I fell in love with Vigan immediately after setting my eyes on this particular inn -- one that exuded an old-fashioned attractiveness to it. On a cultural perspective, this beautiful lodge displayed classic and antique exteriors, and of decades old yet well-preserved items. It also had that vintage-y smell that was very welcoming to the senses. Rubel and I truly felt like we were being transported back in the 15th century (Spanish time), as we were witnessing all of these remarkable pieces that surrounded us. Grandpa's Inn instantly became our "home away from home."
Rubel and I initially planned a DIY City Tour, so we asked our hotel receptionist, Ms Thu for a city map. As soon as she handed a copy, my beau and I immediately looked for the major sites nearby. Since most of the areas were a bit far from each other, we eventually decided to book a guided travel. Nguyen Khang Hotel was also offering different kinds of excursions. But we only availed of their USD 9/pax DAILY CITY TOUR, which was operated by Youth Tourist Joint-Stock Co.
We were going to be picked up at the hotel at around 8:30 AM, so we still had time to eat our complimentary breakfast while waiting for the guide.
Our guide was a nice, Vietnamese local named Taó. He immediately escorted us to an airconditioned shuttle right after greeting us that morning. A couple of Australians, Europeans, Malaysians and a Filipino were already on-board the van.
{Trip from April 2010} Before heading back to our hotel, we would always make it a point to pass by the 7-eleven store that was a few blocks away from Anne Black. And we would always make sure that we purchased these cups of spicy beef noodles that had real beef pieces in them. These were either made into our late-night snack or into our breakfast. But whatever the case was, these sumptuous instant noodles matched with some Yakult always made us happy.
The dynamic “Melting Pot of Central Luzon”, which is a 2-hour drive from Manila, is packed with lots of local sites and exciting activities. You will surely enjoy what Tarlac has to offer, as it features notable and exciting destinations like the Monasterio de Tarlac, Aquino Center and Museum, and Kart City Tarlac. But if you’re looking for a more laid-back escape, you can hit a few golf balls at the nearby Luisita Golf & Country Club, or go kayaking at the beautifully maintained Tarlac Recreational Park. All these and more can be found just in Tarlac.
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is just a 2-hour bus ride from Dubai. While there is plenty of interesting places to see, you can go on a quick weekend tour by visiting some of the sites below.
I didn't have any immediate plans to visit Malaysia. But I definitely included it in my travel list, just so I could see the iconic Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Yes, I've heard and read about the country and its rich culture. But I didn't give it that much thought. But when my Filipino friends urged for me to visit their second home, I gave it a go and was not left disappointed. Malaysia, let alone its lovely cities and states, have sincerely kept me in awe.
Malaysia, being the melting pot of religions, hosts a cordial, multiracial community. And in my time in Kuala Lumpur and Penang did I see how the society really lived harmoniously despite being so diverse.
Capiz isn't named the "Seafood Capital of the Philippines" just for nothing. It's a must-visit local destination, as the province has a never-ending supply of prawns, mud crabs, and shellfish. You name it, they surely have what you're craving for!
{April 2010} This entry marks my first trip for the year 2010. And if you're all wondering as to what these 3-lettered words are, well these are just airport codes: HKG - Hong Kong / MFM - Macau / SZX - Shenzhen. I've already been to HKG and MFM last November 2007, and I must say that being back was like I've never been in these places before. There was always something new to look forward to, despite the familiar faces and establishments. And for me, these two Asian destinations will always be exceptional.. all the more, when SZX added to my trip itinerary!
[TRIP from May 5, 2011] We started our day with our usual buffet breakfast at CORE Hotel, plus our morning walk towards the KB JIFF Cinema Square. Lucky for us, there was a photobooth that was being promoted for free to JIFF guests. So we grabbed the opportunity to get a free snapshot. Here's a photo of our freebie (not hi-res though since I only captured the printed photo using my iPod).
In the heart of Hanoi's old quarters, our senses were awakened by the tantalizing aroma of beef pho, welcoming us to a city that would soon become our culinary playground. Our decision to embark on this 3-day adventure last month was serendipitous, fueled by the allure of inexpensive roundtrip flights that promised a year-end escape.
One of the things that I gave priority to after getting married was my passport renewal. It was actually timely for a name change too, as my passport was about to expire in a few months (September 2016). I also decided to take on my husband's name, by choice of course, because (1) I've long wanted to carry his surname, and (2) having the same last name would help identify my husband and I as one family unit (i.e. easier endorsements when it comes to applying for visas, opening joint bank accounts, making loans).
Moving forward... if you happen to be newly married like me (married just last year!), or already married but haven't gotten the chance to change your last name on your passport yet, you can just refer to our infographic. Please note that the one I made is more applicable for Filipinas who are married to a local as well. The requirements and documents may still differ when it comes to your application type (i.e. for spouse of foreign national who would change their civil status from single to married, for married women who would like to revert to their maiden name).
TIPS WHEN SETTING AN APPOINTMENT
It was July of last year when I got my scheduled appointment online. I still didn't have a copy of our Marriage Contract at the time (the one printed on PSA Security Paper), but I still chose to book in advance despite the odds. Of course, I made a back up plan in
[Trip from April 2010] We were strictly told that if we didn’t make it by 9 AM in the HKG-SZX border, our tour will leave us. And us three being the real deal early birds, we got there with an hour to spare. But much to our expectations, the tour guide was there but a few of the people who booked the same tour were super duper late! And we thought they were going to leave those who weren’t there on time. So much for that.
I love how some locally owned restaurants continue to offer Filipino cuisines in their menu, particularly those that solely serve native dishes. I do enjoy eating international foods and global cuisines. But nothing beats munching on homegrown meals that are infused with interesting twists, like what Braska does. Braska is a cozy restaurant that serves Filipino comfort food in Bohemian Malate.
My trip to Jeonju, South Korea wasn't that smooth sailing during it's pre-planning stages. It probably took the JIFF coordinator more or less a month before my brother and I could have the 'go' signal to apply for a visa. If I may recall, Choy and I only only got scheduled to go to the Korean Embassy at Mckinley Road, weeks prior to leaving the Philippines. We went there with all our paperwork on April 15 2011, and were asked to submit our Passport and supporting documents. I was also given a claiming stub/slip for our passports after a brief interview, should we get approved of a visa. We were then scheduled to pick-up ours two weeks later.
Choy (my brother) and I submitted our company's SEC Business registration permit (For Brass Knuckles Inc.), Brass' Company ITR, Mayor's Permit, our Bank Certificates, and the Visa Application Form, along with our 2x2 photo/s. These requirements were actually required for Business entities. Anyway, other than being Filipino citizens, we also didn't pay for any application fees since we were only getting a single entry visa. The foreigners on the other hand and those who will be applying for multiple entires will get charged for different amounts.
I usually set an expectation for myself when it comes to how often I should go online, especially when I'm traveling overseas. But in reality, setting expectations don’t always go as planned because I'd still find myself checking my Facebook feed, and posting photos on Instagram. This usually happens when I'm waiting for my food to be served or while I’m on transit. Anyway, I was recently in Thailand for my birthday/honeymoon. I wasn’t always glued to my phone, checking stuff online throughout the trip. But it still helped that I had a FLYTPACK router with me, which was a lifesaver during inopportune times on the road.
This is basically what went down on our third day in Jeonju:
To start our day, we had our buffet breakfast again at Core Hotel's Skylounge Resto :) And of course, I got me some sausages and Yakult bottles again! *Yeah!*
Since Rubel and I weren't able to see the rest of the sites from the previous City tour, we opted to do a DIY trip the following day. So after a good recharge, we started our evening walk towards the Bitexco Financial Tower (the 124th tallest building in the world according to Wikipedia). We didn't get to see it up close. But we managed to take a few photos of it while traversing the street of Hàm Nghi.
After a quick photo op, we continued on with our evening stroll. We were supposed to take a cab from Pham Ngu Lao all the way to Tôn Đức Thắng. But we decided to just walk all the way. And with our efforts, we were able to reach the Saigon river after 30 minutes.
As you all know, I recently joined a Twitter contest that was hosted by Philippine Airlines. If you've heard about the Rally to Bali promo, then you've surely heard about the amazing prizes that came with this exciting game.
For starters, PAL required each participant to follow @flyPAL and @PALMabuhayMiles to qualify for the contest. They've also asked each follower to tweet the reason for wanting to visit and fly to Bali, to mention @flyPAL, along with the hashtag #FREEBaliSwingAround. This was what I tweeted then:
For first-time travelers in Malaysia, going on a road trip from Kuala Lumpur to Penang was quite an adventure. We might have gotten lost along the way. But our modes of transport gave us one heck of an experience!
November marked a significant milestone for me as I celebrated my 40th birthday in the vibrant and bustling city of Hong Kong. From indulging in mouthwatering burgers to shopping sprees and breathtaking views, each day brought a new adventure and a reason to cherish this special occasion.
Budget Biyahera is about finding fun and distinct food and destinations, accommodations, products/gears and activities that people can enjoy on a ‘regular’ person’s budget and schedule.
