As the second largest archipelago in the world, the
7100 islands of the Philippines are little visited
by travellers and continue to be one of South East
Asia's best kept secrets. The country is a curious
mix of Asian, Spanish and American cultural influences
that range from Iberian colonial architecture to ancient
tribal traditions and an obsession with American rock
n' roll.
Iconised as the home of Imelda Marco's shoe
collection and one of the most corrupt dictator regimes
in the world, the country has frequently been in the
news regarding its changing political climate, economic
woes and frequent natural disasters. Though the Philippines
is extremely westernised it still offers a glimpse
into the fascinating world of its 60 ethnic minorities
when you leave the traffic clogged streets of Metro
Manila.
Laze away on a blinding white sand beach in Boracay
or scuba dive untouched reefs off of Palawan,
a long sliver of land that is home to the countries
birds nest soup collectors in El Nido.
Climb the Mayon volcano, named the world's
most perfectly shaped cone, or surf some of the best
waves in the world on the isolated islands of the
East Coast.
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