Sunday 26 June 2011

Eternal happy hour on the white sand beach which will never burn your feet


Carol McGiffin writes in the Daily Mail about her experiences in the Philippines, and particularly the paradise island of Boracay...

The only thing I knew about the Philippines was that the wife of a former president famously owned a lot of shoes. I probably couldn’t even have pointed to the islands on a map.
But now, thanks to my brother, who got a job there two years ago, I know more, I’ve been there and I can’t believe I left it so long.

There are no direct flights from the UK to the capital, Manila, but getting there is worth the trouble of a stopover - and it gives you the opportunity to experience another dynamic Asian city, be it Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Seoul or Shanghai.

Raise a glass: Carol takes it easy with friends in one of the many bars
Being used to Asian cities I thought I was prepared for Manila, but when I arrived I quickly realised it is like no other. It’s busier than Bangkok, crazier than Kuala Lumpur, as swish (in parts) as Singapore and easily as happening as Hong Kong.
The city’s sprawling size is mind- blowing. One big bonus is that the airport is very close - in theory it shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes to get to the centre of Manila, although it often does because traffic can be a nightmare.


Read the full article HERE...

Saturday 25 June 2011

Biological gems found in Philippines


Researchers say they identified 300 species that they think are new to science this spring during a biological prospecting expedition to the Philippines, organized by the California Academy of Sciences.

“The Philippines is one of the hottest of the hotspots for diverse and threatened life on Earth,” Terrence Gosliner, dean of science and research collections at the California Academy of Sciences and leader of the 2011 Philippine Biodiversity Expedition, said today in a news release about the findings. “Despite this designation, however, the biodiversity here is still relatively unknown, and we found new species during nearly every dive and hike as we surveyed the country’s reefs, rainforests, and the ocean floor."

Monday 20 June 2011

TV Dragon, James Caan writes in praise of Boracay, and the Philippines...


"I’m definitely ‘in’ as far as the Philippines are concerned", says TV dragon, James Caan

He goes on to say, "We knew that the Philippines as a tourist experience probably wouldn’t be as polished as, say, the Maldives, but they were every bit as attractive - and never felt ‘touristy’.

Our first glimpse of the Shangri-La at Boracay confirmed that it was a stunning property, beautifully done.

The resort’s website had painted an alluring picture of somewhere that was both tranquil and very remote. In real life it was absolutely amazing. I’ve previously stayed at a number of other Shangri-La hotels in India and China. The Boracay property was even better than the others as it is one of their newer properties: everything beautiful and spotlessly clean.

The hotel beaches are fabulous and the service second to none. Most impressive, perhaps, was CHI, the Shangri-La spa that claims to be ‘a place of personal peace, enchantment and wellbeing’. Situated on a rocky peninsula overlooking a private bay, the detached spa village complex is designed to be a sanctuary within the resort. Treatments here are based on Chinese and native Philippines healing concepts, including Hilot, the traditional Filipino healing massage."

Read the full article HERE...

Friday 17 June 2011

Welcome to Paradise...


We Live In Beijing blog writes a nice article about Boracay, the Philippines most popular destination...

Paradise is not easily accessible, but some of the best experiences in life take a little effort. You’re looking at a jet to an island, a prop plane to another island and finally a small boat to the third. You’ve made it to Boracay.

Boracay is a 7km tropical island in the central part of The Philippines. It features powder soft white sand beaches, light green water and warm ocean breezes. Most of the action on Boracay is centered on White Beach, a 4km aptly named stretch of sand bordered by a picturesque and gentle green sea. White Beach is divided into three parts, with each assigned a boat station.

The article continues HERE...