white sand beach

Exploring Caluya: the Paradise Island of Antique

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:26:15 PST

It is composed of ten islands, typically enticed with brilliant and dazzling white coral-sand beaches. An unspoiled and rich marine sanctuary island where one can find the exotic yet endangered species of fish, sea turtles, corals, mollusks, colorful sea stars and urchins and other marine creatures luring and enjoying in the expanse of pristine water, Caluya is paradise.

The brilliant and dazzling white coral sand beaches of Caluya were one can found various species of sea stars and urchins entice in the reefs of the island.

Caluya is very famous for their sought-after delicacy, the “tatus” or coconut crab (Birgus latro). A nocturnal creature with strong pincers and has known for its ability to crack coconuts in order to eat the contents. They usually burrow in coral rock and thick undergrowths. The meat of this crab is enormously appreciated, just like lobster and other crabs.

Coconut crab locally known as tatus; a nocturnal creature known for its ability to crack coconuts by using its pincers

Your trip maybe not complete if you don't try to eat the raw or briefly cooked exotic urchins locally known as “tirik” (Tripneustes gratilla). A rounded-spiny herbivore comes in various colors and species living on the vast coral reefs of the island. The five strips roe or gonads resides within the structure of the urchin, in a yellowish or orange substance resembling into a firm custard has a great tangy flavored after taste and it is also considered as aphrodisiac.

Pincushion urchins abound the coral reefs of the island. The tangy five strips custard like roes or gonads edible part of the urchin; it also considered as aphrodisiac

Wide plantation of seaweeds is very famous in the island. Various kinds of edible seaweeds, locally termed as “tambalang” are abundant in the area. Most of the locals are engaged in the seaweed farming. The fresh and dried seaweeds are very marketable in the local market and exported in nearby islands and provinces.

Seaweed farming is the main livelihood of the locals in the island.

Other profitable activities include mining, copra making, fishing, farming, raising livestock, native and shell crafts making.

The Island is three-hours away from Centro Weste Port in the Municipality of Libertad and five hours travel time from Lipata Seaport in Culasi via a ferry boat. The island has several safe docking places; the Masanag Pier during the habagat season; Tonggo pier during the amihan season and Dapdap Pier in Semirara Island. One can also ride on small cargo and commercial passenger vessels plying regularly the Culasi-Libertad-Caluya-Semirara-Mindoro routes.

Seven Places to Visit in the Philippines

Fri, 09 May 2008 07:31:49 PST

Boracay Island - is famous of its 7 km white powdery sand which never gets hot. You can have a massage on the beach while enjoying fresh fruit shakes. Go snorkeling and diving or join the different water sports. You can also visit the Bat cave, white or long beach, Puka beach, and Mt. Luho which you can enjoy the breath taking view of the island from above.
Banaue , Ifugao - is famous for the Banaue Rice Terraces which is the 8th wonder of the world. Built by the natives of the region over 2000 years ago with the use of the crudest wooden tools. While in the area, you can go to Sagada and see the famous ancient burial caves and hanging coffins, astonishing limestone formations at Sumaging Caves and the Bontoc Museum.
Bohol and Panglao Island - Be mesmerized by the famous Chocolate Hills, these are 1268 limestone hills that is covered with grass which dries up in the summer that the hills turns brown that transforms these hills into chocolate kisses look a like. Here you will also find the Tarsier, which is the world's smallest primate with big hands and huge eyes. They can be found at the Tarsier Preservation Center in Canapnapan. You can also visit the old Colonial Spanish churches that were made from coral stone. They are also famous for their Ube jam, a delicacy. To the south part of Bohol Island you will find the Panglao Island which blessed with white sand beaches. In the west of Panglao is the Balicasag Island which is famous for diving spots that are surrounded by reef that drops away to impressive submarine cliffs which goes as deep as 50 meters.
Northern Palawan - is known as the last frontier of the Philippines and an eco tourist destination. Activities and sights are all connected with nature. Palawenos are very committed to protecting the wildlife and the environment in their area. You can enjoy seing the limestone cliffs, caves during your island hopping. Palawan also has the best diving spots and best coral reefs in the Philippines. St. Paul Underground River is one to visit also.
Corregidor - this place served as the most vital harbor defenses of Manila and was the last place to fall into the hands of the Japanese during World War II. There are still different gun batteries, shell of a mile long barracks which up to now still stands, the Pacific memorial, and the famous Malinta Tunnel are the points of interest in the Corregidor Island.
Siargao Island- this is a surfing haven for surf fanatics. Surfers say that the Cloud 9 break is among the best in the world. The unparalleled surf of Siargao is a magnet for different activities like deep sea fishing, kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing. Suhoton Cave is also a good place to visit when you are there for its blue lagoon.
Puerto Galera - is excellent for sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving. This island is famous for its sandy beaches, beautiful corals and its friendly natives. You can also visit the Mangyan Tribal Village which is famous for basket weaving. You can also take a dip at the Tamaraw falls or go island hopping to see corals, giant clams, and the white tip shark cave. For more experience divers, they can enjoy canyoning.

A Five Day Tour in Bohol

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 04:36:35 PST

A Five-Day Tour in Bohol

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.