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Places
to go in the Philippines
The kids are off from school, while you are still buried in work. Why not
take a couple of days, a week, maybe two weeks off to enjoy their company and at
the same time get a second look at some really pretty spots in the Philippines?
You might be tempted to just stay home and do all the stuff you have been
meaning to do - don't! Use the time to get to know your children more and your
country as well.
Time and budget might constrain you, but you can still go on a day's trip
to Metro Manila and environs - try Intramuros, the renovated zoo, the butterfly
farms. And have you brought the kids to the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite?
Go, and be "present" right below the historic balcony as President
Emilio Aguinaldo proclaims the independent republic. Go back to the present by way of
malls along the way.
Farther out, you might want to stick some well-traveled places. So REN
Travel & Tours gives you some basics on these and other less familiar travel
spots. |
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Baguio
Kennon Road, opened in 1905, is one of two access roads to the City of
Pines. Baguio was designed by Daniel Burnham as the country's summer capital.
Everybody who goes to Baguio goes to its public market, where fresh
vegetables can be had for less than half the price in Manila. You can also buy
knitted garments, handwoven fabrics, silverware, strawberry, (fresh or
preserves), and ube jam.
You can take a plane to go to Baguio, but most people travel by land.
Scenic Kennon Road is still the best land route. Traffic gets quite bad in
provinces before Baguio, so you might want to take off late at night or early in
the morning.
Hotels, inns, and pension houses with restaurants abound in the place,
especially around Burnham park. The Teacher's Camp is also open to room rentals.
If you want to go off the beaten path in Baguio, there are many
possibilities for you - from within minutes of city boundaries to as far down
the Mountain Trail as your schedule permits. The scenery is worth the drive. Do
visit the local office of the Department of Tourism to make the most of your
stay. Taal,
Batangas
Famed for Hispanic-inspired colonial houses, a good view to the dormant
Taal volcano, age-old churches, and finely woven barong material, Taal has kept
it old-fashioned natural beauty comfortable in its place in history.
Colonial villas in what is known as Taal Heritage Village is one of the
Department of Tourism's top 25 destinations. It has been nominated to the World
Heritage List.
Another landmark is the Basilica de San Martin, reputed to be the biggest
in the Orient.
The sun-sea buffs would enjoy the beach. For the more adventurous, take a
30-minute ride to Ligpo, where the water is clear, and you will find a resort.
If you are the darning type, access to Taal Lake and Volcano Island is so easy
through the San Nicolas side of the town. |
Boracay
Kalibo, Aklan is the main entry point to Boracay. It is a 45-minute plane
ride from Manila. Buses and jeepneys are waiting at the airport to transfer
visitors to Caticlan (we recommend you pay more and take an air-conditioned
vehicle as some roads are very dusty). Travel time from the airport to Caticlan
is about an hour.
There is a wide range of accommodations in Boracay, from world-class to
budget resorts. Various restaurants offering international cuisine abound on the
island. If you are on a budget, we suggest you look for the market and ask where
you can have the food cooked.
Including airfare, you might need to budget about P6,000 to P7,000 per
person for a two-day stay, depending on your sleeping quarters.
The children can go horseback riding or play in the playground.
There are also enough hotels, inns and other accommodations for those who
want to stay a day or two.
The viewing deck of the 86-room Tall Vista Hotel still offers one of the
best views of Taal Volcano. The 311-meter-high that is ringed in by a lake sits
on another volcano - the only one of its kind in the world.
Go there at the break of dawn. Catch the sun as its rays slowly creep
into the horizon. You'll love to watch the mountain fog while enveloping a
number of Swiss-style homes, surrounded by thick foliage.
Tagaytay is 56 kilometers south of Metro Manila and is a 90-minute drive
from Makati. To cut travel time, leave Manila as early as 5 a.m., take the Sta.
Rosa (Laguna) exit, then go home before sunset.
Japanese
Garden, Caliraya
A shrine created by the Japanese government in memory of the Japanese
soldiers who died during the encounter between the Japanese and the
Filipino-American troops towards the close of World War II.
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Laguna
Laguna is known for its hot springs and buko pies. If you want to have a very
warm and relaxing bath, just go to any of the many resorts in Laguna - they are
right beside each other.
This province is of course also famous for its son, national hero Dr.
Jose P. Rizal, with the replica of his childhood home still standing in the town
of Calamba. The Rizal Shrine is a two-storey, red-tiled Spanish vintage house
that houses all kinds of Rizal memorabilia.
Underground
cemetery, Nagcarlan A circular wall structure, its red-tiled walk crossing the grounds leading straight to the opposite side, where an altar-like structure is located. The tombstones are embedded on the brick walls of the cemetery. According to history, the crypt of the cemetery is where the Katipuneros plotted against Spanish rule. It is believed that a secret tunnel connects the cemetery to Nagcarlan church.
Lake
Caliraya, Lumban
A man-made lake complete with coves and
sand bars. Its deep waters make it an ideal place for aqua sports such as
boating, wind surfing, and water skiing. Game fishing is also a favorite in the
area.
Land travel from Manila by air-conditioned bus is eight hours, with several tour junctions along the highway. There are twice-weekly flights between Manila and Laoag City to Ilocos Norte. Air travel is one hour. Connecting rides by bus or mini-bus are available from Laoag City to Vigan, an hour and a half away. |
Mt.
Makiling
According to legend, the slopes of Mt. Makiling are shaped like a woman
lying down. An inactive volcano, Makiling is home to 2,048 species of plants and
is perfect for nature-tripping: trekking, bird and butterfly watching, and for
the more adventurous types, camping.
Pagsanjan
Falls
Villa
Escudero, San Pablo City
Hidden
Valley Springs, Alaminos
The narrow road leading to the resort is
rough and lined by towering coconut trees. Its attractions include hidden falls,
amlang trees, a lover's pool, soda pools, a hanging bridge and dozens of
lanzones trees. |
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Whalesharks
and dolphins... and a volcano Mayon
Volcano in
Legazpi City has got to be one of the most impressive sites in the world: an
imposing perfect cone dominating the landscape from whichever angle you look.
This volcano is characterized by its ability to preserve its perfect cone by
rebuilding its slopes after each eruption.
Sample the Bicolano cuisine, distinctive
for sili and gata. Don't miss the native handicrafts and the pili nuts. But then
you must leave the magnificence of Mayon, go on a nature trip some two hours by
land to see the... Butanding - whalesharks
- in Donsol, Sorsogon, a must-see destination as Anna Joaquin Barrios says (see
Diving Destinations). Donsol
is well-organized to receive visitors like yourself. There are two resorts
(standard accommodations without air conditioning), at P500-600 a night. The
"Butanding interaction package," a guided tour by boat complete
with a "spotter" to ensure butanding
sightings is available at P2,500 per person. Truly a worthwhile, memorable
experience. Dolphins - Go
via Dumaguete in Negros Oriental to Bais to Tanon Strait. There are organized
tours by a number of tour operators. For more information please contact the REN International
at 1-888-REN-KAMI
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Baguio | Boracay
| Tagaytay | Taal | Laguna
| Caliraya | Mt. Makiling | Pagsanjan
| Villa Escudero | Vigan | |
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