Indulging in Kayaking Activities in Boracay

by: - October 31st, 2011   Filed under: Travel and Leisure Add Comment

Boracay Island’s peaceful and crystal clear waters make it an attractive destination for kayaking lovers.

Whether an enthusiast is a beginner or possessed advanced skills in the sporting activity, indulging in kayaking in the island will give tourists the once-in-a lifetime opportunity to experience the diverse and lush coral reefs in the area and personally experienced what the numerous beaches in the Boracay have to offer.

KAYAKING ACTIVITIES

This beach alone offers different locations that are appropriate for a kayaking adventure. Aside from being an entertaining and enjoyable activity, it is also beneficial to your health since it improves upper body strength and helps enthusiasts develop superb coordination and body balance. Canoes and Kayaks share numerous similarities although the latter has an enclosed riding area.

Not considering the level of skill of interested individuals, kayaking in the island can be challenging and memorable at the same time. For novices on the sport, paddling on Boracay’s exquisite beaches and choppy coast, it will take more than one hour of continuous paddling in their kayaks.

For the adventurous and skilled individuals, the travel time along the whole Boracay stretch (twenty kilometres) can be finalized in one whole day. Aside from that, kayaking activities in Boracay can be included with other exciting activities.

Visitors in the area can arrange two to three days of camping activity in Panay Island’s beach area. Panay offers numerous hotel facilities like bungalows on the beach area which allows visitors to stay along the shoreline.

Locations in the area that are appropriate for white water kayaking activities are just one hour away from the Port of Caticlan. There are also tour packages offered by travel agencies that includes mountain biking with kayaking activities for visitors.
Tourists can rent the kayaks on an everyday or one hour basis.

For one person kayaks, the rental rate is eight dollars per hour or thirty dollars per day. A kayak for two individuals is worth $12 dollars per hour and thirty-two dollars per day. It is advisable to experience white water kayaking beginning in July until November.

Although it is possible to indulge in kayak activities any time of the year, July to November are the most advisable time. Visitors who are looking for a good vacation package, the Sand Castles Resorts offers customers a package that provide different activities that included kayaking during the duration of their stay in the island.

The activity will give individuals the chance to personally experience the beauty of the island’s marine biodiversity and lush coral areas. Sands Castles’ tour package is worth 840 pesos per individual and includes a boat ride, kayaking, meals, beverages and a guide.

The tour package is appropriate for two to 12 individuals. For tourists that are not keen on taking advantage of the offer, kayaks for single and pairs are available for 150 pesos and four hundred pesos respectively. Boracay is not well-known in the tourism market until 1970.

Some individuals credit a film making team for the popularity of the island since it was just a fishing area back then. Now, it is well-known all over the world especially for the numerous activities that it offers like kayaking and its natural wonders.

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Davao – What Your Eyes Can See, We Offer

by: - October 29th, 2011   Filed under: Travel and Leisure Add Comment

Do you want to experience the rich cultural history of Davao that matches the richness of the sightseeing opportunities that it offers to visitors? From the time of the early settlements of the different ethnic groups, up to that of the Spanish and the Americans, Davao has remained a strategic place for many good reasons.

Getting around the city can be done by car, taxi, boat, jeepney (a small bus), and even taxied motorbikes. For those who prefer to rent a car, there are many car rental agencies around the city.

Most probably, you would settle for a taxi. Just like in many other cities in the Philippines, taxis happen to be a more comfortable but more expensive means of transportation. Air conditioned taxis have slightly higher fares than non air conditioned ones.

Now that you know how to get around Davao, the next important part would be to choose your sightseeing destinations. For nature lovers, Davao offers you different options from the lowlands to the mountains.

The Eden Nature Park is a mountain resort about 3,000 feet above sea level, located at the foot of the highest peak in the Philippines, Mt. Apo. Mountain hiking will introduce you to the fresh, cool breeze while walking under the swaying tall trees that welcome you. Many visitors describe the place as “the best place to talk with nature and to commune with God”. Mountain trailing, bird or deer watching, fishing, swimming, horseback riding and more can unwind and recharge you.

The Japanese Tunnel is another sightseeing spot located at the hilly areas, west of the city proper. The Japanese Tunnel was created by Filipino prisoners of war during World War II, and was developed into a tourist spot. The original purpose of the tunnel was to be a hideout for the soldiers and their belongings.

The Malagos Garden Resort offers a bird sanctuary, garden-filled park, lots of trees and other plants, fishpond and some birds and fowls. Here, nature lovers can find their way into this not so luxurious place, but can surely give you that nature touch that you’ve been looking for. To fill your eyes with nature’s treasure of natural ornaments, the garden houses some of the beautiful orchids which are in full bloom. Birds that may be endemic to the place or in other parts of the Philippines are also on display. A leisurely walk around the resort will invigorate your spirit.

Some other sightseeing destinations include Ethnic Villages, Mount Apo, Philippine Eagle Center, Ramon Magsaysay Park, Samal Island, Talicud Caves and a whole lot more.

These are only some of the popular sightseeing destinations in Davao. All you need to do is to choose the best package that suits your preferences. Dubbed as “the largest city in Asia”, you can also get the largest share of what nature has to offer to your eyes, and more!

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Why Davao Restaurants Are Famous

by: - October 29th, 2011   Filed under: Travel and Leisure Add Comment

Tourists and Filipinos alike agree that Davao is definitely one of the places to visit when one wants to experience great food. It’s a well-known fact that the freshest of ingredients can be expected when eating in a restaurant in Davao.

Davao is strategically located in the Southeastern part of the Philippines. It has a total land area of 244,000 hectares and is approximately 7.8 times bigger than Cebu and three times bigger than the whole of Metro Manila.

The abundance of land and sea produce makes it all the more appealing to food enthusiasts. Fresh seafood and succulent fruits are always bestsellers in various restaurants. Davao is considered the fruit basket of the Philippines. There is a multitude of fruit plantations, resulting in an abundance in growth of almost all kinds of fruits such as mangoes, bananas, pomelo, lanzones, and the exotic durian. Thanks to the generally fair weather condition, it is not difficult at all to maintain good harvest.

We might find it both ironic and surprising that the cost of food in majority of Davao restaurants is a steal! We can enjoy the sumptuous taste of Davao’s food starting from from PhP 45.00. A family feast for five may be shared for a low price of only PhP 300.00. A budget of only PhP 200.00 is more than enough to satisfy one’s cravings for a full meal plus snacks and drinks for half a day. One who has a big appetite will surely find it a relief to know that he doesn’t need to spend a fortune just to have delectable food.

The abundance of the fresh raw ingredients is the reason why prices are quite affordable. Also, majority of the markets have normally standard prices, making it easier to buy what you want.

Aside from great food, travelers also look forward to the serene atmosphere. Davao restaurants are likewise known for having relatively pleasant and soothing ambiance. The food and surroundings is a perfect match, so to speak.

People who have sampled the “Davao restaurant” experience are also factors why the curiousity is growing. Word of mouth is definitely one of the reasons why the public is being consistently informed.

The delectable food, its affordability, and great atmosphere are just some of the factors why Davao restaurants are becoming more and more famous. There is a growing number of followers that continue to frequent Davao from different places just to visit its famous restaurants. Indeed, many claim that their trip to Davao for its popular restaurants is worth every centavo they spent.

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Uncovering the Beauty of Leyte

by: - October 29th, 2011   Filed under: Travel and Leisure Add Comment

Although primarily associated with history, the kinds of Leyte activities you can take part in are actually varied. If you are going to the province here are just some of the places to see and events to get into.

The Landing Memorial for General MacArthur at Red Beach is a great place to begin your Leyte activities. Here you will get to see statues and figures of all the major players in the invasion, including the General of course. However you can also enjoy the beach there, which has become a haven among tourists.

If you still want to understand a little bit more about the history of the province, there are other places you can visit, such as the Santo Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum and the Lady of Assumption Church, The former contains several priceless works of art by the finest Filipino artists, while the latter showcases several religious figures and the piety and devotion of the Filipino people.

Other tourists spots that you can go to are the Ok Fish Sanctuary, where several variants of fish can be found; there is also the famed San Juanico Bridge, the longest in the province, from where you can admire the view of the seas as you cross it. If your idea of fun Leyte activities means building sandcastles or getting a tan, you can head over to Kuting, or Bitu-On, two of the finest beaches in Leyte.

For more even more thrilling Leyte activities, you can go diving. One of the premiere destinations is Limasawa. This two and a half mile island is located at the southern end of the province, and is home to some of the most varied coral reefs in the Philippines. What makes this place truly fascinating to swim in is that there are several dive sites located in this region.

Some of the most popular diving centers in Limasawa Island include Dag’s Hole, Rio’s Point and Gunter’s Wall. Another fine dive site is the one in Malitbog. Not only does it contain a variety of coral reefs and marine life, but the setting –with old style Spanish homes and ruins of ancient churches- add to the atmosphere.

The assortment of Leyte activities you can get into can be exemplified by the fiestas and festivals that abound, each one unique and colorful. If you are in the province in the month of June, do not fail to check out the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival. Not only are their colorful parades to watch out for, but there are lush dramatic presentations of the folk tales and legends that have endured through the centuries. Myriad types of local products are also showcased at these events.

The other festivals in Leyte, including the Sangyaw, Pasaka and Lubi Lubi, all feature dances and spectacular feasts, which is why these Leyte activities are among the biggest crowd drawers in the province.

Leyte activities in the Philippines come in different forms, and if this is your first sojourn to the province you will certainly enjoy your stay, and bring home some very fond memories of this province.

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An Overview on the Greenviews Resort in Palawan

by: - October 28th, 2011   Filed under: Travel and Leisure Add Comment

The province of Palawan is known in the world as the last ecological frontier of the Philippines. Palawan is located in the southern region of the country. It is popular for its tropical rainforests as well as the marine wildlife found in the province. Palawan is also one of the areas in the Philippines that have protected areas such as the Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary and the El Nido Marine Reserve.

Aside from the reservations and tropical rainforests that made Palawan popular, the province is also famous for its white sand beaches. Each year, more tourists are visiting Palawan’s resorts and other tourist spots. Due to the increasing number of people traveling to Palawan, the number of resorts and hotels are increasing in the different areas of the province.

One of the resorts that cater to tourists and locales who desire to enjoy their stay in Palawan is the Greenviews Resort. The resort is located at the Port Barton which is known to be a community at the Pagdanan Bay. In this regard, one of the downside of the Greenviews Resort is that it is not accessible to tourists because it will take 3 to 4 hours to travel from the Puerto Princesa Airport to the Port Barton.

The Greenviews Resort is not fully developed. But, its facilities showed that the owner of the place has a deep desire for protecting wildlife. The rooms in the resort are constructed in grounds that were planted with trees and shrubs which were meant to attract butterflies and sunbirds into the garden. The Greenviews Resort has 11 cottages that can accommodate 2 visitors each. The prices of staying in the cottages range from 18 to 30 U.S. dollar every day.

The resort has a restaurant that provides Filipino dishes to visitors. The staff at the resort is friendly and they guide guests to the other tourist spots in the vicinity of Port Barton. They also organize trips to the other islands of Palawan. The Greenviews Resort has boats used by its visitors in snorkeling, fishing and trips to El Nido as well as the Underground River.

Despite of the location of the resort, it is still attractive because it is affordable. The resort does not have other recreational facilities but tourists still stay in the Greenviews Resort because of the hospitability of its staff. The efficient service offered by the staff is sufficient to invite other travelers to stay in the resort.

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Fast Food Chains in Makati

by: - October 26th, 2011   Filed under: Travel and Leisure Add Comment

If you need something fresh and something fast, there’s always a fast food chain that can satiate your hunger successfully right in Makati. You will be surprised that everywhere you look, you will find a place that you can rest your hunger on. Makati is in the first place a business district, so you might as well get used to the thought that there will be plenty of fast food chains around. What makes it all the more better is that these fast food chains are not safely hidden inside the malls. At every turn and in every popular street corner, there’s a fast food chain you can go to in Makati and here they are:

Jollibee – The world-renowned Filipino fast food chain is all over Makati. The thing about Jollibee is that you will notably see that most of those who frequent this place are employees. All over Manila, one of the defining things about the Jollibee fast food chain is that it is often filled with kids and their parents running after them or looking after them inside play areas. But in Makati, the Jollibee fast food chain is often without the play area. However, it is usually crowded especially during crunch time such as lunch or early dinner time.

Mc Donald’s – Of course if there’s a Jollibee, you should also expect to find Mc Donald’s which Filipinos also call by the nickname “McDo.” Mc Donald’s is usually a popular choice among people who meet up for breakfast and it’s notably that there are a lot of this fast food chain present along Ayala Avenue. Mc Donald’s are also filled with both people who are waiting for someone of employees who are out for lunch. The Mc Donald fast foods that can be found in Makati are also usually residing in a corporate building.

Chowking – If you are craving for fast Chinese food, Chowking can satisfy you with that. Chowking is also among the popular fast food chains in the Philippines that you can find in Makati. However, its frequency may not be as often as the previous two. Chowking is a hit among Makati goers because it offers a wider range of choices and there’s always that is easy to pick out from their menu if you simply wanted a quick bite.

Goldilock’s – This fast food chain in Makati City is actually a bakeshop that has extended itself to also offer Filipino dishes among people. The thing about Goldilock’s is that it serves authentic Filipino home-made dishes but in a fast food way so there’s no need to think about how long should you wait to be served. Of course, it’s also a great deal to try out their cakes and other pastries as a dessert after eating a full meal.

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Marquis Hotel’s Beauty and Elegance

by: - October 26th, 2011   Filed under: Travel and Leisure Add Comment

The Marquis Hotel offers peaceful and comfortable surroundings to their guests. The facility has twenty-one standard deluxe rooms and ten VIP rooms. Marquis’ VIP rooms offer a private veranda and an attractive view of the pool side, dining area and garden of the hotel.

The facility offers reasonable room rates to guests. Hotel visitors can also enjoy different dishes in their newly-opened restaurant, which features international and local cuisines. Marquis’ employees are also trained to treat each visitor like their own family instead of just being a mere guest.

The establishment has a travel agency that can help guests arrange their itinerary for the day or if they want to explore the different activities around the area like golf trips and excursions.

They also offer visitor pickups from Manila or the Diosdado Macapagal Airport, which guarantees that hotel guests will arrive safely to the hotel. Marquis’ shuttle service also runs every day to the entertainment area of Angeles City or the mall area.

Location

The Marquis Hotel is at #1239 Plaridel Balibago, Angeles City 2009 Malabanias Area, Pampanga, Philippines, behind the Petron gasoline station on Perimeter Road, 15 minutes from the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport and the entertainment area in Angeles. It is also about five minutes away from the SM mall in Clark, Pampanga.

Hotel Amenities and Services

The facility offers numerous amenities like twenty-four/seven room service, twenty-four/seven restaurant and bar area, massage area, gift shop, billiard and grill area, in-house laundry service, Earthlink travel, safety deposit boxes, transportation services, pool area and others.

Rooms

The hotel offers thirty rooms and the types of rooms that Marquis offers are Standard, Deluxe, Suite, VIP Pool area with bathtub I, VIP Pool area II, Apartelle I, Apartelle II. Standard Room is worth 900 pesos, Deluxe is worth 1,000 pesos, Suite is worth 1,800 pesos, VIP Pool Area with bathtub I is worth 1,300 pesos, VIP Pool Side II IS worth 1,200 pesos, Apartelle I is worth 1,400 pesos and Apartelle II is worth 1,250 pesos.

All rooms offer different amenities like TV with cable channel, air-conditioning, Free Wireless Internet Connection and others. The hotel offers an off-season rate of up to 20 percent discount (from the month of June to September).

The hotel requires a one night rate deposit to guarantee a room reservation. The check-in time is at 1:00 p.m. and the check-out time is at 12:00 noon. All of the room rates can be change without prior notice and are inclusive of taxes. Marquis Hotel accepts major credit cards like Master, Visa, JCB and Amex.

Contact Information

Interested individuals and groups can call (63) (045)3224714, 892-7845, 892-6634 or fax (63)(045)8922989 for room reservations or they can email annexa@gmail.com for inquiries.

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South Drive Manor

by: - October 25th, 2011   Filed under: Travel and Leisure Add Comment

The South Drive Manor is one of the most elegant and sophisticated hotels in Baguio. Combining the cozy feel of a home away from home together with luxuries you would expect from a five star hotel makes this a perennial destination for tourists.

Rooms and Rates

This three star hotel has a total of 50 well kept and immaculately maintained rooms. The rates here average about Php 4,000 but some of the rooms here can be had for even half that price. What really strikes the eye is the Italian motif used in the design. The rooms all have hot and cold showers, cable TV, a telephone that you can use and other basic necessities.

Amenities and Accommodations

The South Drive Manor has other facilities that you can avail of. This includes a fireplace, and there is also a restaurant. At the eatery you can have your fill of different types of Filipino food, as well as Italian cuisine, and native dishes from Korea and other Western delicacies. The place itself is something that visitors never fail to marvel at, as it has the look and feel of a cabin you would find somewhere in Europe.

It is also no secret that part of what makes staying at the hotel so attractive is that it is a little farther away from the city. This allows you to savor the view of the pine trees and the skies. However, it is easy enough to get to the city proper itself thanks to the jeepneys that are always passing by Camp John Hay, which is nearby.

Location and Contact Information

The South Drive Manor Baguio can be found at 34 Paterno St. in South Drive in Baguio. It is actually a few minutes away from Teacher’s Camp, so if you are going there, the hotel will be visible. If you are coming from Session Road you can get on a taxi and get to the hotel in 10 minutes.

The cost for a cab ride by the way, is about Php 25 to Php 35. For those who would like to know more about the hotel, particularly the rates and other facilities, the number is (6374) 444-7146. Any other inquiries you may have concerning the hotel can be asked through that line.

Those who have gone to Baguio before will know that South Drive Manor has always been one of the tourists’ favorite places. If you opt to stay here, you will surely find out why.

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Delightful Meals at Chicken House in Bacolod City

by: - October 25th, 2011   Filed under: Travel and Leisure Add Comment

Chicken inasal, a delightful chicken recipe, is the one of the most popular components of Filipino cuisine. Adopted from Bacolod cuisine, this recipe is made up of fleshy chicken parts, such as breast, thigh or ribs, and marinated with basting sauces and seasonings. The most dominant sauces are usually soy sauce and native vinegar. Indeed, chicken inasal has delighted not only Filipino locals but foreign tourists as well, when the recipe was introduced commercially in the early nineties.

Chicken House in Bacolod specializes in the chicken inasal recipe, making it one of the most frequented restaurants in the area. Indeed, with the tasteful combinations of native spices and seasonings, one cannot help but savor every bit of the recipe. And aside from being known to serve the most delightful chicken inasal, Chicken House in Bacolod also serves other recipes in the native Filipino cuisine, such as pork barbecue, grilled squid and fish and even spareribs.

Since rice is a main staple in a typical Filipino meal, it is recommended to try the meals in Chicken House with rice. There are three rice variants served in Chicken House—plain rice, fried rice and garlic rice, where rice is topped by dried minced garlic. Beverages include popular sodas, mango juice, pineapple juice and four seasons, which is a combination of four different tropical fruits. For dessert, one should expect a selection of native Filipino delicacies, such as fruit salad, mais con hielo (a combination of sweet corn, milk and ice) and leche flan.

Meals in Chicken House are quite affordable, with dishes ranging from 90 pesos for a typical chicken inasal meal, up to 135 pesos for a sizzling dish good enough for two persons. Chicken inasal is known for using meaty parts of the chicken, therefore making the serving huge to satisfy a famished customer.

Chicken House is a casual, laid-back restaurant where guests can appreciate the good food and the relaxing ambience. A known hangout among locals, this restaurant is where good hosts bring their foreign guests, so tourists should indeed consider dropping by this restaurant for a delightful Filipino meal. Indeed, Chicken House is where tourists should go to if they want to experience the gastronomical side of Filipino culture.

Chicken House is located along Lacson Street, nearby Bacolod’s business and commercial districts. Hence, the restaurant is within walking distance to Bacolod’s fine hotels, such as the L’Fisher Hotel, the Hotel Am Rei and the Business Inn Hotel.

Chicken House is specifically located in 24 Lacson Street in Bacolod City. Contact number for bookings is 64-34-434-9405.

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