Buzz
The Philippines is famous as the land of a thousand islands, boasting over 7000 beautiful and diverse islets along with incredibly stunning natural landscapes. Hence, it's no surprise that travelers always flock to this destination as a stopping point. However, there are some exciting experiences in the Philippines that you may not know about, and the following list will be the perfect guide for your trip!
Experience 'Boiling in Oil'
Travelers exploring the Philippines will experience the sensation of immersing themselves in a 'boiling oil' filled with billowing smoke. The 'oil bath' activity, known as Kawa, is only found in the tropical tourist area of Tibiao in Antique province. Large cauldrons are placed on rocks, with a fire burning underneath. What's unique is that they are always placed in natural settings such as along riverbanks or under trees.
Experience soaking in a 'boiling oil' pot - Image from the Internet
Contrary to the imagination, the pot contains warm water instead of hot oil, and the temperature can be adjusted according to the guests' preferences. In reality, this pot only contains herbal bathwater beneficial for health, such as various flowers, guava leaves, etc., creating a pleasant, natural scent while helping the body detoxify. This experience requires you to overcome initial fear to immerse yourself in the warm water.
Herbal bathwater helps detoxify the body - Image from the Internet
Leap from Ariel’s Point cliff
Standing on a staircase overlooking the water below from 3m-15m and taking the plunge is an exhilarating activity. It's terrifying for those afraid of heights, but it's also the moment you must conquer your fears. As you let yourself drop into the azure waters, you'll feel extremely thrilled, bursting with joy, a sensation that makes you want to scream and try it again and again.
Besides the adrenaline-pumping activity of cliff jumping, Ariel’s Point offers many other exciting games for you to explore and experience, such as kayaking around the nearby coastline, BBQ parties, snorkeling to observe tropical marine life. This is truly a one-of-a-kind experience in Boracay, and you should try it at least once.
Explore the city with unique modes of transportation
The unique traffic culture of the Philippines revolves around the iconic jeepneys that traverse the streets. What makes them special is that every jeepney, whether new or old, is adorned with various drawings and colors, bearing a strong personal imprint on the streets.
Jeepneys are favored by many tourists - Image from the Internet
Jeepneys have no fixed stops, so you just need to wave your hand and the driver will pull over to pick you up. Each ride costs 8php for the first 4km and around 2php for each additional kilometer.
Another unique mode of public transportation is the distinctive Habal Habal. It's a customized motorcycle that can carry 8-12 passengers. Habal Habal has two long seats attached on either side, each carrying 4 people. Behind the saddle, the bike is extended enough for three passengers. The fare for each trip varies, depending on the agreement between the passenger and the driver.
Experience the land of dragons
El Nido is called the land of dragons due to its majestic landscape created by various sizes and shapes of limestone rocks, forming an incredibly attractive ecological tourism complex. Moreover, El Nido becomes even more enticing with its beaches, white sandy shores, mangrove forests, and mysterious caves.
Long stretches of white sand, pristine beaches, and calm seas make El Nido fantastic - Image from the Internet
Here, travelers can indulge in breathtaking sea views, immerse themselves in crystal-clear waters, and enjoy unique water activities. Paddle a kayak or wear a life jacket to swim deep into the bay to explore hidden caves.
Or simply lie on the water surface, relax, sip a smoothie, fresh juice, or a specialty Halo Halo, and admire the beauty of Small Lagoon.
A refreshing Halo Halo for the scorching summer - Image from the Internet
Swim with whale sharks
Oslob has become a highly attractive destination for tourists due to its whale shark swimming service. These are some of the world's largest sharks, and this tour has brought significant revenue to the local community. Each guest purchasing a ticket to swim with whale sharks is accompanied by a guide to ensure safety. Non-swimmers need not worry; guides will assist you with photography and swimming.
Travelers will be guided by staff to dive into the water and swim with the large whale sharks, especially as they are very gentle and pose no threat to tourists. They only feed on creatures like shrimp, squid, algae, and plankton, so travelers can rest assured!
Admire the Chocolate Hills
Bohol is one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines. The Chocolate Hills are the most famous attraction in Bohol, with about 1,268 dome-shaped hills spread over an area of approximately 50 square kilometers in the middle of the island. They turn chocolate brown in the dry season, creating unique Chocolate Hills.
The hills turning brown like chocolate pieces placed side by side - Image from the Internet
These hills are considered the most lively natural monument of Bohol island, and the image of the rolling hills, nestled close together and uniformly shaped like a box of chocolates, is printed on the flag and stamp of this island. Isn't it wonderful to check-in with beautiful photos here?
Explore the Underground River in Puerto Princesa
The Puerto Princesa Underground River National Park was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The most special thing about this place is the magnificent limestone landscape, with an extensive underground river system and vast cave network. The most appealing activity for tourists here is to paddle through the 8km-long underground river to admire the caves and stalactites formed millions of years ago.
Underground river cave with various stalactites and rock formations - Image from the Internet
To explore this underground river, you need to take a boat deep inside, enjoying the adventure of navigating the river by paddle boat. Venturing into the cave, you will discover a large cavern, a massive vaulted cave. The giant stalactites resemble fortresses of ancient civilizations, and there are many bats living here.
