Trip Expenses

Flight Costs
Pittsburgh to Manila - $808
Manila to Cebu City - $164
Cebu City to Tagbilaran - $292
Tagilaran to Davao - $115
Davao to Puerto Princesa - $121
Puerto Princesa to Manila - $147
Manila to Pittsburgh - $808
Ferry from Manila to Batangas (round trip) - $45

Hotels
Diamond Hotel - $151
Marco Polo Plaza - $85
Soledad Suites - $79
Marco Polo - $84
Legend Hotel - $59
Legend Hotel - $59
Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel - $85

Spending Money
$100 per day (7)

Total
$3,802  ( 1,377,503.5982 pesos )

Map of the Philippines

Day 7 - Batangas, Philippines

 Lipa Cathedral

I flew from Puerto Princesa to Manila, and then took a Ferry to Batangas. I first went to Lipa Cathedral. Lipa Cathedral was originally built to honor St. Sebastian. Its first grand transept was completed in 1865 but after the war, it underwent massive reconstruction. This beautiful church has an architecture which used columns and arches in an ascending and descending order, creating the effect of a shadow and-light play. I then went to the Submarine Garden.  The garden consists of living corals near the shore of one of the beaches of Lobo. It can be clearly seen during the early mornings when the water is clear and the tide is low. It has been acknowledged to be a fish sanctuary. I ate at Casa Rap. The next stop was the Mainit Hot Spring. This is a naturally warm spring and is very relaxing. I've always wanted to get in one, so this was my chance. I stayed at Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel.

Day 6 - Puerto Princesa, Philippines

 Honda Bay

I stayed the night and decided to stay one more day since there was so much to see. I ate breakfast at Cafe Arturo for breakfast.  The first thing on my list of things to do was to go to the Palawan Museum. The museum was created in 1991 with a vision of serving as a center and repository of relics and artifacts in Palawan. I found the foreign artifacts very interesting. I then went  to the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm. At this prison, the prisoners are allowed to roam around freely and are checked with a head count 3 times a day. These prisoners don’t want to escape because the prison treats them well and they are happy there. The Honda Bay came next. This spot is said to be perfect for island-hopping and snorkeling. I did both. The reef is beautiful. I stayed at the Legend Hotel once again.

Day 5 - Puerto Princesa, Philippines

 Underground River

I flew from Davao to Puerto Princesa. The first place that I visited was the Puerto Princesa underground river. It includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers. The lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences. The underground river is reputed to be the world's longest. At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water's edge.There seems to be nothing special about a rock, or Ugong Rock, for that matter. The real signifigance is inside. The tour in Ugong Rock is actually a climb to the top of the limestone formation. I then went to Plaza Cuartel, which contains restored ruins of an old garrison where Japanese soldiers burned 143 American prisoners of war inside a tunnel, and stands as a grim reminder of World War II atrocities. Only ten prisoners survived to tell the story about what happened inside that tunnel. I ate dinner at Badjao Seafront and Restaurant and I stayed at the Legend Hotel.

Day 3 - Tagbilaran, Philippines

 Chocolate Hills

I flew from Cebu City to Tagbilaran. The first place that I visited was Chocolate Hills. Chocolate Hills is a candidate for the seven natural wonders of the world. This consists of numorous cone-shaped hills. In the dry season, the grass turns brown. This is why they are called Chocolate Hills. I then went to see the the Ermita Ruins. The ruins are famous for the unique cemetery. According to accounts of local residents, the structure was allegedly used as a military fortress, chapel, and final resting place of the members of the Spanish clergy at the time. The next stop was Macas Orchids and Farm. This farm is 6,000 square miles. It contains various species of Dendrobuim and Vavoa orchids. A Filipino native house is placed in the center overlooking the Ubujan and Maribojoc Sea. It is the favorite spot for picture taking. I ate at Saya's Restaurant. I'm starting to really like Filipino food. I stayed at Soledad Suites.

Day 4 - Davao, Philippines

 Pearl Farm

I had to leave very early in the morning to catch my flight from Tagbilaran to Davao. It was early and a little chilly as I toured Eden Nature Park. This park is full of vast gardens. When I was there, I definitely felt apart of nature, because you are so close to it. It is a natural paradise. I also went horseback riding. I then traveled to the Japanese Tunnel. The Filipinos dug this tunnel to help the Japanese hide during World War II. It gave me a chance to see how the soldiers lived. The next stop was Pearl Farm Beach Resort. Pearl Farm Beach Resort originally served as a cultivation farm of sea pearls. Today, it remains to live up to the value of luxury by being a leading resort destination for everyone in search for a perfect blend of fun and peaceful relaxation.This place is popular because of the beautiful pearls from this part of the ocean and the beach. I ate dinner at  Coco's Grill and I went to stay at the Marco Polo hotel.

Day 2 - Cebu City, Philippines

I flew on Philippine Airlines to Cebu City. The first attraction was a place called Tops. It is a magnificent view of the city. You can see for miles, and I felt that I was on top of the world; hence the name Tops. I then went to the Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary. I had never seen anything like it. It was truly amazing. The butterflies flew all around and I took lots of pictures. I was told that it is one of the most popular tourist spots. Mag-Aso Falls came next. Mag-Aso falls is located in the heart of Antequera, Bohol. from Tagbilaran city, the province capital, there are buses and jeepneys that ply the Tagbilaran-Antequera route. Concrete steps led down to mountain to the twin falls. The water is clear and refreshing. The site is most like a spa. I ate dinner at Dakimong restaurant for dinner. I then went to check in at the Marco Polo Plaza.

Day 1 - Manila, Philippines

I had booked a Quezon Culinary and Heritage Tour, and we boarded the bus at 5:30. When we arrived in Quezon, it was time for breakfast, so we ate at the Sulyap Art Gallery and Cafe. We then drove to The San Pablo Cathedral and went walking on a tour of the ancestral houses in Sariaya Quezon. After lunch, we traveled to Ugu Bigyan Potter's Garden. It was beautiful there. It is best know for the pottery items and the picture-perfect sight. That was by far the highlight of my day. We then went to Kamay ni Hesus Healing church. It is set on top of a steep mountain. You must climb 292 steps to reach it. At the top, there is a statue of Jesus. It is 50 feet tall and said to be the third largest in the world. When we arrived in Manila, I stayed at the Diamond hotel, the nicest hotel in Manila.

Ugu Bigyan Pottery Garden

Aloha Salad

3 Avocados, peeled and halved

2 tbsp. Lemon juice

1 can pineapple chunks, drained ( 16 oz. )

Shredded salad greens

1/3 cup flaked coconut, toasted

Aloha Dressing ( Mix thoroughly )

1 cup flaked coconut

1 & 1/2 cup mayonnaise

3 tbsp. milk

1 & 1/2 tbsps. lemon juice

1 tsp. curry powder

How to make aloha salad:

• Brush surface of avocados with lemon juice.
• Fill the centers with pineapple chunks and set each filled avocado-half on salad greens arranged on individual plates.
• Top with 2 tablespoons dressing and sprinkle with toasted coconut.
• Serve cold. Makes 6 servings.

The Great Fire of Rome

     The City burned right before me. The smoke burned my eyes and nose as the neverending fire burned on. It was so unreal and tragic that everyone was dazed and confused. No one knew how it started. Those around me said that Nero himself started the fire.
     "That has to be a rumor," I reasoned with them. " Nero isn't even here."
     Perhaps it was accidental, as it had been on a smaller scale in the past. It was the third day, and Nero had finally gotten the news. It was told that he was now on his way to Rome. When everything was over, we found that only four of the fourteen districts survived the fire. Nero opened his palaces to provide shelter for the homeless, and arranged for food supplies to be delivered in order to prevent starvation among the survivors. In the the wake of the fire, he made a new urban development plan. Houses after the fire were spaced out, built in brick, and faced by porticos on wide roads. Nero also build a new palace complex called the Domus Aurea in an area cleared by the fire.
     "Of course, he will try to cover up what he has done," everyone complained.
     They just wouldn't listen to me.

    

Tacitus ( witness to The Great Fire of Rome)

Publius (Gaius) Cornelius Tacitus (AD 56 - AD 117) was a senator and a historian of the Roman Empire. Tacitus was born in 56 or 57 to an equestrian family. His ancestry, his skill in oratory, and his sympathetic depiction of barbarians who resisted Roman rule have led some to suggest that he was a Celt; the Celts had occupied Gaul before the Romans, were famous for their skill in oratory, and had been subjugated by Rome. As a young man, Tacitus studied rhetoric in Rome to prepare for a career in law and politics. In 77 or 78 he married Julian Agricola. After his seat in the senate, he began writing about history.