Fort Ilocandia is a Hotel and Resort located in the edges of the Ilocos Norte region.  It is around 77 hectares long, featuring numerous amenities of 5-star class hotels and resorts that is roughly 10 kilometers away from the city of Laoag.

You can play volleyball by the beach, eat out in the cottages by the seaside and explore greenery or forest like surroundings full of coconut trees and other shrubs in around an hour or a couple of hours depending on your pace.  You can hang out at the sandy beach that stretches for 2 kilometers and get a tan anytime you want to.

You can choose from 8 different types of hotel rooms that are all equipped with air conditioning units, cable TV and internet connection for some higher class rooms.  You also get exclusive bath tubs, individual balconies and even safety vaults when you check-in to this wonderful hotel and resort.

You can find out more about Fort Ilocandia by visiting http://www.fortilocandia.com.ph/ or by calling them at Tel#: (63-77) 670-9001 to 15.

The Apo Island is the only one of its kind in the Philippines. It is one of the world’s top dive destinations, and you can rent a banca for a 40-minute boat ride to take you over to the coast at Dauin, Negros Oriental and back. My place has a great patio view of the entire beach area. Even though the island only has electric power from 630PM until 930PM, the diving is spectacular and there are many shoals of fish.

I got an email from my buddy Mark who went to dive 2 months ago, and here’s what it says:

“As a veteran scuba diver, Apo Island I must say was an adventure in itself. I’ve seen more than the usual coral reefs and colorful tropical fish. And the topography! WOW. Man I wish you had been able to join me. The clear inviting waters gave me the joy of exploration, and being underwater it felt – different. I’ve entered a mysterious yet beautiful world where you can have an enjoyable opportunity for taking underwater photography. Since it’s a deep blue sea, scuba diving the island is like climbing a mountain cliff.  But I was fearless. And out I went and down. The experience was priceless.”

For those of you not in the know, Apo Island is a sweet little island filled with tiny village residents, who embrace a sustainable living through boating and diving businesses. Here’s some pics I took yesterday:

And just a few minutes before our departure a boat fiesta celebration was happening in honor of Sto. Nino. The banca boat that ferried the locals was full, and they were dancing along with constant beating of the drums. For all those wondering what’s in the Sto. Nino celebration, here’s a little history:

“On April 7, 1521, the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived and planted the cross on the shores of Cebu, claiming the territory for Spain. He presented the image of the child Jesus, the Santo Niño, as baptismal gift to Hara Amihan, wife of Rajah Humabon. Hara Amihan was later named, Queen Juana in honor of Juana, mother of Carlos I. Along with the rulers of the island, some 800 natives were also baptized to the Roman Catholic Church. At the moment of receiving the holy image, it was said that Queen Juana danced with joy bearing this image of the child Jesus. With the other natives following her example, this moment was regarded as the first Sinulog. This event is frequently used as basis for most Sinulog dances, which dramatize the coming of the Spaniards and the presentation of the Santo Niño to the Queen. A popular theme among Sinulog dances is Queen Juana holding the Santo Niño in her arms and using it to bless her people who are often afflicted by sickness caused by demons and other evil spirits.” Source: WIKIPEDIA

I took a video of it that is worth sharing, so have a look at it at this link: Sto. Nino Video At Apo Island

I have also taken  many more pictures apart from the ones I ‘ve uploaded, so have a look at all of them on my site at Marks Travel & Adventure

Cheers,
Mark

MUST EAT: Boracay is one big food trip, and I was not dissapointed by any of the hottest restaurants I dined in which serve excellent Filipino dishes and other international cuisines. I’ll cover all these new restaurants in a separate posts. Anyway,  what I can’t forget the most are the streetfood delights, The Chori Burger stands offer some of the locals’ favorite Pinoy pulutan food that’s perfect after drinking at parties.

MUST STAY AT: Nigi Nigi Noo Noos, for its convenient location at Station 2, which is the best bathing area in the entire island. It’s just a stone’s throw away from the beachfront location where all rooms are within a few meters of the ocean. Also, I was thrilled to discover that my room had an oversized window overlooking a charming courtyard.

WHAT TO DO:

• Stop for dessert and try Jonas Milkshakes before heading to the bars, it has the best place in Boracay for dessert. And yes, it’s open 24hrs! So you can stay until sunrise the next day for sure. Below is a photo of my favorite Banana choco peanut. It’s sold for only 70 pesos.

• Catch a public show of the Boracay sexy fire dancer for a sizzling hot nightlife in the island. I love sexy Filipina women, and a lot of them are fire dancers in Boracay who are pretty much talented!

• Listen to some soft, calming, music while getting the Signature Mandala Massage. You must experience this while in Boracay. Good and personal service!
  

• Tour the islands. You can go snorkeling, banana boating, scuba diving, golfing, wind surfing, or kite-boarding to relax in Boracay, Philippines.

• Buy souvenir magnets

• Enjoy a drink in the Cocomangas Bar while watching the sunset or try the Paraw Sunset Cruising (P150/head) instead of the Banana boat because I’ve recently discovered it destroys the environment. Paraws is the local boat indigenous to Boracay and it similar to that of the Gondolas in Venice and the Junks in China. Check out the Sasha Paraws at +63 36, 288-4032 or inquire at your hotel’s lobby.

• Boat around Boracay Island

Honestly, these are just some of the things you will love about Boracay, Philippines. For those looking for a weekend off, this island paradise will serve you well. It promises nothing but good and charming accomodations, shopping and tourist attractions, a sizzling hot nightlife on the beach, and if you love relaxing – a good night’s sleep.

Upon my arrival in the island I was met by a good friend and a photographer, who took these beautiful Boracay pictures. So much to see and to do!

Getting There:
Via Kalibo or Caticlan From Manila, take a Philippine Airlines, Zestair, or Cebu Pacific Flight to Boracay. Most Boracay resorts provide airport transfers. The trip usually takes an hour and fifteen minutes. So if you’re a foreigner traveling to the Philippines, I suggest you fly my friend. Traveling here is cheap by western standards. Also, if you want to a sure seat or avoid the hassle of lining up early in the morning, buy tickets at the port or reserve seats online.

Going Around:
Boracay tourists, once you’ve arrived in the Caticlan airport, rent a tricycle for about 15-25 pesos that’s equally half cent a dollar. If you’re traveling alone, you pay zero tax, and only pay for just the boat ride. If you’re traveling in a group, it’ll only cost you a couple of dollars.

Getting in the three stations of Boracay is really easy. And the best part is? – it only takes less than 15 minutes!

Station 1: This station is where the posh ones stay. Resorts and hotels here are far more luxurious than in the other stations. The north of the island is the main tourist belt, and some giant name resort hotels here are Fridays, Cocomangas, the newly built Discovery Shores and the Shangrila Hotel.

Station 2: This station is where I usually stay. There are loads of resorts to stay at like Nigui Nigui, among others. What’s nice about this station is that it’s in the center of everything else. Many restaurants, eateries, D mall is here, and of course bars and hot spots for clubbing! Food is great and you can freshly buy them straight from the market to have it cooked/grilled.

Station 3: This station is on the far south of the island. Forgive me for the lack of a better word, but this part is the lowest class (CLASS C) where a few inns, huts, hotels and resorts are frequented by locals, and their foreign boyfies.

One last note: Drop everything and fly there now. And now that you know Boracay is really one of the best beaches in the world.. it’ll be wonderful to just soak up and frolick under the sun at this spot. Since it’s a 4km stretch of pure white beach sand, nothing beats exploring this place that’s brimming with people that know how to have fun – at your own pace.

This is something I learned from one of the staff of the Sunset Hotel in Angeles City. She was making some candles late/early one morning for their dining tables around the pool. I struck up a conversation with her, and she was happy to show me what she was doing.

Now, I always fill up an empty water bottle on my trips to beach areas, an make candles to have around the house. You can also add little shells, etc. to make them even more attractive.

Please forgive the quality of the video, it is my first attempt, and I only have a video camera in my Casio EX-Z8 to work with.

They say the  total number of islands 124 at low tide and 123 at high tide.

It takes about 4-6 hours to reach Alaminos from Manila.  You can take private vehicle or one of the many bus lines.  At the park there is an informative visitor center where you can gather all the information you can need and book any trips you want to make, including boat tours of the islands via one of the colorful bankas.

There are three developed islands,Governor Island, Quezon Island, and Children’s Island.  Developed,  meaning they have facilities for tourists to picnic, swim, camp and Governor’s Island even has a small lodge you can book.  Price for a banka is about 1500php

During my last trip, December 2008, I decided to give camping a try.  I camped on Governors Island, next to the cave…see pics below.  The rules on camping are tents can go up at 6pm and must be down at 6am.  It costs a few hundred pesos to camp.  You can have a small cooking fire in the pits provided, and there are also picnic tables available.  Night time was wonderful.  The sky was clear, the moon and stars bright and it was very peaceful.  Day time, that is a different story.  During the day, I estimate at least 500-750 people visited throughout the day. This was during Christmas season, so the traffic was surely heavier than usual.

My suggestion when visiting Hundred Islands is to stay at one of the lodges and do day trips.  My favorite lodge is the Seaside Haven.  I like their small cottages which rest on stilts above the water.  They have air conditioning and hot water.  Television as well, but don’t expect much from your reception.  No worries for me, as I don’t usually travel to watch television.  Rate was 1200php.

For dining, I love Maxines By the Sea.  The restaurant has a large deck, with a portion of it being double decker.  Morning coffee and fresh boneless bangus while watching the sunrise over the islands is fantastic.  Dinner beneath the stars is also a treat.

This trip makes for a wonder weekend escape from Manila or a one or two night stop over if exploring Luzon.

The seascape along the South China Sea offers wonderful sunrises and especially sunsets.  The sand is white, though coarse.  There is a shallow area from the shore for about 100 meters which contains rocks and sea grass.  This area presents some great tidal pools to explore during low tide.  The locals take advantage of the low tides to collect shell fish.  I found it very enjoyable to walk the tidal pools and to go out to the wave breaks at the end of the shallows.

Though the shallow area makes great exploration and scenery, it is not good for those wanting to swim.  Your best bet for swimming is at the Patar Beach.  This beach has more sand and less rock.  There is a small admittance fee, less than 50php.

Accommodations vary from bamboo floored kubos to high end luxury resorts.  There are also many areas offering places to pitch a tent.

In the photos you will see Puerto Del Sol and Treasures of Bolinao for the higher end facilities.   The prices here start around 4-5,000php a night.  The rooms are top notch.  They also each have beautiful swimming pools.  For sunsets, and closeness to Patar Beach, Treasures of Bolinao would be my recommendation.  For a bit better service and facilities, I suggest Puerto Del Sol.

I stayed in a kubo at AMS Beach Resort during the week after Christmas 2008 for 800php.  This is right beside the Puerto Del Sol.  Maybe a bit rustic for some, but it is very clean and the owners are extremely friendly.  I found it to be more than adequate for my simple tastes.   They have no restauarant, so you are welcome to bring your own food, or you could simply walk a few meters over to Puerto Del Sol to eat there, or venture along to any of the other restaurants around.

Speaking of restaurants, when in Pangasinan you must try the region’s famous Bangus (milk fish).  It is always fresh and delicious.

The trip to Bolinao is made for motorcycle enthusiasts.  The roads are mostly straight and in good condition.  Of course you have the usual nuances of driving in the Philippines (Buses, trikes, carabao, etc. etc.), but with a good sized bike you can easily get around most of these road blocks.  With a motorcycle, I can suggest doing the “loop” on your travel there.  Go up through Tarlac to Alaminos and over to Bolinao.  On the way back, go down the western side of Pangasinan into Zambales and drop into Subic.  From Subic you can get the expressway over to NLEX.  Of course you will need a 400cc or larger bike to take advantage of the expressways.  Plan about 4 – 5 hours from Manila, but if you leave early you should make much better time.

This is also an easy trip for a private car, and there are plenty of buses going to the area.