Puerto Galera in Mindoro is blessed with pristine seawater, white sand beaches and lush vegetation. It has many destinations for different kinds of activities or just for sightseeing.
For the beach bodies, Puerto Galera has several white sand beaches. White Beach and Sabang Beach are the most popular destinations. One can just lounge in the shade and drink a cool glass of refreshments. Bars and restaurant line the coastline of these beaches. Water activities such as jet skiing and banana boat riding are also popular in these destinations. These beaches turn into a lively night spots as bars lining the shore start blaring party music.
The waters off Big and Small Lalaguna, Talipanan, Aninuan, Haligue, Long Beach, Dulangan (Bulabod), Boquete and Villaflor offer a visitor to go under water and scuba dive. Magnificent natural coral formations and exotic colorful fishes await the diver.
Coral formations and exotic fishes are available not only to divers. While on board a motor boat, one can visit several destinations near and around Puerto Galera. Medio Island, Minolo Paradise, Sabang Plateau, San Antonio Point and Tangalan Point are excellent sites for this activity.
The flora and fauna of Puerto Galera are points of interest for naturalists. Once can visit the Mangrove Forest Park to see and appreciate the trees in this mangrove park. For the animal lovers, Paradise Zoo is the place to visit. Over 1,000 different species of animals are showcased in this zoo.
The more active traveler will be happy to know that there are several adventures available to them in Puerto Galera. Aninuan Falls, Tamaraw Falls and Talipanan Falls can be reached by easy to moderate hiking. Those who want to thread the unbeaten path will be happy to see to cascading waters of these falls and swim in its cool waters.
For the history buffs, the Excavation Museum is a place of interest. This museum contains several artifacts and antiques unique only in the area. A visit to this museum will help one realize the importance of Puerto Galera during pre-Spanish time as one sees many Chinese and Siamese potteries. The Cross at Muelle in the town proper is another good destination. A visit to the Baclaran Mangyan Settlement makes tourist appreciate the culture of the Mangyans, an ethnic tribe found only in Mindoro.
Island hopping is another good activity for tourist in Puerto Galera. Nature lovers will enjoy Alibatan Island because it is a breading site for seagulls and turtles. For those who want to go deep see fishing, the waters off Buyayao Island are an excellent destination.
Shoppers alike and those who enjoy window shopping will truly love the city of Makati. Aside from the spacious malls that has stores that sells just about anything one is looking for, Makati shopping is an experience all on its own. From designer items to bargain goods at flea markets, everyone will go home with at least one item.
Let’s start off with the first class malls that offer designer products and the first thing that comes to mind is the Power Plant Mall. The Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Makati is a high end shopping mall that has branded goods for sale from clothing to bags and shoes and even children’s toys. Kenneth Cole, Bali, Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton are among the big names inside this mall. What makes these branded items a good buy is that contrary to what everyone else says that one is just paying for the brand, these goods are of high quality, the stores provide a warranty for their items and of course, if given as a gift, one knows it’ll make the receiver extremely happy. Makati shopping at Power Plant Mall is for those who are big spenders and are after the brands.
Makati Shopping at the Glorietta mall is a little bit different. With the opening of Glorietta 5, there are now more options for the shoppers and there are also several restaurants to choose from. Glorietta caters to the middle class and since a private all-girls college is nearby, don’t be surprised to see students in uniforms walking around in between classes. Glorietta has the big brands as well similar to the Power Plant Mall such as Tag Heuer, Hugo Boss and others but in the Glorietta area is where one will find affordable items in malls nearby like Landmark and Shoemart. Yes, Shoemart, the people’s mall where one will find just about anything at a much lower price. For those who like to keep things on the high end when thinking about Makati Shopping, there’s always the newly opened Glorietta 5 which is a bigger and better version of the Power Plant Mall.
Makati is truly a shopping haven because across the street from expansive Glorietta is Greenbelt. Makati Shopping takes a different approach with the Greenbelt mall because it attempts to go beyond the confines of the four walls of a mall and allow the shopper to enjoy nature while getting around. Similar to the Power Plant Mall in that it has stores that has branded goods, it is also different. Surrounded by lush gardens, palms trees and ponds, after a full day of Makati Shopping it is a great idea to grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the scenery.
Dipolog City in Zamboanga has many places of interests for tourist activities like sightseeing, pilgrimage, nature tripping. Historical landmarks, religious shrines and pristine natural formations are some of the places to visit in Dipolog City.
Those who want to go on a pilgrimage trip or go hiking should go to Linabo Peak. The feature of this destination is the more than three thousand concrete steps going up the summit. Lush green vegetation and fresh cool air accompany the visitor while navigating these steps. Linabo Peak is the location where the Katkat Sakripisyo takes place every Lenten Season. Devotees go up the peak to ask for absolution, self-sacrifice and comtemplation. At an elevation of four hundred eighty six meters above sea level, Linabo Peak offers sightseeing tourists a spectacular bird’s eye view. One can behold the cities of Dipolog and Dapitan amidst the azure sky and sea.
Sightseeing and communing with nature are activities that can be enjoyed by tourists while they are in Cogon Eco-Park. This reforested area offers sightseeing visitors and adventures the chance to hike a forest trail that has lush vegetation of different kinds of trees like Acacia, Mahogany, Lumbayao, Teak, Molave, Yamane, Lauan, Narra, Mayapis, Marig, Duguan, Nato and Rattan. Inside this park is the Sungkilaw Falls, where one can swim in the cool refreshing pool created by the waterfall.
For the beach lovers and enthusiasts of aquatic activities, the Sicayab Beach is the place to go. This beach is popular among local and foreign tourists. This long stretch of beach boasts of clean clear waters that are ideal for swimming, picnics, snorkeling and jet skiing. Dakak Beach, on the other hand, boasts of fine white sand. The islands of Aliguay and Silinog Islands are points of interest for those who want to avoid the usual crowd.
Dipolog also boasts of destinations for sightseeing under water, also known as scuba diving. Liuay Rock, Mushroom Wall, Cesar’s Reef, Octupus Wall, Romy’s Reef and Eskuelahan are the popular dive sites where one can see the colorful marine life interaction of graceful fishes swimming among magnificent coral and reef formations.
Several landmarks are up for visit for the sightseeing tourists whose interest inclines towards history. The Santa Cruz Holy Rosary Cathedral is one of these landmarks. The highlight of this visit is the altar that was believed to be designed by the national hero Jose Rizal. Dipolog City Hall offers history buffs three monuments of historical persons that had significant contributions to Dipolog.
Finally, a sightseeing tourist should visit the Dipolog Fountain. This is an iconic Dipolog symbol. It was build to give thanksgiving for the blessings received by Dipolog City.