Images of Manila Bay

"If a picture paints a thousand words..."

Let these images in and around Manila Bay speak for itself. Dubbed as having the most spectacular sunsets and a cacopony of activities any given day, this place is a must visit while in Manila.

Things to see and do around Manila Bay:

1) Jog, brisk walk or do Aerobics

    If you are an early riser, head to Roxas Boulevard or the CCP Complex to get your morning juices going.  Jog with the rest of the early risers and fitness buff.

    Or if you are lucky, you may chance upon a free aerobics/zumba class at an open parking or a park along Roxas Boulevard or at the CCP Complex.

    Now if waking up early is not your thing, but you still want to get a sweat, you can jog or brisk walk around the area just before sundown. Luckily, you will be blessed with a spectacular sunset to marvel at, between short breaks.

2) Watch the dragon boat rowers practice

     If exercising early in the morning is not your thing but you still want to see what Manila Bay can offer, head out to Harbour Square's bayside and witness the rower's practicing.

     Oh, they sometimes practice late afternoons too. This shot was taken while on board a boat for the sunset dinner cruise.

3) Sit back, relax, and enjoy Manila Bay
   
     Find a space along the Roxas Boulevard boardwalk under those tall coconut trees any time of
     the day.  Or head to Harbour Square's boardwalk where it gives you an equally strategic view of 
     Manila Bay with the anchored yachts of Manila Yacht Club as your foreground.

     Early mornings and around sunset gives you so much to see, experience and enjoy.

    Witness the daily life around the area unfold before your eyes.  Cigarette and food vendors,
    families having a picnic, lovers on a date, children running around or walking their dogs, a few
    people fishing, masseuse for hire, and a lot more.
 

4) Take the Manila Bay Sunset Dinner Cruise

     There is no better way to fully experience the beauty than to join the Manila Bay Sunset Cruise.
     Food, music, camaraderie, fireworks and a beautiful sunset is just pure magic!

      There are two companies offering daily Manila Bay cruise. Check the links and reviews for a
      better choice.

       Sun Cruises
       Prestige Cruises

2014 Philippine Holidays

Fellow travel bugs, time to plan your 2014 trips! Malacanang has come out with the list of declared holidays for 2014. There are several long weekends so, start planning while airlines are coming out with promotional fares.

Under Proclamation No. 655, the regular and special non-working holidays for next year include:

1. January 1 (Wednesday) - New Year's Day
2. January 31 (Friday) - Chinese New Year
3. February 25 (Tuesday) - People Power Anniversary
4. April 9 (Wednesday) - Araw ng Kagitingan
5. April 17 (Thursday) - Maundy Thursday
6. April 18 (Friday) - Good Friday
7. April 19 (Saturday) - Black Saturday
8. May 1 (Thursday) - Labor Day
9. June 12 (Thursday) - Independence Day
10. August 21 (Thursday) - Ninoy Aquino Day
11. August 25 (Monday) - National Heroes Day
12. November 1 (Saturday) - All Saints Day
13. November 30 (Sunday) - Bonifacio Day
14. December 24 (Wednesday) - Christmas Eve
15. December 25 (Thursday) - Christmas Day
16. December 26 (Friday) - Day after Christmas
17. December 30 (Tuesday) - Rizal Day
18. December 31 (Wednesday) - New Year's Eve

In addition to the above holidays, the proclamations declaring national holidays for Eid'l Fitr and Eid'l Adha will be issued after the dates are determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar.

(Source: Interaksyon.com)

Memories of Bucolic Bohol

View of the Chocolate Hills from the 240-step Carmen viewpoint

A trip made several years ago, Bohol was a revelation. I have known it to be one of the best dive spots in the country, but never thought its rural beauty can be disarming, too.

 I treated my Dad to a short trip to Cebu to catch up with his big brother, our late Uncle Sisoy, my cousins, and a day trip for us to Bohol. With Gia in tow, we went for a whole day trip around the island of bucolic Bohol. The rain that the storm brought did not stop us.

Little did we know, we witnessed one of God's miracles--- when we did start our trip, we were blessed by a cool breeze and a scorching sun, up to the time we boarded the ferry back to Cebu. Amazing!!!Perfect weather amidst a supposed storm in the Visayas.

Tubigon was our ferry stop. A sleepy town, less popular than well-known Tagbilaran, but a mere 20 minutes to the first stop---Sagbayan Viewpoint. The place has tarsiers and chocolate hills but without the gruelling 240 steps climb to the viewing deck. Here you will find a rolling pathway (less strenuous) to the viewing deck. The mounds where not chocolate brown but a rich green. It turns brown around March-May, or summertime.

Pathway to Sagbayan Viewpoint (photo from internet)

View from the Sagbayan Viewpoint

View from Sagbayan Viewpoint