Baguio

The Philippines’ must-see places (Last of two parts)

Summer is over in the Philippines but in this country, only storms stop people from travelling. And well, a hole in the pocket maybe.

Here are eight more places that we found on our friends’ travel journals. The first part of the list is here.

Crystal Beach Resort. A rock star among dive spots in the Philippines, Zambales, with its seven outstanding diving sites, is the converging point for local and foreign divers alike. But for those who just want to do some sun-worshipping and toe-digging in the sands of a long South China Sea beach, this is the place to be. Dramatic sunsets also come free.

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Puning Cave. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel is not just another inspirational line—or a line to spark romance. For adventurers who seek meaning, seeing the light from a heart-shaped cave opening might just be more than awe-inspiring. It reminds us that nature is an infallible creator and an unparalleled artist. Let the roads of Dona Remedios, Bulacan lead you to this remarkable cave.

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Baguio. Up there the first thing you’d want to do is kiss the sky. It’s more than just a romantic place. An altitude of 5,100 feet will give you temperature that’s heaven-sent—especially if you live in a city where the humidity is a recurring nightmare. The sunward strawberry fields will be impossible to forget.

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Manila Bay. Instead of watching the sunset from a distance, why not ride the wind and be part of picturesque Manila Bay? Imagine the shimmering blue waters and the fiery sunset for a backdrop as you cruise the historic bay.

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Camiguin Island. How can something so small be so majestic? Known as the island “Born of Fire,” Camiguin, small as it may be, is the hearth of seven volcanoes. The volcanic eruptions of long ago have given us the spectacular sites that we now praise. That coveted getaway from the office bustle lies in this lush landscape of forests floating in a temperamental sea.

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Batad. The Ifugao created history when they carved the Batad rice terraces with their bare hands. The celestial experience of watching over this magnificent creation is meant to be shared with those who want to experience the word “perfection”. The ascent to the mountaintops through the terraces is as poignant as a love poem.

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Bohol Bee Farm. There’s a hush about a farm that’s gracefully laid against the sea. Flowers in hues of red, yellow, and orange abound, filling the place with honey goodness and life’s sweetness. Let your palate be touched only by nature’s gift in a bowl like the Bougainville salad, among other healthful goodies. After a tour around the honeycombs, take a romantic stroll to the seaside and revel in the winds of Bohol.

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Palaui. This renowned corner of Cagayan Valley is hugged by beaches and watched over by a lighthouse that frames the most memorable pictures you’ll ever see. Travelers who have been to Palaui have one conclusion: Paradise found.

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Special thanks to our globetrotter friends who shared with us a page of their journals to make this list of the Philippines’ must-see places possible. Thank you Tanya Conlu, Noy Beldia, Twinkle Gotico, Manny Fernandez.

Share with us your travels here. Would love to hear about the other wonderful places in the Philippines.

cure for mondays is a top homeschooling philippine blog, best mommy blogger, top asia women's blog, best homeschool website, family issues blog, travel

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, by Frances Beldia

Apo Island

The Philippines’ must-see places (First of two parts)

Guimaras Island. Photo by Frances Beldia

In this country, there are 7, 107 ways to stay. If you have more than 7,000 islands to explore in one country, chances are you also have that many questions to bewilder and bewitch you for weeks before your travel. When stuck in a muddle, the best remedy is humor. Put on a funny hat or, more fittingly, a long gown and recall the beauty queen who, when asked how many islands there are in the Philippines, unwittingly riposted: “High tide or low tide?”

Romantics travel and replete their journals with their travels, while the web-knowing and tech-savvy apt to blog about their most recent journey across the islands. These ardent travelers will cross seas to experience the fabled pristine waters, verdant countryside, and rich cultural experience of Islands Philippines. No wonder the country is a mecca for poets, musicians, and anyone with a strong connection with nature.

Cure for Mondays traipsed through the travel journal of some of our friends and discovered a thousand and one alluring places. Trimming down the list was something of a feat as we found anything from the most-visited yet still well-loved tourist destinations like Baguio, to majestic and unfrequented islands like Kay Bukal in Looc, Occidental Mindoro.

We divided this article in two parts so just take it nice and slow. Don’t forget to tell us if you’ve stamped any of these destinations for your next travel. We'd love to hear about your adventures.

Kay Bukal. For its serenity, Kay Bukal in Looc, Occidental Mindoro is one of the country’s dreamlands—the kind that soul searchers might call home. The municipality is one of the least populated areas in the country but has six major languages. Think about owning the night sky and celebrating the beach with only your partner miles away from the maddening city crowd.

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Sagada. Say, what is it that you want to explore? Is it the magic of the fields or the mystery of the caves? One needs spontaneity while travelling on the mist-laden mountainsides of mystical, mysterious Sagada. The shadow of modernity may have crept in around the edges but the spirit of the land remains untouched by modernity or its trappings. In this place, romance was born of the land.

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Sampaguita Gardens. What can be more astounding than finding fantasyland? Think about carousels and ferris wheels, a 43-foot aquarium, and an amazing mansion. Across these is a Christmas cottage; anyone who visits is instantly transported to Santa’s domain where Christmas is celebrated year-round. Sampaguita Gardens, the home of Precious Moments Dolls and works of art, is cradled in the province of Aklan.

Photo by Frances Beldia

Apo Island. Home to more than 650 species of fish and 400 species of coral, this is a dream destination for those who love to dive or snorkel. This haven is found seven kilometers off the southern tip of Negros island. The famous volcanic island is also one of the world’s best-known marine sanctuaries.