Thoughts: I'm at Singapore, Terminal 2 Right Now!

We just boarded down the plane and making our way to the Arrival Hall.  But I used the free computer terminal and internet here at Changi Airport, first.

See you later!

Thoughts: Flying to Singapore!

     In a few hours, I will be flying to Singapore!  It'll be my third time there, but the first time for my mom and sis.  I am super apprehensive right now because all I could think of is the cost that I will have to spend for the three of us.  We are also travelling with my friend. 

     So, my plan is to just go to Singapore and to Malacca.  My friend's plan is to shop, shop and shop.  Well, it's the Singapore sale, so what can I expect.  However, I don't think I could shop, even for a little.  I'm kinda strapped for cash considering that I'll be spending for three.

     Well, at least, our hotel, the Festive Hotel, is already pre-paid, and it comes with 2 tickets to Universal Studios and 2 tickets to Voyage La Vie.  I will only need to buy an extra ticket to Universal for myself.  So I think that'll keep my family busy for at least a day.  I don't plan on bringing them to the tourists attractions around Singapore but perhaps we could all go to the Marina Bay Sands at night.  Besides, our hotel is in Sentosa, so there's a lot to do in the island alone.

     Then on Sunday, we'll go to Malacca and spend the night there.  I found a coach service that stops a mere two minutes on foot from the hotel I booked, the Courtyard@Hereen.  It's organized by Luxury Tours and Travel and the departure point in Singapore is at the Concorde Hotel in Orchard Road.  And, if we take the MRT, we'll alight at Dhouby Ghout  Station and walk a mere 500 meters to reach the Hotel.  Going back to Singapore, we'll be taking the 707 Express.

     

Taiwan Travel Adventures 2011: Day 2 - Ximending and Sophisca Candy Shop

     Since I came back early in Taipei from Jiufen, I took a short rest at the Hostel.  A shower with hot water came after that.  Then I went back to Zhongxiao Fuxing Station to buy some Jill Stuart cosmetics.  

     Anyway, for one reason or the other, I decided to dress up.  I bought a dress just for my Taiwan trip, and I wanted to use it that night.  I even curled my long hair.  Call me vain, and I won't take it against you.  Besides, I want to look great for my night out in Taipei, plus, I was hoping Eric from the hostel would see me in my kinda pretty state.  And, it never hurts to look presentable.  Who knows, I might meet someone.  Heehee.

Thoughts: Stop Procrastinating and Research About Melaka, Silly Me!

     Before I knew it, the long weekend is almost over, and I am supposed to fly to Singapore this weekend and go to Melaka, too.  But I haven't started my research!  I am not so much concerned about Singapore; there's always a cab to take us to places.  Besides, I've been there twice.  It's Melaka that I am concerned about.  It'll be my first time in Melaka and we only have a day to spend there.  Geez!  Sometimes I forget about the most important details because my head is full of clutter!  

     I know Melaka is easy to navigate but still, I don't want to loiter around the streets of Melaka like some lost puppy.  And, I want to get the most out of our stay in Melaka. 

     I'm thinking if I should bring my laptop with me.  It'll make my life easier.  But it's heavy.

Taiwan Travel Adventures 2011: Day 2 - Jiufen Once Again, and Crazy Bus Drive Back to Taipei

 

     I took a bus from the Gold Ecological Park to Jiufen.  As it was a Saturday, Jiufen was crazy full of people.  And it's magic seemed to have waned on me.  Perhaps there were so many people it was suffocating.  So, I didn't stay long, although I planned on having tea at A-Mei's tea house.

     However, I finally tried eating some goodies but just a little because I just had lunch.  I focused on the food stalls and some quirky shops, squeezed my way through herds of people and wandered up and down the narrow alleys and stairs.  And I survived!  Yay!

Taiwan Travel Adventures 2011: Day 2 in Jinguashi (Part 5) - A Miner's Lunch Experience and Strolling Around the Gold Ecological Park

     I know, I have way too many posts about my Jinguashi trip.  But don't worry, this is the last, I promise.

     The gold panning experience wrapped up at lunch time.  Before I headed down, I snapped pictures of the surroundings, including the dogs that seem to live in the area I found sleeping at different places in the Park.  While going down, I saw a very dilapidated Japanese house.  It looked forlorn and desolate.  There was a sturdy wooden gate but the house itself was beyond repair.

Thoughts: 20,000 Page Views! Thank you so Much, Readers, Guests and Followers!

     OMG!  I can't believe that there are people who actually visit my blog and read my entries!  Who knew that having 20,000 page views could make me happy?

     I didn't put up a travel blog for anything else other than make it a repository of my travel adventures and of course, to help people plan their own Asian journeys.  But really, I am quite honored to know that there are people out there who visit my blog, and perhaps, read my entries.  Even if you just stumbled upon my blog by mistake, I'm still so grateful.  And I'm even happier whenever someone leaves me a comment or two.

     I would like to thank my readers and visitors from the Philippines, especially the members of PinoyExchange.com, the United States, Malaysia and Singapore, the top four countries from where my readers and visitors hail from.  Of course, my heartfelt gratitude goes out as well to all my audience from around the globe.  Thank you very much! 

     Finally, I hope that my blog is able to somehow help  my fellow travellers with my more-often-than-not boring and lengthy posts.  I am trying my best to post my travel adventures as often as I could, with better photos and stories to tell. Please bear with me when I write down the details too much, for any grammatical mistakes (I'm lazy about editing) and when I don't make sense at all.  I'll try to change for the better, or so I hope.

     Again, thank you very much! 

  

Thoughts: So Busy! Plus, Planning for a New Trip

     I've been so busy the past few weeks.  I had one too many "rush" papers that I successfully managed to finish; and I got great compliments from the boss for a "finely written" job (the boss' words, not mine).  Yay!  However, I'd still be busy next week considering that I'd be leaving for Singapore.  So I need to wrap up my work before heading off for a vacation.

     Anyway, I've been updating my Tripadvisor contributions because I was sent an email by Tripadvisor telling me that I'm just 5 reviews away from earning a green-with-yellow-badge. As I wasn't able to update my Tripadvisor account since November 2010, I made reviews for the hotels I stayed at and the attractions I've been to in Beijing, Ho Chi Minh City and Taipei.  I could add a few more, but I'm still trying to find the energy to do so.  Besides, I still need to update my blog trip report about Taiwan, and I am not even halfway through.

     Despite my quite busy life lately, I still have the audacity to conjure up a plan to go to Shanghai, China, in early December or late November of this year.  I am really, really hoping to visit Japan in November but I think I would not have enough savings to pay for a Japan travel.  I mean, we all know that the standard of living in Japan is high, so the transportation and accommodations are relatively expensive as well.  And, if I'll be visiting Japan, I'd make sure that I'll stay there for at least 7 days, or a few more.  I'd love to travel to Hiroshima, Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo and a slew of other places as well.  So, I need a lots of money.

     Anyway, Shanghai?  Why not?  Well, I've been meaning to go to, and I've watched Shanghai Sweethearts (Show Luo and Yang Cheng Lin) and Tsuki no Koibito (Kimura Takuya and Lin Chi Ling) last year.  Besides, there's a lot of shopping to do there.  Plus, I've read that there are great places some 2 or less than 2 hours away from Shanghai, like Hangzhou and its West Lake, and Suzhou, the Venice of the East, with its classical gardens and canals.  These places are so rich in history and I'd very much love to walk along the banks of the West Lake and the canals and be amazed at the beauty that inspired scholars and artisans alike.  Just thinking about the classical gardens makes me want to go there as soon as possible.  Ah, I want to see such beauty in my own eyes.

     What am I doing daydreaming?  Well, I have not made plans for our Singapore and Malacca trip and yet I'm planning a too-distant trip.  Oh, well.   

Thoughts: Travel Updates

     I have been busy the past two weeks; worse, I am busier now.  So, I have not made a new post regarding my Taiwan trip last April.  Neither have I updated my blog with new travel stories.  I have been to Baguio and Subic in May and to Tagaytay the past weekend.  I have a couple of photos I would want to share  about the places I've been to; I just don't know when will I get the time to do all these.  Oh well.

     For heads up, we stayed at the Manor in Camp John Hay and had a zipline experience inside the Camp.  I visited again the Zoobic Safari during a very stormy weekend in May.  And I've been to Tagaytay Highlands,and the Memory Lane just yesterday.  Photos and stories to follow.

     Till then! 

Taiwan Travel Adventures 2011: Day 2 in Jinguashi (Part 4) - Gold Panning Exerience

     I decided to participate in the Gold Panning Experience recommended by the tourist assistant at the Tourist Office of the Gold Ecological Park.  It was one of the two paid attractions in the park, the other is the Tunnel Experience. 

   After I visited the Prince's Chalet, I immediately went to the stairs leading to the Gold Ecological Museum on the far left side.  It was a hike going up...heh.

     The first thing I saw was the wooden platform with a small train track used my miners from long time ago for transporting cargo  There's a wooden crate-like carriages for visitors to hop on for taking pictures.  Up ahead was a foot bridge, and a view of the Teapot Mountain, and of course, the Museum.

Taiwan Travel Adventures 2011: Day 2 in Jinguashi (Part 3) - The Prince's Chalet

 

     Just like the Four Joined Japanese-Style Residences, the Prince's Chalet is likewise free of charge.  What do you know?  You learn a bit of history and indulge your senses with absolute beauty, all for no cost.  It is one of the many reasons why you should not pass up Jinguashi when in Taiwan.

Thoughts: Confirmed Hotel Booking at the Festive Hotel in Resorts World, Singapore

     

     This week, I finally booked a 3D2N Tropical Special Package for Festive Hotel at the Resorts World, Singapore.  I know this is sort of expensive; the package costs SG 598.00 (Php 21,000+).  However, it includes a two (2) one-day pass at Universal Studios and two (2) tickets at Voyage La Vie (it's like the Cirque du Soleil or something), which cost SG 72.00 (weekend) and SG 68.00, per ticket, respectively.  So, it'll seem that a night at a Family Room costs just less than Php 5,000.00 a night with the goodies that come with it.  And oh, it's already inclusive of that abominable 10% service charge and 7% government taxes.  Not so much of a bad deal, don't you think?