If you’re single, married, or have a special interest and like to travel, you should know that some tour companies are finally easing the vice grip to double occupancy requirements. As well, an online organization has emerged to help single travelers connect with one another.

TravelChums.com has more than 43901 Members worldwide. The confidential service is open only to registered members and includes internal e-mail, message boards and live chat.

Members can meet and indentify those who share interest and travel plans. Registration is free and requires a list of personal information.

In many parts of the Philippines, access to mobile Telephony & wireless Internet and to Geriatric Medical Care (in Tertiary-level Hospitals around Metro Manila) have both become readily available. The archipelago is also considered as one of the top biodiversity hotspots in the world, with more species crammed and concentrated in one areas. Tourists plays an important role to the Philippine economy.

The Rice Terraces:

The rice terraces were carved out of mountains thousands of years ago and by far the most extensive of its kind in the world (longer and bigger than those in Indonesia) with sophisticated irrigation and engineering that was unthinkable during the time it was built. The rice terraces cover 4,000 square miles (10,000 km squared) of mountainside. It is, in fact , a UNESCO world heritage and is said to be the 8th wonder of the world.

Beaches and Dive Sites:

The best dive sites in the Philippines are located in Anilao, Boracay, Malapascua, Apo Island, Balicasag, Pamilacan, Tubbataha, Palawan, and Puerto Galera. The Hundred Islands, also located in the Northern Philippines, is a group of more that 400 islets with coral reefs surrounding the islets. Beaches in Bohol island are considered as best of the world. In fact, this region is used as ’setting’ for film (both local and foreign).

Foods:

At times fresh seafood is served with exotic sauces and spices. Apart from a few exceptions, such as Bicol and the Muslim areas of the south, the seasoning is not spicy.

Coconut is used to make desserts such as pudding, which is made of ground rice, sugar, and coconut milk and baked in the oven. The diet of poor families is generally rice, fish, and vegetables, combined with starchy snacks. Rice is served with almost all meals, as it is their staple food.

Events:

The flower season of Baguio- described as the summer capital of the Philippines because of its perennially cool weather-is something to look forward to. Christmas vacations will give you ample time to celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm. Manila’s vibrant party scene rivals those of Shanghai and the nightlife is amongst the underrated in the world with the Filipinos penchant for parties and fiestas.

Shopping:

The convenience of Philippine online shopping will convince you that you have found the best way to shop. Prices of the goods for Philippine bargains are comparable to the ones in Thailand and in China. Shopping is one of the things tourists love about the Philippines.

Day 2: We woke up very early for my dream tour… Underground River Tour. A 2-hour bumpy-jumpy ride brought us to the other end of Puerto Princesa. Oh my God, we’re facing the South China Sea. On our way to the river, we chose the Monkey Trail Route. It was a very exciting 1 hour of mountain climbing and swimming , though there was a point when all I wanna do is lie down. We met some monkeys and lizards in the forest also…. 1 hour after, this is the moment. We’re now in the bank of the river…. We paddled through the river inside the cave… and alas! you will witness very interesting stalagmite and stalactite formations… like the Cathedral, Holy Family, different vegetables, fruits, etc… On our way back, we got a 20-minute pump boat ride to the terminal

Day 3: Early adventure to El Nido!!!! We got a van for ourselves…. another 9-hour bumpy-jumpy ride…but it was fun, and the scenery is just so beautiful!

Day 4: Its a whole of discovery, fun, and adventure. First stop was El-Nido’s twin rocks where our friend went on diving. Then we went to Miniloc’s Twin Lagoon. It’s as if we owned the island as there are no other people… so serene. It’s really a very good place for kayaking and snorkeling. We just then hop from one island to the other for caving, swimming. We ate lunch in zimishu island, snorkeling while waiting for food to be cooked.

Day 5: Do widzenia El- Nido…… we’ll come to visit again.