Club Punta Fuego, a serene getaway south of Manila

Is a residential resort located in Nasubu, Batangas in the Philippines. This exclusive club resort is inspired by the Fisher Island in Miami developed in 1995. Club Punta Fuego’s world-class facilities are classified under three destinations:

The Main Club at Peninsula de Punta Fuego boasts of an executive golf course designed by Nelson Haworth, 33 spacious casitas, restaurants, function rooms, a mini-theater, the Ylang Ylang Spa, and various types of recreational amenities including the signature double infinity pool.

Top View of the Peninsula

The Punta Fuego Yacht Club can accommodate 30 boats in its floating berths and 100 boats in dry dock. A clubhouse with locker rooms, a bar and a view deck provide sailors with much needed haven while others have a pick of different water sports activities available.

Berth Layout

A few minutes drive away from the peninsula is Terrazzas de Punta Fuego with 28 Balinese-inspired cabanas, an 800 meter stretch of white-sand beach, a multi-level pool and a restaurant offering classic Filipino fares.

For more information on Club Punta Fuego log on to http://www.clubpuntafuego.com.ph/

Featured City: Kuala Lumpur

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Kuala Lumpur or KL, the capital of Malaysia, is a fascinating city that is constantly on the move.  It is the youngest Southeast Asian Capital yet one of the wealthiest and most appealing cities in the region.  It offers stunning architecture, a bustling blend of charming colonial buildings and modern skyscrapers.  It has the newest airports in Asia, the modern KLIA which offers daily direct flights from all over the world.  It also offers an amazing array of cuisines, a broad variety of shopping and an exciting and varied nightlife.  The million plus residents of KL are mostly Malays, Chinese and Indians.  The ethnic mix is evident in the various dialects, unique cuisines and diverse cultural offerings.  Attractions in the city abound.  Here are some of the things a tourist can do in the city.

1. Tour of Merdeka

Merdeka Square is a historical site to behold right in the heart of old colonial Kuala Lumpur, the country’s first prime minister declared independence from Britain in 1957. Here, surrounded by elegant Moorish-inspired buildings that used to house colonial administrative offices, you can get a good feel of life under British rule. The largest, the Sultan Abdul Samad building, is now the Malaysian High Court. Across the road from the Sultan Abdul Samad Building is the Tudor-style Royal Selangor Club, which was set up in the late 1800s for British civil servants to relax and enjoy cricket matches on the adjacent lawn.  A short walk from Merdeka Square takes you to the confluence of two rivers, where Chinese entrepreneurs first arrived to seek their fortunes in tin mining. Here stands the oldest and most beautiful mosque in the city, Masjid Jamek. A few blocks away is the art deco Central Market, once a bustling vegetable and meat market, now a great stop for souvenirs and traditional crafts.  Within walking distance from Central Market, tucked away in the heart of Chinatown, is the oldest Hindu temple in the country, the Sri Mahamariaman temple. Built in 1873, it is an elaborate construction embellished with ornate sculptures of Hindu deities. A few blocks away, also nestled among old Chinese shops is the Sze-ya Taoist temple, built about 140 years ago by one of the founding fathers of Kuala Lumpur.

2. Petronas Towers

The Petronas Towers, designed by Cesar Pelli and completed in 1998, was, until recently, the tallest building in the world and is the country’s pride and joy. While you can’t go right to the top of the towers, you can buy a ticket for the observation bridge which connects the towers. Closer to the ground, one of the towers also houses a a shopping center with designer boutiques, restaurants and a petroleum museum (with interactive exhibits for children). Outdoors, in the grounds of what is called KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Center), are beautifully landscaped gardens complete with a children’s playground, wading pool and fountains.

3. Bird Park

Kuala Lumpur has the largest free flight aviary in the world–a massive site spanning 20 acres right in the middle of the city that takes hours to walk through. It houses an impressive collection of tropical and temperate-region birds. Especially interesting are the different varieties of hornbills and other indigenous bird species.

4. Butterfly Park

The Butterfly Park is a favorite spot for tourists and locals to bring their children. It is located near the Bird Park and is as beautifully landscaped with lush, jungle-like vegetation, fountains and fish ponds. The park also has an impressive display of forest bugs.

5. Lunch at the Coliseum

The Coliseum is another relic of the colonial era. The hotel was built during British rule and was a reputed hang out of writer Somerset Maugham. Not much has changed over the past 90 years, including the restaurant menu, and visitors can still tuck into steaks, chops and boiled vegetables much as they did all those years ago. It’s more of a must-feel than a must-see–every inch of the Coliseum exudes the ambiance of an era long gone.

6. Chinatown at night

A trip to Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, is a must for every visitor. Here, at the night market, you can hone your skills in haggling with vendors who offer everything from dodgy-looking knock-off designer watches to equally dubious herbal remedies for impotence. It’s a great place to sample local fruits and the food stalls are very popular with tourists.

7. Shopping

Kuala Lumpur is a great place to spend your tourist dollar because it goes far. The city has a number of shopping centers all of which seem to have sales most of the time. Good buys are apparel (high-end and moderately priced) cameras and traditional crafts.

8. Craft Center

The Craft Center in downtown Kuala Lumpur is a one-stop cultural center where visitors can watch artisans at work and buy their crafts. Here, you can also learn a traditional skill like batik printing from the experts themselves. The center also holds special arts events periodically throughout the year.

9. Jungle walk

Kuala Lumpur may be a bustling metropolis, but you don't have to go far to commune with nature. If you want to experience the rainforest, the Forestry Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) is less than an hour’s drive away. Here, you can take numerous jungle treks of varying levels of difficulty. The highlight of a visit to FRIM is the forest canopy walk–a 20-minute walk on a sturdy rope bridge skirting over the very tops of the trees. It’s a steep uphill trek to get to the canopy walk but well worth it.

10. Batu Caves

About half an hour’s drive from the city center are the Batu Caves, a magnificent grouping of several caves formed out of limestone 400 million years ago. The caves were discovered about 100 years ago and the largest was made into a Hindu temple. This temple plays a very important role in Hindu religious ceremonies in Malaysia. It is quite a feat to climb the 272 steps to the temple cave which has a 300ft high ceiling and is filled with religious sculptures and artifacts.  Before you start off on your Kuala Lumpur visit, it’s best to get an up-to-date street map and information brochure. The Malaysian Tourism Board prints some good ones and you can get these from any hotel, tourist booth or at the airport. A good map is essential to navigating the streets of this ever-growing city.

Amanpulo Palawan, a Paradise in the Earth

Amanpulo Palawan is best known as a completely luxurious, exclusive tropical haven and an expensive island getaway.  It truly deserves every possible adjective for a perfect get away experience and a fabulous resort.  This tropical paradise is situated on a private island called Pamalican in the province of Palawan, Philippines.

Getting to the island is only possible by taking a private plane which exclusively services the resort, a perfect way to arrive at this secluded haven.

Accommodations at Amanpulo consist mainly of casitas. The beach casitas provide easy access to the beach by way of private paths, which will take you through some lush greenery before you reach the white sands. The treetop casitas are situated just above the tree-line of the island, while the hillside casitas offer fantastic views of the sea. Each casita also comes with its own golf cart which would allow you to drive around the island. Bigger groups can also stay at the four-bedroom villas.

Amanpulo is a popular choice for celebrities who wish to step away from the limelight for a short while as well as people who just want to make their vacation dreams come true or do a little soul-searching. The island provides a perfect place for everyone to soak in luxury and experience some peace and quiet for a change.

Visitors can expect to experience the real treat of a tropical beach like powdery white sand, pristine turquoise waters and well preserved polychromatic coral reefs.  Plus, guests can obtain PADI certification here as well as enjoy snorkeling, fishing, windsurfing, and even take a dip in the swimming pool.

If you are dreaming of going on the ultimate tropical vacation with every intention of experiencing a real relaxation and a feel of paradise of lush greeneries, perfect underwater wonders and luxurious warmth comfort, then Amanpulo is the place for you.  Just make sure this is indeed the holiday you've been saving up for for quite a period of time, because you'll paying quite an amount for a stay in this resort.  But fact is the entire island is worth every penny.

Awards:

Gallivanter's Guide
The 2009 Awards for Excellence
Best Resorts in South East Asia - No. 4
UK 2010

Uniquely, Batanes

Batanes is the smallest province in the Philippines both in terms of population and in land area. The province consists of ten tiny islands and islets located about 162 kms. north of the Luzon mainland. Of this island group, the largest and most economically important are Itbayat, Batan and Sabtang. Five islets namely Siayan, Mavudis, Diogo, North Island and Y'ami form the northernmost frontier of the Philippine archipelago. Farther north, only 46 miles away from Y'ami is the southernmost tip of Taiwan. Two islets, Ivuhos and Dequey are situated south west of Sabtang.

Almost half of Batanes are hills and mountains. Batan island, with a land area of 35sq. kms., is generally mountainous on the north and southeast. It has a basin in the interior. Itbayat Island, which has a total area of 95 sq. kms., slopes gradually to the west, being mountainous and hilly along its northern, eastern coast. As for Sabtang, mountains cover the central part of its 41 sq. km. area, making the island slope outward to the coast.

The islands are situated between the vast expanse of the waters of Bashi Channel and Balintang Channel, where the Pacific Ocean, merges with the China Sea. The area is a sealane between the Philippines and Japan, China, Hongkong and Taiwan. It is rich with marine resources, including the rarest sea corals in the world.

Toward the end of the Spanish regime, Batanes was made a part of Cagayan. In 1909, however , the American authorities organized it into an independent province. Because of its strategic location, the Batanes island group was one of the first points occupied by the invading Japanese imperial forces at the outbreak of the Pacific War.

The Batanes Islands are a special place. Isolated from the rest of the country by miles of rough ocean, they have evolved into a truly unique destination - unlike any other island in the Philippine archipelago. The land is different - windswept hills and boulder-hemmed shores that lure, challenge and haunt. The people are different - a brave and skillful race of hardy, inscrutable survivors. The weather is different. In fact, the weather is king. Everyone and everything steps aside. The houses are different - stone walls, whitened with lime and roofed in thatch. The boats, the language, the crafts, the wine - all different.

These islands have been compared to New Zealand, Ireland and the Scottish Highlands. They are not typically tropical. For some, they are a little too laid back, a little too unpredictable. The best laid travel plans have a way of going awry on these islands. So, you must make time for the Batanes. An Ivatan once said: "When you're on the Batanes, enjoy the Batanes. Don't worry about getting home". These islands grow on you, but you must wait and watch for your rewards - not a bad lesson for those of us who are sure we are the center of the universe. Once touched, you learn to enjoy the timelessness of these islands. For you, life can never be the same again. You know you'll return someday.

The picturesque view of the whole of the province: the hills and mountains, the shelters and the people make Batanes an exotic place to visit.

For more info about this beautiful province and how to get here visit lakbaypilipinas.com

Getting There

Southeast Asian Airlines (SEAIR) flies to Batanes from Manila and vice versa using their 32-seater Dornier 328 aircraft. These flights land straight to Basco airport on Batan Island, Batanes.

Flight Schedule: Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday

Website: http://www.flyseair.com/

Tel. No: +632 849.0100

Zest Airways (formerly Asian Spirit) also flies to Batanes from Manila and vice versa using their DASH7 planes or BAE jets however I have read that all Basco flights via Zest Airways have been cancelled since November 2008.

Flight Schedule: Monday/Wednesday/Friday

Website: http://www.zestair.com.ph/

Tel. No: (+63 2) 888-2002

You may also consider taking a bus to Laoag or Tugueguarao then take Chemtrad Air, a 10-seater aircraft to Basco. Their flight schedules may vary but they normally flies on Monday/Wednesday/Friday from Tuguegarao and Tuesday/Thursday from Laoag. You may also call their office for schedules.

Tel No: (+63 2) 833-0229 / (+63 2) 844-3113

Climate

March to May is usually hot and dry and considered to be the summer months in Batanes. June to October is rainy but the typhoons usually come during the months of August. On the otherhand, the months of November to February are usually cool and windy.

Transportation

In Batanes, you may travel Batan Island by foot or you can hire bikes, motorcycles or tricycles that are available within the island. There are also jeepneys and vehicles available that you may hire which could drive you around Batan island. When going to Sabtang or Itbayat, you need to take a motorized boat also known as “falowa” then from there, you may hire a private vehicle that could also drive you within the islands. The falowas in Ivana usually leave at 6.30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. and is a 45-minute travel to Sabtang.

Banks

Land Bank, National Road (with Expressnet ATM)

Philippine National Bank, Caspo Road (with Megalink ATM)

Must Haves

Light Clothing like shirts and shorts

Sturdy and comfortable shoes, slippers or sandals

Cap, hat or bandana

Sunglasses

Light jacket or raincoat (during rainy season)

Sunblock

Insect or mosquito repellant lotion

Plastic bags or Ziplocs (To put in your camera, wallet and mobile phones)

Camera (Extra batteries, extra film, extra CF or SD Cards and a sturdy tripod)

Loads of cash (No credit cards transaction available and you may find ATM offline)

  

Majestic View of Hundred Islands in the Philippines

One real natural wonder that offer a majestic tropical view is the Hundred Islands in the Philippines.

The Hundred Island National Park is located near the city of Alaminos in Pangasinan, Philippines. The park is a cluster of 124 islands off the town of Alaminos on the Lingayen Gulf which covers an area of 1,884 hectares. Most of the islands are small and uninhabited and are only occasionally visited during the day by local and foreign tourist.

However, 3 of the islands have been developed for tourists namely: Governor, Quezon and Children's Islands. The Governor's Island keeps a Guesthouse which is ideal for family use. It has 2 bedrooms, living room, dining room, bathroom and kitchen. Linens, water, light, electric fans, dining and cooking utensils and equipments are provided. Generator set provides electric power. Quezon Island offers viewing decks, toilets and picnic sheds. Children's Island has bathrooms, camping and sleeping areas.

The bahay kubos and mini pavilion at Children's Island are for budget travelers as it consists only of screened bedrooms with fresh water and linens. Kerosene lighting is provided for. Common areas are provided for dining and cooking as well as for toilet and bath.

To get there, take a bus from Manila to Alaminos, Pangasinan, 254 kms about five hours. From Alaminos take a tricycle ride to Barangay Lucap. From Lucap, one takes a boat ride to any of these islands: Governor's Island (20 mins), Children's Island (25 mins) or Quezon Island (30 mins). Boats are privately-operated.

Now, visitors to the Hundred Islands can better enjoy their vacation with water sports facilities offered for rent at Lucap Waterfront (Tel. No. +63 75 5512246) for activities like jet skiing, windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling, parasailing and big game fishing.