Tagaytay Holiday

As we start to go for our revenge travel following a three-year hiatus, I felt that it is good to start with the classics. Give it a second look and love for your own. 

So this one is about Tagaytay, a city located on top of a ridge with a breathtaking view of the smallest volcano in the world that is uniquely located in a lake within a lake: Taal. 

I listed my top 8 here, as a basic guide both to remind us of the good olds with some updates:

1. Sky Ranch

If you're not afraid of the sun and of heights, this place provides you with lots of that in a themepark park package and an exhilirating view of the Taal Lake and Volcano. Don't forget to book a ride-all-you can ticket from any SM Mall for a good discount prior to your trip, to enjoy as much of the rides as you can. Start with the train or the ferris wheel to get a bird's eye view of the park. For adventurous souls, the highlight wouls be the zipline on the edge of the ridge! Take lots of photos, enjoy that quite coffee corner at the far end of the park and reserve a table early for lunch especially for a big group at one of the many restaurants lining the park's highway side. 

2. Twin Lakes

This place is a township development with yet another cool view of Taal Lake and Volcano, a high-end resort, residential condominium and a garden mall. Located at the far-end of the ridge along the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Road, it is an ideal place to relax after a tiresome activity. Enjoy a cup of coffee here with the breeze and the view surrounded by greens and flowers. No fee to enter, the Twin Lakes Mall have your usual faves like the Bag of Beans, Mary Grace, Starbucks, La Creperie... even 7-eleven and Robinsons Supermarket for your needs while on your holiday trip. And if you can't get enough of it, why not buy a property there from any of the persistent agents who are on standby at the mall ;)

3. Gingerbread House

Tucked away in one of the far corners, this destination can be added to your itinerary if you have more than a day or if this is the only thing you have in your itinerary plus the Bag of Beans or another specialty restaurant. Starting as a bakeshop and hobby place, it has grown into a sprawling park with instagramable pockets that spark kids' imagination. It has playgrounds for kids and pets, some loungy spots, and lots of snacks, with the highlight in the big breadshop in a wintery look (although the temp is really tropical in this mostly outdoor garden setting). Best time to go is during events, so check out their website www.thegingerbreadhouseph.com before heading there to make the most of it.

4. Bag of Beans

What is Tagaytay without the Bag of Beans? Starting off as a cozy coffee shop at the turn of the 21st century, it has become pretty much a staple and an icon of this tourist spot as much as the natural wonders that Tagaytay has to offer. The main store tops all the branches with its interesting interior that gives you that magical feel. That giant tree in the middle, the garden tables around it, and the wall of colorful houses surrounding them all contribute to the Alice in Wonderland ambiance. And food remains to be the centerpiece in all that. 

5. Crosswinds

This is another township development at the other end of the ridge, located near the oldtime highlights like the Tagaytay Highlands, People's Park in the Sky and Picnic Grove. Come early and park at the entrance first by the Coffee Project to enjoy a leisurely walk under the pines trees, before heading later in the day to the peak where the windmill is located flocked by three themed restaurants: modern American Joe's, traditional Dutch Windmill and casual Japanese Yama. The view is up there, near Yama. There is an entrance ticket that costs P1,000 per vehicle that is part parking fee and part consumable on food, but it's all worth it. You can also buy your piece of paradise there, if you fall in love with the place.

6. Spa

Self-care be one of your agenda on your Tagaytay trip, head out to La Veryol's Mountain View Garden on St. Francis Drive and cook your worries away in a "kawa", a witch's pot over fire. For only about US$20, get a hot bath with a fantastic mountain view and a full body massage after. The place also offers bed and breakfast for that full recovery package away from the hustle and bustle of the metro, but just within a short drive... Try other spas on the ridge, such as the Tagaytay Nurture Wellness Village, which according to Klook is "an internationally acclaimed wellness destination named as one of the 28 Most Relaxing Spas in Asia by CNN Go" at a package of about US$100.

7. Balay Dako

Part of the famous Antonio's chain of restaurants, this is one of the musts in Tagaytay. Balay Dako translates to Big House, referring to the restaurant structure that looks like an old spanish mansion in the Philippines' colonial era, from the ceiling of chandeliers, large paintings on the wall, family dining tables and that oh-la-la veranda in several layers showcasing the Taal Lake and Volcano view. Reserve ahead or bring lots of patience for a long wait due to its popularity, the experience remains rewarding either way.

 

8. Stellar Potter's Ridge

This one is in my list because as an Astoria Vacation Club member, this one is like our second home in Tagaytay. The well-appointed rooms all offer the view of the lake. The most interesting feature of this cozy inn is the roof top restaurant with the craziest names of menu items, with booze named like Whiskey Me Off My Feet, Alak Being Single and Billy Gin is Not My Lover, Desserts like Sa Buko ng Walang Hanggan, Fruity Pa Sta Nakamove-on Na and Lecheng Pag-Ibig, and Mains like I'm Shrimply In Love With You, I Must Steak With You and Partners in Crime Tokwat Baboy. Try it with all your "hugot" lines and enjoy more of that lovely view of the lake and volcano.

Parking problems and traffic are all part of the novelty of the place, so tata, let's do that revenge!

Ja

 For this year’s blog entry, I am reflecting on this word “ja”. It is a Japanese expression that loosely translates to “sige” in Filipino, or perhaps this is just my personal opinion that they have similar meanings. I chose this word as the center of this article because as we look back at what happened in 2020 with all the effects of the COVID19 on our lives especially for people who love to travel, I feel that this word “ja” fits the moment. It’s like saying “Ja, mata ne.” So then see you again. Or just “ja”... so then. Or “ja”, Sige, Let it be...

 I chose to feature Kyoto this time. It is one place in the world I won’t get tired of visiting especially in autumn, when the breeze is cool and the surroundings are colorful. I love visiting temples in Kyoto, to pray, to marvel, and to find inspiration. Sometimes, just to sit, eat, laugh and enjoy the weather with my travel buddy. Of special mention are Kiyomizu dera, Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kinkakuji - my top 3 favorite places in Kyoto. Other than their sprawling picture-perfect environs, I also find these places awe-inspiring. Here are some photos to color the words.

 To get there, I usually fly to Kansai and take the train to Kyoto. Sometimes, I spend a few nights in Osaka, too. My friends also go on a side trip to Nara or Nagoya when they are in the area, but for me Kyoto-Osaka is a good itinerary if I only have a one-week holiday. I tried hotels, youth hostels, ryokan, even air bnb, and they’re all good depending on your budget. Train is your best way around but you’ll have to figure out how the several train lines connect and which way is the optimum to reach your target destination. Sometimes getting lost bring pleasant surprises, too :)

 For food, you’ll never go wrong with ramen, onigiri, karage, yakisoba, chocolates and all things with macha flavor.

 Ja, until we can travel again to Japan!

Malay in Malaysia

Malay in Filipino language means consciousness. It also refers to the Malay race. My trip to Malaysia showed me some unique heritage of the race, awakening my consciousness and making me ask myself how has Malaysia achieved this much progress.

I first came to Malaysia in 2008 when I visited Kota Kinabalu, a quiet city in the South with amazing natural features. I stayed at Tune Hotel, Air Asia's budget hotel, then I went to the beach and visited some nature parks - everything was so convenient.

Then fast forward 10 years later, I visited Kuala Lumpur, the country’s capital. It did not disappoint. Everything that a first time visitor needed to see is conveniently accessible from the airport by bus and train! Since I only stayed for a night at a friend’s place, I chose to visit the tourist icons: Petronas, Batu Caves and Central Market. The city is tourist-friendly :-)

Applying for an Australian Visitor Visa

To apply for visa online, click this link http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/600-/Visitor-e600-visa-online-applications. 

This is for eligible passport or travel document holders outside Australia who want to visit Australia for tourism or business purposes. You can submit an online application at any time. You can also use a registered travel agent, airline service or specialist provider to lodge an online application on your behalf.​ 

Requirements: Birth certificate, employment certificate, bank certificate and statement, proof of asset such as certificate of title or credit card bill, travel document (passport’s identity page), evidence of travel (stamps on the passport and/or copy of visa), and invitation letter from a sponsor in Australia.

Visiting Sydney for the first time, we spent some days strolling along Darling Harbor where we visited the mini zoo, wax museum and aquarium. And of course a trip to Australia is not complete without seeing the Opera House!

We also cruised the bay and went to Mandy Beach, on a Good Friday that is! Had some ice cream and fish and chips.

A friend drove us all the way to the Blue Mountains, an old coal mine amidst an amazing ecosystem. A visit to the park is made more memorable by the means to go around such as the cable car, the spiraling wooden walkways, and the train that runs on the steepest slanting tracks! The place is located near the Unesco World Heritage Site known as the 3 Sisters - some rock formation surrounded by a one of a kind environment.

We are gifted with a stay at the Novotel Darling Harbor and a chance to bump into a friend at the Victoria Mall. We also visited thd beautiful Catholic church near the mall on Easter Sunday to cap our trip.

Lost in Laos

For 2016, we head to Laos.

Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Vietnam in the East and Thailand in the West. Its capital Vientiane is a quaint little city on the bank of Mekong River and literally a stone’s throw away from Thailand’s Nong Khai Province.

In Vientiane, we find a number of beautiful Buddhist temples and museums. The most important of which is the Pha That Luang (Golden Stupa), located in a vast ceremonial ground in the middle of the city. Wat Si Saket, which is believed to be the country’s oldest surviving temple, is located near the night market. And if there is a night market, there is also a morning market, which is also the place where you can catch buses that goes to Thailand and other parts of Laos.

Moving around Vientiane is easy with Tuktuk right from the airport. Yes, this three-wheeled motor-taxi auto-rickshaw is a common in the Indochinese peninsula – Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia area.

If you are spending a week or so in Laos, go to Vang Vieng to see its limestone karsts and farther to Luang Prabang, a town that is enlisted in the UNESCO Heritage Sites for many good reasons from cultural to natural attractions. Vang Vieng is 4 hours by bus going North from Vientiane and Luang Prabang is 7 hours away, but there’s a 45-minute plane ride from Vientiane to this popular destination.

Where to stay? There are trusted brands like Best Western, Somerset and Novotel in Vientiane, but there are also good city hotels like Settha Palace, which is one of the most luxurious, and Vansana Riverside Hotel, which is highly recommended by locals. There are also Airbnb rooms in Laos!

The currency is Lao Kip. USD1=LAK~8,000. Easy to be a millionaire in Laos. But be sure to change them all back to your desired currency before leaving the country, or else you’ll have a stash of Kips for keeps.

Peace in the South

It is summer in the Philippines and here's a suggestion for those who want to go to the beach but avoid the crowd: Talicud Island, Davao City. 'Talicud' roughly translates to 'the back', because it is located right around the more popular Samal Island. I dig Talicud Island because its calmness and laid back ambiance take me away from the hustle and bustle of city living. I'm specifically referring to Isla Reta, the most famous resort in the island. Its big talisay trees and cozy cottages along the white empty beach always fan that nostalgic air. Food is great, too!

How to get there:
Take a plane to Davao City. Then take a cab to Sta. Ana Wharf. Be sure to get to the wharf before 11am. It takes about an hour to reach Talicud, at less than Php100/pax. Be sure to tell the ticket guy at the boat that you're going to Isla Reta, it'd be the last stop. Some boats can take you to the resort, especially if half the boat is filled with Isla Reta-bound passengers. But don't worry if the boat doesn't take you to the resort's doorstep. It's just a few minutes walk to the left, from the port. You may also take the habal-habal motorbike if you like.

While the resort offers an interesting food selection, you may also bring your own food or buy from the market and throw a barbeque party. Day trip is ok. There's overnight accommodation, too. Bring mosquito repellent if you plan to stay overnight.

Angkor Wat

What to Bring

As I bid the office goodbye that busy Tuesday afternoon, Ms. Maita saw my computer bag and asked me if that’s all I’m bringing for the 5-day trip. Yes, madam, traveling light is one of my talents. (There’s no computer in that bag though; and now, three days into the trip, I realized that I still have five extra shirts; I can still improve on this.) Tip to those traveling to Siem Reap: bring an umbrella/cap and light clothes because it is very hot. Bring a pair of good walking shoes, too.

Save on the cost of money; no need to change to KH Riel, just bring small dollar bills. US Dollars circulate alongside the local currency (US$1 = KHR 4000 = PHP40).

Same electric socket as Manila’s

Moving Around

Upon touchdown, take a tuktuk to your hotel ($5). Most hotels provide free pick-up with prior reservation. Tuktuk (which functions like the Philippines’ tricylcle) is the most common mode of transportation in Siem Reap, perhaps also the best means to explore the Angkor Archeological Park, especially for a group of 2-3 ($15/day). Bicycle for rent, motorcycle and car taxis are also available.

Dining and Shopping

Cheap eats start at $1.25 (fried rice or noodle soup, with free tea) in the Old Market area. There are classy Khmer and French cuisine as well ($3-12/meal). Famous diners include Khmer Kitchen and Blue Pumpkin in the Old Market. For souvenirs, I got some shirts 3 for US$5 in Angkor Wat, which is also available at the Old Market where I got a batik summer dress for $6. I bought Khmer curry powder, lemon grass and cookies for pasalubong. The shops also sell scarves with a lot of colors and materials to choose from. They have trinkets, the usual 5-for-a-dollar Angkor Wat keychains, magnets, postcards and elephant coin purse. There are also paintings, wood carvings and crocodile leather goods, but they’re not my cup of tea.

Where to Stay

Siem Reap offers a wide range of accommodation for all types of travelers. Hyatt is opening in 2013.

My hubby and I stayed at Mandalay Inn, which was recommended to us by my officemate who visited the place last year. For US$16/night/room, we got basic amenities like free airport pick-up, hot and cold shower, queen bed, a/c, wifi in the room, free maps and guidebook, and the staff are really friendly. It’s located near the roundabout (rotunda) in the Old Market area. reservation@mandalayinn.com

We wanted to go to Laos or Thailand or Vietnam, but decided it’s too far and inconvenient, so we just moved to another hotel with prospects of finding a better deal for our friends and family (and my blog readers); we found a fan room with two double beds for $8/night at Angkor Park Guesthouse, just across the street with wifi, h/c shower, fresh linen and bottle of water daily, option for a/c +$4. angkorpark@gmail.com

The Angkor Tour

Guidebooks say “if you’re visiting only two temples, Angkor Wat and Bayon should be the ones”. Bayon is in Angkor Thom, a 3sq.km.walled city which was the last capital of the empire. Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm (where giant roots hug the temple ruins) are the most photographed areas in the park; the three combined with other nearby attractions is a good one day tour called Small Circuit ($15 for the tuktuk service). Sunrise at Angkor Wat (alternative: Sra Srang); sunset at Phnom Bakheng (alternative: Angkor Wat); must-see but crowded. My personal favorite is Bantaey Srey (Citadel of Women) which lies 38km from Siem Reap, needing an extra 45min travel time; it is usually combined with a trip to Kbal Spean, but you must be really fit for the 1.5km uphill trek to see the carvings on the river bed. Do this in the morning, plus the Grand Circuit in the afternoon for day 2—mostly brick temples outside the Small Circuit; $30 for the tuktuk service. Entrance fee to the Angkor Park is $20/day; $40/3days; $60/week.  

Verdict

This is the most convenient, most interesting, and cheapest among the 7 ASEAN countries we’ve visited so far. We only spent $300/pax, including airfare, for the 5-day trip!

Sagada!

Dear Ms. Mims,

Here's the photo of Sagada map which I took last Jan.30, 2012. It was posted on the wall of the municipal hall, where all tourists must register. The cafe I was talking about is Yoghurt House, on South Road (left side in the map). There are many basic inns along this road. I stayed at St.Joseph's some 10 years ago. I heard Sagada Guesthouse is also ok. The bus terminal is located near the church somewhere along central road. Yoghurt House to the church is a good leisurely walk :) 

Best regards,

E

Of flight delays and air traffic

You are waiting to board the aircraft back to Manila from one of the Philippine islands. Then you hear an announcement: your flight is delayed. Would you blame the airline? 

Most often than not, we do. After experiencing domestic flight delays several times, some of us even associate certain airlines with delays. But do you know that it is not always the airline’s fault? Sometimes, there are just too many flights scheduled to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) all at the same time. It does not matter whether your flight goes to NAIA Terminal 1, 2 or 3, because NAIA has only one runway—technically there are two but because of the design, only one aircraft can land or take off at any given time.

And when we say ‘arriving at the same time’, it is indeed possible for several flights to indicate the same expected time of arrival (ETA). Hence, if there are ten airlines with ETA at 12:02, then our air traffic

controllers have this challenging task of scheduling which airline lands at exactly 12:02, and who gets to land a few minutes before or a few minutes after. Thus, even if the turnaround plane arrives on schedule, the cargo is loaded and all other preparations done on time, it is possible that the pilot could not get the permit to depart because of the traffic in Manila. Hence, there are cases when passengers are kept from boarding and asked to wait at the terminal instead.

Note that holding airlines at the departure airport is only possible for domestic flights, since international flights get to confirm ETA earlier because of the flying time. So according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), only domestic flights ‘share’ this ‘delay’, by dividing the number of minutes by the number of domestic airlines with the same schedule.

Some airlines try to get ahead of the others, especially when some of its passengers have connecting flights; but because of this, this airline’s share of delay  is passed on to the others. Thus, it would help if airlines cooperate.

NAIA is congested, 40+ flights a day at peak. The number of flights increases, but NAIA cannot expand. The adjacent lands have all been developed, and there is no more space to for a new runway. While the government of the Philippines is looking for a long term solution to this problem, it also tries to provide an immediate solution.

This is the job of the Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) Center. The ATFM assigns and divides the time of delay among domestic airlines. With proper management and cooperation from all concerned, it is possible to lower the length of delay to as low as the internationally accepted time of less than 10 minutes. It is not wishful thinking. According to CAAP, the total number of airborne holding from June to August this year averages at 1,905 minutes in total for these three months, compared to 2,891 minutes for the same period last year. We are also able to achieve the average delay per flight that is lower than 10 minutes--6.13 minutes to be exact.

This improvement is partly attributed to the ongoing technical cooperation project entitled “Capacity Enhancement for Safety and Efficiency of Air Navigation System”, which is supported by JICA. Through this project, Japanese air traffic experts help CAAP improve air traffic management. Experts from Japan train air traffic flow managers on the collaborative decision making (CDM) approach, a technique that recognizes sharing of updated operational data to reduce delay as a result of ground delay programming. Aside from congestion, the CDM approach also helps during adverse weather conditions. On September 14, domestic airline operators and other stakeholders met at the CAAP to discuss the CDM. JICA also conducted the Greater Manila Airport Study, to assess how the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, Pampanga can complement the operation at NAIA. The Philippine government continues to find ways to address the need for improving our country’s gateways. For the passengers, faster boarding and kind understanding would help ease the situation. #

Sugarland Bacolod!

Bacolod is famous for Masskara Festival, a Mardi-Gras of painted faces and masks that attempted to reverse the lull in this sugarland when the industry was down. I hate the crowd of festivals, thus Bacolod was not in my radar until work brought me there, and boy to say I fell in love is now an understatement. Let me name the reasons:

Nostalgic Silay, where the old meets the new and the high-so.goes eco. What am I talking about? For one, the new airport is in Silay, while downtown is lined with a lot of beautiful ‘bahay na bato’ (some loosely translate this to ‘old Spanish houses’). One of which is Balay Negrense, a house fit for a sugarcane plantation landlord, now turned into a museum. The church and its rich history is also quite an attraction. If you have time and stamina, climb your way up the mountainous Patag (not flat at all) where there are beautiful waterfalls and a mysterious lake. Visit the tourism office in front of the church for more information. My favorite nook, however, is not in the city proper but in the outskirts called Balaring, where a 700-meter bamboo bridge takes you into a dense mangrove forest. Balaring is synonymous to seafood feast, too!

Going to Bacolod from Silay, you might as well drop by the hidden treasure of Talisay: the Ruins. This skeleton of a house is getting more and more popular these days. It is hidden deep inside a vast sugarcane plantation (which residences are slowly eating up). The building is as intriguing as its romantic story and tragic ending.

Bacolod City is the capital of Negros Occidental. Like any metropolis, it has shopping malls, call centers, posh hotels and traffic. But what I love the most about Bacolod is the food!! And the people, classy, friendly. Don’t miss the museum and the organic market in the city.

Tucked away in the mountainous region of Negros is a place called Mambukal where hot sulfuric water springs eternal. Take a dip, while communing with nature in this lush park. Aside from the hot springs, the place offers overnight cottages, too, as well as other attractions like butterfly garden and kayaking lagoon.

And what’s Negros without going to the beach? Go to Carbon Reef or down south to Sipalay.

Visit OISCA Bago Center to shop for silk and mulberry jam; and

Squeeze in a trip to a sugar mill, too, I tell you, it’s unforgettable!

www.cebupacificair.com flies 7-8 times daily from Manila (and Cebu), while www.philippineairlines.com flies 4 times daily from Manila. 

Seoul, Korea

We learn so much about Korea from K-pop and K-drama. Don't you think it's about time we learn about the country through an actual visit?

Transfers

It's easy to commute in Seoul. From the airport in Incheon, just take a bus to one of the hotels in Seoul. You may also take the train to Seoul from Incheon. Transfer is just a piece of cake, there are English signs everywhere. Here's the rail map from http://www.urbanrail.net/as/seou/seoul.htm for your advance reference:

Take the train to Myeong-dong Station for shopping and to go to the Seoul Tower. The Seoul Tower is a popular dating place. This is where you'll find the observatory with love knots and the bear museum. There's a cable car to climb up or you may choose walk through the lush winding road HHWW with your date (tip: girls, don't wear high-heeled shoes).

There are many hotels in the area, too. So from the airport, you can just fly and go to Myeong-dong to get a room. For me, I went to Seoul on a business trip so I stayed near the Express Bus Station (the Express Bus Station is also a train station).

Gyeongbokgung Palace 

Must-See

Must-see places include palaces. One is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyeongbokgung (directly north of Seoul station, encircled in the map above). There's a lot to do here: see the change of guards ceremony, dress up in palace attire, dine, shop and take photos--the palace ground is sprawling!

For dining, I'm sure all you K-drama fans aren't new to popular chows in Korea. For those traveling on a really tight budget, you may grab rice fills in convenience stores ^^










Visa

It's easy to apply for a visa to Korea for Philippine passport holders. Moreover, visa is gratis/free of charge for tourists who wish to stay in Korea for 59 days or less. For more information, visit http://embassy_philippines.mofat.go.kr/english/as/embassy_philippines/visa/issuance/index.jsp
or call the embassy through tel. (+632) 8569210.
(This is information as of June 30, 2012)