Exploring the Philippines Archives

Every thing you need to know about El Nido, Palawan

Posted on 10th October 201928th October 2019 by Michael

Often called the “Final Frontier”, Palawan is the long narrow island on the south-west edge of the Philippines. Forests cover much of the Island and there are only a few roads. Puerto Princesa is the only city on the island and the location of the main airport. Palawan is largely unspoilt and boasts forests, beautiful bays, sandy beaches, spectacular cliffs and coral reefs, many of which are protected. El Nido is located in the northernmost…

Manila – Capital of the Philippines

Posted on 4th September 201915th October 2019 by Michael

Manila on the mouth of the Pasig River is the capital of the Philippines and by far its largest city with a population of over 10 million people.

Ilocos – Vigan and Laoag

Posted on 20th August 201915th October 2019 by Michael

Ilocos province is located in the far northwest of the Philippines. The province consists of a wide coastal plain rising upwards towards the rugged mountains of the Cordillera Central. These form the backbone of Northern Luzon. The main crops of the coastal area which is intensively cultivated are rice, mango, peanut, maize and tobacco. The province has two cities, Laoag and Vigan. How to Get There. Bus. Buses are available 24 hours a day. Several bus…

Cebu City

Posted on 11th June 201915th October 2019 by Michael

Cebu City is the second-largest commercial centre of the Philippines and also the unofficial capital of the south. It has a population of nearly a million people. Boasting a busy international airport and the largest port in the Philippines, it has extensive air and sea connections to all the Visayan islands. The island itself is long and narrow, densely populated and now as a result of illegal logging, almost completely deforested. A few smaller islands…

10 amazing places and things to do in Bohol

Posted on 9th May 201915th October 2019 by Michael

Bohol is in the heart of Visayas and is one of the most diverse and attractive islands in the Philippines. I recommend staying a few days as there is plenty to see and do. Lots of people offer guided tours, most of which take in three or four attractions on a day’s tour. For example, the Bohol Countryside Tour will take you to the Blood Compact Site, Baclayon Church, the Chocolate Hills, Bilar Manmade Forest,…

Introduction to the Philippines in photos (part 2)

Posted on 11th April 201915th October 2019 by Michael

This post continues from my earlier post Introduction to the Philippines in Photos (part 1) 23. White Sand Beach, Boracay. 24. Pandanon Island, Palawan. 25. Mount Mayon, Bicol. 26. Mount Pinatubo, Zambales Mountains. 27. Mall of Asia (MoA), Pasay. One of the largest malls in the world. 28. Church in a Shopping Mall, Greenbelt, Makati. 29. White Sand Beach, Batangas. 30. Taal – An island, in a lake, in a volcano, in a lake, on…

Exploring the Philippines – Hundred Islands National Park

Posted on 4th April 201915th October 2019 by Michael

Introduction. One of the main attractions in the Philippines, the Hundred Islands National Park is located just to the west of Lingayen Gulf in northwestern Luzon. A geological area of interest, the Park is the ideal location for a weekend away. The group of 124 islands (123 at high tide) is just off the coast of Lucap, close to the city of Alaminos. They are all small and made from Coraline (coral & limestone). A…

Introduction to the Philippines in photos (part 1)

Posted on 30th March 201915th October 2019 by Michael

The Philippines is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia, made up of more than 7,000 islands. The islands are host to an extraordinary range of landscapes, mountains, volcanos, rainforests, jungles, rivers and lakes. It is an absolutely stunning place, and whilst quite rightly famous for its many beaches, the country has a rich culture unlike any country in Asia. The Philippines lies in the tropics and sits on the so-called Ring of Fire. This is…

Taal Volcano and Lake

Posted on 12th March 201915th October 2019 by Michael

Taal is the smallest volcano in the world, it’s just 311 meters tall. It is also one of the most dangerous active volcanoes. Only a short distance from Manila (55 kilometres), the Taal Volcano has erupted 30 times since the 16th century, killing over 5,000 people. Volcano Island, an island near the middle of Taal Lake is where the eruptions have taken place. The Taal Caldera, formed by prehistoric eruptions thousands of years ago, is…

Exploring the Philippines – Puerto Galera

Posted on 2nd March 201915th October 2019 by Michael

Puerto Galera – Port of the Galleons Puerto Galera on the island of Mindoro is only a few hours travel from Manila by land and sea transport. It has beautiful beaches, good access to the interior and some of the best diving sites in the Philippines. These things make Puerto Galera a popular travel destination. Puerto Galera usually means the actual town of Puerto Galera and the nearby resort areas – Sabang, 5km to the…