A Bit of Everything

Archive for the ‘Travel and Leisure’ Category

The average person might not find watching bats exciting because these creatures often scare and terrify them. On the contrary, they are a wonderful and astonishing sight to see. The fruit bats provide tourists with a unique island experience. It is not like enjoying the sandy beaches or going for a swim in the blue seas of Boracay, Philippines, but you are still going to have the time of your life. By watching the fruit bats, you will learn to appreciate the true beauty of nature and all creatures that live in it. It gives us a new perspective on how marvelous our planet really is.

Bat Insight

Bats always bring a negative connotation with them. People think that they are dark creatures waiting to suck your blood from your body. In fact, bats are harmless and peaceful creatures if you leave them alone. It is often man’s fault in the first place. If the bats get disturbed, the natural reaction would be to defend against the invader. They are seriously misunderstood creatures.

The fruit bats in Boracay, Philippines, play a very significant role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. They scatter the seeds and pollen of the plants in different areas around the island. This allows vegetation to reproduce faster and it means more abundance of life. This method is similar to the role of bees in reproducing flowers.

You may not know this but the fruit bats in Boracay, Philippines, are endangered. Their population decreases every year and that means terrible news for the ecosystem. They play a vital role that no one can replace. Imagine if the bats were to suddenly disappear. What would happen to the fauna and flora of Boracay? People need to take immediate action and prevent the further decrease in bat population. What are the different ways to stop their population from decreasing? The easiest way is to never disrupt their natural habitat because the trees and caves surrounding you is the home to several fruit bats. If you do not have a home in the wild, your chance of survival is low.

Feast Your Eyes in the Fruit Bats

If you are planning to set your eyes on the fruit bats, the preparations will be a cinch. Tours and boat rides to the bat caves are provided anywhere in the island. You can go to a hotel or ask a local tourist guide to show you the right way. If you are hiring a local tourist guide, make sure they are trustworthy and well informed on the bat caves. It does not cost a lot of money for you to see the bats in action. Why are you still hesitating? You should go to Boracay and see the bats with your own two eyes.

The fruit bats in Boracay, Philippines, are a magnificent sight to behold. They are misunderstood but peaceful creatures. They work hard to maintain the balance in the ecosystem but nobody gives them credit for it. It is time that people change their perspective on the bats.

Looking for a place to stay when visiting Davao, the Philippines’ Premier City of the South? Don’t fret. Staying in one of the country’s prime tourist destinations should be a piece of cake as hotels and resorts flourish in Davao City and in the vicinity.

Davao boasts of various hotels and resorts to cater to the needs of the discriminating tourist or serious businessman. Most hotels are accessible by more or less 30 minutes from the airport. Most hotels also offer shuttle services in Davao City.

Tourists in Davao can easily choose a hotel near a particular area: a tourist spot, the business district, a government office, shopping centers, a certain church, or a park. When on business trips, Davao hotels, located in the growing commercial district, offer services up to five-star accommodations.

Hotel accommodations in Davao offer various room sizes from deluxe rooms to the luxury suites. These rooms have the standard air-conditioning, hot/cold water baths, cable television, and telephone units that can access local and national and international calls.

A lot of Davao hotels also have the standard hotel shops, wireless Internet service, round-the-clock room service, various spa services (different kinds of body massage, foot massage, hand massage, facials, etc.), free shuttle services to and from the airport, and airline ticketing services.

Standard services like mailing, deposit boxes, on-call private physicians, photo processing, tour arrangements, and shoe shine services are also offered.

Of course, hotels in Davao are not complete without the recreational facilities like the swimming pools, restaurants, bars, and fitness gyms.

These hotels, whether located in Davao City and in the vicinity, are capable of accommodating functions like parties (such as weddings and birthdays) and business conferences. Davao hotels can host functions ranging from intimate affairs to grand celebrations with guests numbering in the hundreds.

Aesthetically, Davao hotels are wonders in their own right. Designed by accomplished local and national architects, these hotels stand out or blend right in their respective environments, whether it is in the business district, by the sea, or in the mountains. These hotels are planned in great detail to suit the needs of tourists as well as to give them impressions of beauty, function, stability, and comfort.

A tourist staying in Davao should not be made to feel that his or her stay should be a chore. All a tourist needs to do is relax, go about his or her business, and let the hotel do its job in ensuring the tourist’s satisfaction.

Definitely one of the most historic places in the Philippines today, the province of Leyte is a highly interesting tourist destination that never fails to draw huge number of foreign and local visitors year after year. To provide all these people with safe, decent, and snug places to stay whenever they visit the province, a great number of Leyte hotels are available that serve these specific purposes. Reasonable rates, reliable hotel services, and superb accommodations are just few of the many wonderful things that these hotel facilities can offer.

Premier Leyte Hotels

The province of Leyte features premier hotels that are simply much better and more efficient than other hotels. These Leyte hotels are simply much better especially when it comes to services, facilities, and accommodations, offering their guests more than what they can find in regular hospitality service providers. For instance, it has MacArthur Park Beach Resort in the municipality of Palo, which is a certified first-class hotel with lots of great facilities including recreational facilities, beach kiosks, and a couple of swimming pools. Of course, its services are very convenient and reliable such as banquet arrangements, special guided tours, and airport transfers, in addition to its outstanding room accommodations.

Meanwhile, Palermo Hotel is situated just within the City of Baybay, which is another prime Leyte hotel. This award-winning hospitality service provider delivers convenient services to its valued guests like concierge, car rentals, and concierge. Furthermore, this premier Leyte hotel is also highly accessible for handicapped guests, and features a gift shop, an in-house cafeteria, as well as a fitness and wellness center. More importantly, it has numerous clean, beautiful, and well-maintained guestrooms to offer especially for people who want to explore the beautiful sights and sounds in the province.

Other Outstanding Leyte Hotels and Resorts

Furthermore, Leyte also has other outstanding hotels that offer affordable rates in exchange for superior quality services and accommodations. In Maasin City for instance, people can book themselves inside premier Leyte hotels such as GV Pension House and Maasin Country Lodge. Meanwhile, major city like Tacloban plays home to different hospitality service providers including Tacloban Plaza Hotel, Primrose Hotel, and Leyte Park Resort Hotel. Likewise, people can find premier Leyte hotels LNU House and Hotel Alejandro in this city. These hospitality service providers offer rooms complete with basic amenities like beds, bathrooms, and television sets among other important things.

For individuals staying within Ormoc City in the Philippines, there are also topnotch Leyte hotels including Sabin Resort Hotel, Ormoc Villa Hotel, and Don Felipe Hotel. Just like all the fine hotel facilities out there, these establishments offer nothing but nice, convenient, and relaxing things like souvenir shops, secure parking areas, and game rooms. These places are also conducive for business related functions because of their business centers and function rooms. Simultaneously, these Leyte hotels can also be fun for family events and occasions because they offer many family-friendly features including game rooms, kiddie swimming pools, and spas. Likewise, also count their first-class food service providers and various types of room accommodations.

Located at San Jose, Coron in Northern Palawan, which is about a lulling boat ride of about thirty (30) minutes from Busuanga, the El Rio Y Mar Island Resort blends magnificently in a picturesque sheltered cove of the island hugged by dense thickets of mangroves, and romantically intertwines with a stretch of white sand and a gin-blue beach.

Although the sparkling, flowing ripples of the beach would be inviting, visitors may also choose to enjoy a dip in the in-house freshwater swimming pool.

The Choicest Picks for Pleasurable Activities

Formerly known as the Maricaban Bay Marina Resort to local Palawan residents and long-time frequent visitors, the El Rio Y Mar Resort’s most famous options include the following:

* Wildlife Tour

Touring the Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary, a natural habitat area for various plants and animals, will be a plant and animal lover’s dream come true.

The tour is open for educational and recreational services to provide a better knowledge and appreciation of animal wildlife and plant conservation.

What is most interesting is that along with African animal species, the more indigenous Palawan animals are all living in harmony – devoid of human interference.

* Lake and Island Explorations

Another delightful guided tour would be the Coron Island Tour where two of its highlights include visiting the enchanting Cayangan Lake and experiencing the relaxing waters of Maquinit Hot Springs.

* Island Hopping Tours

There are four uninhabited islands – virginal in beauty – that will surely be an awe-inspiring event for kayaking, sailing, and diving with the rest of the family or with that special someone.

The Options for Fine Dining Experience

For fine dining, a jaunt to the Al Fresco Restaurant, which has its own blend of tasty and delectable Asian and International dishes, awaits its guests.

Or, one may enjoy a few drinks and a hearty cuisine in the Floating Bar of El Rio Y Mar’s facilities.

For a wonderful way to end the evening, a romantic dinner for sweethearts and married couples aboard the Barge of the resort is another appealing option to take.

Some of the Resort’s Wide Range of Facilities

Air-conditioned cabins, with a spacious veranda, houses everything one would ever want to have from the comforts of home – from the coffee and tea making amenities, refrigerator, TV, video, shower room with hot and cold water, and many more.

There are also native-made fan-cooled cottages around the beach area for three to four persons to those who would like to have a quicker access to the beachfront.

El Rio Y Mar Resort in Palawan also has a room designed for those who would like to have a moment of one’s own, immersed in the words and sentences of inviting novels to read in their mini library section.

To ease the tension away from tired, sore muscles and frayed nerves, El Rio Y Mar in Palawan reaches out to its guests with its invigorating Spa and Massage facilities.

The Price

The experience can leave one breathless. And yet the price is worth every cent.

Prices can be as low as $20 to as high as $200 or $500 – depending on what services or facilities one would be using. (A call for reservations may be needed to check the latest price list because this may vary without prior notice.)

El Rio Y Mar Island Resort in Palawan can be one’s favorite place to commune with nature, and enjoy the pleasure of living with loved ones. Go ahead and explore it. It’s an experience one shouldn’t miss for a lifetime.

The SM that is standing at the exclusive and busy commercial district of Makati City today is far from the department store that was built in 1967 as a flagship mall. Yet, it remains to be a significant spot in Manila that draws a huge crowd every single day.

SM Makati was the second store (next to the store in Quiapo, Manila) that was built by the SM Group of companies. When it was first launched, it did not carry any thing more than just a department store and a supermarket. Those two anchors served the necessities of mall goers at that time. Then again, the modern lifestyle of the people of this generation required an expansion. So in 2004, a revolutionized SM Makati was launched with new, exciting anchors and a handful of additional shops to excite the crowd even more.

The SM Makati that we see today right off the Ayala Station of MRT includes an Ace Hardware, a Watsons Drugstore, a Surplus Shop, a Toy Kingdom and many more. Those four additional anchors serviced a wider market, which made a bigger crowd coming to the mall possible. With the re-launch also came some interesting renovations, making SM Makati fit enough to compete with the beauty of Glorietta and Greenbelt malls, both are run by the Ayalas.

Since SM Makati is in the midst of a commercial district, it had to be as competitive as it is today to enjoy a good slice of the mall market. With its continued expansion and improvement, even with three of the biggest and most popular malls within the area (Glorietta, Greenbelt, and Landmark), SM Makati is able to establish a public of its own. It is the most popular among the middle class to the lower class because it has goods that are priced affordably. SM Makati also holds seasonal sale where discounted items are laid out for everyone to feast on.

SM Makati has been tagged as the haven for fashionistas who are on a budget. That’s because it has a lot of fashionable items that are priced reasonably. One can get a wardrobe complete with accessories for a very low price.

Eating is a popular activity among shoppers and they enjoy it incredibly at SM Makati. There are a number of restaurants that offer a wide variety of cuisine. Fast food chains are mostly popular among SM shoppers. That’s why you can find a handful of fast food restaurants that serve great-tasting snacks for a price that everyone can afford. Aside from the fast food chains, SM Makati also has cafés that are aptly built for those who want laid back snacks.

You are after a kind of hotel that is tourist-friendly and something that is near the prime locations in Angles City in the Philippines and its neighboring towns. Upon doing your research, you have come upon the Hotel Tiger or the Tiger Hotel.

Great Customer Service

The Hotel Tiger best fits what you are after. This can provide amenities and facilities that are tourist-friendly, plus it has a great staff that can bring you efficient customer service. You will find the Hotel Tiger at Josefa Subdivision in Malabanias, Angeles City.

This hotel has an in-house travel agent, so you won’t find it hard to arrange your itineraries and book special tours and travel deals. This will give you a chance to take a much needed break, even if your stay here is mainly for business or work.

You will not feel isolated either because the Hotel Tiger provides free Wi-Fi internet access to its occupants. You can constantly check on your email to send or receive important files or documents. You can also keep on updating your status at any social networking sites, so that your friends or relatives can catch up with you even while you are on vacation.

The Hotel Tiger provides room service throughout the day. The security is also strict and it is active round the clock 24/7, so you will feel assured and secured while inside the facility. They also provide transport service that is actually very impressive.

Room Amenities

There are different types of rooms that you can choose from if you are already intent in booking at the Hotel Tiger. The Superior Rooms have private bathrooms and comfort rooms. These units are considered luxurious, with couple of beds, business desks, microwave ovens and kitchen, but the rate is still affordable at 1,800 pesos. The Junior Superior Rooms, with ample space, amenities like DVD players and microwave ovens, cost 1,500 pesos. The rate for Deluxe Rooms is at 1,300 pesos. These rooms are also spacious, with amenities that include use of TV with international cable channels, air conditioning units and kitchen spaces.

The cheapest of its units are the Standard Rooms that cost 1,100 pesos. These rooms are still comfortable with flat screen television sets, water dispensers and these units also have safety deposit boxes where you can leave your valuables while you are outside or engaged in other activities outside your room.

The Hotel Tiger has an official website that you can check to take a peek at its rooms, facilities and other amenities.

For a cozy, practical, and high quality place to stay in Baguio City, El Cielito Inn is definitely one of the top choices to make. Right inside this Baguio hotel, people can find the very nice dining facility called Voyager Restaurant, which takes good care of the food and drinks of everyone. At the same time, this three-star hotel also has the Magellan Room, which is perfect for holding business-related events like meetings, trainings, and conferences. For those who wish to rent this spacious banquet/conference facility, they are entitled to many convenient amenities such as overhead screens, sound system, and podium.

El Cielito Inn in Baguio City has several business-friendly features including typing, photocopying, and fax messaging. A generator is also available, which ensures the continuous power supply inside this Baguio hotel. Furthermore, people can also avail 24-hour room service in order to make things more convenient and comfortable. Airline ticket confirmations as well as cancellations can also be made at the front desk of this nice lodging facility. Shuttle service, foreign exchange, and laundry are three highly convenient services that are guaranteed to make things much easier for everyone.

Just like all the top hotels in Baguio City, El Cielito Inn promises people high quality accommodations and services thru its decent, presentable, and inviting guestrooms. Standard Rooms cost somewhere in between 1,917 pesos and 2,550 pesos, Deluxe Rooms from 2,403 pesos to 3,400 pesos, and Superior Rooms from 3,987 pesos to 4,430 pesos. For apartelle-type accommodations, this Baguio hotel offers rooms from as low as 4,986 pesos to as high as 7,000 pesos. Some of the fine amenities found inside these guestrooms are bathtubs, dining rooms, and living rooms. Other interesting features include balconies, private bathrooms, and comfortable beds.

The exact location of El Cielito Inn is at 50 North Drive in Baguio City. Notable landmarks like Camp John Hay, Baguio Convention Center, and Session Road conveniently surround this Baguio hotel. At the same time, its guests will surely have a very easy time going to several places of interest including University of the Philippines-Baguio, Baguio Cathedral, and Burnham Park. For some unique dining experience, hotel guests can try proximate restaurants such as Ivy’s Grill and Restaurant, Central Park Restaurant, as well as Vizco’s Restaurant and Cake Shop.

Check out the websites www.elcielitohotels.com and www.elcielito-baguio.com for more in-depth information about El Cielito Inn in Baguio City. The contact details of this Baguio hotel include the landline numbers (074)-443-5272 and (74)-443-4846, the fax number (02)-250-6020, and the email address stay@elcielitoinn.com.

Planning ahead, especially when it comes to money use, is vital when going on foreign trips. If you are headed for the City of Smiles, you should know where to find an ATM in Bacolod or money changer so you can get your currency exchanged at the value that is best for you.

Being one of the most economically progressive cities in the region, several of the major banks and financial centers in the Philippines have started operations in and around the city. For example, when you go shopping or sightseeing in the city you will come across the offices of major Philippine banks like BPI, Metrobank, PS Bank, Equitable, the Development Bank of the Philippines and many more. All of these institutions have their own automated tellers, so finding an ATM in Bacolod has gotten easier.

While using these services is very convenient, one should always exercise caution. Make sure that when you withdraw money there are no suspicious looking people hanging around. While you should not be too hasty, once you are done making the withdrawal, you should leave immediately so you do not attract too much attention. There are those who would prefer to conduct the transactions within the bank itself, and you can do that too.

However, it should be noted that the currency you can exchange will be possible only if it is accepted by the bank. Dollar and Euros will be no problem, but if it is some other currency, you should make some inquiries before you use an ATM in Bacolod.

If you are more inclined to exchange your currency with the money changers in Bacolod, you also have plenty of options. There are several to choose from, such as Naila’s or the HA Money Changer. There are also currency changers in the SM shopping mall. What makes these services more popular to use than banks is that the rate is usually higher. However there are those who still prefer to go to banks because they are said to be more reliable.

Whichever type you select, ATM or money changers in Bacolod, it is always good to remember a few things; first you should always compare the prices of any items you are buying, and of course always being careful especially when you go to crowded places. By taking all precautions, be it when using an ATM in Bacolod or money changer, you will have a more pleasant stay.

When it comes to great outdoor fun and excitement, the Philippines has very much to offer to travelers and adventure-seekers. These local and international tourists flock this beautiful group of islands to have fun and enjoy what the place has to offer. It boasts of numerous outstanding places that provide unlimited fun and great activities all throughout the borders of this country.

Palawan is probably one of the best travel spots in the Philippines today. It has a good reputation throughout the world for keeping its pristine beaches untouched and maintaining its very natural environment. Domestic and international visitors come to Palawan to have a perfect break from their busy lives. The island has conserved the natural environment very well despite undergoing changes brought about by the advancement of technology.

The Lavista Resort is one of the many resorts and beaches that can be found within the Palawan. It is probably one of the most underrated resorts in the province. This cozy family beach resort can be found in Narra, Palawan. This excellent resort ensures guests of a very worthwhile stay and something they can remember for the rest of their lives. Unlike all the fancy resorts in Palawan, the Lavista Resort provides the same white sand beaches and beautiful scenery at less expensive prices.

The Lavista Resort staff and management offer practical prices for a very nice stay. There is no need for guests to be concerned about spending their money here because the resort ensures them of a very cozy and comfortable stay. This Palawan resort hired a staff that is ready to answer the needs of their guests at any time of the day. These personnel are all smiles when it comes to assisting their guests.

Guests will be welcomed and greeted by the very courteous staff and management of the resort upon their arrival at the Lavista Resort. The guests will then be fully accommodated by the resort staff to their rooms and cottages which will indicate the beginning of their fun-filled adventure. After that, the guests can freely explore the resort at their own expense.

The Lavista Resort has its own restaurant that will answer the dining needs of its guests as well as other visitors. It can also prepare for a private affair upon the guests’ requests. It offers delectable food and beverages that can provide the best relaxation for guests.

The Lavista Resort offers various activities. They offer services such as scuba diving, snorkeling and other outdoor water recreation within the area. Indeed, this place has lived up to its reputation as an excellent place to unwind and relax. The staff and management of the resort are very accommodating and would even go beyond what is asked from them. The hospitality of the people of Palawan is well represented by these resort personnel.

The Lavista Resort in provides wonderful experiences for both local and foreign visitors that will last for a lifetime. The hospitality of the people, as well as the numerous excellent activities offered by the island, are some of the numerous reasons why tourists would definitely return to the Lavista Resort in the beautiful island paradise of Palawan