Guest post by  Jennifer Ng, a Manila-based journalist and freelance blogger.

So you’ve finally decided on going to Southeast Asia after reading numerous brochures. If you don’t know where to start, you might want to kick off your Southeast Asian tour in the Philippines.

The Philippines is a country made up of 7,101 islands. This alone makes it interesting particularly if you’re a beach bum. The most famous among the beaches is Boracay in the Visayas. But Boracay is just one of the interesting spots in the Philippines.

Those who are into water sports can check out the ves of Pura-ran in Catanduanes, a province near the Pacific Ocean. Pura-ran is well-known among surfing aficionados for its “majestic” waves. The best time to visit the surfing area is during the months of August and September.

If you love to dive, behold the beauty of the underwater world in Palawan. Some of the best diving sites in Palawan include Coron Bay, Busuanga, and Apo Reef. Whitewater rafting enthusiasts can try the rivers in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental.

Drive north and see the Banaue Rice Terraces in Mountain Province. It is a tourist spot that has been regarded as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” The rice terraces were carved by the Ifugaos from the hillside 2,000 years ago. the site is regarded as an engineering marvel since the Ifugaos used their bare hands and simple implements to build the terraces where they could grow rice.

As it is a tropical country, the Philippines can grow a variety of fruits practically all year round. Aside from being delicious, local fruits are relatively cheap. Fresh mangoes and bananas are popular among tourists. For the adventurous, there is durian–a fruit that is famous (or infamous) for its foul smell.

Communicating with the locals will not be a problem since most Filipinos can speak English. Filipinos are famous for their hospitality so you can be sure that your visit will be comfortable and stress-free.

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About the author: Jenny is a journalist and freelance business blogger who writes on education and learning for Ahead Interactive – provider of live, real-time, video-powered online tutorials. AI is a division Ahead Learning Systems, one of Asia’s leading chains of tutorial and review centers.