ESCAPE

Manila Ocean Park

2010-06-03T08:49:00.000-07:00

Manila Ocean Park is located behind Quirino Grandstand Luneta, Manila, Philippines. It's main attraction is the oceanarium, showcasing the rich marine resources of the Philippines. It features thousands of exotic and colorful fishes. Children and adults really enjoy the tour in the oceanarium. It's like a huge aquarium for the kids. If you're already tired of exploring the place, you may treat your feet on a Fish Spa. For 120 pesos, you'll be able to dip your feet on the water, and the popular Doctor Fish will do the job. Relax and enjoy as they nibble away the dead skin.

If you want to learn more about the different species of fish, Glass Bottom Boat Ride is only 150 pesos. The big tanks are there, and you'll be able to see how the different creatures in the sea interact with each other.

Aside from the Oceanarium, another way to enjoy Manila Ocean Park is through the Open Water Marine Habitat. This is a great place for those who love snorkeling and diving.

The mall with boutiques and restaurant completes your adventure in the park.

Hong Kong Disneyland

2010-04-24T20:41:00.001-07:00

Hong Kong Disneyland opened on September of 2005 in Penny’s Bay, Lantau Island. It’s the fifth Magic Kingdom-style park, but the first theme park inside the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Incorporated with Chinese culture, the park adheres to the rules of Feng Shui.

Like other Disneyland parks, it also consists of four themed lands. However, it’s the smallest Disneyland park, with a capacity of only 34,000 visitors per day. Others have 75,000-85,000 capacity. Eventually, the park capacity will increase to handle up to 10 million visitors annually over a 15 year expansion period.

Themed Lands

Explore this enchanted land where our favorite fairytale characters come to life. There you'll meet the good-natured Mickey Mouse and of course his girlfriend Minnie Mouse & good pal Goofy. You'll also find the lovely princesses like Princess Aurora of Beauty and the Beast, Belle, Alice, Cinderella, and Snow White with her dwarfs. Cuddly, absent-minded and kind-hearted Winnie the Pooh is also seen in Fantasyland.

“it’s a small world”

Mickey's PhilharMagic

The Golden Mickeys at Disney's Storybook Theater

Fantasy Gardens

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Sleeping Beauty Castle

Mad Hatter Tea Cups

Cinderella Carousel

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Fantasyland Railroad Station

Sword in the Stone

Snow White Grotto

Street Entertainment

Tomorrowland is themed as a spaceport for interplanetary adventures. Examples are Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, and Orbitron. Hong Kong's version features an emphasis on metallic trim, with lots of blue and purple hues. Autopia and Stitch Encounter are the two additional unique attractions in Tomorrowland.

Space Mountain

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

Hong Kong Disneyland's Adventureland is the biggest among all Disney parks. It resembles the remote jungles in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, desert islands, South America, and the South Pacific. The most popular attraction is the Tarzan's Treehouse. Taking part on the different thrilling activities will definitely make the journey wonderful. The "Festival of the Lion King" show is also one the most enjoyed attractions in the park.

"To create a land that would make this dream reality", said Walt Disney, "we pictured ourselves far from civilization, in the remote jungles of Asia and Africa."

Jungle River Cruise

Festival of the Lion King

Rafts and Tarzan's Treehouse

Liki Tikis

Street Entertainment

Main Street is the heart of the Disneyland experience. According to Disney Imagineer Tom Morris, Main Street, U.S.A. at Hong Kong Disneyland is a close reproduction of the Disneyland original as a tribute to Walt Disney's original park and his approval of the design. A train station is located above its entrance and Slepping Beauty Castle stands in the distance beyond the end of the street.

High School Musical:LIVE!

Art of Animation

Animation Academy

Disney Parade

Disney in the Stars Fireworks

Muppet Mobile Lab

Main Street Vehicles

Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad

City Hall

Street Entertainment

Batanes

2010-04-10T17:48:00.000-07:00

My friends and I are dreaming of going to Basco, Batanes this year. It's the capital municipality of Batanes, located in one of the northernmost islands in the Philippines. With the stressful life in Manila, you can't avoid the urge to go somewhere far from the heavy traffic and pollution.

Since we're not really that geographically inclined, we immediately started our research on how we could go to this beautiful place. We initially found out that Cebu Pacific and PAL have no flights to Batanes. Another thing that we discovered is the pretty expensive fare. We tried to look for more options for a less expensive travel. We thought of taking the flight from Manila to Laoag because it's cheaper, and we're also excited to see Ilocos, unfortunately from Laoag to Basco via Chemtrad is not that economical either. We came into the conclusion that the flight via Sea Air from Manila to Basco is still the better option.

Another important thing that came into our discussion is the date to travel. We could not go there this summer because there are a lot of things to do at work, and some of us have already had vacation plans. We just started laughing when I suggested to go there on a rainy season. I bet nobody wants to experience the typhoons.

Anyway, until now we haven't completed our plans yet. But let me just share some of the things I came across in my search of Basco, Batanes.

How to go there:

Southeast Asian Airlines (SEAIR)
Flight Schedule: Saturday/Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday
For updated Seair flight schedule, please click here.

Travel time: (Manila - Basco) around 1 hour & 20 minutes

Distance from Manila: 860 km.
Distance from Taiwan: 190 km.

Tips when travelling to Batanes:

1. Bring enough cash because credit cards are not accepted. It's also important to convert your dollars to local currencies while in Manila. Keep in mind that flights may be canceled or rescheduled due a bad weather.

2. You'll encounter a lot of walking and trekking, so you should bring comfortable clothes and shoes.

3. Electricity switches off at midnight. Bring a flashlight with extra batteries.

4. Bring your personal things and medicines, flight tickets and identification cards, raincoat and umbrella if you're visiting during a rainy season, and camera with extra films and batteries.

5. Travel lightly. You're only allowed 10-kilos of check-in baggage to and from Batanes. You have to pay for the excess.

6. Help Batanes preserving their environment by keeping your surroundings clean at all times. Dispose your garbage properly.

7. If ever you lose something, like wallets, bags, etc., just go to the radio station (Radyo ng Bayan) to have it announced. Whenever the locals found something, they'd usually bring it to the radio station to be announce as well.

Batanes tour packages

NVIC:Today's Technologies - Tomorrow's Solutions

2010-04-03T09:09:00.000-07:00

With the growing environmental problem, N-Viro has found an innovative way of turning biosolids and other waste products into valuable by-products, aiming towards sustainable development and agricultural improvements. A much productive and greener tomorrow for all of us. N-Viro International Corporation or NVIC makes use of their own technologies in transforming wastes to energy. It includes the production of beneficial fertilizers and creation of an alternative energy. Visit http://www.nviro.com/ for a better understanding of this significant innovation.

Crocodile Farm

2010-03-31T19:02:00.000-07:00

The Crocodile Farm is found near the city of Puerto Princesa, about 30 minutes travel by land down south. It is now known as the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC). The farm was established with the help of Japan International Cooperative Agency. Although the place is not commercially developed yet, it is still worth your time because of the educational side of it. It's also fun to see lots of crocodiles from babies to adults.

The skeleton of the biggest crocodile caught in the Philippines is displayed on the main hall. Just near it is the bone of a sperm whale.

Small crocodiles are segregated in tubs inside the facility. The larger ones can be found on the ponds outside, where they built a bridge over it so that the visitors can see and take pictures of the crocodiles.

Starfish Island

2010-03-30T18:19:00.000-07:00

One of the most beautiful places in the Philippines is Honda Bay. It frames the rocky and enthralling coastline of Puerto Princesa. Lots of tourists and local residents would love to go there for island hopping because of its cool clear water and coral reefs. One of the islands found in Honda Bay is the Starfish Island. I’ve never seen a beach containing that much of starfishes. It really goes with the name. The starfishes are alive and of various sizes. The beach management does not permit taking them out of their natural environment. You may touch them and play with them but you have to put them back to the water afterwards.

Starfish Island is also a nice site for swimming and snorkeling. You’ll be able to see there different types of fishes and corals.

There are stores and restaurants in the area. You can also have a picnic on the sand if you want. Cottages are available if you'd like to stay and enjoy in the island for a few days.

Underground River

2010-03-28T20:52:00.000-07:00

The Subterranean Underground River in the River National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Palawan. It has an 8.2 kilometers navigable underground river, and is the longest in the world. The park has a limestone karst mountain landscape.

From the downtown city of Puerto Princesa, it'll take you about2-3 hours landtrip to the town of Sabang. From there, you may take a boat ride or walk through trails, popularly known as "monkey trail". If you're adventurous and choose the latter, then you'll be passing by Central Park where you can see squirrels, anteaters, lizards, and snakes freely roaming around. Well-trained park rangers will accompany you to the rest of the trek.

The park's enchanting beauty will make your visit worthy and unforgettable. It's surrounded by a range of forest formations. It represents eight of the thirteen forest types in tropical Asia. Stalactites and stalagmites formations are just one of the breathtaking views inside the cave. It's amazing how they are formed into fruits and vegetables. Those that are mentioned in the song "Bahay Kubo" are there. You'll be transported from amusement to a sudden solemnity because on the other wider portion of the cave is what they call "The Cathedral". You'll see the magnificent views of the Holy Family, candles, angels, and chandeliers. There are hundreds of formations in the cave. You can even see a Madonna and Child structure. You'll certainly be entertained with the stories of the tour guide who'll be with you throughout the journey.

The underground river, by virtue of Proclamation No. 835 on March 26, 1971 was officially declared to be called as the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and is now included as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Dos Palmas

2010-03-27T19:11:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for a place away from your urban life and just relax? Dos Palmas Island Resort can give you an excellent island experience where you can get anything from adventure to relaxation. It's a private island with a serene environment. You may be away from the city and surrounded by nature, but the facilities are modern and and the staff are always at hand to make your stay pleasant and comfortable.

You can lounge at the poolside or go swimming and kayaking as much you want. They also have tennis and basketball courts and areas for several other activities.

The resort offers buffet meals with a wide variety of food choices. They also have their own way of surprising their guests with different dining setups. It could be indoors, outdoors, or even bring the food to a nearby island for the guests to have a unique dining experience.

Couples can have a private dinner at the beach area, or on a raft in the middle of the ocean.

If you feel a need to revitalize after being tired of all the fun and adventure, Paranarian Spa is just there to pamper you. The soothing music and aromatic scent sets the cozy mood. It's tranquil beauty is perfect for relaxation.

The private island spa offers the traditional "hilot" massage, and a wide range of beauty and body treatments.

For guests who love water adventures, the resort offers scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing, island hopping and fishing. Their professional divers will accompany you in a speedboat just few minutes away from the resort to explore the island's beautiful marine reefs.