2013 May: Indonesia: Bali: Pura Taman Ayun

Last destination we have for the day is Pura Taman Ayun.  Too bad that the temple ground is actually not open to the public.  There are only high platforms where the tourists can see the featured structure inside the gates.

Pura Taman Ayun (Mengwi Water Temple) - This very pleasing temple was built in 1634 by the King of Mengwi as his family temple. The terraced courtyards of the temple are set in very well maintained grounds, surrounded by man-made waterways and entered over a bridge. Mengwi is about 8km east from the town of Tabanan. [http://wikitravel.org/en/Tabanan]

2013 May: Indonesia: Bali: Bali Botanic Garden

Bali Botanic Garden is a place for research, conservation, education and recreation. It provides a place where you can relax in beautiful and peaceful surroundings while learning about the use of plants in the daily lives of Balinese people as well as many interesting tropical rainforest plants and birdlife. [http://balibotanicgarden.org/]

We decided to walk around the area, instead of driving along the way.  It may be tiring but I decided to grab the opportunity that I can take photos of the area.

The aisle includes different species of plants and flowers.  Plus, statues of characters from Ramayana.

The Ramayana, is one of the great epics of India and Nepal, consists of 24,000 verses in seven books and 500, and tells the story of Rama (an avatar of the Hindu Supreme-God Vishnu), whose wife Sita is abducted by the king of Sri Lanka, Ravan. Thematically, the Ramayana explores human values and the concept of dharma. [https://en.wikipedia.org]

2013 May: Indonesia: Bali: Ulun Danu Beratan

Next stop, it took us around less than 2 hours before we reach Ulun Danu Beratan from Ubud.  I’m aware there are mountains in the area, but I did not know that the lake is actually at the top of the mountain.  Think of it as Baguio, we drove by the mountain side until we went higher and higher.  When we get out of the car, it is already windy and cold.  Bad that it is cloudy, cause it is giving a sad theme on the photos.    

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, or Pura Bratan, is a major Shivaite and water temple on Bali.  The temple complex is located on the shores of Lake Bratan in the mountains near Bedugul. Water temples serve the entire region in the outflow area; downstream there are many smaller water temples that are specific to each irrigation association.

2013 May: Indonesia: Bali: Tirta Empul

After considering a list of agencies, I booked for rockybalitours because he is the only tour guide who would agree on my itinerary.  His friend Agung picked us up at the hotel as early as 8am.  

It took us around 1.5 hrs to reach our first stop (from Legian).  

Tirta Empul Temple (Indonesian: Pura Tirta Empul) is a Hindu temple in the middle of Bali Island, Indonesia, famous for its holy water where Hindu Bali people go for purification. [Reference]

This is also one of the featured destinations of Samantha Brown's Bali.  The same as one of Kris' and Zsa Zsa's destination too.

Entrance fee for an adult is 15,000Rp (60Php, 2013).  We roam around the area on our own.

Indonesia: Bali: The ONE Legian Hotel (The 101 Legian)

Travel Date: May 4-7, 2013

Bali (Denpasar), Cebu Pacific’s 20th international destination which debut last March 2013.

Before, most of the Filipino travelers would still go to Jakarta, Malaysia or Singapore first. Then take a connecting flight to Ngurah Rai International Airport to reach Bali.  Now you can reach Bali with direct flight from Manila, I bought this ticket (May 2013) last February 2013 during the online sale on behalf of the 20th Traveland Tour Expo. (Base Fare + Fuel Surcharge of 2671.50Php/way)

Blame it to Memories of Eat Pray Love?

Around 2004, Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) brought “Something Happened in Bali”, which was shown in abs-cbn (local channel in the Philippines) as “Memories of Bali”.  The first and last episodes of the series have done justice in promoting Bali as a tourist destination.

In 2010, Elizabeth Gilbert’s book “Eat, Pray, Love” has become more popular after Julia Robert gave life to it on film.  A story about a woman looking for herself and found love in Bali, after which meeting Ketut Liyer became a popular attraction in Ubud, Bali.

“Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. 

You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes 

even travel around the world looking for it.”

“Smile with face, smile with mind, and good energy 

will come to you and clean away dirty energy.” 

- Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

Where to stay?

Most of my readings, travelers normally take half of their trip in Ubud (in the middle of the green fields to meet Ketut Liyer).  Then, on the second half, they stay by the beach.  Since I've been to the Philippine pride Banaue Rice Terraces, Bontoc, and Sagada, I decided to skip staying in Ubud.

In the beach area, after reading different blogs and trip reports, I would decide to stay on Seminyak area, posh and villa types of accommodation are offered there.  But after seeing and experiencing the area, I would love to stay in Kuta-Legian area, preferably near Jl. Raya Kuta (Beach Walk mall near Jl. Poppies II), Kuta Square, Kuta Center, and Discovery Kartika Plaza.

My choice is not bad at all, The 101 Legian.  There is a superior room originally with room rate of 488USD (19,976.00Php)/night, but with the flash deal at agoda (early booking saver rate), I got it at 2855Php/night.  Book The ONE Legian Hotel, Bali in Agoda

Check-in Experience: Average - For me their check-in schedule time of 3:00pm is too late this is normally 12:00nn to others.  But since there is no other choice and so as to make the time useful, we rested for a while at their lobby overlooking Jl. Raya, then we left our luggage at their Safety Room, used their very stylish washroom and finally left for the initial street walk at Legian.

2013 Apr: Philippines: Batangas, Club Balai Isabel

The first time I visited this place was on a rainy evening in 2011, when I'm suffering from fever and I was not able to enjoy the pool area.  I must say that visiting it on a summer day of 2013 is a better experience.

Club Balai Isabel

Barangay Banga, Talisay, Batangas, Philippines

Book Club Balai Isabel Hotel, Batangas in Agoda

Philippines: Albay: Misibis Bay

Misibis Bay, known for its luxurious service!  Where top artists like Kris Aquino, Zac Efron, Sandara Park (2NE1) to name a few who stayed for vacation and work there.

2013 Jan: Philippines: Albay: Faces of Mayon

Use to be part of the lessons in grade school days, seeing this in reality checks one entry in my unwritten bucket list.

Famous for its perfect cone, Mayon Volcano is also known to be shy among the locals.  It is a normal scene that you will see it covered with clouds.  Since Legazpi or Bicol is located close to Pacific Ocean, weather is totally unpredictable in the area (In the morning it is sunny, then it will suddenly rain, then back to sunny weather, v.v.)

We are lucky to see it clearly upon our arrival.  We never thought that it would be the last time during our three-day stay in Albay.  

From Airport: 

2013 Jan: Philippines: Albay: Catholic Churches

Too early for the Visita Iglesia - our Albay trip is one of our travels where we visited a number of churches.  

Albay Cathedral

Address: Albay District 4500 Legazpi City, Philippines

English Mass: 11am on Sundays

Just in heart of the town proper is the Albay Cathedral.  The Cathedral of St. Gregory the Great, also called the Albay Cathedral, is the Episcopal Seat of the Diocese of Legazpi. The cathedral started as a wooden chapel built by early Spanish missionaries who moved into the town in the 1580s. It was damaged by American bombers and reconstruction went beyond 1951. The church was elevated to become a cathedral when the Episcopal See of the Diocese of Legaspi was established. [Reference]

2013 Jan: Philippines: Albay: Food Strip

Albay is one of famous destinations in Philippines not only for its natural beauty but also for food satisfaction.  Below are the restaurants we tried during our stay.

La Mia Tazza Coffee

We had our first break at this café since it is located at Embarcadero. They have tables at the veranda so you can have your sip of coffee while watching the clouds as it cover the volcano tip.  We tried Pili Cappuccino (small, 98php) and Raspberry Mocha (small, 98php).

Small Talk Cafe
Located just near the Albay Cathedral, you can easily spot this restaurant.

It is a homey designed restaurant with antique pieces, piano, old photos of famous artists who dined in, old wooden tables and chairs.  The café is famous for its unique flavors of pasta and pizza.

2013 Jan: Philippines: Albay: Ellis Ecotel

After several cancelled flights of Naga and Legazpi due to experienced cold front and rain showers in the early weeks of January, glad that we were able to depart from Manila in a sunny Sunday morning this week.

2013 Jan: Brewing in Manila

I’m not a coffee lover or should I say coffee is not healthy for my heart.  But with a lot of shops brewing here in the city, should I still not give it a shot?  Coming from three-peat short trips in South Korea in just 10 months, I started to yearn for coffee.  Initially because cafes there are everywhere. 

In 2006, I had a drink with my colleagues in Max Brenner, Greenbelt.  That was the most expensive coffee I ever had, 500php for a cup of white chocolate.  This week (2013) I noticed that it also started brewing in Mall of Asia, but this time with more affordable price.  This is also brewing in other countries such as USA, Australia, Singapore and Israel. http://www.maxbrenner.com/branches.html

Philosophy: Chocolate, more than any other food is integrated in to many aspects of our lives. It is a symbol of contradicting emotions and sensations. On one hand, it is the most romantic gift; on the other hand it is a commodity which is traded on the stock exchange. It is sold like a prestigious piece of jewelry carefully selected from a glass case but also as an addictive snack available at every corner store. It is tasted like a fine wine and licked off of fingers dipped straight in to the bowl. It is sexy, nostalgic, and forever an object of fantasy for children and grownup children. These diverse chocolate associations are the inspiration behind Max Brenner's new chocolate culture. (http://www.maxbrenner.com/about.html)

Across Max Brenner’s location in MOA, is espressamente illy (which is also present in NAIA Terminal 3).  I got familiar with this shop when I saw it from Hong Kong International Airport and Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan. 

Origin: Francesco Illy founded illycaffè in 1933.  His 1935 invention of the illetta, considered the blueprint for modern espresso machines, revolutionized coffee preparation.  His innovative method of packaging, based on pressurization, enabled illy’s initial exports to Sweden and Holland during the 1940s.  Francesco Illy’s method remains the standard for preserving and enhancing coffee’s freshness during transport and storage.  (http://www.illy.com/wps/wcm/connect/en/company/illycaffe-history)

Last year (2012), after attending an expo in SMX I got surprised when I saw a tarpaulin saying future site of “Caffe Bene”.

Their Story: It all began in April 2008 at Eastern Seoul where Caffe Bene's first-ever store was opened. Founded by Mr. Kim Sun-Kwon, who has been notable for his other successful franchise endeavors. Since then, Caffé Bene has grown to more than 800 stores making it the Largest and Fastest Growing coffee shop chain in Korea.  In fact since it started, almost every other day a Caffé Bene shop is opened – continually even today.  Conquering the Philippines, Filipinos can now rave about the difference of Caffe Bene and get acquainted with so much reasons why the Bene brand has grown this far.

Their Brand: Bene means "good or well". European feels accentuated by Korean touches. Friendly, warm and cozy ambiance. Various menus and great coffee! (http://www.caffebene.com.ph)

2013: What's in store for Philippines this year?

Travel+Leisure adds Philippines as one of 2013's hottest destination. 

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/hottest-travel-destinations/7

Conde Nast Traveller includes Philippines as a destination to watch for this year 2013.  Specifically this includes: Bicol, Siargao, Palawan, Amanpulo and Manila.
http://www.cntraveller.com/recommended/itineraries/hot-destinations-to-watch-2013/philippines

White Beach in Boracay is on top 24 slot in the World and top 1 in Asia on the Top 25 Beaches: http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Beaches-cTop-g2

2012: My Travels by the Numbers

Inspired by an article from StarStudio mag,

Travelling is not just about seeing the sights; it’s about a whole lot of numbers, too!

Ended the year with a challenging work life, there is much to be thankful for this 2012.  Meeting new friends, life tests, success or sometimes failure, the most important thing is to learn from it.

Highlights of my travel journey this year are: I experienced Busan’s spring season and Osaka and Kyoto’s autumn leaves and being able to promote this blog in Smile magazine for 7 months.  I spent one solo trip to Langkawi and had two sister-bonding trips. 

Wishing all of us to be successful in this year’s soul searching on ever step that we take everyday of our lives.

Read my 2011 version.

Japan: 5 days Autumn Itinerary in Osaka and Kyoto

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do in Osaka and Kyoto?