Philippines' most famous beach

Philippines' most famous beach, Boracay, is not overrated! I went with low expectations, but for such a popular place, it is still very beautiful! It is a 40 minute flight + 2 hour bus + 15 minute ferry ride away from Manila. The White Sand Beach is the most popular; with its soft, snow white, powder like sand and absolutely clear, bright blue water. It gets better as you go towards Station 1 and Diniwid Beach. I stayed on the other side of the island, Newcoast which is still being developed, still deserted and considerably cheaper! It is also a stunning seascape!

Station 1, White Sand Beach

Willy's Rock, White Sand Beach

Round the corner from Station 1 and keep walking north to reach the quieter Diniwid Beach

Puka Shell Beach

Stunning sunset at Puka Beach

Private beach at Newcoast belonging to Fairways Resort

Private beach at Newcoast

The most stunning deep blue water I have ever seen!

Absolutely deserted Newcoast beaches

Puerto Princesa Underground River

Puerto Princesa Underground River, one of the new seven natural wonders

Boating inside the very big cave

What I liked even more about Puerto Princesa were its islands :)

Isla Pandan, a deserted private island

With some tourists arriving via boat on day trips

Tropical paradise :)

With its clear water and live corals near the beach, it makes a great place for swimming and snorkelling

Stunning Mount Pinatubo Volcano!

Mount Pinatubo, about 150km north-west of Manila, is an active volcano which last erupted in 1991, bringing havoc and destruction to the area. Nevertheless, today it is one of the most beautiful places in the island of Luzon. A 4x4 jeep ride and trek takes you through the lahar flows, now cooled and sometimes hardened, and up to the caldera. Rainwater collected inside the caldera to form a beautiful lake.

Mount Pinatubo offers stunning views all throughout the trek! The landscape changes from stark, grey earth to steep rock faces to tropical greenery to gushing streams. You will find yourself walking over white sand, hardened grey lahar, stones and boulders, and crossing fast-moving streams. The trek is of medium difficulty, provided the sun is hidden by clouds and it is not too hot. :)

I booked with Tripinas for 2,100 pesos - the only tour agency I could find that offered per person rates, rather than group rates. We were a group of about 20 people with 4 local guides and 1 tour manager. Met some nice Filipino people in the group. We started in the 4x4 just after sunrise, and the view of the sunlight playing on the mountain faces and grass was just breathtaking! At one point, we saw a lone horseman in the distance. In the morning the heat was not too bad, but every time the sun came out, it was killing!

The landscape has a calm, barren kind of beauty. There are absolutely no animals or birds in sight. In the afternoon, we saw some shooting practice at the army base nearby. The most rewarding part of the trek is the first view of the crater lake and its still, serene, green water! You can climb down some stairs - after finishing the 2 hour trek, you kind of give up on trying to protect your feet :) - and walk down to the banks of the lake. The banks are filled with soft, white sand and it is very calm; perfect for gazing or relaxing. Mt Pinatubo is such a unique place, and I sure would love to do this again!

Sunrise over the mountains and lahar flows

4x4, driver and local guide

Starting the trek, feeling dwarfed by the mountains

Stark, barren, deserted landscape

But beautiful nevertheless!

Lots of streams to cross or walk through

Tropical forest

Making our way down to the lake

Rewarding view after the trek, so calm and stunning!

A peaceful place to be in

Tiny humans down at the lake

Acidic yellow and green mineral deposits all along the way

Rocks shaped by volcanic activity