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LUZON |
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THE ISLAND OF
LUZON
Philippines
Largest Island
Background
Luzon is the largest
and most northerly of the main islands. Its spectacular
landscape is made up of mountainous regions in the
north, the flat vistas of the central plain, lakes and
volcanoes in the southern peninsula, and a coastline
dotted with caves and sandy-beached islands.
Manila:
Capital and hub of the
nation, is situated on the east coast. Founded in 1571
on the ruins of a Muslim settlement, Manila has been a
port for hundreds of years. The oldest part of the city,
the Intramuros (Walled City), was protected by a massive
wall, some of which still remains today despite savage
fighting staged here in the Second World War. Places of
interest include San Augustin Church and Manila
Cathedral, from which there is an excellent view of the
2072 sq km (800 sq miles) of the harbour, and the ruins
of Fort Santiago. Outside the Intramuros is Chinatown, a
market in the district of Binondo, crowded with shops,
stalls and restaurants. Luneta Park contains the Rizal
Monument, a memorial to the execution of this great
Filipino intellectual of the late 19th century. Other
places of interest are the American Cemetery and Coconut
Palace. Manila is a good base from which to make
excursions, for instance to Las Piņas, situated a little
way outside the city, where the famous Bamboo Organ is
located and the Sarao Jeepney factory, where people are
allowed to wander around free of charge. About an hour's
drive away from Manila through coconut plantations,
Tagaytay Ridge in Cavite overlooks a lake that contains
Taal Volcano, which itself holds another lake. Tagaytay
is a popular destination in summer, when all kinds of
festivities are celebrated and roadside stalls overflow
with flowering plants and fruits in season. The series
of mineral springs of Hidden Valley lie secreted in a
90m (300ft) deep crater in Alaminos, enclosed by rich
forests. The pools vary in temperature from warm to
cold, and the lush trails end up at a gorge with a
waterfall. Villa Escudero, an 800-hectare coconut
plantation in Quezon Province, less than two hours by
road from Manila, is part of a working plantation,
yielding rare glimpses into rural life. Guests are taken
on a tour of a typical village on a cart drawn by a
carabao, or water buffalo.
Corregidor
Island:
'The Rock', has a famous memorial to
those who were killed during the Japanese invasion, and
is accessible by hydrofoil. Day tours include
refreshments and guide. A day trip to the town of
Pagsanjan, 63km (39 miles) southeast of Manila, includes
dug-out canoe rides down the jungle-bordered river to
the Pagsanjan Falls. This was a location for the filming
of Apocalypse Now, and is a popular excursion.
Laguna:
a short distance from
Manila, is a province famous for hot sulphur springs.
The 'Towns of Baths', Pansol, Los Baņos and Cuyab are
situated here. 250km (150 miles) north of Manila is
Baguio, 1525m (5000ft) above sea level, a cool haven
from the summer heat. It is accessible both by air and
land, though the drive up the zigzagging Kennon Road is
more popular as it offers spectacular views of the
countryside. Baguio has a good variety of restaurants,
mountain views and walking excursions. Main attractions
include The Mansion, summer residence of the Philippine
president; Bell Church; Baguio Cathedral; and the
Crystal Caves, composed of crystalline metamorphic rocks
and once an ancient burial site.
Banaue:
is eight hours' bus ride north
of Baguio. A remote mountain community lives here, and
tourists can visit their settlements. The beautiful rice
terraces are the main attraction of this area. A
breathtaking sight, they rise majestically to an
altitude of 1525m (5000ft), and encompass an area of
10,360 sq km (4000 sq miles). The terraces were
hand-carved some 2000 years ago using crude tools
cutting into once barren rock, each ledge completely
encompassing the mountain. Now listed by UNESCO as World
Heritage sites, they offer an unforgettable sight to
tourists and trekkers in the area (see also the Sport
& Activities section). Banaue has a tourist hotel
and many good pensions.
Hundred
Islands:
lying off the coast of Pangasinan, is
made up of 400 islets surrounded by coral gardens and
white sand beaches. This area is ideal for swimming and
fishing. Hundred Islands is the second-largest marine
reservation in the world, teeming with over 2000 species
of aquatic life. The caves and domes of Marcos Island
and the Devil's Kitchen are worth exploring. The entire
province of Palawan is a remarkable terrain for
adventure and exploration, with its primeval
rainforests, St Paul's Underground River and Tubattaha
Reef. Inter-island cruises around northern Palawan are
now available.
Mindoro:
an island
reached by ferry from Batangas pier and south of Manila,
is a place where the stunning scenery includes Mount
Halcon, 2695m (8841ft) high, Naujan Lake and Tamaraw
Falls.
La Union:
situated on the
northwest coast of Luzon, has some of the best beach
resort facilities on the island. There are regular buses
to La Union from Manila and Baguio.
Bicol
Region:
situated in the east, is developing as
a tourist destination and offers beaches, hotels and
sights such as the Mayon Volcano, a nearly perfect cone,
and the Kalayukay Beach Resort.
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