Philippines Point of Interest.

Located at the very eastern edge of Asia, the Philippines are home to more than 7,000 islands, which are inhabited by friendly locals and many indigenous tribes. From pristine beaches and marvelous natural wonders to interesting historic sites and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, the Philippines pack many exciting things to see and do.

Tubbataha Reef

Tubbataha Reef is an atoll coral reef placed in the Sulu Sea of the Philippines. It is a marine sanctuary protected as Tubbataha Reef National aquatic Park. It is nominated at the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The word tubbataha is a combination of 2 Samal words: tubba and taha, which together means “a long reef exposed at low tide”. Over 1000 species inhabit in the reef, many are already considered as endangered. 







Fauna species noticed include manta rays, lionfish, tortoise, clownfish, & sharks. Vivid corals cover more than two-thirds of the area & the waters around the reef are places of refuge for numerous aquatic lives. The seemingly diverse ecosystem of this sanctuary rivals the Great Barrier Reef – having 350 coral species & 500 fish species.






 Tubbataha is also renowned for being a bird sanctuary. A lighthouse islet, at the southern tip of the South Atoll, holds a large number of seabirds w/c nest there. Around the Tubbataha, there are tens of thousands of masked red-foot boobies, terns, and frigate birds resting during their annual migrations. To minimize any external intrusions, the Philippine Coast Guard maintains a small monitoring station on one of the many permanent sand bars.





Villa Escudero

If you are told about eating your lunch while your feet are wet under the water by a nearby waterfalls, I bet you know that its all Villa Escudero Resort in Quezon province. It is located in Quezon Province, Philippines, offering a vast hacienda filled with comfortable rooms, and a museum of curious things.





Perhaps the most curious thing at the villa is the amazing Waterfalls Restaurant, where lunch is served against an impressive backdrop of thundering clear spring water. Grass fringed buffet stations and bamboo dining tables stand steadily in just inches of flowing river water from the sparkling falls, as it washes around the feet of diners enjoying delicious local dishes.





 The experience of dining as water is running over your feet would certainly create a memorable holiday moment, and possibly one of your most unusual experiences ever. 

The luxury resort offers the chance to paddle a native bamboo raft over the peaceful waters or, if you like to get back on dry land for a while, a tour of the rural village by jeep; you can even learn how coconuts are harvested in Villa Escudero own plantation! 

 

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River  National Park




Located on the northern coast of the island of Palawa, Puerto Princesa is a nature lover’s paradise. Home to unspoiled landscapes rich in wildlife, this lovely town also lays claim to one of the world’s most unique natural phenomena, an underground river known as the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River.





 

Protected within a national park, this natural wonder is the world’s longest navigable underground river.  It is one of the longest of its kind in the world and a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site. What would make your passage through the underground river unforgettable is the incredible amount of flora and fauna inside the cave.





 

You would also see up close the stumping stalactites, stalagmites, and large chambers during your boat ride. Guided paddle boat tours show intriguing rock formations and fluttering bats. 

Boracay



Boracay is perhaps one of the most beautiful and popular islands in entire Philippines. Located at a distance of approximately 350 kilometers from the capital city of Manila, the place is frequently visited by both local as well as foreign tourists because of its pristine beaches and mesmerizing natural beauty.






 
The island is also popular among the tourists from around the globe because of the exciting and refreshing activities such as cliff diving, kite boarding, windsurfing, snorkeling, scuba diving and of course the enthralling night life they can enjoy here.









 
Similarly, the island also offers various beach relaxations where you can enjoy yourself and can also come across some local Boracay girls as well. the area is particularly famous for its pristine beaches but travellers can also enjoy the sprawling under sea life. Apart from beaches, Boracay is also rich in natural wonder such as Bat Cave and mysterious dead forests.






On the other hand, just like any other high quality holiday spot, Boracay also offers facilities like sensational five star hotels, spas, delicious local cuisines that surpass their European counter parts in taste and quality and most importantly, hospitable and friendly locals with a distinct yet interesting lifestyle you will not find in any other part of the world.
 In simple words, Boracay is full of exciting attractions for tourists.

 Donsol

 In the area around Donsol you can feel the genuine Philippines. Lie on the beach and get your tan or why not look out at the bay where the whale sharks are. Snorkelling / diving and just enjoy the simple way of diving in tropical waters with whale sharks and mantas.  The area around Donsol is unbelievable spectacular with Mayon volcano rising in the east, which we always see when we’re looking for whale sharks. 

The area with the whale sharks are under protection of the government and WWF. There is always a progress with development and involvement with the locals with this unique area.

The municipality of Donsol has also come up with a month-long festival in April to honor the whale shark – locally called butanding and as thanksgiving for the townsfolk’s additional jobs and livelihood derived from local and foreign visitors’ interaction tours with the “gentle giants”. During the Butanding Festival, the local people and visitors participate in a celebration, which culminates with a regatta exhibition and maritime parade consisting of more than 50 boats with banners and giant images of the butanding along the Donsol River.

 There is also a street parade along the town’s main thoroughfares consisting of life-size images of the butandings on floats accompanied by village (barangay) delegations, brass bands, drum and bugle corps, and the festival street-dancing contingent winners from other Bicol provinces.

Enchanted River, Surigao Del Sur, Philippines

The Hinatuan River is popularly known as the enchanted river. It is currently one of the cleanest river in the Philippines. A lot of people say the photos in the internet are photo-shopped but such is the essence of the Enchanted river. It is so clear to the point of being unbelievable...The Enchanted river got its name because of the consistent belief by the locals that the river is a dwelling for ethereal beings such as fairies and elves.

 

Fishermen swear that they see so many fishes of diverse kinds in the waters but has never been able to catch any...as in never no matter how they tried, by net, by hand or by spear.Fishing nets are laid at night only to find them hanging on the tree branch in the morning. 

A foreigner also tried to plunge the depths of the visible riverbed and was astonished to find that it's unfathomable...some people also were reported seeing two-long haired females with alabaster skin swimming in the waters and vanishing into swirls of fireflies, lastly, boatmen report seeing boulders in the water with distorted images one day and find them gone the next...

Every 12 noon swimmers and visitors alike are requested to leave the water for one hour to feed the fishes. The Hinatuan hymn is played and as if on cue, groups of fishes of different kinds come out of nowhere and feed on food scraps given by the caretakers. The water is so deep that caretakers demand for life jackets to be worn by those who are not skilled in swimming. The natural bluish pool is 50-80 meters deep and flows directly to the Pacific ocean. The deepest part is said to have strong sea currents connected to a trench...that's why the water here is salty...