The Maldives Islands

The beauty of Maldives islands are indeed addictive. Once you sample the heady mixture of secluded serenity, thrilling water sports activities, soothing spas, relaxing beaches all wrapped in the luxurious comfort of modern amenities – you are bound to want the experience again.

The Maldives is perhaps best known to most people as a dive destination. Spectacular dive sites within a few fin kicks from quality accommodation and excellent service has placed Maldivian dive resorts among the most…

Hundred Islands National Park, Philippines

A trip to Hundred Islands National Park and its home, Alaminos City, is a great diversion from the hustle and bustle of the busy, urban life. Breathe in the refreshing views - rice paddies, azure sea - and the rustic and peaceful lifestyle as you make your way to Alaminos City. And upon arrival, savor the city's unique and dynamic spirit, friendly atmosphere and especially, the beauty and adventure that lies in the hundred wonders that is Hundred Islands.

Public bus lines, namely Victory Liner, Five Star, and Philippine Rabbit have scheduled rides from Manila, Baguio, Dagupan, Subic, Tarlac, and Zambales bound straight to Alaminos City
and vice versa.

From	To	No. of hrs.
Dagupan to	Alaminos	1 to 2 hours
Zambales	Alaminos	1 1/2 to 2 hours
Bolinao	Alaminos	1 to 1 1/2 hours
Tarlac	Alaminos	2 1/2 to 3 hours
La Union	Alaminos	2 to 2 1/2 hours
Subic	Alaminos	4 hours
Baguio	Alaminos	2 to 3 hours
Manila	Alaminos	5 to 6 hours
Bataan	Alaminos	6 to 8 hours

From the terminal, either by private vehicle or tricycle, the Lucap Wharf is only a 10 to 15-minute ride away. You can find boats bound for the islands docked near the Wharf, with the Hundred Islands National Park Center staff eager to assist you with information and other things you'll need for your island adventure. The nearest islands from the Lucap Wharf are Sulpot Island, Monkey Island, Abad Santos Island and Hernandez Island, which are all 15 to 20 minutes away. The major islands, Children's, Governor's and Quezon can be reached after a 25 to 45-minute boat ride.

Palau

Palau is a group of islands in the Micronesia area of Oceania, to the southeast of the Philippines.

Palau's Rock Islands

Photograph by Stephen Alvarez

The picturesque nation of Palau forms an island chain southeast of the Philippines roughly 125 miles (200 kilometers) long. A trust territory of the United States from 1947 until 1994, this Micronesian archipelago is made up of eight large islands and some 250 islets.

Rock Islands in Palau

Photograph by Stephen Alvarez

Palau's Rock Islands appear to sit on giant pedestals. Formed by ancient coral reefs, the bases of these limestone formations have been slowly eroded over millennia into quirky mushroom shapes.

Kayakers in Palau

Photograph by Stephen Alvarez

Kayakers ply the waters around Palau's Rock Islands. Underwater visibility around Palau's pristine islands can be up to 200 feet (60 meters), and its massive coral walls, underwater caves, and even sunken planes and ships from World War II bring divers from all over the world.

Ucheliuns Cave, Palau

Photograph by Stephen Alvarez

A man carries gear into Ucheliuns Cave in Palau. Humans have lived on Palau for more than 4,000 years and have used the archipelago's numerous limestone caves for many purposes, including as burial grounds. Bones of diminutive humans found in one Palauan cave have fueled an ongoing debate about the possibility of a unique, archaic human species.

Palau Cave Markings

Photograph by Stephen Alvarez

Elaborate drawings adorn the walls of a rock shelter on Palau's Ulong Island. This Pacific archipelago's many caves and natural rock formations have housed humans going back some 4,000 years.

Stone Pillars in Palau

Photograph by Stephen Alvarez

Stone monoliths rise from a field in Badrulchau on Palau's Babeldoab Island. Archeologists date these structures to around A.D. 161 and believe some may have been supports for a massive structure.

Palau Spearfisher

Photograph by Stephen Alvarez

A tour guide in Palau spearfishes off the Rock Islands. In the past, tribal rules permitted only local residents to fish in the lagoons of the Rock Islands. Today, angling is allowed by visitors, but commercial fishing is banned.

El Nido, Palawan

El Nido is a first class municipality and managed resource protected area in the province of Palawan in the Philippines. It is about 420 kilometres southwest of Manila, and about 238 kilometres northeast of Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s capital. 

Elevation: 609 m

Area: 465.1 km²

Kamiru

El Nido, Palawan

El Nido is one of the most beautiful places I’ve  ever been to!  This is one destination where the actual scenery (or views) are more beautiful than the pictures.  I swear!  It is breathtaking!

Back in the early 90′s, the buzz about Palawan was that it was an exclusive, and expensive destination.  At that time, I only know of El Nido in Palawan.

It was my dream to get there, and knowing that I can’t afford to go there, I applied for a job with El Nido Resorts.  This was in the early 90′s.  I prayed for it, and I got the job!  Thank you, Lord!  It was one of the best jobs I’ve ever had.   I worked as a Sales Account Manager.  I was based in Manila, but I would be in the resort once a month, or every other month.  My job required that I know all about the destination, our resorts, and the services that we offered.  I had to know about all the activities and the sites.  Since the dive sites are one of El Nido’s selling points, the company sponsored our scuba diving lessons.  So yes, I am a licensed diver.

Back then, when I would meet some of my friends for lunch, I would tease them  and tell them that I was getting burnt out from my job because all I ever did was go island hopping, and kayaking, and scuba diving  and have picnic lunches!  It’s so tiring!  Hahaha!    They hated it when I do that.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have digital cameras back then.  But here are photos of El Nido from the website of El Nido Resorts:

El Nido has so many pristine, white sand beaches.  You can choose an island, and have a picnic lunch there:

The limestone cliffs are awesome!:

They have the best dive sites!:

The lagoons are STUNNING!:

The best part about the  job was, we got to stay in a world-class luxury resort!