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Boracay is the Best Beach in Asia

melo — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:56:41 +0000

Once again Boracay Island has been ranked number one in the list of the top ten Best Beaches in Asia by the popular travel website ‘TripAdvisor’. The travel website that provides helpful user generated travel tips, restaurant reviews, hotel ratings have listed Boracay as the best beach in Asia over Maldives which came in second and Koh Phangan in Thailand which came in third.

Boracay is the Best Beach in Asia

“Boracay was chosen for its powdery white sand, affordable accommodations and courteous and hospitable people,” a statement in Tripadvisor read. “At only 4.5 miles long, Boracay is small enough to navigate by rented bicycle or motorbike. But don’t let its small size fool you – you’ll have several excellent beaches to choose from.

Yapak Beach is known for beautiful white shells; White Beach has picture-perfect sunsets; and Balinghai Beach is a secluded spot, perfect for honeymooners,” the TripAdvisor wrote.

Aside from Boracay, the famous surfing destination in Mindanao named Siargao was also voted as the 8th top surfing beach out of 50 across the globe.

It’s More fun in the Philippines isn’t it?

Kauai’s 5 Best Beginner Surf Breaks

melo — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 02:16:28 +0000

Most people associate surfing in Hawaii with Oahu: Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach and the Banzai Pipeline, Waikiki and Makaha are all famous surf spots. Oahu’s less visited neighbor, Kauai, also has great surf breaks and several are perfect for beginners. Below are the 5 best beginner surf breaks on Kauai.

Lawai Beach

Understanding Hawaii’s ocean will help you pick a home base for a surfing vacation. In the winter months, Hawaii’s northern coasts experience big surf, the result of far away storms in the north Atlantic. In the summer months, the situation reverses. Since the southern hemisphere experiences winter those storms send waves thousands of miles across the pacific until they reach Hawaii’s southern coasts.

Beautiful Hanalei Bay

1. Hanalei Bay

Hanalei Bay is a two mile long beach on Kauai’s north shore and one of the best surfing locations in Hawaii. The bay contains many different breaks including a few reef breaks for advanced surfers. Depending on swell direction and size there are several beach breaks that are ideal for beginner surfers. A favorite location during the winter months is around Hanalei Pier. The location is protected as big waves have lost their energy by the time they reach the pier.

Kalapaki Bay

During the summer months, lake-like conditions return the Hanalei and surfing lessons move to the south shore. There is still the occasional day when 1-2 ft surf rolls in, particularly in June and July, so keeping an eye on the surf report is important.

2. Kalapaki Bay

Kalapaki Bay is a beach that’s situated beside Nawilili harbor and hence protected from large waves. Beach boys have been giving surf lessons here for decades. Kalapaki Bay doesn’t have as many good wave days as Hanalei Bay, and the waves break in deep water, but this is one of the cleanest breaks for beginners because there tends to be less turbulence in the water compared to other locations. For people vacationing near Lihue this would be the first location to check.

Rock Quary Beach

3. Kiahuna Beach

For kids getting into surfing, Kiahuna beach is the preferred south shore location for lessons. The break is usually only about 1 foot high, but instructors stand in the waist high water and help students by pushing their boards. Although Kiahuna beach is mostly sand, there are rocks in the water and reef shoes are recommended. The break is only 20-30 yards from shore.

Kiahuna Beach

4. Rock Quarry Beach

Rock Quarry Beach, also known as Kahili beach, is situated on Kauai’s north shore. Surfing schools will sometimes take students here when Hanalei Bay is flat. This is not a clean break as the area experiences mostly wind waves, but for beginners with the right equipment (big boards), it’s still fun and instructive to catch the white water. It’s also often the only north shore option in the quieter summer months.

5. Lawai Beach

At Lawai beach directly in front of the Kuhio Shores Condominiums is a popular reef break. Although not suitable for beginners, novice surfers will want to investigate this location when the rest of the south shore is flat. As with any reef break, checking the surf forecast and tides is important, and this location should only be surfed during high tide. Surf instructors may take more experienced surfers here for advanced lessons.

There are many surf schools and instructors on Kauai. If you’re not a confident swimmer it’s important to chose a semi-private lesson as opposed to a group lesson so that the instructor can assist you at all times.

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Hambongan Island – Discovering a RARE Path

melo — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:30:19 +0000

As a travel blogger, one of the things you dream about is discovering a new destination that is off the beaten track and either hasn’t been written about or has been written about so little that you just might get credited with the ‘discovery’. Like the ancient explorers, we want to be the first- but there is of course a downside. Telling the world about a destination can change or even destroy it.

Arrival in Hambongan Island

When you find a place that is beautiful – whether you are the first or any that come after, you have a responsibility to help preserve and protect it so that you are not the last to see it. Nothing could be so sad as to see the last of a species, the last sight of a beautiful place or the end of a beautiful ecosystem.

Elementary Students in Hambongan Island

It’s for this reason that the RARE Conservation Fellows (CF) have become so important to the protection and preservation of both flora and fauna in delicate ecological areas. The mission of CF’s are to adapt and replicate demonstrated solutions by effectively implementing a community based solution.

Inabanga Mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy

What this boils down to is teaching communities to be more sustainable through the use of new tools, effective training, economic incentives, and to promote a change in the way people look at the world around them. RARE wants people to see the value of what is all around them.

An afternoon in Hambongan Island

It was with these ideas in my head that I sat on the two hour bus ride to the town of Inabanga on the beautiful island of Bohol. Inabanga is a small town but one that takes pride in it’s beauty and uniqueness through the help of its effective local government and civic organizations. With this in mind, I was not surprised when we were welcomed to Inabanga with a parade and a celebration consisting of students, government officials and local residents.

RARE CEO Brett Jenks

The parade wasn’t so much to celebrate us as it was a response to a call everyone had put out to preserve and protect the incredible natural beauty and resources of nearby Hambongan Island with a marine conservation program. The entire town came out in support of the program and it’s energetic champion, Mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy – who is the youngest mayor in the Philippine history. Of course, that’s not surprising in the town that was the birthplace to Francisco Dagohoy – the man who led the longest revolt in Philippine history from 1744-1829 – rightly called the Dagohoy Rebellion.

Hambongan Island in Bohol

I was there with a team of Conservation Fellows and with the Mayor, we all headed down to the port to see some of the program and what was being done to protect Hambongan Island. We were met by volunteers and elementary school students who welcomed us with seashell leis and huge amounts of enthusiasm. With speeches and a delicious lunch, the launch of the program got under way.

Ruins in Inabanga Bohol

First we had a tour of the island itself. A big part of the conservation program is to understand the amount of destruction that practices such as dynamite fishing cause – from the destruction of coral reefs to actually cracking the school buildings on the island!

Sari-Sari Store

The program has aimed at teaching local fisherman about the long term destruction caused by things like dynamite fishing and cyanide fishing.

Kid’s Pastime in the Island

The Philippines is home to 488 of the 500 known coral species and as pointed out by RARE Senior Vice President from UK, Paul Butler – many of these are becoming endangered or have already gone extinct.

Over the past few years, locals have come to realize that destruction of the reefs means destruction of their livelihood, their way of life and their home.

Philippine Marine Protected Areas

RARE members from around the globe were in attendance on the island and the locals welcomed them with indigenous dance, hearty applause for the speeches and more than a little bit of excitement as RARE CEO Brett Jenks and RARE Philippines Director Stuart “Estong” Green awarded a plaque to the community leaders for their fantastic efforts for the “Saving Meloy – Hambongan Islands RARE Pride Campaign.

Continuation – Saving Meloy – Hambongan Islands RARE Pride Campaign

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Island Hopping in Cebu with Islands Banca Cruise

melo — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:51:51 +0000

One of my readers got confused about island hopping… she asked “How can you go to an island and do island hopping? Aren’t you stuck on the island?” – It’s a fair question if you’ve never been to Cebu. Cebu is so much more than an island. More like a small continent surrounded by few beautiful islands. If Cebu were a planet it would be a planet like Jupiter that has many moons around it that are actually bigger than most planets. Do you see what I mean?

Pandanon Island in Bohol

All I ‘m trying to say is that Cebu is a great place to base yourself if you plan on doing some island hopping while you are in the Philippines. Not only is Cebu a great island to explore, filled with resorts and plenty to do, but since it is a major international city and a hub of the Philippines it means you can pretty much go to wherever you want to go from Cebu!

Getting Ready for Island Hopping

Cebu was once before known and marketed internationally as “An Island in the Pacific” and surprisingly some foreighners that time who visited Cebu doesnt even know that the island is part of the Philippines.

Welcome Aboard

Radisson Blu Cebu actually offers an Island Hopping Tour which begins at Mactan Island on the northeast side of Cebu. Mactan is reachable by road so even though we island hopped, we won’t count that as part of the tour.

Islands Banca Cruise Staffs

Now, let me warn you, most island hopping cruises are on small pump boats or maybe worn down cruisers but the one we had was something totally different. Big deck, bean bags, comfy chairs, iPod dock so we could pick our own music and the rest is total luxury. When I saw the boat, I knew I was in for something great.

Lunch Break

Radisson Blue Cebu staff loaded up refreshments and as I watched the boxes and bails come on board, I knew I would probably gain a few pounds – with pleasure I might add. As we motored, I wasn’t forced to stare at the empty sea. I used the onboard wi-fi while I sat in the cabin munching fresh fruit. The boat holds up to thirty people – comfortably I might add… Haha

Planking in Cebu City

This was a small island hop since we had plans at the Radisson Blu Cebu for the mid-afternoon. So we went to Gilutungan Marine Sanctuary where we had an incredible snorkeling adventure and then we went all the way to Pandanon Island which is already part of Bohol. The awesome Cebuano crew and amazingly luxurious banca made this an afternoon of island hopping that I will certainly never forget.

Want to experience island hopping in Cebu? Take the islands with you! Heres the contact information of Islands Banca Cruise : Telephone: (+63 32) 236 4896(+63.32) 516.1903Mobile: (+63.917) 6300.736 Email: info@islandsbanca.com Web: www.islandsbanca.com YM Chat: islandsbancacruises@ymail.com Twitter Account: @islandsbanca

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Pico Sands Hotel in Hamilo Coast

melo — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:05:14 +0000

Theres nothing more relaxing than waking up seing a huge man-made lake sorrounded by limestone cliffs and untouched rainforest in your hotel window while sipping a freshly brewed coffee in a cold foggy morning. Gosh! The last time I felt this was a couple of years ago while in the island of Batanes.

Room with a View

Hidden away on the gorgeous shores of Nasugbu in Batangas, the Hamilo Coast is one of the Philippines best kept secrets with lush mountain rainforest, gorgeous beaches and secret coves waiting to be discovered.

View from my hotel window

Amidst this wonderland is the perfect place to spend your vacation, The Pico Sands Hotel – a boutique hotel of incomparable quality that offers 150 rooms with huge interiors, a custom landscaped private pool area and plenty of in house entertainment and recreational activities that you might even forget to go out exploring.

Hamilo Coast Beach Club

Whether you seek to get away from it all and treat yourself to elegant or alfresco dining or you just want to have some quiet time lounging on the shores of the Pico de Loro Cove, this unique club hotel allows guests and members the perfect opportunity to do both.

Great Food at Pico Cafe

With spacious rooms, a spa, fitness center, and more than a little luxury – the Pico Sands Hotel will be the highlight of your visit to the Hamilo Coast.

Lobby Bar

Don’t worry, while the hotel and resort are primarily for members, guests can enjoy the accommodations too for a daily fixed rate. This fee makes you a member with all the privileges during your stay and you can enjoy all the facilities from the pool to the bowling lanes, badminton courts, ktv and all. One caveat is that during the week you must present an invitation letter from a member or be accompanied by a member during the weekends.

Hotel at night

The surrounding area contains vast tracts of unspoiled wilderness and more than twenty five kilometers of unspoiled, undeveloped coastlines. All of this adds up the ultimate leisure playground developed by SM land as a private members and guests residential resort.

Hotel Vanity Kit

Pico de Loro is an eco-friendly experience and SM Land has worked hand in hand with the World Wildlife Fund of the Philippines to make sure the natural beauty and wonders of the area are preserved and protected. With over 99 species of fish and 45 bird species of which 38 are indigenous with eleven endemic to the Philippines, this is a place for nature lovers to revel in the glory of the coves abundance.

Inside The Rain Spa

The Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club boasts pools, bowling, billiards, basketball, tennsi, badminton, squash, Wii, toddler play areas, game rooms, karaoke rooms, library, ballrooms, and much much more. It is the crown jewel in the Pico de Loro community.

Pico Cafe

This is all in addition to the wealth of outdoor activities like biking, kayaking, sun bathing, running, and swimming. Among the activities we had in Hamilo Coast, I really enjoyed the 90 minute vitality massage at The Rain Spa. The Spa therapist were all polite and very accommodating and I am very likely to feel tempted to visit the place for an overnight spa treatment.. hmmm why not?

To get there, you will need to drive 2-3 hours from Manila on the much touted Tagaytay-Nasugbu Route or take a 90 minute ferry ride from the pier at the Mall of Asia Complex to the neighboring Papaya Cove. SM Land is currently seeking to shorten the drive time to as little as an hour and a half which will be a boon for both members and residents.

For more inquiry, rates and reservation at Pico Sands Hotel, call (02) 858 0333 or log-on to www.hamilocoast.com.

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Visiting the Tarsier Sanctuary in Loboc and the Chocolate Hills in Carmen Bohol

melo — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:47:41 +0000

Last weekend, I had my most memorable trip to Bohol with fellow bloggers and other writers from print media courtesy of Amorita Resort in Panglao Island Bohol. What made the trip memorable? Picture this, we visited Bohol’s wealth of wonders and we stayed in Panglao’s best resort based on Tripadvisor.com’s ratings.

Philippine Tarsier

Those who come to Bohol usually want to do four things. First, relax and enjoy the sun on the beautiful Alona Beach on Panglao Island and taste Boholano Food. Second they want to scuba dive and experience the famous underwater wonders of Bohol. Third they want to see the tarsiers in Loboc and finally they want to visit the famed Chocolate Hills of Carmen Bohol.

Amorita Resort in Panglao Island Bohol

Panglao Island, Alona Beach, and Scuba Diving are no brainers. If you can get off the ferry you can find them. Get to the beach and you will find the scuba shops or better yet, stay in Amorita Resort and meet their Dive Master for a seamless underwater exploration.

Beautiful Panglao Beach

The tarsier sanctuary is more tricky, but also more exotic too. 134 hectares of forest near the towns of Sicatuna and Corella serve as the protected home of the Philippine Tarsier, the world’s smallest primate and a creature endemic to the Philippines. The alien looking little creatures with their giant eyes and big toes are funny to look at during the day, but if it is the nighttime, they are looking at you from the tree tops.

Mahogany Forest in Bohol

Tarsiers have bigger eyes than brains and are nocturnal critters that will melt your heart. At just 8-16 centimeters long, they are truly teeny-tiny. Even though they are that small they have been known to jump up to 16 feet!

Takla in Coconut Cream

To get to the Tarsier Sanctuary you can take a bus or jeepney from Tagbilaran to Sikatuna and then you will need to hire a motorbike or pedicab. Alternatively you can hire a private vehicle or take a package tour from most Bohol hotels or tour operators.

Melo in Chocolate Hills in Carmen Bohol

Going past the Tarsier Sanctuary, you will be able to experience one of the great geological wonders of the Philippines. The Chocolate Hills are a national geologic monument and a potential UNESCO world heritage site. 1,776 hills of a 50 kilometer area which were formed through unique geological processes.

Want to know why the Chocolate Hills are romantic? In the hot months the grass on them turns chocolate brown and the hills look like row upon row of Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses…which makes it an ideal spot to give your sweety a smooch. If that’s not enough you can tell her about the giant who fell in love with a mortal woman. When she died he cried without stop and eventually his tears hardened into the chocolate hills. Now that theory is romantic!

To get to the Chocolate Hills you can go to Carmen, Bohol or the mountain town of Sagbayan, Bohol. While it may seem amazing that only few of the 1,776 Chocolate Hills have been developed for tourism, don’t worry, you can see them all stretching into the horizon by visiting the viewdeck. Guided trips can be arranged with the hotel staff or you can do it the hard way by a combination of jeepney, bus, and motorbike ride.

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Helmet Diving in Boracay

melo — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 12:21:20 +0000

I’ve always loved diving in Boracay, but I’ve got a new love now too. Helmet diving. Have you heard of this? It’s completely rad. Also called Reef Walking, this is a way to see the underwater world without having to worry about regulators, air supply, buoyancy, or anything else. No diving certification necessary.

Helmet Diving in Boracay

The reason it’s called alternatively Helmet Diving or Reef Walking should be apparent, but I’m going to give a brief explanation. Much like old time divers, you are wearing a helmet when you go under the water. As to the reef walking moniker, this one should be more obvious. Rather than swimming like you do when you scuba, instead you are actually walking around under the water- actually on the reef. So, reef walking. Makes sense, right?

Helmet Diving with Friends

More than that, it gives you an amazing perspective of the vast undersea world and the many wonders it holds. Like taking a walk through the rainforest, you are surrounded by abundant plant life, exotic species of all sorts, and more than a few things that look like they come straight from outer space.

Worlds Best Beach

When you reef walk, the air tank stays in the boat and is connected to you by a long hose. You climb down a ladder and thanks to the perfectly weighted suit, you simply walk around, feed the fish, look at the amazing variety of life that never gets to look at our life on the surface (if they’re lucky anyway!) and just really enjoy yourself.

Feeding the fish is one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. I really had the sense I was feeding strange birds in a park as they flew (okay, swam) all around me. The difference is that you are standing upright and it really changes your perspective versus when you are diving or snorkeling.

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Photo Sunday : Hello Sunny Puerto Galera

melo — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 06:46:02 +0000

Sunny Puerto Galera

I thought I will cancel my trip to Puerto Galera yesterday due to the latest typhoon alert but when I texted my friend to ask if the waves in Puerto Galera will permit me to travel, she said YES!!! So here I am, enjoying the sun in my favorite Encenada Beach

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Boracay ranked #4 on Travel + Leisure’s list of Worlds Top 10 Islands

melo — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 23:53:01 +0000

The most anticipated island and beach list is finally out for 2011 and nobody is surprised that Boracay has made it to the top 10 in Travel and Leisure’s list of the world’s top 10 islands. The 2011 list did offer a few surprises, but one thing is for sure. Once a beautiful island paradise, probably going to stay that way…

Boracay ranks 4th in the Worlds Top 10 Islands

While Boracay didn’t come out as the number one island it did place at a very respectable number four. The top three were Santorini, Greece, Bali, Indonesia, and Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. Missing from the top half of the list were the Hawaiian Islands and the islands of the Caribbean which held the top places for years. While the spirit of aloha still reigns universally and Bob Marley is beloved on all islands, it was Boracay that took the number four spot. Coming in fifth were the Great Barrier Reef Islands of Australia which are renowned for their diving and hard core party atmosphere.

Yes, my friends, the Philippines is finally getting the recognition it deserves as a world class island paradise destination. Expect to see more Philippine islands ‘discovered’ by the world over the next few years. After all, we’ve got more than 7000 of them!

Still, the rest of the top ten list from Travel and Leisure includes some incredible destinations. Number six is the Italian island of Sicily. Once renowned as the seat of the mafia, now a peaceful club med destination for Europeans escaping from their faltering economy.

Numbers seven, eight, and nine are all in Hawaii. The Big Island with it’s volcanos and black sand beaches, Kauai, home of the magnificent Napali Coast, and Maui which is renowned for it’s tropical gardens and laid back lifestyle (Maui Wowie anyone?). While they didn’t make it to the top, the Hawaiian Islands still dominate the dreams of the world.

Finally, the number ten spot was filled by the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. Famous for the diversity of life that inspired Charles Darwin and now one of the hottest eco-tourism destinations in the world, we can just hope that the fragile ecology of these islands is being managed carefully.

So, where am I going this weekend? Well, with all this talk about Boracay, it sounds to me like the perfect time to head to Palawan! Puerto Princesca is calling. See you there.

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Fabulous Phuket

melo — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 04:57:01 +0000

Guestpost by Guy Arnold

Sitting pretty on the western side of the Gulf of Thailand lies and island awash with warm Andaman Sea water. Off shore, there are several stacks and columns of rock jutting up from the seabed, covered in exotic foliage. You’d half expect to see a film crew shooting a Bond movie. However, you probably won’t. What you will see is gorgeous scenery, and you’ll feel the balmy climate throughout your stay as you revel in Phuket’s thoroughly relaxed atmosphere.

Fresh Seafood Dining in Phuket

So, what else can you expect from this tropical paradise? A lot, actually. For the adrenaline junkies out there, there are several types of activity to partake in to get that all important buzz. From quad biking to abseiling to mountain biking, Phuket’s got it covered. However, if all on the agenda is to lie in the sun and generally move around at a snail’s pace, that’s fine too. Why not start with Kalim beach, on the western side of the island? It’s bordered on one side by mountainous terrain smothered with jungle vegetation. Then, all there is between you and the sea is a quiet stretch of sand so fine you’ll barely feel it between your toes.

Scuba Diving Sites in Phuket

Once you’re done being as chilled out as you can possibly be, then there’s a great place to eat just down the road from Kalim beach. It’s called Lim’s Restaurant & Nine Lounge and Bar, and it’s one of the best restaurants in Phuket. The decor inside the place is, at first glance, basic. The walls are smoothened, polished grey stone, to start with. But, as you take in the funky, urban atmosphere, the smells of all the traditional Thai dishes, and the chic artwork prints that dominate the walls, you’ll begin to feel the groove. The menu at Lim’s is affordable and offers all you’d expect from a far-eastern island such as Phuket: peanut sauce, honeyed chicken, sea bass and chilli paste, to name a few ingredients and dishes.

Water Sports in Phuket Thailand

Ideally, after a night of shindiggery and exceptional food, you’ll want to head back to your hotel and refresh for the next day. If you haven’t decided on a place yet, there’s somewhere also in Kalim which, of all the hotels in Phuket, ranks pretty high: Thavron Beach and Village Spa. Set in 25 acres of land, Thavron Spa hosts a selection of villas, bungalows and suits each facing either the ocean, one of the many village gardens or pools. The choice is yours. Starting at about £50 a head, you’d be mad to turn this place down. The location is stunning, and the mixture of beautiful gardens and meandering pools within the grounds is exquisite. You’d be living among exotica at Thavron Spa, making it very difficult to leave behind.

For much more insight and opinion into Phuket why not check out My Destination Phuket

Author bio:

Guy Arnold, from leafy Hertfordshire, England, who is currently studying for an MA in Creative Writing. Specialising in poetry, and travel writing being a new passion!

Photos courtesy of http://www.mydestination.com/phuket/809/photos