destinations Traveling As A Passion

[scubapro]

just imagine....

 

girlie bars on both sides along Beach Road.. as far as your eyes can see....

[sally bogna mathay]

just imagine....

 

girlie bars on both sides along Beach Road.. as far as your eyes can see....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Actually, I think Patpong now pales in comparison to what happens in Pattaya...

[Riot6]

Well, I just returned from vacationing in the Philippines.

 

Massive jet-lag...aaarrrgh!

 

Anyways, while I was in the Philippines, I got to go and visit relative in Dumaguete. Nice place, basically a college town. Everyone seems to be travelling on scooters or small motorcycles.

 

I also got to go on a day trip to Tagaytay. That's always good. Ate some really good Bulalo at some place called Viewpoint (nice view and really good Bulalo). I also got to go to a church called Calearaga (I think I spelt that right). Well, the Church was not really in Tagaytay proper but actually in Nasugbu.

 

Also went to see hmmm....something Garden...I can't remember the name...Sophie's Garden...Angie's Garden...Josephine's Garden....whatever...Anyways, it was cool though a little fu fu for me.

 

Oh also went up to "People's Park" which at this point is really run down. No maintenance budget, I guess.

 

 

While I was in the Philippines here's what I learned:

 

Dumaguete:

 

I bought tickets from a travel agent at the lobby of the Intercontinental Hotel in Makati. The flight designation was for Philippine Airlines (PR). I confirmed this twice with the travel agent. I go to the airport where all Philippine Airlines, Domestic and International, are now located (Centennial Terminal). There the security guard tells me that there is no Philipine Airline flight to Dumaguete and that although the flight designation is for Philippine Airlines, the actual carrier is Air Philippines (the sister company or code share partner). Good thing I was there very early so I can turn around and catch a taxi to the proper terminal, which was the old domestic terminal.

 

Do you get that? I mean, the airport security guard knew a lot more than the "travel agent!"

 

Second thing, in small town airports like Dumaguete, they close the check in counter and flight manifest 45 minutes before the scheduled flight. This caused me to miss my flight back to Manila. Well, we didn't know about that. My relatives and I thought that since I didn't have checked baggage, I can check in about 30 minutes before flight. Oh well...now I know (get there at least an hour and a half before the scheduled flight).

 

 

Hotels:

 

I stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel in Makati the first part of my vacation. I always like this hotel because it's close to Glorietta and Greenbelt, close to the MRT station, plus my friends work in Makati so we can go out after they get off work. If you are planning to go to the Philippines and are looking to book a hotel, I recommend this one. Also book online in advance...way in advance and, if you can, book in the Club level. The Club level rooms are bigger...more like suites. Still even thier standard room are good.

 

 

The second part on my vacation, I moved over to the Westin at the Philippine Plaza in Pasay. Well, that hotel was a disappointment.

 

Okay, the hotel lobby was really nice, the pool area was really nice too. The hotel being right next to the bay and all that, had a really great view at sunset. However, the room I was in sucked. The room was in serious need of renovation. The funitures were uncomfortable and were all worn out and it shows. The bed was something you'd find in a cheap motel. I guess I really couldn't complain much since I got the room for free using my "frequent guest" points. Still, I was expecting more. maybe if I was put up in one of their Club level room it may have been better.

 

My other observation...the hotel is too out of the way. Taxis are hard to get there, unless you're willing to pay for hotel service taxis which are more expensive. Oh yeah, by the way, while I was staying there, all those diplomats for the IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union) were also staying there. Of course this added to my frustration since the place got all locked down for security. Taxis were scared to go near the hotel since the Police and other security personnel had cehckpoints all set-up. Imagine coming back to the hotel near midnight and having to argue with the Taxi driver that access to the hotel is okay and they'll let us through the checkpoint.

 

Anyways, needless to say, I can't recommend the Westin at the Philippine Plaza.

[sekyut]

Well, I just returned from vacationing in the Philippines.

 

Massive jet-lag...aaarrrgh!

 

Anyways, while I was in the Philippines, I got to go and visit relative in Dumaguete. Nice place, basically a college town. Everyone seems to be travelling on scooters or small motorcycles.

 

I also got to go on a day trip to Tagaytay. That's always good. Ate some really good Bulalo at some place called Viewpoint (nice view and really good Bulalo). I also got to go to a church called Calearaga (I think I spelt that right). Well, the Church was not really in Tagaytay proper but actually in Nasugbu.

 

Also went to see hmmm....something Garden...I can't remember the name...Sophie's Garden...Angie's Garden...Josephine's Garden....whatever...Anyways, it was cool though a little fu fu for me.

 

Oh also went up to "People's Park" which at this point is really run down. No maintenance budget, I guess.

While I was in the Philippines here's what I learned:

 

 

You mean Sonya's Garden?

[Riot6]

You mean Sonya's Garden? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Ummm yup..that's the one.

 

The place actually seems really relaxing and is built around the concept of eclectic English gardens and spa resort. They actually have overnight cottages in the property...really nicely appointed too.

 

However...it felt really girly-girl

 

Plus, I was told by my friends, their restaurant only served vegetarian type meal...arrrgh! where's the meat...at least fried chicken (maybe this has changed already but I didn't confirm it)

 

Anyways, as my friends and I were walking through the gardens in front of the cottages I spotted what seemed to be a plant of the "hemp" variety with its infamous 5-leaf type...you know the one "pass the dutchie on the left hand side"...uh huh...

 

Well, the place really is recommendable... although it's not really my style since I'm not really into that aromatherapy massage type person...hah...still for those into it...I recommend it.

[sally bogna mathay]

Just been to Koh Samui in Suratthani, Thailand. Koh is Thai for island. Medyo mahaba ang viaje; about 10 hrs by bus, a 3-hr wait for the ferry, and another 2 hrs by ferry. Bus leaves Kaosan Rd (the famous backpacker hangout) at about 6pm. Ok ang bus, laming ng aircon...at madaming chicks of various nationalities. Overall, I was quite disappointed. I heard a lot about it, but it wasn't really that great. Lots of beach resorts to choose from, plus guest houses, spas, bungalows. You can get something decent for about 500 baht (mga 700 pesos). Plenty of restos, bars, clubs...I recommend the Cliff bar, which provides a great view of the sea, and Zico's, a Brazilian-themed place with the food and music to complement the whole thing. Sandies, a resto at Silver Sand Beach Resort, is a great place to dine by the beach. Highly recommended ang grilled sole with potatoes and prawns in tamarind sauce. To get around the island, you have to hire a motorcycle (about 150 baht a day = 210 pesos). Mahal ang taxi. Jeeps (Suzuki Carribean) can also be hired for 1500 baht a day. Some beaches are excellent but they are in very exclusive (and pricey) spas and resorts. But if you are an adventurer and travelling alone or with your partner, ok siya. You probably have to stay for a week para sulit ang trip. You can take a plane from Bkk, pero mahal.

[poknat]

i know im not as well travelled as the others in this thread but the best vacation i had was when me and my cousins went on a cruise from canada to alaska. we rode the ship - pacific princess(?) that was featured as the love boat (tv series back in the 80s) we docked at three cities/towns of alaska and each time we did we tripled the population of the place. the ship had 14 floors which housed a casino, a theater stage, a movie theater, a basketball court (half court lang though), tennis court, outdoor swimming pool, several out door jacuzzis, video arcade and music room. astig cause we went white water rafting in the freezing waters! nag jacuzzi kami sa deck while passing through icebergs. it was the most relaxing two weeks i had! all you can eat pa ang lahat ng restos niya pero may bayad if you order drinks other than tap water. ang dami pang pinoy na crew. hay.... sana maulit yun but i doubt it.

Edited May 12, 2005 by poknat

[segaria]

ha ha ha! mahina nga ako bro sa FR eh!!! he he he!!! baka malagay itong room natin sa south!!! har har har!!! basta wild!!! he he he

 

and one thing i noticed in thailand parang ang daming magaganda dun noh??? he he he!!!

 

.......

 

 

i have to disagree.. ive been to singapore, malaysia and thailand.. filipinos abroad and even foreigners agree that filipinas are prettier compared to other asian counterpart [lalo na thais! - i have thai officemates]

 

chinese-singaporeans are just taller, slimmer and dresses sexier pero talikod-genic

the best pa rin pinay

 

anyway, mganda sa SENTOSA - cable car then siloso at palawan beach, tas may hanging bridge.. un nga lng, may mga nakikita ako nagsi-swimming dito na completely clothed from head-to-toe (eww). kaya kinda itchy pag mgswimming dun..

pero other than that andame pang mgandang pasyalan within sentosa

 

sa KL TWIN TOWERS naman, gusto ko kapag F1 season kse nakadisplay sa gitna ung PETRONAS nila. picture-picture..

 

sa Pinas, somewhere in SURIGAO, ung SOHOTON COVE.. wow! truly one of nature's wonders... and it's only in the Philippines!!!

we went there riding a small pump boat [7 lng capacity]. there's only one small, teeny tiny entrance and exit para makapasok at makalabas dun. parang cave ung dadaanan and it has to be low tide. kelangan pang yumuko para di tumama sa stalactytes ang ulo. pag naabutan ng high tide, sorry na lang at the next day pa pwede makakalabas ulit dun.

 

tapos may area dun na andameng jellyfish. clear jellyfish, yellow jellyfish, blue jellyfish. at hndi makati.. i was even able to hold one of them. ang slimy nga eh..

 

then we went inside HINAGUKAN cave [derived from HAGOK or bisaya for snore, bcoz they say they hear snoring sounds inside] wherein we have to swim to get inside coz hndi kasya ang pumpboat -- the entrance is sooo low.

anyway, after we got out of the cove, there's a small island with white sand nagswimming muna kme dun.. sarrrraap...

[heavygatin_but_cutie]

I just came from Bangalore, India...it is the IT capital of India...what can I say?

 

hmmm we filipinos are still blessed. Our mother land is a lot better than India. my trip to India was an experience I will never forget. It was a shock but I managed to enjoy.

 

Bangalore's traffic jam is a lot worst than Manila....what made it more worst (tama ba?!) is that no alternative route unlike in the Philippines were you have secondary routes. The air or environment is very dusty. as a matter of fact, i got skin allergies when I went home. hygienically, pinoys are the best. dont let me elaborate on that anymore as I might offend some of our indian friends. when it comes to food, hmmm i was able to like soem of their food but i believe it is an acquired taste to like it. they use at least 6-12 spices in one course. ang tindi.

 

i went to Goa, India..14 hrs drive from Bangalore. They claimed it was their version of our BORA. hmmm nothing beats BORA i think kahit di pa ako nakapunta. GOA is like San Juan, Batangas probably...for me..the only beach who can be at par with BORA I think is AMANPULO. one memorable experience is riding their Volvo SLEEPER bus..it is a bus with bunk beds..you'll be lying down 14 hrs going to Goa.

 

One thing commendable about indian culture is their art. the artwork/carvings of their temple is soo awesome even the palace I went to ... the best. they were able to preserve it over the years...it is sooo grand..so magnificent and how I'd wish our culture has such.

 

given the choice...kahit challenging i would still go back and explore the country.... lakasan na lang ng loob!

[ATONG ANG]

what can you say about the men there? a friend told me he had sex with an indian and he told her to take a bath twice and yet the smell was still there. just pm me if you wouldnt want to 'offend' some indian friends

Edited May 23, 2005 by ATONG ANG

[igol ays]

was in cancun two weeks ago; stayed there for a week

went to xcaret; it's a resort/park which once was pretty much a jungle environment

had fun going down an underground river

nice beach areas, snorkeling was pretty good

best part was a cultural show that started at 7pm and lasted for a couple of hours

 

spent three days going to scuba diving lessons for my open water certification

did my ocean dives on manchones reef off the coast of cancun

 

the things i love about cancun hasn't changed (i have 2 timeshares there and visit at least once a year) - good food, clean, safe for tourists, clear blue waters, and friendly locals. one of my favorite restaurants in the world (lorenzillos) still serves the best lobster meals.

Edited May 25, 2005 by eagleyes

[scent ofa woman]

JOIN A CARAVAN... better known as THE CAMP NORTH EXPEDITION...

 

Proud to be one of the Marshalls!

Shout out sa MALAYANG KABALIKAT-OLONGAPO!

 

Sweep the road!!!

[scent ofa woman]

The North

 

The caravan ran almost 2,000 kilometers from Clarkfield in Pampanga up to Subic Freeport in Zambales via the northern part of the Pan-Philippine Highway with Claveria, Cagayan as the furthest point.

 

From Pampanga, the caravan proceeded through the excellent highways of Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Isabela, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, Pangasinan and Zambales, where it culminated in the graduation rites for more than a hundred participants at Subic.

 

There were many caravan participants, who went backpacking and camping instead of the usual hotel accommodations. These campers pitched their tents in Ifugao right beside the eight wonder of the world – the breathtaking Banawe Rice Terraces – as well as along the banks of the mighty Cagayan River in Peñablanca and at Camp John Hay in Baguio.

 

With other caravan participants, these backpackers and campers engaged in outdoor activities like spelunking at the Sta. Victoria Caves in Ilagan, Isabela; Callao and Sierra Caves in Cagayan where they also witnessed the awesome circadian flight of bats at twilight. There was beach swimming in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and Fort Ilocandia, Laoag City; boating and kayaking in Cagayan and Hundred Islands in Pangasinan.

 

Cultural activities included church and museum tours in Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Benguet and the antique houses in Vigan, Ilocos Sur among others.

 

 

JUST IMAGINE YOURSELF BEING PART OF THIS...

 

jUSt tRY!!!

[scent ofa woman]

LOG ON TO WWW. NORTHPHIL.GOV.PH/TRAVEL.HTML

[masi]

in the last 22 years of work... i have travelled extensively, well from my point of view, both on business and holiday. my sojourns could be as short as a day 12 hour trip to hkg and back or a long 4 weeks travelling to more than 10 cities or attending a conference or training workshop. here is a list of the cities i've been to.

 

asia - hongkong, singapore, bankok, bangpakong and rayong (thailand), jakarta and karawang (indonesia), kuala lumpur, kota kinabalu, taipei, kaoshiung, chaiyi and tainan (taiwan).

 

europe - geneva, frankfurt, hannover, hamburg, amsterdam

 

u.s. - los angeles, san francisco, sta. clara, san bernardino, tucson, austin, chicago, new york, new jersey to orlando florida (22-hour drive), dallas, seattle, denver, atlanta, hollywood beach (fla), miami, washington d.c., alexandria (va)

 

phils - cebu, baguio, la union, sariyaya, lucena, zamboanga, davao, entire pangasinan, pampanga, tarlac, bataan, zambales, batangas laguna.

[zencalix]

hay sarap mag travel!!!

 

sana i can retire at 50-55 para magtravel na lang!!! dream ko ito!

 

 

so far sa asia pa lang ako nakaikot and different parts of the phils... next target ko is europe at states... canada and australia pwede rin...

[Riot6]

Oh yes, travelling for leisure is great but if you do it every week for work, it sucks.

 

Me, work take me all over the place but at least I get to earn airline miles and hotel points (in a couple of weeks, I actually get to go to Anchorage, Alaska for work )

 

This coming November I'll be using those points for free travel and hotel rooms. You might want to ask why, if I travel all the time, I would travel somewhere else for vacation? Well, to get away from the constant e-mails and cellphone calls (even when I'm off or on vacation).

 

Anyways, for this coming vacation, I'll be going back to visit Japan again and swinging by the Philippines. Yes, airline tickets and hotel rooms all booked already and free 'cause of all those points :thumbsupsmiley:

[sliderule]

Went to the Big Apple for business, just 5 days but we really squeezed every second of the day. Ran like crazy to catch a Broadway show (since you can't go in if you miss the start), but was so jet lagged we snoozed through Beauty and the Beast. Saw Ground Zero and the word that came to mind was "unimaginable".

 

Someday I want to visit Savannah, Georgia. Southerners are so charming! Love the way they talk, love their food, their eccentricities..,, anybody who has seen or read 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil' would know what I mean.

[Podweed]

Went to the Big Apple for business, just 5 days but we really squeezed every second of the day. Ran like crazy to catch a Broadway show (since you can't go in if you miss the start), but was so jet lagged we snoozed through Beauty and the Beast. Saw Ground Zero and the word that came to mind was "unimaginable".

 

Someday I want to visit Savannah, Georgia. Southerners are so charming! Love the way they talk, love their food, their eccentricities..,, anybody who has seen or read 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil' would know what I mean.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Savannah's nice. I hope you do get to see it one day. Yes, the Southern drawl is charming.

[blackthunder]

Ilove to travel, and see new places. but sometimes finacial gets in the way!

[dodo]

Travel is also a passion of mine. During a summer break in college, I spent two months in Europe backpacking with friends. My last trip was this last July to Puerto Vallarta. Next month I will be in Manila and here is what's on schedule after that:

 

March 2006 - Las Vegas Nevada - Annual Get Together with Friends

April 2006 - Sorrento, Italy - Family trip.

July 2006 - Back to Manila - Attend niece's wedding

 

The best part of travelling is experiencing the local culture. In fact, in August 2003, we spent an entire month driving around the northern part of the Philippines doing just that. We drove all the way up to Aparri from Manila and returned via the Ilocos, Zambales route. There was no plan of attack. We simply stayed at a place until we got tired of it and then drove off again to look for another resort. I have been thinking about doing another trip like this in the Philippines. I have been looking at the RORO (Roll on Roll Off) situation and would like to do something that takes advantage of this program. I am jus getting started so I don't know much about it yet.

[sliderule]

During a 5-month post in San Jose, Ca., I once got up at 11PM on a typically dull Friday night and right there, right then, decided to drive to L.A. to see some friends. Brewed some coffee, took a cold shower, stashed some clothes in the bag, got just enough cash, a tank full of gas, and off I went.

 

The 5 connects to the 101 through this canyon road named Pacheco Pass. At 1 in the morning, it could get really creepy since I was the only car on the road and heaven forbid I got into an accident, I'd be a goner.

 

Finally got to the 5 and it just went on and on and on....I couldn't believe I was going a hundred (mabagal pa yata yun, but takot ako mahuli eh) because it seemed like I was standing still ! I stopped over for gas twice (or thrice yata, can't remember), got breakfast and coffee at a Burger King, and finally got to Glendale....saw my buddy, and dropped off to sleep over at his flat.

 

I know to most residents in the US, such a trip would be common. But for me it was quite a thrill. I love those road trips!

[augustmoon]

During a 5-month post in San Jose, Ca., I once got up at 11PM on a typically dull Friday night and right there, right then, decided to drive to L.A. to see some friends. Brewed some coffee, took a cold shower, stashed some clothes in the bag, got just enough cash, a tank full of gas, and off I went.

 

The 5 connects to the 101 through this canyon road named Pacheco Pass. At 1 in the morning, it could get really creepy since I was the only car on the road and heaven forbid I got into an accident, I'd be a goner.

 

Finally got to the 5 and it just went on and on and on....I couldn't believe I was going a hundred (mabagal pa yata yun, but takot ako mahuli eh) because it seemed like I was standing still ! I stopped over for gas twice (or thrice yata, can't remember), got breakfast and coffee at a Burger King, and finally got to Glendale....saw my buddy, and dropped off to sleep over at his flat.

 

I know to most residents in the US, such a trip would be common. But for me it was quite a thrill. I love those road trips!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

On my first trip to the US right after college, My cousin, together with some of her friends and I went on a road trip that took us from KANSAS to TEXAS in five days...we went through hailstorm, a lightning storms and 5 Howard Johnson Motor Inns and miles and miles of darkness.. But the best thing about the Loooooooong trip IS Breakfast / Brunch at IHOP (Intl. House of Pancakes). Heaven !! decades later, I can still taste the fresh Blueberries on my pancake, Maple syrup and whipped butter.

 

Most if not all my endearing memories of travel is always related to FOOD.

 

Bangkok - for its spicy spareribs and dried fruits, HongKong - for its duck and roastings, In anytown US.., OLIVE GARDEN, WHITE CASTLE, and Funnel cake, Paris, for the choco-crepes in the food carts near the Eiffel.. Madrid/Barcelona/Seville/ Jerez for its Fabada and Jabugo ham, and more recently, Anchorage for its reindeer sausage and alaskan King Crab Claws, Toronto for the baked salmon.

 

I take home FOOD more than FINDS whenever I travel.

[masi]

Road trips, I'd do every chance I'd get -- be it a drive to Pampanga, Subic, Tagaytay anywhere. In fact this summer I plan to drive up to Pagudpud passing towns like San Fernando La Union, Vigan and Laoag. If time permits, I may pass Banaue and Sagada and do a final rest stop in Baguio before I hit the road for Manila. All this of course, requires that my wife and daughter be with me. So far, all this time in the car is abhored by my wife. Now, if I could only convince her to say YES!

 

As for road trips abroad, I've driven from SFO to San Bernardino on 5 to L.A. then back to SFO via 10. I've also driven from NYC to Orlando, Florida on I-95 using an extended full size RAM van. I alternated with my brother while the rest were just sleeping. It took us a good 22hours stopping only for gas, food and comfort. If you haven't heard of the term, walang katapusang kalsada, then take this drive. Oh, btw, we had to drive back to NYC.

 

I've also rode on the Autobahn. I was in a Opel Record estate and my driver was only diving upto 160kph. He said he could drive faster kaya lang basa ang kalsada kaya mabagal sya.

 

Took the Amtrak from New Jersey to Alexandria, Va. passing through the backroads of America... ghettos, prisons, stock yards, junk yards, etc. This gives you a different insight of American culture.

 

Took the ICE from Hanover to Hamburg and we were going more than 200kph. Of course when in Hamburg, one should never miss the Red street, the port and the cathedral. In Amsterdam, I walked by the old town stopping at tabac shops for some cigars and sipping an espresso in the Rembrandt square. In Geneve, old town walks and watching the fountain and swans in Lake Geneve.

 

GOLDEN MILE walks Singapore... Orchard Road (which is heaven on earth for my wife and daughter), Chicago, New York 5th Ave.

 

My work took me to several places. Now if I could afford it, I want to travel with my family.

[Guest globetrotter]

i do like to travel kaya lang yung line of work ko ngayon i travel due to business di pleasure.sayang.walang time magpasyal eh. been to most parts of southeast asia, a few countries in europe. US di pa.hopefully by next year or before the year ends.sana.para mapuntahan ko naman si *.