Philippines: From Luzon to Mindanao To the Philippines belongs 7,107 islands of those however only each tenth is inhabited. The two largest, Luzon and Mindanao cover 65 % of the land surface. The Philippines is the only Asiatic state with predominantly Christian population portion. Our journey begins in Manila, the capital, and leads first to the rice terraces in the north of Luzon. Afterwards we turn over the south of Luzon to the most beautiful volcano of the world. It continues to go over Samar, Leyte and Mindanao to Camiguin. We cross the Mindanao lake to Bohol and his chocolate hills. On the way to Borrocoy we cross the islands Cebu, Negros and Panay. The journey ends in Puerta Galera on Mindoro. In the high country of North Luzon are five different groups of tripes, the loincloth wearing men of the Bontoc, Ifugao and Kalinga are the unbeaten Filipinos. The Bontoc integrated the theories of the missionary into its ancestor cult. Unusual is their age-old custom to hang the coffins of the deceased up in caves and rock cliffs. The Ifugao are master architects. Their famous rice terraces gives us witness. The rice terraces, approximately 2000 to 3000 years ago builted, extend over 100 square kilometres. The Kalinga had still been before 2 generations head hunters, an occupation, which was long centuries basis of the reputation of a man. Sagada is a calm, pleasant place in North Luzon. One should not miss the descent into a cave close of the place. Benaue is the base for a trip to the rice terraces of the Ifugao near Batad. In the south of Luzon we reach Legaspi situated at the Mayon volcano (2.640). The Mayon is called most beautiful volcano of the world because of its conical form. The Chocolate Hills on Bohol are after the legend the tears of a sad giant. True developing history is geologically still unsettled. Borrocay is a small island with propellant-white sand beach. Also at Puerta Galera not far from Manila one finds numerous beaches.   >> regard photos          >> info main-page