Rottnest Island

My friend who is in Australia told me that they're going to one of the best beaches in the world - the Rottnest Island. Here are more information about it.

Rottnest Island, Western Australia's very own island getaway featuring a casual atmosphere, picturesque scenery and some of the world's finest beaches and bays, is located just 19 kilometres off the coast of Fremantle.

Rottnest Island is a special place for Western Australians and a popular destination for interstate and international visitors. The Mediterranean-style climate and indigenous flora and fauna of this Island provide the backdrop to a special holiday experience.

Many tours and activities operate throughout the day, including the popular two hour guided tour of the Island; the historic Oliver Hill Train; the Underwater Explorer; sea kayaking; joy flights on the Rottnest Air Taxi; Brett Heady's Family Fun Park; guided walking tours; the Rottnest Museum and more.

Journeys by ferry take 30 minutes from Fremantle, 45 minutes from Hillarys, 90 minutes from Perth, you can also get to the Island in 15 minutes by areoplane from Jandakot Airport.

Facts and Figures
• More than 500,000 people visit Rottnest Island each year.

• The Island is 11 kilometres long, 4.5 kilometres at its widest point, and the land area measures 1,900 hectares.

• It is a 24km ride around the island. Allow at least 2.5 hours for a leisurely cycle.

• The Island is an 'A' Class reserve managed by the Rottnest Island Authority.

• Each visitor to the Island pays an entry fee to the Island ($12.50 for adults and $1.00 for children), which is included in the ferry fare, or as part of an annual admission fee for boat owners.

No Place Like Home

Text by: Alma Malalis
Photos by: Jojie Alcantara & Alma Malalis

Everytime I hear “CAGWAIT” I always picture a beach with all its splendor, clear water, white sand and waves that calms my mind. When I was a kid we often go there with my family and relatives. We spent time together watching the waves runs till the shore. We gathered seashells of different shapes and sizes and ran swiftly with my cousins, feeling the course white sand on our little feet. These are sweet old memories so wonderful to reminisce. Last April 2007 I was given a chance to once more experience the awesome beauty of Cagwait beach. Seven long years since I last visited the place. There were so many things that I’ve missed since then…my relatives, friends and much more the beach.

During our vacation, my sister and I went to the beach with so much excitement. Watching the amazing sunrise and once more hear the rushing waves, I was also surprised to see nice structures of cottages and hotels to accommodate tourists. We brought our favorite delicacies; camote, cassava and bagoong (Shrimp sauce) which we missed terribly. We stayed until sunset, enjoying the company of one another and the facilities provided by the resort like videoke’s. From sunrise to sunset, enjoying God’s amazing creation, I haven’t seen anything like this before. Truly our God is great that He’s creation speak of His might and wonders.

Kaliguan Festival 2008

Text & Photos by: Jojie Alcantara

The small municipality of Cagwait in Surigao del Sur has a hidden paradise to boast of and a festivity to crow about. Blessed with a horseshoe-shaped cove with a long stretch of fine powdered sand and surrounded by azure colors matching sky and sea, the White Beach (or Waikiki, as the famous American aviator Charles Lindbergh called it the first time he saw it) is a tourism potential only known to its neighboring municipalities for now.

Its festival, however, is a booming event to reckon with. Celebrated every June 21-24th, which is the Feast Day of St. John the Baptist, “Kaliguan” is a coined word to mean location for a good bath and thanksgiving for a blessed bounty. The weeklong festivity holds a prestigious beauty pageant (the Perlas ng Kaliguan), dance performances, sports and cultural activities, all happening on the pristine white beach and participated by neighboring municipalities and cities.

During our 5-day stay there despite threats of supertyphoon Franc, the sun shone on Cagwait and its revelers, and the sea was as sparkling blue as ever. Each day we woke up to a beautiful and different sunrise that wowed us. 19 pretty candidates vied for the Perlas ng Kaliguan (whose winner takes home many cash prizes and a beautiful scooter by MCX), while the Beach Showdown performances were impressive (their version of Davao’s Indak Indak sa Kadalanan). Big sponsors like Smart, Coca-Cola, San Miguel Beer, MCX and others played valuable roles to the festivity, which was handled by the LGU under the dynamic leadership of Mayor Bonifacio Ondona. Fireworks were the fitting finale that ended the celebration which marked its 12th year.

Mayor Boni smilingly refer to Cagwait as “The Unseen Paradise” but I have a feeling it won’t live up to its tagline anymore. With the newly constructed roads in Surigao del Sur at present, the road to Cagwait may be as short as 6 hours away from Davao City via San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. Special thanks to Mayor Boni and the LGU staff for our accommodation and stay, Provincial Tourism Officer Lala Ambray and Provincial Administrator Johnny Pimentel and wife Liles. For more information, visit http://www.surigaodelsur.net.