Subic Bay Beaches and Resorts greet Visitors and Tourist at the start of the summer vacation season.  In the Philippines most people look at Holy Week (Easter) as the kick off to the summer, School is out, the weather hot and the beaches are calling. The Subic Bay area ,which includes parts of Bataan, Olongapo city, the Subic Bay Freeport and parts of Zambales, are a prime tourist destination and one of the most popular in the Philippines. The popularity can be attributed to many factors however the variety of activities and accommodations combined with the ease to get to from Manila ( by car), Cebu (air) and nearby countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.



The City of Olongapo relaunched the Halfmoon beach. Having been closed for a number of years the beach was partially reopened two years ago. However the area opened was small, had no parking and access was along a bamboo bridge following a small stream. This year the beach is accessible from the main road with a parking lot provided,and many times for space both on the beach and in a area shaded by trees. It is now the biggest beach in the area and is easy to get to by public transportation.

Vacation goers this year will see their old standards: the Ocean Adventure and Zoobic Safari theme parks, water sports  and jungle activities supplemented by new attractions and resorts. Ocean Adventure has added new attractions to the park. The highly popular high dive show from last year is now back as a permanent portion of the park with its own stadium. They have also added an area for groups that has its own beach (http://www.subicbaybeaches.com ) area. While over in their resort Camayan Beach resort they have recently opened more rooms and expanded services offered.
One big improvement is at White Rock Resort. Always been a great place but they have been expanding, added a number of seaside rooms and other features. Last year they added a wave pool and water slide, for this year they have added another. It is a full waterpark and a beach resort together, offers a wide range of water sports and has its own bowling alley, can easily hold groups of a thousand with out crowding the resort.

The Barrio Barretto portion of Olongapo (http://www.visitsubic.com ) is expanding also, this season sees a few new small beaches and a couple of new Resorts. Subic Grand Seas is a new resort with very nice rooms , a waterfront deck, nice beach and swimming

pool. The old resort was basically torn down and the new hotel started from scratch. It is a great place to enjoy the sunset. The “old' favorites such as Arizona International hotel and resort is still going great and their Mai Tai grill very popular, enjoy a meal poolside and enjoy the views of the bay.

Recently the MICE industry, that's Meetings Incentives Conventions and Exhibitions, held MICECON2010, their annual convention at Subic Bay. When the leaders of an industry that deals with conventions hold their own convention somewhere that a sure sign that you are on the map as an destination.

All of this shows that Subic Bay is the place to head this summer. Seahorse (http://www.seahorsetours.com ) tours is ready to help you with your summer plans. We can find you the best places to stay for you or even your whole company. So if you are looking for a week end getaway or spending a week or two, Subic Bay is the place

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For those of you around the Philippines or another Asian country stop in your local book store and pick up the July-August issue of Review Asia magazine, turn to page 130 and read about a trek by author Jen Tagasa. (copy here)Our Staff here at Seahorse tours are the ones who arranged the visit to Subic Bay.  We had a few chuckles after we opened the express package containing our copies of the magazine and started to read the article. We all teased Ann who the article referred to as “female newbie tour guide”. While she is our newest employee like everyone else has been cross trained into being a tour guide also.  Ann has done a number of tours including a couple at Mount Pinatubo but it was her first on the long trail.  As was mentioned in the article, the trail we normally would have used was closed due to the typhoon that passed over the area a few days before. We had been monitoring the situation and were not sure we would be able to trek to the crater until we arrived that morning. The skyway trail which we normally use was still not available but a longer more rugged trail was open. While we do not frequently use the trail , we do use it when the guest are experience hikers and want something more challenging then the 40 minute trek. Ann volunteers to accompany the writer and photographer while Jaz knowing waited at the Spa town.

There is one little bit of confusion in the article, as the writer mentions another guide by the same name, Diaz, at the Apaliin forest trail. This second guide who mentioned the “Era of Abundance” was met the day following the Mount Pinatubo trek during a hike into the jungles around Subic Bay.  When the American base was still in Subic Bay many of the Aetas worked for the Americans. One of the most common jobs that the Aetas performed was that of forest rangers. For a people who had lived in the jungles for centuries, getting paid for looking after the jungle which was already part of their live must have looked like free money. In reality they were performing a genuine job and received a fair salary.

The Mount Pinatubo trek as the article states is an adventure that everyone should explore. When the skyway is open most people can enjoy the trek. The beginning and end of the rainy seasons are the most popular times. While the rain does make planning the treks more difficult and often have to be canceled with little notice it is much cooler than going in the summer season when the sun bears down on you. But then again there is a dip in the lake awaiting you.

Seahorse Tours and Souvenirs recently release its first rating for hotels and resorts based on  our customer surveys. We asked our guest to evaluate their stay in a number of different categories and to rate the hotels class or standard. Our highest customer satisfaction was with Arizona International Hotel and Resort located in Barrio Barretto Olongapo. While only a 3 seahorse rate resort, it received two thumbs up for value and the staff rating was extremely satisified. Like anything it is impossible to please everyone there were a few negative comments.  We have highlighted some of the local resorts on a new resort page

The hiking season is under way around the Mount Pinatubo area. The trip from Subic takes you to Capas Tarlac area, where you transfer to a 4x4 . a 45 minute drive takes you to a transfer point where you start your trek to the crater. The trek is of moderate difficulty and a wonder hike along a stream bed. The crater is a wonderful scene with a small beach and soaring peaks. After your hike back to the transfer point and a 4x4 ride to the spa town you can enjoy a shower and refreshing massage. Overnight trips are also available.