Trip to Samal, Bataan

Samal is  located in the  Bataan province and within Region III in the western path of Central Luzon. It has a total of 14 barangays. Samal is a fourth class municipality and partially urban.

One of it’s famous attraction is the Mt. Samat. Mt. Samat is located in Pilar town of Bataan. Others want to climb to it’s mountain, the mountain is popular for the Dambana ng Kagitingan or Shrine of Valor. It was built to honor the Filipinos and American soldiers who fought and lost their lives for our country during the World War II.

The white cross was built in commemoration of the Battle of Bataan. It stands at 92 meters or 302 ft and located at an area of 74 hectares and at the mountain height of 555 meters of 1821 meters below the sea level.

White Cross

The battle of the band ended in the army of us and filipinos soldiers surrounding to Japanese which ended in the famous Bataan death march. The Bataan death march consist of 75,000 filipinos and american soldiers who became prisoners after 3 months in war with the Japanese. The 75,000 men walk 97 km of pain suffering and abuse that resulted with the high death count. During the march, they’re not given food and water and those who couldn’t walk are fell behind wore bayoneted or beheaded by the Japanese. The death toll during the march reach up to approximately 5,000 to 10,000 filipino soldiers and 600 – 650 american soldiers. This war against the Japanese is one if the most gruesome shows of cruelty during wars and is now a very important part of the filipino history.


Aside from the cross to which you can enter, there is also a museum that holds a collection of paintings of heroes as well s armaments  and artifacts used during the war.

The Cross…

View from the top of the cross:

For those who’d love to have a historical walk, Bataan is one of the best places to tour as this places consist of memorials, landmarks and statues meant to remember our countrymen and american soldiers who suffered so munch through a wrongful treatment.

Being there in Bataan was a great honor for me. I don’t even know fully what happened there. Only when I visit the Bataan, I realized and appreciate what those men has done and how much they love our country.

~ Chelsea Quiambao






                                                                                 

Arabian Desert

One of the things that my family love the most is travelling. We've been having road trips ever since I was young and even went to other countries to have fun. The UAE was a special place to me and my family. My sister and I grew up there and of course, we explored the Emirates. 

Everyday was an adventure to me and my family. We'd go to unpopular beaches, eat at different restaurants and camp in the desert. My favorite was camping in the desert though. It was really wild and exciting. 

The Arabian Desert is located in Western Asia. It is a vast desert wilderness stretching from Yemen to the Persian Gulf and Oman to Jordan and Iraq. It occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula, with an area of 2,330,000 square kilometers (900,000 sq mi). At its center is the Rub'al-Khali, one of the largest continuous bodies of sand in the world. Gazelles, oryx, sand cats, and spiny-tailed lizards are just some of the desert-adapted species that survive in this extreme environment, which features everything from red dunes to deadly quicksand. The climate is mostly dry (the major part receives around 100 mm of rain per year but some very rare places receives down to 50 mm), and temperatures oscillate between very high heat and seasonal night time freezes. It is part of the Deserts and xeric shrublands biome and the Palearcticecozone. This ecoregion holds little biodiversity, although a few endemic plants grow here. Many species, such as the striped hyena, jackal and honey badger have become extinct in this area due to hunting, human encroachment and habitat destruction. Other species have been successfully re-introduced, such as the sand gazelle, and are protected at a number of reserves. Overgrazing by livestock, off-road driving, and human destruction of habitat are the main threats to this desert ecoregion.

A picture of the dry desert

You may think that camping on the desert would be peaceful like paradise but NO, NO, NO. It's unlike the places you've been to. This place is dry, hot and dangerous. Yes, it's dangerous when you don't have a 4x4 wheel drive to hop into. The quicksand in Arabian deserts is a little bit scary but fun. As a kid, going to these kinds of places would terrify me but I wouldn't want to waste this adventurous experience.

I'm the one with the headband. We didn't look irritated by the heat at all.

We were actually sliding down but hey! We looked fine, didn't we?

 There are few experiences that are as ‘Dubai’ as the desert safari. Take a backseat (unless you prefer to sit at the front of your four-wheeled drive) and hold on tight as an experienced driver whips you around the sand dunes, teetering on the edge of seemingly sheer drops, before dipping down sandy slopes and back up again.

I'm telling you that desert safari is the best thing you could do out here in the desert. Remember to hold on tight though!

Mom was screaming too much. She wasn't even in there haha! You could
see that whether you're inside or outside the 4x4 wheel drive you'd be thrilled!

There are a lot more things that you could do in the desert. Like camel riding!

You can't ride this camel though. If you want to, you need to go to nearby camp sites where they serve you and ask a staff or someone who could assist you. It has a low cost plus it's worth it! But another thing is that it hurts near your private parts after you get off so don't be on it for too long.

Getting a henna after doing exhausting things in the day is also fun! You'd love to get that as a souvenir. It even looks cute and cool! It washes off after a few days though. When I had mine I thought I would be able to have it on my arm forever because I wanted to show it off to everyone. But there's no 'forever' in these kinds of experiences. Anyways, let's move on to belly dancing!

Belly dance is the traditional dance of middle east, Belly dance is also known as raqs Sharqi and raqs baladi. Raqs sharqi is the style more familiar to westerners dance performed in restaurants, Raqs baladi is the traditional dance of Arabs and is the is the folkloric style, danced socially by men and women of all ages in some Middle Eastern countries, usually at festive occasions such as weddings.

I felt kind of awkward when the belly dancers started dancing because I thought it was too 'sexy'. Lots of men were there too. But then my dad told me that it's a tradition for Arabic people and that I needed to respect that. So I did. When we got back to our camp site, my cousin and I imitated the belly dancer and started belly dancing in front of people! It was embarrassing but I didn't think that since I was young.

When you go to the desert, I forgot to mention that it's even more fun when you go with friends and your family. Don't go there alone! No one would like to go to a deserted place alone, right?

Second, bring camping stuff like:

• ·        Sleeping bags
• ·        Flashlights
• ·        Chargers
• ·        Pocket Showers
• ·        Comfortable Clothes
• ·        Tents
• ·        Canned Goods
• ·        Lighters
• ·        Foldable tables and chairs
• ·        Water (Lots and lots of water)

Third, make sure you book into touring services like:

The Dubai Safari - 00971-50-99141241

Bab Al Shams - 971-(0)4-809-6100

I had a blast the moment I touched the sand in this wonderful desert. It's not peaceful, but it's wild. I liked it.



* All of these pictures were from way back in 2007, but the desert had a little changes but it's still the same *

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All Around Central Philippines

Visayas is where island lovers go because of its wonderful islands, beaches, falls, etc. Visayas is one of the 3 geographical divisions of the Philippines. It is the best division for a traveller who loves getting her skin tanned, hair dyed, going on road trips, jumping and doing a front flip into the waterfalls, building sand sculptures, and going to beaches. I've been to a lot of places in Visayas and a lot of them stole my heart for their beauty and the adventures.

Among the most popular and most beautiful tourist destinations in the Visayas are Boracay Beach, Magellan’s Cross, Panglao Island, Chocolate Hills, Malapascua, Leyte Landing Memorial in Red Beach, San Juanico Bridge, Blood Compact Shrine and many others. I've only been in Boracay, Cebu, Bacolod, Bohol, Guimaras, Dumaguete, Iloilo, and more. (I couldn't remember the rest)

Cebu

Cebu is where my dad grew up, so we go there sometimes. Cebu is such a wonderful place, full of wonderful destinations. Every time we go to the cemetery to visit my grandfather, we would swim at the beach in front of the cemetery with my cousins. Go out to dinner with the whole family, together with my grandmother, aunts and uncle, and my cousins.

Last summer, we ate dinner at a famous restaurant in Cebu City, which is Lantaw. It's located near SM City Cube, the new SM in Cebu City. 

The food there was really great, although it's expensive. The breeze there, is so fresh and you could smell the sea. It's really good for romantic dates or family dinner.

Magellan's Cross is one of the most famous tourist spot in Cebu. Magellan's Cross is a Christian cross planted by Portuguese and Spanish explorers as ordered by Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu in the Philippines on March 15, 1521.

Caceres, Cebu is one of the best places in South Visayas. Every summer, there would be a peryahan every night. The place is so alive and the night before the big day, there would always be a "Disco" as they call it. Most young people would dance until the night dies. The event was hosted by DJ's and special guests.

Moalboal near Badian, Cebu, is where you could find the most amazing and most wonderful falls in the whole world (for me, it is). It's called the Kawasan Falls. You could do canyoneering with tour guides (it will cost you a lot of money), or you could just explore the whole place by yourself or with someone for free. What you see in the pictures you browse about the falls is what you get. The water is so blue, it looks photoshopped. Once you get there, you will never want to leave.

Oslob is a 4th municipal income class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. There, you could watch the whalesharks swim. Just like what we did. Watching of whale sharks in Oslob Cebu is 99% guaranteed. Whale sharks can be seen in a small barangay Tan-awan, which is 10 km away from the center town of Oslob. 

Bohol

Bohol is the home of Chocolate Hills and Tarsiers. Bohol is a province of the Philippines, in the country’s Central Visayas region. It comprises Bohol Island and numerous smaller surrounding islands. Bohol is known for coral reefs and unusual geological formations, notably the Chocolate Hills. For tourists who make a tour through the country, Bohol has three main attractions. These are the tropical forest, the smallest monkey in the world and the  'Chocolate Hills'. For 'sun, sea and beach lovers',  there are a lot of possibilities for snorkeling, diving in the unpolluted waters and relaxing on the splendid beaches on some of the surrounding small islands. The Bohol province forms absolutely one of the places to stay for  a longer period.

I've been to Bohol two times already, but I guess I'll never get tired of the views and adventures there.

Chocolate Hills

The Blood Compact Shrine

Bamboo Hanging Bridge

Danao Adventure Park

Loboc River Cruise

Tarsier Sanctuary

Loboc Man-Made Forest

Hinagdanan Cave

Bohol Bee Farm

Boracay

Known as the Bone-shaped Island. It is packed with tourists during summer. There are a lot of activities that you could do there. Boracay Island has more than a dozen beaches and many coves. The most famous and popular  boracay beach is the almost four kilometres long White Beach, which has been named several times as one of the best beaches in the world. Most of the foreign tourists who had been here have made Boracay their yearly destination. Others have chosen to live on this haven. While the fine white sand beaches and the crystal clear cool  waters of Boracay Island provide the main attraction, the possibilities for pleasure and adventure in this enchanting paradise are as seemingly endless.

Low tide and sunset

Parasailing 

Jet Skiing

Scuba diving

I've been to a lot more places in Visayas but I won't include them anymore here.

- Alessandra Romanillos

TAGAYTAY: A Wonderful Place To Visit (By: Aaron David Sorilla)

When I visit the wonderful and organized city of Tagaytay, I'm so amazed and also shocked because of it's beauty and glamour. When we went there, our trip was quite rainy because of the wather there. Tagaytay City has a more moderate version of a tropical monsoon climate. That's why some areas are foggy and misty.  

Any trivias about tagaytay? Here's what they said: Legend has it that the word Tagaytay came from "taga" meaning to cut and "itay" which means father. A father and son were said to be on a wild boar hunt when the animal they were chasing turned and attacked them. As the boar charged towards the old man, the son cried "taga itay!". The boy's repeated shout reverberated in the alleys of the ridge. Heard by the residents, hunters and wood gatherers, the cries became subject of conversation for several days in the countryside. In time, the place where the shouts came from became known as Tagaytay.

First: the Puzzle Mansion

We have visited the puzzle mansion by ms. Gina Gil Lacuna that have collected 1028 different puzzles, and that make her a Guinness champion. When i visited here I'm so amazed that M's Lacuna have collected many puzzles. I also love her wishing well that captivates tourists hearts. 

Me and my friend going down through the gates of the puzzle mansion

My most favorite puzzle in puzzle mansion

She was the one that collected many puzzles

The certificate of Guinness book of world records

Second: Sky Ranch

I know that you may think that sky ranch was the same like the others, but it was not. Sky ranch was beautiful and amazing because of the elevation in land that tagaytay have. When you ride on the ferris wheel, it seems like you've touched the soft and white clouds hanging in the skies. I'm sure that you'll have fun here at sky ranch

The front of the sky ranch showing it's name

Aerial view of sky ranch

Third: Picnic Groove

After we have visited the first two, we went here because of it's amazing view. In this open and wide area you can have some quality time with your family and enjoy the amazing view of taal volcano. At night you can go star gazing and watch the stars form. You can also buy your souvenirs and amulets or so called "anting-anting" because they have so many souvenir shops there, I have bought there a wooden gun. You can also enjoy their zip lines and see the astonishing view underneath. 

The wooden gun I used to play with when I was like nine or ten

With my friend, and say hello to the background, Taal volcano! 

Lastly: One Tagaytay Place 

After our trip we stayed here for we can have a rest and prepare for ourselves. One tagaytay place features a pool at the top of it. As I expected it was very very COLD! I would probably get some hot water haha! 

We knew that slippers in pool is not allowed haha! 

I miss those good 'ol days.