A self-made tour in Macau with hotel’s free shuttle service around and how to master the art of getting lost, getting a map, how to misplace the map and getting lost again. Warm up your hamstrings ‘cause we’ll be doing a lot walking and strolling in Macau.
(Source: shuttermob)
—..after an almost abandon state I’m now trying my very best to update it with my recent travel and adventures. Pray forgive me for the title because I have to include the title of the song I used in the video.
This one was shot in Macau, a whole day trip without spending too much. My expenditures during the trip includes ticket to and from Macau, Lunch, and Egg Tarts. Crazy lots of tasty egg tarts!
If you’re planning to visit Macau don’t forget to visit the Senado Square, Ruins of St. Paul Cathedral, and the hotels. Especially The Venetian, a glorious replica of Europe’s architectural designs and it has a realistic replica of Grand Canal in Venice INSIDE!!
Roam Around Happy Feet! xiao!
(Source: shuttermob)
—Surviving the attacks during World War II Vigan preserves it’s evident beauty with cobble stones streets, capiz windows and wooden exteriors, an evident influence of Spaniards in the Northern part of Luzon. Classifying it as Asia’s finest surviving example of Spanish colonial town. Vigan provides tourist a nice relaxing stroll along the street and exquisite food from nearby restaurants.
Coming from Manila Dominion Bus Lines and Partas serves a direct route to Vigan for 700php and 9hrs of travel time. You may also take buses going to Laog or Pagudpud via Florida Bus Lines. Ask the dispatcher to get you off in Bantay.
If you’ll be coming from Laoag you may take any buses bound south via National Highway. Follow link for Laoag guide.
Comfortable accommodation and Good service from Cordillera Inn, Grandpa’s Inn (+632 722-2128), and Villa Angela (+632 722-2914).
SPOTS
Pottery and Weaving Factories are also adamant in town. Check out RG Jar and Rowilda’s Weaving Factory to see them in action.
*Don’t forget to try their famous local dishes: Pinkabet, Puqui-puqui, Sinanglao, Okoy, Bagnet and ViganLongganisa.
Check out my other post from Ilocos.Pagudpud andLaoag.
—LAOAG (FORT ILOCANDIA, BATAC & PAOAY)
Located at the Northern part of Luzon, Laoag is the capital city of Ilocos Norte and the gateway for tourists and locals alike in the provinces of Ilocos. With more than 9 terminals of jeepneys and buses going to and from away the city you can transfer from one tourist spot to another.
From Manila there are several Airlines that has a direct flight to Laoag International Airport twice a week. From the airport you may take a tricycle or a jeep to get to the city.
You may also take one of the buses from Manila to Laoag by RCJ, Partas, and Florida.Travel is more or less 6 hours for non-stop and 8 hours for regular bus. Non-stop bus usually applicable to Super Deluxe Type and Sleeper Bus. I took the sleeper bus by Florida bound to Laoag. Took me only 6 hrs. and 30 mins of travel time and cost me 800php.
LAOAG, CITYPROPER
From the bus terminal you can take a tricycle going to St. William’s Cathedral and the Sinking Bell Tower is just across the street. In front of the Cathedral there’s a branch of McDonalds.
FORT ILOCANDIA
Though I skip this one out I’ll include it anyway. From Laoag there’s a Terminal of Jeep in front of McDonalds in St. William’s Cathedral that you can take going to Fort Ilocandia. From there it’s a roughly 25 minutes travel time.
BATAC
Don’t worry they’re all connected. From Laoag there’s a terminal of jeep departing from Hernando Avenue with Laoag - Batac - Paoay route and just ask the driver to drop you off in front of Marcos Museum. The ride will cause you 25php. Entrance to museum will cause you 50php. Opens 9am - 4pm.
PAOAY
Riding the same route ends at the back of Paoay church and will cause you 12php. I wasn’t able to go to the Lake and the Malacañang of The North but from Paoay there’s a terminal of jeep with the same route going back to Laoag. The whole trip from Paoay to Laoag will cause you 34php.
(Source: shuttermob)
—Boracay, Philippines 2011
Off peak season. Inexpensive. Less Crowd (including the pier). Thumbs up for me! Jog in the morning, get tanned, and get wasted at sun down. The corals are not that amusing anymore but the school of fish are still evident. The ride to Ocean Tower via ATV is a must try and the view at the top is photo perfect.
(Source: shuttermob)
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For our second trip let’s pack our bags and discover the city of Hong Kong. Took a short trip around Mong Kok and the rest of our tour is arrange by your guide. That includes Victoria Peak, Madame Tussauds, Water Front, and Disney.
Day 1. UP TO THE PEAK. Fresh from Manila we went straight to our hotel’s in-house resto to take our late lunch. Took a short nap before 6pm call time then head out to Victoria Peak via tram, still arranged by our guide. The tram took the stiffest possible climb to the peak that almost made me feel sick. Got some issue with heights.
Around the Victoria Peak you can find souvenir shops, resto, and specialty stores. For photographers or photography enthusiast the peak got one of the best vantage point overlooking the Hong Kong’s skyline.
Day 2. DISNEY. Our guide took us first to the water front with the good view of the towering buildings. Then they took a detour to some crappy place full of useless goods. Last stop before Disney Land is TSL, a jewelry company. ‘nough said.
Still lucky, our guide told us that the park will give free meal for every ticket and the fireworks display will start 8:30pm instead of 8pm and the deal is we’re to leave after the fireworks. After taking our late lunch we rode first the Space Mountain, my personal favorite, watch Disney Parade, rode the space mountain again.
Suggestion, bring a tumbler. A bottle of mineral water inside the park cost triple and there are a lot’s of water fountain where you can refill your tumbler and because that is what the locals do.
Day 3. SHORE LINE. After breaking my fast for the last in Hong Kong I went out to scout the place and found this place where I spotted a couple having their prenuptial shots.
If you have to check out of your hotel and flight is still hours away, afraid be not, Hong Kong International Airport got everything you need so I suggest check-in as early as you can. Lot’s of food to choose from and specialty shops like HERMES, EMPORIO ARMANI, etc. and they also have McDonalds inside.
And that’s that. Will be back here next summer to include Macau and Ocean Park, if possible and blog about it soo. Let’s go back to Manila for now and get my Bachelor’s Degree.
Let me take you to the Queen City of The South, Cebu City. Where foreigners set their foot first and where I will begin my journey in pursuit of my Valhalla, a place in which heroes killed in battle were believed to feast with Odin for eternity.
Day 1. City tour. Take the freedom of Hotels, just like what we did, we went first to Hilton hotel, the amazing everything pink hotel; Shangri-La Mactan, I admire their classy interior and numerous restaurants; and went last to Plantation Bay, with a very nice man made lake and themed guest room and houses, I strongly recommend this one if you have the budget to spare.
“Hilton Hotel”
“Plantation Bay”
Don’t forget to visit the historical places of Cebu. Mactan shrine where the statue of Lapu Lapu and the Obelisk stands that reads “Glorias Españolas”. To Magellan’s cross, Sto. Niño Church, Taoist Temple and Mr. A (overlooking Mactan island).
“Statue of Lapu-Lapu”
“Souvenir Shops”
Inside the shrine you’ll find numerous souvenir shops that sells cheaper items compared to the shops in the mall so I suggest to buy your “pasalubong” there.
Day 2. Road Trip. Went north of Cebu to Kagsawa Falls. Spend most of our afternoon there with our packed lunch. Rode a habal-habal and chased a bus back to cebu with habal-habal.
”View from Kagsawa Falls”
Day 3 and 4. BOHOL. Rode a ferry in Cebu pier to Tagbilaran (If you’re planning to do the same, I suggest to buy your ticket a day before to avail advance booking promo). Talk to a guy who agreed to rent his SUV for 3,000php package with lots of destination. Loboc River with very timid Tarsier, Rainy Chocolate Hills, Honey Bee Farm, Butterfly Sanctuary, Man Made Forest, Great obese Python, Blood Compact with lots of tourist, Daoist Church and free Healing Water in Plastic Bottles, Gorgeous Panglao Beach, and The very cold and exciting Hinagdanan Cave, this one I enjoyed the most. Good deal for 3 person.
Day 5 (last day). INMATES. Luck is on our side this day. That day, the Inmates will be performing their youtube famous dance routines.
PASALUBONG. Before leaving Bohol on day 4 we loaded our bags with Kalamay, heavy Kalamay (the delicacy is good but if you fear excess baggage don’t buy too much). Buy your pasalubong in the local market not in malls but be wary the smell of danngit and pusit will stick to your clothes. You can avail the dried mangoes 3 pieces for 100php. I also suggest Langgonisang Cebu for appetizing pasalubong. Lucky enough we chances on post Sto. Nino Festival, free taste of danggit, dried pusit, and fish tocino! There’s a street performance too!!
The next time you visit Cebu city don’t stay in the comfort of your Hotel! Brave the outdoors! And surely I’ll be going back there to visit the islands of Bantayan and Camotes! ‘Til our next journey, get lost and trust your instinct!
The unsung face in the crowd of the underdog nation. this is the minority, the misfit.
