national park

6 Incredible Things to Do in the 130-Million-Year-Old Rainforests of Taman Negara National Park

Posted on June 22, 2016

When it comes to nature trips in Peninsular Malaysia, Taman Negara – Bahasa Malaysia for “National Park” – often tops the list. Covering the states of Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan, this premier national park (presently also known as Kuala Tahan National Park) was established in 1938 as King George V National Park, making it the first and oldest protected area in the country. The vast rainforest sanctuary covers more than 4,300 square kilometers, including Gunung Tahan (Mount Tahan), the highest peak in PeninsularRead More→

Taman Negara, Pahang: Exploring the Oldest Tropical Rainforest on Earth! [SP]

Posted on July 31, 2012

Hiking to Bukit Terisek viewpoints Located at the heart of Peninsular Malaysia, Taman Negara – or “National Park” – has been dated to be 135 million years old, and considered by many to be the oldest tropical rainforest in the world. The gateway to the national park is the town of Jerantut, where the Kuala Tembeling jetty serves as a jump-off point for a three-hour riverboat ride to the village of Kuala Tahan in the middle of the rainforest. KualaRead More→

Bucas Grande Islands: Secrets of Sohoton National Park

Posted on January 2, 2012

Boats enter the cove through a low-hanging cave. Sohoton is Visayan for “to go under”  To exit Magkukuob Cave, one has to jump off a cliff! South of the surfing Mecca of Siargao, at the Bucas Grande Islands, is a national park that’s slowly making a name in the tourist circuit for its unique seascapes. Not to be confused with the natural bridge and cave system in Samar of the same name, Sohoton National Park of Surigao del Norte consists of severalRead More→

Ormoc City: Sweet Pineapples, WW-II Ruins and a Placid Lake

Posted on December 9, 2011

Lake Danao National Park – a guitar-shaped lake in upland Ormoc After spending a few days exploring the beaches, lakes and caves of Camotes Islands (Cebu), I took a spontaneous detour to Ormoc City in Leyte before going back home to Cebu City due to its proximity to the islands. From Santiago Beach, I hired a habal-habal (motorbike) to take me to Puertobello pier in Tudela, where I caught a lantsa (ferryboat) to Ormoc via Ponson Island. The downtown areaRead More→

Iloilo’s Underworld: Bulabog Puti-an National Park

Posted on November 15, 2011

Philippine Orange Tarantula (Selenobrachys philippinus), endemic to Panay & Negros Covering an area of 854 hectares, the Bulabog Puti-an National Park in Dingle, Iloilo, Philippines is a nature reserve with limestone outcrops and 34 caves. It is home to monkeys, wild chickens, 18 bat species, endemic snails, and native orchids. Because of a strong, sudden downpour, I spent a night in this park en route to Roxas City. The forest ranger offered me to stay at one the huts atRead More→

Hundred Islands National Park (Alaminos, Pangasinan)

Posted on January 19, 2011

The classic view of the park from Governor’s Island Beautiful white sand beach of Quezon Island Golden sunrise over Lucap Wharf A spattering of islets extending towards the South China Sea from the Lingayen Gulf makes up the Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos City, Pangasinan. The best islands to visit are Governor’s, Quezon and Marcos Islands. The mini-archipelago – reminiscent of Bohol’s Chocolate Hills submerged in ocean – is a playground for island hopping (of course!), camping, swimming, snorkelingRead More→