiences.

In part 2 of this series, I told you about the short and yet very steep trail that we took going to the top of Mount Babag . Well, in this third and final article about climbing that mountain, I will relate the experience we had in the long and less steep trail. Turn Left After the River As we reached the creek again, we took the left trail. As expected, this is a little easier compared to other trail that led us to the rose plantation that is inclined to about 70 degrees. This trail though is longer with many twist and turns. But the good thing is that the terrain is mostly flat or slightly inclined. The Hidden Falls of Mount Babag This is the reason that we came back and took the other trail, the falls. The hidden falls can be found  about 30 minutes after you crossed the creek and turned to the left trail. It was "hidden" in the sense that it was located downhill from the trail and the pathway is covered with bushes. The path is also very steep and it seems a...

In the warm waters separating the islands of Cebu and Bohol, these sea monsters (see picture below) can be found. These friendly whale sharks is one of the latest attraction in Oslob, Cebu. Come and visit them. "Snorkeling with the Whale". An underwater camera captured a tourist swimming with a whale shark locally known as "Butanding" in the shoreline waters of Oslob, Cebu. In the succeeding article(s), I will write more details about my visit in Oslob early this month.

The two hours of walk from Brgy. Napo (see Part 1) led us to a creek. This is the point where we have to choose which trail to take: the "long and easy" or the "short but steep" one. In our first attempt to climb Mount Babag, we chose the short and steep trail. And indeed, it proved to be a difficult, uphill climb. [Related:  Climbing Mount Babag Part 1: Guadalupe to Napo to the Small Creek ] Crossing the creek, we turned right to a somewhat hidden trail (the obvious trail is on the left direction which is the "long and easy" one). It led us to a small house where we asked direction. They will pointed us to climb the rose plantation: a 60-degree steep rose fields. That is the beginning of a continuous, extremely steep slope that we have to climb. Our only chance of rest are the small flat portions with tree shades. Green lushes at Mt. Babag in Cebu

I've never climbed a mountain before. If this one will be successful, then this would be a great accomplishment for me. Well, it turns out that mountain climbing is not an easy task, but the experience is awesome. My first try is probably a less difficult one: Mount Babag in Cebu. In Hiking, Preparation is Important I rose up early morning Saturday to prepare my stuffs. I was told that we'll be going to a far place and that I have to bring a lunch pack and drinking water. I never really knew that I'll be climbing Mount Babag until my friend knocked on my door. To my surprise, he's in rubber shoes, jogging pants and collared t-shirt. A big bag (with emergency kit inside) is on his back. In cotrast, I was dressed differently but upon realizing things, I immediately changed my outfit. I also have to review the content of my bag to suit what I may be needing for the climb. Here's what I brought: - Lunch pack and small snack items - Extra clothes - Water (1 Liter...

I told you a couple of posts back that I would talk about places you might want to visit if you are a nature lover. Most nature lovers likes looking at animals or nice views, taking hikes and go swimming on natural springs. Well if you are a nature lover, Cebu   also has a lot to offer for you. Cebu has some hiking trails that are easy enough for beginners and some that are not so easy. One such hiking trail is that which could be found in Busay, Mt. Manunggal. The trail is easy enough for first time mountain hikers and the view is nice from the top and the temperature is very cold, specially at night. Another trail that i have heard about is Osmena Peak . This mountain trail, I believe, is in Badian, Cebu . This trail is a bit more difficult but also more rewarding if you get your directions right. Why? Because this mountain trail will lead you to the most beautiful waterfalls here in Cebu, The Kawasan Falls . I've been there a few times already and I could say, the plac...

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the local government jointly launched an online facility for booking tours in the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) . It can be accessed at www.ppur.com.ph . The new facility will help Puerto Princesa bound tourists plan ahead their travel dates as well as the pre-arrange their activities in Palawan. The river-cave can only accommodate a specific number of visitors per day. So especially on peak seasons, there can be cases when some tourists should be denied of entry due to overcapacity. With this new arrangement, similar cases will be be minimized. It will help to satisfy the growing number of visiting tourists while preserving the natural beauty of the place. Increasing Tourist Arrival Since the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) won an inclusion to the prestigious Seven Wonders of Nature contest last November 2011, the tourist arrival increased by 45% according to DOT. The need to efficiently manage the river tours became a n...