2012 April: How to spend 10 hrs in Singapore

This is my third trip in Singapore and I’m doing this to keep in touch with my closest friends.  

2:00pm Official check-in time at Le Hotel, Clarke Quay

2:30pm @ City Hall Station

St. Andrew's Cathedral

Drop-off at Red/Green MRT: City Hall; Exit B

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 9.00am - 5.00pm

http://www.livingstreams.org.sg/sac/visitors.html

3:00pm @ Somerset Station

Had an afternoon snack with my friend Kim at Charlie Brown Café, Somerset (http://www.charliebrowncafe.com.sg/).  I love the food and I miss our chit chat!

2012 April: Singapore: Arrival at Le Hotel

Been waiting for this day!  After my provincial experience in Langkawi, I finally arrived at Changi Terminal 1, had to pass by 3-4 walkalators, go down by one level and lastly reached the Immigration section. 

After the exit gates, I exchanged some money.  Go up for the Sky Train going to Terminal 3, then go to the city.

First stop from the airport is Expo station.  Alight and visit City Point mall if you want to visit outlet shops.  I was able to buy an Esprit bag for with sister worth 34sgd (1100php, 2012).  Other outlet shops are Charles and Keith, Adidas, Coldwear, Nike and Lacoste

Since I carry heavy backpack, from the Raffles train station, I took a cab going to Carpenter street which is also accessible by Clare Quay station.  It was a good decision, since the pedestrian between the block and the station is an overpass and I don’t have to walk on it with heavy bags.  

Accommodation Review: Le Hotel Carpenter Street

This is my first time to stay on a plain room with shared bathroom.  Staying there in less than a day (actually less than 8 hrs stay in my room) is not bad.  The reception officer is a Filipino, some guests are also Pinoys, so it feels like home.

Malaysia: Langkawi

Wednesday, just arrived in Langkawi International Airport from KL via Air Asia for only 26MYR (300php, 2012).  What to expect on this type of booking?  The airline might possibly send notifications about rescheduling your flight so make your itinerary flexible.

Taxi is the main form of public transportation in the island.  Better buy a coupon at the desk in Arrival Hall, then hand it to the cab driver at the waiting area to go to your hotel.

I choose to stay in Best Star Resort because it is facing Cenang Beach.  Not much to say on the area, water is not so healthy and a bit dark.  I prefer more the islands in Kota Kinabalu.

2012 April: Malaysia: Overnight at Tune Hotel, KL-LCCT

An unplanned trip (or should I say just keeping the words I said a year ago)!  But since there is a low fare offered by Air Asia last year (May 24, 2011) thus, I'm here again at the airport even if it is just 17 days since my last Asian trip (Busan on March 28 – April 1, 2012).

I wanted to travel and I love doing it, so even if I have a busy work life I will always find a way to make them go together.  Right after work in Ortigas, I picked up my luggage at McKinley (had a quick afternoon snack with my sister) then head to NAIA Terminal 3. And YES, thank you to my April co-passengers who were able to read the in-flight magazine (catch my blog, mentioned on page 144 on Smile April and May edition).

Play Time at the Airport - Arriving 3 hours before my flight is really a carefree feeling.  Enough time to do my running while playing on those push carts.  Contrary on how I describe myself as a “suite case traveler in Asia”, this would be my first international flight where I only have a hand carry.  (The last time I tried it was on flight to Kota Kinabalu, April 2010 and I end up paying for my excess baggage).  Prior to actual check-in my bag is 7.5kgs, upon check-in it became 6.4kg!  How did I do it?  It’s a nice move to carry separately your DSLR while checking-in with light fares.  

Immigration - I don’t like being asked by the officer whose as if interrogating me – You are going to KL, yet your return flight is from SG, can’t you find a flight straight from KL?  Are you working there? No! "Are you working here?". I said "yes", showed my id and viola, she finally marked my passport and let me in. 

X-ray - Congratulations to my monopod, it was able to pass the x-ray as well.

What’s new @ T3?  Okay done with the prequel, now waiting on my boarding here at gate 110.  You'll not miss what's new in this area - there are now installed Samsung LCDs at boarding gates.

Past 12 midnight, we arrived at Kuala Lumpur Low Cost Carrier Terminal or KL-LCCT.  I still have few Ringgit back then, so I did not bother getting their money.  I immediately asked someone on how can I get to Tunes Hotel.  Honestly, I did not understand her answer.  Perhaps, because it was unclear, I'm not paying attention or I'm still sleepy.  I ended up walking for 10-15 minutes, passing 2 car parks, until I reached the hotel.  But you can actually take a service bus from/to Domestic Arrival area for only 1RM.

Tune Hotels - Hotel Review

Tune Hotels is the partner hotel of Air Asia.  Upon booking at their site, I was surprise as this is my first time to see a hotel where the facilities are being paid per service.  You want to have any of the following, you need to pay additional fee for each.

• Air Conditioning (12 hours) at 14MYR
• Air Conditioning (24 hours) at 20MYR
• Towel Rental + Essential Toiletry Kit at 6MYR
• WIFI Connection per device (24 hours) at 12MYR
• Breakfast Set at 6MYR
• Tune Hotels Insurance at 5MYR

Notice the minutes left on every featured you paid for.

Itinerary: First time visit in Hong Kong

Where to stay?
There are multiple inexpensive hotels and hostels in Kowloon area. But based on what I read most, it is okay to stay there if you are with some guys. But if you are traveling alone, or you are all girls they say it is better to stay in Hong Kong Island, which is a little expensive.  On my first to third stay in HK, my personal choice is to stay in Causeway Bay area.

On our fourth visit, I'll be trying to stay in Kowloon (specifically  near Austin and Jordan stations) for the convenience of near the port from Macau, near the shopping areas, closer to Disneyland and closer to International Airport.

Are you looking for trip plans or itineraries for Hong Kong, you are in the right page!

2012 June: Philippines: Batangas: Kainan sa Dalampasigan

Few minutes away from Canyon Cove is Kainan sa Dalampasigan.

More than the food, it is also visited for its ambiance - wooden doors and tables, huge windows, chairs and benches are all different, old ceiling fans, dim lights, lamps on the wall.  Every window is covered by crawling veins and greenery.  Tables are accentuated with live flowers and plants.  It felt like dining in the Spanish era.

Taken from its name "Dalampasigan" or near the shore, it is best to order seafoods.  We tried 'sinigang na hipon', 'squid sisig' and to have a healthy lunch we added chopsuey.

Their menu is affordable and this restaurant is a must visit when you pass by the area of Nasugbu, Batangas.

Philippines: Batangas: Canyon Cove

Valued at 50% discount on Ensogo (http://www.ensogo.com.ph) early this year, we bought 2 vouchers of Canyon Cove for our summer getaway.  But since it is peak season, we moved our reservation in time for my mom’s birthday this June.

Known to be the start of the typhoon season, we were never wrong.  We arrived at the area wet and wild after a two-to-three hour drive from Las Pinas City.  The lobby is at its noisiest state from check-out (12nn) to check-in (3pm), especially that they offered it in a cheaper price.  Tip: If you want to sit and all the sofas are not available, go to Level-3, there are other sofas overlooking the lobby, with grand piano that can be used.

We requested for 2 adjacent rooms and glad it was granted, we are at the center building with superior rooms 444 and 445.

The hotel website (http://www.canyoncove.com.ph/rooms.php) says the truth:

All guestrooms feature a balcony overlooking the pool, garden, or the South China Sea. They are also furnished with a mini-refreshment bar and flat-screen cable TV. Their well-appointed bath has a separate shower and tub.

A coffee/tea maker and electronic safe are also provided.