Showing posts with label Philippines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Philippines. Show all posts

 The busy streets of Manila now is in stark contrast with the laid back swagger of Old and New Manila. Around 1898 when the Americans arrived and experienced the Philippines firsthand, Manila carried a centuries-old charm, renowned for its impeccable beauty as the “Pearl of the Orient” and the “Venice of Asia”.

As 1904 rolled around, the old walled city of Intramuros was an astonishingly-preserved medieval city, impressing Daniel Burnham (sent by President Taft to overtake the city’s planning). Snazzy Meralco street cars were also soon installed after.

 There were beautiful old churches, and elegant, sloping Filipino Bahay-na-Bato style houses. Ground floor walls were made entirely out of stone, and overhanging second floors were crafted out of  wood. Sliding capiz shell windows filtered the sunlight, with wrought iron grill creations. And by 1912, Manila Hotel just completed its construction following the Army and Navy Club.

If you're feeling nostalgic from the heavy traffic, here are a few scenes from around Manila ca. 1900-'20s, which includes these postcards from Jonathan Best's Book, Philippine Picture Postcards 1900-1920.

North Pasig, Union Landing and Customs House Wharf
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Manila Hotel, with a view of "New Luneta" and the Bay.



The mouth of River Pasig and Anda Monument


Plaza de Goiti  and the Santa Cruz Church



                                        Escolta, Clark's famous ice cream parlor and cafe


                                                      Cascos in the Binondo Canal



                                          Escolta, and MERALCO's new street cars, 1904


The Santo Tomas Church courtyard, Intramuros, destroyed in WWII


                                                        Rotonda Circle and fountain


                                            A casco used to deliver veggies up the Pasig


                                    Sentry watchtower, Bastion de San Andres


                                      Binondo Church and Insular Cage Building



                                                      Malacanang Palace, 1909


What did you think of old and new Manila circa 1900-'20s?
Relieve stress and feast your eyes on the clearest blue waters in Southeast Asia. No overbearing crowd here! Check out the pristine waters and white sand beaches of some of the best tropical island getaways, from swanky to not-so pricey. Make any of these close-to-home paradises your very own happy place, and start planning your next travel destination.

1. Caramoan Islands, Philippines




Cut off from the rest of the mainland, this hidden gem remains unexploited by tourism. Immaculate beaches, a row of primeval caves, and spectacular dive spots make up the Caramoan Peninsula in the Bicol Region of the peninsula. It’s been also as the shooting location for adventure TV series, such as Survivor’s French edition, Koh-Lanta.


2. Gili Islands, Indonesia


Imagine three tiny deserted islands fringed by powdery white sand beaches, sprawling palm trees, and the clearest, most vibrant turquoise waters. Green is the way to go for these islanders, with not many concrete monstrosities. Expect tranquility with no motorbikes roaring past nearby or dogs howling and barking into the night.


3. Kata Beach, Thailand


Escape the hustle in Kata Beach with its charming white sand, clear blue waters, and palm-lined beaches. They provide delectable food and a dynamic, but not so seedy nightlife. Head there from May to October to surf the waves and from November to April to seek the sun.


4. Koh Tachai Island Beach, Thailand 





This still fairly deserted island, also known as the Maldives of Thailand, has one of the whitest beaches anywhere with sugary white sand. Unpopulated by speed boats, go snorkeling in the beautiful ocean, and enjoy the peace with other wildlife on this superb island.

5. Amanpulo, Philippines
Visit Amanpulo through a private plane ride from Manila. The posh resort on this remote island in Palawan has exquisite scenery, private bungalows, dive spots, and unparalleled service.

6. Suluban Beach, Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia





Take in jaw-dropping scenery at Suluban Beach. The mecca for surf junkies searching for world-class breaks, this secluded paradise joins the Uluwatu beach and is situated not too far from the Uluwata temple.


7. Bacuit Bay, Philippines





Bacuit Bay is made up of more than 45 islets. It’s a geological wonder for its limestone rockformations and sheer cliffs. Get your adrenaline fix from this region, a great place for kayaking, snorkeling, trekking, diving, or cliff-climbing.

8. Puka Beach, Philippines
The second-longest beach in Boracay is a little more secluded and serene than White Beach’s Station 1,2, and 3. You’ll find rare Puka shells along this stretch of pure white sand, just a quick tricycle ride away from the mainland to this side of the island. 

9. Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam
Explore Phu Quoc Island’s beaches which are still largely empty. Rent a motorbike, snorkel, scuba dive, wind sail, jet ski, or fish for squid. Yes, squid fishing. Visit the early-morning Duong Dong market for a real firsthand experience of the local Vietnam culture. 

10. Gaya Island, Borneo, Malaysia





The Gayana Eco Resort in Gaya Island is hard to resist, even if you’re not an environmental warrior. With a resort built on stilts above the water, it has a 130-million-year-old prehistoric rain forest in the vicinity. When you want a break from the warm waters, exotic fish, and corals, go jungle-trekking, and you might get lucky and spot a Megapode, a local bird that appears similar to a chicken and meows like a cat!




PARANAS, Samar – Five years have gone by since the area was proclaimed and developed as an eco-tourism destination by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to combat illegal logging, and locals are already reaping the benefits. A surge in tourism has shifted their livelihood, from cutting down trees illegally to professionally guiding thrill-seeking tourists on the river tour.

They have been receiving an average of 500 tourists per month during the summer, while monsoon season rakes in about 200 visitors a month. Thirty-six year old leader of river guides and boatmen in Tenani village, Eugene Igdalino, says that they receive P5,000 to P7,000 a month showing tourists around. The drive displayed by locals to engage in eco-tourism has also motivated National Government agencies to offer villagers assistance by building tourism support facilities, trainings, as well as provision of gears.

Karina Rosa Tiopes, regional director of the Department of Tourism (DOT) says that the site faces many challenges since its launch fifty years ago, including damaged safety gears, frequent flooding, strong typhoons, and old boats. Tiopes promises to offer more assistance to local tourism, including more opportunities for local food sellers, concrete roads to the jump-off point, trails for senior citizens, multicabs for catering, and a hanging bridge.

How You Can Experience the Torpedo Ride


Enjoy a white-water rapid ride, also known as The Ulot River Torpedo Extreme Boat Ride, on a motorized canoe deep into the Samar Island National Park (SINP) in the south central area of Samar Island. The Ulot Watershed Model Forest t is a 10.5 km or one-hour ride downstream from the jump-off point. Going upstream, on the other hand, needs about an hour and 15 minutes or a total of 21 km.

The famous river can be reached both by land and air. If you’re coming from Manila, it’ll only take a little more than an hour to Calbayog City and Tacloban City. From there, you’ll be able to find jeepneys, buses, and vans that offer regular trips to the area.

Tour packages include community development fee, motorized banca rental, tour guide’s fee, kayak rental, and use of safety gears and personal floating devices.

The torpedo ride is just a component of the Ulot Watershed Ecotourism Loop, which handles other recreation sites, including Can-maanghit Falls, Lusungan Falls, Taft Philippine Eagle Sanctuary, Pangpang Falls, Yabon Falls, Nasarang Spring, Silay Cave, Catingcoy Cave, Liaw Cave, Duloy Spring, Sulfan Spring, and Pugtak Spring.


About Me

About Me
I’m a wandering Filipina-German living in Manila. Flower child and moonlighter at heart, I dream, write, photograph, (model sometimes), and specialize in content and user experience design

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