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Five Things You Must See Or Do in the Philippines
August 14, 2011 by Anita
Filed under Travel And Leisure
Eric A. Miller asked:
The Philippines is a majestic land, full of vibrant colors, a simple but admirable culture, budget conscious activities and products (cheap stuff!), and the total individual control to do what you want when you want.? When I retire, I hope I decide to stay in a paradise half as perfect as this one.? There is so much to do in the Philippines, so I’ve narrowed it down to the top five best things to do or must see items in the Philippines right here.? When I mention prices I will roughly convert it to dollars for you to keep it simples.? Remember, this is just me doing math in my head, and I really **** at math.
Just to let you know right now, I am a 26 year old male so this article is targeted towards people in there 20′s and 30′s.? There is a lot of history and modern day activities in the Philippines, so these are the top things that I enjoy or at least that I think everyone should see at least once in their life.
1.??? Stay on the White Sand Beach of Boracay during a holiday weekend.
2.??? See Angeles City and the Bar Girls.
3.??? Jet Ski
4.??? Shoot Uzi’s
5.??? Visit LA Cafe in Manila, Philippines
Staying in Boracay during the holy week, when everyone is off school and work, is an awesome experience.? Friday and Saturday night the beach is especially crowded with partiers ready to experience the nightlife that Boracay has to offer.? The whole beach is lined with clubs and venders selling booze, fresh fish, jewelry and clothing.? The White House, Boracay, Philippines, is a nice affordable place to stay that is in a central location right on White Sand Beach.? Be careful when you order the fresh fish from the counter.? Notice how all of the fish is sitting on ice with ice dumped on top.? I know, it looks delicious, but that fish was caught at about 6am and you are just getting ready to eat it at 8pm and there isn’t any refrigeration, so that fish has been sitting on ice all day.? It’s really not all that fresh.? Not to mention, all that ice is from nasty Filipino tap water – unfiltered.? Trust me on this, stay as far away from the tap water as possible.? I have been sick twice from the water in the Philippines.? Once I was so hung over and dehydrated that I didn’t even notice I just drank a glass of water.? You always want to order bottled water.? The other time was on the beach in Boracay: I only tried two oysters, but it was after my buddy ate a whole plateful, so the ice that was on top had completely melted down into the oysters.? My buddy was in more pain than I, but it was still awful.?
I missed out on Friday night in Boracay because of the glass of water I drank.? I was better by Saturday night, thank God, because it is something everyone needs to experience.? Every few feet there is another club bumping music with people dancing all night.? I recommend the hookah bars and any of the clubs; it just depends on your taste in music.?
Anyone who has traveled to different countries knows that there are red light districts around the world.? Amsterdam has the most famous, but not necessarily the best, as I found out after my visit to Angeles City, Philippines.? I have traveled more than anyone else I know my age, and I have never seen anything like Fields Ave., Angeles City, Philippines.? It was crazy!? The whole street has nothing but bars filled to the brim with prostitutes, a gyro spot with awesome gyros, and a 7-Eleven.? The best thing that the Filipinos have been able to organize in the Philippines is the prostitution in Angeles City.? The girls get a full STD check once a week.? We drove by the health clinic where they get checked and every bar has a different day of the week that they go.? Man, this place was busy, and understandably because there are so many bars, too many to go to even after one lives there for over a year.? Literally, there are hundreds of these bars.? There is never a door fee or an entrance fee to get in to these places.? A waitress will sit you, and then she will usually stand right by you.? Then, whenever you need something, just let her know.? If you see a girl you like and you make eye contact with her, then feel free to motion for her to come over and buy her a drink.? The biggest and best place that I saw was Atlantis.? It was three stories tall and there must have been at least 200 girls there and every single one was gorgeous.? It’s a little more expensive, but well worth it.? Buying a girl a drink there still wont cost you more than buying a drink in America.? Now, when you buy yourself a drink it’s about $1.50.? When you buy a “Lady Drink,” it’s $3.00, but the girl gets half of this money and drinks the drink.? She’ll sit down and talk with you and rub up on you.? It’s cool when you can find one with a good personality who can be sarcastic.? It’s a lot of fun to just talk with these girls and get to know them.? Some of them have crazy stories to tell.? I’m pretty quick to ask about personal issues like friends and family.?
If you think you’re connecting with a girl and you like her, and you want to ask her if she’d like to go with you back to your hotel, then you ask her a serious of questions.? Let her know that you like her and ask her if she would like a, “Bar Fine.”? She’ll either say yes or no.? She may not want to go home with you, she might be on her period, or she might be a “cherry girl,” which means she’s a virgin.? It’s important to be respectful and realize that all of these girls are not necessarily ***********.? These places are like strip clubs, only they keep their clothes on.? They might give you lap dances (way better than anything you’ll get in the states and it’s only a couple bucks) or have a drink with you and talk.? If she says, “yes,” when you asks if she wants a “Bar Fine,” then continue with a few questions and let her know that you’re happy she wants a “Bar Fine,” but you have a few questions first.? Ask her if she’s on her “mens.”? This is how they refer to their menstruation period.? You don’t want to get her back to the hotel and find out you can’t do what you wanted to because she’s bleeding.? Ask her what time she has to go home in the morning.? You don’t want her leaving that night (or maybe you do), but it’s better if she’s not leaving at 5am because she has a kid or something.? If she’s good to go, then let your waitress know that you’re going to bar fine her.? She’ll bring you your total bill.? It costs between $20 – $25 to “bar fine” a girl.? The girl will go change and then you leave together.? When you get back to the hotel you will both take showers.? Use a condom even though they are checked every week.? Don’t mess around with your life.? It’s up to you if you tip her.? She will get half of the “Bar Fine” the next day when she goes back to the bar either way.? It’s sad that these girls sell themselves and only get about $10, but they would only make maybe two or three dollars a day if they worked a regular job at the mall, plus they would work 13 hour days at another job.? What would you do?? Would you work a lot harder for much less money?? A lot of these girls come from the Province, which means they are from poverty, unlike any poverty we have in America.? They are from either remote islands or small villages and they are trying to send money home.?
Riding jet skis in Boracay is awesome!? You feel like you’re in a Jay Z music video.? It’s just the most amazing scenery to ride a jet ski in.? At some point you realize you’ve died and gone to heaven.? It’s somewhere between realizing you’re on this small tropical island in the Philippines, on the other side of the world, and dancing with the most beautiful women and the clubs.? They love to dance.? Actually, the three things people in the Philippines love are Obama, Hip Hop, and Basketball.? Anyway, back to jet skiing.? It was a little more than a dollar a minute, but well worth it.? We signed up for 30 minutes, but I think they gave us 45 minutes.? That was a good amount of time.? I was ready to stop when I did.? I was lapping people.? It’s ok to pass others (or at least no one yelled at me for it) as long as everyone is going the same way.? You should never go the opposite direction of someone.?
My friends met a guy named George within their first hour of arrival in Manila.? This guy was a hustler and knew everyone in the city.? At first he tried selling my buddies some Viagra.? By the way, there are tons of people selling Viagra and Cialis on the streets of Manila.? Then George asked my friends if they wanted to shoot Uzi’s.? This caught the attention of my friends.? “Hell yeah we want to shoot Uzi’s.”? So George took them around the corner to a gun range.? This was probably the most expensive thing anyone did on our trip.? It costs $1 a bullet to shoot Uzi’s.? It was worth it because now they have a fantastic story to tell people.
LA Cafe is a bar in Ermita, Manila, Philippines.? This is where a lot of girls hang out.? Some of them are working girls, but they weren’t charging us since they were just happy to hang out with some cool guys.? Be careful not to get hustled in this place.? I went there with three of my friends from California.? As soon as we walked in all the girls turned and looked at us.? I’m 6’7″ and we are all white, so we stood out everywhere we went.? We went into the VIP area upstairs (it’s only a couple bucks per person to enter) and we got a table.? We each left at different times because that’s what we always do.? I rarely come back to the hotel with my friends.? I get distracted too easily.? I left after hanging out for about an hour and a half.? I knew that my roommate had already left, therefore there should have been two of my friends left at the bar.? When I left I said bye to one person and I gave him $30 for the drinks, and I assumed the other friend was in the bathroom.? I was wrong.? Our other friend decided to leave without telling any one.? Never do this!? Always let the other people you’re with know when you leave or decide to do something else.? Anyway, my buddy was left at the bar by himself and there were all these girls who kept inviting their “cousin” over to drink and they were all drinking wine and ordering salads.? Then the bill came and of course it was expected that my buddy pay the whole thing.? The girls there never pay for anything because they are broke.? The bill was 5,200 pesos (more than $100, not much considering how much we drank).? My friend only had 5000 pesos on him and finally talked one of the girls into paying the other 200 pesos.? He left the bar and brought three of the girls back to the hotel lobby, but then they started complaining about how the one girl had to pay 200 pesos and they wanted my friend to reimburse her for that.? He explained that they drank a bunch of drinks and ate food, so they should pay something and he still paid much more than his fair share.? Keep in mind that this argument was over $4.? Then he pointed to the front door and said, “well, there’s the door.”? These girls are all hustlers, so beware.? Other than that, it was a fun place to hang out and play pool.? We stayed in a nice hotel in Emita, Manila, just a few blocks away from LA Cafe, and it was $100 a night, but it had a living room with a sofa pullout bed and a bedroom with a queen size bet, plus two bathrooms, so I split that with one person and it was $50 a night/person.
The Philippines is an awesome place to visit.? I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an adventure.? It’s cheap, the people are nice, and the natural beauty is second to none.? It is important to stay safe any time you travel to the Philippines or any other third world country.? See travelingmiller.com to find out more on how to stay safe and have fun in the Philippines.? There is also a video from Palawan, which is another great destination in the Philippines.
Caffeinated Content
The Philippines is a majestic land, full of vibrant colors, a simple but admirable culture, budget conscious activities and products (cheap stuff!), and the total individual control to do what you want when you want.? When I retire, I hope I decide to stay in a paradise half as perfect as this one.? There is so much to do in the Philippines, so I’ve narrowed it down to the top five best things to do or must see items in the Philippines right here.? When I mention prices I will roughly convert it to dollars for you to keep it simples.? Remember, this is just me doing math in my head, and I really **** at math.
Just to let you know right now, I am a 26 year old male so this article is targeted towards people in there 20′s and 30′s.? There is a lot of history and modern day activities in the Philippines, so these are the top things that I enjoy or at least that I think everyone should see at least once in their life.
1.??? Stay on the White Sand Beach of Boracay during a holiday weekend.
2.??? See Angeles City and the Bar Girls.
3.??? Jet Ski
4.??? Shoot Uzi’s
5.??? Visit LA Cafe in Manila, Philippines
Staying in Boracay during the holy week, when everyone is off school and work, is an awesome experience.? Friday and Saturday night the beach is especially crowded with partiers ready to experience the nightlife that Boracay has to offer.? The whole beach is lined with clubs and venders selling booze, fresh fish, jewelry and clothing.? The White House, Boracay, Philippines, is a nice affordable place to stay that is in a central location right on White Sand Beach.? Be careful when you order the fresh fish from the counter.? Notice how all of the fish is sitting on ice with ice dumped on top.? I know, it looks delicious, but that fish was caught at about 6am and you are just getting ready to eat it at 8pm and there isn’t any refrigeration, so that fish has been sitting on ice all day.? It’s really not all that fresh.? Not to mention, all that ice is from nasty Filipino tap water – unfiltered.? Trust me on this, stay as far away from the tap water as possible.? I have been sick twice from the water in the Philippines.? Once I was so hung over and dehydrated that I didn’t even notice I just drank a glass of water.? You always want to order bottled water.? The other time was on the beach in Boracay: I only tried two oysters, but it was after my buddy ate a whole plateful, so the ice that was on top had completely melted down into the oysters.? My buddy was in more pain than I, but it was still awful.?
I missed out on Friday night in Boracay because of the glass of water I drank.? I was better by Saturday night, thank God, because it is something everyone needs to experience.? Every few feet there is another club bumping music with people dancing all night.? I recommend the hookah bars and any of the clubs; it just depends on your taste in music.?
Anyone who has traveled to different countries knows that there are red light districts around the world.? Amsterdam has the most famous, but not necessarily the best, as I found out after my visit to Angeles City, Philippines.? I have traveled more than anyone else I know my age, and I have never seen anything like Fields Ave., Angeles City, Philippines.? It was crazy!? The whole street has nothing but bars filled to the brim with prostitutes, a gyro spot with awesome gyros, and a 7-Eleven.? The best thing that the Filipinos have been able to organize in the Philippines is the prostitution in Angeles City.? The girls get a full STD check once a week.? We drove by the health clinic where they get checked and every bar has a different day of the week that they go.? Man, this place was busy, and understandably because there are so many bars, too many to go to even after one lives there for over a year.? Literally, there are hundreds of these bars.? There is never a door fee or an entrance fee to get in to these places.? A waitress will sit you, and then she will usually stand right by you.? Then, whenever you need something, just let her know.? If you see a girl you like and you make eye contact with her, then feel free to motion for her to come over and buy her a drink.? The biggest and best place that I saw was Atlantis.? It was three stories tall and there must have been at least 200 girls there and every single one was gorgeous.? It’s a little more expensive, but well worth it.? Buying a girl a drink there still wont cost you more than buying a drink in America.? Now, when you buy yourself a drink it’s about $1.50.? When you buy a “Lady Drink,” it’s $3.00, but the girl gets half of this money and drinks the drink.? She’ll sit down and talk with you and rub up on you.? It’s cool when you can find one with a good personality who can be sarcastic.? It’s a lot of fun to just talk with these girls and get to know them.? Some of them have crazy stories to tell.? I’m pretty quick to ask about personal issues like friends and family.?
If you think you’re connecting with a girl and you like her, and you want to ask her if she’d like to go with you back to your hotel, then you ask her a serious of questions.? Let her know that you like her and ask her if she would like a, “Bar Fine.”? She’ll either say yes or no.? She may not want to go home with you, she might be on her period, or she might be a “cherry girl,” which means she’s a virgin.? It’s important to be respectful and realize that all of these girls are not necessarily ***********.? These places are like strip clubs, only they keep their clothes on.? They might give you lap dances (way better than anything you’ll get in the states and it’s only a couple bucks) or have a drink with you and talk.? If she says, “yes,” when you asks if she wants a “Bar Fine,” then continue with a few questions and let her know that you’re happy she wants a “Bar Fine,” but you have a few questions first.? Ask her if she’s on her “mens.”? This is how they refer to their menstruation period.? You don’t want to get her back to the hotel and find out you can’t do what you wanted to because she’s bleeding.? Ask her what time she has to go home in the morning.? You don’t want her leaving that night (or maybe you do), but it’s better if she’s not leaving at 5am because she has a kid or something.? If she’s good to go, then let your waitress know that you’re going to bar fine her.? She’ll bring you your total bill.? It costs between $20 – $25 to “bar fine” a girl.? The girl will go change and then you leave together.? When you get back to the hotel you will both take showers.? Use a condom even though they are checked every week.? Don’t mess around with your life.? It’s up to you if you tip her.? She will get half of the “Bar Fine” the next day when she goes back to the bar either way.? It’s sad that these girls sell themselves and only get about $10, but they would only make maybe two or three dollars a day if they worked a regular job at the mall, plus they would work 13 hour days at another job.? What would you do?? Would you work a lot harder for much less money?? A lot of these girls come from the Province, which means they are from poverty, unlike any poverty we have in America.? They are from either remote islands or small villages and they are trying to send money home.?
Riding jet skis in Boracay is awesome!? You feel like you’re in a Jay Z music video.? It’s just the most amazing scenery to ride a jet ski in.? At some point you realize you’ve died and gone to heaven.? It’s somewhere between realizing you’re on this small tropical island in the Philippines, on the other side of the world, and dancing with the most beautiful women and the clubs.? They love to dance.? Actually, the three things people in the Philippines love are Obama, Hip Hop, and Basketball.? Anyway, back to jet skiing.? It was a little more than a dollar a minute, but well worth it.? We signed up for 30 minutes, but I think they gave us 45 minutes.? That was a good amount of time.? I was ready to stop when I did.? I was lapping people.? It’s ok to pass others (or at least no one yelled at me for it) as long as everyone is going the same way.? You should never go the opposite direction of someone.?
My friends met a guy named George within their first hour of arrival in Manila.? This guy was a hustler and knew everyone in the city.? At first he tried selling my buddies some Viagra.? By the way, there are tons of people selling Viagra and Cialis on the streets of Manila.? Then George asked my friends if they wanted to shoot Uzi’s.? This caught the attention of my friends.? “Hell yeah we want to shoot Uzi’s.”? So George took them around the corner to a gun range.? This was probably the most expensive thing anyone did on our trip.? It costs $1 a bullet to shoot Uzi’s.? It was worth it because now they have a fantastic story to tell people.
LA Cafe is a bar in Ermita, Manila, Philippines.? This is where a lot of girls hang out.? Some of them are working girls, but they weren’t charging us since they were just happy to hang out with some cool guys.? Be careful not to get hustled in this place.? I went there with three of my friends from California.? As soon as we walked in all the girls turned and looked at us.? I’m 6’7″ and we are all white, so we stood out everywhere we went.? We went into the VIP area upstairs (it’s only a couple bucks per person to enter) and we got a table.? We each left at different times because that’s what we always do.? I rarely come back to the hotel with my friends.? I get distracted too easily.? I left after hanging out for about an hour and a half.? I knew that my roommate had already left, therefore there should have been two of my friends left at the bar.? When I left I said bye to one person and I gave him $30 for the drinks, and I assumed the other friend was in the bathroom.? I was wrong.? Our other friend decided to leave without telling any one.? Never do this!? Always let the other people you’re with know when you leave or decide to do something else.? Anyway, my buddy was left at the bar by himself and there were all these girls who kept inviting their “cousin” over to drink and they were all drinking wine and ordering salads.? Then the bill came and of course it was expected that my buddy pay the whole thing.? The girls there never pay for anything because they are broke.? The bill was 5,200 pesos (more than $100, not much considering how much we drank).? My friend only had 5000 pesos on him and finally talked one of the girls into paying the other 200 pesos.? He left the bar and brought three of the girls back to the hotel lobby, but then they started complaining about how the one girl had to pay 200 pesos and they wanted my friend to reimburse her for that.? He explained that they drank a bunch of drinks and ate food, so they should pay something and he still paid much more than his fair share.? Keep in mind that this argument was over $4.? Then he pointed to the front door and said, “well, there’s the door.”? These girls are all hustlers, so beware.? Other than that, it was a fun place to hang out and play pool.? We stayed in a nice hotel in Emita, Manila, just a few blocks away from LA Cafe, and it was $100 a night, but it had a living room with a sofa pullout bed and a bedroom with a queen size bet, plus two bathrooms, so I split that with one person and it was $50 a night/person.
The Philippines is an awesome place to visit.? I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an adventure.? It’s cheap, the people are nice, and the natural beauty is second to none.? It is important to stay safe any time you travel to the Philippines or any other third world country.? See travelingmiller.com to find out more on how to stay safe and have fun in the Philippines.? There is also a video from Palawan, which is another great destination in the Philippines.
Caffeinated Content
Philippine Destinations
July 16, 2011 by Anita
Filed under Travel And Leisure
John Grant asked:
If you have travelled to a great deal of places and all over the world already then you probably have noticed that each city you visit is in some ways distinctly different from all others. You found out how each city has its own essential characteristic: the sophistication of New York, the glamour of Hollywood, the romantic atmosphere of Milan, the artistic flavor of Paris, the old charm of London, the liveliness of Tokyo…but if you decide to travel to the Philippines, there’s one quality that you’d notice all its cities have – and that’s warmth.
Below are several great spots to visit when you travel to Philippines. I assure you that there’s no need to fear getting lost or being treated in an unfriendly manner because the country is quite known as a tourist-friendly place.
Boracay – In recent years, Boracay, found in Aklan, Philippines, became very popular as a beach paradise to tourists all over the world. White sand, sparkling sea water, luxurious accommodation, great food and great company – you’ll find all of those and more when you travel to Boracay.
Intramuros – Fondly known as the Walled City because of its historic significance to the Philippines, traveling to the country wouldn’t be complete without a tour to Intramuros. There, you can check out the museums of the country and get to know a little bit more about the history and culture of the Philippines. Enjoy the beautiful wildlife that Luneta Park offers.
Malaca?ang Palace – I’m sure you’re aware of the legend of Ms. Imelda Marcos and her shoes. If you want to see where she lived when she was still the First Lady of the country, do try to travel to the deeper part of Manila and drop by at Malaca?ang Palace.
Ongpin – This is the Chinatown that everyone’s very proud of. If you travel to the Philippines and want to see a different side of Filipinos, perhaps you should travel to Binondo, Manila, where Ongpin is located and get to know the Filipino-Chinese communities. During holidays and festivities, you’d see that the streets of Ongpin would be decorated in authentic Chinese decors and everyone would be wearing red to honor the occasion they’re celebrating.
Banawe Rice Terraces – Located in the northern part of the Philippines, travel to Banawe to see for yourself what’s described as the eighth wonder of the world.
Wherever great spot you may find yourself in the Philippines, you’re sure to be welcomed by the natives with friendly smiles and warm hospitality.
Caffeinated Content
If you have travelled to a great deal of places and all over the world already then you probably have noticed that each city you visit is in some ways distinctly different from all others. You found out how each city has its own essential characteristic: the sophistication of New York, the glamour of Hollywood, the romantic atmosphere of Milan, the artistic flavor of Paris, the old charm of London, the liveliness of Tokyo…but if you decide to travel to the Philippines, there’s one quality that you’d notice all its cities have – and that’s warmth.
Below are several great spots to visit when you travel to Philippines. I assure you that there’s no need to fear getting lost or being treated in an unfriendly manner because the country is quite known as a tourist-friendly place.
Boracay – In recent years, Boracay, found in Aklan, Philippines, became very popular as a beach paradise to tourists all over the world. White sand, sparkling sea water, luxurious accommodation, great food and great company – you’ll find all of those and more when you travel to Boracay.
Intramuros – Fondly known as the Walled City because of its historic significance to the Philippines, traveling to the country wouldn’t be complete without a tour to Intramuros. There, you can check out the museums of the country and get to know a little bit more about the history and culture of the Philippines. Enjoy the beautiful wildlife that Luneta Park offers.
Malaca?ang Palace – I’m sure you’re aware of the legend of Ms. Imelda Marcos and her shoes. If you want to see where she lived when she was still the First Lady of the country, do try to travel to the deeper part of Manila and drop by at Malaca?ang Palace.
Ongpin – This is the Chinatown that everyone’s very proud of. If you travel to the Philippines and want to see a different side of Filipinos, perhaps you should travel to Binondo, Manila, where Ongpin is located and get to know the Filipino-Chinese communities. During holidays and festivities, you’d see that the streets of Ongpin would be decorated in authentic Chinese decors and everyone would be wearing red to honor the occasion they’re celebrating.
Banawe Rice Terraces – Located in the northern part of the Philippines, travel to Banawe to see for yourself what’s described as the eighth wonder of the world.
Wherever great spot you may find yourself in the Philippines, you’re sure to be welcomed by the natives with friendly smiles and warm hospitality.
Caffeinated Content
Samal Island Resorts
June 25, 2011 by Anita
Filed under Travel And Leisure
Randy C. asked:
Does Samal Island have the best beach resorts in all the Philippines? Well maybe not by most accounts, but the Island Garden City of Samal sure has a lot to choose from now a days. Along with the new developments coming in (Holiday Oceanview Samal, Playa Azalea, Kemabli Coast & Samal Highlands Garden Resort to name a few), and the potential Sama-Davao bridge, it may not be long before Samal Island is ranked up there with the best.
Some of the more popular current Island Garden City of Samal beach resorts are:
Fernandez Costa Marina Pearl Farm Balibali Punta del Sol HOF Gorei Bluewaters Isla Reta Chemas by the Sea Island Buenavista Bluejaz Resort & Waterpark Paradise Island
There are quite a few others, probably over 40 total by my latest count. The number is constantly changing but for the most part its been growing.
Everyone has their own favorite. Pearl Farm Beach Resort is probably the best known, and certainly one of the nicest and most expensive of all of them. Paradise Island Beach Resort is a favorite of many of the locals and fairly affordable, especially for a day trip. Chemas by the Sea is smaller and feels more exclusive, you won’t find a crowd there. Punta del Sol is well known to scuba divers and diving tours.
Bluejaz Resort & Waterpark specialize in water sports including waterslides. With Island Buenavista you can get the whole island to yourself and friends, for a day or overnight stay. There’s something here for everyone and it may not be long before they are not quite the secret that they’ve been in the past!
Create a video blog…instantly.
Does Samal Island have the best beach resorts in all the Philippines? Well maybe not by most accounts, but the Island Garden City of Samal sure has a lot to choose from now a days. Along with the new developments coming in (Holiday Oceanview Samal, Playa Azalea, Kemabli Coast & Samal Highlands Garden Resort to name a few), and the potential Sama-Davao bridge, it may not be long before Samal Island is ranked up there with the best.
Some of the more popular current Island Garden City of Samal beach resorts are:
Fernandez Costa Marina Pearl Farm Balibali Punta del Sol HOF Gorei Bluewaters Isla Reta Chemas by the Sea Island Buenavista Bluejaz Resort & Waterpark Paradise Island
There are quite a few others, probably over 40 total by my latest count. The number is constantly changing but for the most part its been growing.
Everyone has their own favorite. Pearl Farm Beach Resort is probably the best known, and certainly one of the nicest and most expensive of all of them. Paradise Island Beach Resort is a favorite of many of the locals and fairly affordable, especially for a day trip. Chemas by the Sea is smaller and feels more exclusive, you won’t find a crowd there. Punta del Sol is well known to scuba divers and diving tours.
Bluejaz Resort & Waterpark specialize in water sports including waterslides. With Island Buenavista you can get the whole island to yourself and friends, for a day or overnight stay. There’s something here for everyone and it may not be long before they are not quite the secret that they’ve been in the past!
Create a video blog…instantly.
Discovering the Beauty of the Islands of the Philippines
June 1, 2011 by Anita
Filed under Travel And Leisure
Luvi Marie Corcuera asked:
The Philippines, commonly known as the “Pearl of the Orient” is an archipelago of 7107 islands with a wide variety of great destinations considered by many as paradise. From the hustle and bustle of the great city of Manila to many of the true white-sand beaches and virgin forests scattered throughout the islands, it is a place where everyone can find something that can suit their taste.
Discovering the beauty of each of the islands is a task that may take a lifetime but if you know what you like then you can choose from any of the destinations below that suit your particular needs and taste. Whether you just a tourist looking for the good old souvenirs or the adventurer seeking to find the next new place to discover there is something for you.
For Nature Lovers.
Nature has blessed the islands with a variety of natural resources and this includes virgin rain forests, indigenous wild life and scenic locations. If you are fond of nature then you have many choices to places to visit, from Zamboanga in the south to Vigan in the north.
For the wild life enthusiasts you can go to Davao where you will find the endangered Philippine Eagle, or to Donsol where the famous giant whale sharks ply the local waters, and perhaps take a dive in the waters of Puerto Galera which is home to some of the best coral reefs anywhere in the world.
For the scene lovers, take a trip to Palawan where scenic rock formations, underwater rivers and magnificent caves are abundant. Another place you can visit is Albay which home to the Philippines most active volcano Mt Mayon, a volcano with a perfect cone that has erupted over a few dozen times in the past century. Pagudpud in Ilocos north of the Philippines offers some of the most scenic and panoramic views on the islands which include the Mabogabog Falls and Saud beach.
For the Beach Bums
If there is one thing that Paradise Philippines is famous for it is the great number of sandy white beaches that are scattered around the thousands of islands. From the popular beaches of Boracay to the hidden beaches of Palawan there are literally hundreds of beautiful beaches to visit. A plane or boat ride away from Manila you can travel to any of the paradise beach locations in the Philippines.
A few of the best beaches in the Philippines include Coron, a town in the Busuanga Island in Northern Palawan, Bohol with hundreds of white sand beaches, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, and Cebu City. Where ever you go there are beaches and resorts that will suit everyone’s needs.
For the Party Goers
When the streets of Manila light up after dusk a whole new look to the city takes shape. From the neon lights of the red light districts to the hundreds of casinos, the karaoke bars and discos, and to the wonderful restaurants, whatever you want to do you can. You can party all night in the discos of Makati or the contemporary clubs of Manila and Quezon city, there is virtually no limit to where you can go to have fun and party the night away.
For the History Buffs
Hundreds of years of history have shaped the Philippines into what it is today, a melting pot of cultures from European, Asian and North American cultures. If history is what you are after, then you will discover a vast number of historic locations you can visit on many the Paradise Philippines [http://paradisephilippines.continentalgirl.com] islands, from the walled city of Intramuros in Old Manila built by the conquering Spaniards in the 16th century, to the Rice Terraces of Banaue built thousands of years ago by the indigenous natives of the cordillera, and to the more recent ruins of Corregidor which served as fort for the American troops during World War II.
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The Philippines, commonly known as the “Pearl of the Orient” is an archipelago of 7107 islands with a wide variety of great destinations considered by many as paradise. From the hustle and bustle of the great city of Manila to many of the true white-sand beaches and virgin forests scattered throughout the islands, it is a place where everyone can find something that can suit their taste.
Discovering the beauty of each of the islands is a task that may take a lifetime but if you know what you like then you can choose from any of the destinations below that suit your particular needs and taste. Whether you just a tourist looking for the good old souvenirs or the adventurer seeking to find the next new place to discover there is something for you.
For Nature Lovers.
Nature has blessed the islands with a variety of natural resources and this includes virgin rain forests, indigenous wild life and scenic locations. If you are fond of nature then you have many choices to places to visit, from Zamboanga in the south to Vigan in the north.
For the wild life enthusiasts you can go to Davao where you will find the endangered Philippine Eagle, or to Donsol where the famous giant whale sharks ply the local waters, and perhaps take a dive in the waters of Puerto Galera which is home to some of the best coral reefs anywhere in the world.
For the scene lovers, take a trip to Palawan where scenic rock formations, underwater rivers and magnificent caves are abundant. Another place you can visit is Albay which home to the Philippines most active volcano Mt Mayon, a volcano with a perfect cone that has erupted over a few dozen times in the past century. Pagudpud in Ilocos north of the Philippines offers some of the most scenic and panoramic views on the islands which include the Mabogabog Falls and Saud beach.
For the Beach Bums
If there is one thing that Paradise Philippines is famous for it is the great number of sandy white beaches that are scattered around the thousands of islands. From the popular beaches of Boracay to the hidden beaches of Palawan there are literally hundreds of beautiful beaches to visit. A plane or boat ride away from Manila you can travel to any of the paradise beach locations in the Philippines.
A few of the best beaches in the Philippines include Coron, a town in the Busuanga Island in Northern Palawan, Bohol with hundreds of white sand beaches, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, and Cebu City. Where ever you go there are beaches and resorts that will suit everyone’s needs.
For the Party Goers
When the streets of Manila light up after dusk a whole new look to the city takes shape. From the neon lights of the red light districts to the hundreds of casinos, the karaoke bars and discos, and to the wonderful restaurants, whatever you want to do you can. You can party all night in the discos of Makati or the contemporary clubs of Manila and Quezon city, there is virtually no limit to where you can go to have fun and party the night away.
For the History Buffs
Hundreds of years of history have shaped the Philippines into what it is today, a melting pot of cultures from European, Asian and North American cultures. If history is what you are after, then you will discover a vast number of historic locations you can visit on many the Paradise Philippines [http://paradisephilippines.continentalgirl.com] islands, from the walled city of Intramuros in Old Manila built by the conquering Spaniards in the 16th century, to the Rice Terraces of Banaue built thousands of years ago by the indigenous natives of the cordillera, and to the more recent ruins of Corregidor which served as fort for the American troops during World War II.
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Internet Dating – It is All About Options
Tim Zelmer asked:
There was a time, fairly early in its history, when the Internet was an almost purely social place for most of us. Shortly after it became popular, the average person connected through America Online (AOL) or CompuServe and paid by the minute to enter chat rooms and meet new people. Most of us were wary of the people we met online at first – the anonymity offered online brought out the worst in many of people during the early days when the idea of communicating with people via the Internet was new. However, the bad experiences that were had by some were vastly outweighed by the convenience, the uniqueness and the sheer fun offered by those simple chat rooms of the past.
No one – not even the Internet pioneers – could have predicted how fast the Internet would grow, and how much a part of virtually everyone’s daily life it would become. From the humble beginnings of those early chat rooms, the Internet has become a tool that most of us use to do business, stay in touch with family and friends, get news, sports and weather reports, directions and maps, buy and sell things – you name it, the odds are very good that the Internet offers you a way to do it. The amount of information available on the “information hi-way” is staggering – a simple search on Google or Yahoo can net literally millions of matching sites – and if you can buy something in a brick and mortar store, you can more than likely buy it from your PC or laptop.
Interestingly, in some ways the Internet has come full circle in that along with the other things we do online on a day-to-day basis, many people are now finding that dating online – meeting new people to form relationships with – offers them options that the bar scene, blind dates, fix-ups and other traditional ways of forming romantic relationships simply don’t. The recent explosion of online dating and online dating sites has created a situation in which proximity is no longer the deciding factor in who a person can meet. Rather than being confined to a single town or city, Internet dating offers people the option of looking for that perfect someone across the state, the country and even all across the world.
Not only has the online dating industry exploded in recent years but it has become both more user friendly and relationship specific. No matter who you are or what sort of relationship you are looking for, the odds are that there is a site out there that will fit your needs. There are sites that cater to straight dating, the gay/lesbian community, ethnically based dating (white, black, Asian, etc), bi-sexual and *********** relationships, dating based on religion, political views, ages (under 30 or over 50, etc) and pretty much any and all combinations of the previously mentioned groups. There are sites that will try and find the perfect match for you, and sites that will simply offer thousands (and in some cases tens of thousands) of user profiles and pictures for you to search through. Some sites offer only simple email introductions while other sites will offer instant messaging, private chat rooms, streaming audio, and live video capabilities all administered through the site. It only takes the investment of an hour or two of your time to find an online dating service which caters to your specific needs and desires.
While online dating certainly isn’t going to appeal to everyone, there can be no doubt that the industry’s rapid growth and expansion indicates that more and more men and women are finding it to be not only a viable but a preferable alternative to traditional forms of dating. As a matter of fact, an increasing number of men and women are finding that there are many advantages to looking for romantic companionship online. Some of these advantages include:
* Safety – There is no doubt about it, the world in general and the dating world in particular can be a dangerous place for both men and women. While a person may look or seem to be okay, it takes a considerable amount of time to really get to know anyone. Many people find that getting to know another person online – where they have control over both how much personal information they give about themselves and how much information they ask of another person – alleviates most of their safety concerns. No reputable online dating site will give out your personal information (last name, address, phone number or even email address) without your permission. It is up to the user(s) how fast or how slow a relationship progresses and, should one person have suspicions or fears about their online dating partner, ending the relationship is as simple as clicking out of the chat box or instant message.
* Convenience – For most of us, traditional dating is WORK. Whether male or female, it takes a considerable amount of time to get that look you want perfect, pick out the right wardrobe, find the right place to go, etc. The truth is, in today’s hectic world, a lot of people simply don’t have the time to do everything that they need to do to get ready for a date on a regular basis. Online dating, however, is as simple as switching on a computer and logging into your dating site. Even if you use a site that offers webcam functions, you control whether you turn the cam on, and even if it shows anything other than your smile. The impression you make on the people you are interested in can be made in ripped jeans and an old tee shirt – you don’t even need to comb your hair.
* Variety – One of the most common complaints that people in the dating scene have is that they always seem to meet the same kind of people. A lot of this is, of course, due to the fact that in many cases people from the same towns or cities tend to share many of the same personality traits. This is not the case in the online dating world. You can just as easily strike up a conversation with a girl in Kiev or a guy in Manila as you can with your next door neighbor, and this offers a wide variety of people that simply isn’t available with any other form of dating.
* Cost – Love may be blind, but finding it by traditional dating methods certainly isn’t cheap. A first date with someone you may not even know or actually be compatible with can easily run $200 or more, and there is never a guarantee that you will even enjoy yourself or want to see that person again. While virtually all online dating sites charge fees for their services, in many cases the cost of that first traditional, three hour date will buy you weeks – and even months – of online dating with a variety of people who catch your attention. And again, if you find that someone simply isn’t what you are looking for, you can simply say goodbye and try someone else … without having to pay for a cab to take them home!
As I said before, online dating isn’t for everyone – and not every approach to online dating offered by specific sites will be right for everyone. But with the almost unlimited options available and the wide variety of choices that can be explored from the comfort of one’s own home, online dating is something that should at least be looked into by anyone who is in search of that perfect someone. The one you’ve been looking for could be as near as the next chat room!
There was a time, fairly early in its history, when the Internet was an almost purely social place for most of us. Shortly after it became popular, the average person connected through America Online (AOL) or CompuServe and paid by the minute to enter chat rooms and meet new people. Most of us were wary of the people we met online at first – the anonymity offered online brought out the worst in many of people during the early days when the idea of communicating with people via the Internet was new. However, the bad experiences that were had by some were vastly outweighed by the convenience, the uniqueness and the sheer fun offered by those simple chat rooms of the past.
No one – not even the Internet pioneers – could have predicted how fast the Internet would grow, and how much a part of virtually everyone’s daily life it would become. From the humble beginnings of those early chat rooms, the Internet has become a tool that most of us use to do business, stay in touch with family and friends, get news, sports and weather reports, directions and maps, buy and sell things – you name it, the odds are very good that the Internet offers you a way to do it. The amount of information available on the “information hi-way” is staggering – a simple search on Google or Yahoo can net literally millions of matching sites – and if you can buy something in a brick and mortar store, you can more than likely buy it from your PC or laptop.
Interestingly, in some ways the Internet has come full circle in that along with the other things we do online on a day-to-day basis, many people are now finding that dating online – meeting new people to form relationships with – offers them options that the bar scene, blind dates, fix-ups and other traditional ways of forming romantic relationships simply don’t. The recent explosion of online dating and online dating sites has created a situation in which proximity is no longer the deciding factor in who a person can meet. Rather than being confined to a single town or city, Internet dating offers people the option of looking for that perfect someone across the state, the country and even all across the world.
Not only has the online dating industry exploded in recent years but it has become both more user friendly and relationship specific. No matter who you are or what sort of relationship you are looking for, the odds are that there is a site out there that will fit your needs. There are sites that cater to straight dating, the gay/lesbian community, ethnically based dating (white, black, Asian, etc), bi-sexual and *********** relationships, dating based on religion, political views, ages (under 30 or over 50, etc) and pretty much any and all combinations of the previously mentioned groups. There are sites that will try and find the perfect match for you, and sites that will simply offer thousands (and in some cases tens of thousands) of user profiles and pictures for you to search through. Some sites offer only simple email introductions while other sites will offer instant messaging, private chat rooms, streaming audio, and live video capabilities all administered through the site. It only takes the investment of an hour or two of your time to find an online dating service which caters to your specific needs and desires.
While online dating certainly isn’t going to appeal to everyone, there can be no doubt that the industry’s rapid growth and expansion indicates that more and more men and women are finding it to be not only a viable but a preferable alternative to traditional forms of dating. As a matter of fact, an increasing number of men and women are finding that there are many advantages to looking for romantic companionship online. Some of these advantages include:
* Safety – There is no doubt about it, the world in general and the dating world in particular can be a dangerous place for both men and women. While a person may look or seem to be okay, it takes a considerable amount of time to really get to know anyone. Many people find that getting to know another person online – where they have control over both how much personal information they give about themselves and how much information they ask of another person – alleviates most of their safety concerns. No reputable online dating site will give out your personal information (last name, address, phone number or even email address) without your permission. It is up to the user(s) how fast or how slow a relationship progresses and, should one person have suspicions or fears about their online dating partner, ending the relationship is as simple as clicking out of the chat box or instant message.
* Convenience – For most of us, traditional dating is WORK. Whether male or female, it takes a considerable amount of time to get that look you want perfect, pick out the right wardrobe, find the right place to go, etc. The truth is, in today’s hectic world, a lot of people simply don’t have the time to do everything that they need to do to get ready for a date on a regular basis. Online dating, however, is as simple as switching on a computer and logging into your dating site. Even if you use a site that offers webcam functions, you control whether you turn the cam on, and even if it shows anything other than your smile. The impression you make on the people you are interested in can be made in ripped jeans and an old tee shirt – you don’t even need to comb your hair.
* Variety – One of the most common complaints that people in the dating scene have is that they always seem to meet the same kind of people. A lot of this is, of course, due to the fact that in many cases people from the same towns or cities tend to share many of the same personality traits. This is not the case in the online dating world. You can just as easily strike up a conversation with a girl in Kiev or a guy in Manila as you can with your next door neighbor, and this offers a wide variety of people that simply isn’t available with any other form of dating.
* Cost – Love may be blind, but finding it by traditional dating methods certainly isn’t cheap. A first date with someone you may not even know or actually be compatible with can easily run $200 or more, and there is never a guarantee that you will even enjoy yourself or want to see that person again. While virtually all online dating sites charge fees for their services, in many cases the cost of that first traditional, three hour date will buy you weeks – and even months – of online dating with a variety of people who catch your attention. And again, if you find that someone simply isn’t what you are looking for, you can simply say goodbye and try someone else … without having to pay for a cab to take them home!
As I said before, online dating isn’t for everyone – and not every approach to online dating offered by specific sites will be right for everyone. But with the almost unlimited options available and the wide variety of choices that can be explored from the comfort of one’s own home, online dating is something that should at least be looked into by anyone who is in search of that perfect someone. The one you’ve been looking for could be as near as the next chat room!
Practical Gift-giving
Timothy Spencer asked:
So someone gave you a gift wrapped in sassy purple-and-gold paper with a fancy ribbon to top it all off. Just looking at it makes you feel all itchy and excited to find out what’s inside! Of course, you don’t want to act like a greedy kid on Christmas morning while everyone is watching you, so you just smile and say thanks as gracefully as possible while holding all the anticipation in. You wait while everyone is away—you hold the package in your hands—your lower lip might even tremble a bit while thinking about the goody inside—you tear the fancy wrap off…and a cheap picture frame you can buy at any department store for P80 pesos greets your eyes. Talk about a major letdown huh?
We’ve all had an experience like this at least once in our lives. We love getting gifts since they make us feel special, but sometimes gift-receiving tends to get pretty ugly. How? Well, the gift may be generic and useless. We know that the person is well-meaning but admit it, we want to scratch the person’s eye out for wasting money on something we can’t help but resent as decent human beings. Good intentions are cool, but there are such things as misled good intentions.
They say it’s the thought that counts in giving gifts, but if there is no thought in the first place, if there is just a mindless, automatic reaction to the occasion, then the gift would count for zilch. We **** receiving useless, generic gifts. Naturally, we shouldn’t give such gifts to other people. The idea behind giving gifts is to make the recipient feel special, not annoyed or resentful. That is why we should give practical gifts that the person can appreciate. The gift should be appropriate not only to the occasion but to the personality of the recipient as well. It need not be expensive, so long as it’s thoughtful and practical with the person’s needs in mind.
For example, if your friend loves to watch movies, giving a copy of his favorite film or something that he or she would like to watch is a good idea. If your friend tends to get stressed at work too much, a gift certificate to a spa is just perfect (plus it’s not that expensive! ). If your friend is particular, a pretty scarf or a flattering shade of lipstick may get you a lot of hugs.
For occasions such as wedding anniversaries or Valentine’s, a bunch of flowers never fail to do the trick. The keyword for such occasions is “romance” and nothing spells it better than a bouquet of fresh, high-quality flowers specially handpicked for the occasion. There are several shops that sell flowers both online and on the streets, wherein they offer delivery to your loved ones. Delivery is usually efficient and hassle-free, so you might want to try the delivery service of your chosen flower shop.
Remember, pour effort into giving gifts to the people you love. Make sure that the gift is thoughtful and practical, and who knows, the people around you may stop giving you picture frames on your birthday.
So someone gave you a gift wrapped in sassy purple-and-gold paper with a fancy ribbon to top it all off. Just looking at it makes you feel all itchy and excited to find out what’s inside! Of course, you don’t want to act like a greedy kid on Christmas morning while everyone is watching you, so you just smile and say thanks as gracefully as possible while holding all the anticipation in. You wait while everyone is away—you hold the package in your hands—your lower lip might even tremble a bit while thinking about the goody inside—you tear the fancy wrap off…and a cheap picture frame you can buy at any department store for P80 pesos greets your eyes. Talk about a major letdown huh?
We’ve all had an experience like this at least once in our lives. We love getting gifts since they make us feel special, but sometimes gift-receiving tends to get pretty ugly. How? Well, the gift may be generic and useless. We know that the person is well-meaning but admit it, we want to scratch the person’s eye out for wasting money on something we can’t help but resent as decent human beings. Good intentions are cool, but there are such things as misled good intentions.
They say it’s the thought that counts in giving gifts, but if there is no thought in the first place, if there is just a mindless, automatic reaction to the occasion, then the gift would count for zilch. We **** receiving useless, generic gifts. Naturally, we shouldn’t give such gifts to other people. The idea behind giving gifts is to make the recipient feel special, not annoyed or resentful. That is why we should give practical gifts that the person can appreciate. The gift should be appropriate not only to the occasion but to the personality of the recipient as well. It need not be expensive, so long as it’s thoughtful and practical with the person’s needs in mind.
For example, if your friend loves to watch movies, giving a copy of his favorite film or something that he or she would like to watch is a good idea. If your friend tends to get stressed at work too much, a gift certificate to a spa is just perfect (plus it’s not that expensive! ). If your friend is particular, a pretty scarf or a flattering shade of lipstick may get you a lot of hugs.
For occasions such as wedding anniversaries or Valentine’s, a bunch of flowers never fail to do the trick. The keyword for such occasions is “romance” and nothing spells it better than a bouquet of fresh, high-quality flowers specially handpicked for the occasion. There are several shops that sell flowers both online and on the streets, wherein they offer delivery to your loved ones. Delivery is usually efficient and hassle-free, so you might want to try the delivery service of your chosen flower shop.
Remember, pour effort into giving gifts to the people you love. Make sure that the gift is thoughtful and practical, and who knows, the people around you may stop giving you picture frames on your birthday.
Internet Dating – it is All About Options
Tim Zelmer asked:
There was a time, fairly early in its history, when the Internet was an almost purely social place for most of us. Shortly after it became popular, the average person connected through America Online (AOL) or CompuServe and paid by the minute to enter chat rooms and meet new people. Most of us were wary of the people we met online at first – the anonymity offered online brought out the worst in many of people during the early days when the idea of communicating with people via the Internet was new. However, the bad experiences that were had by some were vastly outweighed by the convenience, the uniqueness and the sheer fun offered by those simple chat rooms of the past.
No one – not even the Internet pioneers – could have predicted how fast the Internet would grow, and how much a part of virtually everyone’s daily life it would become. From the humble beginnings of those early chat rooms, the Internet has become a tool that most of us use to do business, stay in touch with family and friends, get news, sports and weather reports, directions and maps, buy and sell things – you name it, the odds are very good that the Internet offers you a way to do it. The amount of information available on the “information highway” is staggering – a simple search on Google or Yahoo can net literally millions of matching sites – and if you can buy something in a brick and mortar store, you can more than likely buy it from your PC or laptop.
Interestingly, in some ways the Internet has come full circle in that along with the other things we do online on a day-to-day basis, many people are now finding that dating online – meeting new people to form relationships with – offers them options that the bar scene, blind dates, fix-ups and other traditional ways of forming romantic relationships simply don’t. The recent explosion of online dating and online dating sites has created a situation in which proximity is no longer the deciding factor in who a person can meet. Rather than being confined to a single town or city, Internet dating offers people the option of looking for that perfect someone across the state, the country and even all across the world.
Not only has the online dating industry exploded in recent years but it has become both more user friendly and relationship specific. No matter who you are or what sort of relationship you are looking for, the odds are that there is a site out there that will fit your needs. There are sites that cater to straight dating, the gay/lesbian community, ethnically based dating (white, black, Asian, etc), bi-sexual and *********** relationships, dating based on religion, political views, ages (under 30 or over 50, etc) and pretty much any and all combinations of the previously mentioned groups. There are sites that will try and find the perfect match for you, and sites that will simply offer thousands (and in some cases tens of thousands) of user profiles and pictures for you to search through. Some sites offer only simple email introductions while other sites will offer instant messaging, private chat rooms, streaming audio, and live video capabilities all administered through the site. It only takes the investment of an hour or two of your time to find an online dating service which caters to your specific needs and desires.
While online dating certainly isn’t going to appeal to everyone, there can be no doubt that the industry’s rapid growth and expansion indicates that more and more men and women are finding it to be not only a viable but a preferable alternative to traditional forms of dating. As a matter of fact, an increasing number of men and women are finding that there are many advantages to looking for romantic companionship online. Some of these advantages include:
* Safety – There is no doubt about it, the world in general and the dating world in particular can be a dangerous place for both men and women. While a person may look or seem to be okay, it takes a considerable amount of time to really get to know anyone. Many people find that getting to know another person online – where they have control over both how much personal information they give about themselves and how much information they ask of another person – alleviates most of their safety concerns. No reputable online dating site will give out your personal information (last name, address, phone number or even email address) without your permission. It is up to the user(s) how fast or how slow a relationship progresses and, should one person have suspicions or fears about their online dating partner, ending the relationship is as simple as clicking out of the chat box or instant message.
* Convenience – For most of us, traditional dating is WORK. Whether male or female, it takes a considerable amount of time to get that look you want perfect, pick out the right wardrobe, find the right place to go, etc. The truth is, in today’s hectic world, a lot of people simply don’t have the time to do everything that they need to do to get ready for a date on a regular basis. Online dating, however, is as simple as switching on a computer and logging into your dating site. Even if you use a site that offers webcam functions, you control whether you turn the cam on, and even if it shows anything other than your smile. The impression you make on the people you are interested in can be made in ripped jeans and an old tee shirt – you don’t even need to comb your hair.
* Variety – One of the most common complaints that people in the dating scene have is that they always seem to meet the same kind of people. A lot of this is, of course, due to the fact that in many cases people from the same towns or cities tend to share many of the same personality traits. This is not the case in the online dating world. You can just as easily strike up a conversation with a girl in Kiev or a guy in Manila as you can with your next door neighbor, and this offers a wide variety of people that simply isn’t available with any other form of dating.
* Cost – Love may be blind, but finding it by traditional dating methods certainly isn’t cheap. A first date with someone you may not even know or actually be compatible with can easily run $200 or more, and there is never a guarantee that you will even enjoy yourself or want to see that person again. While virtually all online dating sites charge fees for their services, in many cases the cost of that first traditional, three hour date will buy you weeks – and even months – of online dating with a variety of people who catch your attention. And again, if you find that someone simply isn’t what you are looking for, you can simply say goodbye and try someone else … without having to pay for a cab to take them home!
As I said before, online dating isn’t for everyone – and not every approach to online dating offered by specific sites will be right for everyone. But with the almost unlimited options available and the wide variety of choices that can be explored from the comfort of one’s own home, online dating is something that should at least be looked into by anyone who is in search of that perfect someone. The one you’ve been looking for could be as near as the next chat room!
There was a time, fairly early in its history, when the Internet was an almost purely social place for most of us. Shortly after it became popular, the average person connected through America Online (AOL) or CompuServe and paid by the minute to enter chat rooms and meet new people. Most of us were wary of the people we met online at first – the anonymity offered online brought out the worst in many of people during the early days when the idea of communicating with people via the Internet was new. However, the bad experiences that were had by some were vastly outweighed by the convenience, the uniqueness and the sheer fun offered by those simple chat rooms of the past.
No one – not even the Internet pioneers – could have predicted how fast the Internet would grow, and how much a part of virtually everyone’s daily life it would become. From the humble beginnings of those early chat rooms, the Internet has become a tool that most of us use to do business, stay in touch with family and friends, get news, sports and weather reports, directions and maps, buy and sell things – you name it, the odds are very good that the Internet offers you a way to do it. The amount of information available on the “information highway” is staggering – a simple search on Google or Yahoo can net literally millions of matching sites – and if you can buy something in a brick and mortar store, you can more than likely buy it from your PC or laptop.
Interestingly, in some ways the Internet has come full circle in that along with the other things we do online on a day-to-day basis, many people are now finding that dating online – meeting new people to form relationships with – offers them options that the bar scene, blind dates, fix-ups and other traditional ways of forming romantic relationships simply don’t. The recent explosion of online dating and online dating sites has created a situation in which proximity is no longer the deciding factor in who a person can meet. Rather than being confined to a single town or city, Internet dating offers people the option of looking for that perfect someone across the state, the country and even all across the world.
Not only has the online dating industry exploded in recent years but it has become both more user friendly and relationship specific. No matter who you are or what sort of relationship you are looking for, the odds are that there is a site out there that will fit your needs. There are sites that cater to straight dating, the gay/lesbian community, ethnically based dating (white, black, Asian, etc), bi-sexual and *********** relationships, dating based on religion, political views, ages (under 30 or over 50, etc) and pretty much any and all combinations of the previously mentioned groups. There are sites that will try and find the perfect match for you, and sites that will simply offer thousands (and in some cases tens of thousands) of user profiles and pictures for you to search through. Some sites offer only simple email introductions while other sites will offer instant messaging, private chat rooms, streaming audio, and live video capabilities all administered through the site. It only takes the investment of an hour or two of your time to find an online dating service which caters to your specific needs and desires.
While online dating certainly isn’t going to appeal to everyone, there can be no doubt that the industry’s rapid growth and expansion indicates that more and more men and women are finding it to be not only a viable but a preferable alternative to traditional forms of dating. As a matter of fact, an increasing number of men and women are finding that there are many advantages to looking for romantic companionship online. Some of these advantages include:
* Safety – There is no doubt about it, the world in general and the dating world in particular can be a dangerous place for both men and women. While a person may look or seem to be okay, it takes a considerable amount of time to really get to know anyone. Many people find that getting to know another person online – where they have control over both how much personal information they give about themselves and how much information they ask of another person – alleviates most of their safety concerns. No reputable online dating site will give out your personal information (last name, address, phone number or even email address) without your permission. It is up to the user(s) how fast or how slow a relationship progresses and, should one person have suspicions or fears about their online dating partner, ending the relationship is as simple as clicking out of the chat box or instant message.
* Convenience – For most of us, traditional dating is WORK. Whether male or female, it takes a considerable amount of time to get that look you want perfect, pick out the right wardrobe, find the right place to go, etc. The truth is, in today’s hectic world, a lot of people simply don’t have the time to do everything that they need to do to get ready for a date on a regular basis. Online dating, however, is as simple as switching on a computer and logging into your dating site. Even if you use a site that offers webcam functions, you control whether you turn the cam on, and even if it shows anything other than your smile. The impression you make on the people you are interested in can be made in ripped jeans and an old tee shirt – you don’t even need to comb your hair.
* Variety – One of the most common complaints that people in the dating scene have is that they always seem to meet the same kind of people. A lot of this is, of course, due to the fact that in many cases people from the same towns or cities tend to share many of the same personality traits. This is not the case in the online dating world. You can just as easily strike up a conversation with a girl in Kiev or a guy in Manila as you can with your next door neighbor, and this offers a wide variety of people that simply isn’t available with any other form of dating.
* Cost – Love may be blind, but finding it by traditional dating methods certainly isn’t cheap. A first date with someone you may not even know or actually be compatible with can easily run $200 or more, and there is never a guarantee that you will even enjoy yourself or want to see that person again. While virtually all online dating sites charge fees for their services, in many cases the cost of that first traditional, three hour date will buy you weeks – and even months – of online dating with a variety of people who catch your attention. And again, if you find that someone simply isn’t what you are looking for, you can simply say goodbye and try someone else … without having to pay for a cab to take them home!
As I said before, online dating isn’t for everyone – and not every approach to online dating offered by specific sites will be right for everyone. But with the almost unlimited options available and the wide variety of choices that can be explored from the comfort of one’s own home, online dating is something that should at least be looked into by anyone who is in search of that perfect someone. The one you’ve been looking for could be as near as the next chat room!
3 Hot Philippines Travel Tips
Dan Eggers asked:
When traveling to any other country, may it be the Philippines or Holland or Zimbabwe, you’re sure to come across all kinds of hassles and obstacles that could give you a pressing headache and make you wish that you’re back at home sweet home. But it’s really not necessary to go all through that with the right amount of preparation and research. When traveling to another country, you should always expect the unexpected and make sure you have a contingency plan for each situation you might find yourself in. And in your trip to the Philippines, here are a few suggestions you could take to make your trip to the Philippines hassle free.
Philippine Travel Tip #1 – Weather This, Weather That
When you’re in Dubai, you’re sure to expect extreme heat during the day and extreme cold during the night. In the Philippines, however, there are no extremities in temperature to watch out for. If you’re going to travel to the Philippines between the months of March till May, be sure to bring lots of light clothes because it’s the hot and dry season. During the months of June till October, it’s the rainy season that would greet you on your Philippine travel. Lastly, the months of November till February are possibly the best times of the year to travel in the Philippines because it’s cool but dry. But to be more specific, if you want your trip to the Philippines unmarred by the occasional typhoon, set your travel date between the middle of December till mid-May.
Philippine Travel Tip #2 – Everything’s Within A Call Away?
Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, is also dubbed as the texting capital of the world because everyone, and I do mean everyone, has got a cellphone – or two! – in their name. That’s why if you’re lost, you need not worry about looking for the nearest public phone because cellphones are able to work in almost all places in the Philippines. Quite a convenient thing for anyone traveling, isn’t it?
Philippine Travel Tip #3 – Party Time!
One of the most unique and enjoyable experiences you could have when you travel to the Philippines is being part of the fiesta season. The whole town or city usually participates in a fiesta and each and every house is open to all, natives and foreigners alike. Filipino delicacies are prepared in each household and colorful banners are hung everywhere so that you’d know when there’s a fiesta going on. You could also try participating in one of the native games that’s usually played like climbing a tree slick with oil or being blindfolded and try hitting the “palayok” or pot filled with candies and coins for children.
