3D2N at Amazing Bangkok, Thailand

First and foremost, this is a super late blog about my travel experience in Bangkok. I traveled there together with my friend last Nov 2013. Yes, I know it's already July 2014, but let's just say the writer in me was not yet born that time. (Excuses of a lazy girl like me)

Nonetheless, I would still love to tell my experience together with my friend in this amazing country.

Back then last November, I was spending my last few days at Singapore before I moved back here at Philippines. So our route is SIN-BKK-SIN. I did all the research since I am less busy version of OFW (My friend is a workaholic freak). I swear she shouldn't read this! We flew in via Jetstar.

We arrived Bangkok by almost 10 am. Since we are very adventurous, we decided to commute and find our way to our hotel. We are supposed to be staying at Swissotel Nai Lert Park. The nearest train station would be Chitlom.

Before going to Bangkok, I downloaded their train station map which I think would be very helpful during our whole stay.

By following the train station map, we rode the airport train and alight at the Phaya Thai station (N2) which we need to transfer to green line. After that, we rode another train going to the direction of central where we will alight at Chitlom station (E1).

The Swissotel was not easily located from Chitlom station. With the help of few locals, we managed to find our way to the hotel for 10-15 mins walk. Tired and thirsty, we rested for awhile upon entering the hotel lobby. We were welcomed right away. However, the room for us was not yet available the moment we came. This is understandable because check in time is 2:00 pm. So we decided to take our photos around the hotel.  

 After half an hour, we went back to the front desk and check whether the room is available. Luckily, room was already available. And when we open the door, welcoming note and a few welcoming chocolates and fruits were on our table. (perks of being a hotelier and words of hospitality from my boss). We just rested for awhile for our 1st day was just about to start.

After a few minutes or so we just freshen up and made ourselves ready for the day's activities.
We rode the free shuttle bus going to Siam. Good thing because as I planned it, we were going to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum which is in Siam. Since we were really hungry and knowingly our budget will be spent mostly on shopping, we both have tried to be thrifty when it comes to our choices. So instead of eating on fast foods/ restos we opt to eat like how the locals eat. Right across the Siam Discovery there is a numerous eateries where you choose your food Carinderia style. It saved us a lot of money but still we enjoyed our food.

At 2:30 we started our tour at the museum. For your reference, we paid our ticket online so to save few bucks (regular price is 800 baht vs online price of 640) plus we get if I still remember 150 baht off the picture taken inside [we decided to print the pic we had with Pres. Obama.=)]

Posing with my Honey Beckham. :-P

Look who got the same legs. 

Ugh! Wolverine!!

My Friend with Gaga

Indeed, it was fun to include this on our tour but for those who have no idea like me on Thai celebrity stars, this maybe a boring activity. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our 2-hr here. As many would say, the Madame Tussaud in US is the real bomb.

So now our next stop for the day is the Amphawa floating market. Floating Markets are the traditional way for goods to be sold by boat. We opted to go in here as I have read the reviews it is the less touristy version of the floating market. 

So from BTS Siam, alight at Victory Monument (N3), 3 stops later from Siam.Travelling to Amphawa is easy by mini van from Victory Monument. If you are coming from the BTS Skytrain follow signs to Century mall. On the ground floor, just go to the right side of the mall facing the road of BTS skytrain. If I'm not mistaken, its just outside near the Dunkin Donuts store. If you see this alley of white mini vans you are in th right path. Since the writing on the signages are in Thai, you need  to tell the ladies there you need to go to Amphawa. Our experience was not so good here because we waited for an hour and the lady just keep on telling 'coming coming' so I got pissed off because our sched was ruined. But as expected, if you are doing everything on your own during trips like this. this was inevitable. 

But after almost an hour and a half we finally reached the Amphawa province. It's past 6 in the evening when we reached the place.

We just sat on one of the benches and a little boy handed over right away a menu. It's quite pricey but we are very hungry so we decided to order. They have no more rice meal option so we just go for a grilled squid and a crab salad. And one of the boat offers a milk tea which is the best milk tea I have ever had. We actually did not finish the salad because it's too raw for us though it's crispness is there. 

After dinner, we just have a look along the riverbanks and checked the stores. We bought some goodies good as souvenirs. We rushed back since there is nothing else to see since some stores along the sides of river were already closed. We headed back to hotel.

And that's how our 1st day ended.

Day 2
Woke up and freshen up before we headed for our breakfast.

We eat our heavy breakfast since it's gonna be a long day. Our itinerary for today were the Temple tours including the Royal Grand Palace and the last was the shopping. Initially, I planned to have the cabaret show in the evening but since we were drop dead during the shopping at their largest shopping destination, we decided to just rest our feet at the evening.

This was what is written on my itinerary:

Visit the GRAND PALACE and TEMPLE OF EMERALD BUDDHA AND WAT PHO(Reclining Buddha)

Opening Hours:  Daily from 08.30 hrs - 15.30 hrs. Admission Fee: Free of charge for Thais and 550 baht for foreigners (including Vimanmek Mansion). 

Chao Praya Express Boat

How to Get There : Take the Silom Line and get off at Saphan Taksin Station (or S6 Station) and go out through Exit No. 2. Then, take the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Ta Chang Pier (No.9). A 5-10 minute walk will bring you to the entrance gate of the Grand Palace.

Inside the Royal Grand Palace

The Reclining Buddha

Inside this temple is where the statue of Emerald Buddha resides

After alighting the boat the grand palace will be noticeable, for us, we just followed the flow of people and maybe instinct? haha!! We reach the place and since leggings are not allowed inside, I need to borrow their polo shirt and used it on top of my tank top and my scarf served as my skirt. The Emerald Buddha is inside the Royal Grand Palace. We payed for 550 baht to get inside. 

After exploring the area, we went outside the compund of Grand palace and walk back to the entrance, Wat Pho or the Reclining Buddha can be found on the left side of the Grand Palace. Just turn left from the main gate, then turn left again at Thai Wang Alley. It's just across the road so you'll never get lost. 

There is another entrance fee for the Wat Pho if I can still remember during our visit it cost us 100 baht. 

After exploring the temple we walked around for awhile and since we were still full from our heavy breakfast, we decided not to eat lunch here and have it instead at Chatuchak later that day. After exploring the area and bought some good souvenirs, we headed back to the boat back to the city proper. 

These are the other temples seen along the river.

 From Saphan Taksin Station again we alight the train going to Siam station. We just transfer another line going to Mo Chit station. Alight at Mo chit station  and take exit no. 1 and follow the crowd until you see rows of canvas stalls selling clothes.

We had our lunch in one of these stalls near the area. I had Pad Thai

The Chatuchak Market is the largest shopping destination in Bangkok. As I researched about the place, it has more or less 4,000 stores selling different goods ranging from foods, clothes, home furniture and even these cute little dogs. We almost maximize our time here until evening when some stores where about to close while others were just starting to bring out their goods. We just shop mostly for pasalubong and mostly for our selves.

And for that reason that my planned Cabaret show for the night was cancelled because of two reasons: a.) We were really tired from a lot of walking done for the day; b.) We have no more money left on our once fat wallet. HAHAHAHHH!!!

And so we just decided to buy some food and brought it back to hotel. And that's how our second day was ended.

Day 3

Our last day was just mostly done exploring the hotel/resort area. We went for a splash on the pool early in the morning. After enjoying the pool, we took a bath and hurried our way to the breakfast before it closes. We just took some pictures around the area. I musts say the location of Swissotel Nai Lert Park kept its tranquility even it is situated in the city.

Since we still have ample time, we decided to go to MBK mall and see what the mall has to offer. We also tried the tuk-tuk,  their famous version of our tricycle.

We immediately went back to arrange our luggages before our check-out time.

Here are the few pictures on our last day at Bangkok:

Camwhoring

Inside our hotel

Tuk-tuk

Suvarnabhumi Airport

This is how our squeezy 3 days to Bangkok went through. Hope it will serve as your basis on your next travel plan.. Till our next adventure!

Ciao!

A Refreshing Trip to Dalitiwan Resort, Majayjay, Laguna (1Jun2014)

If you are looking for a refreshing treat and an escape away from the striking hot weather, then Dalitiwan Resort would be a perfect escape getaway  for you. Located in Barangay Ilayang Banga, Majayjay, Laguna, this place offers the cool and refreshing feeling you need this hot summer.

My family has a definite plan to go for an annual summer family outing. Yet, there is no perfect place that suits our 'needs'. After all the discussions, we came up with one goal, to cool down and still enjoy the sun. So, to make it shorter, they don't want a beach this time. Neither they like a mere picnic in Tagaytay. So I decided to do my 'research' skills and opted to look for a cold spring resort nearest from Rizal. The first thing I check was Laguna because it is the nearest province that for sure can offer what we want for our outing.

After googling, I managed to check one by one the resorts listed on LagunaTravelGuide, to check the resorts I am choosing, I decided to look for reviews rather than go to websites. And through that, I come up with Dalitiwan Resort with the help of a review from Maaya Legaspi. As I saw the pictures, I was thrilled to share the information to my mother and she's very positive that this is the place we want to go. 

So last June 1, as a summer outing and a celebration for Papa's birthday, we went to Dalitiwan Resort through Rizal. It's quite a journey considering we left home before 6 in the morning. We arrived at the resort past 10 since we waited for awhile in Pagsanjan, Laguna with another family friend who's joining us for this amazing trip. 

As soon as we arrived, it looked like quiet from the gate of the resort. Surprisingly, the resort is quite full already when we arrived to the main area. The entrance fee cost only 80 pesos for adults and 70 pesos for kids. Since we are just there for a day tour, we just went on to look for a cottage. We had a difficulty looking a space but soon managed to find as well. The cottage cost only 500 pesos so we took 2 cottages since we are two families.


Since we were very hungry, we decided to eat first before we took our plunge on the cold refreshing spring.

Below are some of our photos proof that we really enjoy the cold water. The water is so clear and refreshing. Since the water is coming from Mount Banahaw, expect the water to be really cold to think that the sun is scorching hot that time. (I wonder what it feels like during cold season). 

 There's a hanging bridge that allows you to go the other side. They also serve a swimming pool. The water from the pool comes from the spring as well. It's untreated pool so you don't smell chlorine or any chemical on it. It's also cold same as the natural spring. It's like a stagnant version.

When passing through the rocks, just be careful because the mosses are very thick for some of the rocks that it is a bit slimy and you might glide through. And since I'm so adventurous, I was walking through the boulders even though the sun is striking and brings pain in my feet. Anything fun brings happiness, that's what I thought, and so I got myself some bruises right after because of continuously fighting the strong current. (Please I'm telling you this for you to be cautious). But overall, the experience brought so much joy not just to me but to everyone. They were so happy that we found this piece of heaven. 

The only downside to this resort is their comfort rooms. I actually don't consider it comfort room because it cause us difficulty. The shower rooms are not "shower" it's a faucet that can be opened if you are tall. My mother has to ask someone to open and close it for her. I hope they find time and allot resources to improve this. 

I hope you find this very helpful. For the resort's map, you can check their Facebook page. If you find yourself lost on the way near to the resort, you can ask some random locals, they are willing to help.

Till my next blog.

Ciao!

Visita Iglesia 2014 Tagaytay- Nasugbu Route

After months and years of working abroad, I have finally came back and did our annual Visita Iglesia. This time, my family decided to go further south and headed on to Tagaytay for a little cooler atmosphere.

We left Taytay, Rizal past 6 am and headed to Eastwood to fetch my sister who works graveyard shift. From then on, we headed straight to SLEX.

Since I was in charge to look for the churches to visit, my father relies fully on my GPS? Yeess, I myself don't have any idea of the churches and just rely purely on the help of GPS and a little research. As I did my assigned task, I chose this 7 churches/ chapels where we would do the Visita Iglesia.

• Ina ng Laging Saklolo
• Tierra de Maria
• Adoration Chapel at Pink Sisters' Convent
• Our Lady of our Lourdes Church
• Monte Maria Shrine
• Chapel on the Hill
• Transfiguration Chapel in Caleruega Retreat House

My father went on and took the Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road. I forgot which exit in SLEX. We just continue all the way to this road until we reached the junction of Tagaytay- Calamba Road. We just turn left, maybe around 2 mins we already reach our first stop, Ina ng Laging Saklolo

In front of the Ina ng Laging Saklolo

Inside the Church.

After our first stop, we just turn left from the Ina ng laging Saklolo about 1 minute drive, we reach our 2nd stop, Tierra de Maria. 

Infront of Tierra de Maria

 Tierra de Maria was easy to find because it's just in front of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP).

 Once you enter the chapel, you can get your own piece of advice with the Word of God.

Right after our second stop, we headed straight to our next visit, the Pink Sister's Church and convent. From Tierra de Maria head back towards the Tagaytay- Calamba Road. Go straight until you reach the Emilio Aguinaldo Hi-way. Just turn right to E. Aguinaldo hi-way. Continue until you see signs on your right that says Pink Sisters' Adoration/ or also the Angel Hills. Once you saw the sign, just turn right to the street and continue until you reach the next stop, the Pink Sisters

After the Pink Sisters, we decided to finish first our 4th stop before we have our lunch. We headed back to Tagaytay-Calamba Road and turn right this time. It was just a 5-minute ride from Pink Sisters going to Our Lady of our Lourdes Church. It is easily noticeable because it's just located along the hi-way.

After the 4th stop, we decided to have our lunch at picnic grove since we brought our own foods. We just rented a table and feast on. 

We rested for an hour before we decided to continue our pilgrimage. This time we go further into the Tagaytay-Nasugbu hi-way.

On our 5th stop, we went to Monte Maria Shrine. Monte Maria Shrine is the newly-built but still under construction property built by famous Healing priest Fr. Suarez. The land was donated by San Miguel Corporation. For the moment, the shrine still looks like a complex with high steel ceiling. You can reach here from the hi-way by taking the Tagaytay-Nasugbu hi-way. You will see signs that shows the way to Monte Maria Shrine. Also, there is a tricycle station on this right turn so you'll never get lost.

After Monte Maria, we headed back to the hi-way and turn further right. the next stop is Chapel on the Hill. It is a 5-minute ride from Monte Maria. After passing the Diokno Hi-way, continue to Nasugbu and take the first exit to the left. The chapel is very small and can't be easily noticeable but can be seen from your left side. It is associated with Don Bosco which is also nearby.

After the Chapel on the Hill, we headed straight to our next and final stop, the Caleruega. No need to go back to the hi-way because from the chapel you just need to take the Caleruega road to reach the Caleruega Retreat House. Upon entering the Retreat house, take note that you need to pay 30.00 pesos for the entrance fee. 

We went straight to the Transfiguration Chapel but there's a lot of people because there was a wedding so we hurry finishing our Visita Iglesia with the New way of the Cross and then we finish off with praying the rosary. There's actually a lot to see in Caleruega for paying the entrance fee and yet we were not able to maximize our time since it's already 4:30 pm and my parents still want to go to the Tagaytay Market to buy fruits and beef. 

For your reference, I screenshot the Google Map of the churches/chapels we visited so you can do your own plan next time. 

The stars represent the places we visit.

We went home past 8 pm due to traffic in C-5 road. Next time you visit, plan as well so you minimize the time figuring out your ways going to and fro the places for your Visita Iglesia.

Ciao!