BANGKOK, THAILAND

SAWASDEE BI MAI! My Brother and I celebrated New Year 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand. And I LOVE it there~!

Meet Dollar a huge work of art in Thailand. "Dollar 009" an installation that abruptly sits on the chaotic pavement outside and announces the BACC's arrival in a chaotic and crowd area. 


She, for this work is clearly a "she", has been quickly taken into the hearts of the citizens of Bangkok and is already an attraction in her own right with a constant stream of passers-by snapping her on cell phones as they pour along the elevated walkway to the MBK centre and the National Stadium BTS station alongside, and all the time she looks at the teeming masses, aware of them, but ever lost in her own thoughts. 

Dollar, made out of fibreglass and finished in a lustrous white, stands out, a calm figure in a clamouring sea of people and traffic zig-zagging one of the busiest junctions in a busy city. It's an edgy stature though, the artists idea, Dollar-009 isn't comfortable, she's perched too close to the road and looks uncomfortable, and it means it's impossible not to be taken with her and she tugs at your heart strings. You connect with those huge eyes, but you feel awkward, something isn't right.


The artist intended to make dollar look tense (stressed, not relaxed) and not lively to contrast with the environment around her during the day and to resemble loneliness in the night time. 


The name is drawn from the currency of the United States and the influence that country has on the whole world.

Shopping is really really cheap I bought a shirt for 35 baht that is more or less  P 49.00 Please take note that it is made in Thailand, so the quality is good.

My brother had a blast @ Central because he got his Mark & Spencer shirts at 70% off!

KOTA KLIAS SABAH

KOTA KLIAS SABAH

The bigger the nose the more POGI daw ang isang lalaking Proboscis Monkey sa paningin ng mga girls na Proboscis Monkey. Uha!

HEARTTHROB PROBOSCIS MONKEY

The Klias Fireflies River Cruise. An exciting tour to search for the Proboscis Monkeys & see Nature's X'mas Lights tour would cost you between RM 175 to RM 260 per person, depending from where you booked the tour. Our tour operator was KLIAS RIVER TOUR.

Our tour guide fetched us @ around 2 p.m. from our hotel in Kota Kinabalu, we meet 2 Koreans on board the van already, they were brothers. The older one is a restaurant owner, and the younger one is a music professor in Korea. We then proceeded to fetch 2 Europeans @ another hotel nearby. Then we started our journey towards KOTA KLIAS, the jump-off point for the Klias River cruise. which is a good two (2) hours away from downtown Kota Kinabalu.

Upon arrival @ our jump off point, pose agad, wala ng suklay suklay sayang ang  oras, ha ha ha!

REMINDER: Since the Proboscis Monkeys keep their distance, don't forget to bring a pair of binoculars. And since it's a swamp area, insect repellent will prove to be handy. If you own a life vest bring it with you 'coz the life vest there smells bad!

The Klias River is a large area of peat swamp which explains the brown color of the acidic water. The characteristic dark brown color of a peat swamp is a result of dissolved peat tannins in the water.

Upon arrival at the port, we were served traditional MALAY snacks ( some of them looks like sapin sapin, complete with coconut grates on top) tea and coffee while we waited for ever more passengers from other tour companies to arrive.

One major attraction of Sabah is its nature and wildlife. That is why we really looked forward to visiting the Klias River to observe Borneo’s endangered Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus) in its natural habitat. If you decide to take the river cruise, you’ll be free for the morning. Tours are usually in the afternoon because the Proboscis Monkey comes out to feed very early in the morning or late in the afternoon just before dusk.

At around 5 p.m., we were required to wear life jackets before we boarded the small boats. We left in different motorized boats. Each boat could sit about 15 to 20 people and has a guide, who will spot the monkeys and inform the driver to stop and move near the place where he saw the monkeys.

Our first stop is the location of the crocs. It is a small crocodile, who doesn't moved, even when our boat comes near it. I guess it got used with the boats and passengers that come near. Or maybe the boat operators feed it in that particular area that's why mahilig siya tumambay dyan. Ha ha ha. Guess ko lang, ikaw ano ang guess mo?

The proboscis monkey is a different story. It was challenging trying to locate the monkeys since they are quite elusive and know when there are boats around. At first, you would see only movements in the trees. Then the guide would point and draw your attention on the Proboscis Monkeys silently feeding or moving about. Many times, they’d be in groups so you’d see mature male monkeys, which are the most peculiar because of their long noses and large bellies, with female and younger Proboscis Monkeys in tow.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to appreciate the features of the Proboscis Monkeys unless you have binoculars or a camera with a really good zooming capacity. You only get to observe them from a distance especially since they are perched up high the trees and the boats can only go as far as the river banks. And taking photographs isn't that easy since the monkeys keep a safe distance from humans, the lighting is a bit dim, and the boats are quite wobbly especially when everyone stands up and tries to take photos.

We went from one area to another just observing the monkeys in their natural habitat. We even saw them changing lanes errr trees, ha ha ha! This is much better than seeing them in zoos. According to my brother, he read somewhere that you should never feed these monkeys fruits or any sugar since their digestive system cannot process sugar. It turns directly into gas and that would kill them since their stomachs will explode.

When it started to get dark, we proceeded back to the port for dinner. We’d stop every now and then as the guide spotted more monkeys on the way back. At the port was a buffet dinner of Malay dishes.

After dinner, we boarded the boats again for a quick river cruise to see a live Christmas tree as the guides would call it. This time, we were out to appreciate the fireflies as they lit up the trees in the night sky. After showing us several trees with thousands of fireflies, we proceeded back to the port to board our vehicles back to our Kota Kinabalu hotel.

NATURE'S CHRISTMAS TREE, THE AMAZING FIREFLIES!

DO-IT-YOURSELF BRUNEI

DO-IT-YOURSELF BRUNEI

Bandar Seri Begawan, with an estimated population of 140,000 as of 2010, is the capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Brunei. It is called simply as Bandar by the locals.

After touchdown at the Brunei International Airport, we went straight to Immigration section. We were cleared by the Immigration section in no time since Philippine passport-holders can stay visa-free for 14 days in Brunei. No questions asked.

We were also cleared by Customs. They only asked if we have with us wines or liquors. When you say none, they let you pass in a jiffy. We excitedly went out and asked the Customs police where the purple buses are. He said he doubts if the purple buses still service the airport since they are always empty.

We are not the type that easily gives up so we went upstairs at the departure area ( Note: Think of NAIA 2 and NAIA 3, taxi is cheaper if you hail them from the departure area.) We asked the very nice receptionist at the departure area if there are purple buses plying the airport route to Bandar Seri Begawan. She said yes there is and even called up our hostel for us and gave us a magazine guide to Brunei. She's an angel!

We  then waited at the airport lounge for the purple bus and talked to a Malay visiting Brunei too. Then voila, after an hour, the purple bus arrived. We hurriedly went out and hailed the purple bus. Fare is 1BND (the Brunei dollar is managed together with the Singapore dollar at a 1:1 ratio by Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). I paid 2 Singapore dollars for two (2) PAX.

The main bus station in the city is located in Jalan Cator underneath a multi-story car park. There are six bus routes servicing Bandar Seri Begawan area; the Central Line, Circle Line, Eastern Line, Southern Line, Western Line and Northern Line. The buses operate from 6.30 am till 6.00pm except for Bus No. 1 and 20 which are extended up to nighttime. All bus routes begin and terminate their journey at the main bus terminal. Buses heading to other towns in Brunei such as Tutong, Seria and Kuala Belait also depart from the main bus terminal and Taxi.

We then looked for our hostel, K.H. Soon Resthouse, which room we got for BND$ 35. There are so many Filipinos/ Filipinas in Brunei, aakalain mo na nasa Pinas ka lang talaga. Parang mas madami pa nga ang mga kababayan natin doon kesa sa native ng Brunei. Sadly, di familiar yung mga napagtanungan namin kung nasaan ang K.H. Soon Resthouse, tinuro kami sa direction ng Yayasan Complex. Yun pala 2 kanto away lang sa BUS STATION ng JALAN CATOR ang location ng hostel namin. Hay buhay! Ha ha ha!

Walang elevator yun hostel, sakripisyong umakyat sa taas, ' tas iba ang ground floor kesa sa 1st floor, sa 2nd floor ang receptionist so parang 3rd floor na siya sa atin. Nasa 3rd floor ( 4th floor na sa atin) ang room namin at sa labas ang C.R. pero madami at merong hot water, yehey! First time ko mag stay sa isang walk-up hotel. What an experience talaga! BND$35 a day siya, so mura na din pero meron pang mas mas mura pero medyo malayo sa center kesa sa location ng hostel namin na very central location talaga.

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is a royal Islamic mosque located in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of the Sultanate of Brunei. The mosque is classified as one of the most spectacular mosques in the Asia Pacific and a major tourist attraction.Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is considered amongst the people of Brunei as the country’s major landmark.

DO-IT-YOURSELF KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA

Selamat Datang! - Welcome to beautiful Kota Kinabalu!

Kota Kinabalu (KK) is situated on the tropical island of Borneo, it is the state capital of the Malaysian state of Sabah, which is one of the two states of East Malysia. The location of the city is absolutely amazing. From the airport, it is just a short ten minutes ride to downtown KK.

Upon touchdown, we bought a taxi coupon for the 3 of us, it costs us RM 30. Ang capacity ng Van ay hanggang 5. So lumalabas tig RM10 kami. Mas tipid talaga kapag group kayo pupunta sa KK kasi sa airport pa lang taxi papuntang downtown fixed RM 30 na talaga, mas okay if madami kayo maghahati-hati.

NOTE: Magpapalit lang ng konti around 500 pesos sa airport at sa downtown na ang iba. May murang palitan sa Gaya St. at sa Wisma Merdeka, RM 1 = P14.10

ONE STOP Policy lang ang mga taxi sa KK, hindi pwede na magpapahatid ang isa at iba naman ang isa. Talagang isang babaan lang kayong lahat. Hindi pwede na magdadagdag ka na lang!

Nagpahatid kami sa Lai-Lai hotel. Sa pag check-in sa hotel need nila na mag deposit ka for your hotel room. RM 130, mas mahal siya compared sa Lavender lodge. Plus RM1for the rent of cable for the internet connection. At may bayad kahit local call na pagtawag sa telepono, sobra!

NOTE: MANGLOLOKO SILA SA IBANG HOTEL FREE LANG ANG LOCAL CALL! THEY CHARGE ME RM47 FOR A LOCAL CALL, KALA KO KASI FREE KASI SA IBA FREE TALAGA! YUN PALA MAY BAYAD! NI WALANG NOTICE ANG KATWIRAN DI DAW AKO NAGTANONG! HA HA HA! KAYA YUN TELEPONO SA ROOM WAG NA WAG NINYO IANGAT BAKA PAGTAWAG NINYO SA RECEPTIONIST MA CHARGE KAYO!

Pero in fairness mabango at malinis ang kwarto. Pasok sa budget wag lang kayo tatawag gamit ang phone nila.

SHOPPING TIPS : 

Centerpoint mall- you would find vincci store, shoes at bags.

Warisan Square - shoes, bags at shades.

1Borneo - Lots of shops to choose from.

Mahal ang souvenirs sa Gaya Sunday Market, minsan may good deals,

Mura bumili ng souvenirs sa Handicraft Market sa dulo malapit sa dagat at Warisan Square tsaka sa NIGHT MARKET tuwing gabi nasa downtown lang yon.

Sa unahan lang siya ng KFC at poste

SEAFOOD CHOICES MAY BAYAD ANG GULAY ETC. NA PANGSAHOG

                                                                                                              

KIKILOHIN ANG NAPILI MONG ISDA DITO

PINILI NAMIN YUN MAY PULANG MANTEL SA MAY LIKOD KASI MALINIS AT MASARAP DAW AYUN SA AMING MGA KAIBIGAN

PWEDE KA RIN SA A/C ROOM NG TWINSKY DI KO LANG ALAM KONG MAY ADDITIONAL CHARGE PAGKA DOON KA KUMAIN

MGA FRESH NA ISDA NA NASA TANGKE

The best kumain ng SEAFOOD sa SERI SELERA. Sarap sarap sarap! Seri Selera is the BEST & largest seafood complex in Sabah. It is located in KAMPUNG AIR area.

AT FIRST, DI KO GUSTO NA MASANAY DILA KO AFTER ILANG SUBO. ABA, HAHANAP HANAPIN MO ANG SPICES, HERBS AT GATA SARAAAAP! THE BEST REKOMENDADO KO ITO!

AKALA KO SIMPLE LANG NA LUTO IT TURNED OUR TO BE FULL OF HERBS AND SPICES TOO! SARAP NG MALAYSIAN FOOD!

RM 15 BAWAT ISANG BUKO!!! GRABEHH MULTIPLY BY P 14.10, LAMPAS 200 BA? TAMA BA NAMAN YUN? ANG MAHAL!!!!

It is difficult to go to KINABALU PARK via public transport because you have to wait until the bus is full. Tapos pagdating dun, mas convenient may sasakyan ka sa loob para mag-ikot ikot at makita mga rest house, resto etc.

NOTE: magdala ng payong, jacket, o kapote pag pupunta sa Kinabalu Park kasei umuulan dun or ambon kasei nga dumadaan yung mga ulap mataas na part na siya!

-minibus to Kinabalu Park - RM 15.
- bigbus pauwi -RM 20
-yung minibus sa downtown talaga ang babaan at sakayan.
-yung big bus malayo sa downtown ka ibaba, mag city bus from bus terminal to downtown which costs just RM 1.5

PEOPLE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE

I MET THEM DURING MY RECENT PALAWAN TOUR

Meet Joiriz, my seatmate @ the waiting lounge in NAIA 3, on my way to Palawan, he together with his family adopted me in Puerto Princesa!

I now have an instant family in Puerto Princesa Palawan

Yipee! Everybody is happy during our photoshoot! Ha ha ha!

DO-IT-YOURSELF HONDA BAY TOUR

There are two main ways to go island hopping around HONDA BAY area. 

1. You can go on an organized tour leaving from Puerto Princesa.
2. Or just do it by yourself.  

Just be reminded that the HONDA BAY ST. LOURDES WHARF has a cut off time for island hopping set at 2 o' clock in the afternoon.

  

Going on a tour will cost you a non-negotiable P 1,100 pesos per person at all travel agencies in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. This will include a pick up service from where you stay, boat rentals, snorkeling gear, lunch and entry fees to 3 islands. Note: I learned that rates for package tours also depend on whatever you want for lunch and the rent for the snorkeling gear. So if you're not picky Php 1,100 it is.

Going on your own will cost you P 1,300 for a boat which can be shared by up to 6 people. The boat can accommodate around 8 pax but their is an additional charge of P 220.00 /pax in excess of 6 persons. The people manning the booth told me you could share the boat with other tourist, yehey that's good news for us traveler's on a shoe string!

Add the cost of transport to and from Puerto Princesa ( ask for the rate from your friendly trike driver). Prices can range from PHP 100-400 depending if you'll ask them to wait for you to finish your island hopping tour.

Sta. Lourdes Wharf is 25 minutes away by hired tricycle or jeepney from downtown PPP. Pumpboat ride from the wharf to the different islands is from 15 to 50 minutes.

If you are two or more the price for doing it by yourself will be somewhat lower than an organized tour. And you will have added flexibility to do what you want - which include going to one or two extra islands for an extra fee.

The bay consists of several islets with shallow reefs bordering fabulous beaches which have become the favorite swimming, snorkeling, and diving destinations of local residents and tourists.

These islets are the following:

1. Cannon (Cowrie) Island
2. Bat Island 
3. Lu-li Island (derived from the word "lulubog-lilitaw", meaning floating and sinking island, is visible only during low tide)
4. Meara Marina
5. Starfish Island (known for its fine white sand and clear water that teems with starfish)
6. Snake Island (an island with a long stretch of time white sand shaped like a snake)
7. Pandan Island
8. Señorita Island (the breeding site of Lapu-Lapu fish).

Note: Lodging facilities are available for overnight stays in the islands of Meara Marina and Starfish (Sandbar Resort).

The boat rentals at HONDA BAY is very well organized and will not give any problems but trying to find something to eat can be a bigger issue so bring your own baon for lunch and snacks before leaving Puerto Princesa Palawan, if you go on your own.

Since hati kaming dalawa (2) ng friend ko na si Joeriz sa boat P 1,300 divided by 2 = P 650.00 ( sosyal kami nilibre namin tita niya at mga pinsan ha ha ha sila naman nagbaon ng lunch namin pati ng drinks at dala rin namin ang jeep nila kaya may parking fee kaming binayaran na P30.00/ whole day parking na divided by 2 = P15)

TOTAL DO IT YOURSELF HONDA BAY TOUR P 665.00 PER PERSON

Note : Cheaper if madami kayo maghahati!