This
culture rich and affordable luxury destination has long been a favourite with
the Europeans, Americans and Australians and now with direct Philippine
Airlines flights from Delhi the number of Indian tourists is on the rise. My stay
in The Philippines merged into a blur of long, relaxing and fun filled days. I
immediately adjusted to the Island lifestyle and exotic pleasures- getting a
massage done by the beachside, shopping away or trying my luck at the casino
after a meal at a fine ding restaurant. During my weeks stay each of the three
must visit places provided a different experience and I not only made wonderful
friends from across the world that I will keep for life, but memories that will
also last a life time.
SHOPPING AND NIGHTLIFE IN MANILA
I
didn’t get to do much sightseeing, but I did get to do some shopping, one of my
favourite past-times, with the biggest mall in South East Asia and more… I was
sold! The mall of Asia is located by the bay, has a nice boulevard for a
stroll, lined with restaurants, entertainments from performing bands, and also
carts selling hot snacks and cold drinks. The Green Hills Shopping Centre is a
huge complex, houses numerous name brand stores, a supermarket, local vendors
and best of all a market which sells every name brand knock off under the sun!
Great quality products which you couldn’t even tell were knock-offs at all! Dinner
at “Crisostomo” was a mouth-watering taste sensation of arguably the finest
Filipino food I could find in the Philippines in Resorts world before we hit
the nightlife. Truly, if you want to party then make sure you have a night or
two in Manila. I would highly recommend RepubliQ, a Vegas style club and a damn
fine one at that and this is where Manila’s finest go for a night out on the
town. The club is quite large with a handful of bars craft fully situated all
over so no matter where you are there’s a bar conveniently nearby. As for the
drinks, I suppose they are a little bit more costly than some places but then
again, you are at a club full of beautiful decor, stunning ambience, and of
course beautiful people.
FAST FACTS
Best Way to Reach- Fly Philippine Airlines from Delhi to Manila
Best Place to stay: An inviting beacon set in the world-class casino
entertainment complex of Resorts World Manila, Marriott Hotel Manila is the
place to work and play.
For Reservations: No. 10 Newport Boulevard, Newport City Complex,
Pasay City · Phone: 63-2-9889999. Web: www.marriotmanila.com
HISTORIAL CEBU
A
popular tourist destinations and one of the oldest cities of the Philippines,
this lively and colourful metropolis is regarded as the number one dynamic
metro area in this South-East Asian nation and has a lot of historical and
cultural landmarks. I found it to be steeped in history and would say that it boasts
a tantalizing mix of cosmopolitan and historical appearance; a great and lively
hub with a charismatic atmosphere and plenty to see and to do. Enroute to the
hotel from the airport we stopped by at a monument on Macatan Island where the
tribal chief Lapu Lapu killed Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan. The
monument and surrounding park incorporated history and spectacular gardens,
ringed by souvenir vendors. Next on the
list was the “Magellan's Cross” a symbol of Cebu and the image of the pavilion
that houses the cross can be found in the city’s seal. I also dropped by at The
Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House (oldest residential house) , just a few steps away
from the Parian Monument which is also known as Heritage of Cebu Monument and a
few meters away from Colon street. Originally owned by a Chinese merchant named
Don Juan Yap and his wife, Dona Maria Florido, today it belongs to Dona Maria’s
great great grandson, Val Sandiego. Val himself is known at present times as an
art collector, renowned choreographer and heritage icon which were evident when
I took the house tour. However if you are not a history buff, no worries, Cebu
is also a booming, hectic city and a place with many stories and faces. The
city has captivating resorts and beaches; it is a haven for convenient and
luxurious shopping malls, retail shops, restaurants, café’s too!
FAST
FACTS
Best Way to Reach- Fly Philippine Airlines from Manila to Cebu.
Best Place to stay: Radisson Blu is ideally located on Serging Osmena
Boulevard and the corner of Juan Luna Avenue in Cebu City.
For Reservations: North Reclamation Area, Juan Luna Avenue Extension. Phone: 032 402 9900. Web: www.radissonblu.com/hotel-cebu
LIFE IS A BEACH IN BORACAY
A
typical Filipino beach day is vastly different from what I am used to! Shops
don’t open until 10 am and its people are laid back, unperturbed by the outside
frantic western world and more interested in lying on the beach and convincing
you to buy souvenirs. I could see tourist attractions in every corner and I did
it all …from banana boat to parasailing, beauty treatments, zipping, quad biking
and glass water boats and canoes- the list goes on forever. On my last day before
heading for an afternoon snorkel, I booked myself for a Filipino spa at the
resort. The reef ran the full length of the Island and was only twenty feet
from the beach edge. The water was remarkably clear and the underwater fauna
and flora before my mask was a kaleidoscope of stunning colours. I swam over
hardly touched healthy young corals, discovered many fishes lurking in the
shadows and also had an encounter with a curious young turtle. That evening
after my four hand harmony massage which was an amazing combination of
different strokes, I dressed in a local Sarong and walked along the beach to an
Asian speciality restaurant for my dinner.
This
island escape was by far the best holidays I have had which I also owe to it
being so affordably luxurious. I highly recommend a visit to this tropical
paradise.
FAST
FACTS
Best Way to
Reach- From Manila you can take a
flight to either Caticlan or go through Kalibo city. Next will be a minivan
ride to the ferry terminal to finally head up to your resort.
Best Place
To stay: Boracay Regency Beach Resort
for its amazing location and Excellent Spa. A luxurious Superior room with
Breakfast will cost you INR 6,500.
For
Reservations: Web- www.boracayregency.com
published in M
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