Miyerkules, Pebrero 1, 2012

Why the
Taal Volcano
complex is special

It is unique in this world because of the positions of its 5 components: Taal Volcano, Taal Lake, Volcano Island, Crater Lake, and Vulcan Point.
To illustrate their bizarre relationships, view my animated diagram:

Taal Volcano
tips & insights


Near Manila

Taal is a popular day trip from Manila. It’s only 50 kilometers (30 miles) away. Taal is also popular as a summer vacation retreat. The climate is cooler than in Manila.

Climbing

A must for adventure travelers is climbing Volcano Island. You take a half-hour ride in a small boat to the island, then hike (30 to 45 minutes) or horseback (20 to 25 minutes) up to the ridge for a breathtaking view of Crater Lake.

When to come, what to wear

During summer, the sun beats down relentlessly – and there are no shade trees on the trail to the summit. So plan an early morning start – and wear sun screen and a broad-rimmed hat.

If you are not bent on
climbing Volcano Island

Visit the town of Tagaytay located on the ridge of Taal Volcano. It has outstanding panoramic views of Taal Lake and Volcano Island.

Tubbataha Reef

Why the
Tubbataha Reef
is special

The Tubbataha (too-bah-tah-hah’) Reef in the remote center of the Sulu Sea is one of the world’s finest dive locations. It has a rich and dense marine life – with several hundred species of both coral and fishes.

Tubbataha Reef
tips & insights


Diver's paradise

Tubbataha Reef is noted among divers for its abundance of vivid corals, expansive sea ferns, colorful crustaceans, magnificent turtles, chromatic small fishes, and striking large fishes. The last includes sharks, whale sharks, mantas, tuna, and barracudas. And the soaring, perpendicular underwater walls are legendary.

Limited access

Tubbataha Reef is normally accessible only three months a year, from about mid-March to mid-June. Sea conditions are too rough for the remaining 9-month span.

Best months

For the best underwater visibility and the calmest seas, go in April or May.

Getting there

You can reach Tubbataha Reef only by boat. It lies 180 kilometers (110 miles) southeast of Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan. The voyage lasts about 10 hours each way.

Pamalican Island

Why
Pamalican Island
is special

Pamalican is an alluring small island. It has tropical foliage and is studded with coconut trees. It's fringed with powdery white-sand beaches, and is rimmed with crystal-clear seawaters flanked by coral reefs.

Pamalican Island
tips & insights


Amanpulo Resort

Pamalican Island is the home of the Amanpulo Resort, one of the world's most secluded luxury resorts for unwinding and rejuvenating. Amanpulo means "peaceful island" and that it is.

Accommodations

The entire island is privately owned and is for the exclusive use of the fewer than 100 Amanpulo Resort guests. Amanpulo has several dozen posh casitas (cottages) plus some equally stylish hillside, treetop and villa accommodations.

Small island

I walked leisurely around Pamalican Island on the beach in under 2 hours.

Getting there

This luxury retreat lies southwest of Manila. It is slightly over one hour away by scheduled 19-passenger charter air service. This is the only means of transportation in and out for guests, which adds to the isolation appeal.


Martes, Enero 31, 2012

Golden Pavilion

Why the
Golden Pavilion
is special

The building in Kyoto, Japan sits on a serene pond, which reflects the beauty of the Golden Pavilion and forested backdrop. This creates one of the world’s loveliest settings.

Golden Pavilion
tips & insights


Long-time painting op

Long before the camera was invented, the Golden Pavilion became a prized subject for Japanese artists.

Boost to tourism

The resulting artistic exposure soon lured countless Japanese to visit Kyoto to view the striking Golden Pavilion firsthand. Today, it draws tourists from around the world.

History

A quick overview:
The Golden Pavilion was built in 1397 by the then ruling shogun.
On his death, it became a Zen Buddhist temple.
Disaster struck in 1950. The Golden Pavilion was burned down to the foundation by an arsonist (a fledgling Buddhist priest).
The Japanese rebuilt the Golden Pavilion in 1955, faithfully following the original design. The major change was in significantly increasing the amount of gold leaf applied to the Golden Pavilion's exterior and interior.

Niagara Falls




Why
Niagara Falls
is special

It is one of the mightiest falls on earth. Although Niagara Falls is smaller and less breathtaking than Iguazu Falls in South America and Victoria Falls in Africa, it is awe-inspiring in its own right.

Seasons


The time of the year
makes a big difference
in what you'll experience

Summer - Positive points
Summer is best in terms of water fall strength. The greater the volume, the more spectacular the viewing experience.
Summer - Negative points
Unfortunately, summer is the season when the lion's share of the 15 million annual visitors come. Crowds can be overwhelming and line waits unbearable.
Winter is the least
desirable time to visit
Winter can be bitterly cold, a major factor considering that watching the falls is primarily an outdoor standing activity. Moreover, in deep winter, layers of ice can hide the falling water.
Compromises
The two best compromise times are early May and late September.

Best sightseeing
times of day


During the peak
summer period

Avoid long lines by scheduling your visits to the popular attractions in the morning (before 10:30 a.m.) or late afternoon (after 4:00 p.m.).  And, if possible, avoid weekends.

Eiffel Tower


Why the
Eiffel Tower
is special?

It's the photo icon of Paris and France - and one of the most recognizable structures on earth.

Eiffel Tower

tips & insights


How to avoid
the long waiting lines

Elevator wait lines (especially for the third level) can be excruciatingly long during the summer tourist season. Be the first in line when the gates open in the morning or arrive after 6 pm. It also helps to avoid weekends.

Photographing the Eiffel Tower

The best photo location for a full-view shot of structure is from the Place du Trocadero terrace across the Seine River.

Origin

It was built in 1889 for an international exhibition in Paris, France and named for its builder, Gustave Eiffel.

Once the world's tallest

The Eiffel Tower instantly became the world's tallest man-made structure. It broke the record held for over 4400 years by the Khufu Pyramid in Egypt (only to lose it 41 years later to the Chrysler Building in Manhattan).

Not everyone liked it

Some people back then thought it was hideous. One sarcastic critic famously said he liked being on the Eiffel Tower because "it's the only place in Paris where I cannot see it".

Today

Times have changed. Almost all Parisian citizens today love it.