Kin's Ant Farm

Departures

2012-01-29T02:22:00.000+08:00

Manila International Airport, circa 1964

I wasn't born yet when this picture was taken, but I can't help not to feel a bit of nostalgia when I saw this in Facebook.

[source]

Xin Nian Kuai Le!

2012-01-23T02:04:00.002+08:00

Happy New Year to all our Chinese friends!

pic: Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai, China

2011 Recap: Museums and Stadiums

2012-01-17T01:05:00.000+08:00

Art and sports are the main theme of my travels in 2011, with mostly art museums and sports events (plus two surfing trips) dominating my calendar for the past year. I also revisited some cities that I have been to previously, namely St. Louis, New York, Singapore and Bangkok.

Museums and Historical Places:

Fort Pilar Museum, Zamboanga City

St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis

Museum of Westward Expansion, St. Louis
Basilica of St. Louis King of France, St. Louis

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Liberty Island Museum, New York

Ellis Island Immigration Museum, New York

Grand Palace, Bangkok

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Bangkok

Sports Events:

FIFA World Cup Qualifier, Philippine Azkals vs. Sri Lanka

Friendly, Philippine Azkals vs. LA Galaxy

National Basketball Association, NY Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers

Firsts:

There were also several firsts: first time in Kansas, first snow (Overland Park, Kansas), first Mardi Gras (Soullard, St. Louis), first NBA game (Knicks versus Pacers, in Madison Square Garden), first encounter with scam artists in Bangkok, two new airlines to ride (Southwest and Tiger Airways) and first cable car ride (in Sentosa, Singapore).

I also added another supertall - the 304-meter tall Baiyoke II in Bangkok - to the list of skyscrapers and towers that I visited. Other notable events include the lunar eclipse in June, and the beach outing in Laiya, Batangas in May.

pics, from top: Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York; a statue of Buddha in Bangkok; the scoreboard in Madison Square Garden; snow-covered houses in Overland Park, Kansas

Diving into More Fun

2012-01-11T15:59:00.001+08:00

The 'It's more fun in the Philippines' meme still has no sign of abating, and to continue the trend I created a few more, this time with scuba diving theme.

The images were taken by my diving instructor, the first and third in Bauan, Batangas, while the middle is during our scuba diving lesson in Makati

More Fun

2012-01-09T18:18:00.002+08:00

I am having fun coming up with slogans and creating these banners for the Department of Tourism's It's More Fun in the Philippines campaign.

From top: Twilight in Coron, Palawan, a seaside basketball court in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, clown fishes and anemone in Siete Pecados, Palawan. All images were taken by me, using my venerable Olympus 795SW point-and-shoot.

1 For Fun

2012-01-09T15:41:00.000+08:00

The latest campaign of the Philippine Department of Tourism - with the slogan "It's more fun in the Philippines" as the centerpiece - is catching on in the social media sphere, with countless bloggers and artists contributing to the meme. These are my contribution to the meme.

From top: surfboards lining the beach in San Juan, La Union; a composite image of me jumping into the Mt. Pinatubo crater lake; Coron, Palawan; surfers wait for the waves to come, in San Juan, La Union. All images were taken by me, except for the jumping one, which was taken by Charm)

Curacha

2012-01-06T16:51:00.001+08:00

Curacha is the local name for spanner crab, which is fished in the deep-sea waters of Zamboanga City and nearby islands. A delicacy when cooked with spicy coconut milk-based sauce, the crab is prized among the locals and visitors alike.

It's More Fun in the Philippines

2012-01-06T14:43:00.000+08:00

The Philippines Department of Tourism launched a new slogan today, along with a new logo and website: ItsmorefuninthePhilippines.com.

The logo is inspired by banig, a local mat made from palm leaves, and the new slogan is meant the simple answer to why visit the country: it's more fun in the Philippines.

Celebrating the New Year in the Philippines

2012-01-01T16:09:00.000+08:00

Celebrating the New Year is a boisterous affair in the Philippines. Traditionally, fireworks and firecrackers are lit to generate noise that is meant to ward off bad luck and evil spirits. Over time, people just do it for the fun of it, albeit the practice may have dangerous consequences. Media reports on January 1st are usually filled with grizzly images of bloodied stumps caused by a wayward firecracker or wounded kids done in by a stray bullet. Still, the firecrackers and fireworks simultaneously lit by virtually all households in the country would put the run-of-the-mill Fourth of July display to shame.

At each home people usually put a basket of twelve fruits on the table - at least one of each kind - as another way on ensuring that the coming year would be plentiful. At the stroke of midnight, children are encouraged to jump several times so that they might grow taller, and coins are jingled in the pockets to attract money in the coming year.

After all the fireworks were lit, families and friends would gather for the midnight feast called Media Noche, to celebrate the passing year and to welcome the new year.

from top: a video showing the metropolis during New Year's eve, taken by a friend; fireworks that we prepared to welcome the new year; twelve fruits to ensure a plentiful year; a neighborhood kid runs from a wayward rocket that he lit in front of our gate.

Jamon at Keso de Bola

2011-12-25T11:52:00.000+08:00

No Filipino Christmas celebration will be complete without jamon (ham) and keso de bola (Edam cheese ball). The the two mainstays are served on the Christmas eve feast , called Noche Buena, which is usually done after the midnight mass attended by the family.

Greek Gods and Goddesses

2011-12-19T22:52:00.000+08:00

After having just watched the sandals-and-toga epic Immortals recently, I figured I'd feature the sculptures of Greek gods and demigods on display at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art in the year-ender.

pics, from top: Herakles the Archer, by Emile-Antoine Bourdelle, Diana, by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, and Perseus with the Head of Medusa, by Antonio Canova

Northern Mindanao Disaster: How to Help

2011-12-19T14:07:00.001+08:00

Typhoon Sendong has devastated areas of in northern Mindanao, including Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and parts of Zamboanga del Norte. Please help by sending donations (cash and/or in kind):

Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org.ph/donatenow

Donation to Red Cross via mobile phone: text RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart), in amounts of 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000 for Globe, and 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 or 1000 for Smart.

Philippine Red Cross accounts:

Banco De Oro peso account 00-453-0018647, dollar 10-453-0039482
Bank of the Philippine Islands peso account 4991-0036-52
BPI dollar account 004994-0103-15
Metrobank account 151-3-041631228, dollar 151-2-15100218-2
Philippine National Bank peso account 3752 8350 0034, dollar account 3752 8350 0042
Unionbank peso account 1015 4000 0201; dollar account 1315 4000 0090

LBC branches accept in-kind donations that they will ship for free
Philippine Airlines will ferry relief goods for NGOs, religious groups and companies to recipients in Cagayan de Oro and Dipolog. Interested parties may contact the PAL Foundation by sending an email to menchu_sarmiento@pal.com.ph
Ateneo and Xavier University are accepting donations:

Ateneo de Manila China Bank dollar account 101-732651-1
Xavier University BPI Peso Account 9331-0133-63
in-kind donations may be dropped at the Ateneo School of Government in Loyola Heights, Quezon City

The Things You Want to See!

2011-12-16T16:07:00.002+08:00

"The Things You Want to See!" is the promise of this pre-World War II tourist map that highlights the sights of Manila in 1939: Dewey Boulevard for watching the world-famous sunset (now Roxas Boulevard), the Walled City, Rizal Park, Chinatown, the old business district, Manila Yacht Club, the Sta. Ana Racetracks (the finest race track of the Far East, the map says), the Metropolitan Opera House, the Manila Hotel (where world leaders stay during their state visits), the Manila Cathedral, Pier 7 (touted as the longest pier in the world), and the Malacañang Palace - all the finest places of a city in its heyday.

I am feeling a bit of nostalgia when I look at this map, and a sense of loss because some of the stops mentioned here either no longer exist or or are crumbling due to neglect.

[found the pic from Facebook, here]

Blanket of Snow

2011-12-12T21:29:00.001+08:00

(Note: As 2011 is drawing to a close, starting today I will be posting re-caps of my trips in 2011.)

The first recap is the flight from Kansas City, MO to St.Louis - late February snow blanketed the whole city, including sections of the airport. As somebody from the tropics, seeing a city blanketed with snow from the air is an unforgettable sight.

pics, from top: snow blankets Kansas City, including the airport; snow at the side of the runway; the airbridges of the Kansas City International Airport (IATA: MCI), as seen from the window seat of a Southwest Airlines 737-700.

Surf's Up

2011-12-07T17:06:00.000+08:00

Surfing season started in San Juan, La Union a few weeks ago, and I was able to go twice in a month's period already. Here are some of the snaps, with me trying to ride the waves at the middle pic.

[Oct 30-31 & Nov 12-13]

2012 Philippine Public Holidays

2011-12-07T14:28:00.001+08:00

The Malacañang Palace announced the following public holidays in the Philippines. Schedule your trips accordingly:

January 1 - New Year's Day
January 23 - Chinese New Year
April 5 - Maundy Thursday
April 6 - Good Friday
April 9 - Araw ng Kagitingan (Monday)

May 1 - Labor Day (Tuesday)
June 12 - Independence Day (Tuesday)
August 21 - Ninoy Aquino Day
August 27 - National Heroes Day (Monday)
November 1 - All Saints Day (Thursday)
November 2 - Additional Special Non-working Day (Friday)
November 30 - Bonifacio Day (Friday)
December 25 - Christmas Day
December 30 - Rizal Day
December 31 - Last Day of the Year (Monday)

Special Holidays
February 25 - EDSA Revolution Anniversary (for all schools)
TBA - Eid'l Fitr
TBA - Eidul Adha

also...
December 21, 2012 - End of the World (?) :D

Bend it Like Beckham

2011-12-05T15:37:00.001+08:00

I had the opportunity to watch and support the Philippine national football team - the Azkals - as they play a friendly against the recent MLS champs LA Galaxy. The much awaited (and heavily promoted) match-up featured heavyweights from the opponents, including David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane.

The match, held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, started around 7:30pm, which is a good thing because there's no sun and heat to worry about.

It all went well during the first half, with the local side keeping toe-to-toe with the visitors and forward Phil Younghusband scoring one to the crowd's delight (the only other circumstance that the crowd cheered more is whenever Beckham kicks the ball).

The second half though, is a different story. A succession of goals from the visitors wilted the spirit of the Azkals, with the hapless substitute goalkeeper Eduard Scapano allowing 6 goals (Neil Etheridge missed the game due to a club commitment).

All in all, the match - although proving to be a handful for the locals - is a good exposure for the national team, and the almost full stadium (despite the high ticket prices) is a sign that football is finally having a renaissance in the country. There's a talk about Real Madrid being the next one that's coming over, so things are looking up from the pitch.

pics and vids, from top: the match in progress; LA Galaxy scores; Azkals fans came in full force to support the team and gawk at Beckham; the Azkals doing the lap around the stadium; Beckham bends one)

Vote for Puerto Princesa Underground River

2011-11-10T23:34:00.001+08:00

The Puerto Princesa Underground River is one of the finalists for the Seven New Wonders of Nature. Today is the last day for voting, please support the UNESCO heritage site by voting online or via text (send PPUR to 2861).

St. Louis Cardinals, 2011 World Series Champions

2011-10-29T14:14:00.003+08:00

A big shoutout to St. Louis Cardinals for winning the 2011 World Series, beating Texas Rangers 6-2 in Game 7.

I was able to watch a couple of games while I was in St. Louis in 2010, and the Cards are the closest I have for my favorite baseball team (since I don't follow baseball that much).

pics, clockwise from top: the diamond at Bausch Stadium, a baseball player honored with his own statue outside, my company's box where we watched the game, scoreboard

Kayangan Lake

2011-10-27T15:25:00.001+08:00

Reputed to be the cleanest inland body of water in the Philippines, Kayangan Lake is nested in Coron Island in Palawan. The lake is considered sacred by the indigenous Tagbanwas who live in the island.

Coron is accessible via Busuanga, which has direct flights from Manila.

Winter is Coming

2011-10-24T18:06:00.000+08:00

Flying over Siberia from JFK to NRT, last March aboard a Delta 747-400. The terrain reminds me of the Frostfang Mountains of the mythical Westeros*

*You'd know this if you're reading the Game of Thrones series

Pure Idiocy

2011-10-20T14:06:00.000+08:00

Some politicians have this idiotic idea of ruining the view of Taal volcano by putting a giant "Hollywood"-style sign in front of the volcano. That your taxes at work folks.

Please tweet your opposition to one of the proponents, the vice governor of the province.

[source]

Buddhas

2011-10-10T23:02:00.000+08:00

Buddhas of different sizes line up one of the rooms in Grand Palace, Bangkok

Farewell, Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T14:36:00.000+08:00

I am saddened to hear the passing of Steve Jobs today.

Jobs has always been an inspiration to me, and the devices from his company has been great travel companions - to pass the time between long bus rides, to communicate to loved ones back home, for checking the map to the next destination, even to update this blog while hanging back in the hostel. The motto Think Different, is a guiding principle for me too.

Tribute to Steve Jobs

pics, the tribute to Steve Jobs at apple.com; the Apple Store in Fifth Avenue, NY, May 2010

Holidaying with the Lads, it’s not just for youngsters!

2011-10-04T00:01:00.001+08:00

When you hear of a man going on holiday “with the lads” the same old image will be conjured up in most people’s heads – drinking, clubbing and a lot of rowdy behaviour. This is the stereotypical view of the typical lads’ holiday and as such they have been given a bad reputation.The thing is though lads’ holidays don’t always have to be like this and there is a huge variety of getaways for men that don’t have to involve beer and rolling back to the hotel at dawn!If you and your group of friends would like to plan a (sensible) break away that won’t have your wives and girlfriends raising their eyebrows, then why not consider one of the following for your getaway?

Golfing breaks – If you and your friends like to play golf (or you would all like to learn) then a golfing break is the perfect way to relax and unwind with friends whilst doing something you enjoy and keeping active. Many people find this a real treat as during the year work and family commitments might make it challenging to get a few consecutive days where you can do pretty much as you please and with this type of break you get just that. Many of the golf clubs around Europe offer accommodation and getaway packages so you can return home feeling refreshed after your time away.

City breaks – If you are not into the idea of spending your holiday drinking and lying in the sun then a city break is the perfect choice for those groups who want to experience the culture of the place they are visiting. City breaks in Europe are really easy to get to and mean that you can be on your way to your destination and ready to start having fun without having to take a long haul flight. This is therefore a great choice if you are in a group of friends who have jobs and do not have much spare time.

Spa breaks (don’t laugh!) – Before you dismiss these out of hand, spa breaks are not just for the girls. Many spas now tailor packages that are just for men and can help to treat things like sporting injuries with sports massages and treatments that will help you feel invigorated and relaxed (it’s not all manicures and waxing!). A spa break on a quiet Mediterranean island will completely melt away any stress from your daily life and could be just the ticket for a group of stressed out guys!Budget airlines means that getting to places is now easier than ever and you will be able to get abroad relatively inexpensively. At the end of the day you can make your holiday with your friends as relaxing or as adrenaline filled as you like. If you need to work out how you are all going to get to the airport then you might like to consider looking into airport parking. This will cut the cost of your holiday even further as you will be able to split the parking bill which will work out cheaper than if you were all to buy train tickets (leaving you extra money for your beers, sorry spa treatments!)

Airport Parking is available at all of the major UK airports there is Heathrow Parking, Gatwick Parking and Liverpool Airport Parking.

Slow Day

2011-09-07T21:08:00.001+08:00

A landau and its driver waits for passengers in front of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri

[March 7, 2011]

Earning Frequent Flyer Miles

2011-08-26T21:24:00.000+08:00

Unless you're a great-great-grand nephew of Croesus, you might have encountered one tinny bit of detail that many travelers have faced since man learned how to sail: how to get enough dough to finance that dream jaunt. We could work desk jobs or blog or both to earn enough cash for a plane ticket and grub while traveling, or as an alternative, earn our tickets for free.

One way to do this is by accumulating enough miles and points from credit cards or debit card companies that offer frequent flyer programs. Here in the Philippines there are several card companies and banks that offer such programs. The ones I have tried are the HSBC Visa Mabuhay Miles, the Cebu Pacific Citibank Visa, and the BPI SkyMiles Mastercard. There are others more, the Allied Bank Mabuhay Miles comes to mind, as well as the Citibank Premier Miles, but I will restrict this post to the first three mentioned.

In truth, the miles or points you earn from these cards are hardly free (unless you're financially disciplined and pay the whole balance before the cutoff dates) because you still pay interest on card balance. Interest payments aside, you will see that some cards are better than others too.

HSBC Mabuhay Miles

The first frequent flyer card that I had was the HSBC Mabuhay Miles. You earn 1 mile for every PhP 45 spent, and the miles are redeemable as tickets for PAL domestic and international flights. The miles are accrued to your Mabuhay Miles account every 2000 miles you accumulate in your card. I later closed this card because I found the Mabuhay Miles program wanting.

A one-way domestic flight would need around 4000-5000 miles one way, so it means that you may need to spend at least PhP 180,000 to get a one-way domestic flight. That is if you can get one at all. PAL does not offer redeemable flights frequently, and if they offer any, most have restrictions. The least desirable of all is that you need to redeem the ticket from their booking offices. If you have seen their booking office in Cubao, the sight of the long snaking line would make you swear off travel. Aside from that, the miles expire after 36 months.

BPI Delta SkyMiles

The next one I had was the BPI Delta SkyMiles card (this used to be the Northwest program but got renamed after Delta bought the former). Similar to the HSBC card, you earn 1 mile for every PhP 45 spend but the similarity ends there. The points you earned, no matter how much, are accrued to your Delta SkyMiles account at the end of every month.

You can redeem the miles for tickets to international or US domestic flights (you will need around 25,000 for a US domestic one way, and around 140,000 miles for an international flight). Delta also offers the Pay with Miles option. You can pay part of your ticket using miles, with 5,000 miles equivalent to $50,and you can use as many by increments of 5,000. The miles do not expire. Using the conversion above, you may have to spend PhP 225,000 to get a $50 discount.

You can also use the miles aside from flights. You can use it for upgrades or access to the Delta sky lounge, or for shopping in their online mall (not available to Philippine address though)

Cebu Pacific Citibank Visa

The latest one I had was the Cebu Pacific-branded Citibank card (strangely, they classified this card as a Platinum card). This card do not earn miles, rather, it earns points. A PhP 100 spend will earn you 1 point, and 250 points can be redeemed for a 250-peso discount voucher, which you can use when purchasing tickets from the airline, without restrictions. So, you will have to spend PhP 25,000 to get a 250-peso discount on tickets. The points do not expire as well.

One additional perk from this card is what I love the most: you will get a 2-hour advance notification via email and text message of Cebu Pacific seat sales. They also gave a one way ticket to any domestic or international (except to Caticlan I think) when you sign up for a card.

Are They Worth it?

If you are using cards to pay for bills and when shopping for groceries and clothes, I would like to think that by earning miles or points at least you are getting something back from the banks, considering that they are gouging you with the monthly interest that you pay them. Choosing which one would really depend on your travel needs. When choosing one, also factor in the interest rate and other "hidden" costs, such as annual fees.

With that, I think the only way to really travel for free is to be a stow-away.

Public Holidays in August

2011-08-05T15:48:00.003+08:00

There will be two public holidays in August:

August 29 is a regular holiday for the celebration of National Heroes Day
August 30 is a non-working holiday for the celebration of the end of Ramadan (Eid'l Fitr)

This means that there will be four days of no work or classes at the end of August. Time to book a short jaunt around town. Pilipinas, tara na!

Ellis Island: Through America's Gate

2011-08-04T02:34:00.004+08:00

Going through the US immigration for the first time was both gut-wrenching and exciting for me, a cacophony of excitement, anticipation and dread.

When I visited the immigration station of Ellis Island I remembered that first time, and I thought that the millions of immigrants that passed through its halls probably felt the same when they landed there for the first time.

The island, which is part of New York and Jersey City, used to be the first stop of the majority of immigrants coming to America.

The immigration station was built 1892 and continued receiving the bulk of immigrants until it was closed in 1954. The restored Main Building, now housing the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, contains offices, registry rooms, dormitories, detention cells, clinics and quarantine areas that were used to process aliens coming to find a new life in the country. For the immigrants, Ellis Island became the Island of Hope and Island of Tears, as not all were admitted.

The museum today displays memorabilia that pays homage to and tells the story of the millions who came to America: tickets of steerage passengers, old passports, photographs and travel documents, luggage and other possessions that they brought from their former homelands.

Along its claustrophobic halls are rooms for examining the mental health of the newcomers, quarantine areas for the sick, and detention cells for the undesirable aliens.

Also on display are posters and advertisements of clipper ships and vessels that carried them, as well as the jingoistic posters and pamphlets that the anti-immigration movement used to manipulate public sentiment against the newcomers.

Aside from the Main Building, the complex also include the American Family Immigration History Center, which holds the ships' passenger records of 22 million immigrants that passed through the port of New York and Ellis Island until 1924; the American Immigrant Wall of Honor, and the contagious disease wards and the dormitory buildings.

Useful info: Visiting Ellis Island is usually done together with the Statue of Liberty tour (which I blogged here). It can be reached via the ferries that originate from Battery Park in New York or from New Jersey. The tour is $13 per person and includes entrance to the Statue of Liberty. Tickets can be purchased online.

pics, from top: the facade of the Main Building; one of the displays inside the museum; an old passport of an immigrant who passed through ElLis Island; the Great Hall, where immigrants were processed

Airline Review: Philippine Airlines

2011-07-27T17:21:00.003+08:00

Philippine Airlines (PAL), a flag carrier of the Philippines, is one the oldest airlines in Asia. It was founded in 1941. I took one of their flights during my trip to Bangkok in May, aboard a Boeing 747-400.

Booking and Price:

Surprisingly the fare I paid for the round-trip flight to Bangkok was cheap - $245, including taxes (Fiesta deal economy class). It was just a tad expensive over a similar, non-seat sale fare from Cebu Pacific. I was able to book the flight online, which help save time (booking a flight from their PAL offices can be a tedious exercise because of the lines). It also gave me 25% credit for miles flown, for my Mabuhay Miles frequent flier card. Baggage allowance is 15kg.

Cabin and Amenities

PAL is a full-service airline with a 3-star Skytraxx rating, so the passengers were served with a warm, full course complete meal during the flight. It was a welcome change compared to buying food from a cart when taking a low-cost carrier.

Originally the flight was to be serviced by an Airbus A330, but the plane was changed the last minute and we took the Boeing 747 instead. The cabin is more spacious, naturally, and the seats are wider and has more legroom. Pillows and blankets are provided on request by the friendly crew.

PAL also has an in-flight duty-free store, and I was able to buy a 70th-anniversary limited edition die-cast replicas of PAL aircraft (a DC-3 and an Airbus 330 with PAL livery, for $39). Other items, such as watches, jewelry, perfume, cigarettes and spirits are also available.

The flight back from Bangkok is aboard an Airbus 320, which has a smaller cabin.

Schedule

Going in was in the morning, schedule at 10 am but it was delayed for about hour because of the plane change. The flight back, which is scheduled late at night, was right on schedule.

All PAL flights from Manila originate from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, and the airline flies to Bangkok through Suvarnabhumi Airport. PAL serves 19 domestic destinations and 24 cities internationally.

Useful info: PAL website

We Believe

2011-07-04T01:23:00.000+08:00

July 3 was a historic day for Philippine sports - football in particular.

The Philippine national team, endearingly called Azkals (the common name for mongrel dogs, which is a reference to the fact that most of the team members are half-Filipino, half-Caucasians), advanced to the second round of the 2014 World Cup qualifier by beating Sri Lanka, 4-0 (5-1 on aggregate). I was in the 77-year old Rizal Memorial Stadium to witness the event.

Kick-off started at about 3:30 in the afternoon, and the match continued despite a heavy downpour that made the field slippery. Goals were contriuted by strikers Phil Younghusband, Chieffy Caligdong and Angel Guirado.

Football is not a very popular sport in the Philippines, despite the country having one of the oldest team in Asia, but the sport had a revival of sort after it upset Vietnam in AFF Suzuki Cup in December.

pics, from top: victory lap after thrashing Sri Lank (the one in yellow shorts is goalkeeper Neil Etheridge); outside the Rizal Memorial stadium; vuvuzelas make a noisy appearance; the Azkals in action.

Tara Na

2011-06-22T23:01:00.002+08:00

It's rare to come across a Philippine Department tourism ad that I like (the last ones were the WOW Philippines series). This one ad - used to promote tourism among the locals - is a gem. Tara na means 'let's go,' and is the slogan used to entice Filipinos to travel more and discover their country:

[source]

Red Moon

2011-06-16T20:59:00.000+08:00

A total lunar eclipse occurred last June 16, 2011, and I was able to observe the astronomical event at the PAGASA Observatory inside the University of the Philippines Diliman campus.

Together with some members of the UP Astronomical Society, we observed the eclipse - the first one in 11 years - at the sun deck of the observatory. The eclipse started around 1:25am and reached maximum at 4:12 am.

This is my second major eclipse observation in recent years, the first was the total solar eclipse in China in 2009.

pics, from top: pics, from top: the red moon at totality; the umbra becomes apparent at the start of the eclipse; members of the UP Astronomical Society with their observation gear; observing the eclipse

[cross-posted from First Light Astronomy blog, the 2 eclipse pics are courtesy of UP AstroSoc member A.Geronimo]

Three Stars and a Sun

2011-06-12T00:01:00.001+08:00

Celebrating the 113th Independence Day of the Republic of the Philippines.

Suvarnabhumi Airport

2011-06-08T20:17:00.003+08:00

Suvarnabhumi Airport (IATA: BKK) is the main gateway for entering Thailand. The international airport, which has the world's third largest terminal, is located about 25 kilometers from downtown Bangkok.

The airport is the 6th busiest in Asia, serving more than 42 million passengers in 2010 [1]. Around 88 airlines have scheduled flights to the airport, including Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific from the Philippines.

The airport is accessible via taxis, buses and the Suvarnabhumi Airport Link rail system (which terminates at Phraya Thai station of the BTS). A one way taxi ride would cost around 250 baht, plus 70 baht for toll fees. A single trip using the Airport Link costs 45 baht.

pics, from top: the terminal as seen from the plane, the enormous departure hall; the Churning of the Milk Ocean sculpture inside the departure hall

Gastronomic Adventure

2011-06-01T21:14:00.000+08:00

Finding food in Bangkok can be an adventure in itself. The city has a smorgasbord of food choices, from five-star dining to exotic choices that can be bought from food carts that line the streets.

The first Thai dish that I had upon arriving is a piping hot bowl of authentic tom yung goong soup, at the MBK mall in downtown Bangkok.

Khao San road also has plenty of authentic Thai food around it, beside the cornucopia of restos serving banana pancakes and muesli for the farangs.

While walking around the weekend market of Chatuchak we chanced upon a food cart selling the most exotic of food there is - fried grubs and insects. The adventurous part of me tried the fried locusts, but I could not bear chowing down on those succulent brown grubs (unless maybe if paired with a icy cold bottle of Singha beer...)

One tip for the newly initiated though: when ordering, keep in mind that they do mean it when they say "hot chili."

pics, from top: a bowl of authentic tom yung goong soup; fried insects at Chatuchak; a small stall in Khao San selling vegetarian food

Scams & Other Pitfalls in Bangkok

2011-05-30T00:30:00.002+08:00

As a popular tourist destination, Bangkok has it share of touts and scam artists working hard to bilk unsuspecting tourists of their money (and dignity). Last week we encountered three instances of these scams.

The first one is fairly common - tuktuk drivers who will quote exorbitant rates to ferry passengers to destinations that aren't that far. The best way to deal with them is to just walk away (by which they will immediately lower their price by half).

Another variation for the tuktuk drivers is the opposite - quoting you an outrageously low fare (30 baht for a 30 minute trip? really now). The scam here is that the driver would bring the passenger someplace (like a gem store) that would give them commission for every unsuspecting farang that they bring in. The passengers would them be subjected to high-pressure selling tactics to buy a product, like overpriced gems (which is a scam themselves).

Touts hanging around the temples and touristy places also use this tactic. They would approach a group of tourists (like my group) and introduce themselves as being part of the tourism office or something (they speak English pretty well). They would then ask where they're going. Then they would tell them that the wat is closed or only admits Thai people, but they would recommend another temple, calling a tuktuk driver at the same time. To give them more credence, they would warn you not to pay more than a certain amount. We encountered two touts in different temples making this kind of attempt. We graciously skirted their attempts by telling them that we're going someplace else.

The third one was not exactly not a full-blown scam but still designed to bilk money from unwitting tourists as well. In Wat Arum, there's a painted cutout at the entrance where you can stick your face and have your picture taken. Beware of this as, painted in the bottom inconspicously, is the figure "40", and as soon as you stick your face in the hole, an attendant would be there in an instant asking for 40 baht payment.

There are other scams in Bangkok that are directed towards tourists but we haven't encountered them yet (and I hope I never will), such as the sex show scams in Patpong and attempts to entice tourists to drink a drugged softdrink or beer and them robbing them while they're out of their wits.

I like Bangkok, and I think this is not a very common occurrence. One way for tourists to continue enjoying the city during the trip is to try to keep your wits at all times. To get more tips on how to recognize scams, this site has an extensive list: http://www.bangkokscams.com/.

If you encounter these scams while in Bangkok, report them to Tourist Police Telephone 1155

pics, from top: a scammer follows his target near the Grand Palace; a tuktuk; the cutout painting in Wat Arum

Flight Schedules Now in Google Search

2011-05-28T14:28:00.002+08:00

Flight schedules are now available in Google Search. If you search for flights between destinations, Google search will return all available non-stop flights, the time and date, duration of flight and the airlines flying.

I think this is only available for international flights, as far as Philippines is concerned. Searches on domestic routes do not return results like the one above. We'll see until Google integrates ITA software in its search.

Cruising Along Chao Praya River

2011-05-26T22:34:00.001+08:00

Cruising along the Chao Praya river, one of Bangkok's main rivers, is one of the most enjoyable and least stressful activity to do while in Bangkok.

While the main reason for taking the tourist river boat was to get to the temples located in the north of the city, the trip itself is an adventure.

The river, which empties into the Gulf of Thailand, is about 372 kilometers long. It figured prominently in the history of the country.

Along its banks dot the structures that give witness to the past: temples, churches, government and royal buildings and forts. During the ride from Sathorn station up to Phra Atit, we saw Wat Arun, the Sta. Cruz church (built by the Portugese in 1770), the Wichai Prasit fort, the Holy Rosary church (also built by the Portugese in 1786), the former trading house of East Asia Trading company, the first headquarters of the Siam Commercial Bank (built in 1906) and of course, the bridges that criss-cross the river to connect Bangkok with the Thonburi district. Phra Atit is also the terminal point to get to the backpacker haven of Khao San Road.

Useful info: the Chao Praya river tourist boat operates from 9:30am to 6:30pm. An all-day pass can be purchased for 150 baht at the Sathorn station, below the BTS station of Saphan Takhsin. The trip terminates at the Phra Atit station, and a boat comes every 30 minutes.

pics, from top: Chao Praya as seen from the top of Wat Arun; inside the boat plying the river; Sta. Cruz church; Wat Rakhang, an old Ayutthaya temple.

Temple of Dawn

2011-05-25T23:50:00.002+08:00

Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, is a Buddhist temple located at the Thonburi district of Bangkok.

The temple, named after the Indian god of dawn Aruna, sits adjacent to the Chao Praya river, and is one of the well known temples of Thailand.

Built in 1809, the wat has a central Khmer-style tower called prang, and is surrounded by four smaller phrangs. All towers were decorated with seashells and bits of porcelain that reflect light during sunrise.

The temple was built by King Rama II, whose ashes were buried in the base of a Buddha statue presiding over the temple.

We stopped over at the Wat Arun during our second day in Bangkok, a trip that took us to several temples around the city (more on that in the next posts).

How to Get There: Wat Arun is located at the Thonburi district of Bangkok. It is accessible through the boats that ply along the Chao Praya river. The Chao Praya River tourist boat, which starts at Sathorn pier (near the Saphan Takhsin station of the Bangkok BTS) is the best bet. Get off at N8 Tien station, then take another boat across the river to reach Wat Arun. The tourist boat sells an all day pass for 150 baht, and the boat trip from N8 to Wat Arun costs 3 baht. There are no entrance fees to the temple.

pics, from top: Wat Arun; climbing the steps of the 282-foot tall central prang; Chao Praya river and the Bangkok skyline as seem from the top of the temple; statues and the tower of the temple adorned with seashells and bits of porcelain

Bangkok 360

2011-05-24T12:11:00.001+08:00

It's becoming a tradition of sorts for me to visit the tallest building or structure of the city that I visited. The tradition continued when I visited Bangkok for the second time - I got the chance to visit and go up Baiyoke Towe II, the tallest building in Thailand.

Located in the Ratchathewi district, the building, which contains the Baiyole Sky Hotel (the tallest hotel in Southeast Asia) is 304 meters tall. The revolving observation deck, which offers a 360 degree view of downtown Bangkok, is in the 84th floor. There is also a public viewing area at the 77th floor.

A bar, called Rooftop, is located a floor below the revolving deck and is perfect for chilling out while admiring the Bangkok skyline.

How to Get there: Taking the BTS train, you may get off at Siam or Ratchathewi station and walk to the direction of the building. The supertall is not easy to miss. There is a 250 baht entrance fee to get to the observation deck, but it comes with a free drink at the Rooftop.

Come Again?

2011-05-24T00:24:00.001+08:00

Signages such as these often give unintended entertainment/undue constersnation to grammar police/travelers.

[seen around Bangkok, Thailand, May 20-22, 2011]

Summer Outing

2011-05-16T22:21:00.001+08:00

My company conducted the annual summer outing for its employees in Virgin Beach Resort, in Laiya, Batangas. The resort, about 3 hours from Manila by bus, has open-air bamboo cabanas and parasols lining along the 2-kilometer beach.

Useful Info: For a day tour, the entrance fee is PhP 850, including lunch. If you want to stay overnight, the cabanas rent for PhP 5000; the airconditioned 2-bed casitas (PhP 7350, good for 4 persons) are also an option. Directions on how to get there, here. [contact info]

Hotel Review: Crowne Plaza Changi Airport

2011-05-15T22:23:00.000+08:00

For a hotel that charges around SG$300-450 a night, I would expect Crowne Plaza - Changi Airport to at least offer one amenity that I can get for free from (way cheaper) backpacker hostels - free WiFi. Alas, I was disappointed. I was told that I can get free internet access using the RJ-45 jack in my room, but since I was carrying an iPhone and an iPad, means no luck for me.

Aside from that teeny bit about the lack of WiFi, the Crowne Plaza - Changi Airport is a nifty hotel. The building exterior looks avant-garde, with an exterior composed of metal latticework. Its location, right next to the Terminal 3 and the SMRT station, is very convenient to travelers.

A double room - minimalistically decorated - can accommodate up to 3 people. It comes with a nice view too, either overlooking the pool area, or a view of the runway - perfect for planespotters. Security is also tops - the keycard uses RFID, and you can only access your floor and common areas when using the elevator, meaning if your room is in the 6th floor, you cannot go to the fifth floor. The common areas contain the aforementioned pool, plus the gym, spa, business center, and several restaurants and bar.

The usual amenities are provided: free toiletries, a spacious bathtub, free bottled water and cookies, a well-stocked minibar and ref, a free copy of Straits Times every morning, LCD television with cable and a iPod-capable sound system/alarm clock, among others.

But no WiFi.

Useful info: Crowne Plaza - Changi Airport is located at 75 Airport Boulevard, right next to Terminal 3. Check in time is 2pm. And there's no free WiFi.

pics, from top: the lobby; pool area; the room

The "Beach"

2011-05-04T22:39:00.001+08:00

The closest thing Singapore has for a "tropical island paradise" vibe is the 2 kilometer stretch of artificial beach in Sentosa island. The beach is divided into three: Siloso, Palawan and Tanjong. The second was supposedly named after the island in the Philippines where the white sand were taken from, and it is accessible using suspension bridge from Siloso. It's claim to fame is being somewhat dubiously the "most southernmost part of continental Asia."

Having been to several natural beaches I almost have the impression that the place is trying too hard to look pretty. There's the requisite groves of coconut trees, beach umbrellas and recliners abound, and of course, the implanted white sand. Several bars and restaurants line the beachfront, offering $9 beers and typical fares such as fish & chips. Most of the patrons were the locals who need a place to show off their Rip Curl boardies and some expats with their kids.

There are also several activities to be had around the beach: I enjoyed the Flowrider last year, there's the Songs of the Sea show, and there's a zipline and parachute ride simulator nearby. There are also theme parks such as the Universal Studios and Resorts World Singapore in the island, among others.

How to Get There: The beaches of Sentosa can be reach through the Sentosa Express monorail that plies from Harbour Front in the mainland to Beach station. Fare is SG$3, and includes entrance fees to the island.

Airline Review: Tiger Airways

2011-05-01T01:50:00.001+08:00

I'm a big fan of budget airlines, or low-cost carriers (LCC) as they are known in the industry. I believe that they democratized air travel and made backpacking so much cheaper.

For my Easter trip to Singapore I opted to take Tiger Airways; the airline started servicing Ninoy Aquino International Airport (previously only Clark), and the fares in Cebu Pacific, my usual budget airline of choice, was more expensive on the dates that I wanted.

Online Booking and Price

Booking online is quite easy and straightforward, but there were some caveats. First, the fares that they quote does not include taxes, so comparison shopping can be a bit tricky. Also, the airline charges you a "convenience fee" when paying online, to a tune of $20. I also made the mistake of checking the "convert to local currency option" box at checkout. The exchange rate that they use is very unfavorable to the customers (a difference of almost 2 pesos per $1), so it adds up. All in, I spent about $240 for a roundtrip flight. I probably would gotten cheaper fare if it the date I chose was not on peak.

Cabin and Amenities

The cabin layout of the plane, an Airbus A320, is typical of LCCs: 3-3 seating with cramped legroom and almost spartan. They sell food during the flight, listed in a menu called Tiger Bites. The choices are nothing to write home about, and a bit pricey too: S$8 for hot meals (chicken curry with rice etc), S$8 for a croissant, and S$3 for sodas, Milo and coffee. Tiger beer, wine and vodka are priced at S$6.

Tiger also carries a selection of duty-free items. They are not cheaper nor more extensive than the ones found in shops in the airports, but I'm eyeing the Tiger Airways 1:200 model aircraft (S$21) for souvenir.

Schedule
Tiger Airways schedule their flights to/from Manila on the wee hours of the morning probably to take advantage of cheaper fees. From NAIA it departs at around 5:20am, and the Singapore leg departs at 1:20 in the morning, arriving at 4:50am. Both flights that I've taken were prompt, and on the return leg we arrived 15 minutes early.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Singapore Cable Car

2011-04-29T22:47:00.000+08:00

One of the highlights of my recent trip to Singapore is the ride in the cable car. The system links the main island to the resort island of Sentosa, spanning over Keppel Harbour. It is reputed to be the first cable car system to span a harbour [1].

The ride starts at the Imba Lookout point in Sentosa Island, and goes all the way to the main island, to the top of Mount Faber, a 105-meter high hill. The ride terminates at the Jewel Box, a swanky restaurant at the top of the hill.

A roundtrip costs $SG 26, and it comes with a free muffin and coffee at the Jewel Box. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket booths around Sentosa.

pics, from top: on to Mount Faber, the gondolas, passing over a cruise ship

Singapore Changi Airport

2011-04-29T20:57:00.002+08:00

Singapore Changi Airport is one of the most modern airports that I have been to. Changi, the world's 18th busiest airport by passenger traffic, was first constructed in 1975. Serving 96 airlines flying to 200 destinations around the world, it handled 42 million passengers in 2010.

Changi has three main terminals, plus one dedicated to low-cost carriers, and another for "commercially important persons." Terminal 3 is the largest and the most modern looking.

Terminals 1,2 and 3 are connected via the Skytrain, a free light rail system. The a line of the Singapore MRT also terminates at the Terminal 3 station. The Budget Terminal can be accessed thru free shuttle buses plying between it and the other terminals.

Philippine carriers that fly to Changi include Philippine Airlines (disembarks at Terminal 2), Cebu Pacific, AirPhilippines, and SEAir (all at Budget Terminal). Budget carrier Tiger Airways, the one I took, also flies direct from Manila (NAIA 1 terminal) to Singapore.

pics, from top: Terminal 3 transit area; the airport as seen from my taxiing plane; the Skytrain

Empire State of Mind

2011-04-19T20:56:00.000+08:00

Alicia Key's song summed it up pretty well.

pics, from top: a yellow cab rushing through Broadway; New York Public Library at night; gigantic billboards stood as testament to unbridled consumerism; the theaters of Broadway

Old Courthouse

2011-03-28T19:48:00.000+08:00

The Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis was the venue of one of the most celebrated cases in the United States judicial system - the one involving Dred Scott.* Scott was a Virginia slave who sued for his freedom in 1847 (his owner - an Army major named Emerson - lived in Missouri).

The courthouse, the tallest habitable building in Missouri until 1894, was built in 1839, in Greek revival style. Dred Scott's case was heard in the west wing of the building.

The case was eventually decided by the US Supreme Court, who ruled that slaves are considered property, and therefore have no claim for citizenship nor freedom. The ruling has far-reaching effects though, as it helped catalyzed the abolitionist movement and influenced Abraham Lincoln in his Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

Today the courthouse is part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial park, which also includes the Gateway Arch and the Museum of Westward Expansion.

pic, from above: the Old Courthouse, where the case was heard; evidence of a dark past: a poster selling slaves, on display at the Museum of the Westward Expansion, in St. Louis.

*the name was familiar to me since college, as American history was one of the major subjects I have taken for my History course

Enlightening the World

2011-03-24T23:10:00.001+08:00

One of the landmarks that fall under "must visit in New York" is the Statue of Liberty.* Located in Liberty Island in the New York Harbor, the statue, also known as Liberty Enlightening the World, carries some symbolism for people arriving in the United States, especially the immigrants arriving at the turn of 20th century; the sentiment of which perhaps is best summed up by the sonnet by Emma Lazarus, part of which reads:

"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore."

The sonnet was engraved in a plaque and mounted inside the statue.

Accessible via a 30-minute ferry ride that departs from Battery Park downtown, the neoclassical statue was designed by a Frenchman, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, and was built in 1886. Most of the visitors can only access the pedestal (going up to the crown requires a special ticket that is given months ahead). To reach the top of the pedestal means walking 153 steps up the stairs (or you can wait for the elevator). The viewing deck on top offers a great view of Manhattan and the surrounding islands.

Inside the pedestal is a small museum that displays memorabilia related to the construction of the 46-meter high statue, as well as its significance to American history. The statue was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

Useful info: The tour is only $13 per person and includes a visit to Ellis Island. Tickets can be purchased online. Visitors must go through an airport-style security check before entering the pedestal.

pics, from above: the Statue of Liberty; a child inspects the massive replica of the statue's foot; a visitor takes a picture inside the museum; one of the ferries taking visitors to the island

* I guess it wasn't that a must for me because I didn't visit it the first time I was in the Big Apple.

New York Minute

2011-03-24T07:28:00.002+08:00

A New York minute is an imaginary unit of time to denote an instant. It is used to describe the frenetic lifestyle associated with the city.

For me it is also the time it takes to get a snapshot of the people in these pictures.

pics, from above: a couple pose in Grand Central Terminal; a traveler checks for train schedule; a kid takes a picture of the Statue of Liberty in Liberty Island; a tourist observed a reconstructed Roman dwelling in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, frozen in time and preserved for posterity

On the Edge

2011-03-23T22:36:00.000+08:00

A tourist poses near the base of the Gateway Arch, in St. Louis, Missouri

[March 7, 2011]

Basilica of St. Louis, King of France

2011-03-23T13:20:00.001+08:00

The Basilica of St. Louis, King of France was the first cathedral built in the west of the Mississippi River. A small church was first built in the site in 1770.

Located just near the bank of the river and the Gateway Arch, the current cathedral was built - in Greek revival style - in 1831 and consecrated in 1834. It was named after King Louis IX of France.

Museum of Westward Expansion

2011-03-23T01:00:00.000+08:00

Underneath the Arch in downtown St. Louis is a visitor center and a museum that commemorates the movement of explorers and pioneers toward Western United States. Part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the Museum of Westward Expansion displays artifacts and memorabilia dating to the expedition of Lewis and Clark in early 19th century.

Among the artifacts on display are old sextants and timepieces used by explorers for navigation, guns and equipment used by cowboys and pioneers, and mode of transportation, such as the covered wagon and Native American canoe made of animal skin. Also in display are animatronic versions of various personalities of the time, such as the Sioux chief Red Cloud and William Clark.

Useful info: The museum is located below the Arch, accessible through a ramp near the base. Entrance to the museum is free. Visitors are required to go through an airport-style security check.

pics, from above: Red Cloud; a Native American canoe made from animal skin; a covered wagon, the preferred mode of transportation by pioneers; a navigation instrument used by explorers

Treasures of The Met

2011-03-22T19:38:00.001+08:00

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, March 14, 2011

The Lady in Battery Park

2011-03-21T21:38:00.001+08:00

A woman waits for the ferry to the Liberty Island in Battery Park, downtown New York. I think she saw me taking her picture.

March 14, 2011

Chicago Midway International Airport

2011-03-21T18:40:00.000+08:00

I changed planes in Chicago Midway International Airport on my way to New York from St. Louis. One of the unusual features of this airport is the criss-cross arrangement of its runways, as seen from this window seat view. The livery of Southwest Airlines is also visible from the wingtip extension of the B737's wing.

The airport is the second-busiest in Illinois after O'Hare International Airport.

Narita International Airport

2011-03-20T15:14:00.000+08:00

The Narita International Airport is the second-busiest airport in Japan. It is one of the Asian hubs of Delta Airlines, where passengers going to/from the US pass through before proceeding to their destinations in Asia.

I passed through Narita, which serves the greater Tokyo, barely a week after the tsunami hit Japan and the nuclear accident in Fushima happened. Traffic in the airport was uneven: there are less passengers going in (my flight from New York was barely half-full), but flights leaving the airport are full. It seems people are keen on escaping the (rumored) radiation leaks coming from the stricken reactor about a hundred miles away.

The Met

2011-03-20T14:38:00.000+08:00

I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York last week. The museum, known as 'The Met' is located along the Museum Mile in Fifth Avenue, just adjacent to Central Park.

The Met is one of the largest museums in the world, with more than 2 million pieces of art, paintings, sculptures and works from diverse periods of history and locations.

As the museum is very large it would be impossible to explore it in just half a day, so I concentrated my explorations to the subjects that I am interested of: Greek and Roman art, medieval art, ancient Egypt, European paintings, and a little of Asian art.

I did see many artworks of artists that any college student who has taken Humanities and history would be familiar of: Salvador Dali, Claude Monet, Edoard Monet, Edgar Degas, Henri Matisse, Edvard Munch, Georgia O'Keefe, Cezanne, and of course, Vincent van Gogh. I got teary eyed when I realize as I gazed on these works that I've only seen them in books before.

I've also seen sculptures by Rodin, an intact Etruscan chariot, several Egyptian mummies, a rebuilt temple, and the embalming cache of Tutankhamen, several medieval tapestries and religious icons and reliquaries (one of which held relics from Philip the Apostle). There is also an exhibit on Andean art, and a section on African, Asian and the Pacific. The latter includes art from ancient Philippines - a bulul (a rice diety), several grave markers and jewelry from northern part of the archipelago.

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:30 am to 5:30pm. Admission for adults is $20.

How to get there: if taking the subway, take Line 6 and get off 77th Street and walk to the direction of Central Park.

Pics, from above: The Great Hall, Vincent van Gogh's Irises, a student observes an Etruscan chariot, a copy of St. Augustine's City of God, a bulul from ancient Philippines, a Greek marble sarcophagus.

A Blogger's Dozen: Thirteen Trip Thoughts

2011-03-17T16:23:00.001+08:00

Recapping the trip while at 29,000 feet and eating airline food:

- I wish that I brushed up on my Spanish. I have met a lot of Spanish-speaking folks during this trip. My roommates in the hostel were an Argentine and a Brazilian couple (yeah, but Portuguese is close) across the hall are Puerto Ricans, the group eating next to me at Mama Empanada are Dominicanos, and during the cruise to Liberty Island a group of Spaniards started to chat me up when I mentioned that I'm from "Filipinas." I just wish that my Spanish wasn't that rusty. I can barely understand every other word they are saying.

- I am actually glad that I took a side trip to New York. I'm suppose to fly back after my 2-week stint in St. Louis, which was the day the tsunami hit Japan, and I'm flying through Narita (which was closed right after the earthquake).

- I always get complemented on my (excellent) English. I think Mrs. Mejorada, my English teacher in high school, would be pleased.

- a cheap prepaid cellphone from AT&T ($14.99, with $15 worth of credits!) can quickly solve the arm-and-a-leg conundrum presented by international roaming.

- the iPad is a great travel device (I'm blogging now using it)

- If in the States, go to the nearest Starbucks if you need a free WiFi connection (thanks again, AT&T). You don't need to buy a latte; just stand outside and connect to the network.

- I got my Jetsetter badge from Foursquare!

- I was teary-eyed when viewing the exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I sometimes still can't believe that I used to see those artworks in only in Humanities books. That mask from Benin was actually as creepy as it appeared in the book.

- Viewing Van Gogh's Irises is an experience akin to a religious one.

- It's always a good feeling to be mistaken for a local. Somebody actually asked me for directions in St. Louis and in New York.

- it's nice to meet new and old friends while abroad (Paul and Christine, Alberto, Melo and Romel, Eugene, Hugh)

- It is OK to mix business and pleasure in a trip. Just take care of the business part first - you won't have to worry about it during the pleasure part, and you'll be assured that you'll still have a job when you get back.

- After staying in Kansas for a week, I can never fathom why Dorothy even wanted to go back

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Siberia

2011-03-17T15:58:00.002+08:00

Flying from New York to Tokyo, I think the airline took the polar route. This is about 9 hours into the flight (we left NY about 2pm local time). The stewardess says we were flying over southern Siberia - it's all ice as far as the eyes can see.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Narita,Japan

I Love this Game

2011-03-14T12:21:00.002+08:00

I went to my first NBA game today at the Madison Square Garden, in New York. The local team, New York Knicks, is hosting the Indiana Pacers. There has been a buzz of sorts for the team lately, as it added a new players -- Amare Stoudemaire and Carmelo Anthony -- to its ranks.

I've planned from the outset to watch an NBA game when I decided to go to New York as a side trip to my business trip to St. Louis. I purchased a ticket online and picked it up on the International Will Call kiosk inside the stadium. Sixty-five dollars got me a seat up there in the bleachers, but the vantage point is good enough for me.

I went to the stadium early, about 4:30 in the afternoon (the game started at 6pm) but the timing is perfect, as there was a large crowd and the venue was almost full. The energy inside MSG when play started is electrifying; the crowd, the In-between game gimmicks, and the cheering squad all contribute to the atmosphere.

As courtesy and out of fear of being lynched by fans, I cheered for the Knicks (I'm an LA Lakers fan). But as the game wore on, which is sub-par at best,it's hard to keep the enthusiasm, considering tier performance. Fans started booing the home team. Losing by more than 10 points, many actually left 2 minutes before the final buzzer.

Despite the poor performance of team, I am not disappointed with the experience, and I'm looking forward to see other teams in the NBA, especially the Lakers, play.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:E 105th St,New York,United States

Beer and Beads

2011-03-06T06:01:00.000+08:00

St. Louis hosts the Mardi Gras festival this Saturday. Said to be the second largest Mardi Gras event in the USA after New Orleans, the festival - held in the historic French neighborhood of Soulard - attracts large crowds to the parades.

Revelers throw and collect bead necklaces, cat-calling people to "flash" their bosoms to the crowd. Alcoholic beverages such as beer, Jell-O shots and hurricane cocktails are freely consumed during the festivities.

How to get there: Soulard is in the southwest of downtown St. Louis, just near the Anheuser-Busch brewery.

Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea

2011-02-28T11:55:00.001+08:00

Fiery Pool is an exhibition about the importance and symbolism of water in ancient Mayan culture. Organized by the Peabody Essex Museum, it brings together more than 90 artifacts and works collected from several locations in Central America, including Tabasco and Chichen Itza, Mexico, Altun Ha, Belize, and Piedras Negras and Tikal, Guatemala.

Presented in several thematic sections, the exhibit explored the significance of water to the Mayan culture and how they are depicted as such.

Photography is not allowed inside the exhibit area, which is a bit disappointing, but I manage to snap a picture of one of the artifacts: a lidded bowl with the Iguana-Jaguar Eviscerating Humans, from Mexico, ca. 500.

Other artifacts in exhibit include a gold face ornaments of Quetzalcoatl fro Chichen Itza, Mexico, a ten-pound jadeite head of a diety from Altun Ha, Belize, a lintel with bloodletting rite from Yaxchilan, Mexico, a lidded vessel of a world-turtle from Tikal, Guatemala, and a vomit spoon made from manatee bone, from Altun Ha.

The exhibit runs from February 13 to May 8, 2011 at the main gallery of the St, Louis Art Museum. Entrance fee is $8 for adults. The fee includes the use of an iPod with commentaries of the exhibit and the pieces on display

St. Louis Art Museum

2011-02-28T11:31:00.000+08:00

I spent my Sunday exploring the St. Louis Art Museum in St. Louis, Missouri. Specifically I went there to see the exhibit about Mayan culture called Fiery Pool, but I discovered more. The museum has an extensive collection spanning different cultures and time periods, including artifacts from Mesoamerica, Egyptian mummies, medieval weapons, Asian art, and several Renaissance paintings, among others.

The museum, located in Forest Park, was constructed in 1904 for the World Fair.

Admission is free in the museum except for the special exhibits such as the Fiery Pool ($8 for adults).

How to get there: take the Metrolink train and get off Forest Park station. Go through Balleviere Avenue and cross Lindell Boulevard, walk till you reach Lagoon Drive, then continue to Fine Arts Drive.

Useful info: St. Louis Art Museum website

Pics, from above: facade of the museum; the Reclining Pan by Francesco di Sangallo, ca 1535; the statue of Apotheosis of St. Louis; a Mesoamerica fertility figure

Let it Snow

2011-02-25T10:01:00.001+08:00

As someone born and raised in a tropical country, seeing snow for the first time is a novelty for me.

[Overland Park, Kansas, outside my hotel]

Feast for Media Noche

2011-01-03T22:49:00.000+08:00

It is traditional in the Philippines to have a midnight feast to usher in the New Year. The meal is called media noche - which is midnight in Spanish - and is usually taken together by family members and friends right after the other traditional Filipino way of ringing in the new year: the orgiastic firecrackers and fireworks display done in every yard and street in the country.

[pics, from top: the ham I cooked for the feast; the table laden with cholesterol-rich food to usher in the new year]

A Fine Year for Travel

2010-12-31T00:01:00.019+08:00

The end of 2010 is almost here, and this recap bids adieu to another year of safe and happy travelling.

January: Corregidor Island & San Juan, La Union

February: Clark

March: Hongkong, Malaysian F1 Grand Prix and Singapore

April: Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin, Lake Caliraya, and St. Louis, Missouri

May: New York

August: Manila

September: Shanghai & the 2010 World Expo

November: San Juan, La Union

December: Zamboanga

And, although I did not land there, I saw parts of Japan, Detroit, Cincinatti and Alaska from the air

Hopefully, 2011 will be another great year for exploring the world.

Fort Pilar Museum

2010-12-30T22:20:00.001+08:00

The National Museum housed in Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City has several collections related to the history of the city. Currently the two main exhibits feature the Sama, Yakan and Subanen tribes that reside in the peninsula. The Sama and Yakans are sea-dwelling, while the Subanen are river people (the rootword of the tribe's name, suba, means river).

The exhibit includes several full-scale boats used by the two sea-faring cultures, several tools, weapons, fishing and farming implements, clothes, as well as dioramas that depict the dwellings of the three indigenous peoples.

The museum, located in N.S. Valderoza Street, is open from Monday to Saturday, 8:30am to 5pm. Entrance is free.

Real Fuerza de Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar de Zaragoza

2010-12-30T15:27:00.008+08:00

Real Fuerza de Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar de Zaragoza, or known more popularly as Fort Pilar, is a 17th-century fortification built by the Spanish government in Zamboanga City. It was originally called Real Fuerza de San José.

Built in as a star-shaped fortification, the first cornerstone was laid in 1635, the date that also marks the founding of the city.

In its almost 400-year history the fort has endured numerous attacks from pirates, insurgents and the enemies of Spain, including the Dutch attack in 1646, the 1721 attack by 3,000-strong force of Moro pirates, a mutiny in 1792, the British bombardment in 1798, the American colonizers in 1899, and the Japanese troops in 1942.

In 1720 it was renamed in honor of the patron virgin of Spain, Nuestra Señora del Pilar. The virgin was said to have appeared in an apparition in 1897, to save the stationed troops from a surging tsunami.

Today Fort Pilar houses a shrine and a museum.

How to Get There: Fort Pilar is located along Valderozza St. You may take a tricycle to get there. The entrance to the shrine and the museum is free.

pics, from top: entrance to the fort (and museum); the bastion of the fort; the courtyard inside the fort; one of the ruins inside; a scale model shows how the fort would look like if viewed from above

[some info from Wikipedia]

Paseo

2010-12-26T21:27:00.001+08:00

It has become a tradition of sorts for my family to take a stroll around the city on Christmas day. The first stop is always the shrine in Fort Pilar, a 17th-century military fort, also known as Real Fuerza de Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar de Zaragoza, now converted to a religious landmark. We go here to pray and light candles as an offering.

Adjacent to the shrine is the Paseo del Mar, a seaside park. It was full of people; many came to gawk at and throw coins to Badjao kids waiting on boats lined along the seawall. After a short walk along the shop-lined boulevard, we went to Lantaka by the Sea, a seaside hotel and a Zamboanga landmark, to get refreshments. Lantaka has undergone a revival of sorts lately, now getting a spruced up facade and facilities.

Now well rested, we walked along the historic Valderozza Street to reach the City Hall to see the brightly-lit building, richly decorated with Christmas-y stuff, and has now added a "snow" machine (a large machine that spew soap bubbles among the throng) to its attractions. Like in Fort Pilar and Paseo, the street in front of the city hall is full of onlookers, both Christians and Muslims alike, enjoying the view.

pics, from top: the shrine in Fort Pilar, the seaside facade of Lantaka hotel, the neon-lit City Hall

Belen

2010-12-25T15:43:00.000+08:00

A Belen is the Filipino version of the Nativity Scene, which depicts the birth of Jesus Christ in the manger, usually showing Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the Magi. It may also include farm animals, angels and the star.

The Filipino version is usually made with local materials, such as using rice straws to make the thatch roof of the manger.

The belen above is found in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3

Noche Buena

2010-12-25T15:22:00.000+08:00

Noche Buena (literally, good night, in Spanish) is a Filipino tradition during Christmas. It is a feast partaken on Christmas eve, usually after going to the simbang gabi (night mass, on the 24th is celebrated in the late evening, culminating around midnight).

The feast is usually served with traditional Filipino food, such as lechon (roast whole pig), leche flan (a custard-like dessert), hamon (ham) and other pastries and drinks. It is usually partaken by family members, relatives and close friends after exchanging gifts.

The picture above is the noche buena that I had with my family here in Zamboanga City.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Christmas Rush

2010-12-23T15:54:00.010+08:00

Passengers rushing to get home before Christmas crowd the check-in counters of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3

Cebu Pac's Web Check-in

2010-12-21T21:55:00.004+08:00

The low-cost airline Cebu Pacific now has a web check-in feature. It is available if you chose Seat Selector when booking, and you can check in from 48 hours to 4 hours prior to your flight.

If you checked in via web, you only need to be in the terminal at least 45 mins before the flight, if you have checked luggage. If you only have hand-carried luggage, you can go straight to the pre-departure area (they close the boarding gate 15 mins before the flight, so allow more time than that).

You can also print the boarding pass from the web site.

2011 Public Holidays

2010-12-20T19:17:00.003+08:00

The Philippine government proclaimed the following dates as regular and special non-working holidays in the country for 2011:

A. Regular Holidays

New Year’s Day – January 1 (Saturday)
Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Saturday)
Maundy Thursday – April 21
Good Friday – April 22
Labor Day – May 1 (Sunday)
Independence Day – June 12 (Sunday)
National Heroes Day – August 29 (Last Monday of August)
Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Wednesday)
Christmas Day – December 25 (Sunday)
Rizal Day – December 30 (Friday)

B. Special (Non-Working) Days

Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Sunday)
All Saints Day – November 1 (Tuesday)
Last Day of the Year – December 31 (Saturday)

C. Special Holiday (for all schools)

EDSA Revolution Anniversary – February 25 (Friday)

[source]

Holidays for December

2010-12-14T23:43:00.003+08:00

December is the holiday month, and it shows on the number of public and non-working holidays that are slated for it. According to the Malacanang Palace, the following dates are declared legal and special holidays in the Philippines:

December 24 - special non-working holiday

December 25 - Christmas day

December 26 - Sunday

December 27 - Rizal Day (originally on the 30th but moved to closest Monday)

December 31 - last day of the year, special non-working holiday

January 1 - New Year's Day

January 2 - Sunday

To get a full 10-day uninterrupted holiday you may just have to file vacation leaves for 28th, 29th and 30th, and go back to the office on January 3rd.

Christmas is Almost Here

2010-11-29T04:05:00.000+08:00

The Makati Central business district, from Ayala Triangle Park and along Ayala Avenue is resplendent with bright lights, parols, and decor, bringing cheer to onlookers.

The park, located behind the Philippine Stock Exchange, is bedecked with twinkling lights and multi-colored lanterns that light up in tune of Christmas carols, attracting crowds and shoppers from the nearby malls and offices.

The malls ringing the avenue are also not to be outdone, lavishly decorating their windows with holiday-themed adornments.

How to get there: Ayala Avenue is probably the most recognizable street in the Philippines, being the location of the country's financial district. It can be reached through cabs, buses and the MRT. The light and sound show at the park runs every thirty minutes, from 6pm-9pm.

pics, from above: the lights of Ayala Triangle Park, a store window decorated with holiday themes, a Nativity scene at the Philippine Stock Exchange.

San Juan Surf Resort

2010-11-25T03:38:00.002+08:00

San Juan Surf Resort is one of the well-known resorts that ring the surfing area in San Juan, La Union, and I stay here more than half the time when I surf. Bounded by the highway on one side, and the Urbiztondo beach on the other, the location is very convenient. You can go straight from the bus to the surf in no time.

The room rentals are quite reasonable: PHP 1500 for a double, PHP 2100 for a room that can accomodate four. Both are air-conditioned, and the latter even has a ref.

The resort also has a restaurant/bar, and a store where you can buy surf gear, such as surfboards, boardies, rash guards, wax, and even Havaianas flipflops. The resort also offers surfing lessons for beginners (PHP 200 an hour for instructor, and another PHP 200 for board rental). If you're lucky, you may even get some surfing tips from the (son of) owner, Luke Landrigan, who is a surfer himself.

How to get There: San Juan Surf Resort is located near the side of the highway. The town where it is located, San Juan, is about 8 kilometers from San Fernando, the capital of La Union. The resort is known to the bus drivers plying the Manila-Ilocos route, you may just instruct them to drop you off in front of the resort. The bus ride is about PHP 500 each way, and the trip takes about 6 hours.

Useful info: San Juan Surf Resort website, and contact numbers: (+63 72 720.0340 and +63 917.880.3040

pics, from above: Urbiztondo beach, as seen from my room, the apartments, the bar/restaurant

Leonids Meteor Shower

2010-11-19T01:37:00.003+08:00

The UP Astronomical Society is hosting an observation tomorrow for the Leonids meteor shower. The observation, which is open to the public, will be held at the sun deck of PAGASA Observatory in the University of the Philippines Diliman campus, from 10pm to 6am.

Surfing and Boxing

2010-11-16T02:28:00.007+08:00

I had the chance to surf with some friends last weekend, in San Juan, La Union. The weather is nice throughout, and the waves were larger too, thanks to the storms the previous weeks.

We hired a van this time, eschewing the bus as the normal mode of transport, passing thru the new SCTEX tollway and cutting our trip by an hour or so, although we took time to make pit stops along the way. We arrived late afternoon, and after checking in, went down to the beach to surf until dusk.

Sunday morning was spent surfing after a breakfast of banana pancakes and beef tapa; we took a break when the sun is high up. The boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito was on when we had lunch, so it was a welcome diversion while resting and waiting for the sun to come down a bit.

How to Get There: San Juan, La Union is located north of Manila, accessible by a 6-hour bus ride (Partas in Cubao, about 500 per person each way). If driving, one may take the North Luzon Expressway, then through the Subic-Clark Expressway then through Tarlac going north.

Where to Stay: I'd recommend San Juan Surf Resort (1,500 pesos for twin accomodations) telephone: 0917.880.3040

pics, from top: me staring down the big waves, surfboards around the San Juan Surf Resort, surfers taking a break while watching the Pacquio-Margarito brawl

Pilipinas Kay Ganda!

2010-11-16T01:17:00.003+08:00

The Philippine tourism department is revamping its presence online, with the launch of a new website, logo, slogan and promotion push. The new slogan, Pilipinas Kay Ganda! (means Philippines, So Beautiful) aims to encapsulate what the country has to offer to travelers.

The site is beautifulpilipinas.com, and it features a trove of information about what, where and when to see in the Philippines.

Update: the site has been pulled, mainly due to criticisms about the URL, the content and the slogan. The original site, tourism.gov.ph is back.

Snooze

2010-10-04T15:34:00.000+08:00

Between layovers, benches in the boarding area can be a great temporary sleeping quarters for tired travellers.

[At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, Philippines]

Shanghai Pudong International Airport

2010-10-03T15:33:00.000+08:00

The Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the main international gateway to Shanghai, China. The airport, which sits in a 40-square kilometer site, is the 34th busiest airport in the world, serving 32 million passengers in 2009.

The world's first commercial magnetic levitation rail system serves the airport, with a link to downtown Shanghai.

pics, from top: signs point the way as soon as you embark from the maglev train; the curved ceiling of the wave-shaped terminal; check-in counters

In Flight Entertainment

2010-10-02T05:20:00.004+08:00

WIth fight attendants like these, who needs video on demand while flying?

(Cebu Pacific flight attendants introducing a new way to educate airline passengers with safety procedures, to the tune of Lady Gaga)

People, People, Everywhere

2010-09-17T04:34:00.000+08:00

Being in a country with 1.3 billion people, the first thing one notices in Shanghai is the sheer number of people.

9/11. Never forget

2010-09-11T17:11:00.002+08:00

Ten Trip Thoughts on China

2010-09-09T22:32:00.003+08:00

1. Facebook and Twitter are still blocked in the country, but I noticed some young Chinese kids in the hostel lounge accessing Facebook. When I asked them how they did it, they told me to install a sofware to circumvent the Great Firewall of China

2. I was able to tweet using tweet-to-email service but I could get updates from people I follow; with Facebook, I can monitor and reply on my wall activity through email

3. The last time I was in a really large crowd was in 1995 World Youth Day; being around 500,000 Chinese can be a bit agoraphobic. Maybe because of the sheer number of people, jostling people out of the way seem to be an accepted behavior.

4. I'm guessing that 99.999% of the crowd in the 2010 World Expo is Chinese; I can only see a handful of foreigners loitering in the expo venue

5. It pays to learn a city's subway system. It's a fast, efficient way to travel. Cheap too.

6. I had reservations going to China because of the Rizal Park incident that happened prior to the trip, but my fear was unfounded. I did not encounter any hostility or discrimination from the Chinese.

7. I am starting to think that I have an "Asian" face, because I get mistaken for a local in almost every city that I visit in Asia, including Shanghai. People would just assume that I speak the language and would still continue talking to me even if I am staring blankly at them, miming that I can't understand a word they are saying.

8. Going up the Pearl Oriental Tower on a Sunday evening is not a good idea. The jostling crowd and the din ruins the experience.

9. I rediscovered the history lessons I took in high school and college during the trip; visiting the French Concession and the Bund district made me remember and appreciate the significance of the "spheres of influence" that Western powers had in the late 19th century over China. Those tidbits of history would have remained as insignificant factoids until you visit a place that puts a "face" on it.

10. The Expo is like the Miss Universe pageant, only nations "compete" with the looks of their pavilions. The pavilions from other countries may dazzle with their over-the-top architecture, but in the end, a visit to your country's exhibit will remind you why you call it home.

Hostel Review: Blue Mountain Youth Hostel

2010-09-07T03:55:00.000+08:00

On my last trip to Shanghai to see the 2010 Expo, me and my friend chose the Blue Mountain Youth Hostel as our temporary residence in China.

It was in fact my second time to stay in Blue Mountain, the first was last year during the solar eclipse expedition. The hostel is located in Qu Xi road, which intersects Lu Ban road. COnveniently enough, the Lu Ban subway station (Line 4) is just across the road from the hostel. It also turned out that the site of the Expo is just about 10 minutes away. The free shuttle bus stops at the corner of Qu Xi and Lu Ban, which ferries tourists to Gate 1 of the Puxi site (Puxi is where the corporate pavilions are, the country pavilions are across the river, at the Pudong site).

I actually like the vibe of the hostel. The concierge desk is very welcoming, with helpful staff who can give you directions to the sites and what-not. The common room is right next to the concierge, where the guests can hang out and trade stories with other travelers. There is a snooker table, a TV and DVD player plus several stations for free Internet access (there is free WiFi as well). There's a ref filled with beverages that you can buy (a bottle of Tsingtao is 5 RMB), and you can also order food as well (lunch would set you back about 30 RMB).

Blue Mountain has several options: you can get the 4-person or 6-person dorm type rooms or you may opt for the double ensuite rooms. The bathrooms for the dorm dwellers are shared. For the ensuite (where we stayed) they provide you with basic toiletries, plus towels that they change every day. The room is air-conditioned and there's a TV as well (alas, all Chinese channels). The rooms are cleaned everyday, and the sheets changed daily as well.

Useful info: Twin private ensuite costs about $30 a day (each, for 2 guests), while a 6-bed mixed dorm would cost $17/day. The hostel is located at 2F Building No. 1, 1072 QuXi Lu. You may take the Line 4 subway and get off at Lu Ban station.

pics, from above: the common room; one of the private ensuite room; Internet access stations; outside the hostel at QuXi Lu

The Bund

2010-09-05T01:44:00.001+08:00

The Bund is a section along the Huangpo district in Shanghai, previously a British, then American, settlement, given as concessions to foreign powers during the 19th century. It is now home to several banks, malls and several historical buildings. Among the interesting buildings I've seen are the site of the International Opium Commission, the Peace Hotel, and the HSBC building.

How to Get there:

The Bund is opposite the Pudong district, so from Pudong it may be reach via the sight-seeing tunnel. If by subway, take Line 2 then get off at East Nanjing Road station.

Lupu Bridge

2010-09-03T02:00:00.000+08:00

Lupu Bridge is the second longest arch bridge in the world. The bridge, which spans the Huangpo River in Shanghai, is 3,900 meters in length, including the 550-meter span over the river. It links the Luwan district with Pudong area.

Visitors can climb up the arch - 367 steps and 100 meters above Huangpo River - for 68 RMB.

pics, from top: Lupu Bridge at night, as seen from the Swiss pavilion in the Expo; the bridge as seen from the banks of Huangpo River

Riding the Maglev

2010-09-02T02:12:00.001+08:00

One exciting experience when going to Shanghai is the chance to ride the Shanghai Transrapid - the first commercial high speed (magnetic levitation) rail line in the world.

The line connects Pudong International Airport to downtown Shanghai (at Longyang Station, Line 2). With a top speed of 431 kph, it can whisk passengers the 31km distance to and from the airport in 7 minutes, although I only noticed that it topped at 301 kph.

Fare is 50 RMB for the economy class, 40RMB if the passenger has an airline ticket; VIP passes would cost 100RMB. The service is open until 9:40 pm, and trains leave every 15 minutes (20 minutes after 7pm)

pics, from above: the maglev train arriving at Longyang Station; inside the cabin; the highest speed the train reached during the 7-minute trip

Oriental Pearl Tower

2010-09-02T01:50:00.001+08:00

Keeping with my tradition of visiting the notable skyscrapers and towers of cities that I visit, I did not pass up the chance to go up Shanghai's iconic Oriental Pearl Tower. The 468-meter tower is located at the Pudong district, near the banks of Huangpo River.

Since we only paid the 100 RMB entrance we were only able to climb up to the 263m level. The observation deck, located in one of the spheres, affords a 360-degree view of Shanghai. The view deck has a part with glass floors that gives vertigo-inducing experience.

Useful Info: Entrance fee is 100 RMB, 280 RMB if you want with a meal at the revolving restaurant at the 267m level. You may want to avoid going up the tower during weekends, as the number of visitors will ruin the experience.

Performing Cities

2010-09-01T04:49:00.000+08:00

Performing Cities is the theme for the Philippine Pavilion at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. Accented by a montage of hands - emphasize the "human dimension" in urbanization, the pavilion is draped with white diamond-shaped tiles that glow at night.

Inside the pavilion has a fiesta atmosphere, with a menagerie of exhibits, artworks, performances, videos and booths that celebrate the Filipino culture and urbanity.

A restaurant called Travel Cafe Philippine awaits hungry visitors, and booths around the pavilion sells Philippine-made souvenirs such as pearl jewelry, Ninoy shirts, compact discs of Philippine musicians, and handicrafts.

2010 World Expo National Pavilions

2010-09-01T02:26:00.002+08:00

The national pavilions of different countries in 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, China