Corregidor Island

TRAVEL

Corregidor Island, locally called Isla ng Corregidor, is a lofty island located at the entrance of Manila Bay in southwestern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines. Due to this location, Corregidor was fortified (Fort Mills) with several coastal artillery and ammunition magazines to defend the entrance of Manila Bay and the City of Manila, from attacks by enemy warships in the event of war. Located 48 kilometres (30 mi) inland, Manila has been the largest city and the most important seaport in the Philippines for centuries—from the colonial rule of Spain, the United States, and Japan and after the establishment of the Republic of the Philippines in 1946.

Corregidor is the largest of the islands that form the harbor defense of Manila Bay together with El Fraile Island (Fort Drum), Caballo Island (Fort Hughes) and Carabao Island (Fort Frank), which were all fortified during the American occupation of the country. The island was also the site of a small military airfield, as part of the defense.

During World War II, Corregidor played an important role during the invasion and liberation of the Philippines from Japanese forces. Heavily bombarded in the latter part of the war, the ruins left on the island serves as a military memorial to several American, Filipino and Japanese soldiers who served or lost their lives on the island. Corregidor is one of the important historic and tourist site in the country.

ADVENTURE

Easy Hike
Hike through rediscovered trails to forests and hillsides and discover landmarks of ruins. Follow the trail of pink cadena de amor with a sweeping view of Manila bay reaching the island's tail.

Sunset Experience
Catch the lovely sunset at Battery Grubb's, one of the disappearing guns perched on a hill overlooking the magnificent Peninsula.

Sunrise Viewing
Brave the chilly mornings in Corregidor as we drive you to the island's tailside to catch the sunrise.

Night Lateral Visit
This is done inside the tunnel's unexplored side. A 1,000-bed hospital area during World War II. A walking tour of the tunnel's unexplored side.

Island Roundabout
Circle the island on sturdy outrigger boats and view the neighboring isles, La Monja, Caballo (Fort Drum), and the scenic coast of Mariveles. Then stop over at the perfect fishing spots nearby for enjoyable day sport fishing.

Hiking
Hike along the woodland trails of Corregidor on a wondrous adventure game. Grab your compass, check your map, and be ready to hack through vines or to drop down into mysterious tunnels in search of clues that will lead you to winning the adventure challenge.

The Camp Adventure
Live and learn about the great outdoors in a specialized camp training program designed to enhance your knowledge and skills about nature. With jungle survival and exploration instructors, you will learn to respect and develop the confidence to survive in a world of trees and bushes, manmade underground caverns and exotic creatures.

Bird Watching
Bird watchers have spotted species of birds at Corregidor island such as White-Collared Kingfishers, Zebra Dove, Blue Rock, Asian Glossy Starlings, Eurasian Tree Sparrows, Black-naped Orioles and just recently, Philippine Cockatoos have been spotted flying over the grassy area near the Eternal Flame.

Bird watching has now been added as a worthwhile activity in the island. Commune with nature and be one to spot what could be migratory or resident birds of the island.

Rock Balancing
Corregidor, also known as the "Rock" boasts of unique rocks called "bloodstones". These rocks have been aptly called so because they are white in color with nice splatters of red. Rock balancing is an ephemeral art (short-lived art masterpieces) which has recently been introduced in the island. This is a nature activity which aims to boost eco-tourism and build awareness on nature conservancy. Rock balancing is often linked to photography and landscape art. 

DINE, HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATION

Corregidor Island Resort & Hotel, Montemar Beach Resort, Corregidor Inn and Resort, La Vista Balanga Inland Resort, Crown Royale Hotel.

GETTING THERE

Corregidor via Suncruise would be better than hassling yourself all the way to Orion, Bataan. Suncruise's rates as follows:

Day Tour:
Adult: 1,999.00/ head
Child: 1,118.00/ head

Inclusions: Roundtrip ferry transfers; shrine, entrance and terminal fees; guided island tour, Buffet Lunch.

For Schedules, just check the link.
http://www.corregidorphilippines.com

View Map         Related Photos          Related Videos

Intramuros Walled City

TRAVEL

Intramuros, located along the southern bank of the Pasig River, was built by the Spaniardsin the 16th century and is the oldest district of the city of Manila, the capital of thePhilippines. Its name, in Spanish, intramuros, literally "within the walls", meaning within the wall enclosure of the city/fortress, also describes its structure as it is surrounded by thick, high walls and moats. During the Spanish colonial period, Intramuros was considered Manila itself.

The site of Intramuros was originally a large Indianized-Malayan-Islamic settlement named "Maynila", ruled by Datus, Rajahs and a Sultan. The name came from "may nila", "nila" being a water plant (Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea) whose star-shaped flowers clustered in abundance along the riverbanks. "May-nila," transliterates as "There is nila (here)". Maynila is also sometimes called Maynilad because nila is popularly referred to as nilad by people unfamiliar with the plant, a correction asserted by historians Ambeth Ocampo and Carmen Guerrero Nakpil.

The strategic location of Maynila, being on the Pasig River and the Manila Bay, made it an ideal location for Tagalog and kapampangan tribes and kingdoms to trade with other Asian civilizations, including Chinese, Indian and Islamic merchants who had come from China, India, Borneo and Indonesia. Maynila was also the seat of power for native chiefs and kings who ruled the area before Europeans first arrived in Luzon

In 1564, Spanish explorers led by Miguel López de Legazpi sailed from Mexico, and arrived on the island of Cebu on February 13, 1565. There they established the first Spanish colony in the Islands. Having heard of the rich resources of Manila by natives, López de Legazpi dispatched two of his Lieutenant-commanders, Martín de Goiti and Juan de Salcedo to explore the northern regions of the Visayas.

In 1570, the Spaniards arrived in the island of Luzon. After quarrels and misunderstanding had erupted between the Islamic natives and the Spaniards, both groups fought for the control of lands and settlements. In 1571, after several months of warfare, the natives were defeated, and the Spaniards made a peace pact with the Muslim tribal councils, Rajah Sulaiman III, Rajah Lakandula, and Rajah Matanda; who, in return, handed over Manila to the Spaniards.


ADVENTURES

Manila is the capital of the Philippines. Though largely destroyed in WWII it has regrouped as a large and frenetic Southeast Asian capital with a unique flavour. There are many attractions in Manila and plenty to see and do – wet weather and air pollution permitting.

The main historical attraction in Manila is the Intramuros. This is an ancient walled city originally built by the Spanish settlers – intramuros means ‘within walls’. It is a fairly large space and one of the only parts of Manila that wasn’t completely destroyed by the bombings of WWII. Wide pedestrian plazas and gardens decorate the space today.

The Manila Cathedral is inside Intramuros and this is the second most visited sight in for those embarking on Manila travel. The Cathedral is a working place of worship today and though it has had to be rebuilt and refurbished many times over the centuries it remains a beautiful and very historical building.

DINE, HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATION

Manila Hotel, Intramuros de Manila Hotel, White Knight Hotel

GETTING THERE

By taxi

For visitors who don't mind shelling out a little extra - and putting up with rush-hour traffic jams - Manila's relatively inexpensive taxis are probably the easiest and most direct way of reaching Intramuros from elsewhere in the city. The current flagdown rate is ₱40, and the fare goes up in increments of ₱3.50 every 300 metres.

By train

The nearest railway station isCentral Terminal (LRT-1 / Yellow Line) [2]. Though within sight of the eastern walls, the station is a pretty long walk from the western part of Intramuros (where many of the major sights are located), so tourists headed in that direction might consider covering the rest of the journey by taxi.

By water bus

The Pasig River Ferry stops at Plaza México station, not far from the ruins of the Intendencia (Aduana) building.

View Map          Related Photos          Related Videos

Camiguin White Island

TRAVEL

White Island is an uninhabited white sandbar located off shore in the volcanic island of Camiguin in the Philippines. It is generally horseshoe shaped, although the tides constantly reshape its exact form. There are no trees or shelter of any kind and it is composed solely of white sands.

White Island attracts thousands of tourists every year. It can be accessed by riding a small boat from any of the beach front resorts that face the island.

ADVENTURE

Scuba diving, Snorkelling, Boating, Swimming, Photograpy

DINE, HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATION

Bahay-Bakasyunan sa Camiguin,Cabua-an Beach Resort, Camiguin Action Geckos Dive and Beach Resort, Camiguin Highland Resort, Camiguin Island Golden Sunset Beach Club

GETTING THERE

• From Manila / Cebu you could try SEAir, but the flights are seasonal, so call them beforehand as they don’t always update their website www.flyseair.com. SEAir Call Center – +63 2 849 0100
• The other option is to fly into Cagayan De Oro city, and take a short ferry ride from there, details below
• Or, leave from Bohol Island on a ferry

View Map     Related Photos     Related Videos

Coron Palawan

TRAVEL

Coron is a first class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 32,243 people in 6,264 households. Municipality of Coron from the Mount Tapyas view deck Coron PUV Terminal. The municipality covers part of Busuanga Island and all of the nearby Coron Island. Both islands are part of the Calamian Group of Islands in northern Palawan. The main industries of Coron are fishing and tourism, being a popular diving location. The aquatic views from the sunken Japanese warships off Coron Island are listed in Forbes Traveler Magazine’s top 10 best scuba diving sites in the world.

ADVENTURES

Island hopping, Wreck diving, Scuba diving, Snorkelling, Camping by the beach

DINE, HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATIONS

El Rio y Mar Resort, Majika's Island Resort, Mangenguey Island Hotel, Coron Hilltop View Resort, Discovery Resort Coron, Sea Dive Resort, Dive Link Resort, Kokosnuss Garden Resort, Princess of Coron

GETTING THERE

Fly into Busuanga from Manila with PAL Express, Cebu Pacific or Zest Air.

Airport to town: Van transfers P150/person, P1500 for the whole van

View Map     Related Photos     Related Videos

Boracay Island

TRAVEL

Boracay is an island of the Philippines located approximately 315 km (200 miles) south of Manila and 2 km off the northwest tip of Panay Island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. In 1990, it was voted by the BMW Tropical Beach Handbook as one of the best beaches in the world and again in 1996 by British publication TV Quick as the world's number one tropical beach. The island comprises the barangays of Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, and Yapak (3 of the 17 barangays which make up the municipality of Malay), and is under the administrative control of the Philippine Tourism Authority in coordination with the Provincial Government of Aklan.

ADVENTURES

Massage Therapy, Boat trips, Scuba diving, Horseback riding, Sailing, Kite flying, Jet ski, Snorkelling, Wind surfing, Sand volleyball, Tennis

DINE, HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATIONS

Boracay Beach Club, Island Jewel Inn, Artista Beach Villas, Boracay Hills, Fridays Boracay, Discovery Shores Boracay, Baling Hai Beach Resort 

GETTING THERE

Fly Philippine Airlines from Manila (Domestic Airport) to Kalibo Airport. (The flight takes 30 minutes and costs about 3,000 Philippine peso return).

From Kalibo Airport takes the air-conditioned bus to Caticlan and the boat from Caticlan harbor to Boracay (the bus trip takes 90 minutes and the boat 30 minutes; combined ticket Pp140).

View Map     Related Photos     Related Videos

Puerto Princesa Underground River

TRAVEL


The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 kilometers north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. The National Park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of the island. It is bordered by St. Paul Bay to the north and the Babuyan River to the east. The City Government of Puerto Princesa has managed the National Park since 1992. It is also known as St. Paul's Subterranean River National Park, or St. Paul Underground River. The entrance to the Subterranean River is a short hike from the town of Sabang. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is one of the 28 finalists for the "New Seven Wonders of Nature" competition.


ADVENTURES


Camping, Bird Watching and Boating


DINE,  HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATIONS


Hibiscus Garden Hotel, Niko's Cabanas & Restaurant, Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort, Puerto Pension, Dos Palmas Island Resort & Spa,Sheridan Beach Resort & Convention Center.


GETTING THERE


Located about 50 kilometers north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan. National Park is accessible from Puerto Princesa by road and boat, via Baheli.


View Map     Related Photos     Related Videos

Mount Pulag

TRAVEL

Mount Pulag (or sometimes Mount Pulog) is the third highest mountain in the Philippines. It is Luzon’s highest peak at 2,922 meters above sea level. The borders between the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya meet at the mountain's peak.

Because of its high elevation, the climate on Mount Pulag is temperate with rains predominating the whole year. Rainfall on the mountain averages 4,489 mm yearly with August being the wettest month with an average rainfall of 1,135 mm. Snow has not fallen on its top in at least the past 100 years.

ADVENTURES

Trekking, Bird Watching, Mountaineering, Camping and Hiking

DINE, HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATIONS


Bloomfield Hotel, Baguio Holiday Villa Court, Camp John Hay, Hotel Veniz, Holiday Park Hotel, Microtel Inns & Suites Baguio, Hotel Elizabeth, Baguio Country Club


GETTING THERE


Partas, Dangwa, Dagupan and Victory Liner buses stationed in Manila leave for Baguio every hour; the ride takes about six to seven hours. Prices range from P250 to P270 per person. From Baguio, Norton Trans buses leave for Kabayan in the morning. They reach Ambangeg after 3 to 4 hours. Tickets cost P 60.00 to P 65.00 per person. Their terminal is located in Baguio City on Magsaysay Avenue.


View Map     Related Photos     Related Videos