By Jojie G. Nebres
Published in Philippines Today Us April 22, 2009
http://www.philippinestodayus.com
Ever dream of cruising around the islands of the Philippines? Now this is your chance!
The 7107 Island Cruise Ship opened late last year as the first luxury ship that can accommodate 400 guests in great cruising experience around the country.
Through 7107 Island Cruise we will finally have a chance to tour around the greatest beach and island destinations, journey to these beautiful places like Boracay, Coron, Ditaytayan, Panlaitan, Calauit, Apo Reef, Subic and access to other private islands.
The ship provides a five-star luxury accommodation for every island hoppers and travelers on their journey to these beautiful places in the country.
No other travel package can beat this summer cruise expedition the 7107 Island Cruise is offering. A visit to these beautiful places on a journey while in the comfort of a five star cabin hotel!
Cruising in 7107 Island Cruise Ship could mean this itinerary.
On the first day, embark 7107 Island Cruise Ship at Batangas pier around 10 o’clock in the evening sailing towards Boracay. For first time sailors who can’t sleep at night, there are lots of activities onboard to tire you to sleep like live bands, bar, spa or have a quiet time sightseeing or stargazing at the deck.
The morning comes and long anticipated Boracay oh Boracay! known as the Party Island Escapade! Arriving around noon time the following day will give us a half day lazing around the immaculate white sand beach and a whole night of partying! Make sure you have enough energy to wake up early to enjoy a whole day of fun for water sports activities the following morning.
Following night, the ship will glide again heading to Coron. Let us relax for awhile in Sauna room and have a beauty sleep. We have a whole day unraveling the Coron Island of Calamianes, Palawan!
The Calamianes is rich with coral reefs, mangrove forests reserve, sandy beaches, protected bays and inlets, and majestic karsts and cliff formations which provide diverse array of marine and coastal habitats, making it one of the most bio diverse groups of islands in the Philippines. Coral reefs, sea grass and mangroves border every island that is why some of them are nesting grounds for sea turtles, inhabited by dugongs as well as two species of endangered marine crocodiles, making it a high potential area for marine tourism.
From Coron Island, the ship will transfer in a short distance island also located in Calamianes, to the Ditaytayan Island and Malcapuya Island. These are privately owned by 7107 Islands Cruise’s sister company. It is a special treat to 7107 Island Cruise ship guests. This is where powdery white sand beaches and flourishing coral gardens meet!
Guests can enjoy a picnic lunch in Malcapuya’s Cabanas and then island hop to neighboring islands of Cheron Island and Banana Island and have dinner on the sandbar of Ditaytayan Island which swirls towards the azure sea. Don’t forget to look for Dugong or Sea Cow, Monkey, Wild Ducks and Giant Clams while you are there.
You must be exhausted from Palawan’s island escapade, to bother you an early dawn sailing to Panlaitan. Sureness, you’ll be rushing your breakfast to go out and play volleyball on the beautiful long white stretch beach or start snorkeling to watch the coral gardens bloom beneath these clear waters.
As we sleep at night, we’ll be awake by the time the ship reached Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary and later a stop at the Apo Reef where the second largest contiguous coral reef in the world can be found!
Spend the rest of the day explore the world of Apo Reef and discover exotic marine life and fabulous coral walls and lagoons!
During dinner time, the 7107 Island Cruise ship will be leaving for the final travel destination – Subic!
Arrive at Subic the following day before noon time where you may await for another travel adventure! From aqua sports to paragliding, hiking and trekking and many more!
So what are you waiting for? Let’s cruise and have fun aboard the 7107 Island Cruise ship this summer! Email me at gagabytes@gmail.com.
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Luvverly Jubberly Week at Subic Bay
By Jo Erlinda Gabot- Nebres
Printed in Philippines Today, April 08, 2009
http://www.philippinestodayus.com
Since I started college in 1993, myself and our big family spent Holy Week every y ear at Subic Bay. Year after year, I saw the growth of tourists visiting the former American Naval Base.
Now that it is Holy Week again, my older sister and her family who are based in Qatar will join our vacation this summer in Subic. And so, too, my other sister who is based in Dubai.
Why do we always Holy Week in Subic Bay?
We are four sisters and one brother. Each of us has our own family. We have different habits and likes. We have our own and wonderful children. We’ve grown into different sport activities and kids our kids also love to play, that’s why we love Subic. It’s one big playground for our big family!
Reminiscing all the years in Subic, they all went well. Always a luvverly jubberly’ week and each year is something new to look forward to. Always a great time lies ahead. A retreat, a home away from home. It’s pleasure traveling to Subic and resting in the pristine environment.
One early morning, during our first visit to the former Subic Naval Base Complex, we were introduced to the amenities of American soldiers in the virgin forest such as their bunkers and the hidden places where they stored their ammunitions.
As we drove to the area, we couldn’t help but say ‘oooh’, ‘ahh’ and ‘wow’ with the magnificence of nature that is our midst. Suddenly, in the roadside monkeys surface and watch us pass by. When there are plenty of monkeys around, we could not help but stop the car to look and see any possible moment to have our own picture with them.
I first noticed the virgin forest around us and wondered how the tall trees grew in the area seemingly undisturbed. I never thought after most of my mountainside travels, there is this untouched side of the mountain in front of me in spite of the fact that Subic Bay was formerly inhabited by foreign soldiers. The forest seemed to have been untouched for years what with its green foliage, wild flowers and ferns and what have you. It’s a spectacular sight.
Despite of the many people here for years, Subic is so clean! With the strict enforcement of the law here, you will be afraid to throw your cigarette butts or a small candy wrapper anywhere. Even driving around, you’ll have to be cautious and observe the traffic rules. Everywhere are the traffic men are there to capture you for a wrong turn.
We always had lunch in the Jungle Environmental and Survival Training or JEST Camp with the local delicacies offered by the native Aetas manning the camp. Here, we could see with different colors, sizes and kinds of birds. The camp also has a butterfly garden where you can frolic with the rainbow-colored butterflies. The spiders gallery in the camp has its own surprises - native and big spiders, many of them imported from the Amazon jungles of South America. It is so nice to capture a moment with a butterfly is on your hand or shoulder!
Don’t miss the life surviving demonstration at Jest Camp. You’ll be amazed how a person can survive with mere bamboo in the forest! I thought then that in order to endure the forest when you are thirsty, you will have to climb a coconut tree and drink coconut juice. But to the native Aetas, it is easier to drink with a young bamboo shoot. You can even start a fire and cook with bamboo. You’ll discover the essentials of bamboo in order to survive in a forest!
Hiking in the heart of the rainforest is a unique experience at the Jest Camp and the surroundings. An overnight stay in the jungle could also be arranged but you should bring your own tent, flash lights and other scouting gadgets.
Some 150 families of the natives called Aetas live inside the Subic Forest. The Pamulaklakin Forest Trails is a starting point of the Eco-life and cultural show from the Aeta community. Pamulaklakin, with its river and big stones, and the big trees surrounding, is a great picnic area!
If there’s an eco tour in Subic, there is a Zoobic Safari, the newest and most popular attraction to give us a chance to see various animals up close or pet them. A chance to hold a tiger cub or a huge python! Most of the animals found there are native of Philippines; others were imported from overseas such as the tigers, ostriches, sheeps, a moon bear and cassowary.
To complete your Zoobic visit, everybody should take the safari ride! You will ride on a jeepney to see the tigers lolling in pools and lazing under the sun.
The thrill of Zoobic Safari ride won’t be complete without tigers chasing your jeep! What a thrilling moment and thanks to the iron mesh of the jeep! Especially when the tour guide swayed live chicken through the jeepney’s window!
Then there are big ostriches also around!
Subic, with its perfect environment, has different recreational facilities, luxurious hotels, marina, beaches, golf greens, eco-tourism, watersports, car and go-kart racing, skating, bowling, cycling, motocross, duty-free shopping, casinos, restaurants, videoke bars and other amusement facilities.
If there’s Zoobic Safari for land animal lesson tour, there’s another attraction in Subic to introduce you to the water habitats, the Ocean Adventure.
Subic Bay offers different kinds of nightlife from floating bar to beach shore restaurants. Different recreation sports also available. Go karting, golf, horse riding at El Kabayo, tennis, basketball, swimming pools available everywhere!
I like the Tree Top Adventure where I can soar from tree to tree while securely suspended face down and feet up, or I may able to quench my adrenaline in this thrilling trail while rappelling down the side of a 60-foot tree or to ride in a motorized cable 100 feet above the ground or even trek in the jungle!
Small beaches can be found inside Subic Bay. Many water sports and adventures are available. Jet Ski, kayaking, aqua cycles, platoon ride are available for those who want to tour and discover Subic.
For scuba divers, Subic oceans will give you an ultimate experience of discovering wrecks. Subic’s World War II (WWII) wrecks covered almost the entire war period. No less than 25 Japanese ships were reported sunk during the war years. Some of these may have been removed in the late fifties as salvage operations were done to open up the bay for shipping. Nineteen of these fabulous war wrecks have been discovered. Additional ships were sunk after the war either as targets or victims of mother nature. The area is not limited to WWII wrecks, at the entrance to the bay alongside Grande Island, is the Spanish American war wreck San Quintin. Outside the bay in deep water lies what remains of a Spanish Galleon as well as a 16th century Chinese Junk and they are beyond diving range.
There are lots of activities available for the entire family at Subic Bay. Things to do there won’t pose a problem to any individual. So see you this Holy Week at Subic!
For comments, email gagabytes@gmail.com
Printed in Philippines Today, April 08, 2009
http://www.philippinestodayus.com
Since I started college in 1993, myself and our big family spent Holy Week every y ear at Subic Bay. Year after year, I saw the growth of tourists visiting the former American Naval Base.
Now that it is Holy Week again, my older sister and her family who are based in Qatar will join our vacation this summer in Subic. And so, too, my other sister who is based in Dubai.
Why do we always Holy Week in Subic Bay?
We are four sisters and one brother. Each of us has our own family. We have different habits and likes. We have our own and wonderful children. We’ve grown into different sport activities and kids our kids also love to play, that’s why we love Subic. It’s one big playground for our big family!
Reminiscing all the years in Subic, they all went well. Always a luvverly jubberly’ week and each year is something new to look forward to. Always a great time lies ahead. A retreat, a home away from home. It’s pleasure traveling to Subic and resting in the pristine environment.
One early morning, during our first visit to the former Subic Naval Base Complex, we were introduced to the amenities of American soldiers in the virgin forest such as their bunkers and the hidden places where they stored their ammunitions.
As we drove to the area, we couldn’t help but say ‘oooh’, ‘ahh’ and ‘wow’ with the magnificence of nature that is our midst. Suddenly, in the roadside monkeys surface and watch us pass by. When there are plenty of monkeys around, we could not help but stop the car to look and see any possible moment to have our own picture with them.
I first noticed the virgin forest around us and wondered how the tall trees grew in the area seemingly undisturbed. I never thought after most of my mountainside travels, there is this untouched side of the mountain in front of me in spite of the fact that Subic Bay was formerly inhabited by foreign soldiers. The forest seemed to have been untouched for years what with its green foliage, wild flowers and ferns and what have you. It’s a spectacular sight.
Despite of the many people here for years, Subic is so clean! With the strict enforcement of the law here, you will be afraid to throw your cigarette butts or a small candy wrapper anywhere. Even driving around, you’ll have to be cautious and observe the traffic rules. Everywhere are the traffic men are there to capture you for a wrong turn.
We always had lunch in the Jungle Environmental and Survival Training or JEST Camp with the local delicacies offered by the native Aetas manning the camp. Here, we could see with different colors, sizes and kinds of birds. The camp also has a butterfly garden where you can frolic with the rainbow-colored butterflies. The spiders gallery in the camp has its own surprises - native and big spiders, many of them imported from the Amazon jungles of South America. It is so nice to capture a moment with a butterfly is on your hand or shoulder!
Don’t miss the life surviving demonstration at Jest Camp. You’ll be amazed how a person can survive with mere bamboo in the forest! I thought then that in order to endure the forest when you are thirsty, you will have to climb a coconut tree and drink coconut juice. But to the native Aetas, it is easier to drink with a young bamboo shoot. You can even start a fire and cook with bamboo. You’ll discover the essentials of bamboo in order to survive in a forest!
Hiking in the heart of the rainforest is a unique experience at the Jest Camp and the surroundings. An overnight stay in the jungle could also be arranged but you should bring your own tent, flash lights and other scouting gadgets.
Some 150 families of the natives called Aetas live inside the Subic Forest. The Pamulaklakin Forest Trails is a starting point of the Eco-life and cultural show from the Aeta community. Pamulaklakin, with its river and big stones, and the big trees surrounding, is a great picnic area!
If there’s an eco tour in Subic, there is a Zoobic Safari, the newest and most popular attraction to give us a chance to see various animals up close or pet them. A chance to hold a tiger cub or a huge python! Most of the animals found there are native of Philippines; others were imported from overseas such as the tigers, ostriches, sheeps, a moon bear and cassowary.
To complete your Zoobic visit, everybody should take the safari ride! You will ride on a jeepney to see the tigers lolling in pools and lazing under the sun.
The thrill of Zoobic Safari ride won’t be complete without tigers chasing your jeep! What a thrilling moment and thanks to the iron mesh of the jeep! Especially when the tour guide swayed live chicken through the jeepney’s window!
Then there are big ostriches also around!
Subic, with its perfect environment, has different recreational facilities, luxurious hotels, marina, beaches, golf greens, eco-tourism, watersports, car and go-kart racing, skating, bowling, cycling, motocross, duty-free shopping, casinos, restaurants, videoke bars and other amusement facilities.
If there’s Zoobic Safari for land animal lesson tour, there’s another attraction in Subic to introduce you to the water habitats, the Ocean Adventure.
Subic Bay offers different kinds of nightlife from floating bar to beach shore restaurants. Different recreation sports also available. Go karting, golf, horse riding at El Kabayo, tennis, basketball, swimming pools available everywhere!
I like the Tree Top Adventure where I can soar from tree to tree while securely suspended face down and feet up, or I may able to quench my adrenaline in this thrilling trail while rappelling down the side of a 60-foot tree or to ride in a motorized cable 100 feet above the ground or even trek in the jungle!
Small beaches can be found inside Subic Bay. Many water sports and adventures are available. Jet Ski, kayaking, aqua cycles, platoon ride are available for those who want to tour and discover Subic.
For scuba divers, Subic oceans will give you an ultimate experience of discovering wrecks. Subic’s World War II (WWII) wrecks covered almost the entire war period. No less than 25 Japanese ships were reported sunk during the war years. Some of these may have been removed in the late fifties as salvage operations were done to open up the bay for shipping. Nineteen of these fabulous war wrecks have been discovered. Additional ships were sunk after the war either as targets or victims of mother nature. The area is not limited to WWII wrecks, at the entrance to the bay alongside Grande Island, is the Spanish American war wreck San Quintin. Outside the bay in deep water lies what remains of a Spanish Galleon as well as a 16th century Chinese Junk and they are beyond diving range.
There are lots of activities available for the entire family at Subic Bay. Things to do there won’t pose a problem to any individual. So see you this Holy Week at Subic!
For comments, email gagabytes@gmail.com
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The blue waters of Anilao beckon
The blue waters of Anilao beckon
This Batangas adventure zone is only 4 hours away from Manila
By Jo Erlinda Gabot
Printed in Philippines Today
Anilao in Batangas is world renowned for diving and snorkeling wannabes. The waters are teeming with marine life, bountiful and colorful corals, and amazing diversity of fishes.
It seems hard to imagine that this beautiful place is only 3 to 4 hours away from Manila .
In the amazing blue waters of Anilao, many diving spots can be found. You can arrange and rent a motor banca for island hopping to discover them.
Never mind the sunburn; it will disappear. Never mind the jellyfish that irritates the skin; it is but transient. What will certainly remain after your trip here would be great memories of swimming and snorkelling, and the beautiful pictures of sea and sun of Anilao.
This marine playground is just 140 kilometers away from Manila , and access is now made easy with cemented roads. More importantly, it literally faces the haven of marine biodiversity in the world, sharing the same waters as Isla Verde and the islands of Sulu Sea such as Apo Reef and the farther but world famous Tubbataha Reef.
There are over 300 species of corals in Anilao, and one dive site alone – the Cathedral Rock – is said to have more coral species than the entire Carribean!
Yet, you do not have to be a scuba diver to appreciate Anilao or its marine wonders: the reefs are just steps away from the shore – just be careful lest you step upon the razor-sharp corals!
A whole day of fun in the shore with lots of water sports adventures available for rent. Enjoy swimming and before the very end of the day you will find damselfish, clownfish, sea anemones, nudibranches and, of course, the coral clusters in a rich array of colors and textures!
At the end of the day, you can celebrate the phenomenon of the sunset sitting at the beach as fleeting as other wonders of nature- yet more poignantly so!
Surely, Anilao is hard to miss!
This Batangas adventure zone is only 4 hours away from Manila
By Jo Erlinda Gabot
Printed in Philippines Today
Anilao in Batangas is world renowned for diving and snorkeling wannabes. The waters are teeming with marine life, bountiful and colorful corals, and amazing diversity of fishes.
It seems hard to imagine that this beautiful place is only 3 to 4 hours away from Manila .
In the amazing blue waters of Anilao, many diving spots can be found. You can arrange and rent a motor banca for island hopping to discover them.
Never mind the sunburn; it will disappear. Never mind the jellyfish that irritates the skin; it is but transient. What will certainly remain after your trip here would be great memories of swimming and snorkelling, and the beautiful pictures of sea and sun of Anilao.
This marine playground is just 140 kilometers away from Manila , and access is now made easy with cemented roads. More importantly, it literally faces the haven of marine biodiversity in the world, sharing the same waters as Isla Verde and the islands of Sulu Sea such as Apo Reef and the farther but world famous Tubbataha Reef.
There are over 300 species of corals in Anilao, and one dive site alone – the Cathedral Rock – is said to have more coral species than the entire Carribean!
Yet, you do not have to be a scuba diver to appreciate Anilao or its marine wonders: the reefs are just steps away from the shore – just be careful lest you step upon the razor-sharp corals!
A whole day of fun in the shore with lots of water sports adventures available for rent. Enjoy swimming and before the very end of the day you will find damselfish, clownfish, sea anemones, nudibranches and, of course, the coral clusters in a rich array of colors and textures!
At the end of the day, you can celebrate the phenomenon of the sunset sitting at the beach as fleeting as other wonders of nature- yet more poignantly so!
Surely, Anilao is hard to miss!
Calatagan, a perfect getaway for whole family
Calatagan, a perfect getaway for whole family
By Jo Erlinda Gabot
Posted in Philippine News Today US, September 18, 2008
As a mother of four - my youngest is three and my eldest is 12 - I always scout for a nice and affordable vacation place during summer. In 2006, I discovered Calatagan, Batangas and my family and I have been going there since.
The first time I arrived at Ivory Beach Resort in Calatagan, I immediately was awed by its beauty. For only 50 pesos per person, the beach is yours for a memorable ocean adventure.
Add a few more pesos and you can stay for a day plus free table and chairs! If you want to stay overnight, just pay double and rent a room.
But I don’t prefer renting room. I suggest you bring your own tent for the whole family to make and enjoy bonfire at night. You don’t need a picnic hut to rent. It’s full of trees to give you a very nice shed even during summer.
Bring your ipod with speakers if you want music while having barbecue during the stay.
For only a few know the still and clear water white sand beaches there. The place is quiet and not crowded and thus is good for a whole family, like you are renting a private resort.
The whole family will get to enjoy a nice swim on Calatagan’s shallow clear water even a small kid could manage. Give them snorkeling gadgets, they will enjoy a whole day of fun at the sea or give them a big bucket, it will return to you full of starfishes and shells!
Calatagan shore is a fun way to explore the marine life living between South China Sea and Balayan Bay .
The coast is full of sea grass. Different color of shells, starfishes, crabs and colorful fishes can be found at the clear stumpy water which are a good starting place to introduce snorkeling for children.
You have to walk long before you get into an inter-tidal zone, a very interesting place for people who are interested in marine life and biology.
You’ll get the chance to enjoy the view of sunset. Sunsets in Calatagan are very beautiful and enchanting because it’s right on the west coast of Batangas.
If you want to see a coral reef garden, try to visit the Elizalde Beach resort. There you’ll find a big sign ‘Danger Zone’! Yes it’s a very dangerous zone, yet you’ll find the amazing coral reef garden in a sheer drop! Next to it is real deep water. You can’t even see the seabed and what lies ahead. So beware for those who are just starting into snorkel. I suggest even for the expert swimmer and snorkelers to put on their life vest.
Don’t forget to ride a motorized banca in early morning during low tide to take you to the islet of white sand! Surely, you’ll love to walk and swim on very shallow sugary white sand. Beside it, it’s for a snorkel wannabe exploration!
Calatagan in Batangas is only about two hours away from Manila via the South Luzon Expressway, into the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Highway and on to Batangas.
So, see you there!
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