There are dream islands elsewhere too, but in the Philippines there are many of them - as the world's second largest archipelago of 7,641 islands. The water, which still appears azure blue on the ocean, meets endless white beaches. Lush coconut palms line the beaches, which further inland turn into fertile vegetation and finally end in a rugged mountain landscape. Today, the people of this tropical archipelago and their lively culture unites in a unique way all those Asian, European and American influences that have shaped them over the centuries. The Filipinos have an Asian soul, a Western spirit and their heart beats to the fiery rhythm of Latin American dancers.