Thoughts: So Lazy

Lately, I have not been feeling well which led me to fall into a deep hole called procrastination. I know I have not been able to update my travel entries for Singapore and Malaysia. But I'll make up for that this weekend. Hopefully.

Thoughts: I'm Sick!

     For the past two weeks, I've been feeling under the weather, primarily because of the weather.  Well, let's just say that I am not a fan of changing temperatures: summer hot and sunny in the morning and afternoon then rain showers late afternoon or at night.  This roller coaster of a weather is bad for my allergies, thus, for two weeks now, I have colds that would not go away.  I was even absent for work this Monday because of my unrelenting allergies.  

     And, worse, I am feeling under the weather, figuratively.  Well, let's just say that I want to go to some other places other than those I've already visited but there's no one who wants to come with me.  Yay, not. I've never been the popular one, so I guess, I just reap what I sow.  And mind you, travelling alone is more expensive than say, travelling with someone, unless I pay for the both of us.  At least for me.  

     I know, I know, I could travel by myself, but I don't want to get used to it, and I don't want to do it in say, South Korea.  Drop me somewhere in Japan and I'd probably survive since I am a little used to their culture, food and language.  But in South Korea?  I'd manage but still...oh well.  And I really, really want to go there early next year.  I guess, I'd just go there alone.  Anyway, I don't think Korean immigration would detain me being single, a lady and travelling alone.  After all, I can always wave around a certain identification card and they'd let me be, for sure.  But still, I must muster enough resources and courage, yet again.   

Seat Sale: Cebu Pacific's PINAsaya!

     If you don't know it by now, Cebu Pacific usually features seat sales every week, and this week is no exception.  Check out their website for further details.

     Happy trip planning!

Seat Sale Promo 

PINASaya! Domestic & International Seat Sale Pick your favourite seat from as low as P200 Supersize your baggage! Pre-book and SAVE up to 50% Get insured in travel insurance. Choose from available domestic and international rooms with Hotels Get exclusive deals! Sign up for SeatSaleAlert!.

Domestic Flights

Cebu to Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan), Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Clark, Davao,Dipolog, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Legazpi, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, Siargao, Surigao, Tacloban or Zamboanga Cagayan de Oro to Iloilo NEW! *Only available online or through travel agents on Amadeus P0.88* Davao to Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo or Zamboanga Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi NEW! P288 Manila to Calbayog, Catarman, Cauayan (Isabela), Coron (Busuanga), Laoag, Legazpi, Naga, Puerto Princesa, San Jose (Mindoro), Tuguegarao or Virac P488 Manila to Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan), Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Kalibo, Tacloban, Tagbilaran or Roxas P688 Manila to Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, General Santos, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Surigao or Zamboanga P888

Sale Period: Up to Sep. 21, 2011 or until seats last     Travel Period: Oct. 15 - Jan. 31, 2012

International Flights

Manila to Kota Kinabalu* Clark to Macau *Travel Period: Oct. 15, 2011 - Feb. 29, 2012 For as low as 488 Manila to Macau or Taipei Cebu to Hong Kong P888 Manila to Busan, Incheon or Osaka Cebu to Busan or Incheon **Travel Period: Mar. 1 - May 31, 2012 P988** Manila to Beijing, Brunei, Guangzhou, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai or Singapore Clark to Singapore P1,488 Cebu to Singapore P1,688

Sale Period: Up to Sep. 21, 2011 or until seats last     Travel Period: Oct. 15 - Dec. 31, 2011

• Quoted fares are one way. Limited availability. Fares are non-refundable.
• Fares are exclusive of government fees, taxes and fuel surcharges.
• Flight changes must be made more than 24 hours before scheduled time of departure.
• At time of booking, pre-purchase your baggage allowance to save time and money at check-in.
• CAB approved terms and conditions of carriage apply and are available online.

Seat Sale: Air Asia's Big Sale [21 September to 25 September 2011]

     Save the date!  In a couple of hours, at exactly 00:00 GMT +8 on 21 September 2011, Air Asia will be having its BIG SALE promo! However, I think it's only for its Asian destinations.  Travel period is from 03 May 2012 to 27 October 2012.  See the promo poster below and check out Air Asia's website for details.

     Happy trip planning!

Tagaytay Adventures - Overnight Stay

I took this photo using my iPhone.  Guess having an iPhone is not so bad after all.

     Today, my family and I are in Tagaytay, and we're going to stay here overnight, the best accommodation I could find in Tagaytay, at a friend's vacation home!  Yipee!

     My cousins told me we're going to Calaruega church later.  So, I better prepare now. 

     Till then!

     EDT:

We passed by a number of cyclists going to Tagaytay.  We took the Cavite route, the one which passes by Gen. Trias and Amadeo, but I was not so happy about it.  I am more comfortable taking the usual route, SLEX to Tagaytay.  But when I saw those cyclists, I thanked the heavens and almost went down the road to kiss the ground.  I mean, those cyclists are all handsome, trim, tall and fit!  Well, save for a few who look like regular joes.  But the pretty ones are real eye candies; they look like celebrities.  There were some foreigners, too. Gosh.  I wish I was holding my camera then.  Oh well.    

Thoughts: Succumbing to the iPhone Generation

I've always been a fan of not following the latest trends in technology. I am not particularly fond of texting and calling someone over the phone. I always feel I'm a bother. I don't have an iPod because I'm not particularly fond of pop music and I don't even listen to the radio or buy CDs or download music from iTunes. I think I'm just too absorbed with my own little world to think about having an iPhone. I mean, I won't be using it much anyway. But yesterday, I bought an iPhone. Yes, I finally gave in even though I am not a person who lives by texting and calling all day and night.

So why did I buy an iPhone though it's so expensive and overrated? It's simple. So I won't have to bring my laptop with me when I travel abroad. I could use the iPhone for better phone web browsing and since Blogger just had this new app, I could use my phone to blog about my latest travel adventures. Why not buy an iPad instead? I've seriously thought about it but I have 2 laptops already so I don't think it'll be of much use when I'm not traveling.

At the end of the day, I succumbed to the iPhone generation almost against my will and out of necessity and convenience. I just hope this purchase would really make a difference.

Thoughts: History Channel Asia's IRT Deadliest Roads - The Himalayas

     I've been watching this show since it premiered in Asia the last week of July 2011.  The show is about three north American truckers who were tasked to drive through one of the toughest and most dangerous roads in the world: the Himalayas.  The truckers were given tasks that they should complete within a given time frame.  All I can say is that this show is batshit crazy!

     Well, let's just say that the show knows best how to make the viewers feel queasy.  Imagine driving a truck on a narrow mountain ledge and the camera shots will just let you show how close the wheels are to the edge...They don't just stop there.  There are camera shots of landslides, water slides, snow slides, and even actual real-time disasters.

     Anyway, the show, as stated, was filmed at the Himalayas in India.  And here are some facts about the roads three brave truckers had to face which I screengrabbed from History Channel Asia's website:

     The truckers, Lisa, Dave and Rick, each driving a Tata truck made of a wooden frame, comparable to the Philippine jeepneys in terms of garish accessories, colorful exterior complete with sayings and words of blessings, were on a mission to complete delivery of goods and materials on places accessible only by these dangerous roads.  The truckers each have a spotter, or a driver's aide, to guide them while driving.  In the Philippines, spotters are called pahinante.  The trucker's loads for delivery include tons of construction materials and at one time, a Hindu deity.

     Aside from the dangerous roads high above sea level, the drivers have to contend with the elements: heat, snow and rains and the environment.  Plus, they must learn to adapt to the Indian way of (right-hand) driving: very, very aggressive with almost no regard for traffic rules or road  courtesy.  The north American drivers are accustomed to orderly and safe driving, and thus, they get bullied a lot on India's roads.  Filipino drivers, on the other hand, would fit easily in India.

     The show is not only informative but it also takes the viewers to remote places in the Himalayas and a glimpse of life along and off the roads.  Its a must see.

     IRT Deadliest Roads: The Himalayas is shown every Thursday at 10:00 p.m. (new episodes) with a replay of the previous week's episode at 9:00 p.m.

   

 One of the roads cut-out  from a  solid block of  mountain rock.  Far right, middle.

http://www.historyasia.com/irt/gallery2.html

Singapore Adventures 2011: Day 1 - Air Philippines and the Changi Airport, Terminal 2

   

     My Singapore and Malaysia trips, last 30 June to 4 July 2011, marked the first time I rode an Air Philippines' aircraft.  It's the same aircraft as with Cebu Pacific, a small Airbus.  Unlike Cebu Pacific, however, Air Philippines' Singapore-bound plane lands at the Changi Airport, Terminal 2.  And what a difference it makes!

     First, the sheer size of the Changi Terminal dwarfs the Budget Terminal.  Second, there are a lot to see and do there; it's almost an attraction by itself.  And finally, it's really beautiful, no cost-cutting in furnishings and other airport equipment, unlike in the Budget Terminal where passengers have to alight to and from the plane by walking on the tarmac.  However, it's a cool experience, like you're the Head of State, minus the red carpet, but it's not so fun when you have heavy hand-carry (7kgs), or if it's too hot or raining.

      When we finally landed at the Changi Airport, we took our time to pose and take photos because there are a lot of interesting sights, like this orchid garden:

        We also fooled a little with the computer terminal and the Peranakan exhibit.  We saw some paper embossing device, like the ones used for dry seals and for notarial purposes.  So we pressed a bunch of post it-sized papers and took them home as souvenirs.

 Recycling has never been this cute!

T2's Immigration area up ahead.

     After clearing off the immigration, I searched for ATM machines to withdraw some cash.  The machines are located at both ends but if you're taking a cab, use the one on the left side since the taxi queue area is also on the left side.  Fare is about SGD 15 to 20, with late night surcharge.

     

Baguio Travel Adventures: June 2010 - Pink Sisters, Camp John Hay, Baguio Country Club and PMA

     Every year, we go to Baguio; it's an official stay.  I've been there for 2 straight years but I forgot to finish my Baguio adventures last year, so I'll start, again, for the year 2010.

     My memory's quite bad, but I can still remember what we did because of the photos I took.

     We went to the Pink Sisters, prayed inside where we could see the pink sisters praying, too.  I think they take turns and the sisters pray 24 hours.  We also wrote our petitions on a piece of parchment.

Pink Sisters

     Not surprisingly, I saw a taho vendor selling strawberry-flavored taho and not just the regular one.  It was so sweet but you do get strawberry pieces.

     We tried walking inwards the street where the Pink Sister's convent is located and we passed by some great looking condominiums.  Apparently, Brent School (International) is located there.

     As I have previously blogged, we stayed at the Manor in Camp John Hay.  Since we're staying there, we went to the Bell House and paid a minimal fee to get inside the premises.  According to the Camp John Hay website, he Bell House used to be the vacation quarters of the Commanding General of the Philippines.  It now serves as a modern museum of colonial architecture and lifestyle.  

     

     There's something weird, though, at the Bell House Compound: this totem pole made by  Ernesto Dul-ang.  Kinda creepy.

     In the Bell House compound, another interesting structure lies: the Bell Amphitheater.  Apparently, this structure was designed by and named in honor of General J. Franklin Bell.  Moreover, according to the Camp John Hay website, the Amphitheater serves as an engineering marvel, allowing for good acoustics and is an excellent venue for concerts and other performances.

     If you're at the Bell House, don't forget to stop by at the Cemetery of Negativism, the symbolic burial place of negativism, said to be man's greatest self-imposed infliction, his most limiting factor, and his heaviest burden.

       There's also the History trail and the Secret Garden but we didn't go there.

     

     We stayed in Baguio for 3 days and 2 nights, so we had ample time to visit the Philippine Military Academy which is a little far from the city center.  We saw a lot of cadets making their daily run at the PMA.

  

   

     We also dropped by the Mansion, the President's official summer house.

     For pasalubong, we bought the famed raisin bread from our next-door neighbor, the Baguio Country Club.

  

     Of course, we didn't forget to buy goodies like ube jam, strawberry jam and brittle nut from the Good Shepherd convent. Their garden's full of pretty flowers!

     

Taiwan Travel Adventures 2011: Day 4 - Hot Springs Bath at Spring City Resort, Beitou

     After days of walking, commuting and getting a little lost, I felt I needed a special treat to alleviate my weariness.  Really, it had taken its toll on my body, especially my feet.  And I had planned the perfect immediate solution to relieve my tiredness: a hot springs bath in Beitou!

At the Beitou MRT Station.

Special Train to Xinbeitou.

     The last time I went to Taiwan, I had a hot springs bath in a Japanese-style common bath house, the ones you read in mangas where most probably, older people go to.  I got really scared and uptight during my first first bath house experience since I had to go buck naked.  Yup, in my birthday suit.  I was so shy!  But, I overcame it eventually since there was only a middle-aged lady in the communal bath who was then preparing to leave.  So, in the end, I got the whole ladies' bath to myself.

     I still am not accustomed to bathing and dipping in the hot springs bath with other people, naked, so when I returned to Taiwan, I researched thoroughly where I can get a private hot springs bath.  I considered Villa32, but it's really expensive, and it's only for 90 minutes.  A private hot springs room at Villa32 costs NTD 2,000 on weekdays and NTD 3,000 on weekends and holidays, good for two persons.  I considered taking the buck-naked-route at Villa32 since it's just NTD 1,500 and NTD 2,000 per person for four hours, for weekdays and weekends/holidays, respectively.  But I didn't have that too long a time to relax at a hot springs resort.  So, I decided to just go to Spring City Resort which offers a private room for NTD 600 for an hour.  I promised myself that I'd just go to Villa32 the next time I visit Taiwan.  

     According to my research, I could ride the shuttle from the Xinbeitou station to Spring City Resort.  So, I waited just outside the station, near the taxi stand, and waited for the shuttle since it's free.  They also drop-off customers back to the station, too.  You'd easily find the pick-up point.  It's at the left side of Xinbeitou station  from the exit.  Just look for the particular resort's poster/information on a pole with the time tables for the shuttles.

     I think I waited for 20 minutes before the shuttle arrived.  I was contemplating on getting a cab but I had no reason to rush, so I just waited there.  Besides, even if I was standing near the taxi stands, the queuing drivers did not approach me to ask me where I'd want to go.  Probably because it was obvious that I was waiting for the free shuttle since I was standing at the proper pick-up point.  Oh, if you're planning to hike the Spring City Resort, don't do it.  It's kinda hard to go there; you had to take a turn every so often and it's very easy to get lost.  I think it's about a 10-minute drive from Xinbeitou. 

Spa Spring Resort lobby.

     Finally, the shuttle arrived and I got a room right away.  When I saw my room, it was small!  It's just like the size of a regular bathroom hotel.  And there was only a puny window.  But its still cute, with the wooden basin and stool.  It's also complete in toiletries, just like in hotels, and soft towels and hand towels, too.  I was constrained to mix the bath a little colder because there's just a tiny window and it was very easy for the room to get really hot.  Besides, if I don't mix the hot springs water with regular cold water, the room would smell really, really nasty.  Remember that the Beitou hot springs water is very sulfuric and it smells like rotten eggs.  Heehee.

 

     Although the private room is very nice and welcoming, I quickly appreciated the old  bath house I went to before in Taipei since there were 4 baths with varying degrees of hot springs water: really hot, regularly hot, cold water bath and a private tub which a customer can fill with water in her desired temperature.  In the old bath house, I was able to take 15 minute-alternate dips in the hot springs water and the cold springs water.  It's really beneficial to the skin that way.  In the private hot springs room, I only had one tub to dip in, and after every 15 minutes, I'd go to the wash area beside the tub and take a cold shower.  And it was kinda suffocating, too, because the room was not well-ventilated.  Thus, while I was dipping in the hot springs tub, I thought to myself that I should have gone to Villa32, or Spring City Resort's outdoor hot springs (but I didn't have a swimsuit with me) or to another hot springs with private outdoor hot springs, like the Asia Pacific Resort.

My favorite photo coz it shows the color of the hot springs water.

    While the rooms are pretty small, there's a common area outside the rooms where you can take a breather, watch tv, drink water or tea.  And before I forget, there's a bottle of water inside the private room. 

     It was already dark when I got out of my hot springs room, and I had to take a cab instead of the free shuttle since I'd have to wait for 30 more minutes.  I paid NTD 110 and I got off at the Beitou station.  Afterwards, I picked up my luggage at the Star Hostel, bade goodbye to the staff, and walked all the way to the Taipei Main Station to take the bus going to the airport.  I thought the airport bus will pick up passengers where I got off from when I came from the airport, so I boarded the bus that dropped-off passengers from the airport there.  It turns out that I had to go to the bus station at the other side of the Taipei Main Station and buy my ticket board the bus there.  Good thing the driver was nice and he allowed me to hitch, helped with my luggage, took me to the correct ticket counter, and when he saw that another ticketing officer beckoned me to take a ticket, he told me that it's for the next bus that will depart some time after and not the one that is about to depart.  The bus driver was really too kind.  And I was glad that the whole time I was in Taiwan, I've met people who were really kind and helped me even if it meant going out of their way.  So, I really want to thank those people from the bottom of my heart.  Xiexie!

   And, finally, my Taiwan travel adventures come to a close.  Please wait for my travel adventures in Singapore and Malaysia, soon!



     

Taiwan Travel Adventures 2011 - Day 4: Watching a 3D Erotic Movie at Vieshow Movie Theater

For some reason, I think my photos' resolutions are hazy...they don't look sharp at all.

     I know.  I sound like a dirty old man, but hey, how can I turn down this opportunity?  I have never watched an erotic movie until Sex and Zen.  And it was in 3D!  I've known it for weeks before its showing in Hong Kong and I got the surprise of my life when I came to know that the film was to be released in Taipei, too! A soft porn movie will never be shown in movie theaters in the Philippines, so I had to watch it for bragging purposes.  Har-har!

     Since I had little to do on my last day in Taipei, I proceeded to Xinyi district to catch Sex and Zen 3D at Vieshow cinemas.  Yup, it's Vieshow, not Viewshow; no spelling mistakes there.  Anyway, there are a lot of movie houses in Taipei, especially in Ximending, but I chose Vieshow since it's in Xinyi where I could get a better view of the Taipei 101. Of course, I checked the schedule before I went there, but still, I lost a lot of time going in circles at Wanhua district hunting down the Monga filming locations.  So, I got in the theaters just in time for the movie, but not to eat lunch. I ended up buying a soda and popcorn to curb the hunger.  Yes, it was very unhealthy.

     To get to the Vieshow Cinemas, I took the MRT from the Longshan Temple station to the Taipei City Hall station, and walked far to reach the Vieshow cinemas under the harsh sun.  I passed by a very long strip of malls, I think its the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi mall and I wanted to shop but I was running late for the Sex and Zen 3D screening.  So, the beautiful shops were just a mirage.  Sadness.

     When I finally got to Vieshow, I bought my ticket, and waited for several minutes before we, the audience, were allowed into the theater.  And I got to finally watch my first porn movie ever on the big screen!  Who knew?!  But you might wonder how the hell did I understand the movie?  Simple.  There were English subtitles.  So, yay!

     Anyway, if you want to know my review of Sex and Zen 3D, click HERE.

     Since I still had a lot of time before my flight back home, even after watching a soft porn, I decided to stop at Eslite, a very popular bookstore in Taipei.  It's like Fullybooked, my favorite bookstore here in my country, but bigger...a lot bigger.

     I saw a couple of lomo cameras, I think they're called the Diana, and I was so tempted to buy one.  But I had to stop myself.  My purpose there was to buy a book, not a camera.  While browsing the shelves, I decided to take photos of the bookstore, but a store clerk called out to me telling me no photos.  I obliged, of course.

     After purchasing the book I wanted, From Third World to First : The Singapore Story: 1965-2000 by Lee Kuan Yew, I gladly left Eslite and worked my way to Beitou for a hot spring bath.


     Before I end this post, here are some pictures of Taipei 101: