Mayon Volcano is located in the Bicol Region in the Province of Albay in the Philippines. This volcano has been world famous for its perfect cone shaped. All volcanologist classifies this volcano as a stratovolcano which is a composite volcano. Its perfect cone was formed though the alternate pyroclastic and lava flows. This is an active volcano in the Philippines and has erupted for over 47 time in the pass 400 years. The Mayon Volcano is part of the Pacific ring of fire because it is located along the Pacific Oceans rim.

The most destructive eruption of the Mayon Volcano was in 1814 which buried the whole town of the Casagawa leaving the bell tower of the church as the new surface.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is found in the Island of Palawan in the Philippines. It is about 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa which is the Capital city of the Island of Palawan. This park is most commonly known as the Underground River. This park features the different formations of the limestone. The river takes about 8.2 km and it is very navigable which ends to the South China Sea. The lime stones formations include stalactites and stalagmites and chambers which some of them a larges ones. This underground river is the longest in the world. When you enter the cave you will find a lagoon that is framed by growing trees on the edge of the water. You will also find monkeys, monitor lizards of large sizes, squirrels on the beach that is near the cave.

Tubbataha Reef

The Tubbataha reef is located in the middle of the Sulu Sea with the island of Palawan in the Philippines. It is the only Marine National Park in the country. It is also in the UNESCO's National World's Heritage site. Tubbataha Reef has the most beautiful reefs in the world. The name Tubbataha means long reefs exposed at low tides by the Samal people who had the first access to this park in the 1980's. There are about one thousand different species in this park that includes many endangered species and you can only find them in this reef. The manta rays, clownfish, sharks, lion fish and the tortoises are just a few of them.

Chocolate Hills

The Chocolate Hills is located in Bohol Province, in the Central Visayas of the Philippines. This is the famous tourist spot when you visit Bohol Province. The Chocolate Hills consist of 1, 268 cones that is perfectly shaped hills. These hills are covered in green grass but it turns brown during the summer season the reason why they were called “chocolate hills”.

These hills have been spread on the area of more than 50 sq km. It is also included in the Provincial Flag for Bohol. It is the 3rd on the National Geological Monument in the Philippines.

Popular Tourists Attractions

Chocolate Hills

This is the most famous tourists attraction in Bohol consisting of 1,268 haycock hills with heights ranging from 40 to 120 meters, the Chocolate Hils is a wonder of nature. The Hills are considered as a Philippine National Geological Monument. During the summer, the dome-shaped, grass-covered limestone hills dry up and turn brown transforming the areas into rows and rows of chocolate "kisses

Diving Sites

Bohol is surrounded by a large number of coral reefs, which are very rich in life, and a delight to observe, and a prime tourist attraction. Bohol is blessed with white-sand beaches and serene dive spots. Panglao Island has a number of beach resorts for sun lovers where various watersports are available. Near Panglao are the island of Balicasag and Pamilacan. Balicasag is considered as one of the best dive spots in the country. The waters of Pamilacan are brimming with schools of tuna, snappers, groupers, mackerel and surgeonfish. Dolphins and pilot whales can also be viewed from a distance.

Beaches in Bohol

Kaingit Beach, Santa Fe Beach, Anda Beach, Laya Beach, Bikini Beach, Imelda Beach, Duero Beach, Canuba Beach, Claring Beach, Lintuan Beach, Alona Beach, Doljo Beach is ideal for scuba diving, and Momo Beach is another white sand beach.

Hiking and Cycling

Bohol's numerous hills, valleys and plateaus are ideal for hiking and cycling. In Bilar, a three-kilometer man-made forest is sanctuary to the province's endangered species including the tarsier.

Hinagdanan Cave

With its breath-taking symphony of stalactites and stalagmites jutting out of the earth, the Hinagdanan Cave is certainly a sight to behold. Bring a swimsuit if you want to swim its cool springs aptly lit from above by natural skylights.

Badiang Spring

An underground freshwater spring gushes from twin pipes near the sea. The large volume of water normally flows over a waterfall but can be diverted to fill an adjacent swimming pool.

Old Churches and Other Religious Institution

One of the earliest Spanish settlements, Bohol is home to one of the country's oldest stone churches, the Baclayon Church. The legendary Dauis Church, which is just a few minutes from Tagbilaran features a fresh water well at the foot of the altar. The waters are said to be blessed with healing powers. Still another religious must-see is the Panglao Church with its marvelous ceiling murals and intricately-carved antique confessionals.

Bohol Museum

One of the homes of former President Carlos P. Garcia and his family. On display are memorabilia, relics and samples of the island's flora and fauna.

Falls

There are three popular falls in Bohol, Busay Falls, Inambacan Falls and Tontonan Falls.

 

Cebu, Philippines

Famous Tourist Attractions

Lapu-Lapu Monument

Proudly standing at Mactan Island is Lapu-Lapu's bronze form. He is the first Filipino leader to resist Spanish attempt of colonization. His statue ironically stands across the street from that of rival, Magellan.

Magellan's Cross

In 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan planted a cross on the very spot where the first Filipinos were baptized People started chipping off parts of the cross because of supposed supernatural powers until the city government encased it in tindalo wood and housed it in a monument. It now stands at the corner of Magallanes and Burgos streets.

Mactan Island

A coral island and famous for scuba diving, where beach resorts of international standards are located.

Badian Island

South of Cebu - Located southwest of Cebu City, famous for beautiful corals and reefs, white sandy beaches excellent for diving.

Kawasan Falls

Located in Badian, one can feel the coolness of the surrounding lush greenery of this panoramic waterfalls.

Olango Wildlife Sanctuary

Olango Island supports the largest concentration of migratory birds found so far in the country. Migration starts from the breeding places of birds in Siberia, Northern China and Japan.

Religious Image of Santo Niño

It is considered as the oldest religious relic in the Philippines. It was on April 14, 1521 that Magellan gave the image to Queen Juana as a baptismal gift. Forty-four years later, on April 27, 1565 when Miguel Lopez de Legaspi arrived, Fr. Andres de Urdaneta who formally Christianized the Cebuanos, found the natives hostile. Legaspi himself besieged the settlement and set the village on fire. It was on one of the burnt houses that Juan Camus, a soldier, found the image of Sto. Niño unscratched. Since then, the miraculous image has been venerated by the Cebuanos as its Patron Saint.

Basilica Minor Del Santo Niño

This church was built by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Fr. Andres Urdaneta on the site where the image of Santo Niño was found in 1565.

Mandaue- Mactan Brigde

Built in 1972 at a cost of P65 million. This 864-meter bridge connects the islands of Mactan and Cebu. The bridge is situated on top of Busay Hills, an excellent sight seeing spot which offers a breathtaking view of Metro Cebu and the islands of Mactan and Olango.

 

Mindoro, Philippines

Tourists Destinations in Occidental Mindoro

Apo Reef National Park -UNESCO World Heritage Center

Apo Reef National Park is acclaimed as one of the best diving sites in Asia. It is a 34-kilometer reef, with a narrow channel running east to west, dividing this reef into two lagoon systems, north and south. Apo Reef is the second largest contiguous coral reef in the world and the largest one in the Philippines.

Mt. Iglit-Bacu National Park- UNESCO World Heritage Center

Mt. Iglit is one of Mindoro's reservation areas, declared as a game sanctuary for tamaraws, wild animals found nowhere else in the world. The tamaraw bears a close resemblance to the Philippine water buffalo, commonly known as carabao.

Mamburao Beach Resort

This resort is within a completely secluded cove covering 14 hectares of developed beach resort amidst coconut trees. It has a four-kilometer long light grey sand beach. The place is ideal for swimming, boating, scuba diving, wind surfing, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, and water skiing. Water sports facilities such as glass-bottomed boat, speedboat, hobbie cat, and outrigger boats are available.

Mina de Oro Beach Resort

This resort serves as a jump-off point to other attractions of the island of Ilin. There are ancient burial caves of early Chinese traders, ethnic fishing villages, and numerous dive sites from which to view many tropical fishes.

Ambulong Island

The 3,000-hectare Ambulong Island is one of the three islands found in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. It is characterized by white sand beaches, cliffs along pillars jutting out of the water, and underwater caves. Coral gardens and tropical fish are abundant in several coves.

Ilin Island

Ilin Island is the biggest among the group of islands located in San Jose. It lies between San Jose and Ambulong Island. The area abounds in shells which can be obtained inexpensively on the island.

Lubang Island

It was in this island where a Japanese soldier named Hiroo Onoda was found in 1974. He surrendered as a prisoner of war after 30 years of hiding in the mountains. Another Captain of the Japanese Imperial Army, Fumio Nakahira, held out for another six years before being discovered in April 1980 at Mt. Halcon in Mindoro.

Ambil Island

An interesting attraction of Ambil is the scenic Besay Falls.It features a series of waterfalls, each cascading into a crystal clear basin, about five meters in diameter.

Pandan Grande Island

Pandan Grande Island is a 30-hectare islet surrounded by a white sand beach. This beautiful little coral islet is located with snorkeling distance from a submarine drop-off, inhabited by schools of reef.

White Island

It has an almost mile-long beach with smooth and powdery white sand. The tranquil and peaceful island is an ideal place for swimming, scuba diving and fishing. Turtle eggs are occasionally found buried in the sand and visitors are cautioned to keep them undisturbed.

Enjoy your stay in these beautiful islands of the The Pear of the Orient-Philippines.

Holy Week is fast approaching and together with my boyfriend, we decided to spend the long vacation in someplace far, interesting and quiet - more like a honeymoon prone place.

Day 1: March 20, 2008 (Thursday)

We departed Cagayan de Oro City around 8:30AM on a ship bound for Jagna, Bohol. The time spent on board the ship was more on eating, sleeping and a little picture taking. We didn't have much activity. We were conserving most of our energies for the days ahead.

We arrived in Jagna, Bohol around 2:00PM, looked for the terminal and rode a bus (which they termed as "truck") which is bound for Tagbilaran, Bohol - the capital. Since our destination would be for Loboc, we need to make a stop over at Loay and then took a jeepney.

Upon arriving in our destination, we rested for awhile and then proceeded with conquering the place. The only place we were able to conquer was the Loboc River, where they once filmed the "Panaghoy sa Suba - The Cry of the River". My boyfriend was really thrilled and took pictures all over the place.

We retired early in the evening - got really exhausted from all the trip.

Day 2: March 21, 2008 (Friday)

We woke up around 10:00AM and got really excited to try the famous Loboc Floating Restaurant. We paid Php280 for the buffet lunch and supposed to be a trip to Busay Spring, but because it's Holy Friday, there was no trip available - only the lunch.

The next trip we had was to get a look at the famous, smallest monkey - Tarsier. It was just a walking distance from the floating restaurant. There was no "pay per see", but only donation boxes where you could drop any amount you wish to give. Donation boxes are much better than mandatory entrance fee. It's because, a person's experience may vary from one another, and satisfaction too. If you were satisfied, you could donate as much as you want to; and if you were not satisfied on the other hand, you could donate not a single centavo if you like.

Anyways, we learned that the tarsiers they had in-kept were already tamed. Tarsiers living on the wild are much faster and difficult to spot, probably dangerous. Crickets and other small insects are their food. They are nocturnal - animals that are active at night variation.

In the late afternoon, the local had their usual religious procession. It ended around 7:00PM.

Day 3: March 22, 2008 (Saturday)

On the third day of our trip, we went to Tagbilaran. From Loboc, you need to embark on a jeepney bound to the city and would be paying Php50. We disembarked in one of their famous malls - The Island City Mall. The locals would call it "ICM". We left our baggages inside ICM and headed directly to the nearest Kodak shop where we could burn the images we had stored in our digital camera. We visited a lot of shops inside the mall and one of my boyfriends favorite was Bo's coffee shop.

Another mall we visited was Bohol Quality - this was located much more on the downtown area. My boyfriend got real shocked when he learned that the building we ushered ourselves into was a mall. We had a tour inside and stumble upon Gerry's Grill - again another shock for him. He never quite expected to find it there. He got so thrilled that he decided we'll have our dinner there. We ordered three menu - Chili Cheese Sticks, Pork Sisig and Bicol Express. We got so full and sleepy, that we just did a little grocery and then retired for the night.

Day 4: March 23, 2008 (Sunday)

Early morning, we hired a taxi cab that would take us to Panglao Island - famous for its white sand beaches. It was their rule of thumb that the one-way fare should be multiplied by two, to cover the cost going back the city proper - we paid around Php300 (a total of Php600).

Our destination was Bohol Beach Club (BBC). There was an entrance fee of Php350/person, where the Php250 is consumable. And indeed, we consumed a yummy lot. During our lunch, we ordered for a Beef Steak and Sinugbang (Grilled) Pusit - it was really delicious. We both enjoyed the scenery and the food.

Our journey didn't stop there. We then conquered BBC's white sand beach. Even though it was raging hot, we took pictures of ourselves with the serenic view. A pose here and there, laughing and just plain enjoying.

Later in the afternoon, we had a late swim on the beach and just enjoying the warm water. We also looked for a starfish that we could take it home with us as a souvenir. We got really tired and relaxed with all the beach tripping that we just went directly to sleep afterwards.

Day 5: March 24, 2008 (Monday)

Our fifth and last day in Bohol. Our trip for Cagayan de Oro was due 7:00PM that evening. We spent the early and late afternoons inside ICM buying stuff as "pasalubong". Around 5:30PM, we hired a motorcycle that would take us to Tagbilaran Port where it costs us Php20/person (a total of Php40). Inside the port's waiting area, we took our last look at the place we stayed in for five days - Bohol, before we embarked on the ship that would take us back home.

Hope you enjoyed reading this and soon be able to share similar experiences.