The Philippines is a cluster of over 7,000 islands full of stunning
landscapes, beautiful beaches and friendly people. After seeing these
photos, there’s no doubt you’ll wish you were Filipino. While that might
be hard to arrange, these shots will also make you want to book a flight to the Philippines, which is actually pretty doable. Traditional Filipino boat stopped on the beach in El Nido1 – Throughout the Philippines, you’ll find
traditional boats with narrow hulls and outriggers on either side for
stability. Whenever you see a boat like this, you know you’re in the
Philippines. This one’s pulled up on shore next to an impressive rock
formation on one of the many islands around El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Sailboats at sunset on the beautiful Island of Boracay2 – The sunsets are nothing short of spectacular most nights on Boracay, the Philippines most popular domestic and international tourist destination. Bohol Chocolate Hills – Photo by: Burgermac CC by3 – With so many islands the Philippines has very diverse landscapes, one of which is the famous Chocolate hills of Bohol.
These grass covered brownish hills spring up hundreds of feet from the
ground. There are more than 1,000 of these hills on the island and they
are thought to be ancient coral reefs from a time where this part of the
world was under water. A plate of tocino and garlic rice served with an egg for a classic Filipino breakfast4 – The food of the Philippines is a one-of-a-kind
mash-up of Asian, Spanish, American and Asian-Indian cuisines. Tocino
comes from the Spanish word for bacon and is a sweet and savory take on
the cured pork dish that is uniquely Filipino.
Kayangan Lake viewpoint – Coron, Philippines5 – One of the best views in all of the Philippines
can be found in the small group of islands around Busuanga island. A
short hike up to the Kayangan Lake view point gives you this stunning
view and reminds you what an amazing place the Philippines is. Electric blue water with dramatic rock formations in the Palawan Island, Philippines6 – Dramatic landscapes seem to be everywhere you
look in the Philipines’ outlying Palawan island. Aside from being home
to the Subterranean River, which is one of the seven natural wonders of
the world, it also holds the islands of El Nido. Everywhere you look in
El Nido seems to be picture worthy with aquamarine waters and jagged
rocks popping up from the sea. A hot skillet of Sisig, a Filipino favorite snack7 – Filipinos love their food and another favorite
is a sizzling skillet full of Sisig. Best as a snack, sisig is crispy
fried pork pieces and can be shared with friends alongside some Filipino
beers. Classic Filipino boat tied to shore in the El Nido Archipelago8 – The best way to get around in the small islands in the Philippines is the beautiful traditional boats.
Tarsier animal of the Philippines – Photo by: Ian Armstrong CC by9 – One of your best chances of spotting one of
these big eyed cuties is here in the Philippines. He has big eyes and an
ever-present smile, most likely because he lives in the Philippines! Swimming in the Large Lagoon in the El Nido archipelago10 – El Nido’s large lagoon is reason enough to visit this amazing country, but this is just one of the many things to do in El Nido. Take a swim in this pristine natural pool. Jeepneys of Manila11 – Leftovers from WWII can still be found on the
streets of Manila and all over the Philippines. Jeeps, locally called
Jeepneys, left here after the war have been converted into shared taxis
and are often highly decorated to attract passengers. The swim through hole to enter the secret lagoon in El Nido12 – The Philippines has amazing beaches, but some
of the best beaches are those not accessible by boat. Swim through the
hole in the rock wall to get to a breathtaking beach.
Sunset over the islands surrounding El Nido town on the Palawan Island13 – Being an island nation the Philipines has amazing sunsets. Make your way to the westside and watch the colorful show. The view from the Matinloc Shrine in the El Nido archipelago14 – Views like the one at Matinloc Shrine seem to
be everywhere you look in the Philippines and even more so in the
Archipelago of El Nido. A thin blade of ragged rocks sunk into the aquamarine waters around Simizu Island15 – Thin slices of jagged limestone seem like a supernatural fence to make a stunning private beach on Simizu Island. A Filipino boy sitting on the bow of the boat heading into a beautiful lagoon16 – Massive walls of rock tower over the aquamarine
waters while a young Filipino deck hand rides on the bow of the boat
looking out for rocks. The daily colorful sunset in Boracay
17 – Everyday should end like this, and it does in the Philippines. The sun melts into the sea with a swirl of oranges, pinks and purples as the day comes to a close on the island of Boracay.
In 2015, Zika virus was reported for the first time in a
number of countries in Central and South America, as well as the
Caribbean and Mexico.
Past outbreaks of Zika virus infection have been reported in
Africa, Asia and the Oceanic Pacific region.
There have been travel-related cases of Zika virus reported in Canada in returned travellers from countries
where the virus is known to circulate. There have been no reported cases of locally acquired Zika virus in Canada.
For the latest updates on countries affected by Zika virus, please visit the World
Health Organization's website. For the latest map of confirmed cases in the Americas visit the
Pan American Health Organization's website.
Zika virus infection is caused by a virus which is spread by
the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms can include fever, headache,
conjunctivitis (pink eye)
and rash, along with joint and muscle pain. The illness is
typically mild and lasts only a few days.
In Brazil, there has recently been a
significant increase in number of babies born with
microcephaly (abnormally small head). The Ministry of Health of Brazil
recently identified a
possible relationship between Zika virus infection and the
increase in the number of microcephaly cases. An investigation to better
understand the
relationship between Zika virus infection and increased risk
for microcephaly is ongoing.
It is recommended that pregnant women and those considering
becoming pregnant discuss their travel plans with their health care
provider to
assess their risk and consider postponing travel to areas
where the Zika virus is circulating. If travel cannot be postponed then
strict
mosquito bite prevention measures should be followed to
protect themselves against bites.
An association between Zika virus infection and
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) has been observed in both Brazil and El
Salvador.
A higher than normal number of GBS cases have been
identified following the circulation of Zika virus in these two
countries. Investigations to
better understand the relationship between Zika virus
infection and the increase in cases of GBS is ongoing.
On February 1, 2016 the World Health Organization declared
that the recent cluster of microcephaly cases and other neurological
disorders reported
in Brazil, following a similar cluster in French Polynesia
in 2014, constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
The investigation
is ongoing to confirm whether Zika virus may be the cause of
these microcephaly cases. and this announcement recommends that actions
be taken to
standardize and enhance surveillance, as well as to
intensify research. No trade or travel restrictions have been
implemented.
The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that all travellers protect
themselves from mosquito bites when
travelling to areas where Zika virus is circulating. There is
no vaccine or medication that protects against Zika virus infection.
This travel health notice will be updated as more information becomes available.
Recommendations
Consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably six weeks before you travel.
Pregnant women, and those considering becoming pregnant,
should discuss their risk with their health care provider and consider
postponing
travel to areas where the Zika
virus is circulating. If travel cannot be postponed, strict mosquito bite prevention measures should be followed due to the possible
association between Zika virus infection and increased risk of serious health effects on their unborn baby.
If you develop symptoms similar to Zika virus infection
when you are travelling, or after you return, see a health care provider
and tell
them where you have been travelling or living.
In 2015, Zika virus was reported for the first time in a
number of countries in Central and South America, as well as in Mexico.
Past outbreaks of Zika virus infection have been reported in
Africa, Asia and the Oceanic Pacific region.
There have been travel-related cases of Zika virus reported
in Canada in returned travellers from countries where the virus is known
to circulate.
There have been no reported cases of locally acquired Zika
virus in Canada.
For the latest updates on countries affected by Zika virus, please visit the World
Health Organization's website. For the latest map of confirmed cases in the Americas visit the
Pan American Health Organization's website.
Zika virus infection is caused by a virus which is spread by
the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms can include fever, headache,
conjunctivitis (pink eye) and rash,
along with joint and muscle pain. The illness is typically mild
and lasts only a few days.
In Brazil, there has recently been a
significant increase in number of babies
born with birth defects (congenital malformations), such as
infants born with an abnormally small head and microcephaly (an
underdeveloped brain). The Ministry of Health of Brazil
recently identified a possible relationship between Zika virus
infection and the increase in the number of microcephaly cases. An
investigation to better understand the relationship
between Zika virus infection and increased risk for
microcephaly is ongoing.
It is recommended that pregnant women and
those considering becoming pregnant discuss their
travel plans with their health care provider to assess their
risk and consider postponing travel to areas where the Zika virus is
circulating in the Americas. If travel
cannot be postponed then strict mosquito bite prevention
measures should be followed to protect themselves against bites.
The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that all travellers protect themselves from mosquito bites
when
travelling to areas where Zika virus is circulating. There is
no vaccine or medication that protects against Zika virus infection.
This travel health notice will be updated as more information becomes available.
Recommendations
Consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably six weeks before you travel.
Pregnant women, and those considering becoming pregnant,
should discuss their risk with their health care provider. If travel
cannot be postponed, strict mosquito bite prevention measures
should be followed due to the possible association between Zika
virus infection and increased risk of serious health effects on
their unborn baby.
Prevention measures include, using bed nets, and wearing long-sleeved, loose fitting shirts tucked into long pants.
For more information go to the webpage on insect bite prevention.
If you develop symptoms similar to Zika virus infection
when you are travelling, or after you return, see a health care provider
and tell
them where you have been travelling or living.
In recent years, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Haiti have reported cases of cholera.
Haiti has experienced a cholera epidemic since October 2010,
with over 700,000 cases and close to 9000 related
deaths since that time. In 2015, to date, Haiti has reported
over 20,000 cases, which is an increase when compared to the
same time period in 2014.
The Dominican Republic, which shares the island of
Hispaniola with Haiti, has also experienced a cholera epidemic since
October 2010,
though on a smaller scale, with over 33,000 cases and close to
500 related deaths. In 2015, to date, the Dominican Republic has
reported
over 350 cases, which is an increase when compared to the same
time period in 2014.
In August 2015, Cuba reported isolated cases of cholera in
the province of Holguín. Although these are the first cases reported by
Cuba this year, in January 2015, Canada reported a case of
cholera in a traveller who returned from a trip to Cuba.
Travellers should note that there may be an increase in the
number of cases during seasonal heavy rainfall which occurs during the
months of
May to July and September to October. Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by the
bacterium Vibrio cholerae. People usually become infected from drinking or eating contaminated water or food. It is associated with
watery diarrhea and rapid dehydration, which can be life-threatening.
The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends practising
safe food and water precautions while in Cuba, Dominican Republic or Haiti.
Recommendations
Consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably six weeks before you travel.
Most travellers are at low risk. Travellers at high
risk for cholera (travellers visiting areas of high risk with limited
access to clean water and food) may benefit from vaccination
and should consult with a health care provider to discuss this option.
If you develop severe diarrhea and/or vomiting while travelling or after you return to Canada
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