Archive for July 29th, 2010

Reasons for Building A Home In The Philippines

There are several reasons that make the Philippines the ideal place for building your home. These are just some of them:

First, since the Philippines is an archipelago, one has more than seven thousand islands to choose where to build a house in. Various philippines homes are built on different terrains and reflect the nature of the location where they are built on. For example, homes near beaches and other bodies of water usually stand on stilts to compensate for the changing of tides, occasional typhoons, and sometimes even tsunamis. The Philippines provides a great variety of locations and conditions for the ideal home.

Secondly, since the Philippines is also surrounded by abundant natural resources, Philippines homes have evolved to make use of these resources. The fact that Philippine soil is rich and more than capable of supporting vegetation allows most homes to include a small patch of garden for planting crops, fruit trees, and ornamental herbs. On the other hand, Philippines homes that are situated near bodies of water usually feature a canal or channel to allow water and fishes to pass through. This provides residents access to water and fishes without disturbing the environment.

Third, Philippines is famous for the hospitality of its people. This is why Philippines homes are considered to be the warmest place for visitors. Building a home in the Philippines means living in a community where you will be truly welcome and accepted. The country and its people have a way of turning a house into a home.

Last, the country is a unique pot of colorful history and heritage. It has a rich culture that reflects a combination of hundreds of other individual cultures that have, throughout time, influenced and shaped the Filipinos. To build a home in the Philippines is to live and to experience this myriad of culture and rich heritage that you cannot find anywhere else in the world. From the influences of cultures in neighboring countries, to the influences of its former colonizers, the Philippines has developed a culture that shares some of the most unique characteristics of both the East and the West. For more information visit to our site at http://www.atayala.com

Vanuatu Has Activities to Suit Any Travellers

The Republic of Vanuatu is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago is located some 1,750 km east of Australia, 500 km north east of New Caledonia, west of Fiji and south of the Solomon Islands. It was named New Hebrides during its colonial period.

Vanuatu is an archipelago of 83 islands with a unique blend of intact tribal communities, resorts, beaches and geography ranging from accessible volcanoes to pristine underwater environments, offering unique and memorable experiences.

Vanuatu is the land of so much to see, so much to do with a reputation for interesting, fun and educational activities to suit any travellers expectations, from treks and abseiling to deserted beach picnics and wreck dive explorations to Cultural villages.

The hospitality and invitation to join and participate in Vanuatus cultural, social and sporting activities is uniquely Vanuatu. From the festivals celebrating tribal customs to the big game fishing challenges and the ocean swims, there are always events on offer for those looking to experience something new.

Many of the islands of Vanuatu have been inhabited for thousands of years, the oldest archaeological evidence found dating to 2000 BC. In 1605, the Portuguese explorer Pedro Fernandez de Quiros became the first European to reach the islands, believing it to be part of Terra Australia. Europeans began settling the islands in the late 18th century, after British explorer James Cook visited the islands on his second voyage, and gave them the name New Hebrides.

In 1887, the islands began to be administered by a French-British naval commission. In 1906, the French and British agreed to an Anglo French Condominium on the New Hebrides.

During World War II, the islands of Efate and Espiritu Santo were used as allied military bases. In the 1960s, the niVanuatu people started to press for self governance and later independence. Full sovereignty was finally granted by both European nations on July 30, 1980. It joined the UN in 1981, and the Non Aligned Movement in 1983.

Some of the best nightspots are the Ni Vanuatu discos scattered about town. If you want to visit one, its best to go with someone who knows the nightclub scene. Club Vanuatu, a private club in Rue de Paris, has plenty to tempt patrons, including bars, snooker, darts, satellite TV and live bands at the weekends. Other popular haunts for a night on the town include the Port Vila Pub, Mamu Bar, Sugglers, Anchor Inn, Breakas Bar and Restaurant, Sunset Bar at the Melanesian and Traders.

Major resort and hotels organise Melanesian style feasts once or twice a week with kastom dancing, kava drinking, local string bands and traditional food, ideal way to try local delicacies such as laplap, and experience the wonderful singing and dancing for which Ni Vanuatu are famous, try at Solos Feast or Mele Botanical Garden at Mele Bay in Port Vila.

Philippines? Manila and Thailand?s Bangkok

Philippines and Thailand

The history of the language of the Philippines is easily understood. You will have noticed after meeting a Filipina or two in HK or Japan for example, that they can all speak English very well. In fact, this country is one of the few countries where English is an unofficial first language. Which is, incidentally a luxury that aids the economy still further. (the official language is Tagalog). If you take a brief look at the history of this country, you will see why. In a nutshell; this country of thousands of islands had been occupied by various countries. First the Spanish for about three hundred years; (the people are pretty proficient in Spanish). Then the British rule for a couple of years. The Americans for a while followed by the Japanese (during WWII) then back to the Americans again. Unsurprisingly, the culture is sort of mixed between its races of Malay, Chinese, Spanish and Arabs with languages of Tagalog, Spanish, American English and a smattering of Chinese and Japanese. Hence the true identity of this country and its people is relatively new. They are alike the Thais, an attractive people. They are alike the Thais very friendly and hospitable, they have had their fair share of colonial rule and they are alike the Thais very religious. Philippines majority religion is Christianity and of course the Thais are mostly Buddhist. When visiting the Philippines you can enjoy visiting Churches and museums all part and parcel for a luxury or standard package tour to the area. The San Augustin Church museum in Intramuros-which happens to be part of the original Spanish walled city of Manila is a beautiful part of the city and is a must for those who have a particular interest in the history of the area. Bangkok of course boasts some of the most beautiful Buddhist temples in the world. No one can leave this city and say that they haven’t at least visited the revered Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha in the center of Bangkok.

Business here and there + hotels

Like Bangkok, Manila is becoming an investment hub for a lot of foreign companies. Both cities’ have the luxury of holding land prices that are relatively cheap when comparing with land prices of other major cities around the world.  Both cities have good infrastructure, telecommunication networks, rapid transport systems and great hotel accommodation-perfect for that business conference.

Beaches galore

Another thing both these countries have in common is their great beaches and luxury hotels. Available from just a short flight from these capitals are the palm fringed luxury resorts of Phuket and Pattaya in Thailand or the idyllic islands of Borocay and Cebu islands awaiting you just hours away from Manila. Luxury accommodation is another common denominator for this pair: first class luxury hotels to the more modest type hotels are available; one such hotel that reveres itself as flag bearers of both countries is the five star Dusit Thani Hotels in Manila and Bangkok. Dusit International boasts around twenty first class hotels around the world with ten more in the pipeline due for completion in 2012. They pride their hotels on service and comfort. Surely a treat for the holiday maker that seeks luxury combined with that extra famed Thai or Philippine hospitality.

Malta Flies High

Sunny Mediterranean island Malta is set for her annual international air show to be the best ever this year, with tens of thousands of islanders and tourists attending the event.

Making the event a truly international one, as well as the Armed Forces of Malta participating, the French, Italian, Dutch Swiss and Spanish will all have planes and crew in attendance, plus the British Royal Air Force and US Air Force.

Among the planes taking part are two Alpha jets from France, one of which will be doing an aerial display, six F-16′s with two Dutch F-16′s flying, and from the RAF two Harriers and two Tornados, with one of the Harriers expected to do an aerial demonstration.

Ticket prices for the Saturday or Sunday are low compared to many international air shows, ensuring access is available to many of the Maltese population as well as enthusiasts and veterans who travel from around Europe for the weekend. Prices this year are 4.5 Maltese (around US $12) for either day, with public transport to the show available throughout the island.

With the tourist season beginning to slow down, many of the Malta hotels see the air show as a tourist attraction and organise transport to and from the event.

An advantage of holding the show in the second half of September is that the Malta weather can almost be assured to be good, with the all important clear skies allowing viewing of the participating planes.

Malta Airport

The air show is seen by many in the Malta holidays industry as evidence that Malta can produce events which will not only prove an attraction to those tourists already on the island, but also as part of a package of other attractions to draw new tourists to the island.

The first half of the year has been a disappointing one for the holiday to Malta industry, with a drop in tourists for the first six months of the year compared to the same period last year.

Commenting on the recently released figures showing a drop in visitors, one independent travel guide for Malta believes that events like the air show should be promoted more.

‘Malta needs good news’, they say, ‘and if potential tourists could see on a Malta map of events quality displays such as the air show it would be a good reason to visit the island.

The island needs to compete against other destinations in the Mediterranean, but while most of them are seeing an increase in visitor numbers, Malta is showing a drop’.

Many hoteliers and others in the holiday industry are hoping that cheap flights to Malta might become a reality in the near future. There has been talk of low cost carriers from the UK and Ireland providing services to the island for some time now, but no deals have been struck yet.

Unemployment on the island is high at over 8 per cent, and tourism is a major employer, but many feel that the government is reluctant to see the national carrier Air Malta face potentially subsidised competiton. But by doing nothing the island faces the danger of the whole tourist industry suffering.

‘Malta can be a high quality destination with low cost fares’, comment the travel guide. ‘We already have good accommodation like the Qawra Palace Hotel, so potentially we can do it’.

Beautiful Belize, a Journey Through my Favorite Sights

Look Up! The man yells when walking from the bus station to the waterfront of Belize City. Hesitant, you worry that he is trying to distract you to relieve you of your belongings. After all, Belize City is known as one of the most dangerous towns in Central America. Instead, you are treated to a view of thousands of birds flying overhead as he says, “welcome to my country, enjoy the beauty of Belize”.

Whatever your vision of Central America is, check it at the door before entering this beautiful and welcoming country. Many travel guides will tell you to “get out of Belize City and head for the islands.” It is too bad really, because they are causing people to miss out on meeting the very proud and helpful citizens of this vibrant town.

Cruise ships stop here regularly and whisk tourists off to Tikal in Guatemala, or to Amgergris Caye off of the coast. The port is well developed and you can spend time walking around the shops in the comfortable terminal. However, walking around the city is where you get the true Caribbean flare.

Settled by the English in the late 16th century, Belize City is a mix Colonial buildings and Creole Culture. Eat international cuisine, or enjoy the local fare at Jembel’s Jerk Pit or Big Daddy’s Diner. Music pumps from inside shops as smiling people great you speaking perfect English, only to turn to their companion and talk in rhythmic Creole. The official language of Belize is English, but you will often hear a mix of Spanish, Creole, Mayan and German throughout the land.

After soaking up the culture and cuisine in the country’s largest city, catch a water taxi to head out to Caye Caulker. For $10, you will be transported to paradise. Far less crowded than its overdeveloped neighbor Ambergris Caye, this little island is a gem of a destination.

The laid-back vibe of the island has an air of Jamaica, and reggae booms from bars and restaurants. Walk along the dirt roads to look for a beach front hotel and you can spend as little as $20 for a room. Only golf carts drive on the island, so you won’t have to worry about exhaust pollution or noise. The resident’s work hard to preserve their culture and large-scale development is not in its future.

Located just 1 mile from the Belize Barrier Reef, it offers some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world. Hire a boat to take you out to Shark Ray Alley and you will swim with the sharks as manta rays brush up against you. A marine preserve for the past 12 years, the coral and marine life is second to none in the world. Dolphin sightings are commonplace and you will be sure to spot barracuda’s, octopus, stingrays, eels and lobsters.

For experienced divers, The Blue Hole is not to be missed. Made famous by Jacques Cousteau, dive 150 feet into this collapsed cave as sharks circle above the hanging stalactites. If you are not already a diver, take an open water diving course.

Prices are reasonable and you will experience the chance to see even more wildlife and gain an appreciation for the ocean.

Finding a company to go with is easy, just walk along the main dirt road and you will find dive operators and snorkel shops lined up to take you out.

If getting into the water with natural predators isn’t your cup of tea, take a sailing trip to visit other Islands. Belize has several islands and you can take a trip to have a picnic lunch on the beach or enjoy an island drink at an upscale resort on Ambergris Caye.

Caye Caulker may not be overly developed, but you can still enjoy great food ranging from Seafood, to pasta and barbecue. The nightlife isn’t wild, but you can find a nice bar to enjoy a drink or two, look out over the water while swinging on a hammock or listen to some live music well into the evening.

Belize is certainly full of many more sights. It boasts rainforest’s and islands, and the largest cave system in Central America. It is teeming with wildlife from Howler Monkeys to Jaguars. Like its surrounding neighbors, it has Mayan Ruins scattered throughout the country for you to enjoy and beautiful beaches can be found everywhere, the best being in Placencia on the mainland.

It would take weeks to truly discover everything that Belize has to offer, but if you have the time, it is certainly worth the investment.

East Fork State Park to upgrade camping site with help from state

East Fork State Park to upgrade camping site with help from state
State Rep. Joe Uecker (R-District 66) announced the State Controlling Board released $979,000 in state funding for the East Fork State Park electric upgrade project in Clermont County.

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