The Khmer's Travel Diary

Postponement of the implementation of VISA-FREE entry to Taiwan for Filipinos was reset to September

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 16 May 2017 12:56:00 +0000

Visa-free entry for Filipinos to Taiwan was postponed according to Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines which was originally set to June 1, 2017.

According to its website's advisory, the implementation of postponement was "to complete relevant administrative procedures and inter-agency coordination."

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is expected to release the full details of the implementation either in September 2017 or at an appropriate date, according to TECO.

Here is the full text of the advisory:

The implementation of VISA-FREE entry to the ROC (Taiwan) for Filipinos has been rescheduled to September 2017, and the exact date of the commencement of the implementation of the visa-free treatment will be further announced in September or at other appropriate date this year

Post Date:2017-05-16

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has recently announced that the implementation of visa-free entry to the ROC (Taiwan) for Filipinos has been postponed in order to complete relevant administrative procedures and inter-agency coordination. MOFA is expected to release the full details of the implementation of the said visa-free arrangements including the exact date of the commencement of implementing the visa-free treatment and its requirements either in September 2017 or at an appropriate date in due course.

Since 2016, the ROC (Taiwan) government has adopted a number of visa liberalization measures for the Philippine nationals to visit Taiwan as part of its “New Southbound Policy”. These measures are expected to enhance the bilateral relations, and expand the multi-faceted exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines.

Despite the postponement of the said visa-free policy, since as from October 2016, the Philippines has been included in Taiwan’s e-visa program list, for Filipinos who wish to visit Taiwan for tourism or a short visit, they are advised to continue to apply for either free Travel Authorization Certification (TAC), or payable e-visa (single entry:NTD1,632) or the payable appropriate proper visa stamped in the passport (single entry:P2,400, multiple entry:P4,800). Therefore, for the time being, prior to the full implementation of the visa-free arrangements, Filipinos should still follow the existing visa regulations and procedures to obtain visa(s) before travel to Taiwan.

In addition, MOFA has decided to further enlarge the eligibility criteria of the ROC (Taiwan) Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC) for qualified Philippine travellers starting from 1st June this year. Filipinos who have been issued with an ROC (Taiwan) visa (labor visas with remarks “FL” or “X” are excluded) over the recent 10 years may also apply for the said TAC, no need to pay any fee. The said TAC allows multiple-entries to Taiwan, valid for 90 days with every stay up to 30 days.

Dr. Gary Song-Huann Lin, Representative of the ROC (Taiwan) to the Philippines, wishes to emphasize that the granting of visa-free privilege to Filipinos is one of his priority work plans during his tenure in the Philippines, and that he and his colleagues in TECO will make strenuous efforts to make his dream of closer Taiwan-Philippines bilateral ties come true as soon as possible. It aims to enhance the mutually beneficial bilateral tourism, trade, investment, agricultural, technology, economic, cultural, educational and people-to-people cooperation and exchanges between Taiwan and the Philippines.

Representative Lin further pointed out that the postponement is simply for smooth operations, more effective immigration procedure, and the safeguard of security for all passengers. The direction of the visa-free policy remains unchanged. As Taiwan is implementing “New Southbound Policy”, “the Philippines is considered as an important partner of Taiwan, so we are really making efforts to welcome more Filipino visitors to visit Taiwan, and the postponement of the visa-free arrangements is only intended to conduct seamless operations, facilitate the entry to Taiwan, and enhance security and safety for everyone”, as mentioned by Representative Lin.

For further visa information, you may check the website of TECO in the Philippines at http://www.roc-taiwan.org/ph

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines

May 16, 2017, Makati City, Metro Manila

The Bud Dajo Massacre in 1906: A little Summary

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 02:31:00 +0000

It was a Moro name Pala who ran amok in British Borneo, set up his camp in Sulu which resulted in the chain of events in 1906. Later then, Sulu civilians at Bud Dajo were defying American occupation. On March 5, to the early morning of March 6, 1906, there was a massive artillery founding the crater as per order by General Leonard Wood. 2000 went uphill and local account says 1500 Filipinos killed and on the US side, 18 died, 52 wounded.

According to historians, the "massacre" could have been avoided by cutting food supply , forcing the rebels to come down but Gen. Leonard Wood needed the battle of Bud Dajo so badly to justify his military standing. Accounts also pointed out that it was a necessary action before it gets sympathy from the neighboring community.

Source: http://www.akrosdayunibers.com

Local assert that there was an issue on the economic aspect of the sulu sultanate by diverting the trading route bypassing Sulu, instead directly anchoring over Davao and Manila. Another version says the US would be adopting a foreign policy to commit genocide. Both adaptations might lead to the unfortunate event in 1906.

Afraid of "Bangkaw", Gen. Pershing, who succeeded Gen. Wood, ordered the mass production of caliber 45 arm gun to suppress noncompliant locals.

OK..im not a historian, nabasa ko lang sa kanto at sa kapapanood ng EJK hearing. dont worry. haha.anyway, you could believe anything written from our books pa naman...credits to Abraham Idjirane.

Backpacking Phi Phi Island 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 09:12:00 +0000

The Phi Phi Islands are in Thailand, between the large island of Phuket and the west Strait of Malacca coast of the mainland. The islands are administratively part of Krabi province. Wikipedia

Kho Phi Phi Backpacking 2016 -The Beach! (Thailand)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 15:20:00 +0000

From Rassada Pier, Phuket, the cost of the ferry is 300 Baht back and fourth. The agent picked me up around 7:15 am. The first trip is 8:30 am, but it didnt depart on time, an hour and a half, the ferry starts rolling and i think the whole boat is over cap! The travel is more than 1 hour, so expect 2 hours or less as the captain extravagantly shows you some of the most popular geological spots mostly seen on hollywood movies. I keep my action cam rolling until we arrived at the Khu Phi Phi port. There is a visitor travel tax of 20 baht upon arrival.

The picture speaks for itself - so eventually a party island! Yohoooo..lets partey parteeeeee!

Nowadays, seems im getting lazy writing my travels here. Feel free to ask me by commenting below... ill answer anything to the best of my ability. Action cam shots will be posted on my next update..

KEEP TRAVELLING!

PS- next post: Phuket Island, Langkawi, Georgetown, Phuket-Trang-Satun by Bus Experienced, Singapore.

Backpacking Langkawi - The Jewel of Kedah

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 19:40:00 +0000

Compose of 99 tropical islands, Langkawi has been accorded the geographic status by UNESCO, for its beautiful geological heritage of stunning landscapes, karsts, caves, sea-arches, stacks, glacial drop stones and fossils.

As a natural paradise, the islands are perhaps unmatched anywhere else in South East Asia. You can enjoy nature-based activities or simply laze by the beach.

I came from Satun, Thailand via ferry which cost 300 Baht. Your first stop is Kuah where you could see the famous Eagle Square (prominent landmark). I had so much fun in here, so talking about it wont end up on this page, so better check out my photos below.

Kuah

Jetty Point, Pier

Kelim Karst Geopark

Country Side

Sky Cab

KhmerX 3D Test

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 10:09:00 +0000

How to Get an Australian Visitor Visa (subclass 600) for Filipinos

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 18:36:00 +0000

Visitor visa (subclass 600) Tourist Stream: document checklist

Visa application requirements differ from country to country. If you are outside Australia, your nearest immigration office outside Australia will tell you exactly how to lodge your application and what documents to provide.

You need to provide documents to support your application for this visa. We can make a decision using the information you provide when you lodge your application. It is in your interest to provide as much information as possible with your application.

Provide certified copies of original documents. Do not include original documents unless we specifically ask for them. Police certificates should be original documents. Documents not in English must be accompanied by accredited English translations.

Use this checklist to make sure your application is complete.
Forms

A completed application form.

Receiving assistance

If someone gives you advice or lodges your application for you:

Form 956 Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance (133KB PDF) (the agent or exempt person completes the form and you must sign it).

If you would like someone else to receive correspondence from us on your behalf:

Form 956a Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (116KB PDF)

Charges

Pay the visa application charge. (usually Au$135)

Your identity

Certified copies of the biographical pages of the current passports or travel documents of all people included in the application (these are the pages with the holder's photo and personal details and the issue/expiry dates).
One recent passport sized photograph (45 mm x 35 mm) of each person included in the application.

These photographs should be of the head and shoulders only against a plain background.
Print the name of the person on the back of the photograph.

If your name has changed or the name of anyone included in your application has changed: a certified copy of evidence of the name change.
Certified copies of birth certificates for you and any other person included in the application. The certificates must show the names of both parents of each person.

The character requirements

If anyone included in the application has served in the armed forces of any country: certified copies of their military service record or discharge papers.

Documents to show you are a visitor

Evidence of sufficient funds, such as personal bank statements, pay slips, audited accounts, taxation records or credit card limit.
If you are visiting relatives or friends, a letter of invitation from your relative or friend in Australia. If your relative or friend is paying for your visit, evidence that they have the necessary funds.
If you are visiting under the Tourist stream: Your itinerary for your stay in Australia.
Other information to show that you have an incentive and authority to return to your home country, such as:

a letter from your employer stating your intention to return to your job
evidence of enrolment at a school, college or university in your home country
evidence of immediate family members in your home country
evidence of your visa or residence status in your home country, and your right to return
evidence of property or other significant assets owned in your home country.

Children younger than 18 years of age

If you are younger than 18 years of age: evidence that every person with a legal right to decide where you live consents to your travel to Australia on this visa. If one or both parents are not coming with you, provide:

a statutory declaration giving their permission
Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years (125KB PDF).
If you use this form, you will have to attach a certified copy of your parent’s or guardian’s government-issued identification document (such as a passport or drivers licence) with their photograph and their signature.

If you are younger than 18 years of age and you will stay in Australia with someone other than a parent, legal guardian or relative: a declaration signed by the person who will be responsible for you in Australia
- Form 1257 Undertaking declaration (125KB PDF).
Evidence of enrolment at school, college or university.

If your ready to get your Australian Visitor Visa go to https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login

For more info visit : http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/600-

I'll update you when i get mine...

Jakarta to Bali in 10 Day Itinerary 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 16:35:00 +0000

Hey readers! How are you? It's been a while, I'm not posting on my blog.. I was very busy and wasn't able to travel much.. My hectic schedule and other important matters had shunned me away from writing and travelling.

Luckily, I'm back on the road again. So, you wanna go to Indonesia for 10 days? I'm gonna sum it up to my best ability. Hope it could provide information as well as help you on your journey.

Enough said, below is a map that shows my route all over Java and Bali for 10 days!

Click the image to enlarge

What you really need to get there?

Money! Ha-ha... I have at least $300 with me exchanged at a private money changer at NAIA 3 airport.. Beware! Don't get so pretty excited by having your money exchanged at the money changer, which is located between the check-in counters and the immigration checkpoint! They usually blow the exchanged rates! So as a tip, there is Landbank satellite branch on the first floor, get your money there.. So you won't feel scammed by the private money changers! Your PHP 10,000 could give you almost IDR 3M... with the private money changers you could get as much as IDR 2.7M.. That's around PHP 1000 more or less. Anyway, better use your ATM Credit/Debit cards.. Much better real time exchange rates, trust me.

Eid-Al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan last July 17, 2015. I'm lucky enough to celebrate with the locals. Although it was unfortunate that we weren't able to ride on my dream midnight train from Jakarta, the overnight bus rides were definitely a whole new experienced.

10 Days Itinerary

Day 1 - Jakarta

Day 2 - Jakarta

Day 3- Yogyakarta

Day 4 - Yogyakarta

Day 5 - Surabaya

Day 6 - Surabaya

Day 7- Ubud

Day 8 - Ubud

Day 9- Kuta

Day 10 - Kuta

Day 1 -2: Jakarta

Monas Tower, Jakarta Indonesia

The capital of Indonesia, google has told me about lots of things to do in the City, whilst I was able to book at the city center - a walking distance to most of the sites, I still wasn't able to penetrate all the tourist spots being featured on other blogs. Things got rough for me on day 1 and day 2. My bookings online didn't go as smooth as I thought. I spent a day looking for the travel and tours office and failed (went to Podomoro City). I also went to Pasar Senen Station trying to find my train - I failed (fully booked due to Eid-Al-Fitr). The site seeing has gone so expensive by using taxi and bemo (local motorized cab) - we should have opt for a motorbike which we haven't thought until we're on Yogyakarta.

Finally, the manager of the hostel told us that we should head directly to Jakarta Bus Terminal at Grogol. We took the overnight bus roughly 14 hour trip to Yogyakarta.

Day 3 -4: Yogyakarta

Burubodur Temple, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Jogjakarta (local), the capital of ancient Mataram Kingdom in Java. Somehow a little bit similar to Siem Reap, but you can find more ancient stuff here. The first day was spent looking for our stay and yes, we took the long route. Fortunately, a couple were able to help us find the location and offer to bring us there using their motorbike and yes, as a traveler, I love speaking with the locals, I spent some good conversation with the "wanita" or "Madame" whom her husband offered a ride to our hostel.

I spent the rest of the afternoon motorbiking to Prambanan and site seeing. Early morning we rush to Burobudor. Later that day, around 6pm we went travelling again by bus going to Surabaya. The Rosaliah Indah Bus employees were very good to us, although it was unfortunate that we lost our tickets (I'll talk more about it on my next blog post), the personnel were able to accommodate us without hesitation. :)

Day 5-6: Surabaya

Suro and Boyo (the emblem of Surabaya City), Surabaya, Indonesia

It was 3 am, the bus conductor pat me lightly to tell that we have just arrived in Surabaja (local). Most people don't speak English so better keep your ears sharp. Eventually, we were the only person to drop by in Surabaya at that time and we just wait at the office of Rosaliah Indah until 5am before heading to our accommodation. Day 1 was like a marathon walk, we werent able to get a motorbike (so sad). We been walking all day long to different sites, trying to know the Ins and Outs of the City.

We went to as much tourist spots as we could although ive got lots of blisters already, this vibrant City has never failed to amaze me. It was a mixed of Eastern and Western cultures ei Chinese, Arab, Malay and Dutch. There are lots of malls and Surabaja was the second largest City in Indonesia. We spent our second day looking at Sangar Agung and Pakuwon City. I say, it's not expensive here, unlike Jakarta. At 3pm (day 2), we booked our ticket going to Denpasar from Purabaya Bus Station. Yes, another overnight bus ride.

Day 7-8: Ubud

Rice Terraces, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

The bus fare includes your ferry ticket, so no need to pay for it, around midnight we are already at the Banyuwangi port heading to Bali. Two more hours we arrived at the Denpasar Ubung Bus Terminal. We take it slow as if we have enough more time to explore Bali. From Ubung BT we took a bemo going to Batu Bulan Terminal, unfortunately, the Bemo driver didn't bring us to the terminal, instead insisted that we just ride a minibus going to Ubud which we did.

Ubud was famous for its traditional craft and dances, rice paddies, temples and country living. Ubud was like a backpackers haven and the sprawling tourism here was like any other. Bars, resto, cafe, temples and shops, it was like seeing some culture clash at first of a glance. Eventually, the locals here have adapted to western culture and they treat foreign guys very well!

Pura Ulun Dano Bratan, Tabanan, Bali, Indonesia

Tourist are everywhere, such as the Backpackers, Solo travelers, Travel Bloggers, Photographers, and Holiday goers seem to have fun of their lives. Getting a motorbike to travel to Eastern Bali from Ubud is a good idea, its cheap and fun! On the second day around 7pm, we head down to Kuta on a taxi.

Day 9-10: Kuta

Kuta Beach, Kuta, Bali, Indonesia

We have bad experienced with the taxi driver that brought us to Kuta around 9pm. He didn't drop us to our hostel and we traversed Sunshine Road for over an hour to find that location, but we're fooled by the google maps pin and we can't contact the numbers posted on my bookings. Some good local was able to help us, but failed. I booked another hotel which is located at Legian, walking distance to the beach (thanks to that chick who offered free wifi).

Lonely Planet describes Legian and Kuta as "loud, frenetic, and brash". Oftentimes, we deal with narrow streets and strident clubs. Haggling with T-shirt /souvenir vendors here is a norm (i usually get great deals). There are lots of people, I can say it is the focal point of tourism in Bali. Most of the sites are buzzing with tourist and the sprawling long beaches is always there to satisfy you 24/7.

Cost of Living

Taxi all over Java and Bali starts at IDR 7.000 and Bemo's flat-rate is IDR30.000. Motorbikes rate starts at IDR50.000 per day and full tank gas is IDR 15.000 enough for a day. Accommodation per night vary from cities like; Jakarta, IDR 450.000 (lowest), Yogyakarta IDR 250.000, Surabaya IDR 250.000, Ubud IDR 250.000, Kuta IDR450.000. Food also varies from locations, for example, if you eat on the outskirts of Kuta the price dropped is significant and doubles at the city center. Bus fares are as follows: Jakarta to Yogyakarta - IDR350.000, Yogyakarta to Surabaya - IDR 210.000, Surabaya -Denpasar - IDR350.000. Most overnight buses have one complimentary meal around 11-12midnight so make sure you dont lose your ticket (ive got some funny experience with this LOL)!

Im going to cut this article into mini lenses hoping to provide a much wider view on my travels. Anyway, pardon my English writing - just trying the best of my ability to help you.

Things to Do in Jakarta, Indonesia

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 13:09:00 +0000

The city of Jakarta, formerly called Batavia is located at the northern part of Java. The capital of Indonesia, Jakarta with a population of over 10M is a mix of cultures ranging from Arabian, European, Chinese, Indian, Javanese and Malay. The Special Capital Region of Jakarta once flourished as the center of trading during the time of the Dutch East Indies. The metropolitan area is an agglomeration of 5 cities namely Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi thus known as Jabodetabek which is the next largest suburb in the world.

Monas, Jakarta Indonesia

Things to Do:

1. Monas

2. Istiqlal Mosque

4. The Catholic Cathedral

5. Sunda Kelapa

6. Cafe Batavia

7. Pasar Baroe

8. Old Batavia

9. Senayan Area

10. Mall

Food

Transpo

Cost of Living

@@@@@well update this soon

Visiting Bohol Island Philippines, Backpacking 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 17:29:00 +0000

Bohol is a first income class island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of the island itself and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of 4,117.26 square kilometres (1,589.68 sq mi) and a coastline 261 kilometres (162 mi) long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines.To the west of Bohol is Cebu, to the northeast is the island of Leyte and to the south, across the Bohol Sea is Mindanao.

Ruined Roman Cathedral Church, Inabanga, Bohol

How to get there: From Manila, take a plane bound for Tagbilaran directly. If you are in Cebu, ask the taxi driver to bring you to Cebu Pier 3 for the Star Craft ticket. Ask someone from the port's security to bring you to pier 1 where the boat bound for Tubigon, Bohol is waiting. Pay 20 PhP (terminal fee) and here you go!

You can take the fast craft ferry via Tubigon or Tagbilaran from Cebu City Pier 1( Star Craft ferry). Fare is 220 PhP, 1hr ride (Star Craft Ferry) via Tubigon and 530 PhP if you take the Cebu-Tagbilaran 2hrs route

Ive been to a lot of places in the Philippines, however, this is the first time i posted something about my beautiful country. I am proud to be a Filipino, proud to be living in this wonderful place in Asia. I would love to share it with you too...

Top Bohol Tourist Spots

1. Chocolate Hills Natural Monument (UNESCO World Heritage)

So, the first thing on my list is to visit the famous Chocolate Hills Natural Monument at Carmen, Bohol. This is one of the top tier destination in the Philippines, so definitely i should check it.

Entrance Fee: 50 PhP or 1.12 USD at the time of writing.

Operating Hours: 5am-6pm Daily

Chocolate Hills, Carmen, Bohol, Philippines [click to enlarge]

"Similar to the formations found in Java, the conical and almost symmetrical and same-sized hills known as the "Chocolate Hills", are more aesthetically extensive. These were the uplift of coral deposits and the result of the action of rainwater and erosion. The hills are located throughout the towns of Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan and consist of about 1,776 mounds of the same general shape. During the dry season when precipitation in inadequate, the grass-covered hills turn chocolate brown, hence the name in reference to a branded confection." - UNESCO

How to get there:

Basically, you can take a bus from Tagbilaran City Bus Terminal located one block in front of Island City Mall(ICM). If you are staying at the city center, the cost to hire a "tricycle" or puv should no longer greater than 30 PhP to get to the Bus Terminal. You can take the bus going to Carmen, which cost 60 PhP only. You can just ask the driver to drop you at the Chocolate Hills Viewing station which is visible on the right side of the road going to Carmen.

2. Loon, Bohol

Loon is a second class municipality of Bohol, was among the places hardly beaten by the October 15, 2013 earthquake. Although, most of the structures in the town was reduced into rubble, there are places you can visit as well that surpass the natures challenges. Loon, is named after water, specifically “Tubig-Loon” or “Tubig nga nag-loon”, a crystal-clear spring that gushes from a crevice underneath boulders found north of the coastal village of Napo, Loon’s nucleus community.

A Crystal Clear Spring, located at Barangay Napo, Loon, Bohol

How to get there:

The place is 25 km away from Tagbilaran City. Approximately, bus fare would be around 20-30 PhP. If you came from Tubigon, that would approximately cost around 30-40 PhP.

Extended Beaches, Barangay Napo, Loon, Bohol

3. Baclayon Church

The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception' in Baclayon is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines founded in 1596. It is one of the best preserved Jesuit-built churches in the region, although in the 19th century, the Augustinian Recollects added a modern facade and a number of stone buildings that now surround the church.

Baclayon Church renovation, Baclayon, Bohol

The church currently undergoes renovation after the October 15, 2013 earthquake. However, the church museum has been opened for public viewing. The museum has an impressive amount of liturgical material preserved. The church inventory books have helped in dating some pieces. Among the Baclayon cantorals (large handwritten music books) was found the Misa Baclayana

Entrance Fee: 50 PhP or 1.12 USD at the time of writing.

Operating Hours: 8am-5pm Daily

4. Sandugu Monument (Blood Compact Monument)

The Sandugo was a blood compact, performed in the island of Bohol in the Philippines, between the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna the chieftain of Bohol on March 16, 1565, to seal their friendship as part of the tribal tradition. This is considered as the first treaty of friendship between the Spaniards and Filipinos. "Sandugo" is a Visayan word which means "one blood".

Entrance Fee: No

Operating Hours: Anytime

Blood Compact Monument, Tagbilaran City, Bohol

The monument is located within Tagbilaran City approximately 3-4km, you can ask a PUV or Tricycle to bring you to the monument for less than 20 PhP or arrange a tour from Tagbilaran City, heading to the Sandugu Monument and finally to Baclayon Church for a small fee.

5. Alona Beach, Panglao Island

Panglao was known to Chinese, Malay, Siamese and Indonesian traders. In 1803, Spanish explorers came to the shores of Panglao in search of fresh water. At the time a couple of natives on the seashore were making fishing devices called "panggaw". One of the Spaniards asked what the name of the island was. The natives—who thought the visitors were asking what they were making—then replied "panggaw". Hence, from that term, was derived the name Panglao.

Entrance Fee: No

Operating Hours: 24/7

Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol

How to get there:

"Habal-habal" or a motorcycle could be arrange to bring you from Shopper's Mart center down to Alona Beach in Panglao which cost you around 150-200 PhP. Haggle if you can to bring down the cost as what i did where initially i was offered 200 PhP and lowered it down to 150 PhP. I didn't know also that you could commute using the regular jeep with sign boards heading to Tawala (much cheaper-regular rates) which is also located in front of the shopping center. The Tawala route will pass by at Alona, just ask the driver.

Ok! So here you go, i skip the Tarsier Sanctuary and the Loboc River since im short of time, but definitely ill visit that place when i came back anytime soon.

Note: Eventually, there are a lot of motorcycles you can rent for a day in Tagbilaran City. The rate goes from 350 PhP - 700PhP per day excluding the fuel.

Reference:

UNISCO
Wikipedia

Backpacking Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) 2013 - Day Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 10:56:00 +0000

Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnamese: Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh; formerly named Saigon (Vietnamese: Sài Gòn; French: Saïgon), is the largest city in Vietnam. Under the name Saigon, it was the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina and later of the independent republic of South Vietnam from 1955–75. -Wikipedia

Language: You can communicate in english, it has become a second de facto language in Saigon. Vietnamese is there official language.

Currency: 1 Php = 480 VND (Vietnamese Dong), 1 USD = 21000 VND at the time of writing.

Hostel/Lodging: Average Cost is around 7-10 USD per night

Top Places to Visit

1. Saigon Square

This historic area is bordered by City Hall, the beautiful Rex Hotel and numerous French and Vietnamese restaurants.

Entrance Fee: No

Ho Chi Minh Square, Saigon, Vietnam.[click to enlarge]

2. Notre Dame Cathedral

Built during the late 1800's by french architect, this magnificent cathedral has a huge statue of the Virgin Mary in front of the Church . The neo-Romanesque church is located at the heart of the city facing the General Post Office at the left side.

Entrance Fee: No

Saigon's Notre Dame Cathedral, HCMC Vietnam [click to enlarge]

3. General Post Office

If you have been to a lot of railway station, this post office is a bit similar to it. It was designed by the famous Gustav Eiffel in the 1800's. You can send free postcards too. :)

Entrance Fee: No

Operating Hours: 6AM to 10 PM Daily

General Post Office Building, HCMC, Vietnam (Exterior) [click to enlarge]

General Post Office Building, HCMC, Vietnam (Interior) [click to enlarge]

4. War Remnants Museum

The War Remnants Museum showcases photograph exhibits, firearms, weapons, artillery, fighter jets and battle tanks. It defects a long story line of the sad reality during the vietnam war.

Entrance Fee: VND 15,000

Operating Hours: 7:30am-12pm, 1:30pm-5pm daily

War Remnants Museum, HCMC, Vietnam [click to enlarge]

War Photo exhibit, War Remnants Museum, HCMC,Vietnam [click to enlarge]

5. Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater

Water Puppets originated in the delta of the Red river in Vietnam in the 11th century, and are still popular. The importance of water in all aspects of life really comes through in these performances. This unique art form has won many international puppet awards.

Entrance Fee: VND 249, 000

Operating Hours: 8:30am-11:30am, 1:30pm-7:30pm daily

Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater 55B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St. | Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnamn

A live orchestra accompanies the performance with traditional music and song. Singers tell the stories and shout encouragement to the puppets that range from dragons, fishes, water fairies and farmers. It's all in the local language and quite incomprehensible. The puppet show is performed in a pool of water 4 meters square with the water surface, which acts as the stage. The puppeteers stand behind a split-bamboo screen, decorated to resemble a temple facade, and control the puppets using long bamboo rods and string mechanism hidden beneath the water surface. The puppets are carved out of wood and brightly colored.

6. Reunification Palace

This fascinating government building, significant for its role in the Vietnam conflict, is preserved almost exactly as it was in 1966.

Admission Fee:: VND 20,000

Operating Hours: 7:30AM - 5:00PM Daily

Reunification Palace, 106 Nguyen Du St | District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Wandering Around the City

Try "bánh mỳ" (Saigonese bread! Solid core, butter-smelling!”) hawkers selling bread cried their wares as they pedaled bicycles through alleys in the poorer districts of Saigon.

Hawker Stool, preparing Bahn My for our breakfast.

Despite the name, the Ben Than Old Market is not the place to find antiques, although it is quite old. This is the place to buy imported food, wine, shaving cream, shampoo and so on.

Saigon Ben Than Old Market, HCMC, Vietnam

Former US President Bill Clinton stopped by at Pho 2000 to taste the best pho in Vietnam.

Pho 2000 noodles restaurant, HCMC Vietnam

Check out Tran Nguyen Han Monument, which is located in the roundabout where the streets of Le Loi, Ham Nghi, Tran Hung Dao and Le Lai intersect – just in front of the Ben Thanh Market.

Tran Nguyen Han Monument, Saigon, Vietnam

Foods

Phoo noodles, taken at Phoo 2000, Saigon, Vietnam

Vietnamese Spring Rolls, Pho 2000, Saigon Vietnam

Fried Beef, Pho 2000, Saigon Vietnam

Sources:

http://www.tripadvisor.com

http://www.virtualtourist.com
http://www.lonelyplanet.com
http://en.wikipedia.com

Saigon-Siem Reap- Bangkok- Pattaya City in 6 Days Backpacking Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 12:33:00 +0000

Few months ago, i was blogging about my long route to several countries in IndoChina. However, that was a bit off the chart. I had several personal issues that need further assessment, and this plan needs a great revision. The original idea was to backpack Saigon-Phnom Phen-Siem Reap- Bangkok - Vientiane. Financially, this original plan was far too expensive and money isn't coming in pretty badly.

Aside from that, my passport is about to expire 2 months prior to departure which gives me just a few weeks to processed the whole thing. My departure flight from Bangkok is a little bit hazy. In short, I'm planning for a trip which i am bit hesitant to undertake.

So cutting the trip for a maximum of 6 days excluding my 1 day stay at Manila is important. The new route is to fly from MLA- HCMC, roadtrip from HCMC to Siem Reap, bypassing Phnom Phen, then another road trip from Siem Reap to Bangkok, and Bangkok to Pattaya City and vice versa.

Anyway, all went will :), So here is a short recap of my 6 days backpacking trip.

Day 1: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

Ho Chi Minh Square, Saigon, Vietnam.[click to enlarge]

12:20am : Arrival time at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport

9:00am-9pm : Day tour (Ho Chi Minh Tourist Spots)

Reunification Palace, Ben Than Market, Poo 2000, Saigon Square, Water Puppetry, War Remnants Museum, Japanese Restaurant, Saigon Central Post Office, Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, Ticket bookings.

Day 2: Saigon- Siem Reap

Bus departure, putting off the luggage,Sintourist Cafe, Phnom Phen, Cambodia.

6:00am- Bus departure from Saigon
9:00am - Vietnam-Cambodian Border Immigration
9:40am - Bus stop, breakfast at the Cambodia border
12:30pm - Arrival at Phnom Phen , Booked ticket bound for Siem Reap, Lunch at Sintourist
2:00pm - Bus departure to Siem Reap
8:00pm- Arrival at Siem Reap and check in hotel

Day 3: Siem Reap City, Cambodia

The Bayon Temple, Ankor, Siem Reap, Cambodia

6:00am- Swimming at the pool
8:00am - Day tour; Hindu temples and Angkor Wat
1:00pm - Lunch at Neary Angkor Wat Restaurant
2:00pm- Visiting South Gate temples, Bayon etc.
4:30pm- Siem Reap City Tour; Kings Palace, Parks, Angkor National Museum, Night Market, Dinner at KFC
7:30pm - Siem Reap Temple Club; Dining and Watching Cultural Show with Apsara Dance
9:30pm- Citywalk from Pub Street to Hotel.

Day 4: Siem Reap to Bangkok, Thailand

Wat Pho Temple, Bangkok. Thailand.

6:00am: Minibus departure from Siem Reap hotel pickup
8:30am: Aranyaprathet,Thailand/Poipet, Cambodia Border
8:40am: Cambodian Immigration
9:00am: Thailand Immigration
10:30am: Departure from Aranyaprathet to Bangkok by Minibus
1:15pm: Lunch break, gas station somewhere near Bangkok City
2:30pm: Arrival at Bangkok City
3:00pm: Late Lunch at KFC at Kao San Road (Backpackers area)
5:00pm: Check in at hostel and rest a little
7:30pm: Street food hopping at Petchaburi Road near Platinum Fashion Mall
10:00pm- REST

Day 5: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Ratchaburi, Thailand

Floating restaurant, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Ratchaburi, Thailand.

7:00am: Departure from Bangkok to Ratchaburi
9:00am: Arrival at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Ratchaburi
11am: Departure from Floating Market
1:00pm: Arrival at Hostel, Change outfit, freshening up
2:40pm: Visiting Grand Palace
4:30pm: Temple run to Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha)
6:00pm: Walking tour at the city streets.
7:00pm: At Pratunam Night Market, buying souveniers, currency exchange, street foods again.
10:00pm: REST

Day 6: Nong Nooch Garden, Pattaya City

7:00am: Departure from Victory Monument Terminal bound for Pattaya City
9:30am: Arrival at Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
9:45am: Thai Cultural Show (Thailand Culture)
10:45am: Elephant Show
11:30am: Site Seeing at the Garden
12:20pm: City tour, beach pictoreals
1:00pm: Departure from Pattaya City to Bangkok
3:30pm: Arrival at the Victory Monument Terminal
4:10pm: Bangkok Skytrain to Suvarnabhumi International Airport
4:40pm:Arrival and Check-in Philippine Airline counter
5:14pm: Dinner at KFC Suvarnabhumi International Airport
5:55pm: Departure from BKK, bound for Manila

My time table on the last day was so hectic, sort of like an Amazing Race Final Season! :) For my next post, ill figure out the expenses, you'll be amaze on how i budgeted my money and roaming around on three different countries with less cash on hand. :) As for my passport with different numbers/registration, will ive found no issue with the immigration though.

DFA Passport Renewal in Southern Philippines 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 10:04:00 +0000

My scheduled flight was on October, and my passport is about to expire. One of the ruling is that you need to renew your passport 6 months prior to your departure. Its a pain in the ass when the immigration pull you off because you are carrying an expiring passport. To avoid this unfortunate event prior to your departure i list here the things and requirements needed for you to be able to renew your expiring passport and travel smoothly without the immigration hassle.

My Old Passport(left), New passport(right) sent via LBC

Here are the general requirements according to DFA's website: http://bit.ly/DFAPassportRenewal

FOR RENEWAL OF PHILIPPINES PASSPORT APPLICANTS

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Personal appearance

Confirmed appointment

Duly accomplished application form – may be downloaded from the DFA website, www.dfa.gov.ph

No need to submit a passport size photo

Most recent expiring or expired passport

Valid picture IDs and supporting documents to prove identity. (Please refer to List of Acceptable IDs and List of Supporting Documents)

Those the things needed in DFA Metro Manila. The situation in Mindanao and Cebu is a bit different. Here are requirements at DFA Cagayan De Oro:

Personal appearance
2 Valid ID's
Old/expiring passport
Renewal Application form(to be fill in)
Photocopy of your old/expiring passport
Payment PhP 1280 (10 days rush), PhP 950 (20 days)

Process:

Pull in line as much as 3AM! (YEAH HEARED IT RIGHT!)
Make sure you have all the requirements i stated above.
Wait for 7:30AM until the guards will release the forms.
Fill up the forms, make sure you reviewed the ones important ei Old Passport Numbers.
At exactly 8:00 AM, the first batch will be called!
Remember, if you were able to get there first, you should be on the first 50 customers
Second batch, if you are unlucky, would be called around 11am!(i was unlucky!)
Your names are to be called by the security guards.
Relax and find a seat.
Listen to the speaker when your name is called, jump up! hahahaha Finally!
You will present the requirements stated above.
If your passport is about to expire 6 months, then most probably the teller wont cancel your passport until you receive the new one.
Pay at the cashiers window for passport renewal, you will be ask if are you gonna pay for a regular or rush, Php 950 and PhP 1280.00.. Of course i choose PhP 1280 for 10 working days.
Get your receipt as well as the requirements being assessed and present those at the ID Validation cubicle.
Finally,Wait for your name to be called for picture taking and review of information.

While waiting for my name to be called, DFA Cagayan De Oro City.

In the province, we dont have the 7 days rush passport renewal, we have 10 days for rush, and 15-20 days for regular processing. Worst thing is that, per batch, they would only allow 50 customers, so if get there first, you should have been on the first batch at number 1. Some of them had to sleep over at the DFA Office facade...I get there at exactly 5am, and there where 50 people ahead of me.. why i know? i was the first guy being called for the second batch!

Taken at 5am September 6, 2013, DFA CDO

Hey, standing for 3hrs doesn't stop me, being called for the second batch gives me some ample time to take breakfast alone.

Breakfast at KFC, Lim Ket Kai with there TINY CHICKEN! haha

DFA Office Cagayan de Oro is located within Lim Ket Kai Mall, and the mall itself opens at 9am!at least i have 2 hours to go shopping! haha.

Note: There is an LBC courier within the DFA Office which offers passport delivery. It saves you the hassle and cost of getting there specially if you are not from CDO. The fee is PhP 125.00 only.. i received mind 3 days after the passport schedule release. Convenient for me.

Now, i noticed that my passport number has changed! Im freaking out... a friend of mind once told me that it wont change, she had hers last June 2013. I had mind last Sept 20, 2013. My problem is the passport number i encoded on my tickets abroad is my old passport's number. Hmmm what to do? ill inform you when on my next article. That all for now, had to pack up for my indo-china backpacking. Bit excited! :)

My aunt give me some yummy DUREAN, before going home. :)

South East Asia Backpacking Tours Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 04:28:00 +0000

Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Bangkok, Vientiane, Hanoi in 15 days.

Ok, so this is my route on my upcoming journey to Mainland Asia. What do you think about this? Click the image to get a closer look of the map.

Itinerary:

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) -2 nights and 3 days
Phnom Penh - 1 night and 1 day
Siem Reap - 1 night and 1 day
Bangkok - 2 nights and 3 days
Vientianne - 1 night and 1 day
Hanoi - 2 nights and 3 days.

Exclusion - 3 days on travel (bus/train)

Total Travel Days - 15

Estimated Daily Budget - (to be determined)
Hotels - 400 PhP per night (cheapest)

Places to Visit in Ho Chi Minh City:

1. War Remnants Museum (Nha Trung Bay Toi Ac Chien Tranh)
2 FITO Museum
3. Bitexco Financial Tower Skydeck
4. Ho Chi Minh Square
5. Cao Dai Temple
6. Saigon Culinary Arts Centre
7. Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater
8. Central Post Office
9. Chua Ba Thien Hau
10. Vietnam History Museum
11.Reunification Palace (Hoi Truong Thong Nhat)
12. Saigon Opera House (Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theater)
13. Water puppet show at Thao Dien Village
14. Dam Sen Water Park
15. Emperor Jade Pagoda (Chua Ngoc Hoang or Phuoc Hai Tu)
16. Notre Dame Cathedral
17. Hotel de Ville
18. Giac Lam Pagoda
19. Tao Dan Park
20. Notre Dame Square
21. Saigon Cathedral
22. Suoi Tien Theme Park
23. Mariamman Hindu Temple
24. Bach Dang
25. Lac Canh Dai Nam Van Hien

Places to Visit in Phnom Penh City

1. The Killing Fields (Choeung Ek)

2. Daughters of Cambodia Visitor Centre

3. Plae Pakaa

4. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

5. Linna Culinary School

6. The Flicks Movie Houses

7. Wat Ounalom

8. Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center

9. National Museum

10. Royal Palace

11. Silver Pagoda

12. Central Market

13. Wat Phnom

14. Sisowath Quay

15. Phnom Chisor Temple

16. Independence Monument

17. Sovanna Phum (performance)

18. Wat Langka

Places to Visit in Siem Reap

1. Bayon Temple
2. Angkor Archaeological Park
3. Angkor Wat
4. Ta Prohm
5. Angkor Thom
6. Phare, The Cambodian Circus
7. Angkor Wat Putt
8. Banteay Srei
9. Preah Khan
10. Sovann Koth
11. Banteay Samre
12. Cambodia Landmine Museum
13. Artisans d Angkor
14. Pre Rup
15. Phnom Kulen National Park
16. Baphuon Temple
17. Angkor National Museum
18. Bakong
19. Ta Som
20. Traditional Khmer Dancing at Cambodian Children's House of Peace
21. Banteay Kdei
22. Terrace of the Elephants
23. Ta Keo
24. Traditional Khmer Dance at ACODO Orphanage
25. Eastern Mebon
26. Phnom Bakheng
27. Phimeanakas Old Gate
28. Chau Srei Vibol
29. Roluos Group
30. Terrace of the Leper King
31. Wat Bo Temple
32. Baksei Chamkrong
33. Vat Athvea

Places to Visit in Bankok

1. Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn)

2. Grand Palace & Wat Prakeaw

3. Floating Market

4. Chinatown (Yaowarat)

5. Wat Pho

6. Chao Phraya River & Waterways

7. Chatuchak Weekend Market

8. Khao San Road

9. Soi Cowboy

10. Jim Thompson’s House

11. The Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall

12. Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit)

13. The Golden Mount (Wat Saket)

14. Lumpini Park

15. Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple)

16. State Tower

17. Wat Bowonniwet Vihara

18.The National Museum Bangkok

19. Chinatown - Bangkok

20. Suan Pakkad Palace Museum

21. Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC)

22. Museum of Siam

23. Wat Suthat

24. Sri Mariamman Temple

25. Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum

26. Wat Benchamabophit

27. Benjasiri Park

28. The Museum of Floral Culture

29. Wat Ratchabophit

30. Baiyoke Sky Tower (City Panorama)

31. Benjakitti Park (jogging)

32. Golden Image Buddha

33. Royal Barges National Museum

34. Wat Indra Viharn

35. Phra Sumen Fort

36. Chitralada Palace

37. Mini Angkor Wat

Places to Visit in Vientianne

1. COPE Visitor Centre
2. Wat si Saket
3. Great Sacred Stupa (Pha That Luang)
4. Buddha Park (Xiang Khouan)
5. Houey Hong Vocational Training Centre for Women
6. Ho Pra Keo
7. Patuxai
8. Wat Si Muang
9. Mekong Riverside Park
10. Sisaket Temple & Museum
11. Vientiane City Pillar Shrine
12. Lao National History Museum
13. Black Stupa (That Dam)
14. Presidential Palace
15. Phatoke Laoderm
16. Wat Mixay
17. Wat Chan
18. Wat Dongpalan

Place to Visit in HaNoi

1. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
2. Old Quarter
3.Temple of Literature & National University
4. Thang Long Ca Tru Theatre
5. Fine Arts Museum (Bao Tang My Thuat)
6. Ho Chi Minh's Residence (Nha Bac Ho)
7. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
8. Hang Gai Street (Street of Hemp)
9. Thang Long Water Puppet Theater
10. Vietnam Military History Museum
11. Opera House (Nha Hat Lon)
12. Long Bien Bridge
13. West Lake
14. Thanh Chuong Viet Palace
15. Cuc Phuong National Park
16. Chua Tran Quoc
17. Duong Lam
18. Ancient House
19. St. Joseph's Cathedral (Nha Tho Lon)
20. Botanical Gardens (Vuon Bach Thao)
21. Lenin statue
22. Long Viet Palace Hanoi
23. Halong Bay

Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:23:00 +0000

Check out this video i created out from my photos. Hope this well inspire you to travel and discover South East Asia this 2013. Godbless!

Backpacker's Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 23:31:00 +0000

"Heavenly father, look down on us as your humble, obedient backpackers, who are doomed to travel this earth, taking photographs, mailing post cards, buying souvenirs and walking around in drip dry underwear.

Give us this day Divine guidance in the selection of our hotels, that we may find our reservations honored, our rooms made up, and hot water in the faucets.

We pray that the telephones work and the operators speak our tongue

lead us dear lord, to inexpensive restaurants where the food is superb, the waiters friendly, and the wine included in the price.

Give us the wisdom to tip correctly in currencies we do not understand. Forgive us for under tipping in ignorance, and over tipping out of fear. Make the natives love us for what we are, and not what we can contribute to their worldly goods.

Grant us the strength to visit the museums, cathedrals, and the castles listed as 'musts' in the guide books.

And if perhaps we skip a historic monument to take a nap after lunch, forgive us lord, for the flesh is weak."

--------------Taken from a wall at a hostel in Kuala Lumpur.

Discovering Kuala Lumpur Malaysia - A Filipino Travelers Perspective Part A

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 13:33:00 +0000

KL at night, seen from KL Tower. KL Trip 2013 Filipino Blog [click to enlarge]

Along the way...I've learned a little Malay ..Something to boast? LOL.. Crazy! hahaha. Bagaimana akan anda pembaca? It means... "How are you readers?" haha.. Ok i hope you’re doing well. Good to know that! hehe. Welcome to Kuala Lumpur! It is one of the busiest and most populous cities in Malaysia. The sun rises at around 8am and sets at 8pm. Temperature? i think it must be something around 32-34 degrees. So hot! Don’t forget your sunscreen... Working time is flexible according to my friend who works there for quite some time. Some businesses start at 7am; some open at 9am, so when your body clock wakes you up at 6am then go back to sleep. It’s too early.... :)

First Impression

The people are approachable; the foods are great and yummy! The roads are wider. The environment is diverse, rare faces, cultures and religion. Less rubbish in the metro, they had MRTs; lots of sanctuaries, tourists are will be guided. There is lots of idyllic scenery, especially for photography.

Cheap Hotels

We booked at Mayview Glory Hotel at No 100 & 101, Jalan Pudu Lama, 50200 Kuala, Lumpur, which is next to Menara Maybank. We stayed for two nights there for RM 36.7 per night/person. In the Philippines, the room might cost like 1500 PhP or more. Eventually, they give us a very huge room good for four people. The location is ultimately at the heart of KL. Department stores and shopping centers are just a walk away. Furthermore, the hotel has a travel agency at the lobby which offers travel package deals inside and outside KL.

View from our room at Jalan Pudu Lama, KL. [Click to enlarge]

The staffs are warm and friendly; I could still remember the big guy who constantly keeps smiling and laughing as will help us with directions, etc. He also tried to find us some electric outlet adapter and offered to buy one for us. I think; you should bring one with you, especially if you are from the Philippines because electric sockets in Malaysia are of type G (British BS-1363). The travel plug adapter like the one shown below is extremely valuable so you can keep up with your electronic gadgets specially laptops and cellphones. I bought one at the shopping center, cost me RM 6.00. Something to note: do not buy from cell phone stands or small cell phone vendors outside the malls for things like this, they are sometimes OVERPRICE! Buying from big shopping centers electrical/electronics division will save you bucks.

Universal Socket Adapter for travelers. [Click to enlarge]

Food

Ultimately, I’m a food aficionado and Malayan cuisine is not an excuse for my appetite for good food. The Chinese, Indians, and Malays made up the 3 major ethnic groups, and this has influenced the Malayan cuisine greatly. Apart from that, the geographical location within the country is no excuse for other cultures' culinary style to mix up making it extremely distinctive from neighboring countries.

On our first food adventure, we cranked up with some delicious Roti Canai for breakfast at an Indian Resto right next to our hotel. This flaky crust flat bread fried on a casserole with butter can be found anywhere in Malaysia and is often served with flavorings. Another appetizing meal is the Dosa or Dosai, which is an Indian pancake made from rice flour served as well with condiments.

Mixed Malaysian Cuisine - Baby Kailan, Dosa, Roti Canai, Sizzling Yee Mee. [Click to enlarge]

If you are indeed an extremist when it comes to inimitable flavoring you can head on to Jalan Alor. It is one of Kuala Lumpur's famous food streets, eventually; most Chinese cuisines are tendered here. Baby Kai-lan is a recipe made from Chinese broccoli or Kai-lan (also written as gai-lan) served Cantonese style in one of Jalan Alor's casual Chinese hawker stalls. Another head-turning Chinese delicacy that can be found anywhere in Malaysia is the Sizzling Yee Mee, usually cooked with Chinese mushrooms and chicken mixed with black sauce, soya, sesame oil, raw egg and pepper. It produces a fiery sound followed by a unique mouthwatering aroma that will surely captivate neighboring diners’ attention.

Jalan Alor, The best street foods are here in Kuala Lumpur. [Click to enlarge]

Entertainment and Shopping

There is a spot with all the techy and nerds, party animals, shopaholics, gourmet hunters, and casual backpackers gathered for a feast of exemplary food, night life, technology, and shopping - Bukit Bintang. The Malay word "Bukit Bintang'' meaning "Star Hill" is a decent place to consider for some local and foreigners who are looking for sheer fun and excitement day and night in KL.

Bintang Walk, with Chinese Lanterns in preparation for the upcoming Chinese New Year 2013. [Click to enlarge]

Bukit Bintang houses numerous shopping centers, including the thirteenth of the world’s biggest shopping mall - Berjaya Times Square, Bukit Bintang Plaza, Imbi Plaza, Low Yat Plaza, Pavilion KL, Starhill Gallery, Fahrenheit 88 and others to name a few. Plaza Low Yat and Imbi Plaza offer the latest in electronics and gadgetry, multimedia, and communication devices.

Nightclubs such as Bistro 160, Piccolo Mondo, and Pulse Ultra Club as well as many others can be found along a stretched on a sidewalk famously known in KL as "Bintang Walk".

Pavillion KL, Bukit Bintang [Click to enlarge]

Bukit Bintang [Click to enlarge]

Jalan Alor is another known avenue in Bukit Bentang where never-ending lines of hawker stalls are eminent for their street and gourmet foods. The scene is livelier during the evenings. On another side, Changkat Bukit Bintang includes fine dining, more pubs and restos famous for international cuisines, such as Arabic, American, Japanese, Korean, and European dishes. Ain Arabia a small square rich with Arabic foundation as well as a lot of dedicated Middle Eastern shopping centers and food stalls.

Somewhere along the streets of Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. [Click to enlarge]

Zodiac Signs Lantern sculptures at the KL Pavilion facade. [Click to enlarge]

My friend scoured most retail tech shops at Plaza Low Yat and discovers a huge saving in terms of gadget cost and prices for tablet and smartphones. I additionally found out something around 2000 PhP off compared to e-gadgets sold in the Philippines, especially for smartphones. My conclusion would be to take advantage of the price, besides try to compare other local prices before setting the deal.

Hop-On-Hop-Off City Tour

With less time and draining bank accounts, we found something that could actually save us from the expenses and time. This is the most popular Hop-On-Hop-Off City Bus, the absolute way to experience Kuala Lumpur in 24-48 hrs. So what is this exactly? According to their website http://www.myhoponhopoff.com, it is a tourism friendly customized public transport system that provides an efficient linkage between major attractions between the city, enhance tourism services and further upgrade Kuala Lumpur city status as a tourist-friendly city.

Hop-on-hop-off City Bus and Tickets. [Click to enlarge]

Ticket Type: STANDARD ADULT TICKET
Price: RM 38.00 Validity: 24 Hours
Price: RM 65.00 Validity: 48 Hours

KL Hop-On-Hop-Off City Tour Route Map. [Click to enlarge]

The tour covers most attractions and sites in KL and provides a free globetrotter guide book so you won’t miss all the beautiful and exciting experiences each stop has to offer. Furthermore, you can ask the lady conductor to provide you with the Wi-Fi password. So while on the go, you are still connected to the world while book marking your post via twitter, Facebook, foursquare, instagram and etc. Also, if you want to hop-off on a particular stop/attraction, no worries, eventually, every hour another City Tour Bus will arrive as if there were like eight buses wandering around the city.

Tourist on board, Hop-In-Hop-Off City Tour. [click to enlarge]

Sites and Attractions

People always wanted to see something new so here you go, the top 10 spots we have been to in Kuala Lumpur. hehe :)

1. Batu Caves

Worlds tallest statue of a Hindu deity, Murugan, 140 ft high., Batu Caves, KL. [click to enlarge]

Situated 13 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur. The easiest way to get there is by KTM commuter train from KL Sentral station to Sentul Station. You can also take the Intrakota bus No. 11D from Pasar Sine (Central Market) or the Cityliner bus No. 69 at Jalan Pudu, cost would be RM 2-3, if you want to hire a cab expect to pay something like RM 30-50 and eventually you can haggle with them. The cheapest and most convenient way for me is to take the KTM commuter train and cost only RM 2.00.

On the other side, Malaysians love watching or lets just say they watch Filipino soap operas - you may discover some poster ads of some Filipino actors and actresses with there popular drama series on public utility vehicles, ei train and bus. :)

2. Central Market Kuala Lumpur (Pasar Seni Kuala Lumpur)

Pasar Seni a heritage cultural-cum-shopping center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. [Click to enlarge]

This very old central market in KL or "Pasar Sine" in Malay was once used as a wet market in the 1900s. Situated a walk-away from Jalan Petaling, this one-stop shopping hub sells Malaysian handicrafts, souvenirs as well as local choice foods. Public buses are located mainly here. Speaking of souvenirs, you can bargain with the vendors and sometimes pay as much as half the original price if you know how to haggle. I paid for a pack of souvenir items for as much as RM 100 paid only RM 60.

Kasturi Walk besides Sentral Market, Kuala Lumpur. [click to enlarge]

Kasturi Walk is the new extension to Pasar Seni line with kiosk and street merchant stalls.

3. China Town and Jalan Petaling

Green Dragon (semi-transparent rooftop) is now covering China town. [Click to enlarge]

Jalan Petaling is famous for its old China Town where you can find numerous hawker foods and buzzing street activities. Chinese dominates the trade in this area. However, you can find some Indian and Malay as well as other cultures selling stuff here.

Click to continue reading.. Discovering Kuala Lumpur Malaysia - A Filipino Travelers Perspective Part B

Discovering Kuala Lumpur Malaysia - A Filipino Travelers Perspective Part B

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 13:33:00 +0000

In case you have'nt read the first part, please click HERE.

4. Dataran Merdeka or The Independence Square

Merdeka Square on top, Sultan Abdul Samad Building (below) [click to enlarge]

It plays a significant role on the Malaysian liberation from the British. August 31, 1957 marks the independence of Malaysia from the British colonizers. There are a few things you should don't want to miss here such as the Sultan Abdul Samad Building inspired in Arabic- Victorian architecture. It also contains a giant clock which is a bet similar to London's "Big Ben". It is furthermore said that the structure is made from 4 million bricks! So it became one of KL's most loved landmarks.

Royal Club of Selangor, Dataran Merdeka. [Click to enlarge]

The Royal Club of Selangor which is in front of the old cricket field is said to be 125 years old. It’s a communal theatrical club for the elite during the British era. Social gatherings for the local notables and British residents took place here during the 1800s.

St. Mary's Cathedral, built 1894, Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia. [Click to enlarge]

St Mary's Cathedral - Oldest Anglican Church in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. [Click to enlarge]

Another point of importance is the Anglican Church, St Mary's Cathedral, which is the oldest in Kuala Lumpur. It is revealed to be over a hundred years of age. It’s pretty nice and well preserve on it exterior and interior.

Kuala Lumpur City Gallery, Merdeka Square, Malaysia. [Click to enlarge]

You can also look for the ever edifying Kuala Lumpur's City Gallery within Dataran Merdeka. It stipulates a huge load of chronicled narratives in the form of audio and video, prints, as well as miniaturized model of architectural heritage establish within KL, which is created by seasoned artisans from the ARCH group.

Things to see inside KL's City Gallery. [Click to enlarge]

5. Istana Budaya / National Theatre

Istana Budaya or the National Theatre, Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia [click to enlarge]

An important venue for cultural performance - this blue triangular roof infrastructure is said to be top ten of the world’s most advance and sophisticated theater. They give us 15 minutes for picture taking. There is nothing much to see here.

6. New Istana Negara / National Royale Palace

Istana Negara, Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. [click to enlarge]

A beautiful and magnificent palace fitted for a king lies a few kilometers from the central business district of Kuala Lumpur. This Malay-Islamic architecture laid on 100 hectares of rolling hills is another domestic and foreign traveler’s point of interest. The city tour gives us 25 minutes for picture taking. The royal guards often marched in rows every hour or so.

The amazing Royal Gate with Snappy Royal Guards, Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur. [click to enlarge]

Something to note, the kingship system here in Malaysia is “rotational" and is one a kind throughout the world. All the royal rulers from the nine Malaysian states exchange leadership, hence; the rotational system provides a new Agong or King every five years. That brand-new king will stay for another five years in Istana Negara.

7. Petronas Twin Tower and Suria KLCC

Me standing over Malaysia's Icon, the Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur. [click to enlage]

The Petronas Twin Tower is an iconic landmark of Malaysia. This huge monument is a testament to its people’s commitment to improve the standards of living. Once the tallest building in the world - still looks magnificent up to this day. The tower's Sky Bridge is open from Tuesday-Sunday and provides a unique picturesque cityscape of Kuala Lumpur. Here are some important facts on securing the tickets base from their website http://www.petronastwintowers.com.my.

Operating Hours

Visiting Days: Tuesday to Sunday (closed every Monday)

Visiting Hours: 9am-9pm (closed from 1pm-2:30pm on Fridays)

Ticketing Counter : Concourse Level, Petronas Twin Towers

Note: Issuing of Tickets will start from 8:30am.

Ticket Price

Adult - RM80, Adult (MyKad) -RM25, Child-RM80, Child (MyKid)-RM12

MyKad and Mykids are compulsory identification cards for Malaysian from 12 years of age and above.

Suria Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC) is another new development within the area. It houses a wide array of business and shopping centers as well as food courts and a science museum like the Petrosains Discovery Center which located at level four Suria KLCC. Petrosains Science Discovery Center showcases the history, recovery, and technology used to harness petroleum- source of energy from Malaysian area of responsibilities. They offer a fun and interactive approach good for kids as well as adults. Entrance fee ranges from RM 8.00 to RM 15.00.

8. Kuala Lumpur Tower /Menara Kuala Lumpur

Bukit Bentang nightscape, Berjaya Times Square at the background. [click to enlarge]

Menara Kuala Lumpur or KL Tower is a telecommunication tower located at Pineapple Hill (a forest reserve), aside from that, the Viewing Deck a comfortable spot to get an eagles' eye of KL by day or during the evenings where the lights transform the city into a vibrant and picturesque sea of endless opportunities and possibilities. For the brave hearted souls, KL Tower is hosting yet another year for Base Jumping! The KL Tower Base Jump 2013 will be held this coming Sept 27 to October 1. Visit their website http://www.kltowerjump.com to get more info.

Tickets and other things you want to see at Menara KL.

Regular tickets start from RM 27 for kids and RM 47 for adults. A MYKAD holder usually gets 40% off. Furthermore, a there is a photo-shot prior to entering the elevator, eventually; it’s just an extra cost when you get your photos printed. A guide will take you to the elevator on your respective Viewing Deck level. There are souvenir shops inside each viewing deck as well as small restos. If you want to know more about KL tower promos, etc. you can visit http://www.kltower.com.my.

9. Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) / Malayan Railway Limited

KTMB Railway Station Building, Jalan Sultan Hishamudin, Kuala Lumpur. [click to enlarge]

One of the oldest railway operators in Malaysia which dates back to the British colonial regime. At the back to this building is Masjid Jamek. The most beautiful mosque in South-East Asia - Masjid Jamek is just 300 meters away from the Central Market (Pasar Seni) across River Klang. We had trouble locating this point of interest at that time..he he..Lessons learned: planning is a must! :)

10. Kuala Lumpur Sentral Station

Inside KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

It is a huge and modern transportation hub which links the KL Light Railway Transit system (LRT), KTM Intercity Railway and Express Rail Link (ERL). Not just that, this RM 11 billion project which expires until 2015, promises to provide a flawless transportation system designed to improve the lives of Malaysian citizen existing in KL.

In-front of KL City Air Terminal within KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur. [click to enlarge]

The Express Rail Link which unites KL International Airport at Sepang is much more convenient where KL City Air Terminal is also situated. We settled RM 100 for a group saver discount valued at RM 25 each since 4 of us took the train. Regular fares are RM 35 per individual. The travel will take 28 minutes, and yes Wi-Fi is available on-board.

It’s a quite a stunning experienced I had in Kuala Lumpur, as for the total cost, it’s inexpensive and affordable. No wonder that this place is like a tourist haven for cut price products, yummy delicacies, remarkable sites and attractions, easy transportation, cheap hotels, and accessible transportation.

Budget Rough Estimates

I bet PhP 10,000 allowance would be much enough for a 3-5 days stay in KL excluding plane tickets. Most tourist spots are free and accessible. You can live for as much as RM 60 per day(tourist). Hawker stalls serving delicious meals at RM 10. So what are you waiting for?

Our Hotel cost per night RM 36.7 * 2 nights = 73.4
Food budget per day RM 30.00*3 days = 90.00
Entrance Fees* RM 47.00 = 47.00
Hop-in-hop-off City Tour RM 38.00 = 38.00
Transportation per day RM 15 *3 days = 45.00
------------------------------------------------
Rough Total Budget per day RM 293.41 *Php 13.2 = PhP 3873 or USD 94.9 in 2 nights and 3 days.

* Optional

Note: 1 USD = 40.83 PhP
1 RM = 13. 2 PhP

Transportation cost might be lower; we do a lot of walking, and the train cost RM 2.00, taxi cabs around RM 30-50. Furthermore, since I've mentioned that shopping, here is a bit affordable and fun, you'll probably loss yourself doing a lot of purchasing at the end. haha OK that's it...if you want to ask me anything, feel free to comment below. I’ll be glad to provide information up to my best. Bye for now! Happy Easter Sunday from the Philippines!

Inside Malaysia - Backpacking to Malacca

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 19:33:00 +0000

Collage Photo of my Travel to Malaysia.

Our 2 nights and three days in Singapore are over… weeew! So we need to move on.. And moving on means a new place to wander! Selamat Datang ke Malaysia (Welcome to Malaysia)! Wow…next stop is Malaysia - an interesting multi-cultural destination.

If you had more time while in Singapore, why not also visit Malaysia. Since, Singapore is just a small part of the Malaysia peninsula, and then it might be better for you to get there as well.

Getting there

There are two ways to travel across Malaysia it’s either by air or by land. On our part, we traveled by bus to see the country side, and it is much cheaper, more comparable to plane where you need to check-in for two hours prior to departure. Eventually, there are a lot of super VIP buses with at least 27 spacious seats and huge seating spaces. You can also incline to as much as 70 degrees while letting the automatic back- massager do the trick for the whole duration.

Starmart Express Air Asia Liner Bus bound for Malacca, Malaysia.

Head on to Golden Mile Complex (the express bus hub in Singapore), at 5001, Beach Road #01-16, Singapore 199588. There are a lot of buses to choose from, and it could be a rewarding experience to find a cheaper good air-conditioned bus bound for Malaysia. We took the Starmart Express Air Asia Liner bus bound for Malacca. StarMart Express operates daily bus service to Malacca, KL, Ipoh, Taiping, Penang, Butterworth and etc. The bus is equipped with a massage chair so you can relax all the way. Singapore to Malacca cost 25 SGD and some buses charge more than that.

We departed at exactly 1 pm in Singapore and arrived at Melaka Central Station at around 4pm after several immigration round-ups between the two countries. Buses will give 15-30 minutes allowance on each border for immigration check-ups.

Another important aspect of this journey is to find something that you can keep your luggage for a while and eventually there is a luggage center of the station! They are open from 7:00 am- 9:00pm. Leave all the burdens..he he..heavy backpack and etc.

You can see this sign.. Beg is Bag. :)

Currency

Malaysian paper bills.

Their money is called Malaysian Ringgit (RM). 1 RM is equivalent to 13.00 PhP. 13 times bigger than Philippine money at the moment. It doesn't matter…goods are way much cheaper in Malaysia... i could still recall during my childhood, my mom used to do some barter trading in Zamboanga City, Philippines because the prices of most Malaysian imported products are inexpensive. Now, i have experienced it first-hand! You can eventually haggle or negotiate on some products down to its cheaper prices here.

First Stop - Malacca, Malaysia

This new UNESCO heritage location is a melting pot of Malaysian history with influences from the British, Dutch, and Portuguese.

Our tourist guide in Malacca for less than 2 hours.

First of all, we hired a taxi or teksi (in malay) for 50 RM, sounds like a bit expensive right? Eventually, we barter for 1 hour and 30 minutes to visit some tourist spots in Malacca. Unlike Singapore, cabs here aren't moderated and speak less English, so they could just give you some price so be careful on whom you deal with.

Things to Do in Malacca, Malaysia

You can basically visit some major sites in Melaka for less than two hours… so here are the places we visited after we haggle with the teksi price. hehe.

1. St. Peter's Church

The oldest Catholic Church in Malaysia, built in 1710 and is currently operating. Maryber Franz Amboer a Dutchman donated this area, which was eventually outside the city proper of Melaka at that time. The church bell is the oldest item which was manufactured in Goa in 1608.

Old St. Peter's Church.

2. Church of St. Francis Xavier

This neo-gothic structure was built in 1849 by a French priest under the name of Father P. Fabre dedicated to St. Francis Xavier. It is located on Jalan Laksamana, which is eventually across the Melaka River.

St. Francis Xavier Church, Melaka, Malaysia

3. Melaka River

Once on a pretty nasty condition, the state government realized its tourism value and eventually cleaned it up. River cruising is available and can be availed per minimum of eight persons. Flotillas of small boats have a capacity from 20-40 seats, and the tours usually took about less than an hour.

The Beautiful Melaka River.

4. Christ Church

Completed in 1753 after almost a decade of construction, still it is Malaysia's oldest functioning as Protestant church. 18th century Dutch architecture is prevalent with its massive red granite plinths, Dutch roof tiles and huge walls. One thing to note is that inside the church, there is a brass Bible which reflects the first verse of St. John inscribed in Dutch.

Christ Church Melaka

5. Melaka Maritime Museum and Flor De La Mar

A replica of a Portuguese ship Flor dela Mar is housed at the museum, thought to be carrying plundered treasures from Malacca on its way to Portugal when it sank off the coast of Sumatra. The museum which was opened to the public in 1994 could help you understood and enlightened on the historical events in Melaka.

The richest vessel ever lost at sea, Flor De La Mar.

6. Malacca Proclamation of Independence Memorial

The building houses massive collections of photograph and records of the early history of the Sultanate of Malaysia. It caters for an extensive timeline from independence down to present modern-day Malaysia.

Proclamation of Independence Memorial, Melaka, Malaysia.

As for the experienced, a 1:30 hrs for the site-seeing is a way a lot better than nothing...but there still so much to do in Melaka; I hope I could go back somehow...prices of goods, here are much cheaper than Kuala Lumpur, which will be featured on my next post anytime soon.

Singapore Travel on a Cheap Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 19:32:00 +0000

There are a number of flights to Singapore from the Philippines. Your budget trip to Singapore would never be difficult nowadays. You could name a lot of low-cost carriers who will take you to your dream vacation spots especially to the country nicknamed as "the Little Red Dot". With a population of over 3 million and a total land area of 270 square miles, you'll be surprised how this country has become one of the best tourist destinations in Asia.

Merlion Statue at Merlion Park, Marina Bay Singapore

Singapore Visa Requirements

No visa is required for your stay in Singapore for less than 30 days. Filipinos can travel to Singapore for tourism or for some business, visa is not required unless you intend to study or work in the country.

Exchange Rates and Hotels

On our way to the hostel.

Exchange rate at the time of writing is one Singaporean Dollar = 32. 48 Philippines Peso. The cost of living is a bit higher than neighboring countries. Hotels aren't cheap; the real estate price in Singapore is soaring high due to its limited land area. Foods lot high-priced as well as basic commodities ie bottled water (3 SGD). Since we are backpacking with the lowest cost, I booked the cheapest budget hostel where most Filipino backpackers check-in in Singapore for as low as 16 SGD per night or 520 PhP at Ideal Backpackers Hostel, which is, which is located at 178 Tyrwhitt Road and alongside with it are a few backpacker's hostels like "The Little Red Dot" which I think is a bit expensive. Going back to Ideal Backpackers Hostel, we are welcome by this amazing front desk staff that helps us check and see our room.

Transportation

Loading the MRT Card

There are three common ways to check out Singapore, by Taxi, Bus or by MRT. I definitely recommend riding on the MRT (fast train). Taxi's flat rate is a bit steeper, and since i am on a budget journey, I would choose the cheapest rates possible.

Adding 10 SGD to the MRT Card

Luckily, at Changi Airport, you can buy an MRT Tap-up card which you can use during the trip. It is more convenient and fast on my own experience. Initially, the MRT cards cost something around 12-15 SGD, and you can tap any amount as soon as you are denied entry to the entrance and exits. hehe. Don’t worry if your card holds a bigger value at the end of your travel because you can eventually return it and get the remaining balance at any MRT stations.

Metered taxi cabs are available most of the time and mind you, evening flat rates are a bit higher.

Filipinos waiting at the Bus Station at Clark Quay.

Bus trips are frequent; we haven't ridden on it, and it might be a good idea to try one next time. However, if you want to experience the city, you can ride on this fantastic double dicker buses off to the place you wanted.

Bicycle Ride somewhere at Clark Quay.

You can spot some bicycle cab into the city during the evenings driven by locals. The cost is somehow cheaper. I can’t remember it..hehe You can bargain actually to the driver to bring you somewhere if you hate walking a long mile distance or just some tripping around the city.

Things to Do in Singapore - The Top 5 things you won’t Miss!

There are a lot of things you can do and sites to visit while in Singapore. This Little Red Dot on the tip of Malay Peninsula is one of the biggest economies and most modern in South-East Asia. Its culture is a mixed of distinctive races, and if you are a food fanatic, you can examine a wide array of different and sumptuous cuisine from the Malay, Arabic, Indian, English, and Chinese. Leisure and shopping are a common denominator when visiting Singapore. Look at my top five list below of the best things you can do and enjoy in Singapore.

1. A Visit to Old China Town

While China town can be found anywhere else in the world, SG's China Town boast to be a one-of-a-kind place to visit. Looking something to buy? Cheap souvenirs? This is the place where you can buy cheap "I love Singapore" t-shirts! hehe.. Yes heard it right! There are lots of stores and stoles where you can bargain until you get the cheapest price.

Shopping for the Chinese New Year at Chinatown, Singapore.

Gemstones on Sale at China Town, Singapore.

A week to go for the Chinese New Year.

2. Unwind at Clark Quay

The second Governor of the Straits of Settlements in the 1870's Sir Andrew Clarke made a greater contribution in positioning Singapore in the Malayan States of Perak, Selangor and Sungei Ujong naming Clark Quay as what it was today. In the recent decades, the place has been a former quarter used as warehouses has been transformed into one of Singapore's party places where foreign and locals alike gather to celebrate, eat, and unwind. The place is full of bars, dance clubs, KTVs, Acoustic bars, and resto's! Surely, you won’t miss this place when you come and visit SG on your travels to South-East Asia.

Bars and Pubs at Clark Quay.

Some glow in the dark bags and laptop covers for sale.

Fine Dining at Clark Quay.

Clark Quay at Night - People hang up and unwind tell dawn.

3. Experience Colorful Traditions at Little India

If you are looking for more exotic and culturally rich flavors, then head on to the streets of Little India. Check on a few Hindu Temples and do some shopping for spices, traditional fabrics, and essential oils. I've seen lots of jewelry shops on the streets, and most Indians here are wearing gold bracelets, necklace, and earrings. I think; gold defines a social status in the Indian community. Just a guess. If you’re looking forward to dining and taste the unique curry flavored cuisines this is the right place in Singapore, although you can find it anywhere else in the city, having it in Little India would be an unforgettable experience.

On the Streets of Little India, Singapore.

Little India's Tekka Centre.

Shopping inside Little India.

4. Stroll at Marina Bay

In the Southern part of Singapore lies Marina Bay. A 24/7 destination, you can find a lot of things here namely the famous building Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Artscience Museum, Singapore Flyer, Luis Vuitton Pavillion, The Merlion, and the Helix Bridge to name a few. Be entertained by different kaleidoscopic excitements held at least nightly at the promenade and don't forget to watch the Laser Dancing Fountain near LV pavilion. The Waterfront Promenade offers an uninterrupted 3.5 kilometers walk which ends up at the Helix Bridge.

Gooping around with friends at Marina Bay Singapore.

At the Waterfront Promenade, Singapore Flier and the Helix Bridge at the Background

The Famous Merlion park at Fullerton hotel Singapore .

Water Fountain Show at Marina Promenade.

5. Sentosa

The island of Sentosa should never be missing while in Singapore. This so-called Leisure Island has redefined Singapore's tourism at its best. Beach loving individuals can spend a day on a 2 km sheltered beach or walk around the sandy white beaches of Fort Siloso. Experience the 24 themed attractions inside the Asia's renowned Universal Studios Singapore or fly high at the iFly Indoor Skydiving wind tunnel or get a bird’s eye-view of the island as well as the city via a 1.6km cable car anchored at Mt Faber. Don’t forget to check out Resorts World Sentosa for a fun-filled destination for all ages.

Have fun at Sentosa.

Check out Universal Studios Singapore.

Experience indoor skydiving here at iFly.

The Sandy white beach of Fort Siloso, Sentosa.

Images of Singapore Gallery, Sentosa with Friends.

Hey, just a little reminder, don't forget to bring your sunscreen with you in case you are not comfortable walking under the blazing Singaporean sun.

Food

Love Food? Oh... try Singapore's national dish...the Chicken Rice at Marina Bay's The Shoppe's food court. We always end up at McDonald's since my sister is not familiar with other local cuisines as well as the taste.

The Yummy Chicken Rice at Marina Bay Singapore.

Sumptuous display of various delicacies.

Try this pizzas starting at 4SGD.

McDonalds in Singapore

Eventually, I only had three days in Singapore, if I do extend for more than a day, my bank account definitely won't like it. So, the next backpacking journey will be Malaysia by bus, which is of course the cheapest way I think. Id rather went on a bus, flying is easy, and if you want to experience the country, land trip is the best way to do it.

How to Travel to Singapore - Cheap Airfares

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:00:00 +0000

In the advent of low-cost airline carriers, the percentage of frequent Asian travelers has gained a tremendous hop. Backpacking to Singapore is popular nowadays. A lot of factors and instances that made such ordinary folks not able to pursue their endeavors. However, airline companies are bringing cheap airfares to Singapore, and that means...its travel time! ;)

Heading to Singapore from Clark taken at 6:38 AM Phils.time.

How to Travel to Singapore from the Philippines.

First of all, Singapore is open to at least 80% of all the countries around the world requiring NO VISA! Unless you belong to the 20% then you may refer to http://www.mfa.gov.sg. The travel time ranges from 15 days up to 90 days. So if you plan to stay longer than you may need to visit the Singaporean Embassy.

Areal View of Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

Conferring about cheap airline tickets to Singapore, there are a lot of low-cost carriers who offer promos- some could even get to as much as ZERO ALL-IN flight cost. This is rare; however, if you are lucky, you could get one. As a Filipino backpacker, traveling has been a sort of a drug for me - a way of relaxation and getting into new things and perspective. Tiger Airways, Cebu Pacific, Zest Air, Air Asia, AirPhil is some local airline carries in the country that offers low cost fares to Singapore. I was lucky to get a chunk of the promo from Air Asia, which cost me 1800 PhP excluding the travel tax and terminal fee to more than 2070 PhP if I could recall. Please check out http://www.dmia.ph/faq.htm for more info.

Air Asia is operating at Clark, Pampanga. I'm from Mindanao - southern part of the country, so the traveling cost is a bit steeper than from those in the north. Depending on the carrier, you could choose your pt. A from Cebu, Manila, and Clark bound to SG (If you are from Mindanao, it is best to check promos for domestic airfares to be further lower your expenditure). On our experienced, we took a taxi from Manila to Clark where we haggle over the payment to as much as 400 PhP. We missed the bus bound for Clark (the usual bus that takes Air Asia passengers). It was already 1 AM, so we took the taxi and evenly divided the cost.

We arrived at Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, at Clark, Pampanga past 4am. So we had like less than two hours to check-in for our 6:10 am flight. It was really a relief! wheew! :)

Waiting for our flight at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.

Arriving at Changi Airport, Singapore

Welcome to the city nicknamed as "The Little Red Dot". Warm climate greeted us at exactly 10am! We are almost screwed up the in the past 9hrs, so we had that sunny smiles after we set foot on the beautiful garden city of Singapore. We don't miss any pictorials at the Changi Airport where I see it with extensive duty-free products as well as dining and leisure facilities.

Touch Down at the Airport

Having fun taking pictures with the Angry Birds at the Airport.

Going to Skytrain- Inside Changi Airport.

The people are warm and friendly. They even help us to find the exit going to the Skytrain. There is this so-called SkyTrain that eventually brings passengers from Changi to Tanah Merah via MRT lines. From Tanah Merah, we purchased an MRT Pass Card worth 15 SGD before heading out to our backpacker’s hostel.

Changi's Skytrain service to Terminal 2.

Purchasing MRT Pass Cards.

At the Hostel

On our way to the Ideal Backpackers Hostel.

From my previous posts, the cheapest way to find lodging houses would be hostelworld.com. I was able to book a dorm good for four pax for a two nights stay at 16 SGD per night. At that cost, don't expect some lavish and luxurious amenities. There is no shower or restroom inside. I think most of the lodgers are sharing two stinky bathrooms for men and women at that level. Yeah, not really good, to think that you need to go out from your room to do some personal necessities; however, it's better than nothing, anyway; I'm not getting there for some luxurious vacation..haha..Travelling is more like a sense of adventure for me- you need to be prepared and expect something unique.

Men working below seen from our window using 300mm tamron lens.

Stunned at the cost of parking tickets in Singapore.

The Total Cost

From Mindanao to Manila (Promo Fare via Air Philippines ) - 800.00 PhP
Manila to Clark (via Taxi) - 133.333 PhP
Clark to Singapore (via Air Asia) - 1800.000 PhP
Terminal Fee and Travel Tax (DMIA) - 450 + 1620 = 2070.000 PhP
Check-in luggage (they are not strict) - 00.000 PhP
Sub - Total (one way fare) - 4803.33 PhP
Hostel - 32 SGD or 1042.75 at 32.6 PhP per 1SGD at the time of writing.
Total = 5845.33 PhP

The calculations shown above depend on your point of location. It might be considerably lower for some areas throughout the country or depending on your airline carrier who operates at most three major cities in the Philippines. The sub total fare is shown for one way flight might also be the same or much cheaper for return flights to Cebu, Clark and Manila...would cost you around 2000 PhP, including the travel tax from Singapore. Roughly, for a return ticket would cost you almost 6,000 PhP - 50% off. This is a huge saving to think that the raw airfare for return flights range from 350 to 400 SGD or roughly 13.000 PhP.

Off for a city walk.

Well so long! See you on my next post - Sites and Attractions to visit in Singapore. XEXE! :)

Fresh Start Of the Chinese New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:43:00 +0000

Hello! I haven't been writing for a while... but i promise to give you something this month.. Just got home from a long expedition..haha..i call it that way..lol..nevermind. So, ive been to Singapore and Malaysia last week.. im so excited to post my shots here..i was able to get a new lens for my 450D. Im so happy..even much more happier with my travel photos. But, before that i should be telling you about my "amazing race" experienced going to the airport.. haha..kinda funny and exciting. Been left by the plane one's..so i dont like to get the same feeling all over again. haha. For now, im not in the mode to write..im not a writer but i love to share my experiences with you guys..so pardon me with my outputs. :)

To see the full image, just click on the photo.. :)

Kuala Lumpur at night. Taken from Menara KL Tower.

Batu Caves, Malaysia

Christ Church of Melaka, Malacca, Malaysia

Singapore Flyer seen from Marina Bay Sands promenade.

Yours truly at Sentosa iFly Indoor Sky Diving.

Merlion at Sentosa Island

The Promenade at Marina Bay

Chinese New Year Balls.. taken at China Town, Singapore

Merlion Park, at the Fullerton Hotel, Singapore

South Putou Temple

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 19:39:00 +0000

Surrounded by spectacular landscapes, beaches, and man-made scenery no wonder you are on one of China’s most affluent, modern, and vibrant locations – Xiamen. Awarded as the most livable City in 2002, this fast growing metropolis has been the center of economics, education and tourism in Fujian Province. Speaking of tourism, there is a lot to find in this magnificent place. One among the most visited sites which dates back to the Tang Dynasty was the Buddhist South Putou Temple (南普陀寺) or Nanputou Temple. It is one of China’s national treasures and was named because it is located south of Mt Putuo in Zhejiang Province.

Entrance gate of South Putou Temple or Nanputou Temple.

The temple is situated in the Wulao mountain range and the sea. A tourist could enjoy a picturesque view of Gulangyu, Haicang, Seming District, and Zhangzhou City from the top of the mountain. It is also adjacent to Xiamen University. Visitors could also experience lush green vegetation and caves along the trail up to the peak.

The 30,000 square meters temple has four major tourist attractions. These are the Devajara Hall (the Hall of Heavenly Kings), Dabei Hall (the Hall of Great Compassion), Mahavira Hall (Daxiongbaodian), and the Sutra-Keeping Pavilion which is built on hillsides, rising one step each higher.

Devajara Hall ( Hall of Heavenly Kings), Nanputou Temple

The Hall of Heavenly Kings (Devajara Hall) is where the fat Buddha, Maitreya stands. The Laughing and the Buddha of the Future, Maitreya is located at the center together with three other Celestial Kings.

The Mahavira Hall , Nanputou Temple

The Mahavira Hall was built in 1921 and houses several statues and figures of Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin Bodhisattva, the Goddess of Mercy), Avalokiteshvara 's disciples and the Trinity of the Three Ages (Sakyamuni, Kasyapa, and Maitreya). Stories of Buddhism are depicted on the walls as well as familiar Indian figures.

Dabei Hall, Nanputou Temple

The octagonal shrine which is the Dabei Hall lays the four statues of Avalokiteshvara . You can also find two banyan trees planted on each side of the hall.

Sutra-Keeping Pavilion , Nanputou Temple

Another important site which keeps one precious porcelain statue of Avalokiteshvara is the Sutra-Keeping Pavilion which was built in 1936. Ivory sculptures, Buddhist scriptures, images and other relics are kept here.

Carving of a Chinese Character of “佛” (means the Buddha).

This majestic sanctuary provides an endless view of Buddhism. Not just that, Nanputou Temple has a lot of room which flanks the main buildings such as dormitories and libraries for the monks. They also served delicious vegetarian cuisines inside the complex.

A view from the top of WulaoFeng.

After passing the 4 major temples, climbing up to the Wulao Peak should be your next itinerary. Along the trail, you can see a lot of inscriptions as well as the nearly five by three meters Chinese Buddha character. At the top of the peak, tourist could enjoy watching the photographic view of the city and the sea at a distance.

You can take bus nos. 45, 87, 17, 1, 18, 29, 47 and take off at the University of Xiamen. Entrance fee is free as of the writing of this article. The opening time is 0800 – 2000 hrs. Check out some of my photos below! :)

Xiamen University - China's Beautiful and Amenable Higher Learning Institution

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 18:14:00 +0000

“Pursue Excellence, Strive for Perfection”, the driving force of Xiamen University’s over 90 years of academic prominence. Well- known for its elegant and striking landscapes, no doubt it was dubbed as the most beautiful and interesting university in China. Comfortably lies in the foot of WulaoFeng Mountain and the sea, this perfect combination provides an amenable place for students to relax and study.

Lotus Lake and Kah Kee Complex at the background, Xiamen University.

Chinese and European architectural designs highlight the campus buildings as well as other structures. The university was founded in 1921 by an overseas Chinese named Tan Kah Kee who donated millions of dollars to endow Xiamen University. Originally named as “University of Amoy”, was handed to the government by 1937 due to lack of finance. Chinese Ministry of Education maintained the schools advocacy to achieve academic excellence and has now become one of the best and selective universities in China.

Inside the campus, Xiamen University

There are lot to visit in these prestigious school and a 3-4 hrs strolling is enough to get a feel of what the university has to offer. A lot of tourists are visiting during the mornings and late afternoon. You don’t need to show identification, the guards doesn't mind who is entering the campus (just keep your passport with you all the time). There are 2 major sites which are the Jiannan Hall (建南大礼堂) and Shangxian Square (上弦场) –most popular attractions.

Zhong Linmei Square (钟林美广场)

Let’s start our small journey by setting your position at the west gate of the campus facing east (Yanwu Road). Do not be confused, there are two major gates, the South and the West gates. The West gate (my point of preference) is located near the Qunxian Complex. The South gate is the main entrance which should not be confused to its direction; the name was originally coined from its adjacent “South Putou” or “Nanputou” temple.

Upon entering the West gate, you’ll be greeted by a book-like bird sculpture within Zhong Linmei Square (钟林美广场). The square is a donation by a Chinese overseas in honor of their mother, Mrs. Zhong Linmei.

Statue of Tan Kah Kee and Luz Xun Memorial Hall at the background.

Adjacent to the left walking east, lays the statue of the founder Tan Kah Kee, and at the back is the Luz Xun Memorial Hall. The memorial is part of the Jimei Building and was named after a Chinese critic, essayist, and short story writer who once lived there from 1926 to 1927 named Lu Xun.

Jiannan Auditorium Complex and Shangxian Square, Xiamen University

At the southern part of the campus lays Shangxian Square (上弦场) which used to be a navy drilling ground during the Sino Japanese war of 1894-1895. The sports ground faces the south coast of Xiamen City where the popular XiamenBoardwalk was located. At the top of it is the Jiannan Auditorium of Xiamen University (建南楼群) which was founded by Tan Kah Kee’s son-in-law, Mr Li Guangqian in the 1950’s.

Xiamen University's Art Center

Walking to the east at the right side facing north, you will notice a massive building which is the University’s art center which is also adjacent to the Lotus Lake. Walking around the path-walk are benches facing west where the Kah Kee building complex (嘉庚楼群) is situated. The structure was designed by student and teachers from the Architecture and Civil Department. The complex was revered as the landmark of the University due to its elegance in design and its symmetry.

A tiny bridge connecting a small island within the Lotus Lake.

Strolling around the lake’s walkway will end up on a tiny arched bridge which connects a small haven within the lake. The tiny islet houses a life-size bronze statue facing the University’s Art Center at the south.

Moving on to the north side of the campus are small restaurants and stores. You can easily find the South Gate by finding first the University’s Library which is a bit nearer.

Adjacent to the South Gate is the Nanputou Temple which should be a part of your itinerary. I hope you enjoy reading this and have a safe trip!

South Gate (main gate) , Xiamen University

Take the Bus No. 1, 21, 48, 96, 59 and get off at the West gate of Xiamen University or in Chinese is Xia Da Xin Cun Station (厦大西村站). Bus fare cost CNY 1-2 (for longer trip). Prepare exact amount as drivers are not allowed to give change. Entrance to the university is free. Enjoy the photos below! :)

Hulishan Cannon Fort

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 06:51:00 +0000

Entrance encryption at the Main Gate, Hulishan Fortress

Located 1km southeast of Xiamen University lays an ancient battleground, the Hulishan Cannon Fort. A fortress fortified with a mixture of camphor tree sap, glutinous rice, liquid brown sugar, sand and clay. The toughest military defensive installation during the time of Emperor Guangxu was established in the year 1984. Armed with huge artillery and more than 50 cannons, the fort is a landmark of Xiamen’s desolate history of rise and fall.

A view from the inside of the fortress

It is constructed on a rectangular shape with an area of 13,000 square meters made of granite has played a major rule of fending off enemies and colonial aggressors since the ancient time up until the 1940’s. The garrison also holds a number of secret channels, ammunition depositories, castles and trenches which are open to the public.

Ancient cannons unearthed during excavation.

There are two main cannons installed in this garrison which was purchased from a German conglomerate, Krupp. The emplacements of the cannon from East to West are connected by a tunnel. Out of the two huge guns, only one has survived. The 280mm caliber, 50 tons, 13.13 meters cannon has a maximum firing range of up to 16 Km. There are also more than 50 canons that have been unearthed during the excavation and renovation of the fortress which dates back to the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The 280mm by 13m Krupp cannon from Germany.

The Rongguang Museum also showcases over 4000 exhibits of stunning artifacts from the ancient weaponry and artillery from China and the rest of the world. The reconstruction in 1986 help restore the glorious moments of the garrison. Huge carvings and sculptures have improved the scenic location such as the Dragon spring Waterfalls, The Poem Wall of Hulishan Fortress, and the Moonlight Rock which is situated on a small garden in the northern area of the fortress.

In 2000, Hulishan Cannon Fort has been included in the Guinness Book of World Record as one of China’s key Historical and cultural heritage.

The admission cost CNY 25.00 and you can take a taxi or by public bus (No. 2, 22, 48, 86, 87, 106, 29, 47, 809, 96, 35) and get off at the Hulishan Stop (胡里山站). The opening is from 0730 – 1800 hrs.

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