Doge's Palace reopens as tourists flock back to Venice

After three months of empty squares and alleys and gondoliers stranded on dry land, Venice sprang back to life on Saturday as tourists flocked back to the city for the reopening of the Doge's Palace.

Hundreds of Italians and foreigners lined up for more than 300 metres (yards) in Saint Mark's Square, in front of the Ducal Palace.

A local news agency said a thousand internet bookings had been recorded for the reopening day.

"There were people queuing at 8:00 am this morning and, to be honest, it's just what we were hoping for," Maria Cristina Gribaudi, president of the Venice Civic Museums Foundation, told AFP.

"It's a very strong emotion, like the first day of school," she explained.

Inside the palace, masks are compulsory, numerous signs encourage people to "keep their distance" and all the rooms are controlled to avoid overcrowding.

After months without tourists Saturday marked a clear change, with Venice bustling much as it would do on any ordinary spring weekend.

Souvenir shops have reappeared in Saint Mark's Square and almost all of the shops and restaurants -- including the historic Cafe Florian -- have reopened.

Around the Rialto Canal, visitors pushed their way through the tight alleys, and the famous gondolas and vaporetti, the city's water buses, were again loaded with passengers and going about their business on the canals.

"If the most spoken language is Italian, there are many Germans and, surprisingly, French," Ansa reported.

"We hope to have slow tourism in the future," said Gabriella Belli, director of the Foundation for the civic museums of Venice.

"This does not mean less tourism, it means better organised tourism."

The COVID-19 epidemic has killed more than 34,000 in Italy but as the number of new cases steadily falls so the country continues the process of deconfinement which began last month.

The country's many monuments, famous buildings, museums and emblematic places have almost all reopened, including St Peter's Basilica in Rome, the site of Pompeii, the leaning Tower of Pisa, and the cathedrals of Florence and Milan.

In a bid to retrieve the summer tourist season, Italy reopened its borders on June 3.

Agence France-Presse

Zero-tolerance vs litterbugs in Boracay

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will adopt a zero-tolerance policy against litterbugs in Boracay after trash was found on the beaches during the first day of the dry run of the island’s reopening, an official said yesterday.

Photos of discarded trash along Boracay’s famous White Beach went viral on social media hours after the island was reopened to local tourists for a test run ahead of its scheduled reopening on Oct. 26.

DENR Undersecretary for solid waste management and local government unit Benny Antiporda said they would strictly enforce the guidelines against littering on the island.


Antiporda said they held a dialogue with the Compliant Association of Boracay (CAB) whose members include owners of hotels, resorts, retail shops and restaurants.

He said the DENR and other government agencies in charge of Boracay’s rehabilitation support the CAB’s proposal to designate its pollution officers as marshals to go after litterbugs.

He asked CAB members to use social media to remind Boracay visitors to dispose of their trash properly.

The DENR also recommended citizen’s arrest against litterbugs, Antiporda said.

The CAB earlier asked Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu to deputize its members as Boracay marshals to police public areas on the island.

As marshals, the CAB said their pollution officers would be on the lookout for litterbugs.

The DENR said littering is a criminal offense and violators may face a fine or be made to render community service from eight to 16 hours.

Under Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, establishments are required to designate a pollution control officer who would ensure compliance with the law, among others.

source: philstar.com

Thai bay made famous in 'The Beach' shut indefinitely

BANGKOK, Thailand — The glittering Thai bay immortalized in the movie "The Beach" will be closed indefinitely to allow it to recover from the impact of hordes of tourists, an official said Wednesday, as a temporary ban on visitors expired.

Maya Bay, ringed by cliffs on Ko Phi Phi Ley island, was made famous when it featured in the 2000 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

It was initially shut for four months in June due to beach erosion and pollution as the white-sand paradise sagged under pressure from thousands of day-trippers arriving by boat.

But a survey of the problem during the temporary ban made clear that the short-term fix was not going to work and that the damage was worse than originally thought.

"We have evaluated each month and found out that the ecological system was seriously destroyed from tourism of up to 5,000 people daily," Songtam Suksawang, director of the National Parks office, told AFP.

"It's very difficult to remedy and rehabilitate because its beach was completely destroyed as well the plants which cover it," he said, adding it was "impossible" for recovery to occur in the allotted time.

Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation announced the indefinite closure in a royal gazette published on October 1.

It said that the restrictions on tourism would not be lifted until the ecosystem "fully recovers to a normal situation".

Besides beach erosion, heavy traffic around the azure waters can also damage sensitive coral reefs, already vulnerable to rising sea temperatures and climate change.

Countries across the region from the Philippines to Indonesia are waking up to the problem of beach tourism overload and the plastic waste and degradation that can come with it.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte announced in April a six-month closure of the popular Boracay beach resort, calling the destination a "cesspool".

And Indonesia declared a "garbage emergency" last year along a stretch of the resort island of Bali, after coastal pollution was highlighted in a viral video that showed a diver swimming through waters full of trash.

source: philstar.com

Japan's Tsukiji fish market to stop tourist tuna viewings

TOKYO, Japan— Tokyo's famous Tsukiji fish market will stop admitting tourists to watch its pre-dawn tuna auctions next month, as it prepares to move locations on October 11, a spokeswoman said Tuesday.

After more than 80 years in operation Tsukiji, the world's largest fish market and a popular tourist attraction in an area packed with restaurants and shops, will move east to Toyosu, the site of a former gas plant.

The market, which opened in 1935, is best known for its pre-dawn daily auctions of tuna, caught from around the world, for use by everyone from top Michelin-star sushi chefs to ordinary grocery stores.

The lively tuna auctions are considered a must-see for visitors to the Japanese capital -- despite starting at 5:30am -- and daily tourist numbers are capped at 120 people.

The early hour does not seem to put off the tourist crowds and "some tourists start lining up at around 2am", the spokeswoman from the Tokyo metropolitan government told AFP.


But access to the tuna auction will end on September 15, as preparatory work for the move gets underway, she added.

Viewing wholesale markets for marine products and vegetables will end on September 29, before the complete Tsukiji market closure on October 6, she said.

"In Toyosu, too, we plan to open a deck for visitors, and also there will be a special aisle for viewers where tourists will be able to watch the tuna auction through a glass wall," the Tokyo spokeswoman said.

The Tsukiji market handles 480 kinds of seafood worth $14 million daily -- as well as 270 types of fruits and vegetables -- and has fed Japan's hunger for fresh seafood since its opening.

But in recent years the antiquated facility has prompted users to voice concerns about its earthquake resistance, sanitation and fire safety, among others.

Plans to move Tsukiji were originally scheduled for 2016, but several delays have set back the timeline, including the discovery of soil contamination at Toyosu.

Tsukiji will be transformed into a transport hub during the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, with its long-term future still up in the air.

source: philstar.com

Hip-hug hostel

Creak… Squeak… The spring bed above me started moving ever so slightly. A hint of a rhythmic rattle. Slowly at first — just a steady to and fro — then the pace quickened and the pace was more definite and the sounds of the springs on the bed were forceful. It was a cheaper hostel so the bed squeaked loudly and the upper bunk bed was only an arm’s reach from my head, very close to me. I could hear the heavy breathing of the sleeper above me climb to full volume, in tune with the rapid shaking of the springs… then, silence. Finished. And since it was two in the morning, I was relieved — until a few minutes later when the steady, slow chirping of the bunk bed springs started their rhythm again.

The scene played all night, and by the fifth episode, I could not help myself from whispering,  “ Please… enough!” It was 5 a.m. and the bunkmate was too far into the beat; he could not stop.

Welcome to the world of hostels in Edinburgh, Scotland. After spending four months in many hostels, I have become a pro at meeting people from different countries. Some would describe hostels as a place where one can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed, and guests are free to behave as they wish. Sleeping dormitory-style, there are no mother superiors to regulate, and with a majority of guests under the age of 30, the forms of acceptable conduct are very flexible. Strangers have beds beside one another, men and women mixed in a room. Prices vary, with a four-bunk bedroom in Scotland charging about 19 British pounds on weekends and a dorm with 16 bunk beds costing 12 pounds per night on weekdays. Shared bathrooms, kitchens and lounges are designed to give guests an atmosphere whereby one can meet and be met.

Castle Rock has 300 beds and windows looking out onto the Edinburgh Castle. Cowgate Hostel, another favorite, swings with its 120 beds set up apartment-style. Many tourists are new college graduates, or candidates writing their theses for their doctorates; then there are the elders; very few bring children. Each guest averages two nights before they move on to their next adventure. In such an atmosphere, close friendships are made quickly, knowing there are only hours before it is time to say goodbye.

Every day is different and more so in a hostel where one is exposed to 12 strangers upon waking up. A plan to cook breakfast turned into bop dancing in the kitchen with Misha, an art student who is preparing to take her master’s in Switzerland. The Swiss subsidize their universities so citizens have free education. Her boyfriend had just graduated from an art school in New York. Together they have been hitchhiking for three weeks around the northern part of Scotland, getting off wherever the scene takes their fancy and climbing mountains whenever they please. Staying in a hostel where they can have a proper shower and a bed serves as a refreshing change for backpackers like them.

One afternoon, three adventurous, fully made-up ladies walked into the kitchen and asked if they could switch my music from Chopin’s mellow piano symphony to their contagious rhythmic beat. What started as a session to prepare for dinner became a booty-bumping, swirling dance led by these beautiful girls from Fife, an area in Scotland; we jiggled our bodies for over two hours as we danced the butt dance to the bass sounds which came from my Samsung phone.

That’s hostel life. A lady whom I came to call Turkish Delight transferred from the room we were in and moved into another dorm where a man she had been eyeing was staying.  By morning, they were sharing the same bed.

Just beside them, three Brazilian students were discussing their plans. It turns out that they joined a one-year course to learn how to speak English. Brazilians are also fortunate because all they have to do is send a letter of acceptance from any learning institution and their government will pay the tuition fees.

It’s easy to start a conversation in hostels: “Where are you from? Where are you going? How long are you staying…?” And after taking the effort to translate into their language whatever greeting we give, the friendship begins. Somehow, guests end up helping one another: sharing food, lending shampoo and letting each other know how to move around and where to go. 

Bathroom use is the tricky part. Hovering over the loo (the British term for the toilet) — well, “hovering over the loo” is literally the act of floating above the toilet seat. One needs to use his or her wits to conquer the loo problem. In every hostel, there are some toilets and showers that work better than others. Learning the timing of when to use the bathrooms is also a useful skill. The cleaners wait until most of the guests finish using the showers before they start to clean. I wait for the cleaners to do the bathrooms before I shower.

Every day there is a story to tell and this one is particularly memorable. It was Saturday early morning, about 5 a.m.  Many partygoers were trickling into their beds, complete with makeup and tattered jeans, struggling to creep up silently on the wooden bunk beds. This time the handmade wooden beds were solid — no creaking platforms — when suddenly I heard a THUMP. Oh, no! The thought that one of these youngsters had fallen off her bed from a drunken state concerned me. “Are you all right?” I whispered into the dark cold room.

There were 16 beds in this room and no light shone. “Are you all right?” I again asked the girl whose moans aroused my hesitant concern. Then, in the dark, I heard a Scottish lad saying, “You are so tight.” (Note: “Tight” can mean two things here: the Brits use it to describe someone who’s drunk; or else, it can mean something else…) Anyway, he repeated this about 10 times — that is when I knew that the lady had survived and the loud thump was not someone falling off the bed. Soon enough, the male voice repeated over and over again: “I am sorry… I am sorry…”

Next morning, I saw a foil of king-size condoms near the bed. Unopened.

source: philstar.com

Mexico struggles to clean seaweed surge from Cancun beaches

MEXICO CITY  — Authorities on Mexico's Caribbean coast said Monday they are redoubling efforts to remove tons of sargassum seaweed that has been washing ashore in recent weeks.

The state government of Quintana Roo, where the resort of Cancun is located, said there have been no reports of tourists cancelling visits because of the problem.

Gov. Roberto Borge said the seaweed removal efforts will focus on much of the coast, from Holbox in the north down past Tulum to the south.

Photos issued by the Cancun city government show piles of brown seaweed on some normally pristine white beaches. By last week, the city said it had raked or shoveled up 500 cubic meters of sargassum.

Borge said the cause of the invasion is still unknown, though it could be due to high levels of nutrients in ocean water or changes in ocean temperatures, currents or wind patterns.

Authorities have to be careful, because there are two groups of visitors they don't want to disturb with overly aggressive removal efforts: nesting sea turtles that return to the Caribbean beaches to lay their eggs, and tourists.

Borge said the effort would take care not to cause erosion on the beaches, which has been a problem in Cancun in the past.

The government announced the formation of a task force of naval and environmental authorities to study the problem. Authorities are also researching ways to use or dispose of the seaweed mounds.

Sargassum is an algae that grows in the Sargasso Sea, a large body of warm water in the mid-Atlantic.

Officials in the Caribbean island of Barbados have also struggled with seaweed washing ashore, and large piles of sargassum washed up on the shore in Galveston, Texas, in 2014 after drifting into the Gulf of Mexico.

source: philstar.com

World tourist numbers surge to nearly 1.1 billion

MADRID - International tourist numbers surged to nearly 1.1 billion in 2013 in defiance of global economic troubles, with Asia-Pacific destinations enjoying the fastest growth, a United Nations body said Monday.

The rise in tourism coincided with sluggish economic growth worldwide and unrest in top destinations such as Egypt, shunned by visitors fearful of the turmoil unleashed by the army's ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July.

Despite those troubles, the number of international tourist arrivals beat expectations by soaring five percent to 1.09 billion in 2013, the UN World Tourism Organization said in a report, tipping further growth in 2014.

"The tourism sector has shown a remarkable capacity to adjust to the changing market conditions, fuelling growth and job creation around the world, despite the lingering economic and geopolitical challenges," said the UN body's secretary general, Taleb Rifai.

"Indeed, tourism has been among the few sectors generating positive news for many economies," he said, hailing 2013 as an "excellent year".

Expectations of stronger economic activity set the scene for a further expansion in tourism in 2014 with international arrivals expected to grow again by 4.0-4.5 percent in 2014, the body said, urging countries to support fair and sustainable growth in the sector.

International tourist arrivals rose at the fastest rate in the Asia-Pacific region, where numbers were up by six percent to 248 million, it said. Southeast Asia performed best, with arrivals up 10 percent.

Europe, however, remained the biggest destination overall, with international tourist arrivals up five percent to 563 million.

In the Americas, arrivals grew by four percent to 169 million.

The number of international tourists arriving in Africa grew by six percent to 56 million.

But results in the Middle East were "mixed and volatile", with arrivals from other countries unchanged at 56 million, the report said.

Among countries of origin, Chinese tourists -- already leading the way with expenditure of $102 billion in 2012 -- pushed up total spending by 28 percent in the first nine months of 2013, the UN body said.

Tourists from Russia, the fifth largest country of origin of international tourists, drove up spending by 26 percent in the same period, it said.

source: interaksyon.com

Ayala Land Hotels & Resorts: Explore the joy of travel

There is a ubiquitous joy that is synonymous with travel. When we explore different places and synergize with various cultures, we acquire life-changing lessons that incite inspiration, creativity and productivity. If there is one trusted company that understands this more than anyone else, it is Ayala Land. Since 2010, the company has been keeping up with the growth of the hospitality industry via its subsidiary, Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts Corp. Starting with its very first five star hotel, InterContinental Manila, AHRC has grown its portfolio to impressive proportions in just two years. AHRC now offers a variety of hotels and resorts that cater to different types of travelers. AHRC spells the difference between living and living well. Affable AHRC group head Junie Jalandoni proudly announced that in addition to the cornerstone hotel whose location is pivotal to the business and commerce industry, InterContinental Manila today has several sister hotels under the AHRC portfolio — global hotel brands like the Fairmont Raffles Makati, Holiday Inn & Suites Makati, Cebu City Marriott Hotel, the first AHRC hotel line Seda Hotels in BGC in Taguig, Seda Centrio in Cagayan de Oro and Seda Abreeza in Davao and the pristine eco-luxury resorts El Nido Resorts that include Miniloc Island Resort and Lagen Island Resort in El Nido, Apulit Island Resort in Taytay and the newest portal to paradise, Pangalusian Island Resort.

The best of Filipino hospitality and excellent customer service is embodied in all their properties for both global and local branded hotels and resorts. Worthy to note, Ayala Land’s core value is its customer orientation and this value is reinforced in all its hotels and resorts.

Way back in 1969, there was the InterContinental Manila and everything revolved around it. I remember my siblings and I would tag along with our grandfather Patrocinio Dayrit who was a member of the enduring 365 Club that would regularly converge at the Jeepney Coffee Shop. Like many other families, our family has celebrated several milestones in this hotel. Ayala Land indeed sees beyond generations. Forty-four years later, InterContinental Manila continues to offer the same familiar Filipino hospitality. Manny Rofel, who is in the concierge team of the hotel, shared that he and around 20 colleagues have been with the hotel for almost three decades. He vouches that the InterContinental Manila continues to be a legacy in the hotel industry with an established clientele of loyal patrons from here and abroad through the years.

A goal is a dream with a deadline. To prove this, Jalandoni added: “From 2009 when AHRC decided to focus on aggressively expanding our hotels and resorts in a variety of market segments, we now have 2,000 rooms and envision to have 4,000 more by 2016 or earlier. It was a leap of faith for us to venture into this direction for our hotels and resorts in 2009, but the results are definitely worth the pursuit.”

I was blessed with the opportunity to experience all these unique hotel offerings and declare that to appreciate each hotel and resort’s brand promise, you must try them for yourself.

Walking into the ultra-luxurious Raffles Makati (as one is warmly welcomed by its charming director of communications Monique Toda) is akin to being transported back to the time of regal opulence and elegance reminiscent of the famed Raffles hotel in Singapore named after the illustrious explorer Sir Stamford Raffles. The Long Bar patterned after the original Long Bar in Singapore and The Writers Bar in Raffles Makati surrounded by leather-bound books remain my favorite oases. The hotel is a living museum with 1,800 commissioned artworks by Filipino artists.



Traipsing down nearby Fairmont Makati sweeps one to the iconic enclave of old-world class with modern touches. Embark on an intimate retreat of relaxation and rejuvenation at its luxurious Willow Stream Spa. Fairmont Makati offers an exclusive lifestyle experience called “Fairmont Gold.” Designed for the most discerning business and leisure traveller, guests are known by their name and room preferences are honored.

My recollection of past visits to the Fairmont Vancouver located conveniently near the cruise terminal, Fairmont Chateau Frontenac in Quebec, which is a stunning UNESCO heritage castle and the Fairmont Hotels in Ghirardelli and Knob Hill in ritzy San Francisco made my heart skip a beat in excitement knowing that this privileged chain has a property in our shores that is known for stellar world-class amenities and service.

From The Fairmont Raffles, I walked a few blocks to the Holiday Inn & Suites and tried the Citron Lobby bar, which features a unique menu based on flavors and your specific blood type. The contemporary themed bar by the relaxing pool at the roof deck is an impressive nook of eclectic colors. The hotel’s lobby and public areas are tastefully styled by the country’s only floral architect Rachy Cuna, whose first job was as a museum volunteer at Ayala Museum before becoming its curator in the ‘80s. Even the floral installations at the lobby of InterContinental Manila are ingeniously done by Rachy.



To cater to the local market, AHRC has introduced Seda hotels at the heart of the country’s most dynamic destinations. AHRC Chief Operating Officer Al Legaspi announced that the company is planning six more hotels under its four-star Seda brand and will diversify its portfolio with the addition of Seda suites, Seda resorts, and larger properties with 400-500 rooms. At the moment, Seda hotels offer between150 to 200 keys. “That’s the model for Seda. We want to be in Ayala Land’s mixed-use developments where we maximize synergies with our malls, office buildings and residential properties.” Legaspi added.

Truly, AHRC values moments that perpetuate through time. My niece Christel Boncan and her fiancé Mike Constantino are exchanging vows on Nov. 15 this year. Their wedding celebration will unfold at Seda Bonifacio Global City. Mike proposed to Christel at Straight Up, Seda’s breathtaking roofdeck bar. Since then, this charming, cozy, Filipino inspired hotel with complimentary wi-fi throughout the hotel and inspiring interiors by Ann Pamintuan and Kenneth Cobonpue has been their preferred hotel. Seda’s rooms are fitted with ports for gadgets and electronics that ensure guests stay connected.

Jetting down to the south, the Cebu City Marriott Hotel is ready to let its guests experience the AHRC welcome. It is nestled next to Ayala Center Cebu, a sprawling shopping complex that has since been the lifestyle center of the South. Cebu City Marriott Hotel, the first international hotel brand in Cebu City, had recently celebrated its 15th anniversary in February. It has a newly renovated grand ballroom and meeting spaces, making it the newest event space in the city. The hotel also refreshed its menus and banquet service. Through the years, Cebu City Marriott Hotel has continued to offer genuine hospitality and care – always going the extra mile, finding brilliant ways to serve guests.

Travel + Leisure magazine recently proclaimed Palawan as the best island for international travelers, besting even the Maldives. AHRC has four properties in El Nido, Palawan that include Miniloc, Lagen, Apulit and Pangalusian. All these properties are designed to bring out the natural beauty of the location and are a testament to AHRC’s commitment to sustainable practices. In this paradise, one can surely feel God’s omnipresence as the divine designer of all creation. Once you step into these tropical sanctuaries, you will be graciously greeted: “Welcome to the most beautiful place in the world.”

El Nido Resorts president Laurent Lamasuta shared, “Miniloc and Lagen resorts are globally recognized for embracing nature-based guest activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, hiking and island hopping. The Apulit Island resort is a retreat back to the essentials as the place commands a sense of serenity and reverence. Pangulasian Island is the most luxurious among the eco-island resorts of El Nido Resorts. All the years of sustainable operations and best practices from the other resorts are put in place here. Having an 800 meter stretch of white sand, it’s an all villa resort that has views of both sunrise and sunset,” Lamasuta adds.

With the expansion of hotels and resorts in the country comes a serious commitment for sustainability. Legaspi shared that even the orientation of the buildings, the kind of materials used and the way they built their properties were taken into consideration right from the project planning stage.

As we continue to pursue the joy of travel, AHRC provides the choice venues where these memories and milestones will unfold. It seeks to send guests home with the intangibles like emotional and blissful memories, not just tangible souvenirs. More significantly, it doesn’t just build edifices — it builds priceless dreams and memories.

Every choice you make creates a statement about who you are. Though AHRC properties are profoundly different from each other, they all possess an aesthetic sense of place. Ayala Land goes beyond amenities by providing Filipino hospitality and service that match the unparalleled beauty of the destination.

AHRC holds true to its promise, “We see beyond hotels and resorts, we see the joy of travel.”

source: philstar.com

Eat, pray, love? Pack your bags and go to Bohol!

Bohol, located in the Central Visayas region, may not be as party-savvy as Boracay, but it continues to steadily attract tourists for its delicious cuisine, traditional crafts, historical and religious landmarks, and but of course, it beaches and other natural sites. There’s more to Bohol than just swimming on its blue waters and lazing around its white-sand beach resorts throughout your stay—though not a bad idea, actually.

Need a change of pace from hurried urban life? Have to think some things over? Or even looking for a romantic getaway? Then pack your bags and take your next holiday vacation to Bohol.

Visitors can either rough it up by riding its public vehicles or rent a van complete with your very own tour guide to hop from one destination to the other.

Taste Bohol

What’s a holiday without enjoying a foodie trip? There aren’t any gigantic malls serving as go-to dining options but Bohol offers a range of restaurants scattered all over the island offering local and international cuisines. Seafood dining establishments are popular here while some Asian and European expats who have fallen in love with the place have also set up restaurants serving their authentic cuisines.


But, of course, when in Bohol, don’t leave the place without ever trying out a lunch buffet at the famous Loboc River Cruise Restaurant. True, it’s a touristy thing to do, but taking river cruise along Loboc River with a view of the mountains, getting serenaded by local singers, while enjoying an eat-all-you can Filipino buffet is quite a novel experience.

During the cruise, the boat makes a stop at a floating souvenir shop where local crafts are sold and locals perform traditional Filipino dances.


Centuries-old churches

Away from the beach and back in town, marvel at the centuries-old churches of Bohol. Catholic churches built from stone during the Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines feature beautiful architecture as well as antique religious icons.


One of the popular churches here is Baclayon Catholic Church, which has been declared as a National Historic Treasure in 1995. The original structure was built in 1595, although the present building is from 1724. Visitors can also check the museum of religious clothes and relics inside the museum. Free guided tours are available.

Some ancestral homes are also available for touring by scheduled arrangement.

Beautiful nature

Of course, one will easily fall in love with the natural attractions in Bohol as well. The waters around Balicasag island, for example, has been declared as a marine sanctuary. It’s home to whales and dolphins that one can see jumping joyously during early morning. Various marine life are also waiting to be discovered by divers and snorkelers.



On land, Bohol is home to the famous Chocolate Hills, a formation of hills that are green and vibrant during the rainy season but become brown as its grass and plants dry up by summer (thus, the name Chocolate Hills).

When in souvenir shops, get a t-shirt, a keychain, or mug. Most likely, it features Chocolate Hills to represent the province.

Another famous icon in many Bohol souvenirs is the tarsier. The Philippine tarsier, (Tarsius syrichta) is one of the smallest known primates in the world. Usually as tall as 3 to 6 inches, one can practically hold it on one’s hand.


Tarsiers look cuddly because of their size and enormous eyes but be warned that they are very shy animals. A nocturnal creature, the tarsier eats insects. Visitors are encouraged to view them at the Philippine Tarsier Foundation where they are protected and allowed to live in their natural habitat.


Luxurious stay

The starting point to all these enjoyable experiences happen in one’s temporary home in Bohol. Go all out and spoil yourself in the province’s many luxurious resorts.

Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort, for instance, has 46 deluxe rooms, four lofts, three honeymoon villas, and a family villa. Designed according to the Modern Filpino style by Benji Reyes, the hotel takes pride in its use of recycled wood for its cantilevered beds.

A freshwater pool has also been impressively designed with touches of wood.


Finally, a holiday vacation in this tropical destination isn’t complete without checking out Amuma Spa where its well-trained staff promises to keep visitors spoiled and feeling totally relaxed with is signature Hilot massage or its various massage therapies and body treatments.

source: interaksyon.com

Police warn about fake bills in Boracay

Iloilo City — Police have raised an alert about a criminal group using fake peso bills after nine alleged gang members were arrested in a series of operations in Boracay and Caticlan over the weekend.

The nine suspects, mostly from Iloilo and Negros Occidental, were arrested in three operations by the Boracay and Malay police from the evening of March 16 until the next morning.

All the suspects were detained at the Malay police station and would face various criminal charges including violation of Articles 164 (Mutilation of Coins) and 168 (Possession of Fake/Counterfeit Money) of the Revised Penal Code.

Senior Supt. Cornelio Defensor, Aklan police director said seized from the suspects were “around P92,000 in fake and genuine money.”

The peso bills will be examined by Central Bank representatives to determine which are fake and genuine. Several of the confiscated peso bills had the same serial numbers, according to the police report.

The Central Bank representatives would also file charges against the suspects, Defensor said.

Three other members of the group were believed to have eluded arrest and were being hunted.

Defensor said charges would be filed against the suspects with the Aklan provincial prosecutor’s office Tuesday.

He said the suspects were believed to be part of a syndicate operating in Western Visayas and Mindoro and Romblon Islands.

Investigators were still determining the source and manufacturer of the fake peso bills.

He said the group members, who arrived in Boracay on March 16, could be anticipating the influx of tourists on the island for the summer vacation. /INQUIRER

source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/164883/police-warn-about-fake-bills-in-boracay