Travel Lounge

The terrain of Panglao Island ranges from plain, hilly to mountainous. Panglao Island is of Maribojoc Limestone which is youngest among the limestone units occurring extensively in the western portion of the Province of Bohol. It is flat, poorly bedded, cream to buff to brownish yellow. One of the geological features found in the protected area is the “Hinangdanan Cave” found in Bingag, Duis which features an underground water source. Panglao Island has no rivers and lakes and has this water source in the cave.

An estimated 1,500-2,500 mollusks are believed to be found in the waters of Panglao and Balicasag. Inventoried were about 1,200 decapods and 6,000 species of mollusks were identified in a study area of only about 15, 000 hectares. In comparison the Mediterranean Sea has yielded only 2,024 species in a 300 million hectare area.

Ideal Things to do while in Panglao:

1. Diving – Best thing to do in Panglao

2. Cave Exploration (Hinagdanan Cave)

3. Beach Hopping

4. Spa and Massage

5. Visit the Churches

6. You should try Sa-ang - SA-ANG is a famous food of the region. It is a seashell and the creature inside is a delicious treat. It can be bought at the stores which lined the road going to Duljo.

7. Odd Brew of “tuba” – must try

8. Check out DOLJO Beach

9. Check out the smallest man of Panglao Island

10. Snorkeling – Balicasag island

11. Check out Panglao Watchtower, Bohol’s tallest

12. Check out Hanging Bridges in Bohol

Famous Hotels in Panglao

1. Panglao Island Nature Resort

2. Alona Kew

3. Bohol Diver’s Garden

4. La Residencia

Dangers in Panglao Island:

1. Beware of Sea Urchins

2. More Sea Urchins…

For more underwater pictures (corals, underwater plants, fish etc.) please CLICK here.

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The pictures above are randomly taken within Manila.

Contrary to what many people might assume, the recurring traffic, fervent and unpredictable weather and inexorable pollution are not Manila is all about. For many people Manila is still a wonderland. Living in Manila is tantamount to independent and fun-spree living. Manila is a place of vigor, challenge and flavor. As modern and efficient as anywhere in Asia the apparent city madness can be found for example in good hotels, quality restaurants and entertainment, wide variety of shopping centers, a mixture of extreme opulence and low-down poverty, ardent nightlife, a spectacle of delicacies, food and undeniably fascinating culture. I remember I once asked an Indian friend the first time he got here “So, how do you find the Philippines so far?” he abruptly replied “Oh man, its great to be here, I love it. Its nothing I have ever imagined and the women are extremely beautiful” LOL! See, you gotta visit Manila and find out for yourself get ready to wonder and fall in love with Manila - our very own city - a wonderland indeed.

I know that this is a little bit late but what the heck, I want to share this wondrous vacation to all of you. After Pagudpud Ilocos Norte our next stop was at Tuguegarao City Cagayan Valley. There are a lot of odd things in the northern part of the Philippines but it was amazing. Everything is slow up north, like the way they drive and the way they cross the street, man, everything is slow, Im not sure if we are just accustomed to the city life that everything moves in a fraction of a second thats why we find them slow or they are really slow as the cars are running in an average of 40 kph regardless of which thoroughfare, nevertheless it was a wonderful break from reality. In the next coming days, I will be posting the beautiful old churches, Callao Cave and Pinacanauan river we have visited up north.

“DELIGHTFULLY TACKY YET UNREFINED”

Hooters is finally OPEN in the Pearl of the Orient Seas. It used to be a question in my mind if they’ll ever consider on opening Hooters here. I heard that there were plans but the franchise cost is too big, I even heard of a different version of the scenario - for Hooters to open here, there should be five branches to open simultaneously on different locations here in Manila and not just one. But hey, for whatever reason, I think its cool that they have finally conquered the Philippines. I have first experienced Hooters when I was living in Florida. Man, they have the best Buffalo wings I have ever tasted in this magnificently beautiful earth. Hooters is also famous in having busty waitresses. This Saturday will definitely be our first Hooters Philippines experience. I’ll tell you more about it afterwards, and OH YES I will not forget the pictures. You’ll find the address below:

HOOTERS PHILLIPPINES

Building D, Units 1 to 6 San Miguel by the Bay
Mall of Asia, Pasay City
www.hootersphilippines.com
Hooters Hotline: 906-956-4066

We left Vigan at 8:00 AM Black Friday, reached Baluarte after 15 mins. or so. You would love to see Baluarte if you are an animal lover. Animals to see are tiger, horse, snake, ostrich, pony, deer, orangutan and iguana. You can buy sliced veggies to feed the animals.

After Baluarte, we reached Paoay Sand Dunes at 1 PM. When reaching Laoag please don’t ever miss to see the Paoay Sand Dunes, you’ll know what I’m talking about once you get to see it. You will certainly feel the magic.

After the Paoay Sand Dunes, we stopped by at Cape Bojeador Lighthouse Ilocos Norte. You wouldn’t want to miss a beautiful view of the ocean from the top and don’t forget to click your camera. After Cape Bojeador, sit back and relax as you are almost reaching Pagudpud but before that don’t ever miss on stopping by at Bangui Windmills.

Our destination is Pagudpud for the Holy Week, but since it is a 12 hr drive, we stopped by at Vigan for a one night experience just to make the time spent for driving worthwhile. We left the house (Pacita) at 4:30 AM (Holy Thursday) and reached Vigan at around 6:00 PM. Everyone slept amid unbearable traffic in the NLEX (North Luzon Express Way) all the way to…….hmmm some place in Bulacan but I can’t remember….well, I was the only one awake, I guess it’s what you get after drinking a cup of coffee (with 1 1/2 teaspoon concentrated coffee). We stopped by at Tapa King (Petron NLEX) for breakfast. After finishing a plate of Tapa King, I arose from my seat and hurriedly went to the washroom but shockingly I ceased to walk after seeing the unexpected queue. It’s the longest washroom queue I have ever seen in my entire life just imagine, a certain portion of the MEN’s room is occupied by WOMEN (look at the pictures below), now how crazy is that? Despite my frenzied kidney cursing me for not letting it get off, I had endure the painful moment until we reached the next gas station not filled by leakers. We came across a bunch of people carrying a cross and some are hurting themselves by whipping their backs using a whip with metal thorns (I’m not sure what do you call that thing) but to commemorate Christ’s suffering, it’s their own way of contrition. We had our lunch at Nena’s Garden Restaurant along the Highway, I can’t seem to remember if it was in Dagupan or Pangasinan but anyway….the food sucks……after feeding our stomachs, we regretfully went back to the van and start hitting off the road again for Vigan. There were also numerous scenic views on the way so I never hesitated to take pictures (look at the pictures of the bridge and the estuary – river meets the sea). After two stops at the gas station we reached Vigan at around 6:00 PM and checked in at Cordillera Inn. I have tasted the famous Vigan Empanada in Tiendesitas before because a friend once told us that it is something that we shouldn’t miss and he is correct. A huge part of my expectation is to taste a genuine Vigan Empanada cooked from Vigan. After fixing our things in our hotel room, we went out to stroll at the streets of Vigan and along the plaza there was a pile of Empanada vendors making the much anticipated Vigan Empanada. I bought two and couldn’t wait to have my first bite but as soon as I had my first bite, for a moment there, I was in awe because of disappointment, it wasn’t like the ones I have tasted from Tiendesitas. I’m trying to compel myself to think that perhaps we just bought it from the wrong vendor. The food in the hotel where we stayed is also disappointing but the rooms are ok, so oh well, to sum up Vigan, it is not an ideal place for vacation but its still worth visiting, perhaps to stop by, if you have a long drive and spend a few hours is not bad. If you have an eye for Photography and has interests in antiques and heritage places then it is a marvelous place for you. Looking at the heritage houses, It seems as if you are back in Spanish time, some of them are even dilapidated because of time nevertheless you will be enchanted with enigma by the presence of the colonial remnants that surround you.

Please visit the gallery for more pictures. The rest of the trip shall be published in the days to come…LOL

I can’t wait for our North Luzon Expedition wahahaha Oh did I say Expedition? Uy watch out, mag po post ako ng pics soon…………………..mga Bacolod friends papunta na din ako jan so kita kits!!!!!!!!