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: Successful Adventure (Budget)

Indochina Trip 2013: Successful Adventure

Indochina Trip 2013: Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam

Indochina Trip 2013: Clark to Bangkok

Indochina Trip 2013: Bangkok, Thailand

Indochina Trip 2013: Bangkok, Thailand (Day 2)

Indochina Trip 2013: Bangkok to Siem Reap

Indochina Trip 2013: A night in Siem Reap

Indochina Trip 2013: Angkor Wat Tour (Siem Reap, Cambodia)

Indochina Trip 2013: Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City

Indochina Trip 2013: A night in Saigon (HCMC)

Indochina Trip 2013: Exploring Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Here's my total expenses except for my personal expenses (airfare, shopping, pasalubongs, etc. )

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!

My 2012 Moments to Remember

Another awesome year for me! A lot of things happened, great experiences, discovered new things and explored different places,  ..... Overall it's HAEppiness overload!

Traveling is LOVE, the year 2012 has been good to me allowing me to visit SOUTH KOREA twice (February and November), THAILAND, SINGAPORE (again) and BORACAY!

Consider myself lucky to see some of my Korean BIASes, number one on the list is LEE MINHO, who visited Manila last November, then my LEE DONGHAE and CHOI SIWON visited last August and while I'm in Seoul last February I saw SUNGMIN and RYEOWOOK of SUPER JUNIOR.
When I visited THAILAND last JUNE I had a close encounter with none other than a famous actor in Thailand MARIO MAURER! On the same day I also saw pretty boy SONG JOONG KI in Bangkok.
I can't get enough of MARIO MAURER, I saw him for the second time when he visited Manila last October.

Aside from my biases, my favorite BANDS also came and of course I also get a chance to have have some meet and greet with them. HAEppiness!!!

Now sharing my 2012 Moments to Remember! 

JANUARY

CAMUS-tahan Reunion at Laguna, our yearly family gathering (father's side). I love the color of our shirt ~SAPPHIRE BLUE!

CAMUS Family

Followed by SIMPLE PLAN Concert Live in Manila (Smart Araneta Coliseum), it was not their first time visiting Manila and I'm glad that I was able to watch them live!

FEBRUARY (February 11 -15)

SOUTH KOREA Tour!

One of my dreams come true .... Travel to SOUTH KOREA! I'm so HAPPY that finally I reached one of my dream country! Been to the filming locations of my favorite Korean Dramas! South Korea is L-O-V-E!

The happiest part is that I see SUNGMIN and RYEWOOK! I'm so lucky!!

MARCH

Meeting the bands (March 7, 2012)

Meet & Greet with Dashboard Confessional's front man "CHRIS CARRABBA" 
I'm so dazed when I see this man, he is so gorgeous! I'm about to explode when I get a chance to have a KISS and HUG to this guy! So much happiness for me! ^^

Meet & Greet with The Cab
A couple of months ago I was listening non-stop to their songs, the fact that ALEX MARSHALL was in front of me together with Alexander De Leon & Joey Thunder! It was amazing experience that finally I'm meeting The Cab and got a hug from ALEX ^^

SMASH PROJECT 2012 (March 8, 2012)

One of the best concerts I've attended! Where 4 BANDS came to perform, namely "The Used", "Cobra Starship", "Chris Carrabba" of Dashboard Confessional, and "The Cab". Lucky again that I got a patron tix to this concert, I was very near to the stage and seeing the backstage. Their performances are EPIC!

APRIL

Meet & Greet with Taking Back Sunday

Never thought they will come in Manila, it was a bit surprising for me, lemme say that 2012 has been so good to bring ADAM LAZARRA and the rest of TBS! Even he was suffering an injury that time, he managed to visit Manila and entertains fans! A salute to Mr. Adam Lazarra!

TAKING BACK SUNDAY Live in SM Skydome (April 13, 2012)

MAY

My birthday of course!

JUNE

THAILAND tour! 

This tour is so memorable, aside from seeing great temples, attractions, shopping and stuffs, what made is so special is that I saw MARIO MAURER (had a close encounter in Ayutthaya) and SONG JOONG KI in Bangkok is so so so AMAZING, indeed it is really AMAZING THAILAND!!!!

JULY

BORACAY tour!

Had a great time with this tour, it's been 3 years since I came back to this island. Even the weather is not that good, we still enjoyed our escapade, been through some water activities, eat a lot and had a good time!

AUGUST

SIHAE IN MANILA (TriNoma Actvity Center - August 15)
Seeing my dorky boys is HAEppiness, seeing my DONGHAE is super HAEPPINESS!

SEPTEMBER (Sept 17 - 21)

SINGAPORE tour!

My second time to Singapore with my sister Tina, enjoyed the USS (of course) with Transformers The Ride. Was able to explore the Harry Potter: The Exhibition, been to Gardens By The Bay - new attraction in SG, some familiar places for me like Chinatown, Merlion, Esplanade, MBS, Bugis, etc. We also had a chance to see some Ferrari and Porsche for the Formula 1.

OCTOBER (October 30, 2012)

Red Carpet Premiere of Suddenly It's Magic: MARIO MAURER!

"Lightning strikes not only once but twice!" ~kekeke~

He's so handsome! Seeing him again up close, he even says "HI" :) How I wish I was Erich at that time, walking on the red carpet with gorgeous Mario Maurer! #daydreamingalot

NOVEMBER (November 16, 2012)

FUN MEET: LEE MIN HO

It's been months since Bench officially announced that LEE MIN HO will visit Manila for a fun meet at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Seeing this god of beauty, is he a human? I know he is so handsome, but I never thought of this feeling, I can't merely describe ! It's beyond my expectations, he is really a GOD OF BEAUTY!

SOUTH KOREA AGAIN! (Nov 22 - 28)

Yay~ my second time this year! It's really a good good GOOD year! Allowing me again to visit my favorite country, as I always say "I will never get tired visiting/touring this country (South Korea), NEVER". This time I'm with my favorite travel buddy TINA (my dongsaeng), spending 1 week in South Korea is LOVE!

Hopefully this year 2013 will be another great great GREAT year! I'm so excited for more adventures, more experiences and more fun! As they always say... ENJOY AND LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!

Thailand 2012

My second trip for this year  to The Land of Smiles.... Thailand!

I really wanted to go here because of shopping thingy, been hearing a lot about the cheap clothings that can be bought here. So yes, I'm excited to go shopping!!! ^^

Now preparing for this trip!

TICKET
Thanks again to Cebu Pacific promo, we got a round trip ticket of 2899php each (no check in baggage) Manila to Bangkok. We booked last January for this June travel.

ACCOMMODATION
I made a reservation at Sunflower Hostel thru Hostelworld, made a 10% downpayment online, a Twin Private Ensuite for two nights. One of the cheapest hostel I've seen, the reviews are good in Tripadvisor so I decided to booked here.

ITINERARY
We will be staying a total of 3 whole days in Bangkok, arriving almost midnight of June 17 and leaving late night of June 21. After doing some research on where to go, what to do and what to buy in Thailand, I've come up with a not so~so good itinerary! ^_^

June 18
Ayutthaya
Platinum Mall or Pratanum
Patpong Night Market

June 19
Siam Square
MBK Center
Platinum Mall
Pratanum
Dream World
Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise

June 20
Temple Tour (Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun)
Shopping

So this is gonna be a shopping tour neh! ^^

MONEY MATTERS
For the nth time, here we go again to my favorite money exchange "CZARINA FOREZ"! Of course you need to call them for reservations. The buying rate is 1.37php per 1 Baht.

I've read in some blogs and forums that it's much better to exchange your PHP to BAHT, read that rate is much better here.

LUGGAGE
We only have check-in baggage going back here in Manila for 15 kilos. As they say Thailand is just like Philippines, a tropical country so we will only pack light clothings, like shorts and tops. I really want to shop and some of my friends ought me to buy them clothes there, so we really need a check-in baggage. I'm hoping for no excess baggage, I've read that they are strict in this stuff.



Am I ready? Well I'm excited to shop! ^^

June 17 - NAIA 3

The weather is not that good, there's a typhoon in Philippines! Arriving at NAIA 3 I go straight to Travel Tax window and paid 1620php, then proceed to Cebu Pacific window for the ticket and check-in baggage, then paid 550php for the Terminal Fee. Now at the immigration, well this is something new, she only asked where I work and that's it.

It's been 4 months since the last time I've been to NAIA 3 and I was surprised that they have free wifi already! Love it! ^^

It was announced that our flight would be delayed for 15 minutes, well I understand with that kind of weather.

Suvarnabhumi Airport
Arriving around 12 midnight already, we did not book our accommodation that night so we planned to stay at the airport. The airport was so huge!

Sunflower Place
We left at the airport around 6am, then head to the Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai and ride the BTS going to Saladaeng. The hostel is easy to find, just follow the very detailed directions on their website and you'll surely find their place. Arriving at Sunflower Place we paid the remaining balance and additional 200 Baht for key card deposit. The check-in time is 2pm, but we arrived early and just planned to leave our things but the staff was so kind that they allow us for early check-in without additional charge! I love this hostel, the room is so nice and clean! I highly recommend this hostel for budget travelers like me. The twin bed room ensuite, has a refrigerator, a television, AC and they provide 2 bottled water (everyday), they clean the room everyday (changed the bedsheets and towels), the bathroom/toilet is also very clean, they also provide a small bath soap & shampoo ^^, wifi is also available in the room. At the reception area; there's a 2 computers, hot & cold water dispenser, free coffee/tea/milo/milk. There is also a small common room that has a microwave and dining area, with a small living area with television and comfort room. The place is also near to BTS Saladaeng and Patpong Night Market. There are lots of ATM, 7-11, Spa Massage house and food restos neaby. So again, I highly recommend this hostel.

Let's start the adventure! SAWATDEE KAA!