WAWIE'S BEACH RESORT - One of the best resorts to stay in Maniwaya Island, Marinduque

With thousands of islands to choose from in the Philippines, it is not a surprise that there are also a lot of travelers looking for unspoiled islands or places to explore in our country. One example of a pristine island that is now attracting a lot of tourists is found in the province of Marinduque called MANIWAYA ISLAND.



This island now offers a lot of activities which I will publish a little later, but what struck me most about this island, was the place we stayed in which was WAWIE'S BEACH RESORT.

From Sta Cruz, Marinduque port, we were picked up by the boats of Wawie's Beach Resort. The boat ride took us around 1-2 hours depending on the waves.



The resort has several boats that were big enough to accommodate guests especially if you are coming in a big group.




Since we arrived at night, I wasn't able to see much of the island and the resort, but one thing was for sure, I already had a good feeling about Wawie's Beach Resort. The resort was so quiet, very clean, relaxing, and most of all the resort works harmoniously with nature.




It was a great idea to keep the palm trees intact instead of cutting them. I felt like I was a VIP being surrounded by these tall palm trees. Imagine having a candle-lit dinner with your friends or loved ones under these trees - the best!



Wawies Beach Resort has 7 beachfront cottages for day tour visitors. This place is ideal for any type of event that you can think of. The place is so unspoiled, it feels like you have the place all to yourself.



They have a total of 9 nipa huts where 4 of them are family rooms and the rest are good enough for 2 to 3 persons. The rooms are very decent and clean.You have your beds, pillows and a fan. A common bathroom is found outside next to the cafeteria and at the back of the kitchen. Beds and pillows are quite comfortable and we all had a great sleep!



If there is one thing you need to know about the island, it's the issue of power interruptions. Electricity is available only from 3:00 pm until 11:00 pm (based from when we arrived). So make sure that you have your power banks handy and fully charged. Javee from GalaPh was so clever bringing those rechargeable led lamps, so even after 11:00 pm, fun was still on the roll!



If you are on the beach, the best thing to do is to RELAX! And that's what we did. After our island hopping tour which was also provided by Wawie's. All we wanted to do was just to lie down and enjoy this beautiful white sand beachfront all to ourselves.




It was a little bit overcast during our visit and just before lunch time, the sun came out and gave me time to get a nice tan.

Maniwaya Island has a beautiful coast with mangrove trees at the far end. The water was pretty calm and clear, perfect for snorkeling or any other activities. For me, I enjoyed my walk on the sand.

During our stay at Wawie's Beach Resort, I had the chance to talk to the owner of the resort, Warlie Constantino. I must admit that he inspired me. His motivation and optimism led him to what can soon be the most visited and beautiful resort on Maniwaya Island.



I would never find out about this place without the help of my friends and also GalaPh who organized the whole adventure in Marinduque. It was the most fun adventure I had so far and I am definitely going to do more and will definitely go back to Maniwaya Island and stay at WAWIES BEACH!

RATES AND RESERVATION: 

 Warlie Constantino - 0921-369- 5359

If you are travelling solo or with friends, you may also ask Sir Warlie for directions from Dalahican Port to Maniwaya Island. 

FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/WawiesResort/

Exploring Well-Known Tourist Spots in IRELAND

During our visit to the United Kingdom, we also decided to explore a beautiful country just across the channel which is Ireland. Since we rented a car while in the UK, we decided to take a ferry (STENA Line)  from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire in Ireland, which only took us about 3 hours. The ferry was huge and we were able to take our car in as well which was very convenient. 

Ireland is a country with its own unique charm.  Ireland also is also known for the legendary Leprechaun; an Irish folklore usually depicted as a bearded man wearing a coat and a hat and often associated with riches and gold.  The rare four-leaf clover bringing good luck to those who found them also originated in Ireland. But more than that, Ireland is a  country famous for its rich ancient history, stunning landmarks, tourist attractions, and the taste of the famous Guinness Beer. 

Here are the top 10 best places to visit in Ireland. 

1. Cliffs of Moher

Stretching 8 kilometers towards County Clare’s Atlantic coast, the Cliffs of Moher can be easily found. It is tagged as the most visited attraction in West Ireland. Aran Islands, Galway Bay, Twelve Pins, Loop Head, Maum Turk, Dangle Peninsula and Blasket Islands can all be seen from atop the Cliffs of Moher during a clear day. Cliffs of Moher has become the viewing point of visitors for many years.

2. Original Irish Famine Cottages

Famine cottages became the humble dwelling of those who suffered during the historic potato famine which led to great suffering in Ireland because potato was the staple diet.  The cottages are made of mud and stone. 

3. Adare

Tagged as the prettiest village in Ireland, Adare boasts an architectural wealth of picturesque beauty with the thatched cottages being central to its many attractions. With their main street fully-packed with beautiful stone structures, monasteries, and lovely village park, Adare is indeed the perfect place to relax and enjoy the characteristic charm of an Irish village.

4. Village of Dingle on the Dingle Peninsula

The village of Dingle on the famous Dingle Peninsula manages to become charming without even trying! During the summer season, this village is clogged with ecstatic visitors excited to tour this picturesque village. It is also one of Ireland’s biggest Gaeltacht towns.

5. PUB Crawling

Pour the exact pint of beer plus traditional Irish music, all are available when you go PUB crawling in Ireland. You can get amazing offers and VIP entry to bars and night clubs. Meet people from all over the world while enjoying the pub’s perfect atmosphere. Pubs in Ireland are renowned for the friendly atmosphere, live traditional music and, of course, a pint of Guinness.

6. Draft Guinness Beer 

Originated in Ireland and  made by Arthur Guinness, Guinness is named as one of the most famous and successful brands of beer from across the world. When you go PUB crawling, you should never miss taking a sip of this world-renowned brew. What people love about this beer is its burnt flavor coming from the roasted barley.

7. Explore Dublin 

Dublin, the capital of Ireland, belongs to Europe’s youthful cities. Dublin didn’t gain its reputation just for nothing. Check out its tourist attractions:

· Guinness Storehouse – located in St. James’s Gate Brewery

· Dublin Zoo – located in Phoenix Park, Dublin City

· National Aquatic Centre – located in Snugborough Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin

· Book of Kells – written in 800 AD but is now in the safe keeping of Trinity College

· The National Gallery of Ireland

· National Botanic Gardens

· St. Patrick’s Cathedral

· National Museum of Ireland – situated in Kildare Street

· Science of Gallery – Trinity College

· Farmleigh House – located northwest of Phoenix Park, Dublin

8. Giant’s Causeway

Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/Giant's_Causeway_(14).JPG

Situated in County Antrim, near Bushmills town, A Giant’s Causeway was created by nature and the sea. Both myth and fact engulf this majestic tourist attraction. Folklore says that there is an Irish giant living in the area while facts suggest that this causeway is the result of volcanic eruption millions of years ago.

9. Boyne Valley

Sourcehttp://f.tqn.com/y/archaeology/1/W/M/j/knowth.jpg

Source: http://www.ancient-wisdom.com/Images/countries/Irish%20pic/newgrange.bmp

Because of its important contribution to the history of Ireland, Boyne Valley is proclaimed as a World Heritage Site.

10. Dingle Peninsula

Ireland is known for its beautiful coastline and one of them is the Dingle Peninsula. As you drive around, you will fall in love with the scenic coastline, one of the best I've seen. You can stop at some beaches and do a long slow drive around that will make you realize how lucky you are to be in Ireland! 

10 Reasons Why You Should Visit SOUTH AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA, the 25th largest country in the world, offers a wide range of wonderful scenery, historic places, and great people. I am also blessed to have friends and family living in South Africa that is why I get to visit them once every few years. There are so many reasons to love this country, from the different landscapes, activities, foods, and many more attractions that I would like to share with you. 

This is simply one of the best places on Earth. Here are only 10 of the many reasons why you should visit South Africa.

Related Article: Updated Visa Requirements for Filipinos Travelling to SOUTH AFRICA

1. Unspoiled Beaches - with Huge Waves 

Situated on the Sunshine Coast, the 6th wonder of the world, is a coastal town known for its wonderful views and scenery which is becoming a popular destination. Kenton-on-Sea, better known as Kenton, boasts clean rivers and beaches perfect for your holiday getaway. There are a bundle of ways to enjoy this magnificent place, either through helicopter ride, boating, canoeing and all sorts of water related sports. 

It is also best to visit Kenton in the months of October to April, you’ll surely be amazed by the blue-sky weather. Make the most out of your tour and experience the Music Festival held in Kenton every New Year’s Eve. 

2. Overwhelming History 

The Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in Johannesburg, South Africa. The 47 hectare site is mainly composed of limestone caves. The place was declared as the Cradle of Humankind because of the discovery of Australopithecus Africanus, a 2.3 million year old fossil. Aside from that, other million-year-old fossils were discovered within its complex caves.

3. Amazing Highway 

Going for a road trip? South Africa offers you the best trip of your life! It’s long and endless highways alongside seemingly never-ending vistas is just priceless. I really enjoyed our long drive from Johannesburg to Grahamstown where I witnessed roads so long like no other compared to my home country. It was a great experience!

4. Delicious Food

Related Article: 7 Authentic South African meals and snacks that are a must try!

Your South African expedition wouldn’t be complete without the taste of their unique food and delicacies. You definitely need to grab a bite of South Africa’s most delicious foods. You have to try their local sausage, Boerowors, which for me is the best sausage in the world. You also have to try their local meat jerky called Biltong and droewors, a dried sausage, which is a perfect snack companion.

5. Finest Red Wines

Wine and vineyards are not a newcomer to South Africa. The very first vineyards were planted in 1655. Because South Africa has a warm climate, red grapes become very ripe leading to the production of high quality alcohol wines. Also, the cool ocean breeze in Western Cape, contributes to the bright acidity of wines making them fresh and food-friendly. A great idea to share with friends is to buy different bottles of wines and organize a wine tasting at home.

6. Multicultural Society

A country that allows its people to live freely, without cultural discrimination that is South Africa. You can freely express yourself without doubt and enjoy the place with utmost freedom. People with different cultures live here harmoniously. 

7. Great Landscapes

Beautiful rivers, oceans and mountains embraces the beautiful country of South Africa. Numerous lovely images of South Africa’s landscapes are being uploaded every day. 

Blyde River Canyon is considered to be the largest of its kind. A huge range of outdoor activities such as hiking can be done here. The Drakensberg Mountain Range was announced as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its rich scenic beauty. It was formed after volcanic activity and erosion after thousands of years. Table Mountain and Cape Point are two majestic mountains which can be found in Western Cape, South Africa. 

8. Amazing Wildlife 

Related Article: Lion Park, Johannesburg - Start your tour in South Africa here!

South Africa is a beautiful place full of wonderful scenery and amazing wildlife. It has a total of 299 species of mammals and 858 species of birds. We visited some safari parks when we spent some time in Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth. We also visited the Lion Park while in Johannesburg. This park is home to the magnificent white lions. Seeing these magnificent animals will make you love South Africa even more. 

9. Lovely Climate- Winter and Autumn being the best time

South Africa is a subtropical region which is moderated with oceans on both sides. This country is also triangle-shaped. With that, foreign visitors are driven to this warm and temperate country, a clear effect of its location. 

Though South Africa is famous for its sun, autumn and winter are considered to be the best time to visit the country. In autumn, mid-February until April, the weather is warm yet not very hot because of the little rain that pours all over the country. During nightfall, many people spend outdoors to enjoy the fantastic climate. 

The winter in South Africa which falls from May to July and is characterized by crisp days but much colder nights. Bringing warm clothes is a good idea during these bracing months.. 

10. Very Affordable 

1 South African Rand equals to 3.00 Philippine Peso at the time of writing. With this reasonable exchange rate you can surely enjoy the country without worrying about your budget. That means more shopping for us! Enjoy different South African art and souvenir items at a more affordable rate. Just make sure you have enough space in your luggage!