Intramuros

 

Intramuros is the primogenital district and historic nucleus of Manila. Famous as the Walled City, the archetype buttressed city of Manila was the capital of the Spanish government throughout the Spanish colonial era. The enclosed part of Manila was known as intramuros, Latin for "within the walls"; districts outside the walls were referred to as the extramuros of Manila, meaning "outside the walls".

Erection of the fortified walls by the Spaniards began in the late 16th century to safeguard the city from extraterritorial assaults. The 0.67-square-kilometre (0.26 sq. mi) walled city was initially positioned along the coast of the Manila Bay, south of the entrance to Pasig River. The land reclamations during the early 20th-century obscured the walls from the bay. Securing the old city is Fort Santiago, its bastion situated at the entrance of the river.

During the Second World War, Intramuros was profoundly ravaged during the battle to recapture the city from the Japanese Imperial Army. In 1951 reconstruction of the walls began due to Intramuros being declared a National Historical Monument. Construction by the Intramuros Administration continues to this day.

Quiapo

 

Quiapo is a district and a primary city square of Manila at the very center of the city. It is circumscribed by Estero de San Miguel to the South, San Miguel to the east, Recto Avenue to the north and Quezon Boulevard to the west. It gets its name from the Pistia stratiotes or water cabbage, which is kiapo in Tagalog. Quiapo is home to the Quiapo Church, where the feast of the Black Nazarene is held with millions of people attending annually. Quiapo is also famous for marketplace bargain hunting.

Clark

 

Clark Air Base is a former United States Air Force located 3 miles west of Angeles City. Clark Air Base was an American military facility from 1903 to 1991. The base covered 37 km² with a military reservation, extending north covering another 596 km².

A stronghold of the combined Filipino and American forces during the end of World War II until 1975, it was the backbone of logistical support during the Vietnam War. After the exodus of American forces in 1991, today Clark forms the hub for business, industry, aviation, and tourism in Central Luzon as well as a leisure, fitness, entertainment and gaming center. The base is the site of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, the Clark Freeport Zone and the Air Force City of the Philippine Air Force.

 

Laiya

Laiya is approximately 140 km. from Manila, located on the southeastern tip of the province of Batangas. It is famed for its beautiful white beaches, excellent snorkeling and fishing.

There are two routes when travelling to Laiya, one via Lipa, Batangas and the other via Candelaria, Quezon. Both routes are almost equidistant, although the Lipa route is about 2 km. shorter.

The resorts in Laiya offer a variety of facilities ranging from simple beach huts to first class air-conditioned rooms with restaurants and conference halls.

The Laiya shoreline is expansive, estimated to be about 5km. The eastern half has a different sand and water characteristics as the western half. The eastern half has very fine sand and the shore slopes very gradually, an ideal swimming destination for people who simply want to delight in a day at the beach. The western part on the other hand is better suited for snorkeling, scuba diving or fishing. It has bountiful coral reefs and marine life, with a fish sanctuary in front of La Luz Beach Resort where guests can go snorkeling from waters barely a meter deep just 20 meters from shore.

 

Puerto Galera

This coastal town is famed among tourists for its abundant pocket beaches and numerous snorkeling spots. The area was selected as a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1973 and has some of the most diverse coral reefs in Asia. The influx of tourist dollars in recent years has greatly benefited the marine environment because of the huge reduction in fishing, as fishermen gain higher revenue from tourists. Puerto Galera is also A-listed by the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World, the only one in the Philippines to be listed there.

Famous beaches in Puerto Galera are Sabang Beach and White Beach, which have a lively nightlife with copious bars and restaurants. They also have an assortment of first and economy class accommodations.

White Beach remains very popular with local travelers, especially during Holy Week. A particular local attraction is the nine-hole golf course perched on the hillside above White Beach, which commands spectacular views over Puerto Galera’s natural harbor, and the Verde Island Passage. In recent years White Beach has undergone uncontrolled development. New restaurants and places to stay are rapidly encroaching on the beach itself. Little remains of the once charming beach. Puerto Galera town is a pleasant but sleepy Philippine town with few attractions.

 

Big La Laguna Beach is popular for local swimmers and snorkelers. Puerto Galera is among the top diving destination in the Philippines. Renowned for its current rips, diving commonly concentrates around Escarceo Point. Because of the strong currents in Puerto Galera, it is best to hire the services of a skilled local guide or dive center. More than thirty dive sites are within a 5-10 minute boat ride from Sabang Beach. Marine life is highly diverse, with more than 180 species of nudibranch and many species of fish.

The town itself has a number of business and commercial establishments. It has a large central catholic church and a Pier area, with a selection of bistros and cafes.