Saturday, April 25, 2009

It's Boracay not Bora !!!!!!




Sink your ankles deep into the softest, finest, whitest sand. Sand so friendly, you can’t find it anywhere else in the world except Boracay. It’s like burrowing into sifted confectionery sugar, top-cake flour, or baby powder. Gentle, gratifying. Bordering on the unreal. It’s just got to be what the sandman sprinkles at dreamtime.

The code in Boracay is strictly informal. There is an undeniably easy atmosphere in the island, where walking barefoot than shod is the rule rather than the exception. There are no hang-ups here.




There are literally hundreds of Muslim vendors from Mindanao (Muslim Vendors Association) who walk White Beach and try to get tourists to go on boat rides, scuba diving or snorkeling excursions, jet ski rides, etc., Some carry racks of sunglasses with them, which they try to sell.These vendors are everywhere, and it doesn't matter if you are walking down the beach, lying on it, sunbathing, eating at a sidewalk restaurant, or lounging in a hammock outside your hotel, they will come up and start bothering you, asking " Mam Sir, Jet Ski? Parasail? Scuba? Sailboat? Sunglasses?" and waving a laminated card in your face.


Things to do while in Boracay..


** go island hopping on a motorized banca.
** Snorkeling in crocodile island.
** If you happen to be lying on the beach though definitely have a massage and manicure.
** ride a parao and catch the boracay sunset..
** enjoy a meal in the D' TALIPAPA ( wet market ) - The best and cheapest place to eat. Around the place are a variety of food stores that offers to cook for you, you could just buy Fresh sea foods/ etc (located just near the stores) then have the stores cook it for you with what ever way you like it.

Another added attraction in the island is a water sport called HELMET DIVING or Reef Walker... I have tried this dive and it was AWESOME!!! This activity makes you go down 20 meters to the ocean floor and spend bonding time with the small fishes.... Before descending one is given basic instructions of sign language and decompression. They fit you with a helmet ( which weighs 25 kilos on the surface but felt like a kilo once you have submerged yourself in the water )----- It reminds you of an astronaut walking in space....... I was given some bread to feed the fishes. The secret in this activity is to move slowly, no sudden jerks, have to balance your helmet all the time in order for water not entering your dive mask.

So... what are you waiting for.... let's go to BORACAY!!!




Friday, April 24, 2009

Wakeboarding is fun !!!


Location: Boracay, Aklan

Wakeboarding is a surface water sport which involves riding a wakeboard over the surface of a body of water behind a boat or Cable System . It was developed through a combination of water skiing, snowboarding and surfing techniques.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Kitesurfing in Boracay


location: Boracay, Aklan

Chances are you have wanted to find out what all the buzz is about regarding the latest in extreme sports “kitesurfing”. This sport has taken over the water recreation areas of some popular beaches so that people can learn the hybrid sport of both kiting and surfing. There are many cool techniques that you can learn. These dangerous maneuvers can help you improve your surfing skills immensely. By harnessing the power of the wind and ocean, your board can reach top speeds while you fly into the air at 20 feet. There is an adrenaline rush involved for thrill seekers alike.

Before you set foot into the water we recommend a qualified licensed instructor should train everybody. That is their job and they do it well!

GOOD LUCKK!!!!!!!!!

Friday, April 10, 2009

INTRAMUROS... The Wall City


We went to a place called ntramuros better known asI the Walled City in Manila. It used to be the government seat during the 300 years of Spanish occupation in the country.Intramuros is known to be one of Manila's top tourist attractions in the Philippines. It is rich in many vital cultural as well as historical heritage sites which includes Fort Santiago which in the past had been military headquarters for the Spanish. I was hoping to see Fort Santiago ( another historical place ) but it was closed for the holidays.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

BINONDO TOUR




I did my version of a walking tour of the place. Passed familiar places like Bee Tin Grocery ( in Ongpin street ) where we can get all the chinese delicacies like champuy, dikiam, pickled mangoes, bird's nest etc. Name it.. they got it!!! A few meters from the grocery is where you can buy your chinese goodluck charms, armulets and beads. It was nearly lunch so we decided to look for a good place to take our meal. I decided on the good ol' President restaurant down the road... but to my surprise... it has long been relocated.. What i heard the restaurant has moved to its new location which was the former Manila Grand Opera Hotel in Rizal Avenue corner Doroteo Jose Street. So i ended up eating in its counterpart which was across the street called President Tea and Dim Sum House... The place was filled ....which to me was a good sign, specially if they are all chinese having their meals. We had our usual dim sum and tried their roast dishes. I was looking for the braised Eel which President is famous for but I was told since this was a tea house... they don't carry the delicacy in their menu.
We tried their new dessert on the menu... Chilled Taho.... this is really good and refreshing.

The Rustic Binondo...

Went to the Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz or more popularly known as the Binondo church. The church is a fine example of Spanish colonial architecture. It was founded by the Dominican priests in 1596. It was named after a sacristan , San Lorenzo Ruiz, who was born to a chinese father and a filipino mother. He was executed in Japan for refusing to renounce his religion.

It is estimated that more than 70% of the goods sold in the provinces are directly sourced from wholesalers along a dozen narrow streets in Chinatown. Each street has its specialization. Ongpin is better known for its jewelry stores. Evangelista Street carries extensive industrial equipment supplies while Nueva Street services the shoe industry, supplying materials like leather uppers, rubber soles. Evolving from its image as a wet and dry goods bargain haven, Binondo is now also a one-stop-shop for bargain computers and printers.

Many of the successful Chinese businesses had their origins here. For example, mall magnate Henry Sy opened his first shoe store in Escolta.

As a financial center, Chinatown saw the peak of its influence in the 1980s when the grey market dubbed the "Binondo central bank" dictated the exchange rates in the country.