Dancalan Beach - Bulusan, Sorsogon

Sunrise at Dancalan Beach




Camping and overnight

During my childhood years, I always look forward to the time that the whole clan would have reunion at the beach. One of the beaches that I grew up with is Dancalan Beach in Bulusan, Sorsogon. Because of its shallow waters and coral reefs teeming with marine life, the place is ideal for snorkeling, camping and swimming. The kids can swim without much supervision of the parents or guardians. We could walk half a kilometer from the seashore while looking for edible seaweeds.

On its beach front, the Philippine Tourism Authority built several concrete picnic cottages, including a store and canteen now ran by a local community-based cooperative. Across the road is a resort hotel offering air-conditioned rooms and a swimming pool. The resort is located just after the Bulusan poblacion from the town of Irosin.

La Mesa Ecopark - The only forest left in Metro Manila

Nursery

Want to go on a picnic in a forest setting without leaving Metro Manila? Well, you should seriously check out the La Mesa Ecopark, which is within the La Mesa Dam watershed in Novaliches, Quezon City. Officially named as the La Mesa Watershed Resort and Ecological Park, the ecopark provides weary Metro residents with a respite from the polluted downtown areas.

La Mesa Watershed in Quezon City is the primary source of drinking water of about 12 million Metro Manila residents. The property is owned by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), a government agency. La Mesa Watershed is 2700 hectares, 700 hectares of which is the reservoir and 2000 hectares of which is the surrounding forest. This forest is the last remaining one of its size in Metro Manila and serves as its carbon dioxide sink. La Mesa Watershed, therefore, is vital to the city, not only because it is a primary source of drinking water, but also because its forest functions as the lungs of Metro Manila, providing it with clean air.

To sustain the Save La Mesa Watershed Project, Bantay Kalikasan, in partnership with the MWSS and the Q.C. Government, rehabilitated and renovated a 33 hectare public park located right outside the natural boundaries of the watershed and 40 meters below the reservoir. In September 2004, it was renamed La Mesa Ecopark and reopened to the public. All revenues generated by La Mesa Ecopark are utilized for the continuous preservation and protection of La Mesa Watershed.

La Mesa Ecopark envisions a better environment for our children. Its mission is to spread environmental awareness through education and advocacy. La Mesa Ecopark is a venue providing for healthful outdoor recreation and a true forest experience. It is a living classroom and laboratory for environmental education and aims to be a center for biodiversity conservation. Today, the park continues to be a popular destination for family outings and picnics; a more healthful alternative to shopping malls.

La Mesa Ecopark boasts of the following facilities:

Superferry Boating lagoon



Bike Rental Area



Swimming Pool




Among the things you can encounter in the park is the centerpiece salt-water swimming pool,

Lopez Picnic Grounds


Five hectares of picnic spots with grilling facilities underneath a forest of varied trees.

Shell Flower Terraces




Two hectares of flower terraces. This is actually the dam wall of the reservoir.


a fishing pond



Petron Fitness and Mountain Bike Trail






Here, one can enjoy a full-body workout under the shade of trees. The fitness trail has 17 exercise stations and connects to a forested 1.2 km mountain bike trail.


Wall Climbing



Rapelling



Paintball Ground


Souvenir Shop



Butterfly Hatchery

Bahay na Bato - Juban, Sorsogon

Everytime I enter the town center of Juban, there are several old houses, known as bahay na bato, still relatively well-preserved and intact although their groundfloors have, long ago, been turned into commercial establishments, such as stores, barber shops and beauty salons, etc. These old houses still have their original tall, sliding windows made of capiz, including carved wooden balustrades just below the window sills. Inside, one can still find original, well-preserved antique furnitures, including other antiquities. Private historical or heritage collections can also be found inside these houses.

A Family Excursion at Sorsogon City Baywalk - Sorsogon City, Sorsogon

In our family, we find time and ways to do excursion together. Last December 29, '08, after days of raining sun showed up so we had the chance to do it. Our plan was to go to Albay and explore a cave and the wildlife but something happen with the van that my brother-in-law borrowed. But it didn't stopped us, we borrowed a van but this time with our relatives, thanks for lending. And we went to do a little bit shopping from the Department stores (there are few). The shoppers were plenty that's why we went to the Sorsogon City Baywalk.


I had taken a picture like this in my other post



The sunset is really awesome. The changing of the hues up the sky is really breathtaking. There are food stall and videoke bars too. In the night there are live bands. It is patterned from the Manila's Baywalk before.





We brought our own food and did picnic. The kids enjoyed and planned to come back some other day, although from time to time they hang-out there too.

Baguio City-The Summer Capital

Baguio City is considered as the summer capital of the Philippines. It is probably has the largest number of visitor attractions clustered in a relatively small area compared to other tourist destinations in the Philippines.

I've been there but still I keep coming back. I love the weather, accessible from Manila. If we want to get away from the pollution, Baguio City is one of the few places that comes into our minds.

The most popular tourist attractions are located near each other, on the East and South sides, although there are a few near the residential areas.
It is one of the easiest places to explore.

There are maps that marks or indicates the attractions:

Burnham Park

Burnham Park is the very heart of Baguio City in the Philippines. It is located at the most valuable piece of Baguio real estate and is free for the enjoyment of visitors and residents alike.

Baguio Cathedral


The Baguio Cathedral, a majestic church located on top of a hill in the heart of the city.


The Mansion


The official summer residence of the President of the Philippines, the Mansion is located on the eastern part of the city along Carlos P. Romulo Drive.


Wright Park

Directly across The Mansion is Wright Park that features the much photo-graphed Baguio landmark, the "Pool of Pines". One will see a gazebo and a long flight of stairs down the hill leading to the Riding Circle, where hundreds of ponies are for hire. Even if you just want to have a picture riding a horse with just a minimal fee.



Mines View Park


Located at the extreme northeast side of the city, past The Mansion and Wright Park, Mines View Park used to boast of a spectacular view of Benguet's gold and copper mines and the Cordillera Mountains. Tourists can take pictures with the Igorot tribesmen's traditional costume with minimal fee.


The main attractions in Mines View nowadays would be the commercial activities such as the souvenir and silverworks stores by the park.


Baguio Botanical Garden

It is also known as the Igorot Village, it showcases the native houses of the different Cordillera tribes. Tourists can take pictures with the Igorot tribesmen dressed in their traditional costume with minimal fee.



Botanical Garden is named such because it is tasked with growing pine seedlings and other flora and fauna for the constant "greening" of Baguio.

Bugtong Beach - Caramoan Peninsula

This beach is just adjacent to Nippa Beach. Less than half kilometer away. It has a rocky portion that makes it more beautiful. The sand is like that of Nippa Beach. The locals said that Bugtong beach has a hidden island because during low tides this island shows up. According to them the sand is more fine than what we seen. We were unable to see the hidden island because we were running out of time. Nevertheless our experience in Bugtong Beach was really great. Hope to be there again someday.