This month's latest fad
2006-12-26 14:01:06
All I can say about Singapore today is that everybody has a Crumpler bag.
Well, not everybody like EVERYBODY, but everywhere I go there’s somebody with a Crumpler. In the bus, at the bookstore, at the Mall, in Orchard Road. Specially in Orchard Road.
I wonder what will I see next when I come back?
Greeting from Chagi Airport!
2006-12-26 13:53:22
Hola! I am taking advantage of Singapore’s Changi Airport’s free internet service while I wait for my flight, which is still more than 2 hours away.
In all the times I’ve been to Singapore, I never really had the chance to wander around and discover the wealth of activities you can do inside the airport while you wait in transit. So far, I’ve only tried the internet, but that’s not really surprising.
It’s amazing how different Changi is from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. Apart from the huge difference in size, there is so much more to do to keep you entertained here. The only thing you can do in Manila’s airport is to eat, shop and stare into space.
Ah, speaking of NAIA, I had this encounter with an airport personnel as I went inside the waiting lounge. The guy inspected my hand carried luggage and asked about the big paper bag I’m also toting. He asked me to open my cabin trolley, and said that my handcarry is over
Read more: Greeting
Whee~~~
2006-12-26 14:57:45
Almost two hours in Changi and I’ve already:
had dinner with my brother
window shopped
had a foot massage
watched CNN
checked my mail
posted three blog entries
…and there’s still time before my flight boards and a couple of other things I haven’t done or tried.
Flying with Singapore Airlines
2006-12-27 13:35:17
A couple of months ago, I posted a question for you guys regarding which airline would you chose: one where your frequent flier miles are, and one which always top the airline ratings chart. Based on your answers, I made my decision to pick Singapore
Airlines
over Philippine Airlines on my trip to Melbourne from Manila.
It’s one of the best decisions I ever made.
Singapore Airlines always get high marks for their service, and for a very justifiable reason: they really are one of the world’s best. They always look for ways to improve their already great services, taking special care to listen to their customer’s feedback.
My first contact with Singapore Airlines is through their website. From their site alone, I learned their flight schedules, fares, transit information, even vital security, customs and immigration information I needed. If it’s not in their site, they pointed me where I can look for it. It even let me apply for a Krisflyer membership, so I can s
Read more: Flying
Just an observation
2006-12-29 06:32:43
Teenagers around the world all look the same: they all look weird.
They would either wear whatever Paris, Nichole, Lindsay or Britney is wearing, or pattern their outfits after their favorite emo band.
Goodbye, 2006!
2006-12-31 12:42:44
Another year is coming to a close less than two hours from now. Yet I’m here at my sister’s house in my jammies with only the sound of the ticking clock for company. There’s a TV less than 10 feet away from me and I can’t even bring myself to reach for the remote and open it.
December 31st here in Melbourne is certainly different from New Year’s Eve in Manila. For one thing, I can’t smell any smoke from firecrackers set off by the neighbor’s. It’s really quiet here. Too quiet.
There were some fireworks earlier, I reckon. I can hear them faintly, must be coming from the city. Of course, when I was putting the kids to sleep, I thought it was the sound of small feet running in the halls. But how can that be when the kids are on either side of me on the bed? That’s right Nina, scare yourself on your first night home alone in a new house.
My brother-in-law actually asked me a couple of days ago if I wanted to go out for NYE. Automatical
Read more: Goodbye
Cheap and free in Melbourne
2007-01-17 05:04:54
Coming from Manila, where almost everything is cheap, prices of goods, services and admission tickets can be terribly shocking once you convert it to peso. Of course, they always say don’t convert else you won’t buy anything. Then again, there are plenty of inexpensive options around, specially here in Melbourne
.
There are plenty of free activities around the city, from watching a trapeze company performing in the street to watching a concert at the Federation square. To help you get around, there’s the free City Cirle Tram and the free Tourist Shuttle bus, which takes you to (or within walking distance to) all of the major tourists attractions in the city.
Admission to tourist attractions have fairly reasonable prices. Travelling with kids in Melbourne need not be expensive either. Ticket prices for kids are lower, sometimes they can even go in for free! Children under 4 years of age can also ride for free on the city train, trams and busses.
The best time to watch
Read more: Cheap
Happy Australia Day!
2007-01-26 12:35:08
January 26th marks the foundation of Australia
by Captain Arthur Phillip of the British Navy. It’s a time “where the people of Australia come together to celebrate what’s great about Australia and being Australian.” (Source: Australia Day)
To celebrate, we headed southwest out to Geelong, 73 kilometers from Melbourne. Everybody seemed to have the same idea, since the freeway had long lines of cars and when we were nearing the Geelong exit, we slowed to a crawl. My first Australian traffic jam!
What can I say about Geelong? We stayed mainly near the bay, but it’s a lovely place to escape the city for a day. Seeing that it’s only about an hour away by train from the CBD, going there to take in the gorgeous views of the sea and the horizon is a great way to de-stress.
Since it’s Australia Day (and a long weekend), there’s a lot of entertainment and activities set up to keep everybody happy. A ferris wheel, kiddie rides, bazaars (not
Read more: Happy
Mee Goreng
2007-02-05 07:23:40
Sometimes, when travelling, you get a longing for something that reminds you of home; something akin to a comfort zone to ease the pangs of homesickness.
Like craving for the feel of denim on your legs after weeks of wearing travel pants, or a taste of cuisine close to your mother’s cooking.
So it is while in the middle of a city that offers you cuisine as diverse as its population, that I get a craving for, yep, instant noodles. Nothing like a bowl of Mee Goreng to get you through your day. Next time, I’m buying me some instant ramen.
Technorati Tags: Mee Goreng
Oh, Viktor!
2007-02-06 10:57:37
I initially planned on bringing Viktor
, my trusty Victorinox backpack, with me here in Melbourne. However, I never thought that I would have an opportunity to use it, so I left him in Manila.
And now, I’m contemplating having it mailed to me, but doing that would cost me as much as the cute cabin trolley I’ve been eyeing.
It’d be quite silly backpacking with a suitcase. Then again, do I really need another cabin trolley (though it’s mighty cute)? Besides, who said you can’t go backpacking with a suitcase?
What to do, what to do?
It's sale season again!
2007-02-08 10:34:47
I haven’t been able to go online for almost two days and the first thing to welcome me in my inbox is two notification of airline seat sale, from Jetstar and Cebu Pacific.
From Cebu Pacific:
Get ready to book and buy as we come back with the 99 pesos domestic and 999 pesos regional seat sale for selected destinations!
Jumpstart your summer with seats so hot, they go real fast!
PhP 999 for Manila to Bangkok, Singapore, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur ; Cebu to Singapore and Davao to Singapore (via Cebu) . Sale period is from February 7 - 13, 2007 only , for travel from February 21 - May 31, 2007.
PhP 99 to some of our inter-island sectors, Cebu to Davao or Puerto Princesa ; Davao to Bacolod (via Cebu) or Puerto Princesa (via Cebu), Sale period is from February 7 - 13, 2007 only, for travel from February 21 - March 31, 2007.
PhP 99 for Cebu to Kalibo or Davao to Kalibo (via Cebu) . Sale period is from February 7 -13, 2007 only , for travel March 7 - 31, 2007.
From Jetstar:
50,000 tickets
Is it worth it?
2007-02-09 11:51:39
My sister forwarded me the link to the See Melbourne Card website. It looks interesting, but of course, the big question is, is it worth it?
In my limited Googling, I found this verdict on a similar product, the See Sydney Card:
The Verdict Thumb Down
Not worth it. With the one- and three-day plans, you’d have to cram in four or five museums just to make the card pay for itself: While the Opera House and Taronga Zoo—at $17 and $23, respectively—are pricey sights, others, such as the Chinese Garden, charge only $4, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Botanical Garden are free. On the other hand, if you have enough time to take advantage of the Blue Mountain attractions (worth about $75) and to visit several Sydney sights, you might make the Smartvisit Card pay. Whatever you do, don’t buy the transportation option: Unspecified “administration fees” mean you’ll pay about $8 more than if you purchased a transportation pass separately.
On the ot
Will travelling change your life?
2007-02-09 09:18:06
My travels last year didn’t really change me much. I’m still pretty aloof and anti-social, but I like to think that travelling solo made me believe more in myself. Maybe one day, after a longer trip, I can have a “success” story like these people.
“I was freaked out before my first trip, too. On the plane ride over I kept thinking, “Why am I going to India?” I ended up having the time of my life and returned two years later. The key is to just go with the flow. Actually, don’t just go with the flow — embrace the flow.”
Read more about their stories over at Fodor’s.
How do I love thee?
2007-02-14 03:55:07
I’ve always loved the library. Since I’ve graduated, I haven’t been inside one until this year, when my sister dropped me off at the nearby library.
It was love at first sight: high ceiling with lots of natural light, a courtyard where you can have a snack while reading, Pilot Guide and Lonely Planet DVDs, lots of music CDs, a great collection of books and yes, graphic novels.
It’s love, love I tell you!
Read more: love thee
On the banks of the River Yarra
2007-02-15 15:03:04
Last night was the first night I went out to the city. I met up with a group of Pinoys who are visiting Melbourne from Canberra. It was funny how they’ve seen more of the city than I have. Must venture out from the libraries sometime.
Read more: banks
, River
Adventure Travel & Backpackers Expo
2007-02-20 03:49:50
If you’re going to be in Melbourne in the next couple of days, head on to the Royal Exhibition Building at the Carlton Gardens for the 12th Adventure
Travel
& Backpackers
Expo.
The Expo is the fun and festive way to find out where to go for the time of your life -around Australia and overseas, the best, friendliest places to stay, what to do, how to get there and how to get jobs.
Whether you enjoy adrenaline-charged super activities or quietly experiencing the indigenous cultures of remote tribes, night-life festivities or the art galleries of the world, don’t miss your annual opportunity to cut through the information overload and get personal answers to your interests from nearly 200 exhibitors.
The expo will be on February 23 - 25, 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is $5.00.
Technorati Tags: Melbourne, Adventure Travel
, Backpackers Expo
How to pick a hostel
2007-02-20 04:51:19
With the Internet, it’s so easy to look and book for accomodations for your trips. However it can be a double edge sword: with the rising number of hostels going online and hostel review sites up, it can get quite hard to pick which one you’ll book with.
These are the things I consider when picking a hostel:
Location, location, location
For me, it’s important that the hostel is near a train station, or if not a bus station. Aside from being accessible, you can save a lot by taking public transport instead of being a sissy and spending your precious (shopping) money on taxis. Plus points if the hostel is right in front of an Airport shuttle bus stop.
Dorms
Sometimes I book a bed in a dorm to save money, sometimes I splurge and take a single room. If I’m being cheap, my first concern with dorms is whether it’s a co-ed or single sex. I love men, and all, but they stink — literally. Not saying all girls smell like roses after a long day of wandering ar
A word of advice
2007-02-23 13:13:16
When riding the Melbourne trains at night, steer clear from the seats at or near the end of the rail cars.
That’s where the teenagers converge, drink beer, swap obsceneties and a spit or two.
Unless you want to join in, of course.
Happy Mardi Gras!
2007-03-04 23:46:44
Sydney’s Gay & Lesbian Mardi
Gras is a month long celebration, starting on the first week of February and ends on the first weekend of March with a parade as a grand finale. Of course, when my sister asked me when do I want to fly to Sydney for a weekend, I picked the Mardi Gras weekend. Afterall, how many times will you have the opportunity to fly over to watch drag queens and dykes on bikes?
Technorati Tags: Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, Sydney, Mardi Gras
Read more: Happy
Can you build an A380 in 7 minutes?
2007-03-21 22:46:33
Well, you can’t, but this seven minute Youtube video can show you how the Airbus A380 was built:
Technorati Tags: Airbus, A380
Read more: minutes
And so…
2007-03-24 09:34:52
After:
1 Friends episode (The one with the stain)
4 Simpsons episode (Who shot Mr. Burns parts 1 & 2, Das Bus, Pokey Mom)
1 Project Runway episode (Figure skating outfit challenge)
1 America’s Next Top Model epidoe (40’s pin up shoot)
2 Globe Trekker episodes (Central China with Megan McCormick and South Korea with Ian Wright)
1 Passport to Europe episode (Milan)
2 Technology shows (The real James Bond Gadgets & Mean Machines: Trains)
and
1 Spongebob Squarepants episode (without sound)…
I am back in Singapore. Whee.
Shopping in Singapore. Again.
2007-03-27 13:46:29
Though I shopped a LOT in Melbourne, I made sure to set aside money for my Singapore
stopover. Aside from the fact that I’m too old enough to get baon (allowance) from my brothers, I have specific items in my shopping list: Pinky Street dolls and manga.
Both these items are available in the Philippines, so why am I buying here?
Well, for one, they are cheaper. You could argue that with my airfare factored in, it’s not worth it. BUT, my airfare was paid for by my sister, and my transport card provided by my brother so I don’t have any transportation expense.
How much cheaper are they? Pinky Street dolls are about 25% cheaper than those sold in hobby stores in Manila, while Japanese comics[/tag] are almost 50% cheaper. There is a local publishing company (Chuang Yi) that makes a local release of popular mangas, hence the cheaper price. It’s sale is (supposedly) exclusive to the Singapore market, but I’ve seen their releases in Australia, albiet at twice the
Read more: Shopping
, Again
What kind of traveler are you?
2007-03-30 16:04:52
I am such a sucker for these quizzes…
Your are a “Mid-Venturer Traveler”.
You have an insatiable intellectual curiosity, abundant common sense, and a friendly, outgoing personality. This combination of character traits usually contributes to success in your career. You are likely to hold a senior position of responsibility in your company and will continue to advance in the future. You’re also an opinion leader. Others look to you for guidance and direction on what to buy, choices to make in their lives, and the kinds of trips that they might like to take.
You love to travel, especially to foreign destinations and you seek new experiences and new destinations for almost all trips you take. You enjoy being physically active on trips but unlike your pure venturer friends, you don’t want to take such extreme vacations and are more likely to plan your trips—set an itinerary of places you want to visit and schedules when you will be there. You also insist on
I’m home!
2007-03-29 17:24:57
I have been going on and on about how excited I am about coming home to Manila after three months overseas. On the way to Changi however, I had this weird feeling in the pit of my stomach. Something like apprehension it seems, or maybe uncertainty. Will I still love Manila after this? Will Manila love me back?
The feeling continued on throughout the three-hour flight. When the captain announced that we are on the final approach, I sat up and stretched my neck to see out the window, and as soon as I saw the lights of the city, all the heavy feelings seem to have lifted.
You can hardly see anything in the darkness, save from the lights from the houses, buildings, street lamps and cars. Yet I know the city — MY city — is there. And that city is my home.
From that moment on, I started grinning like an idiot, happy that I’m here at last, and not just because I got transfered to a business class seat. But that’s another story for another day
Being cheap in Australia
2007-04-02 13:54:09
Coming from a third world country, where things are dirt cheap, checking price tags in Australia
can be quite shocking (not the good kind of shock you get when you look at Indonesian prices). At first the prices look cheap, but once you convert it to peso… ay caramba!
That is why they say that when you travel, you shouldn’t convert prices anymore, else you won’t buy anything. However, I do believe that it’s still important to convert — mainly to check if the same product sold in your own country is sold cheaper as compared to where you currently are.
The cost of traveling in Australia is definitely not cheap. Excluding airfare, you can expect to be shelling out around between AU$50-80 (US$40-70) a day, and that’s already being cheap (4-6 person hostel dorm room, 3 cheap meals a day, full day’s transport, maybe a little extra for beer or admission tickets). Also, if you want to visit the top tourist attractions, you would have to spend a couple
Getting the itch again
2007-04-06 18:46:36
Even before I came home, I already told myself that I won’t be travelling anytime soon. After all, after 3 months of holiday, I have a mountain of work waiting for me, not to mention the credit card bills I have to pay.
However, reading forum threads about places I haven’t been to yet is trigging that desire, and right now, I have Cebu Pacific’s and Philippine Airlines’ websites open in my other browser.
For other travelbugs out there, how do you cope with life in between trips? Especially when you’ve just come home and have no money.
My plan for world domination needs work
2007-04-07 21:40:56
Absolutely lacking!
Must travel more! Oh wait, I need to save up first. *le sigh*
View the map of my world or create your own with Google Maps
Technorati Tags: Google Maps
Read more: domination
Where to go and what to buy
2007-04-11 09:49:15
So here I am, back in Manila and daydreaming about my next trip. I want to go overseas, but I also want to visit a new domestic destination. I also want to buy a new camera, preferably a DSLR. The problem is, I don’t have that much money.
Do I:
Buy a DLSR and go on a domestic trip
Or
Travel overseas and pacify myself with a compact digital camera
I would prefer the overseas travel and DSLR, but I have to be realistic; that isn’t possible.
Why do I always have these thoughts when I’m broke?
Discount Europe Hotels
2007-04-12 17:01:54
Sponsored Post
At first glance, the name of the website brings to mind spam comments in blogs. However, when you see the website, you’d be able to forget about the spammy name when you see the website’s banner: it boasts of no booking or reservation fee, no cancellation fee and no advance payments needed.
(more…
Read more: Discount
, Europe
, Hotels
Bill Bryson’s Down Under
2007-04-12 11:51:00
I can be quite a cheapskate when it comes to buying books. Though I may spend a lot on comics, I have reservations about shelling money on books. Looking at the way I take care of my books, it seems fitting that I buy second hand book instead of brand new ones.
It was just my luck that buying second hand books in Australia is a joy. Not only are they cheaper than buying brand new, most of the used books I was able to buy were nearly new. It was actually in Melbourne that I started collecting and got hooked on travel books.
One of my finds was Bill Bryson’s Down Under. Bill Bryson is one of the names I often come across when people mention travel books, and find his book about Australia is very fitting indeed.
Bryson writes well, and can illicit quite a few chuckles while reading. Not only was the book a joy to read, it was also a great way to learn about the history of the country where I currently am staying. For me, history is interesting, but it can get quite boring to read. D
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