snorkeling

Camiguin Island: Snorkeling at the Sunken Cemetery

Posted on December 14, 2013

Snorkeling above the old cross marker of the Sunken Cemetery in Catarman, Camiguin Minacious clouds curled up around the volcanic peaks of Camiguin as our outrigger canoe slid past the three-storey high concrete cross looming over a sunken graveyard. The violent birth of Mt. Vulcan – a volcanic cinder cone of Mt. Hibok-Hibok – caused some areas of the Spanish colonial town of Bonbon, most notably its cemetery, to subside from 1871 to 1875. The earthly upheaval also destroyed theRead More→

Biri Island, Northern Samar: Biri Rock Formations

Posted on December 13, 2013

Watching the sunrise on Bel-at Rock Formation with Puhunan, Magsapad and Magasang in the distance. The Biri Rock Formations, one of the top tourist attractions of Eastern Visayas, lies along the northern coast of Biri Island, the largest of an archipelagic municipality of Biri, Northern Samar. I thought beforehand that these natural landmarks on Biri Island were only one or two massive rock sculptures, not unlike the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation in Burgos, Ilocos Norte. To my surprise, I found outRead More→

Victoria, Northern Samar: Buenos Aires Beach

Posted on December 12, 2013

Relaxing at Buenos Aires Beach in Northern Samar after traveling down from Bicol After the ro-ro ferry crossing from Matnog in Sorsogon to Allen in Northern Samar – wherein I traversed from Luzon to Visayas – I decided to spend the night at a nearby white-sand beach. Popular with local residents who love to picnic and play on its shores, Buenos Aires Beach was an ideal place to rest and recuperate after a long journey from Manila coming down toRead More→

Tablas Island, Romblon: Buenavista Marine Sanctuary

Posted on December 10, 2013

A local villager at Buenavista Marine Sanctuary in Tablas Island, Romblon shows off a horse’s hoof clam. From Carabao Island, I got another free bangka (outrigger) ride to Tablas, a much larger island that also belongs to Romblon province. Near the pier area was a marine sanctuary I was interested to visit. I was looking forward to visiting the Looc Bay Marine Refuge and Sanctuary, but was extremely disappointed to find out that they do not permit tourists to take photographsRead More→

Masbate City: Buntod Sandbar & Marine Sanctuary

Posted on December 6, 2013

Buntod Sandbar and Marine Sanctuary in Masbate City, Masbate Island While the coastal areas in Masbate City on Masbate Island are generally lackluster, an offshore sandbar only less than 30 minutes away by boat provides idyllic respite for beach lovers and snorkelers. The sandbar stretches away from a young mangrove plantation, shifting in size and shape according to the currents. One clear days, the majestic Mayon Volcano on the Bicol Peninsula can be seen peering from far away behind theRead More→

Awesome Sea Turtle Encounters at Apo Island with Island’s Leisure Boutique Hotel & Spa! [SP]

Posted on July 2, 2013

Island’s Leisure Boutique Hotel & Spa can arrange awesome sea turtle encounters at Apo Island! Island’s Leisure Boutique Hotel and Spa, a new hideaway located just five minutes away from Sibulan Airport, invited me to rediscover Dumaguete City and its neighboring attractions. Once a residential compound, the boutique hotel naturally possesses a welcoming and homey feel, but at the same time is expertly furnished to exude comfort and luxury with its well-curated furniture and decor, many of which can be purchased. There’sRead More→