You’ll never run out of places to see when visiting the Philippines, a country that’s home to more than 7,000 islands. From mountainous and tropical regions to metropolitan cities, there’s something for everyone to explore.
Click start to play today’s Crossword, where the Philippines appears in one of the clues.
The tropical island nation is home to some of the best beaches in Asia. But if you’re looking to explore some of the more off-beat locales in the region, we’ve got you covered:
1. Hinatuan Enchanted River
In Mindanao is a crystal-clear, saltwater river that’s around 80-feet deep and seemingly springs out of nowhere, to carry its beautiful blue waters to the sea. It was given the moniker ‘enchanted river’ from a poem, and the river is at the centre of several local legends. While one talks about fairies adding dazzling sapphire and jade colours to the river, another talks about how the river is home to elusive fish that are impossible to catch.
2. Asik-Asik Falls
Until 2012, the existence of the Asik-Asik Falls was unknown to many Filipinos, let alone tourists. A national photography competition saw someone send in a stunning picture of a green mountain cliff, with streams of water rushing down its face. The image won, and went viral on social media, with people around the nation stunned by its discovery. Asik-Asik means ‘sprinkle-sprinkle’ in the local Hiligaynon language, and although getting there is not for the feeble-hearted, the Filipino government has made great strides in developing the roads and site around it, in order to take advantage of the tourism opportunity.
3. Vulcan Point
US-based magazine and travel company Atlas Obscura describes this region as “an island in the middle of a lake, in the middle of a volcano, in the middle of a bigger lake, in the middle of a bigger island, in an archipelago, in the Pacific Ocean”. At the centre of Lake Taal is the Taal Volcano, which has had 33 recorded eruptions – it’s the second most active volcano in the Philippines. Despite its fearsome reputation, the volcano draws adventurous tourists, who can take a boat to reach it, hike up the hill or ride a horse. Right at the top of the volcano lies Vulcan Point, one of Taal Volcano’s cones, which provides an incredible view of the surrounding region.
What’s your favourite place to visit in the Philippines? Play today’s Crossword and tell us at games@gulfnews.com.
