Beach Getaway: Minang Cove Resort, Tioman Island

Going on even a short getaway is becoming a rarity for me unlike way back few years ago. My present job assignment hold me 6 days a week, and it means I can only have Sunday as my free day. What more is  I cannot easily just file a leave if I want to. That is why only when a public holiday falls on a weekend can I plan to travel. But the downside of travelling during these period is, it is expensive because of the expectation that everybody is travelling out in Singapore. During public holidays in Singapore, hotels and resorts in neighbour countries have mark up their rates.

The Hari Raya public holiday falls on a Sunday so the following day is the official holiday. This means I have only 2 days to spare for this holiday. I was thinking of another beach getaway that does not require me to take plane to go there. Two options came up for me, the nearby islands of Indonesia and the beaches in Malaysia. In Bintan Indonesia, all the cheaper nice beaches  have been fully-booked already and the only left are those high-end resorts which way too expensive for my liking. So I searched for possible getaway in Malaysia. I have been longing to go back to Fort Dickson, the first time I went there years ago I enjoyed the place and have a nice recollection of the place. But when I searched online for a nice resort to stay, the one I love to stay were all fully-booked. I was looking for the stilt rooms by the sea but all were taken up already.

Caramoan Island Hopping: The Long Trip

skywatch

 Caramoan in the Philippines is one of the favourite shooting location of the tv reality show Survivor. Because of the exposure it gets from the show, Caramoan became a holiday destination for both locals and overseas tourists.  Caramoan is famous for its island hopping. The several islands that scattered around the Caramoan peninsula has its own characteristics and attraction worth exploring. Some of them were close to the mainland while others were quite far away. That is why the island hopping tours are group into two trips, the short trip which is half-day tours covers the nearby islands, and the long trip that will take whole day covers the farther islands.

Twenty13

There is no update for this blog the past year. I was too complacent and preoccupied by other things that  I totally neglected visiting and updating my blog. I have been to several trips overseas the past year mostly for rest and recreation rather than discovering new places. I still have few countries within asean that I planned to visit last year, but because it requires longer days I did not pursue them last year. Laos and Myanmar was part of my bucket list last year.

My Trip to Phnom Penh Cambodia Part 2

The following day I visited historical sites in the city. First stop was the Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda. The Silver Pagoda compound was the only one open to the public during my visit and the Royal Palace  is close because the Father King's body lie in state that will last for three months before his body will be cremated. The entrance fee remains at USD3 even though the palace is close.

My Trip to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Part 1

Thinking of what to do during the Deepavali holiday here in Singapore last year, I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to go out of the country again. As it was a last minute decision I searched for the cheapest flight within Asean  and Phonm Penh came out on top of the list. So without much preparation I embarked on a short weekend trip. I have little expectation about the city and was just looking forward to see firsthand how is the city like in an ordinary weekend. The trip turned out as my last holiday trip outside Singapore for year 2012.

Trip to Bangkok : Chatuchak Weekend Market

After spending two nights in Pattaya, I went back to Bangkok for another night stay before heading back to Singapore the following night. I stay this time at a small boutique hotel just a short walk from the Sam Yan BTS station. I have the whole day still since my flight out was at 10:00 in the evening. So after a quick late breakfast, I hurried out to explore Chatuchak Weekend Market. I took the BTS train from Sam Yan station to Chatuchak Park station, its quite a long journey I guess as compared to taking the metro line.

My Trip to Pattaya Thailand

The next morning, I laze at the hotel health center at the fourth floor. It has a  pool, a steam room, and a sauna. There was no one using the facility so I have the whole place for a couple of hours. When fellow guests began to arrive I decided to leave as the place is just too small to share even for few guests. By 11:00 am I was ready for check out, and hid to my next trip destination, to Pattaya.

Trip to Bangkok: Floating Market

I woke up late the following day. I was supposed to wake up at 5 in the morning and leave hotel before 6, but I woke up past 8 in the morning so I was way behind late for my floating market trip. After a quick shower and a hearty buffet breakfast I hurriedly left the hotel and took a train at Lumpinee station to Victory Monument station. I was told that the closest  mrt station to the Southern Bus terminal is at this station. After a quick look at the Victory Monument I hurriedly took a taxi to the bus terminal which is still quite a distance, If my recollection is correct I paid 100 baht for the taxi fare. 

My Trip to Bangkok Thailand

 My trip to Bangkok happened last May as my post birthday treat for my self. I have been busy with work and got no time to write it up right after I came back. So I am just writing it now.

I spent the whole first week of May in the kingdom where I savor what the city can offer. The trip were centered on exploring the colorful nightlife and parts of Bangkok that I haven't been explored during my first visit to Bangkok.

My Travel Task List for 2011 in Review

Never mind if this is already late. I would like to make an assessment on the list of task I set for 2011.

Last year I have been to eight places in four countries and went home to Philippines twice. Last year also  was my first time to Hong Kong and Macau, second time to Vietnam, and nth time to Malaysia. In Malaysia it was my first time to Penang Island and Putra Jaya. While I live in the Philippines, the travel to Corregidor Island and now famous Caramoan Peninsula were my first time.

Casa de Lou Kau in Macau

 One of the places of interest within the historic center of Macau and inscribed by UNESCO as a world heritage site is the Casa de Lou Kau. The Casa de Lou Kau or the Lou Kau Mansion is a traditional Chinese courtyard  house with western influence located on one of the alleys close to Largo de Senado.

This Chinese House was built in around 1889 was one of the residences of the wealthy merchant Lou Cheoc Chi who made a fortune operating gambling facilities in Macau.

My Trip to Caramoan Islands, Philippines

I took a short leave from work coinciding the 2 days holiday here in Singapore, and went home to the Philippines. I have to two reasons on going home, one is to settle some design issues of the on-going renovation of our house, and second to finally explore the Caramoan Islands. It would be my third attempt this time, so the excitement and determination to finally pushed it this time is there.

My Trip to Hanoi : Cruising Halong Bay

Day 1 in Hanoi

The next day of my trip to Hanoi Vietnam, was a cruise to Halong Bay on board  Elizabeth Sails Junk. I booked a two days one night cruise arranged for me by the hotel tour desk manager. The cruise cost me USD109, inclusive of 2 lunches, dinner, and a breakfast. The tour guide will pick me up at the hotel supposedly by eight in the morning, but arrived in the hotel almost an hour later because of the traffic and being I was the last to be picked up.

My Trip to Hanoi Vietnam, Day 1

This month travel happened last weekend for four days to Hanoi, Vietnam. I filed a two days annual leave to coincide with the National day holiday here in Singapore. This is another last minute trip since I really can't decide where to go in the first place. I have been wanting to go to Hanoi to visit the Halong Bay, but due to inability to find a cheap airline fare the plan has never been materialize until only last week when I chance upon a cheaper one coinciding the holiday. And I have a blast in Hanoi.

Weekend in Malaysia

 Last month I crossed over to Malaysia for a two days one night short trip because I have to accompany a blogger friend who wanted to visit Malaysia before he goes back to the Philippines. The trip was done by land, as we had to pass by Malacca before heading to Kuala Lumpur for a night stay. Instead of taking bus from Singapore, we crossed the border and took a bus at the Johor Bahru's Larkin bus terminal as it is cheaper. We arrived Malacca by lunch time and leave for Kuala Lumpur at 3:00pm. For three hours we managed to cover famous landmarks in downtown Malacca, being my friend's first time visit I knew he had the same experience I had when I visited the place for the first time.

Macau Trip: Macau Museum

The Macau Museum is located in Mount Fortress, which is adjacent to the Ruins of St. Paul’s. The three-level museum is dedicated to the history and culture of Macau, and contains vast objects of historical and cultural values. Formerly the barracks of the Fortress that converted into a weather observatory, and become a museum and was inaugurated on April 18, 1998.

Macau Trip: Mount Fortress

After the Ruins of St. Paul's, and visiting the Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt, the next to explore is the Mount Fortress which is just adjacent to it.  I traversed a green path that lead me a winding steps to a spacious platform at the top.

Macau Trip: Ruins of St Paul’s

My little adventure in the inner streets of Macau ended at the steps of Ruins of St Paul's. I settled there for awhile and intently people watch while sitting at the ledge of the steps. It was a delight and entertaining watching tourist antics on the steps. Right after I settled in, I do the same thing: taking and having photograph in front and on the steps of the famous landmark. 

Weekend Indulgence : Overnight in Johor Bahru, Malaysia

 It came out as a last minute decision. Though I was looking for a diversion to break the restlessness of the monotonous week days, going out of Singapore did not cross my mind at first. I was thinking of visiting a local place that I was aiming to visit but none appeals to me and my body was longing for a change environment. So I thought I have to go out somewhere that is just a short travel and just chill out and do nothing to clear out and be freed of my present state of restlessness. Beach bumming was the option but I don't want to travel far since it will just be an overnight option.  So I decided to stay in a hotel in Johor Bahru with a pool and a health club and within the city center. Although the room rate is much cheaper compared to Singapore hotels, the rate of the hotel I intend to stay is out of my budget. So I explore other areas outside  of the city center, and boy I was lucky to find one. It has jacuzzi right inside the room! 

Hong Kong Trip: Disneyland Resort

Choosing which place to visit between the Ocean Park or Disneyland when after you visiting Ngong Ping is easy. Disneyland is just a station away from Tung Chung station, then a disney train awaits you at the station. 

Another reason I choose Disneyland is that I want to find out how it differ to Universal Studios. The entrance fee is HKD 350. 

The resort is divided into four themed areas. Upon entering the gate, the Main street USA will be the first. Attractions included the City Hall that serves as the information and I guess the admin offices. Several restaurants and refreshments, and shop buildings completes the buildings lined along the main street. The buildings decor where identical to small town America in the late 1800s. An excursion-style steam train that encircle the resort has a station at the Main street and at Fantasyland.