my travel diary

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2011-11-13T21:25:00.000-08:00

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2011-10-23T08:24:00.000-07:00

Batu Cave, Malaysia

2011-10-09T19:23:00.000-07:00

The Batu Caves are situated thirteen kilometers (seven miles) north of the capital city Kuala Lumpur. They are the sacred place for the Hindu's in Malaysia. They consist of three main caves and a number of smaller ones. The caves are made of limestone and 400 meters long and 100 meter high. They were discovered in 1892. The public buses can be boarded at the Pudu Raya Bus Terminal in Kuala Lumpur.

The limestone forming Batu Caves is said to be around 400 million years old. Some of the cave entrances were used as shelters by the indigenous Temuan people (a tribe of Orang Asli). (Source: Wikipedia)

At your arrival you will be greeted by lots of monkeys. They are going for your peanuts and banana's, which you can buy in several shop, before you climb up to the caves. You have to climb 272 steps, which will lead you to the religious and magnificent Batu Caves. (Source: Malaysia site).

When you want to go to Batu Cave from your hotel and you don't want to take a bus, negotiate with the taxi drivers. Do not board in a taxi which the driver don't use the taxi meter. Fare in Malaysia is quite cheap, so beware of the shark drivers. Don't forget to bring a cap or scarf or umbrella because it is a hot place. You can also buy peanuts outside the cave to feed the monkeys and don't worry, they have restaurant just in case you get hungry. But for those spicy hater, prepare to change your face, hehehe.

Monkeys can be found in the railings of the stairs, do not feed them. It's quiet dangerous if they will jump on you as you climb through the stairs. You can only feed when you are already inside the cave. If you are afraid to climb into a 272 steeps, just take a picture downstairs and wait for your friends downstairs. Remember, if you have a heart problem or phobia on height, please do not attempt. There is no elevator or escalator on that area. Be contented in seeing the steeps.
This is what you can find inside the cave anyway.

And below you can see the big golden statue of Lord Murugan as you enter the gate and you can see his back when you are inside the cave.

After the excursion, we head back in our hotel and rest. The next morning we checked-out early so that we can catch the bus early going back to Singapore. We find a place near the bus terminal to rest while waiting and killing the time and this is where I finished reading the book of "The Fifth Mountain" by Paulo Coelho.

Dahilayan Adventure Park, Philippines

2011-10-05T03:56:00.000-07:00

Dahilayan Adventure Park is located in Camp Phillips Bukidnon, just a 2 hour ride from Cagayan de Oro City, that is, if you have your own car or by taxi. Riding a jeepney is not difficult but it is time consuming. If you are from the other side of the world or outside Cagayan de Oro City and you will land in Lumbia Airport, just take a taxi going to the city. But beware of the taxi driver who will charge you a neck-high fare so do bargain them well. Taxi fare from Lumbia airport to the city is about Php300.00 (USD7.00) per ride not per person. If you have booked to a hotel, much better if you can negotiate the hotel for an airport transfer.

From the city proper, go hop in a jeepney going to Gusa Terminal and the fare will cost you around Php50.00 (USD1.50) and the first flight, oppsss, travel is 6:30 in the morning. But, be also aware that even if the jeepney is not full, it will go but it will stop in Puerto market to take passengers until it will be full and they will squeeze you like a sardines. If you are not sure where Camp Phillips is, set beside the driver or tell the barker that you will alight in Camp Phillips. But don't worry, jeepneys will always stop in Camp Phillips and the barker will shout, "Oh, kinsa tong manaog sa Camp Phillips, diri ra ta! (Oh, those who will alight in Camp Phillips, we are already here!)." But to be sure, tell them beforehand.

If you haven't hire a van going to Dahilayan, there were taxis waiting for you to take there. I am not sure how much they will charge but do a bargain. It won't be far from there. If you cannot find a taxi, there are also motorcycles ready to take you to your destination. It will take only 20-30 minutes ride and the road is rough and muddy sometimes, depend on the weather. The best month to go there is summer from March to May. Along the road, you can see Del Monte Pineapple Plantation, go and take a picture with the plantation. Just ask your driver to stop for a while and let him take your picture and wear a big smile.

Inside the park, you will feel the adventure environment. They have Asia's Longest Dual Zipline. The cost of the 3 zipline ride is only Php600.00 (USD14.00). It has two 840m with a drop of 100 meters and zooms through rainforest canopy at 60-80kph and land with their special arresting gear system. You can fly like a bird or superman but listen to the instruction of the staff.

They also have ATV, wall climbing, zorbing and trampoline jump. If you get hungry, they have restaurant to cater your hunger but if you have time to pack up your food, you can also bring it and settle in the pine tree park inside The Forest Park. Bring your children in this enchanting park and even the adult will feel like a child. The entrance fee is only Php50.00 (USD1.50). Go and enjoy yourselves!

Please note that price is the current rate. It may change without prior notice as well as the exchange rate. So, if you want to budget down your money, there are lots of agencies that will love to give you their quotation online.

Pulau Ubin

2011-10-03T22:16:00.000-07:00

Pulau Ubin is a small island located in the north-eastern corner of mainland Singapore and is shaped like a boomerang. If you are tired of listening the sound of the city, go and have fun in Pulau. You can reach there by taking a ferry in Tanah Merah. The ferry fare is only $2.50. You can also relax in Celestial Hotel. For fun, hire a one day bicycle and please follow the signs to avoid accident. If the sign say dismount your bike, you have to dismount. The road in Pulau is rough but there is also a part which is asphalt. Go and head to Chek Jawa (opens from 8:30am to 6:00pm) where you can feel the fresh air (bring sunblock and umbrella if you want), the bridge from entrance to the tower. Go up the tower and observe the endless horizon of the blue ocean. But the tower is only open if the weather is good.

Below are some you can find in Pulau.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2011-10-03T04:51:00.000-07:00

Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia. There you can see the famous Petronas Twin Tower, the world famous 88-storey building featured in the Hollywood blockbuster starring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jone, "The Entrapment". Do not forget to take the picture of the tower in the morning and its dazzling light at night. *The skybridge opens from Tuesday to Sunday. As for Monday, the Skybridge would be opened for half day from 9.00am to 1.00pm during school holiday and open full day from 9.00am to 5.00pm if the Monday is Public Holiday, otherwise the Skybridge would be closed.
The ticket are not free of charge anymore. The ticket will cost RM10.-
The Skybridge Ticket counter located at the Concourse Floor (underground) of the PETRONAS Twin Towers. The floor can be accessed from both Towers.
There is no restaurant at the Skybridge. There is only a club, Malaysian Petroleum Club located at Level 41 & Level 42. The club is only open for the members.

Observation Deck
The observation Deck is located at Level 86. A ticket to the Observation Deck will cost you RM 40. (Source: *Malaysiasite)

If you get hungry, just go ahead at the basement of the tower and you will find restaurants at a reasonable price.

You can take a bus from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur for a cheaper price. But also check the airlines since sometimes they are cheaper than the bus. Coach price range from $35 to $50, depend on the class of the coach, for one-way only and it will take 6 hours drive from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur.

Batam, Indonesia

2011-09-29T22:05:00.000-07:00

Batam, Indonesia is just like a province in the Philippines. We went there for a one day city tour with an English speaking tourist guide. It was okay and the most that I like was the food. I had a lot of burp in there, hehehe. They tour us to the temple, one of the biggest in Batam which you will find Buddhas setting outside. Then, they sent us to Batam Miniature House Park. Here, you will see different house designs from different provinces in Indonesia. The tour also have a free food tasting of Batam's delicacies.

If you are in Singapore, you can just have contact any travel and tours which offer a one day city tour with free lunch.