Whenever I’m anxious or troubled, being on greater heights (literally) helps me to clear my mind and feel at ease. Trekking and being at the summit of mountains was my usual form of escape whenever I feel suffocated by all the stresses that I’m being subjected into. Sadly though, there are times when going out of the city is not feasible; scaling buildings within the metro is always an option. I was lucky I used to work in high-rise projects so I could easily go to the top floors to gaze at the city skyline but that was before. Hence, that’s no longer the case, I’ve resorted to rooftop bars and restaurants that offer fine view of the city below.
The following are some of my favorite places here in the metro:
Sky Resto,11/F flr., Selah Pods, FB Harrison, Pasay City
When Midas touched Pasay
What I love about Sky Resto a
Sky Deck View Bar, The Bayleaf Intramuros
The famous Manila Bay Sunset
Firefly Roofdeck Bar, 32/F City Garden Hotel, Makati City
Most travelers agree that among Asian countries, Singapore is one of the cleanest, safest and most efficient, but also one of the costliest to travel to; no wonder, most of the people I know think twice about visiting this country. No need to fret, with the right strategy, surely the stay in Singapore even on a tight budget would still be enjoyable. The following are simple hacks that one must know before planning the trip:
Remember: Singapore is a “fine” city, the government values discipline and proper code of conduct. Ridiculous amount of fines, imprisonment, and even corporal punishment are being imposed for noncompliance. Chewing gum, smoking beyond the designated area, jaywalking, littering, vandalism, and not flushing the toilet could mean hefty sums of fine if caught. No one wants to spend a huge chunk of the budget for these. This could be memorable though, and a night in jail could also mean free accommodation for a night.
Plan the trip well to maximize it. Some of the attractions are very costly, but there are lots of places that one can visit for free. A well-planned itinerary would immensely help in saving money, effort and time.
Transportation
Taxis are expensive, be prepared for long walks; trust me, SG is a walk-able city. Walking allows the tourist to experience the local life, be immersed in the surroundings, get some exercise while saving money.
Offline map is a friend. Don’t forget to download one, mark all locations in the itinerary and update it once connected to the hotel’s or airport’s free wifi.
Never be scared to ask for directions. The best offline maps are the locals. They know the nooks and crannies and may suggest places that are known only to the locals. Communication is not a barrier, because English is widely spoken here.
The MRT offers an unlimited pass for tourists. For those visiting Singapore in a very limited period of time, a Singapore Tourist Pass should be considered.
Accomodation
Consider staying near MRT Stations. The closer the accommodation is to the MRT Station, the more convenient travelling would be. One should take advantage of Singapore’s very efficient train system.
Activities
Walk around Marina Bay Sands area and time travel through the amazing architecture.
Explore Chinatown and the temples within it, e.g. Sri Mariamman Temple & Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Check out gardens, Parks and Nature Reserves.
Walk around Arab Street.
Take Sentosa by foot instead of a cable car.
Visit Kampongs.
Drop by museums.
Food
Hawker centers, kopi-tiams (coffee shops) and food courts are the best option to taste local cuisine without breaking the bank.
Consider the weather. This country is not just warm, it’s also very humid aside from the heat, consider the monsoon rains.
Wear comfortable clothing. A loose, light clothing is perfect for one to be able to stand the heat and a jacket or an umbrella should be ready just in case it rains. Remember, buying a new shirt if soaked by the rain or hailing a cab when you feel too hot is not the top priority when on a tight budget.
Bring a water bottle or tumbler always. Apart from this being eco-friendly, this is also very pocket-friendly; bottled water is a bit pricey in Singapore but tap water is potable, free and even tasty. Let’s do the math, a 500mL bottle of water costs 2SGD, if 1 glass is around 240mL, then 8 glasses are equal to 1920mL or around 4 bottles of water, 4 x 2SGD = 8SGD or a cost of a decent meal in a Hawker centre.
Consider all of these, but at the end of the day, the best hack that one should remember is that: JUST CHILL and Enjoy the experience!
Mt. Balagbag, a part of the Sierra Madre mountain range is located in Rodriguez, Rizal. It is described by Pinoy Mountaineer as around 777+MASL; a minor climb with a difficulty of 3/9 is almost always recommended as a perfect trail for beginners due to its wide, short and easy trail.
We (my brother, a close friend and her husband + me) decided to scale it on one gloomy day, when the sun had decided to rest behind the clouds and the clouds have threatened to bless us with raindrops. It rained the night before, so the road (Yes, it is a road!) was wet, muddy and slippery. It was great though, we had so much fun along the way. The fog kissed us good morning – leaving us feeling refreshed despite the sticky sweat dampening our skins.
The climb was indeed short and easy, it only took us an hour or two to reach the summit despite the fact that we stop at every scenic spot to take pictures. It’s literally one could say a walk in the park. Trekking this mountain is more of a sightseeing walk because its elevation allows the climber to admire the picturesque landscape below.
Upon reaching the summit, the fog enveloped the whole place that we can barely see each other and much more the trail. Navigating was challenging, especially when you can’t see what’s ahead of you. Aside from the gray veil around us, there’s really not much we’ve seen.
Looking back, the saying need not be true; yes, we didn’t almost break a sweat but it was really worth it. At times, it’s not really the process or the reward that matters. The best view comes from who you chose to tread the path with and seeing them enjoying the climb.
As mentioned in my previous post, this attraction is a bit overrated. Since, this can be seen in almost all travel blogs about Bangkok and the number 1 place suggested by travel guides, most tourists convene in this place.
This according to the internet was the official residence of the Kings of Thailand until 1925. The present king no longer resides there but some official events are still held in there. The Grand Palace is a complex of different buildings, one of which is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or Wat Phra Kaew.
Scams
Before visiting this spectacular place; be wary of the scams though, the oldest and the most well-known is the “The Palace is closed today Scam”. It is when a tourist roams near the Palace complex, a friendly English speaking local would approach the tourist and casually drop statements like this “Oh, you want to see the Grand Palace? Too bad it is closed today due to some events.” Then would offer to take you to other temples at 20-40baht Tuktuk ride but would actually bring the victim to shops where they could get a kick back from the owner from every purchase of the poor traveller.
How to get there?
The fastest route is to take the BTS or Sky Train; take the Silom line and get off at Saphan Taksin Station and look for the Chao Phraya Express Boat dock, and then get off at Tha Tiang Pier. The Grand Palace is just a few minutes walk from there. For boat routes, time table and fares, check the Chao Phraya Express Boat webpage.
Another option is to take a Tuktuk or a motorcycle taxi, this is another fun option but is not advisable for the faint-hearted because the drivers are often weave through the traffic swiftly.
A more comfortable option is to take a taxi but it would take you an eternity to reach the destination if you’d be trapped in a gridlock.
Notes:
The Grand Palace is open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM but the ticket office closes at 3:30 PM.
A strict dress code is being implemented at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Long pants, shirts with sleeves must be worn. See-through or revealing clothing are not be allowed.
Entrance is free for Thais but costs 500 Baht for foreigners. This includes a travel guide on what to see inside the complex.
Tourists are EVERYWHERE! Patience is really a virtue.
The heat can be very exhausting. Drink lots of fluids but then travel responsibly. Bring your own water bottle.
Wat Pho is just a few minutes walk from the Grand Palace.
Wat Arun is just across the river.
To be able to explore and see most of the place, it would take at least 4 hours and to avoid the heat, the best time would be to visit this place as soon as it opens.
Living in Metro Manila is a bit stressful, with all the fast-paced, daily hustle and bustle, the week seems so long and exhausting. Most people agree that the best way to relax is to commune with nature. Studies even prove that being with nature truly allows an individual to unplug and thus,decreasing secretion of stress hormones.
After a very busy month, I’ve decided to unwind at last. The first thing that came into my mind was to go trekking and stay overnight under the stars, but this option was not feasible because of two reasons: I don’t have a tent and it’s now in the wet season. So another option would be to stay at the beach and accessible locations would be Batangas, Quezon Province, Cavite, Bataan, Pangasinan and La Union. Influenced by a desire to learn how to surf; despite being the farthest among the choices, La Union was the chosen destination.
La Union is a well-known destination among surfers who want to catch the waves and for weary souls who want to recharge. San Fernando and San Juan are amongst the most famous surfing spots in this town. Tourists and travellers alike flock these towns on weekend.
The trip
It took us 4 hours to get to Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union from Manila. According to bloggers, it usually takes 5-6 hours depending on the traffic situation. The drive was a bit long but the view was very rewarding. Scenic views of the countryside greeted us along the way.
The decision to stay at Fatwave Surf Resort was undoubtedly perfect, this resort offers a beachfront view with a bar that opens until midnight I think. They even serve complimentary breakfast – a hearty meal and coffee to fuel the day.
The beach, bars, restaurants and even the streets usually get crowded with travellers in the afternoon until late night. Swimming and surfing is limited from 6AM to 6PM for safety reasons, so most of the people are bar crawling and partying in the evening.
The perfect time to stroll in the beach would be early in the morning, however the beach is facing the west side so sunrise could not be witnessed from the beach side, but the view is equally stunning. The moment the sky changes from dark to pinkish to bluish is very spectacular. Sitting on the sand, listening to the rumbling of the waves, waiting for the water to play with my toes was just the perfect weekend. I can almost hear Zac Brown Band sing:
“I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand
Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand
Life is good today, life is good today.”🎶🎵
The sea, sand and the sun – truly the best medicine for the enervated.
That might have been relaxing already but the experience even went better, I had also a chance to pick grapes from the farm in Bauang, La Union. It’s not harvesting season yet but I had so much fun. Looking for ripe fruits under the grape vines was like a treasure hunt; it was very invigorating both for the mind and the spirit. Yes, we could easily purchase all the grapes that we want at the supermarket but the helping local farmers is a lot fulfilling; the experience and the thought of being able to contribute to local economy make the grapes tastier. 😉
After a very rough month, “I certainly deserved that break”, I told myself and I did. I felt so relaxed; I was at home. Nature truly is the best place to recharge and heal. As mentioned in a Chinese proverb, “Nature, time and patience are the three great physicians.” Nature by the far is the most accessible.
I’ve been to several provinces here in the Philippines but amongst all, Palawan has a special place in my heart. Dubbed as “The Last Frontier of the Philippines”, it truly lives to its moniker. It has the right blend of being urbanized and being laid back.
I was fortunate to be able to visit Puerto Princesa, its capital in 2015 as a part of a civic group that have offered to clean up the non-touristy coastal community of this city. I have fell in love with the place, the verdant greens, the magical beaches, delectable foods and the warmth of the people enamoured me. I can still vividly remember the first time I have walked from the airport and hailed a tricycle (which is the primary mode of transportation in the city proper) to see the Cathedral, the Plaza Cuartel and the Baywalk. I was really in awe as I navigated my way to the tourist destinations like Binuatan Creations, Butterfly Garden, Baker’s Hill and Mitra’s Ranch.
This year, I get to visit this lovely city again and to my surprise, a lot has changed. Infrastructures are being built all over the city proper. It was as if the whole city suddenly awaken from a deep slumber, as if a witch had cast a spell on this quaint place. The modest airport has been replaced with a topnotch international airport, aesthetically and functionally designed for visitors from all over the globe. The main streets nowadays are lined with newly opened artistic restaurants and food parks, beckoning holidaymakers. The trend is that they not only offer mouthwatering cuisine but also ambiance which are not only perfect for relaxation but are also very instaworthy? instagrammable?
Four years ago, the nearest mall was few kilometers away from the city proper but nowadays, it’s just a stone throw away. Progress is oftentimes synonymous with positivity but there really is no absolute thing. Along with the rapid industrialization are problems like overcrowding and congestion. Gone are the days when the national road are comparable to freeways. But alongside this growth, Puerto Princesa exhibited readiness and resilience. Touring the underground river is now a lot organized as compared before. Back then, queues seemed endless, this year, I’ve noticed a remarkable decrease in the length of waiting time from Sabang Port. The way the LGU handles tour activities is very commendable. Employing the use of technology to lessen environmental impact like the use of audio device to decrease disturbance due to sound is praiseworthy.
In this fast changing world, the environment and the people are often compromised but this city showed us that it shouldn’t be the case. We have options, we just have to choose wisely.
This year (2019) was declared the 2nd hottest year ever, Manila was scorching hot and being outside from 9:00 AM to 4:00 literally felt like you’re being baked in an oven. My mom being a plain housewife, which translates to a wife who plainly stays in the house got overwhelmed with all the boredom of being alone and was tired of having to confront the agony of being subjected to the extreme heat that mother earth emits; decided that she wanted to go somewhere refreshing. With that, we’ve decided to visit Kawasan Falls.
On my trip to Cebu to visit the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist at Simala, Lindogon Hills, Sibonga, Cebu, I’ve decided to bring my mom with me. The trip from the city was really exhausting but I can see that she enjoyed the whole thing so it was worth it.
How to go to Kawasan from Simala?
From Simala, you have to go to the main road or the national highway, cross the other side and wait for buses going to Cebu City that would ply by Carcar. Ask the conductor to drop you off at the Gaisano Mall in Carcar. In front of it, buses going to Moalboal and Badian pass by that route. Be wary though, most the seats are already occupied so you must be ready to stand for and hour or two. Mind though that the ride would not be smooth. (Titas, have the salonpas ready!) Carcar to Moalboal is around 3 hours by bus, Kawasan Falls from Moalboal is around 30-45 minutes by bus or van.
What we did was we decided to spend the night in Moalboal and then proceed to Kawasan the following morning. Several buses and vans ply by this route, finding a ride from Moalboal to Badian is trouble-free. From Moalboal, we took a van which was on its way to Oslob to pick up guests, the driver dropped us off at Matutinao Resort in Badian, it is in front of Sto. Tomas De Villanueva Parish. It is where the trail to the falls commence, no means of transportation is available so tourists are obliged to take the trail by foot.
The trek is not really hard, my mom made it and she’s more than 50 years old. 🙂 It’s just around 20-30 minute walk and it would start on a paved pathway with lots of food vendors on the right side and a river with crystal clear water on your left.
After around 15 minutes, the baranggay registration area would be reached. An inexpensive fee of Php 45.00 per person. There are several stalls along the way that offer life vest rental for Php 50.00 but I highly suggest that you rent from Willy’s (the resort close to the falls) for convenience.
What to do in Kawasan Falls?
Canyoneering is a booming activity in Badian; it is a combination of trekking, jumping, sliding, floating downstream while enjoying the gift of mother nature. Usually, they start from above which is in Alegria and stops on Kawasan Falls which is the first of the three falls which is according to locals is the largest among the three. We were not able to see the other falls for it was an uphill climb and my mom was too tired to do it.
To those who aren’t into strenuous activities and are only up for relaxation, swimming in the lagoon is a perfect activity. The water is turquoise-blue, very mesmerizing, never have I seen a body of fresh water that color. It’s just a bit crowded though, but with the life vest on, floating on the water would be very leisurely.
Willy’s and the Kawasan Falls offers picnic tables, rooms for overnight stays and lockers to guests and visitors. To those who have not brought food, they also serve rice meals which are a bit pricey.
Willy’s also offer the use of bathroom for a fee. So after swimming and you now want to change clothes, you can pay 10php and proceed to the bathroom and take a refreshing shower.
Where to go after Kawasan?
Experience the Sardine Run at Moalboal
Laze at Lambug White Beach
Be Arielle under the sea in Pescador Island
Experience a romantic sunset at Osmeña Peak
Swim with Whale Sharks in Oslob (I don’t recommend this activity because the practice of feeding these gentle giants is unsustainable.)
How to go back to Cebu City from Kawasan?
Just walk back to the National road, you don’t have to cross the road just wait for buses in front of the church. Take a bus going back to Cebu City and get off at the South Bus Terminal. Fare is roughly at Php 180 per pax and travel would take around 3-4 hours depending on the traffic situation.
Living in Metro Manila is a bit stressful, with all the fast-paced, daily hustle and bustle, the week seems so long and exhausting. Most people agree that the best way to relax is to commune with nature. Studies even prove that being with nature truly allows an individual to unplug and thus,decreasing secretion of stress hormones.
I’ve been to several provinces here in the Philippines but amongst all, Palawan has a special place in my heart. Dubbed as “The Last Frontier of the Philippines”, it truly lives to its moniker. It has the right blend of being urbanized and being laid back.
Juana Live 