Summer Is On its Way! Get Ready for Some Getaways!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The tropical islands of the Philippines is the ideal summer getaway where you can enjoy lots of beaches, wildlife and nature that will be appreciated by city dwellers from all over the world. The best way to relieve them of almost all their stress accumulated over a year of hectic and busy school or work activities.

Whether you travel alone or with your friends and family, the best places to beat the heat this summer is anywhere among the fascinating 7,107 islands of the Philippines. The perfect place to strut your hot swimsuits in any of the many pristine beaches, and wear your cool summer outfit while exploring the wonders of heritage sites, is in the Philippines. Like they say, It's More Fun in the Philippines.

I my case, school is almost over in just a month and summer is making its way soon. So, I think that now is the good time to mark your calendars because I’ll be presenting my top 6 best places to go this summer.

                                                                                           

1. Sand Boarding in La Paz Sand Dunes, Ilocos Norte:  

If you’re the type to go adventurous and want to try something new, try the sand boarding in Ilocos Norte. You can bring your own board or you can rent one there. Other than sand surfing, or sand boarding, you can ride a 4x4 jeep and drive around the place. Try trekking for an hour to traverse the entire stretch of the beach.

The La Paz Sand Dunes is a sandy coastal desert located in the capital city of Laoag. It is a part of the long stretch of the Ilocos Norte Sand Dunes and spans from Currimao to Pasuquin. This is locally called Bantay Bimmaboy in which they perceive that the dunes resemble the shape of pigs. Because of its uniqueness being a desert environment, it is considered to be a National Geological Monument.

2. Exploring Caves at Siquijor:                                                                                                                                                

Siquijor is known for its unusual stories about enchantments, sorcery and mystical creatures. It is also a place where people would not dare to go because of those stories but there are places in Siquijor that are incredibly amazing like in Cantabon Cave.

The cave compromises of stalactites and lake-like bodies of water inside that you can swim in. Although it might be difficult trekking inside of the cave but it’s all worth it. For just less than 600 for three people and you get two tour guides you can have a trip remembered for a lifetime.

                                                                                                                                                                 

3. Island Hopping in Palawan:

Palawan is making a statement by its beautiful beaches, amazing underwater river, and its plain breathtaking sites. You can do a lot of things in Palawan, whether you want to go island hopping or just chill by the seashore and pick up some seashells.

Famous is Puerto Princesa, where you can hop onto a boat and go island hopping at Honda Bay located in the mid-eastern coast of the city. El Nido's cliff-backed islands, snorkeling off white sand beaches in crystal-clear waters. See the dramatic volcanic limestone cliffs that tower over magnificent lagoons and enclosed inland lakes like Cayangan and Barracuda lakes of Coron.

 
4. Touring Sabtang Island at Basco, Batanes:

Basco, also known as Santo Domingo de Basco, is a fifth class municipality in the Batanes Province here in the Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Batanes.

Famous for its ancient architectural designs of homes and churches made from limestone. Batanes hosts more than that for you can also jump on a ship and take long lonely walk on the sandy beach of Sabtang Island. Get to see some old folks still wearing their traditional head gear call "vakul". Go around the Chavayan community which is a UNESCO nominated site and see the stone house.

5. Dipping in the waters of Sta. Cruz Island of Zamboanga:

South of the Philippines, there's an island called Sta. Cruz, located at the periphery of Zamboanga City. The beach of Sta. Cruz boasts of the only pink coralline sandy shore where you can walk barefoot yet feel surprised of how cool it is. The color of the sand comes from the pulverized red organ pipe coral from eons of surf erosion mixed with the white sand.

Dipping in its equally cool clear waters is an awesome relaxing way to feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Also enjoy dining on crabs you can buy from folks out there who will also cook them for you at a very affordable price.

The city government of Zamboanga is planning to improve the island for the preservation, protection, conservation and rehabilitation of the island's ecosystem which also involves developing the island for ecotourism.

                                                                                              

       

 
6. Appreciating the beauty of nature in Tagaytay:

Probably the fastest way to go where you can escape the concrete walls, smoky air, and car noises is Tagaytay. It is a two-hour drive from Manila. You can go to Taal Volcano and appreciate what the beauty of nature is.

In Taal Volcano you can go to many parks fond near there. And you can visit new places that are in Tagaytay like the, Flower Farm or Jose P. Laurel’s Memorial Library a personal property of the late Philippine president Jose P. Laurel. It is a cool summer getaway because it’s really near and it’s very cool.


I know there are a lot of other interesting places to go all over the Philippines, like Boracay, Puerto Galera, Bohol, and many others, but the list above are my preferred destinations this coming summer of 2014.

(I do not own any of the photos posted in this article.**Credits to all the owners)