Philippines, here we go!

Most of you already know that but I’ll tell you again anyways because I’m too excited: I won the #bigblogx and I’m going to the Philippines tonight!

This post will be just a heads up of what to expect on our instagram and on Googly Gooeys’ blog, because like the name suggests, this is an blog exchange and I’ll be posting over there and Tipsy will be posting here on Fotostrasse. =D

My Trip Schedule in the Philippines

You can see below a short version of my IT that me, Tipsy and the people from HiHostels put together. Amazing, huh? I’ll be going mainly to Manila (capital), Baguio, Bohol, Cebu, Oslob and Mactan Island.

• Thursday 30^TH October – Arrival in Manila!
  Land in Manila at 22:35PM. Take a taxi to the hostel to sleep.
• Friday 31 October – A day in Manila!
  A whole day in Manila! Meet BBE finalists.  See local attractions. Watch Manila Sunset or Pub crawl in hostel.
• Saturday 1^st November – Half day Manila, afternoon flight to Cebu City!
  Spend the morning exploring Manila! Take a taxi to the airport.
• Sunday 2^nd November – Cebu City!
  Day exploring Cebu City. Lots of local attractions, historical sites.
• Monday 3^rd November – – Trip to Oslob and Mactan Island!
  Pick up from Whale Shark Swimming company. Come back to Cebu City, Elicon house at 11am. Lunch and rest.
  Afternoon: Take a taxi after lunchtime to Mactan Island, over the Osmena Bridge. Explore there for the day, take a taxi back to Cebu City and rest.
• Tuesday 4^th November – Bohol!
  In the morning, take a ferry from Cebu City port to Bohol, Tagbilaran. When you arrive, explore Bohol! Take a taxi to any attraction. Chocolate Hills and Tarsier conservation in Corella. Lobac River! Zipline.
• Wednesday 5^th November – Bohol beach day!
  Day spent on Bohol beaches. Dolphin watching?
• Thursday 6^th November – A day in Bohol!
  Day spent exploring Bohol. Attractions.
• Friday 7th November – Back to Manila – Baguio!
  Take a taxi to Tagbilaran airport.
• Saturday 8^th November – Baguio
  Explore whole day Baguio. Sun rise. Café lunch. Camp John Hay.
• Sunday 9^th November – Back to Manila
  Take a taxi back to Manila, spend the day exploring. Quezon City?
• Monday 10^th November – A day in Manila!
  Take a taxi back to Manila. Explore Manila.

Let me explain really quick what to expect and what to see on each destination and something general about the country. I know that before this opportunity I had few to no knowledge at all about the Philippines and its culture.

The Philippines is an archipelago in South-East Asia of more than seven thousand islands located between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea at the very eastern edge of Asia. According to Tipsy, it’s 7,107 islands!!!!

Many wonderful beaches are just part of one of the world’s longest coastlines and it takes about 20 years to spend a day on every island. Since Spanish colonial times, the country has been Asia’s largest Catholic country. Over a hundred ethnic groups, a mixture of foreign influences and a fusion of culture and arts have enhanced the uniqueness of the Filipino identity and the wonder that is the Philippines.

I’ll be there for only a few days but, like I said to Felipe yesterday: “I haven’t even reach the Philippines and I already want to go back!”

Bohol

Bohol is the main island of Bohol Province which has 75 minor surrounding islands. The island lies southeast from Cebu Island and southwest of Leyte Island in the Central Visayas region. This oval-shaped island is the tenth largest island of the Philippine archipelago. Another gem of the Visayas, Bohol is a tropical haven of natural beauty. The coastline of the island is skimmed by gentle coves and white sand beaches. Bohol is not as internationally famous as nearby Boracay, but is well-known locally as a paradise for divers and snorkelers.

Dolphin watching and whale watching tours are popular with both residents and visiting tourists. The best season is from March to June, but dolphins can be seen year-round. In addition to white sand beaches and dive spots, Bohol is famous among others, for its Chocolate Hills, the Tarsier – arguably the world’s smallest primate, heritage sites and old stone churches.

(From wikitravel)

Cebu

Cebu is the “Queen City of the South” on Cebu Island in the Philippines and is one of the most popular destinations in all of the Philippines for foreign visitors with the busiest sea port in the Philippines and the second largest Air hub.

For over 200 years, the second largest and most important city in the country, it is currently the fastest growing large city in the nation with an annual growth of over 5% per year.

Perhaps surprisingly for such a booming metropolitan area, it has white sand beaches (some with ice cream vendors and showers and some untouched), as well as historical sites that reflect its cosmopolitan past. Cebu was in at the birth of Christian proseletising in Asia when it became one of the early commercial hubs between Mexico and China.

(From Wikitravel)

Manila

Manila is the capital of the Philippines and the nation’s center of education, business, and transportation. Metro Manila is the most populous metropolitan region composing the city of Manila and surrounding cities like Makati, Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City and Taguig.

Manila has a reputation as a congested, polluted concrete jungle, and is often overlooked as a mere stopover for travelers aiming to reach other Philippine provinces or islands. To an extent this reputation is deserved, but Manila is nevertheless rapidly developing and has its own rich history and experiences to offer. The city is sprawling, bustling, and culturally complicated, with a colorful multi-cultural heritage and varied nightlife.

(From Wikitravel)

 Baguio

Baguio is a city and hill station located at an altitude of 1450 meters above sea level (4760 feet) on the Cordillera Administrative Region in the middle of the island of Luzon, in the Philippines. Due to its cool mountain weather, Baguio is considered the summer capital of the Philippines. Because of its many pine trees it is also called the City of Pines.

(From Wikitravel)

Oslob and Mactan Island

Oslob is in Cebu province. Famous for Whale Shark watching and Mactan or Maktan is a densely populated island located a few kilometers from Cebu Island in the Philippines. The island is part of Cebu Province and it is divided into Lapu-Lapu City and the municipality of Cordova.

From all the cities, I’m more excited for the Whale Shark watching for 2 simple reasons. And those reasons are:

I think this is the best example of how a picture is worth more than 1000 words, huh? Well, this is it. If you want to follow my personal instagram and facebook page, there will me fantastic photos over there as well. Wish me good luck and thank you again for your votes!