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In Aklan province in the Western Visayas there are two attractions worth noting: the Ati-Atihan Festival and Boracay Island. Every third week of January, in the streets of Kalibo, locals celebrate Aklan with wild, mardi gras style revelry. Where to stay The Philippines offers a wide range of accommodation for all budgets. Metro Manila has everything from deluxe hotels and serviced apartments to hostels and homestays. There are comfortable deluxe hotels in all the big cities, first-class resorts in Batangas, Palawan, Cebu, Boracay and Bohol, and Davao in Mindanao. Getting around The variety of bus services running are generally very economical, and departures are frequent. although buses sometimes leave early if they're full. 126 www.paradisesonline.com Making a reservation is recommended. There are more buses in the morning, as people try to beat the heat. Roads often have potholes and it takes a while to get anywhere but hire cars, taxis and the colourful and individually decorated jeepneys are easily found. Although jeepneys are the cheapest way to negotiate the traffic, they do tend to be driven at an alarming and erratic speed and are not air-conditioned. The elevated Light Rail Transit (LRT) system, also known as Metrorail provides the best and most efficient way to travel from Baclaran in the south to Caloocan City in the north. The Metro Railway Transit (MRT) traverses the length of Edsa and connects Quezon City to Pasay City, passing through the major arteries of Makati's financial district. Food and entertainment Filipino cuisine has Chinese, Malay and Spanish influences, making dining quite an adventure. Rice is the staple, usually served with meat and vegetables, fried or sautéed. Soups of every kind are popular, as is the delicacy, crispy pata (deep fried pork knuckle). Adobo—stewed chicken, pork or squid pieces in vinegar—is a national dish, and inihaw (grilled fish or meat), fresh or fried lumpia (spring rolls), siopao (Chinese- style pork or chicken bun) and pancit (noodles) are widely eaten. Gata (coconut milk) is used in just about everything! While most dishes are heavier on the meat than vegetables, the country's vast coastlines ensure Filipino restaurants also offer an abundance of seafood: shrimp, rock lobster, crab, oysters, squid and fish. A wide range of international food is available from fast food outlets and fine