MEIJI SHRINE

This was the moment that I knew I shouldn't be making itineraries when I'm travelling with my mom.

Here in Meiji Shrine

Located in the heart of Tokyo, from all that concrete jungle, there's an oasis which is the Meiji Shrine.

It was a cold afternoon, and especially cold entering the forested place.

Meiji Shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife.

It was a long walk from the entrance to the Shrine, the path was rocky, so

TOKYO SKYTREE

Tokyo Skytree is the tallest structure of Japan.

It is the tallest tower of the world and second tallest structure of the world, next to Burj Khalifa.

It has the height of 2080 feet, making it the tallest structure of the world in March 2011 (thanks wikipedia)

It is located in Sumida, Tokyo.

This was our first destination upon arrival in Tokyo, Fall of 2015.

It was a very cold afternoon, colder than the usual autumn weather. It rained the day we arrived.

Tokyo Skytree is walking distance from where we were staying, the Tokyo Hutte

Originally, my plan was to spend an hour in the Skytree, but my plan was derailed, so we ended up spending our whole afternoon in the Skytree, and the night at Tokyo Salomachi.

Access

Tokyo Skytree is very accessible, it has a station in its vicinity, the Oshiage station. If you arrived from Narita, it'll be the

A DAY IN ALBAY

Last February, we had our Convention in Naga City, Camarines Sur, it was my second time going to the Bicol province, my first one was way back 2011 for the Ad Congress which was held in the CWC. I didn't have time to conquer the province that time because I was still an OJT for the AdCong.

This time, I planned everything so that we would get to see the attractions for the limited time that we had.

This trip was quite an adventure, we only had a day to spend in the beautiful Legazpi City. So this was our itinerary.

We arrived around 8am in Legazpi City from Manila via Isarog Bus Lines. We rode the JR Extreme Isarog Bus which costs Php1100. The trip was about 11 hours. 

Honestly, we really booked a plane to Legazpi from Manila, however, we had a problem with the name of my companion, Joy, long story short, we weren't able to take the flight because of that problem (I also blame the customer service representative of Cebu Pacific who speaks fast, I wasn't able to catch up and I being the idiot that I was that time kept on agreeing on what she said, hence the flight got fucked up.). Water under the bridge, we still managed to enjoy the travel via bus, it was a new experience because that was the first time I encountered a lazy boy chair on a bus. 

The Majestic Mt. Mayon

We directly went to our Hostel, the Mayon Backpackers, see we're cheap travelers, we managed to get a bed for 350 per night per person. It was a dormitory type room. We shared a room with others who happened to be foreigners. The trike from the Bus terminal to the Hostel costs 60 pesos.

First stop: 

SUMIDA RIVER

TOKYO LOCO 2015

This post is three months too late.

We went to Japan last November, we, meant my mother and I.

GASPAR ISLAND, MARINDUQUE

I've seen this place from afar for the longest time, but we haven't had the time (or the courage) to go to this beautiful Island. It's my second time in this place, and my first time was I guess almost a decade ago.

. Gaspar Island is located in this beautiful town of Gasan, Marinduque. This Island is one of the Tres Reyes (Melchor, Gaspar, Baltazar). Gaspar is the nearest of the three and the most accessible of all. 

UPSTAIRS BED AND BATH: BAGUIO CITY

To those who are looking for a cheap and comfortable place to stay in Baguio, then the UPSTAIRS BED AND BATH is the place for you.

Located at the Heart of the City, walking distance from the SM Baguio (about 5 minutes away or even three if you are a fast walker), Session Road and walking distance from Victory Liner ( we walked for about 8 minutes). Very easy to find, your landmark would be the Barrio Fiesta or BIR which are both on the side of this place.

They have double Decker beds, the lower bunk costs 350php and the upper bunks costs 250php. This place is best for backpackers and travelers who are on a tight budget. 

They have rooms good for four persons, and they I think a room good for twelve people. 

The place has common bath and restrooms, has wifi, common eating area, but doesn't have televisions.

 

the room where we stayed, located on the 3rd floor. 

reception area

the view from the 3rd floor :)

Barrio Fiesta

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BAGUIO: VIZCOS'S

Along the famous Session road, among the bar and restos, there's this place famous for their cakes called Vizco's. Their bestseller is the (surprise! surprise!) Strawberry Shortcake.They also serve, pizza, pasta, salad, and all that italian food. I know you could all get that food in Manila, but the difference is that the ingredients are fresher and the price is cheaper. So I think this place is a must go when you visit Baguio. And hey, you don't have to travel that far because this place is just walking distance from SM Baguio. 

Cakes per slice cost around 60-95php.

Stawberry Shortcake

Mango Cake

Pesto Pizza

BAGUIO: CHOCO-LATE DE BATIROL

Our first stop on our Baguio Resto hopping is the Choco-Late de Batirol. Located in Camp John Hay, near CJH's gate 2 and thr Baguio Country Club. 

Choco-Late de Batirol serves breakfast and lunch.

Going there is a bit tricky when you'll take a jeep. The terminal is located in front of the Venice Hotel, side of the Burnham Park. The jeep will drop you off Gate 1 of the Camp John Hay and I swear it's a very long walk from there to the Choco-Late de Batirol. I suggest you take a cab and tell him to drop you off on Gate 2 near the Baguio Country Club. It opens around 9 in the morning.

Their drinks costs from 80 to 145, hot or cold. I think it's a bit expensive for a cup of chocolate, but the place is not your ordinary restaurant, and very far from the pollution of the city. 

I had a cup of the hot choco-late de batirol which costs 80php and longsilog (ilocano longanisa-sinangag-itlog) which costs 160php. 

I'm not sure if I'll come back, the food is expensive for a longsilog, 160php? Really? I'm kuripot like that!

Well, come to think of it, the place is located near the Baguio country club, the golf course is just ten steps away, that explains the higher than usual price range.

The chocolate drink is very frothy, ate faye even coughed a little, it's very strong, like eating the very cacao tablet. 

oh I forgot to mention, this suman is to die for!

and hey they even sell other pasalubong stuff toO.

ON THE WAY TO CAMBODIA

Our last day travelling will be spent in Cambodia, we only had 1 day left and where else would we spend it, none other than the world famous Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. 

But before we get to Siem Reap, this is what my view of Cambodia.

We left Saigon around 8 am by bus (Phnom Penh Soria Transport, costs 12USD) to Cambodia. By noon we arrived in Cambodia, and the moment that my eyes saw Cambodia, I thought that it was so different from Vietnam. 

The people, the vibe and even the smell is different. The people were darker, almost Filipino-Indian-like, some bulky, and they have big eyes while the Vietnam people where fair skinned, they have slanted eyes (singkit), and almost all of them have slender figures. Even how they treat foreigners are different, Vietnamese people are more guarded (I have a theory about that), while the Cambodians are very easy to get along with and very accommodating, they are just like the Filipinos.

LIN PHUONG GUESTHOUSE

Lin Phuong Guesthouse is located at the backbacker's district of Ho Chi Minh City.



Verdict (Cammie Morgan Style)


Pro: The family is very accommodating.

Con: They are not fluent in English. You need to do sign languages for them to understand you.

Pro: Located in the backpacker's district.

Con: You need to book extra early (or just be lucky like us)

Pro: Breakfast, wifi.

TRAVEL-TRAVEL: THE REUNIFICATION TRAIN

How did we get to Saigon from Hanoi? Well, there are three ways how, by bus, by plane and by train. So here's the thing, if we chose travelling by bus, we'll just be very tired by the time we arrive in Saigon, so a big X! If we chose flying in an airplane, we be spending a lot of ka-ching! It's the fastest, simplest, pagod-free and did I mention most expensive! So no, we didn't ride a plane (but if have the money, and you need to get to Saigon fast, then plane it is for you). And lastly, there's the reunification train! Yey! Alas, this one suits us, since we wanted to see the country sides, it's faster than a bus, cheaper than a plane, and we could lie down and sleep all day if we wanted to. 

The view in the countryside is just amazing that makes 35 hours in the train all worth it.

Okay, this is how things went on the day we almost missed our chance of getting on the train.  Early morning on that day we found out that

First look Cambodia: Ta Prohm

First Look of our trip to Cambodia.

Trees growing out of the ruins in Ta Prohm.

TRUNG NGUYEN COFFEE

When we arrived in Saigon, one of our companion said that there's this one coffee shop that's leading the coffee business in Vietnam, and was also said that it is even bigger than Starbucks! Well, come to think of it, I didn't even remember seeing a single Starbucks in Vietnam.

In every corner, you'll see the Trung Nguyen Coffee shop, it's like Jollibee here in the Philippines, I mean that's how I felt when I started to notice it everywhere I look.

So, when we got to the place, We thought it was closed, because there are no customers around, and little did we know, there's a second floor and all the people are in there. Getting back on track

TRAVEL-TRAVEL: MEKONG DELTA

Mekong Delta is about 2 and a half hour bus ride from Vietnam's capital, Ho chi minh City also known as Saigon.

I know the Mekong river looks like Pasig River (see the pictures), but its so much bigger in person, and I swear it didn't smell, and if you're not a travel geek, FYI Mekong river is the 12th longest river in the whole world, it runs through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, AMAAAZING isn't it! Just think about it, you could get you're passport stamped so many times just by riding a boat in China up to Vietnam!

HUNDRED ISLANDS PANGASINAN

 It has been a dream of mine to go to the hundred islands for as long as I can remember (along with the Chocolate Hills), I remembered it being discussed during my elementary days and I am always amazed how these little islands would look like in person. 

Hundred Islands is in the northern part of Luzon, in Alaminos, Pangasinan, it is only a few hours away from Manila.

When we went to Pangasinan last summer, we were in a tight schedule, and only had a few hours to tour the islands, there are three islands popular to the tourists, the Quezon island, Governor Island, and the Children's Island, and since it was summer when we got there, the place was packed with tourists! We arrived around 11 in the morning, so the sun is burning our skin by the time we got to the boat to go to the islands, we didn't want to be in an island filled with tourist so we looked for a strip of white sand in another island. We found that little strip of sand on the other side of an island of cuenco cave. The place was amazing, white sand, there are no other tourists, good for sunbathing and swimming.

 Bat Island

 Governor Island

 Cuenca Cave

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Halong Bay: A World Heritage Site and one of 7 New Wonders of Nature

Halong Bay has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located at the Quang Ninh province in Vietnam. It is also one of the recently declared 7 New Wonders of Natures, where our own Palawan Underground River is also a winner.

Being a Filipino, this place looks familiar, for the Philippines also have (almost) the same kind called the Hundred Islands in Pangasinan. The difference is The rock formation in Halong Bay is bigger than there is in the Hundred Islands of Pangasinan and from what I've read there are more islands in Halong bay for it has almost 2000 islands. Halong bay is also said to be like our own Coron, Palawan (I still haven't been to Coron so I have yet to find out).

We had a day tour to Halong Bay since were running on a strict schedule. We only had to spend a day in Hanoi to catch the train at night going to Ho Chi Minh City. So we decided on going to Halong Bay that doing a city tour in Hanoi.Halong Bay is about 3 1/2 to 4 hours away from Hanoi.

If your planning longer stays in the Hanoi area, you should consider having the 2 days/1 night or 3 days/2 night stay but costs double and triple the money.

How to get there:
You may book a trip to your hotel or any travel agency. I advice that you book online and ahead of time whether through the hotel or travel agency. Before going on this trip, I tried haggling and it worked! Until I found out that one of our companion booked in another hotel. But anyways, I haggled and every hotel has different price, they may say that its a promo for booking early in their hotel or you just want the price to lower and since they want you to book in their hotel, they will give you lower price. The lowest price a hotel has given me was 18USD per person. But the one that our companion booked was 25USD per person.

What will happen during the tour?
First, they will pick you up in your hotel around 8am, give you a bottle of water, have a 30 minute bus stop where you can shop and eat, then arrival at the port. When you aboard the junk (yes, they call the boat, junk), they will serve you with food first, and the food was DELICIOUS and let you take pictures.
A stop to one of the islands, and visit a cave, the Thien Cung grotto. It was alright, I'm not a big fan of caves but I appreciate the formation of stalagmites and stalactites and how great God is! 
For 1USD you may take a trip around the area having a Halong bay local tour you to other caves. Other tour also include kayaking in the area. You may swim in he area, specially when you've rented a kayak.

My advice is to bring extra bottle of water and bring extra food. Have in insect repelant. Bring a swim suit, sunglass, a visor or hat or even umbrella for the sun. 

Quan Vinh Port

Junks

Food served in the junk

The entrance to the cave

The community in Halong Bay

Fruit Vendor

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