My 2016 Travel - 8 Countries in a Year (recap)

After my long absence to this blogging, let me share my last year travel recap. Hopefully if time permits this travel journal of mine will be completed as soon as possible. So without further ado, here's my 2016 Travel recap:

Hongkong - January 2016 

Hongkong Disneyland

First destination for 2016 is Hongkong, it's my third time in Hong Kong.

Places visited: Hongkong Disneyland, Ngong Ping, Giant Buddha, Hongkong Observatory Wheel, AIA Carnival, Victoria Harbour, Snoopy World, Clock Tower, Nanlian Garden, Causeway Bay, HK3D Museum, Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery.

Travel dates: January 20-24, 2016

Macau - January 2016 

Macau Ruins

Second destination is Macau, it's my third time in Macau. 

Places visited: Macau Ruins, The Venetian, Casino hopping

Travel dates: January 24-26

South Korea - June 2016 

Yeouido Hangang Park

Third destination is South Korea, it's my fifth time in visiting "The Land of Morning Calm". 

Places visited: Lotte World, Rose Seoul Garden, Hello Kitty Cafe, Doota Duty Free(DOTs KDrama set), Gyeongbukgong Palace, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Yeouido Hangang Park, Ihwa Mural Village, Common Ground, Bukchon Hanok Village, N Seoul Tower, Myeongdong Cathedral, Insadong, SM Town(Coex Mall)

Travel dates: June 13-19, 2016

Japan - September 2016 

Tokyo Disney Sea

Fourth destination is Japan, it's my second time in visiting Tokyo.

Places visited: Tokyo Disney Sea, Sensoji Temple, Shibuya Crossing, Hachiko Statue, Akihabara, Sanrio Puroland, Gundam Front, Rainbow Bridge, Namja Town, Imperial Palace, Tsukiji Market, TokyonTower.

Travel dates: September 4 - 9, 2016

Vietnam - October 2016 

Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral

Fifth destination is Vietnam, it's my second time visiting Ho Chin Minh City and it is the first country for Indochina Trip 2016 (4 countries in 7 days).

Places visited: Notre-Dame Basilica Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, Independence Palace, Ben Tanh Market, Saigon Square

Travel dates: October 13-15, 2016

Cambodia - October 2016 

 

Angkor Wat

Sixth destination is Cambodia, it's my second time visiting Siem Reap. The second country part of Indochina Trip 2016.

Places visited: Angkor Wat, South Gate of the Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, Elephant Terrace, Terrace of Leper king, Takoa, Ta Prom, Banteay kdey, Srah Srang

Travel dates: October 15-17, 2016

Thailand - October 2016 

Wat Pathum Wanaram

Seventh destination is Thailand, it's my third time visiting Bangkok. The third country part of Indochina Trip 2016.

Places visited: Patpong, Siam Paragon, Wat Pathum Wanaram

Travel dates: October 17-18 and October 20, 2016

Myanmar - October 2016 

Shwedagon Pagoda

Eighth destination is Myanmar, it'my first time visiting Myanmar. Definitely it is something new for me, it's been a while that I've been to a new place. The last country part of Indochina Trip 2016.

Places visited: Shwedagon Pagoda, Sule Pagoda, The Independence Monument, Maha Bandula Park, Town Hall Yangon, Kandawgyi Lake

Travel dates: October 18-20, 2016



Now that's a wrap of my 8 countries in year 2016. I will have separate post for each soon, will be posting itineraries, hotel reviews, budget and tips. 

Indochina Trip 2013: Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam

My first time to do backpacking, will do "Indochina Trip" covering Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam! Squeezing just 5 days for three (3) countries! Is it possible?? Yes if you fly from one country to another, but this is backpacking , talking about low cost budget we travel by land, cheaper but takes long travel time. Thinking only of 5 days to travel from Manila to Bangkok, then to Siem Reap, to Vietnam then back to Manila? Is it possible?? Of course! This backpacking result would be an Amazing Race trip!

 I'm excited, this is my second time in Thailand but I'm glad that I will visit new country this year "Cambodia" and "Vietnam".

The Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand

Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia

War Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Getting ready for this backpacking trip!

TICKET

Our round trip ticket is originally for Manila to Ho Chi Minh City, for the nth time , thanks to Cebu Pacific's PISO fare last August 2012, that cost roughly 900+php each. But because of my excitement booking that flight I accidentally input the incorrect return date :) Instead of a couple of days, the said travel date went for a month!  The plan for Indochina trip starts with the wrong booking and I waited for another flight promo, this time "Tiger Airways" had their promo.  I was able to book last January for 1 way ticket to Bangkok that cost 800+php per person, from Clark to Bangkok. To sum it up, our ticket is cost 1,700+php.

By the way, supposedly our travel date is July 10, 2013 but Tiger Airways rescheduled it to July 11. I don't understand their reason, they just send an email notification stating that "Your flight has been rescheduled due to a network review". A day after they canceled our flight to Davao!!! Wow Tiger Airways!!!

MONEY MATTERS

Still Czarina Forex for money exchange, Thailand Baht is a bit expensive compare to last year rate, buying rate is 1.5php to 1 Thailand Baht, I remember last it was only 1.37php = 1 bht. For Cambodian Riel and Vietnam Dong, I choose to buy some USD. Cambodia accepts USD, 1 USD = 4 Cambodia Riel and 1 USD = 21000 VND (Vietnam Dong). Buying rate of USD is 44.80php.

Baht and USD

ACCOMMODATION

For Bangkok, I booked again at Sunflower Place thru Hostelworld. I couldn't think of another hostel/guesthouse in Bangkok, my stay here last year is very good, the room is always clean, the place is safe and accessible and the staff is always accommodating. If I would be back in Bangkok , I'd still choose to stay here in Sunflower Place.

For Siem Reap, I booked at Bou Savy Guesthouse. I've learned this place from forums/blogs, a lot of good reviews for this guesthouse, so I decided to pick this. The rate is good, the room is nice and clean, the staff is very accommodating. Mr Bovorn always answers my queries through email, he even arranged our Angkor Wat Tour and the bus trip to Ho Chi Minh City.

For Ho Chi Minh City, I booked at Nguyen Khang Hotel. I've learned about the hotel thru forums and blogs. The rate is good, near to the bus stop of Mekong Express, the bus trip from Siem Reap to Saigon. The reservation is by email only, Ms Houng accommodates all my questions via email.


ITINERARY

July 11, 2013
Departs from Clark Airport
Arrived in Bangkok at 6pm

July 12, 2013
Half Day Temple Tour (Wat Po and Grand Palace)
Terminal 21
Platinum Fashion Mall
Siam Paragon
MBK Center
Patpong

July 13, 2013
Travel from Bangkok to Siem Reap, Cambodia
Check in Bou Savy Guesthouse
Angkok Night Market

July 14, 2013
Angkok Wat Tour
Angkok Night Market

July 15, 2013
Travel from Siem Reap to HCMC, Vietnam
Check in
Ben Thanh Night Market

July 16, 2013
Cu Chi Tour (half day)
Ben Thanh Market
Saigon Square
departs from HCMC Airport at 1am (July 17)


Adventure starts now!