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Showing posts with label Traveling on a Budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Traveling on a Budget. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

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15 Awesome Things You Could Enjoy in Hongkong for FREE

If you are planning to visit Hongkong, and you want to enjoy it the best way you for free, then you have come to the right place.

First things first

Go to Visitor's station.  It's a kiosk in the airport where there are a lot of tourist maps for the taking.  Get one for free and there will be tourism staff who could recommend you of some places for you to check out.  There you'll see all the things you could do during your stay.  Please don't miss out on this as it became very helpful for me. I believe that there are some Visitor's stations in major landmarks in Hongkong since I spotted one in Sky Peak although I got my copy at the airport.  You could book tours with them.  Some are free and some aren't.  You could find them at the airport in the address below:

Address:Buffer Halls A and B, Arrivals Level, Terminal 1, Hong Kong International Airport, Lantau Island
Opening hours: 8am-9pm daily

You need to book your tour in advance at Visitor's Station.  As far as I know, there are no tours given English (only Chinese), but if you don't mind that then good.
Chinese Museum

 2.  Flag Raising Ceremony at the Golden Bauhinia Square

This happens from 7:50 to 8:05 am.  If you're curious to see anything of this sort.  You might want to check it.

3. Symphony of lights

You could find this in Kowloon along Harbour bay.  Scheduled to start at 8pm, try to look for a nice location since a flock of tourists will be there as well to enjoy it.

Symphony of Lights

4. Tai Chi class at Sculpture court in front of the Hong Kong Museum

Go there around 8am so you could experience everything from the start.  It's available on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and it's said to last for 4 hours.

There are street performances in Mongkok area.  If you get lucky you could get to witness them for yourself.  Street performances could range from Kung fu and jazz performances.

street performers

6. Old and New HK walk tour

Before you do this you have to have a background on each landmark for you to appreciate it more.  I suggest you walk closest to the buildings than the street as people don't like you blocking their way.  They like to walk fast here, I don't know why.  What I did is copy the itinerary for walk tours and just did it myself.

7.  Sai Kung Beach 

I've heard a lot of housemates recommending me to go there.  As a solo female traveler, it seems an odd location to visit.  I don't know, it makes me feel sad thinking about me sitting in the sand and just staring at the sea.  It's such a melodramatic sight.  But if it's your thing then go right ahead.

Sai Kung Beach, Hongkong

8. Fishermen village

Going here costs a bit but when you're already there, you would get to see the other side of HK.  It's a totally different and low key environment.  
Tai O Fishermen Village at Lantau Island

9.  Witness the party area of HK at Lan Kwai Fong

See bottles everywhere, and people getting drunk.  It's exhilarating and interesting.  Best to enjoy it with new friends and party the night away.  As for my company, we just passed by there, took a selfie and drank some place where it's peaceful.

Party at Lan Kai Fong

10.  Flower, fish, ladies and bird market  

You can access all these in one walkin
g tour.  Start at King Edward MTR station, go through these markets and work your way out of Kowloon's shopping center.  You may check your guide here.

11. See the Jumbo Kingdom, the world's largest floating restaurant lit at night Aberdeen Harbour

It's the biggest in the world, so why don't you pay a visit, even when you don't plan to get inside.  Just outside would be fine.  Best to enjoy it at night when it's all lit up, smiling at you like a humongous firefly.

Jumbo Kingdom Restaurant
12.Visit Museums  
Here is a list of museums which are free every Wednesday. the Museum of Art, Museum of History, Heritage Museum, Science Museum, Space Museum, Museum of Coastal Defence and the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum. The Flagstaff Museum of Tea Ware, Hong Kong Railway Museum, Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum, and a handful of folk museums are free of charge on every day, as are the exhibitions at the Hong Kong Film Archive and the Hong Kong Arts Centre.  For more information do check here.

13. Go to art galleries  

Hongkong has a vast array of art galleries that you could check for free.  Do see the list here.  Each has different open hours so please be mindful of these if you wish to visit any of the galleries.

art gallery in Hongkong

14.Go up the Ritz Carlton and check the magnificent few of HK at night.  

You don't really have to spend a dime to enjoy the view.  But if you want to stay a bit more, then you might have to shell out some money for drinks and what not.  Go up to the 118th floor where the bar is.  Take note, it is the highest in the world. so feast your eyes on some world class scenery. 

Ozone Bar at Ritz Carlton

Hongkong has plenty of these spiritual places.  You could get inside, get a feel of the atmosphere and ambiance, or pray if you wish.  But please limit or refrain from taking selfies and photos of the place inside especially when people are praying.  

Man Mo temple


 Publisher: Shy - Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Thursday, August 11, 2016

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Sexual Harassment on the Road: Here's What You Need To Know and To Do

Sexual Harassment in  Public transportation

I've heard the DJ talk about this over the radio and I agree with what she said, although I'd sure want to elaborate more.

Not that I've experienced extreme harassment before.  The ones I've had though are those that made me feel a bit uncomfortable, examples are malicious stares at the legs and chest area, maximizing unnecessary body contacts when guy opens his legs wider so as to touch mine, or he rests his elbow on the window bars so his hand touches my back or side.  Thankfully I haven't experienced groping and I wish that wouldn't happen to me or to anyone.

This is really unfortunate.  It doesn't matter whether they're girls, women, guys, men, gays, some of us have experienced such thing.  I am just more aware and confident on dealing with it now that I am older.

Here are some reminders to people on what to do:

1.  Avoid being a victim.  Some victims become one because they're showing a bit more skin.  If you happen to be wearing short shorts, try to cover your legs anyway you can: Put your bag on your lap, spread out your bandana on your legs.

2.  Budge.  The one mistake victims do is that they are too scared to react.  This paralysis is a treat for the maniac.  They enjoy it.  For them, it is a go signal that they can advance on whatever malicious moves they're planning to do on you.  When you budge, it is a sign that you are aware and are irritated of the situation.  This makes the maniac second guess if he's going to continue.

3.  Stare at them.  This works every time. When you feel like they're looking at you maliciously, look at their face and stare at them.  The longer the better.  This could get awkward but it's a powerful move that says that you sense what they're doing and you are not having any of it.  This will eventually put them to shame.

4.  Speak up. When all of the above don't work, it's time to release the kraken and snap back at the maniac.  This ought to get attention of the other passengers and will put him on the spot.


Publisher: Shy - Thursday, August 11, 2016

Saturday, July 30, 2016

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How to get Get a Cheaper Airplane Ticket

Booking discounted airline tickets online.

I've been booking tickets for my family, friends and for myself for years now and I have learned a thing of two on how to get a discount seat.  Now, they let me book for them because I have plenty of time to look over airline websites and check if there are promo seats available.  Aside from that, I have learned a thing or two on how to get a cheaper deal and that's what I'll be sharing with you.

1. Standby for promo seats.  Sales usually land on holidays, such as valentines, independence day, and the such.  I've heard they start opening these sales at midnight.  So better go over the websites before going to sleep.

2.  Book fast.  Seats ran out pretty fast, so you are better ready with your credit card or you better decide when to have the trip and for how many days.

3. Book one way tickets separately.  I just learned about this just this morning.  There are times that 1 way cost more than the other when you pick the round trip option.  So what I do is buy the discounted one first and pray to the heavens that the other ticket going back will go on sale soon.

4. Booking months doesn't necessarily means getting cheaper deals.  Sometimes airlines would drop a better deal few months before your desired travel time.  So it's just a matter of getting lucky and being strategic with things really.

5. Take advantage of miles and discounts.  PAL has miles, Cebu Pac has Get Go.  The more you use the card/code the more you get yourself some miles.  The more travels you can book for a discounted price or for free in the future.

6. Remove unnecessary add ons.  Sometimes people just click submit not knowing that every page that they turn, there's additional add ons that is added by default.  Have the patience to remove those.  I'm talking about Cebu Pac here since I often book there.  Remove extra baggage if you don't plan to hoard stuff, remove seat selection if you don't mind seating anywhere, remove donation or insurance if you don't want to be bother by those.  In the end, you get what you just want to pay which is the ticket itself.

7. Travel in groups.  I know I know.  I may be an advocate of solo travels, but to tell you the truth, I'd rather travel by group than traveling alone.  I have really not found a comfortable ground yet.  Maybe soon, in my trip in Vietnam.  But for now, I'd choose traveling with a companion any day.   If you travel in groups and you go to a travel agent, they could give you a decent discount.

Here are the 5 ways I know that could save you some pesos.  If you know other ways, please do share in the comments section below.

Happy trip everyone! :)
 Publisher: Shy - Saturday, July 30, 2016
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How to Avoid Traffic in Manila.

Source


Traffic in Manila is the worst!  Just a couple of days ago, I made an awful mistake of starting to travel to Silang Cavite at noon, on a Friday which fell on a pay-day.  Awful! I was able to reach the gallery at 4:30pm and came back home at Cubao around 9:30pm.

Looking back I wouldn't want to go through it again.  Now the thought of doing a 9-5 job left a bitter taste in my mouth.  If this is something that I would have to go through 5 days a week, I should be feeling lucky with my current freelance job.

Here are the things that would have saved me a lot of time.

5 Ways to Avoid Traffic in Manila


1.  Leave early and avoid rush hour

I fell for the same mistake I did during the Pahiyas trip in May.  I left later than planned, so I had to start my day in traffic as opposed to a smooth and sailing trip with fresh and cool morning breeze.


2. You don't have to go to the bus terminal to get on a bus

Instead, get one that's running on the road.  Chances are there are still available seats, if not, there will be some soon.  It's better that way than to go farther distance to go to the terminal, knowing that you'll have to go back to the same route you've been before.

3. Take the MRT

The line may look intimidatingly long, but once they're accepting passengers, you'll notice that you'll get closer quickly.  You'll just have to wait for minutes.  Better that than waiting for hours in a bus.  I noticed that it has been running a lot faster than usual.  Fast enough that it made me feel scared for those people in it, at the same time, happy that at least they're moving fast unlike the bus that I was in.

4.  Try taking tricycle

Tricycles could go to streets that's not so traffic and make its way in between cars or along sidewalks.  The point is, it's moving.  The only con is that you'll inhale more smoke from exhaust and it's more expensive.

5.Traffic is worst in roads entering Alabang but it gets better through Guadalupe

Stops at ortigas and continuous well through Santolan.   When there's traffic, there's really no choice but to exercise patience. But hopefully with stricter road law implementation, and improved MRT system, it will get better.   As for now, we just have to roll with the punches. 
 Publisher: Shy - Saturday, July 30, 2016

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

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Day 2: Ilocos Trip : Vigan Tour - Syquia Mansion

My brother with the portrait of Former President Elpidio Quirino.
Syquia Mansion is the mansion owned by Former President Elpidio Quirino.  Now it has been donated to the local government and is currently converted to a museum.  Tourism is one of the biggest source of income of people in Ilocos, so they're preserving this as a national treasure, sharing it to tourists through offering tours. 

The Tour Guide

When we got in the mansion, I saw an old guy who was seated and hurriedly went in another door, closing it behind him.  We were staying there for few seconds wondering who is in charge.  As more tourists came crowding in our space, the same guy who went inside the room was trying to gather us in one pack.  Oh, so he was the tour guide.  He was pretty feminine with his actions and speech so I figured he was gay.  Not that there was nothing wrong with that.   Anyways the way he managed the tour was pretty good.  He was strict with the house rules: no taking pictures while the tour is ongoing, and the visitors should stick in one group.  

According to him, the arrangement of the furnitures hasn't been change ever since the house was transferred to the local government.  Reason behind is to easily pinpoint if something was missing in the house or not. 


The golden jar right here was claimed to be given by the Emperor of china to the former president.  It was said to be priceless since this one is original as proven by the emperor's seal at the base of the jar.

The peeping hole.
 Peeping holes were used to check the visitors at the ground floor.  If they're approved, then they would be allowed to climb up the second floor, if not, then they'll remain downstairs.  There's also another peeping hole carved through the master's bedroom.  So the master could check whoever it is in the living area, if they're VIP's of some sort then they'll be allowed to enter the VIP room which is adjacent to this room above.

The VIP Room.


The room is practically adorned by expensive furnitures that came from Europe and other parts of the country as a gift to the former president.  Example of which is the golden mirror that was shipped from Europe. 

A replica of the Spolarium painted by Gen. Luna's apprentice.

Another feature in this room is a replica of the Spolarium, painted by the apprentice of Gen. Juan Luna.  Although this one's a replica, the fact that it was a work of his apprentice, makes it really valuable.  The original Spolarium is now hanged in our National museum and is so humongous that it eat up an entire wall in the huge museum. 

Entrance Fee: Php 20/head
Tip: Php80

The old guy needs to get some extra tip for not only giving us information about our history, but also sharing some juicy facts on some showbiz issues related to the descendants of the former president.  I wasn't really able to catch up since I don't meddle in the other people's business, but since the crowd was well entertained, and since he took a lot of pictures of us in different angles.  Then boom! Hefty tip for you. :)

Woow, so much for museums.  I need a breather, like getting my hands to work on some jars! :)




 Publisher: Shy - Wednesday, July 04, 2012
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Day 1: Ilocos Trip: Davao to Manila, Manila to Vigan


On our way to our plane going to Manila.
From Davao City, we arrived in Manila at around 5:15pm. First thing we did was look for where to ride the shuttle going to Taft Rotonda station.  Good thing there was a Tourist Information Corner found in the lobby.  She pointed us to go outside and turn right, whereby buses are coming in every 10 minutes or so to pick up passengers already lined up in queue.

 Publisher: Shy - Wednesday, July 04, 2012

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

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3D/2N Ilocos Family Trip: Itinerary and Expenses



Check out our Ilocos Family Trip Series:


Itinerary:

Day 0
Friday
10PM
Partas Bus going to Vigan

Day 1

Saturday
5AM
Bus arrived at Bantay Bus Terminal; Took a tricycle to Casa Teofila Lodge. (rest)
8
Took Tricycle to go to Calle Crisologo, since most restos will be open at 9am, had a deal with a calesa driver for a tour around Vigan, but before that he brought us to a carinderya for breakfast (for free)
9
Start of calesa tour
9:15
Burgos Museum
9:30
Bantay Church and Bell
10
Syquia Mansion
10:30
Pagburnayan jar making
10:45
Baluarte ni Chavit
11:45
Hidden Garden (lunch)
1: 45PM
Calle Crisologo
2
Back to Casa (siesta)
4:15
Back to Calle Crisologo to eat at Cafe Leona for Snacks
4:30
Bought souvenirs along stores in Calle Crisologo and ate empanada
6:30
Went to Plaza Burgos, Vigan Cathedral and Plaza Salcedo
7
Stayed at Plaza Salcedo to await the lighting of the lanterns
7:30 
7:45          
Day 2
Got back to Calle Crisologo to check it at night, pictures taken
Headed back to Casa Teofila (tricycle ride)
Sunday
6AM
Wake up. Prepared for check out in Casa Teofila
8
Kuya Arnel's van arrival for pick up
8:30
Proceed to Marsha's Delicacies for brownies and bibingka cake
10
Arrival in Juan Luna Museum
10:30
Marcos Museum/ Gallery
11:30               
12:30
Paoay Church; Lunch at Cafe Herencia
Paoay Lake
1PM
La Paz Sand Dunes
2:30PM
St. William's Church And Laoag Sinking Bell Tower
2:45PM
Ilocos Capitol
3:45PM
Burgos Lighthouse
4:40PM
 Bangui windmills
5:30
Arrived at Pagudpud Bayan to buy ingredients for dinner and breakfast
5:55PM
Arrival in Saud beach -- Cathy's Homestay
8PM
Had dinner cooked by ate Cathy
Day 3
Monday
5:30AM
Wake up. Check out the beach
7:30AM
Breakfast at Cathy's Homestay
8:00
Kuya Arnel's van arrival for pick up and start of Pagudpud North Tour
9
Kabigan Falls
10
Patapat Viaduct
10:30
Paraiso ni Anton
11PM
Timmangtang Rock
11:30PM
Bantay Abot Cave
12PM
Blue Lagoon Beach (swimming/lunch)
2PM
Back to Laoag
2:30PM
Robinsons (watched movie)
5:30PM
Off to Laoag Airport
6PM
Arrival at the airport



Number of Bakasyonistas: 6 people

Expenses: 
Day 1
Group Expenses
Per Head
Partas
Php 535
Tricycle Fare: Bantay to Casa Teofila
Php 60/tricycle; 2 tricycles
Php 20
Tricycle Fare: Casa Teofila to Calle Crisologo
Php 45/ticycle; 2 tricycles
Php 15
Foodtrip: Carinderya
 Php300
Php 50
Calesa Tour
Php 750/4.5 hours;Php150/hour 2 calesas
Php 250
Lunch: Hidden Garden
Foodtrip: Cafe Leona Snack
1050
Php 787
 Php 175
Php 131
Tricycle Fare: Calle Crisologo/Cafe Leona to Casa Teofila
Php 40/tricycle; 2 tricycles
Php13
Casa Teofila Lodge
Php 2700
Php 450
  (Php2100 for 2 rooms + Php300/room for early check in)
Fees
Syquia Mansion
 Php120 + 80 for tip
Php 33
Burgos Museum
 Php 60 + 50 for tip
Php 18
Miscellaneous Expenses
Tip: guy in pagburnayan jar
Php 50
Tip: guy in Baluarte (picture taking w/ tiger)
Php 100
Tip : guy in Baluarte (pony ride)
Tip: guard in Bantay Bell Tower
Php 50
Php 50


Day 2
Group Expenses
Per Head
2 Days Van Rental
Php8,200
Php 1366
(pick up in Vigan + Laoag-Pagudpud Tour +Pagudpud to Laoag+ tip)
Lunch (Cafe Herencia)
 Php 899
Php 149
Our tour drivers lunch
Php 365
Dinner (Adobo, salad)
 200

Cathy's Homestay
Php 2000
Php 333
La Paz Sand dunes 4WD
(30minutes for 6 people)		 Php 2000 Php 333
Fees
Malacañang of the North
Php 180
Php 30
Miscellaneous Expenses
Empanada in Pagudpud
Php 40

Day 3
Group Expenses
Per Head
Kabigan Falls tourguide
 Php 120
Php 20
Lunch
 Php 450
Php 75
Dinner at Airport
Terminal fee Laoag airport
Php 40
Breakfast(eggs/itlog na maalat, saging/bulad)/Dinner(rice)
Php 150
Php 25
Fees
Kabigan Falls
Php 10
Blue Lagoon beach
Php 20
(passed by a private property)
Miscellaneous Expenses
Buko juice at Kabigan Falls
Php 20
Windmill souvenir ref magnets/keychain
3 for Php 100








Publisher: Shy - Tuesday, July 03, 2012
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