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What is the best beach area in the Philippines?

The tourism industry in the Philippines is booming; by and large because of its world-class beaches. A must-visit, especially come summer time, this tropical country boasts of cool waters and sands of different colors across its seven thousand (plus) islands.

But surely, there are beaches in the Philippines that are more famous than the others for one reason or another. When visiting the Philippines, regardless of whether it’s your first time or not, make sure to stop by Boracay Island, regarded by many as the best beach area in the Philippines. Now world-famous and known all over the world as an island paradise, Boracay in the Province of Aklan in Panay Island, is indeed a feast to the senses with its white and very fine sandy beaches that stretch for miles on end and which glitter like diamonds under the sun, the cool waters, gourmet food, adventure sports, and just about everything else.

Sights, Sounds, and Everything Else in Boracay

There’s a range of activities for everyone to enjoy in Boracay. The more adventurous of the lot can go scuba-diving, jet skiing, snorkeling, para sailing, windsurfing or cliff diving. Others can go on a banana boat ride, fish or fly a kite. There’s also D’Mall for the shopaholics, and little boutiques and souvenir shops that sell trinkets and Boracay memorabilia.

Restaurants can be found in practically every nook and corner, and this is partly one of the reasons, too, why Boracay is the best beach area in the Philippines. You’ll never go hungry, as there are fast foods, gourmet foods, veggies and fruits to delight the palate.

Boracay’s night life is always the talk of the town. Disco houses, bars and restaurants are always filled with people having a good a time. Yet for those who care to listen, the gentle ripples of the waves still provide the best music to the ears.

Island hopping is also a must-do in Boracay, especially for people who want a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Boracay. Just a few minutes away from White Beach Boracay is Crocodile Island, a good spot for snorkeling and diving. The island is so named because of its shape and not because there are crocodiles in the island. Truth is, there are no crocodiles in Crocodile Island but a vibrant marine life and corral reefs in every color.

Carabao Island is another must-visit island close to Boracay. Carabao is essentially a small island with several cottages, a great diving spot, a bar and restaurant serving drinks and freshly-cooked foods to boast. Lots of people say that Carabao is what Boracay was some twenty years ago.

Cap your island hopping tour with a visit to Puka Shell Beach in the northern part of Boracay. Puka Shell Beach is known for the abundance of colorful coral stones and shells

See, there’s just so much to see and do in this beautiful island! Tour packages come in all budget sizes, so there’s really no reason why you cannot enjoy a trip to Boracay, the best beach area in the Philippines! (Link to this article: http://filipinofilipinaheart.com/what-is-the-best-beach-area-in-the-philippines/)

Editor’s note: If you are not fond of crowded tourist beaches, then you may check out Panglao Island in Bohol, Philippines. The island has lovely beaches as well. We have been to Boracay Island and Panglao Island, and Boracay is really crowded compared to the beaches of Bohol. So, it is up to you. You may visit both islands and other Philippine islands. You will surely have fun!

What’s the difference between the Philippines and Thailand?

Many people say the Philippines is just like Thailand. Perhaps, it’s because Filipinos and Thais have similar physical attributes; or maybe because the pollution, as well as the traffic situation in both countries, is more or less the same. The similarities do not end there, surely, but there, too, are many aspects in which you can say that the Philippines is not Thailand and Thailand is not the Philippines.

For one thing, Thailand is a lot bigger than the Philippines in terms of land area but while there are only around 67 million people living in Thailand, there are close to 105 million people living in the Philippines. The population growth rate of Thailand is only .4%, while the Philippines’ is 1.87%.

The Philippines has a rather colorful history in the sense that it was under foreign rule for long time before it gained its independence. The Philippines was in the hands of the Spanish for three centuries, which pretty much explains why many street names and Filipino family names are in Spanish, and why the Philippines is predominantly Catholic. The country was also under American influence for about 50 years. Thailand, meanwhile, was never under such influences, European or American.

It is quite easier to get by in the Philippines because of the fact that Filipinos can speak and understand the English language better than Thais. You don’t need to carry a Filipino dictionary with you when traveling to the Philippines at all, although of course, that is really up to you if you want to learn a few Filipino words. But Thailand, being tourist-friendly, will always have someone close by who can translate your language to Thai or Thai language to English.

There’s a world of difference between Filipino food and Thai food, too. A food blogger describes Filipino food in two ways; one it is “food for the crazy”, and second it is “food for the lazy”. Take for instance “Kare-Kare” which has to be cooked bland and then eaten with salty “bagoong” (a pasty condiment made of shrimp), or “adobo” which you just put in all the ingredients together and simply wait till everything is cooked. Generally, Filipino dishes are delicious, but heavy on the stomach, more so since they are best eaten with rice (and not just one serving of rice, mind you!). Thai foods, on the other hand, are “herbilicious”. They come with a distinct herby scent and taste.

When it comes to dating, it’s hard to say who are better, Thai women or Filipino women. Eventually, one’s choice depends on one’s personal preference. Both are beautiful, without a doubt. Thai women, though, are more aggressive, and perhaps because of the foods they eat, have a distinct scent that lots of men find attractive. Filipino women are charming and they often are good conversationalists.

Both the Philippines and Thailand are a haven for tourists. Both countries boast of world class travel destinations and tour packages in all budget sizes. It would be an incredibly wonderful thing if you can visit both countries at different times and see for yourself what’s the difference between Philippines and Thailand. (Link to this article: http://filipinofilipinaheart.com/whats-the-difference-between-the-philippines-and-thailand/)

What is needed to prepare for a Philippines trip?

The Philippines boasts of many beautiful sceneries and fun things to do. It’s important to know what to bring with you to make your vacation in this tropical island worth remembering!

A primary consideration when preparing for your Philippines trip is timing. Any time is a good time to visit the Philippines, actually, but if you’re like most tourists who enjoy the beach, you will prefer to go during the merry months of March up to May. The climate can be excruciatingly hot at the start of summer, so you must come prepared for the sudden change in temperature. It will be a good idea to climatize yourself first, allowing your body to adapt to the hot temperature before heading off to the great outdoors. If you’re going to the Philippines at this time of year, you must bring along sun protection cream, a wide-brimmed hat, and dark sunglasses with UV protection. You will want to avoid wearing black or dark-colored shirts as they could make it feel a lot hotter. And since you will most certainly want to capture the moments, pack your digital camera along, as well.

June to December are rainy months. If you’re goin around this time, make sure to bring a mosquito repellant (DEET-Free, no less!) to ward off mosquitoes which multiply during the rainy season. Although it does get cooler from December to mid-February, the temperature does not go down to freezing point levels (or near freezing point levels). Nevertheless, bringing long-sleeved shirts will be sensible.

If you are going to visit relatives and friends in the Philippines, or if you are “meeting the parents” of your fiancee for the first time, do bring a little something to give to them. In Filipino, it’s called “pasalubong”. Big or small, “pasalubongs” are always appreciated.

You must have Philippine money to spend in the Philippines. And the good thing is, if you come from countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and United Kingdom, your dollar goes a long way in the Philippines. Needless to say, you will spend much of your money basically on food (and mind you, the Philippines is noted for delicious food!), transportation, and tours.

You must be in pretty good shape to enjoy all the offerings of the country. You’ll be eating a lot, walking a lot, laughing a lot, and you certainly cannot afford sniffles to dampen your Philippines vacation. So a few weeks before the schedule, work it out to give your immune system an etra boost.

It’s always wise to plan your itinerary well, especially if you only have a few days. You can get help on the internet when it comes to affordable bookings and accomodation, and popular tourist destinations. And remember, always check for weather updates. If you don’t know yet, weather conditions are quite erratic in the Philippines, so do take the time to check for weather updates on the internet before leaving your home country.

So what else is needed to prepare for a trip in the Philippines? Your heart, that’s what! Why, because you will definitely fall in love with this wonderful tropical country.

Visit the Philippines now and discover all its beaches. You will surely enjoy it and have fun (guaranteed!). It may even be one of the best vacation holiday in your life. So, go to the Philippines for your next trip! (Link to this article: http://filipinofilipinaheart.com/what-is-needed-to-prepare-for-a-philippines-trip/)