Sunday, June 9, 2013

Out and About: To The Two Neighboring Towns: Sibonga and Car-car, Cebu!

It's Sunday now and I decided just last night to see the famous shrine of the miraculous Virgin Mary of Simala. No previous plans, and just minutes of googling, a visit to the shrine and a drop off in the nearby town is easy and affordable, afterall. And you will know it once you're done with it. Like I did. 

Whether a practicing Catholic or not, visiting the Marian Shrine of Simala is a must for a Cebuano. Why? Because it's so near it's such a shame not to have visited it. I'm kidding, but you can take it seriously, so you can just follow how I and my friend went to the place and maximize our less-than-a-day trip there.

* go to South Bus Terminal, it's right next to E-Mall. Dispatchers at the terminal will just lead you to the right bus.

* the ride will take approximately about two hours,  maybe because our mini-bus was rather slow. And we paid Php65.00

*you can drop off along the highway of Barangay Simala, and take a motorcyle ride, or habal-habal, for Php20.00 to the shrine itself. The drivers will give you their mobile number, so you won't have to worry about getting a ride back to the main road. 

* it's better to leave for Simala early in the morning, 6 or 7 will do. 5am is way too early, so I won't advise anyone to do so. We arrive there at around 9:00am, and there weren't so many people yet until after 10am. 

* if BYOP is not your cup of tea, no worries. A lot of eateries are just outside the entrance of the shrine, and of course, affordable. Just beware of flies, lots of flies. Better bring your own hand fan to shoo them away. LOL

*after checking out the Shrine (if you aren't there to pray), you'd be ready to leave just before lunch. So you may drop by Car-car (Car-car is Nice!---it's all over the town. You can read it.) and see the shoe stalls there, buy a pair or two if you like,  and maybe have a sumptuous yet affordable lunch at the Acacia Grill House surrounded with Talisay trees ( how ironic). It's has a comfy atmosphere in it, good to relax in between bus rides. 

Those are my suggestions. Those were what we actually did. Hehe. And the total expenses for the day, including taxi rides within Cebu City, just around Php600. 

Here's a glimpse of my own trip there.








Monday, May 13, 2013

Refreshing in Molobolo, Tuburan

There's nothing as refreshing as the Tubod pool of Molobolo after a hot afternoon of Tuburan-Tabuelan-Tuburan trip.  From the center of Tuburan town, it only takes another Php20 motorcycle ride to the spring resort of Molobolo.  With my sweating body, there's no time to waste.  Plunging straight into the cool water was the most refreshing feeling ever that day.  The water is clear and smells really fresh.  When enjoying oneself in the water, hunger strikes inevitably.  Despite the remoteness of Molobolo public spring resort, going without food is not a problem.  There are small vendors around the area, so tummies have no worries.

a scene in Molobolo spring



Aside from this refreshing spring of Tuburan, it is surrounded by humble beaches.  Just in front of my friends house, where we stayed for the night, is a very clean public beach that can satisfy ones desire for an early morning swim.  Here are some photos of what I did there.


pretending that we're having bonfire. LOL

a very early morning swim in the calm water of  Punta,
Baranggay 8, Tuburan

Two Hours in Durhan Beach Resort of Tabuelan, Cebu

Two Hours? That's pretty short! Well, yes, but enough to just feel a new place and chill, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

I've always thought about getting away from the city every weekend but there seems to be no chance to do so.  Thankfully I was able to do so last Saturday and it must be the beginning of my many weekend get-aways.

Why Tabuelan? Well, it wasn't really my main destination then.  I was headed for Tuburan (which I will write about in another article).  But with Php20 fare in a tricyle ride, Tabuelan is just 20 minutes away from Tuburan.  What a waste if I couldn't go there.  So there I was with a friend, took a 20-minute tricyle ride to Tabuelan, and spent the early afternoon chilling and taking photos in the quiet and humble paradise of Durhan resort.

There maybe other beautiful resorts like Durhan in Tabuelan.  But as spontaneous as I was trying to be, I didn't take the time to make a research of any resorts to go to, not even this Durhan where I went that day.  We just asked the tricyle driver for a suggestion, and when he said Durhan, then off we went.  And I was not disappointed, plans or no plans.

The beach of Durhan resort was exactly what I wanted to see and to be at that time---not the white wide beach of island resorts---but small cliffs, rocks, white beach, and powdery sand.  Amazingly, you can have your peace and quiet there despite the presence of many visitors.  And the place is just photography worthy, pro or not.  Here are some of the shots we have:
isn't the place just naturally beautiful?


an area to sit and rest after a little exploring.


at the entrance, to remember the place
you've just been to, take a moment
to pose with its name. ^^


as I was exploring the place, a stolen shot


yes, this was part of the exploration; walking around



the way in and out is through this autum-like path


The best part is, you only pay Php20 for a Durhan entry. Twenty seems a significant part of this getaway, huh. 

















Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Last Year's First Solo Flight: Few Days in Thailand

I said hello to Thailand a year ago, some time in August.

I don't think that was a trip I could boast for its luxury and visits.  No, it's not it because it wasn't a luxury, and the visit was very limited to two places, one that's touristy, and one that wasn't.  The trip was not the typical tour a foreign visitor does to another country, especially with time constraints like 4 days.  It was, however, something that I am very proud of because it was my first SOLO FLIGHT abroad.  Main destination: ex-capital of Thailand. Details are as follows:

In Bangkok to a Journey to Phitsanulok
A warm welcome with my fave flower plumeria
on a wall of my  humble accommodation
 in Bangkok

Arriving solo in Suvarnabuhmi Airport wasn't that scary after all.   The airport is first-timer friendly and the people in general are very accommodating.  The best part, for me, is that I can have my phone loaded with affordable communication service.  Before getting a taxi on the ground floor of the airport and after getting some of my dollars changed to baht, I dropped by at the communication service provider's booth in the airport and got the cheapest deal: unlimited mobile internet and call services that could last until I leave the country. Thumbs up for the communication service in Thailand! It made me less lonely right after.  Calling my friend who's staying in Phitsanulok, it was like I was just back home, talking on the phone while waiting for a taxi.

The Airport Taxi Stand and the Rest of the Taxis in Bangkok
I'd like to make a special note on the quality of taxi service at the airport.  Of course, being alone and first-timer, I opted for a taxi, convenience and all.  And it was indeed convenient.  I was impressed as it was organized and there were personnel to assist in each queue for the taxi. They carefully guide everyone and explain to the driver if needed.  (I just hope we'll get that kind of service in our airports, so our tourists wouldn't feel so insecure upon arrival.)  What's more interesting is that taxis in Thailand are very colorful.  When I was out the following day, heading for my main destination, the sight of their taxis brought a smile to my face.  It was a happy sight to see those neon colors moving along the roads of Bangkok.  Thailand is colorful!


Some of the colors of Bangkok Taxis

Bus Transport
My arrival at Mochit Station was nothing special until I was on the bus.  I mean, there was nothing special really about this bus station. It's just like any bus stations back home, except that their buses are way better than ours.  They provide passengers with blankets and food.  Isn't that amazing?  And drivers drive according to schedule, not race to death like what most bus drivers do back in my country.  So after five hours of religious driving, I arrived in Phitsanulok safe and sound.

their bus
                  
Ticket to ride!
                      
Free Snacks!

                       

Experiencing the ex-capital of Thailand: Phitsanulok

Yes, it may be surprising to you that I headed for a place that's not a typical destination among tourists of Thailand.  But the thing is, it was mainly for the sake of experience. With meager budget and very little travel experience, the best to go to is some place where you know someone very familiar.  A college friend is working here, and that's why, I was here.

My Humble Accommodation
Finding an affordable yet decent hotel is easy with Agoda.  With early accommodation, I was able to find a room here for Php500 a day with just the necessities for me: hot and cold shower, air-conditioner, cable TV, free Wi-Fi, complimentary bottles of water, and lots of peace and quiet. What's more, I was surrounded with my favorite flower: plumerias!

affodable and spacious enough, with the simple necessities,
this room is more than enough!
plumeria outside my room

my street there and the plumeria on it. ^^


Visiting a Typical Thai High School
It was lucky for me to be able to see a special day of a typical high school.  There was a school celebration and it started with a parade around the vicinity of the school (so much like in my home country).  I attended their school program and saw their practices in such events.  True immersion. So glad for the visit.  What I certainly enjoy here the most was the sight of Buddha's different positions, particularly the one in the photo below.
The high school I visited


the school parade before their short ceremony

Isn't she like someone we know back in high school?

This is one of the booths in the school
canteen.  

you need this token to have a meal at the
canteen
and this is what I got with my
token worth 20 Baht. Cheap and delicious!

at the ceremony. and everybody is seated, even
on the floor

students sitting on the floor
during their ceremony. No need
for chairs, huh. 

with fellow Asians.  Three nationalities. Two Filipinos,
one Thai, and one Japanese. Which is which?



Truly Asian custom


the best Buddha position! comfy.


Mode of Transport
Motorcycle is a common sight on the roads and in parking lots. It seems that every household there has at least one motorcycle owned.  And it seems that there are less cars compared to motorcycles.  Of course, during my stay, I roamed around this seemingly rural city with a motorbike, not me driving but my friend.


This is what you see in the school parking

Malls have a wide parking area for these bikes


Checking out Phitsanulok
For me to feel Phitsanulok, I roamed around the area most of the time with my friend and at other times dared to check it out alone.  After visiting that one high school, I walked to a nearby river park on the way to  the famous temple, Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, which is the home of the second most famous Buddha image of the country,   Phra Puttha Chinnarat. The temple was a bit huge, and it took me more than an hour  to really see everything.  In the heat of Thailand afternoon, the shades of surrounding plumeria trees kept me cool.

at the river park

the main part of the temple with its many
visitors

locals praying to Buddha

a part of the temple

seems like a section in Temple Run
with its ruins


Later that day, my friend and I went to the biggest shopping mall of the area. It wasn't bad.  It was not as busy as Ayala or SM, but its cinemas are way better than either of the two. Like really.  And cinema experience is a vow I made to myself I should have whenever I travel.  Satisfied!

Tamarind Shake.  Thailand is
tamarind land!

I hope this is served in our local
KFCs.  Spicy delish!

my authentic phad thai noodle. conclusion: i
still prefer Korean noodles. 

my fave Thai soup, finally tasted the authentic one.


During the few nights stay there, I also had my night market visits.  Going to night markets seem an integral part of visiting a foreign city.  No wonder.  Any night market offers cheaper prices for goods of the same quality you can buy at the malls.  And the perks of night markets are the opportunity to see local forms of entertainment, try exotic delicacies, eat street foods, and of course, moving around with the locals themselves! The night market of Phitsanulok gave me the feel of Phitsanulok spirit.  Or so I thought. ^^

Street food at the night market

Phad Thai along the street

dinner for busy shoppers at the night market

something I wouldn't dare eat

so they have an abundance of these?


The public market  was truly impressive. I mean, come on, it's supposed to be a wet market. Only there's no sign of wetness.  The ground's dry and there's no sight of flies hovering above foods which is a usual sight in a southeast Asian wet market.  It's so clean for a market.  And when we returned to the our parked motorcycle, the helmet and the umbrella were still there.  No theft, huh. Well, petty theft like stealing helmets must be common only in my country. It's funny.

food section just in front of the wet market.
no signs of flies

I regretted I didn't splurge on this there. So expensive in my
country!


And what's a visit in Thailand without the authentic Thai massage experience?  I just had to experience it, so I went to a small massage shop near my accommodation.  Conclusion: it's simpler than the Thai massage offered in my country, with all the stretching and pulling. Funny. It's simpler and more relaxing.  It seems that my country exaggerates Thai massage a bit, then.

at the massage shop


Back to Bangkok for a Day and a Goodbye

With one day left back in Bangkok, I got the chance to see the city with the presence of old colleagues who manage to squeeze a bit of their busy schedule for me.  Shopping, gallivanting, dining, and a few others.  Then came the parting.

They're born that way: prettier than ever.

with old colleagues

with pretty ladies in Thailand!

my college friend, my host. Thanks Lorenz!



Hope to see you again, Thailand, in your other beautiful places. ^^