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 The Philippines Start with an archipelago of more than 7000 islands strewn across a great stretch of tropical sea. Throw is one of the worlds most diverse cultures and one very modern one. Steep it in a rich history at the crossroads of Southeast Asia. Top it off with soaring volcanos and serrated mountains, and Viola! Youv'e got the Philippines. Long bypassed by most travellers to Southeast Asia because of its location on the wrong side of the South Cina Sea, the Philippines is a well kept secret among those who have been there.
The coral fringed islands are home to wonders enough to stagger even the most jaded traveller : extraordinary rice terraces, tropical rainforests, under-ground rivers, soaring limestone towers, un-inhabited ' Robinson Crusoe ' islands and cascading waterfalls. And thats just above the surface! Below, the reefs and walls offer some truly memorable diving and snorkelling and the wreck diving may just be the best in the world.
More than just stunning natural scenery it's the people of the Philippines that many visitors find unforgettable. From hill tribes to hip urban intellectuals, Filipinos form a mosaic that reflects the islands' rich and varied nature. Long governed by foreign interests, the Philippines inevitably bears the deep imprint of other cultures. Scratch a little deeper and and you're bound to see something distinctly Filipino. With a calender jam packed with colourful festivals, there are ample opportunities to enjoy the natural warmth and vibrancy of Filipinos at their unihibited best.
The best thing about travelling in the Philippines is the sense that there are still discoveries to be made, sometimes just around the next corner. With so many islands and so few visitors the Philippines is one of the last great frontiers in Asian travel. For those who are willing to adapt to the challenges of travel here, there are plenty of rewards. So slow down, set your clock to 'Philippine Time' and keep your eyes open - somewhere among those 7107 islands there's a great adventure waiting to happen.
The Philippines main island group is the Visayas. Situated between Luzon to the North, Palawan to the West and Mindanao to the South, the main islands and major sub groups of the Visayas are Cebu, Camotes Islands, Bohol, Negros, Siquijor, Panay, Boracay, The Romblon Group, Masbate, Samar, Leyte and Biliran. Scattered among these are numerous small island, some inhabited, others not. Cebu City is a perfect base for the adventurous island hopper.
There is a virtual navy of regular fast craft and reliable bangka between many of the more popular islands, as well as several flights between many of the more popular destinations.
Although most people are drawn to the Visayas for the quiet tropical islands, palm fringed beaches and stunning reefs, the region is also fast becoming famous for its long list of outdoor activities, including trekking, camping, rock climbing, mountain biking and bird watching. All of which can be planned at the El Gecko Restrobar, Cebu.
- Hunt for witches around Siquijors caves, waterfalls and beaches.
- Come face to face in the Bohol jungle by a Tarsier.
- Visit the ancestral homes of historic Silay and gorging on the city's speciality, coconut pie.
- Trek around the beautiful Twin Lakes crater area and when done take on the mighty Mt. Kanlaon and the magical Mt Guiting - Guiting.
- Dive off Malapascua Island to see thresher sharks and off Apo Island to see flourishing protected reefs.
- Eat a Lobster dinner and sip a cocktail off White Beach, Boracay - yes, perhaps one of the best beaches in the world.
- Explore the strikingly beautiful and remarkably friendly islet of Biliran to experience what Camiguin was like two decades ago.
- Spook yourself with a tour through a colonial era haunted house in the historic South Leyte port town of Malitbog.
- Come back to reality with a warm welcome, great choice of meals, fine music and an ice cold beer at the El Gecko Restrobar in Cebu City.
Cebu City is a major gateway to the Visayas and an attractive alternative to entering the country at Manila's manic airport, with many popular destinations both on the island or nearby islands. Cebu has a long, bare backbone of a central mountain ranges and with glorious beaches to the north of the island. The offshore island of Bantayan with its sublime white beaches and Malapascua for the lovers of the island life style and shark diving are increasingly popular backpacker haunts, while to the south, Moalboal is the place for diving and budget hedonism. Divers and bird watchers rave about Olango, a reef ringed outcrop not far from Mactan. Cebu City manages to seem young and innocent after all these years. To think this place is older than Manila, has the nations busiest port and a population nearing one million. But then again what city wouldn't look good compared to Manila ? As far as most visitors are concerned, Cebu City is Manila minus the mayhem. Its size and layout can actually be understood rather than merely endured. And sigh, hardly any of the taxi drivers here are employed by Satan. The city centre has shifted inland in recent years and locals now refer to the newer precinct around Fuente Osmena as ' Uptown ' 5 minutes walk from El Gecko Restrobar.
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