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Tag: Travel Guide

  • A Travel Guide in Exploring Singapore

    A Travel Guide in Exploring Singapore

    Going to a different country gives me some contrasting feelings. I am ecstatic because it has always been a childhood goal to go to foreign countries but at the same time, it breaks my heart to see how far Philippines is left behind.

    Changi Airport ranks as world’s number one. It is massive, clean and relaxing. Most of its floors are covered with carpet that helps reduce the noise pollution and I think that’s why it is not as stressful compared to other airports. Also, I can’t help but to notice how spacious their toilets are, you will have no trouble of fitting in your luggage with you while you attend your personal needs. Outside, the purple plants serve as tiara to this airport royalty. I can just go on forever on how beautiful it is.

    It is quite weird to read about carpet, toilet and flowers on explaining how you appreciate a country but the author of this blog is quite a bit weird. I like writing and being weird anyway. Below are some  random opinions that you may find useful (or maybe not) about Singapore.

    Photo below: (1) Inside the Changi Airport Terminal 4 (2) Outside the Airport. It is indeed a garden city.

    Transport

    Going around Singapore is quite easy as long as you have an online connection to google map. Maybe I find the transportation easy because I enjoy navigating. Considering the number of times I got lost in Sydney, I wasn’t too scared of getting lost anymore. Besides, the vibe of Singapore makes me feel safe and secured. No worries at all. To add, I love the double-decker buses. Its large windows are one of the best ways to see the city. Another highlight that I really adore with Singapore is that there are a lot of buses and train rides, and they arrive in short intervals. Don’t get me wrong, I love Sydney, but the public transportation especially Sydney buses could sometimes be very frustrating. 

    TIP: We used the Singapore Tourist Pass for Unlimited Train and Bus rides. It can help you save some dollars and gives you convenience. I did try riding the taxi for few times because I wanted to go to a certain place in a short span of time. However if you are touring around, it is actually nice to use public transportation so that you would get to know the city more. 

    Side Story: I have heard a lot that Singaporeans would be too busy to say hello to strangers but there was a time when we were riding a bus, an old man approached us and asked where we were going. He did give us some tips on when is the best time to go there and where else we should go. I find that an interesting encounter because it changes my notion and contradicts of how other people told me about Singaporeans social attitude. 

    Internet

    You can get a local sim with internet service by first buying it online and then claiming it in the airport when you arrive or you can buy one from the nearest seven eleven shop from your hotel. I was beyond ecstatic to get the 100gb $12 deal. It was valid for 7 days and I can even use it if I fly to Malaysia. Aside from that, the internet is faster than a bullet train. I honestly kid you not.

    While I was in Philippines, I was forced to buy 4gb for $15 (Php600) since I had no choice because I need to contact people. Okay, I can live with that. Holiday is physically experiencing the place and not to use phone all the time to scroll social media. But how slowwww the internet speed was slowly killing me.

    In Australia, I am used to the $45/14gb/month plan. That, versus Singapore’s $48/400gb/month + faster internet. No need to elaborate who wins this round.

    Cleanliness

    Here is the part which I am proud of my hometown, Davao, Philippines. My home city may not have as many as beautiful flowers and trimmed trees in Singapore but we are not that far behind when it comes to tidiness. Just a random fact: Do you know that it is prohibited to chew gums in Singapore? You could stay in jail for 2 years if you were caught selling one.

    Photo Below: (1) Inside the Flower Dome in Gardens by the Bay (2) Colourful neighborhood in front of our hotel. 

    Price

    Don’t convert or you will get hungry, this is one of the realities in life that is hard for me to accept. Most of the time, the conversion is around: 1 Singaporean dollar = 1 Australian Dollar = 39 Philippine Pesos. When I was at Changi Airport, I thought I was still in Sydney because most of the prices were almost the same but after a few moments of looking around and exploration, I have discovered that there are actually good servings of meals less than $10. Oh well. When you go on holidays, you are spending your disposable money.

    Food

    Singapore has a mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian foods. Before I went to Singapore, a Singaporean friend of mine made a list of foods that I should try. First on the list was the famous rice chicken that everyone talks about. Then there’s Carrot cake that is not carrot nor a cake and its color is black. The taste was not as weird as how I describe it. Also, chili crab for those who love sea food. But what surprised me the most is that I enjoyed the Indian Pancake — I still need to do another research on what is it called.

    Since Singapore is quite near to Philippines and there are a number of Filipinos living in the country, I was not shocked to know that they have a “Filipino Mall” also known as the Lucky Plaza. It is where we found the happy bee – Jollibee! I am not really an avid fan of the fast food when I was still living in the Philippines but when I left home, my taste buds have come to realise how Jolly hotdog makes me feel like I am at the comfort of my home.

    Photo Below: (1) Chili crab on front. Carrot cake and Singaporean Noodle on left and right, respectively. (2) My so called Indian Pancake. Can you help me figure it out what is it properly called?

    Building Structures

    It is overwhelming, modern, futuristic, beautiful architectural designs. Any word that I would use could be understatement. The buildings look beautiful in the photos and it is even way much prettier in person.

    Singlish

    Singlish or the Singaporean English. Going around is easy because most of the Singaporeans speak English and they have a particular accent. Being exposed to multiple cultures, makes me more proud and appreciate my first Language, Bisaya. Language is one of those things that defines our identity.

    Sidestory: There was this lady in a shop that we always ate our breakfast who speaks strictly Chinese. However, she completely understands us when asked how much is the food and how much is needed to pay in total. Being in food business and as far as her English ability is concern, I guess those phrases are the only ones that are essential.

    I have lots more to say but this blog post has been long overdue. I shall spill some more beans next time. Maybe.

    Singapore, if you were a person, I think I would marry you.

  • Travel guide to Arkansas, USA

    Travel guide to Arkansas, USA

    Arkansas is not called the Natural State’ for anything. The southern state is blessed with a plethora of natural wonders. From the abundant wilderness, mountains, rolling hills, rivers and hot springs, Arkansas deserves a top priority in anyone’s list of favorite holiday destinations.

    When you visit Arkansas for the first time, a picturesque view of lush terrains welcomes you. Every corner of the state has amazing parts that will mesmerize nature lovers and keep them coming for more. The Northern and western regions are cradled by the Ouachita and Ozark mountain ranges while the east is graced by a delta farmland as captivating as its musical heritage.

    Things to do in Arkansas

    Experience the past

    Arkansas has a rich cultural heritage that has proved very hard to do away with. The Arkansas Heritage Trails will give you a nostalgic ride into the history. The four historic trails which include, Butterfield trail, Trail of tears, Civil war trail and the Southwest trail were designed to keep the Arkansas heritage alive through generations.

    While on these trails, you will come across such historic sites as the Pea Ridge National Military Park and the area where one of most lethal civil war battles in western Mississippi took place. When you join any of the trails in Little Rock, you will be able to sojourn the Clinton Presidential Center where the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum is located.

    You will also come across the Old State House Museum and the Little Rocks Central High School, which played a crucial role in ensuring integration of public schools.

    Visit a park

    Arkansas is blessed with 69 parks, 52 of which are state and seven national. This presents a magnificent natural diversity that is bound to treat you to a memorable adventure. The Hot Springs National Park, for instance, has terrific thermal water baths and indoor pools that have become a favorite of many.

    Alternatively, you can visit the DeGray Lake Resort Park for a game of golf or fishing. The Mountain Magazine State Park does not only have the tallest mountain in Arkansas, but is also among the few remaining virgin forests. If you fancy luxury and treasures, you can visit the Crater of Diamonds State Park, which happens to be the only diamond site that is open to the public in the world.

    Discover art and culture

    Art and culture lovers will find Arkansas home like no other state. The community loves and appreciates their culture with admirable loyalty. There are a good number of world-class museums housing some of America’s most impressive masterworks.

    One of the most famous museums is the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art where legendary artwork depicting the diverse culture of Arkansas can be found. The museum sits on a 120-acre land and was made by America’s most renowned architects. It is designed to reflect the naturalness on which the State of Arkansas is founded.

    You will also get the opportunity of watching blacksmiths and craft artisans as they bring to live incredible artifacts to join the diverse collection in the museum. You can alternatively visit the Museum of Natural Resources in South Arkansas where pioneers of oil and brine industry are honored.

    Visit the Walton Art Center where you will be able to see and listen to some of the respected artists from all over the world as they present their work in the premier performing arts Center. The Walton Art Center, not far from the University of Arkansas in Dickson Street, has placed itself at the epicenter for arts in Arkansas.

    For the first time traveler, visiting the USA can be quite an exciting undertaking. There are a lot of requirements and documentation that you need to access the US, but the most notable one is the is the ESTA- Electronic System for Travel Authorization, which is used to gauge whether one is eligible to visit USA, especially under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The system also looks at whether your visit poses any security risks to the US. To acquire a New ESTA, you need to visit the ESTA website online where the entire application takes place. Follow the instructions on the website and answer all the questions, then submit a fully filled application for authorization.

  • Why You Should Not Travel

    Why You Should Not Travel

    Almost a decade ago, my younger self wrote a blog entry about the reasons people should travel for an online competition. At that time, the word “blogger” was very unfamiliar to many and I feel like before, it was more associated of being nerdy since bloggers are writing some random topics on the internet. In Philippines, when you like to write or read books, you are considered nerd (or somewhat a little weird). In a simple way to say, blogger was then not as cool as how it is now.

    Reviving this blog by rereading and posting my old articles again has brought me a great turmoil of mixed emotions. It is both embarrassing, amusing and humbling. My post of “Why travel?” 8 years ago was written by my young self  who has not yet experienced the reality and rawness of life – her bubble of the ideal world has not yet been popped. She have just passed the national licensure exam at that time, had her first airplane ride and her first holiday away from her family. The main answer of why she thought that people should travel is because it is a way of getting to know and improving one’s self. Life was much simpler during that time and sometimes I wish my young self and I have the same answer.

    When you wake up at 4:00am and brave the 3-degree freezing cold winter fog, when you have four long straight evening shifts and only have 3 hours of sleep in the morning, when you didn’t get the chance to eat your dinner not even just to urinate in the entire 8 hour shift, when you are still giving your best smile even if you are both crying and screaming inside – because you believe that is how professionals should do and you are deeply passionate to your profession, when you feel like you are constantly pushing yourself – but then too burnt out already. Go away, go on a holiday, go to a different environment without those stressors – go, Travel!

    People travel for leisure. An escape from their constant reality. To some, they are just genuinely curious. I once met a Cuban girl who said that Cuba is too small and the world is too big – that’s why she traveled. There are still some people who diligently do not put value on material things, instead they would invest in experience. Aren’t you intrigue about the elegant Sari worn by the Nepalese women and how their dress speaks about their culture? Is there any terrible Irish? Because I have met a couple of them overseas, and they were all nice. How beautiful really is Armenia? because a lot of Armenians would tell me that I would fall in love to their country if I would visit but I can’t understand much the details of their stories because they speak to me in their local language not bothered whether I completely understand what they are talking about or not. And I do apologize that I am not that multilingual. I am somewhat only limited to English as my third language.

    There are some people who have a secret obsession of flying. Let’s blame it to the ID of the human unconscious minds that eagerly wants to be fed over and over by that same feeling of childhood memory. The nostalgia when one was riding at the back of a motor bicycle, spreading the arms wide open and feeling the cold wind gushing through against the skin pores. It is addictive to chase the mixture of pink, blue and purple coloured sunrise and the orange golden dusk – while you are above the sky. It is very different and beautifully overwhelming when you are literally in parallel to the wonders that  nature creates. High and above, while surging to the desired altitude, it is always a humbling experience of seeing the buildings and islands getting smaller. When you are about to get drowned from self-pride and delusion of grandeur, always remember that we are tinier than a dot compared to this world that we live in.

    Amongst all, people travel because they can. When you go on holiday, you would spend your disposable money but that does not mean you have to be a millionaire to do that. It is much affordable today. Airline companies do give heaps of promotional fare. Lucky you, you can fly from manila to Sydney for $300. And If I could tell something to my younger self, thank you for working hard, as I am now able to buy my plane tickets.

    Personally, I want to travel to see my parents as often as I can. At young age, I have learned from my family an important lesson in a very hard way. Walk around in an unfamiliar city while their knees can still catch up. Together, see the world while they still don’t need to use eyeglasses. Spend time with them because although we are all getting older and so as our parents.

    So, why do people need to travel?

    The truth is, there is no need to travel. Some people just want and can. That is why travel happens. So please do yourself a favor, do not feel pressured nor feel sorry for your self that you are not like one of those on your Facebook friend list that goes to different places every weekend. If you can’t financially afford it or you don’t have the time, that’s fine. It doesn’t make you less human.

    By the way, I ranked Second runner-up from the competition I have joined and supposed to get a 2gb Flask Drive. Until now, I am still waiting for it to get delivered.