Experience to be remembered, Swimming with the whale shark in Oslob

In Cebu, Oslob has gained popularity in tourism since 2011 and continuously growing yearly. Thanks to these World's Largest fish known as Whale Sharks, also named Tuki or Butanding by the locals. These juvenile gentle giants size starting from 20 feet in length!

For the first time, seeing these big whales with mouth opened as big as 5 meters did not fail to give chills to the bones!

Yet Butandings are harmless sea creatures feeding on plankton and small fishes. Swimming, snorkeling and observing them under water is fascinating and exciting!

We had a short briefing on precaution and safety before "the encounter" with these gentle giants.

Small boat paddled by boatman brough us to the crystal clear blue water where glimpse of these friendly mammals are remarklable visible.

Whale watching is only 20 to 30 meters away from the shoreline.

Life jackets and snorkeling gear is provided for our sake.

For the fearful swimmer, just hang on to your boat's bamboo floater. A safe position will allow u to see and get close to the whalesharks with no worries

It's now more than news or imagination for me. I was there! I experienced it first hand! And proud to have seen and swam with one of the most fascinating ocean creatures in my homeland, The Butanding or The Whale Sharks.

Contributed by Grace Vergara 2016.

To book Cebu tour package with Oslob whale shark watching, please contact:
Shore 2 Shore Travel Services
Reach them during office hours -
Tel (63-2) 5796603-04
Mobile (63) globe 906 9003019, smart 999 6040017, sun 923 2880661
Email shore2shore.mlaofc@gmail.com
google shore 2 shore travel or visit
http://www.shore2shore-travel-services.com/

Choosing Trekking or Boat ride, Pagsanjan falls tour

The magnificent falls is reached the usual way by boat ride from Pagsanjan known as Shooting the Rapids. Boatmen skillfully manueveres the canoe along rocky river and strong current.

An option available to save a little cost from the boatride is by trekking and some rappeling through Cavinti.

Trekking is about an hour or so depending on one's pace. The trail is surrounded by virgin forest. Tall trees and various plants abound. Sound of birds chirping, bugs and insects echoing their tunes, rain drops and wind sweeping through the leaves.

The road can be muddy when wet, some rooted trails, and concrete steps with safety railings are all along the way.

The starting point is where the view of the river and the forest meets.

There's 586 steps down, and 2 sets of 90 degree steep vertical metal ladder and 2 enclosed spiral way to the bottom to make you think twice if you want to proceed. But the idea is a challenge to beat.

Once you reach the river, colorful canoe boats, rocky cliffs and the falls awaits.

Finally, the adventure of boarding the bamboo raft taking us directly below the waterfalls. There goes a strong nature massage. And the mystery of goin inside Devil's Cave which turned out fun and not scarry.

Some of us took the boat back, and I'd say it's more fun than rafting in CDO. The boat ride is a thrill worth spending.

Contributed by Grace Vergara 2016.

To book Pagsanjan falls tour, please contact
Shore 2 Shore Travel Services
Reach them during office hours -
Tel (63-2) 5796603-04
Mobile (63) globe 906 9003019, smart 999 6040017, sun 923 2880661
Email shore2shore.mlaofc@gmail.com
google shore 2 shore travel or visit
http://www.shore2shore-travel-services.com/

A challenging route, the Taal Volcano tour

Taal is one of the popular, if not the most popular and most visited active volcanoes in the Philippines. It is also known as the smallest and lowest volcano in the world standing 1020 feet above sea level only.

There are 3 trails to hike to the volcano, but only trail leading to the crater lake and that is the Calauit Secret Trail at the southern part of the island. The boat ride from Talisay Batangas takes 40 minutes. Passing by the panoramic view of Taal Lake on the right and dominated by Mt. Maculot on the left.

The jump off point is through a small village. Horses are available but the price higher than the regular trail since the route is twice far.

The climb is slippery, longer, steeper, and more dusty. That is why balancing on a horse is an added challenge.

On the first half of the trail, you will bask under the warmth of the sun. The trail area is wide open with few grasses and cassave plants until you reach the view deck, where a 360 degree view of the inner crater where the "caldera" of the volcano, its Vulcan Point Island in the middle welcomes you with a rewarding view.

From there, the hike is cooler yet more slippery due to the mix of dust and rocks. Tall trees surrounds the hiking trails until the summit point, called The Inner Crater.

A green and warm inviting lake would entice you for an irresistible quick dip. The inner lake is surrounded by volcanic rocks of different colors, like black, gray, orange, yellow, red.

A few meters away, a strong sulfuric scent will immediately steal your attention. Evidence of steaming hot sulfuric fumes and boiling liquid can be seen. This can actually cook an egg,  and sizzling sound would be heard. Signs that the volano is alive!

Contributed by Grace Vergara 2016.

For Trekking the Calauit Secret Trail, and Taal Volcano tour, please contact:
Shore 2 Shore Travel Services
Reach them during office hours -
Tel (63-2) 5796603-04
Mobile (63) globe 906 9003019, smart 999 6040017, sun 923 2880661
Email shore2shore.mlaofc@gmail.com
google shore 2 shore travel or visit
http://www.shore2shore-travel-services.com/

Anawangin Cove, Popular in Zambales

In Zambales, apart from Subic and Olongapo, Anawangin is the next popular beach.

The place is laid back with open skies, visible mountains and the nearby sea. Reached through Pundaquit, a fishing village, with clean and fine sands.

Nearby is Capones Island, a huge shoe-shaped rock with limestone cliffs forming the island perimeters. It has a Lighthouse that once guided vessels coming from the North.

A climb to the lighthouse is easy. The rocky trail is composed of concrete and stone steps. Its viewdeck offers a wide range view of the West Philippine Sea.

Camara Twin Island is a few minutes away from Capones. Its twin island seems to be connected by a sand bar or rather rocks.

Anawangin Cove being the highlight, offers cool sea breeze through its large forest of Pine Trees in a secluded.

The place is a break from city life, stores, television, electricity and even cell phone signal.

Anawangin is ideal for swimming, mountain trekking and camping.

Contributed by Grace Vergara 2016.

To book Anawangin package, please contact:
Shore 2 Shore Travel Services
Reach them during office hours -
Tel (63-2) 5796603-04
Mobile (63) globe 906 9003019, smart 999 6040017, sun 923 2880661
Email shore2shore.mlaofc@gmail.com
google shore 2 shore travel or visit
http://www.shore2shore-travel-services.com/