It's been difficult to figure out what to post since most of what I'm doing now is just accumulating directions into word files called "Travel by Land" (I've reached Cambodia from KL) or "Shiznit that has to be done in the Philippines" (The lodges in Mt. Kinabalu have to be reserved months in advance), and the like.
The reason why it has come to this is because I've pretty much planed everything I want to plan. There’s still much to learn and I have to get a better idea of my budget and travel time but I’m fairly sure it could be done the way I want to do it
That said, this might be my last entry for a while unless I find something amazing to rave about.
And, WAHOOOOO!!!! I set a date and plan!
It was exhausting to try to find a way to make it work so that I wouldn't hit any of the countries during monsoon season for that particular country. Being that Nepal will probably be the hardest part and is, as I've mentioned, the pivotal part of my trip, I began from there.
The best time to climb Nepal is in September to November. The problem with that is, somewhere towards the later half but still in the middle of my trip. If I were to put Nepal at the beginning (fly from Bangkok to Nepal and make my way back) over 4 months, I’d be spending Christmas somewhere in India or Bangladesh. While I’m not totally against spending Christmas away from my family, I also had to remember that prices get jacked up during the holidays.
Or if I made it so that my trip ended in September, I’d be hitting monsoon season in Bangladesh and Myanmar. These are the rainiest countries I’ll ever have been to, based on what I’ve read. It also might complicate traveling by bus. Though, this was my second best plan and my contingency if things don’t work out.
I said that Nepal was best in September to November but its also pretty good from December to February and except that it’s colder and from March to May except that it rains from time to time. I chose the latest option so that I could save the largest possible amount of money from work before I quit (or ask for a four month leave).
I’ll be in Nepal by May. Incidentally, I can schedule it so that I REACH EVEREST BASECAMP ON MY BIRHTDAY!!!!! The original schedule was a bit more sentimental where I’d actually leave on my birthday but this works just as well.
So I’ll be leaving for Kota Kinabalu in early March to climb Mt. Kinabalu. I hope LM can join me for this part though it will be before graduation for some of them next year. Since Malaysia is so expensive compared to the rest of Southeast Asia, I’ll try to bring lots of food and water from home.
Then I’ll fly to KL where I’ll take a train into Thailand and a bus to Krabi (Climbing Mecca) for about a week. I estimate this will between the second and third week of March.
From there, I’ll make my way through Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Bangladesh (Still don’t know what to do in these countries) over land before heading to Nepal through India. It should be early May by this point and I’ll go straight on through to Nepal for Everest base camp.
After Nepal, I’ll go around India and stay two to four depending on how much money I have left. Maybe I can even spend a week in Sri Lanka or Hampi. I’m sure I won’t lack in activities.
From Bangkok, maybe I’ll stay a week and visit the 7 tier waterfall Leonardo DiCaprio jumped from in the movie “The Beach”. And then its back home to Manila from there.
I have the budget for Nepal and Malaysia pretty much planned out (and attached - Multiply only) if you’re interested. I’m still working on the rest but will roughly cost me 1000PHP a day for travel in any of those countries not including the activities involved like the trek to EBC, entrance fees to national parks that don’t have hostels inside, and just plain drinking.
If anyone has suggestions on where to go, I’m completely open.
Wohhoooooh! Feel free to invite yourself! Dru_525@yahoo.com.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Planning Phase Asia: 009 - Nepal -It was COLD – The outside of my sleeping-bag often being covered in ice...
Natuwa ako sa comment na to: “It was COLD – The outside of my sleeping-bag often being covered in ice in the mornings when I awoke – and that was Inside the lodge!!”
Found that on some random forum.
I did a little computation and skipping HK and Macau could save me 1200USD 60k off hand (Wahoo!) but it also cuts my trip down by about a week and a half or two. Conceivably, I can make enough money by July of next year and still have a pretty good buffer of savings for when I get back home, unemployed. That's still including Everest base camp (with an Agency!)
I also have more time now so I can take a bus to Jiri and trek for a week to get to Lukla, where most people start their Everest base camp (EBC) trek. This SHOULD be cheaper than taking a plane and it will also help me acclimatize for the trek to EBC. I’ll probably stay a couple of days to a week in Lukla for a break between the week long Jiri-Lukla trek and the two week EBC trek. That means about a month spent in Nepal alone. Still better than spending 650USD = 32,500PHP just for the round trip Kathmandu-Lukla airfare. Even if I break even, I’d rather spend on experience than convenience.
Also, I bet I can make it cheaper by not hiring a porter or an agency. I hope there’s a way to only hire a personal guide. That will save me at least 200USD or 10,000PHP.
Package deals from Kathmandu to Jiri to EBC are typically 21- 24 days long. They involve flying back to Kathmandu from Lukla. I figured I’d start by finding one-way airfare rates from Lukla to Kathmandu. Unlike my other flight plans, I’ll only be able to book two (from lukla) or three weeks+++ (from kathmandu) in advance.
I will be flying during peak season so these can’t be that accurate. To simulate buying peak season tickets only 2 weeks in advance, I’ll take the rate of increase from regular fare to peak season fare and multiply it by the 2 week in advance fare. I’ll also put a buffer or 10%. Weekends are usually most expensive so I’ll book on a Friday for the most expensive scenario. Its important to note that prices are different for foreigners and locals, not just due to taxes.
FAIL!
After all my strategizing, the websites doesn’t have automated fare calculation systems. The fares are tabulated in lists (no peak season rates):
113USD = 5,458PHP Yeti Airlines (http://yetiairlines.com)
109USD Sita Air (http://www.sitaair.com.np/)
97USD Gorkha Airline (http://www.gorkhaairlines.com/)
83USD = 4,009PHP (Royal) Nepal Airlines (http://www.manang.com/international_domestic_daily_flight_schedules/domestic_flight_schedules/royal_nepal_airlines_foreign.php)
Prices are exclusive of tariff = 121USD (but the trekking websites don’t mention this. (http://www.impala.com.np/english/nepal_air.php#air)
Domestic Airport Tax is 170NPR = 3USD
Cool site with all prices
http://ammarguni.com.np/air_ticketing.html
Jiri to EBC
It turns out that my plan to book a flight 2 weeks ahead from Lukla wouldn’t have worked. Lukla is out of the way from Jiri to EBC. Trekkers don’t always pass there. I’ll have to book as soon as I’ve arranged my EBC plans. If prices don’t change though, I can just book when I get back, just in case something happens on the way. I may even decide that the Jiri to Lukla trek was so nice and cheap that I’ll trek back to Jiri.
Here’s a website I found with pretty much everything I need (for once): http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1482747&tstart=0&limit=1000
Very Rough Break Down:
Kathmandu
5USD Average Hostel Price
2500NPR = 32 USD/day (1 day) Supposedly the price of tourism per day.
10USD 12 hour Bus to Jiri
Trek
100NPR = 2USD/night Jiri to Lukla (6 nights)
200-250NPR = 4USD/night lukla-EBC-Lukla (15 nights two in EBC)
400-700NPR =5-9USD /day Food 21 days
(700NPR/day porter)
1000 NPR 13 USD each for the Sagarmatha Park admission
10USD/day = Guide
83 USD Lukla to Kathmandu Airfare
Not sure if I have to add the 121USD tariff if I'm leaving Lukla.
Kathmandu
5USD Average Hostel Price
2500NPR = 32 USD /day (1 day)
Without Tariff: 303USD
WithTariff: 424
Come to think of it, none of the trekking websites mention this Tariff at all. This might be the deciding factor as to whether or not I fly to Lukla or take Jiri.
Also, it was posted in October 2007. I’ll probably be going in 2010 or 2011.
Kathmandu Tips:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/nepal/kathmandu/transport/getting-there-away
Nepal Trekking :
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0701/trekking_the_himalayas_nepal.shtml
“Nepal has four distinct seasons. Spring, from March to May, is warm and dusty with rain showers. Summer, from June to August (GAH! MADHAV F*CKED ME AGAIN! I’ve been planning for the wrong time of year!), is the monsoon season when the hills turn lush and green. Autumn, from September to November, is cool with clear skies, and is the most popular trekking season. In winter, from December to February, it is cold at night and can be foggy in the early morning, but afternoons are usually clear and pleasant, though there is occasional snow in the mountains.”
http://www.trekinfo.com/about/whentogo.html
Wow, I know exactly when to climb now, it’s perfect but I think that deserves an entry on its own.
Apart from that, I’ll have to play everything by ear. Finding guides, buying or renting gear, getting around.
Found that on some random forum.
I did a little computation and skipping HK and Macau could save me 1200USD 60k off hand (Wahoo!) but it also cuts my trip down by about a week and a half or two. Conceivably, I can make enough money by July of next year and still have a pretty good buffer of savings for when I get back home, unemployed. That's still including Everest base camp (with an Agency!)
I also have more time now so I can take a bus to Jiri and trek for a week to get to Lukla, where most people start their Everest base camp (EBC) trek. This SHOULD be cheaper than taking a plane and it will also help me acclimatize for the trek to EBC. I’ll probably stay a couple of days to a week in Lukla for a break between the week long Jiri-Lukla trek and the two week EBC trek. That means about a month spent in Nepal alone. Still better than spending 650USD = 32,500PHP just for the round trip Kathmandu-Lukla airfare. Even if I break even, I’d rather spend on experience than convenience.
Also, I bet I can make it cheaper by not hiring a porter or an agency. I hope there’s a way to only hire a personal guide. That will save me at least 200USD or 10,000PHP.
Package deals from Kathmandu to Jiri to EBC are typically 21- 24 days long. They involve flying back to Kathmandu from Lukla. I figured I’d start by finding one-way airfare rates from Lukla to Kathmandu. Unlike my other flight plans, I’ll only be able to book two (from lukla) or three weeks+++ (from kathmandu) in advance.
I will be flying during peak season so these can’t be that accurate. To simulate buying peak season tickets only 2 weeks in advance, I’ll take the rate of increase from regular fare to peak season fare and multiply it by the 2 week in advance fare. I’ll also put a buffer or 10%. Weekends are usually most expensive so I’ll book on a Friday for the most expensive scenario. Its important to note that prices are different for foreigners and locals, not just due to taxes.
FAIL!
After all my strategizing, the websites doesn’t have automated fare calculation systems. The fares are tabulated in lists (no peak season rates):
113USD = 5,458PHP Yeti Airlines (http://yetiairlines.com)
109USD Sita Air (http://www.sitaair.com.np/)
97USD Gorkha Airline (http://www.gorkhaairlines.com/)
83USD = 4,009PHP (Royal) Nepal Airlines (http://www.manang.com/international_domestic_daily_flight_schedules/domestic_flight_schedules/royal_nepal_airlines_foreign.php)
Prices are exclusive of tariff = 121USD (but the trekking websites don’t mention this. (http://www.impala.com.np/english/nepal_air.php#air)
Domestic Airport Tax is 170NPR = 3USD
Cool site with all prices
http://ammarguni.com.np/air_ticketing.html
Jiri to EBC
It turns out that my plan to book a flight 2 weeks ahead from Lukla wouldn’t have worked. Lukla is out of the way from Jiri to EBC. Trekkers don’t always pass there. I’ll have to book as soon as I’ve arranged my EBC plans. If prices don’t change though, I can just book when I get back, just in case something happens on the way. I may even decide that the Jiri to Lukla trek was so nice and cheap that I’ll trek back to Jiri.
Here’s a website I found with pretty much everything I need (for once): http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1482747&tstart=0&limit=1000
Very Rough Break Down:
Kathmandu
5USD Average Hostel Price
2500NPR = 32 USD/day (1 day) Supposedly the price of tourism per day.
10USD 12 hour Bus to Jiri
Trek
100NPR = 2USD/night Jiri to Lukla (6 nights)
200-250NPR = 4USD/night lukla-EBC-Lukla (15 nights two in EBC)
400-700NPR =5-9USD /day Food 21 days
(700NPR/day porter)
1000 NPR 13 USD each for the Sagarmatha Park admission
10USD/day = Guide
83 USD Lukla to Kathmandu Airfare
Not sure if I have to add the 121USD tariff if I'm leaving Lukla.
Kathmandu
5USD Average Hostel Price
2500NPR = 32 USD /day (1 day)
Without Tariff: 303USD
WithTariff: 424
Come to think of it, none of the trekking websites mention this Tariff at all. This might be the deciding factor as to whether or not I fly to Lukla or take Jiri.
Also, it was posted in October 2007. I’ll probably be going in 2010 or 2011.
Kathmandu Tips:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/nepal/kathmandu/transport/getting-there-away
Nepal Trekking :
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0701/trekking_the_himalayas_nepal.shtml
“Nepal has four distinct seasons. Spring, from March to May, is warm and dusty with rain showers. Summer, from June to August (GAH! MADHAV F*CKED ME AGAIN! I’ve been planning for the wrong time of year!), is the monsoon season when the hills turn lush and green. Autumn, from September to November, is cool with clear skies, and is the most popular trekking season. In winter, from December to February, it is cold at night and can be foggy in the early morning, but afternoons are usually clear and pleasant, though there is occasional snow in the mountains.”
http://www.trekinfo.com/about/whentogo.html
Wow, I know exactly when to climb now, it’s perfect but I think that deserves an entry on its own.
Apart from that, I’ll have to play everything by ear. Finding guides, buying or renting gear, getting around.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Plannin Phase - Asia: All is Fare in HK, Kathmandu, Bangkok and Malaysia
I realized that I made a wrong computation with regards to the airfare to Kathmandu. The flight I searched was Cathay Pacific from Manila to Kathmandu via HK and it came out at around 50k. I don’t even remember if that was a weekend or weekday flight, which can affect the rates.
This time I’m looking for separate budget flights since I’ll be staying in HK/Macau for about a week anyway. I also have to check the different months since I don’t know when there are holidays and other events in the different countries that may affect the rates.
There are probably cheaper airlines than Cebu Pacific but Cebu Pacific is probably the most stable in terms of prices (not the actual airplane! Hahaha). I’ll need to book for June to August and December to February according to Madhav. Of course, prices can go up the later I book.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices are exclusive of taxes, boarding fees, etc. For my own reference, this entry was written on March 19, 2009.
Manila to HK
Cebu Pacific Zero Fare is 2,099PHP = 44USD
Manila to Macau
Cebu Pacific Zero Fare is 2,799PHP = 58USD
Hong Kong to Kathmandu
Cathay Pacific and Dragon Air (Including Airport Taxes)
23,912.10PHP = 491.51USD June 9, 2009 and August 18, 2009 (Tuesdays)
26,108.75PHP = 536.66USD December 8, 2010, January 19, 2010 and February 2, 2010 (Tuesdays)
I spent hours looking and I can’t find anything cheaper. I also can’t find any cheaper ones. I guess budget airlines don’t go from Hong Kong to Kathmandu.
I also spent some time looking at flights from Kathmandu going out.
Kathmandu to Hong Kong.
Royal Nepal Airlines from Kathmandu
Kathmandu Airport (Tribhuvan International Airport) Taxes
SAARC Countries: NPR 791 = 10USD
Other Countries: NPR 1130 = 14USD
Domestic Destinations: NPR 170 = 2USD
Tourism Service Fee: NPR 565 = 7USD (Should be paid along with airport tax while leaving Nepal.)
SAARC Countries: India, Pakistan, Srilanka, Bangladesh, Maldives,Bhutan, Nepal
They don’t have an automated system so I guess these will have to do:
From Kathmandu
Normal Fare
150 to Delhi
265 to Banglore (closer to Hampi but it’s still much cheaper to take a train)
For Foreign Nationals
220 to Bangkok
330 to Hong Kong
To Nepal
240 from Bangkok
595 from Hong Kong
Wow, it’s significantly cheaper to fly with Royal Nepal Airlines to HK and even cheaper to fly to/from Bangkok! If I cut out HK and Macau, maybe I can drop by Indonesia or Malaysia (Kota Kinabalu). Flights to/from Malaysia (KL) and Singapore are just 320USD.
I can’t believe I didn’t think of it but I could cut out Hong Kong and Macau all together and fly to Nepal from Bangkok. They were never really that appealing to me anyway. Not that I don’t want to see HK but, especially with budget flights, it seems like something I can do for a week or a weekend that doesn’t have to be part of this trip.
NEW BANGKOK ROUTE
Clark to Bangkok
Cebu Pacific Zero Fare is 3,299PHP = 69USD
Bangkok to Kathmandu
Thai Airways (Including Airport Taxes)
14,165 THB = 397USD = 19,104PHP June 9, 2009, August 18, 2009 and December 1, 2010
*Royal Nepal Airlines prices above
If I decide to end my trip in Kota Kinabalu…
Kuala Lumpur LCCT (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu (BKI)
Air Asia (Including Airport Taxes)
163.50MYR = 45USD (promo), 197.50MYR = 54USD (normal) June 9, 2009 (Tuesday)
107.50MYR = 30 USD (promo) August 18, 2009 (Tuesday), December 2, 2009 (Wednesday) and January 26, 2010
Malaysia Air (Including Airport Taxes)
161MYR = 44USD June 9, 2009, August 18, 2009 (Tuesdays) and December 2, 2009 (Wednesday)
Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur
Air Asia (Including Airport Taxes)
197.50MYR = 54USD (normal) June 9, 2009 (Tuesday)
107.50MYR = 30 USD (promo) August 18, 2009 (Tuesday), December 2, 2009 (Wednesday) and January 26, 2010
Malaysia Air
161MYR = 44USD June 9, 2009, August 18, 2009 (Tuesdays)
347MYR = 95USD December 2 (Wednesday)
Websites:
http://www.manang.com/
http://www.smarttravelasia.com/smallairlines.htm
This time I’m looking for separate budget flights since I’ll be staying in HK/Macau for about a week anyway. I also have to check the different months since I don’t know when there are holidays and other events in the different countries that may affect the rates.
There are probably cheaper airlines than Cebu Pacific but Cebu Pacific is probably the most stable in terms of prices (not the actual airplane! Hahaha). I’ll need to book for June to August and December to February according to Madhav. Of course, prices can go up the later I book.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices are exclusive of taxes, boarding fees, etc. For my own reference, this entry was written on March 19, 2009.
Manila to HK
Cebu Pacific Zero Fare is 2,099PHP = 44USD
Manila to Macau
Cebu Pacific Zero Fare is 2,799PHP = 58USD
Hong Kong to Kathmandu
Cathay Pacific and Dragon Air (Including Airport Taxes)
23,912.10PHP = 491.51USD June 9, 2009 and August 18, 2009 (Tuesdays)
26,108.75PHP = 536.66USD December 8, 2010, January 19, 2010 and February 2, 2010 (Tuesdays)
I spent hours looking and I can’t find anything cheaper. I also can’t find any cheaper ones. I guess budget airlines don’t go from Hong Kong to Kathmandu.
I also spent some time looking at flights from Kathmandu going out.
Kathmandu to Hong Kong.
Royal Nepal Airlines from Kathmandu
Kathmandu Airport (Tribhuvan International Airport) Taxes
SAARC Countries: NPR 791 = 10USD
Other Countries: NPR 1130 = 14USD
Domestic Destinations: NPR 170 = 2USD
Tourism Service Fee: NPR 565 = 7USD (Should be paid along with airport tax while leaving Nepal.)
SAARC Countries: India, Pakistan, Srilanka, Bangladesh, Maldives,Bhutan, Nepal
They don’t have an automated system so I guess these will have to do:
From Kathmandu
Normal Fare
150 to Delhi
265 to Banglore (closer to Hampi but it’s still much cheaper to take a train)
For Foreign Nationals
220 to Bangkok
330 to Hong Kong
To Nepal
240 from Bangkok
595 from Hong Kong
Wow, it’s significantly cheaper to fly with Royal Nepal Airlines to HK and even cheaper to fly to/from Bangkok! If I cut out HK and Macau, maybe I can drop by Indonesia or Malaysia (Kota Kinabalu). Flights to/from Malaysia (KL) and Singapore are just 320USD.
I can’t believe I didn’t think of it but I could cut out Hong Kong and Macau all together and fly to Nepal from Bangkok. They were never really that appealing to me anyway. Not that I don’t want to see HK but, especially with budget flights, it seems like something I can do for a week or a weekend that doesn’t have to be part of this trip.
NEW BANGKOK ROUTE
Clark to Bangkok
Cebu Pacific Zero Fare is 3,299PHP = 69USD
Bangkok to Kathmandu
Thai Airways (Including Airport Taxes)
14,165 THB = 397USD = 19,104PHP June 9, 2009, August 18, 2009 and December 1, 2010
*Royal Nepal Airlines prices above
If I decide to end my trip in Kota Kinabalu…
Kuala Lumpur LCCT (KUL) to Kota Kinabalu (BKI)
Air Asia (Including Airport Taxes)
163.50MYR = 45USD (promo), 197.50MYR = 54USD (normal) June 9, 2009 (Tuesday)
107.50MYR = 30 USD (promo) August 18, 2009 (Tuesday), December 2, 2009 (Wednesday) and January 26, 2010
Malaysia Air (Including Airport Taxes)
161MYR = 44USD June 9, 2009, August 18, 2009 (Tuesdays) and December 2, 2009 (Wednesday)
Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur
Air Asia (Including Airport Taxes)
197.50MYR = 54USD (normal) June 9, 2009 (Tuesday)
107.50MYR = 30 USD (promo) August 18, 2009 (Tuesday), December 2, 2009 (Wednesday) and January 26, 2010
Malaysia Air
161MYR = 44USD June 9, 2009, August 18, 2009 (Tuesdays)
347MYR = 95USD December 2 (Wednesday)
Websites:
http://www.manang.com/
http://www.smarttravelasia.com/smallairlines.htm
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Pwet Tree
An Afternoon Conversation over Spilled Smoothie
In a café over conversation,
As surely as did melt that smoothie
That afternoon
Strawberry, mango, ice and all;
I put my lips to her,
Where once she blended
Into past concoctions
Of skin, and flesh, and core.
Today, her pieces lay in front of me,
In a café over conversation.
Instead of rubbing out the traces
On my skin, and flesh, and core,
Oblivious to the café goers,
Her stain became a part of me.
And drunk with her syrup
I did not wash ait down with bleach.
In a café over conversation,
As surely as did melt that smoothie
That afternoon
Strawberry, mango, ice and all;
I put my lips to her,
Where once she blended
Into past concoctions
Of skin, and flesh, and core.
Today, her pieces lay in front of me,
In a café over conversation.
Instead of rubbing out the traces
On my skin, and flesh, and core,
Oblivious to the café goers,
Her stain became a part of me.
And drunk with her syrup
I did not wash ait down with bleach.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Planning Phase - Asia: Practice on Palawan
This entry is a little different. I won a free Cebu Pacific ticket to Puerto Princessa, Palawan. It can be redeemed within six months. Ticket lang. Walang lodging. PERFECT!
Perfect for a little trial run. This trip will give me a chance to stretch my travelers legs before the actual thing. It's not that I don't want to go with anyone (my friends are welcome to join me) its just that I won't keep an itinerary and that might make it hard for a group thing. I want to go for a week in May before the rainy season. It also just so happens that I finally get leaves from work in May. If not, I’d gladly go during one of the more interesting festivals/fiestas at any time of year.
http://www.palawan.gov.ph/festivals.php
I was doing a little research for the trip and there are so many nice places to stay that it was hard to pick just one. So I’m not going to. I’m going to stay at all the places I like and hopefully more. I figure I’ll go for a week and stay in the beach first then maybe further in the city when I get tired of the beach. Strangely, a lot of the websites have German translations. I guess there’s a good chance I’ll meet some Germans.
There’s this one place, Bambua in Sabang (2-4 hours jeep from the city), it’s a nature park resort and only 200PHP a night, common bath. I definitely want to stay there for a while. The bahay kubo cottages look like they’re inside the rainforest. Exactly what I’m looking for in other countries for my Asia trip.
How to get there:
Public Jeepneys leave for Sabang at the new Public Bus Terminal at San Jose, Puerto Princesa. It is better to be early at the Terminal. The best time to travel the route to Sabang is with the 7 AM Jeepney or the the 9 AM Bus. Until around 3 PM several Jeepneys are departing for Sabang.
There’s a place closer to the airport called Banwa Pension Resort. I’ll probably stay here on the night of my arrival. 250PHP a night, probably common bath. Judging from the photos and self-description, it seems very artsy. They claim that you won’t hear the usual Kareoke blasting from speakers and that they play native instruments at night. There’s also some kind of stationary bike that you have to ride if you want electricity at night. Hahaha! Sounds quirky and fun!
How to get there:
Supposedly, tricycles from the airport and harbor know how to get there. If not, the website suggests that I get dropped off at B. Mendoza St. and “…ask one of our friendly neighbors who will point you in the right direction.” How friendly.
Of course, Palawan won’t be complete if I don’t stay at a beachfront resort. I’ll leave this one up to chance. Maybe I’ll stay in a cushier place since this will be the first time I’ll be leaving Luzon (aside from Singapore) since I’ve had a job and can afford better. Yup. Just because I have the money.
Puerto Pension looks like the place to spend if ever. It looks like a giant 4 floor bahay kubo (why are all the places I choose kubo’s?). Or, maybe a place with a pool. No point in spending more money in a place to sleep if there’s no draw like a pool or a spa or something. Free wi-fi got me thinking that maybe I can work while on vacation some time. I wonder what EJ (my boss) would say to that. Hahaha. He’ll hate me.
Most of the resorts have all the tours: Underground River, Sabang Beach Snorkling, Mangrove River Paddle Tour, Daylight Hole, Lion's Cave Sabang. I wonder if there’s a way I can do the tours without going through a resort. That would definitely be cheaper. I’m not sure if I want to go to the nature preservation sites or go canoeing among the mangroves unless I find someone to go with. It feels like something to do with a group or family.
Prayer answered:
http://www.pinoylakwatsa.com/2009/02/puerto-princesa-palawan-revisited-part_08.html
I should buy a map of Puerto Princessa. National Book Store?
I think the websites that I found pretty much speak for themselves:
http://www.banwa.com/
http://www.bambua-palawan.com/
http://www.pal-onl.com/pension/
http://www.palawan.gov.ph/natural.php
http://www.blogtoplist.com/rss/puerto-princesa.html
Perfect for a little trial run. This trip will give me a chance to stretch my travelers legs before the actual thing. It's not that I don't want to go with anyone (my friends are welcome to join me) its just that I won't keep an itinerary and that might make it hard for a group thing. I want to go for a week in May before the rainy season. It also just so happens that I finally get leaves from work in May. If not, I’d gladly go during one of the more interesting festivals/fiestas at any time of year.
http://www.palawan.gov.ph/festivals.php
I was doing a little research for the trip and there are so many nice places to stay that it was hard to pick just one. So I’m not going to. I’m going to stay at all the places I like and hopefully more. I figure I’ll go for a week and stay in the beach first then maybe further in the city when I get tired of the beach. Strangely, a lot of the websites have German translations. I guess there’s a good chance I’ll meet some Germans.
There’s this one place, Bambua in Sabang (2-4 hours jeep from the city), it’s a nature park resort and only 200PHP a night, common bath. I definitely want to stay there for a while. The bahay kubo cottages look like they’re inside the rainforest. Exactly what I’m looking for in other countries for my Asia trip.
How to get there:
Public Jeepneys leave for Sabang at the new Public Bus Terminal at San Jose, Puerto Princesa. It is better to be early at the Terminal. The best time to travel the route to Sabang is with the 7 AM Jeepney or the the 9 AM Bus. Until around 3 PM several Jeepneys are departing for Sabang.
There’s a place closer to the airport called Banwa Pension Resort. I’ll probably stay here on the night of my arrival. 250PHP a night, probably common bath. Judging from the photos and self-description, it seems very artsy. They claim that you won’t hear the usual Kareoke blasting from speakers and that they play native instruments at night. There’s also some kind of stationary bike that you have to ride if you want electricity at night. Hahaha! Sounds quirky and fun!
How to get there:
Supposedly, tricycles from the airport and harbor know how to get there. If not, the website suggests that I get dropped off at B. Mendoza St. and “…ask one of our friendly neighbors who will point you in the right direction.” How friendly.
Of course, Palawan won’t be complete if I don’t stay at a beachfront resort. I’ll leave this one up to chance. Maybe I’ll stay in a cushier place since this will be the first time I’ll be leaving Luzon (aside from Singapore) since I’ve had a job and can afford better. Yup. Just because I have the money.
Puerto Pension looks like the place to spend if ever. It looks like a giant 4 floor bahay kubo (why are all the places I choose kubo’s?). Or, maybe a place with a pool. No point in spending more money in a place to sleep if there’s no draw like a pool or a spa or something. Free wi-fi got me thinking that maybe I can work while on vacation some time. I wonder what EJ (my boss) would say to that. Hahaha. He’ll hate me.
Most of the resorts have all the tours: Underground River, Sabang Beach Snorkling, Mangrove River Paddle Tour, Daylight Hole, Lion's Cave Sabang. I wonder if there’s a way I can do the tours without going through a resort. That would definitely be cheaper. I’m not sure if I want to go to the nature preservation sites or go canoeing among the mangroves unless I find someone to go with. It feels like something to do with a group or family.
Prayer answered:
http://www.pinoylakwatsa.com/2009/02/puerto-princesa-palawan-revisited-part_08.html
I should buy a map of Puerto Princessa. National Book Store?
I think the websites that I found pretty much speak for themselves:
http://www.banwa.com/
http://www.bambua-palawan.com/
http://www.pal-onl.com/pension/
http://www.palawan.gov.ph/natural.php
http://www.blogtoplist.com/rss/puerto-princesa.html
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Need Rules for my Trip!
I know the theme of the trip is supposed to be independence and freedom and all but I was thinking, it might be interesting/fun to come up with a couple of rules for my trip. Not too many. Just enough that I can remember them all. Stuff like, always order the spiciest thing on the menu. They can really general like, be spontaneous or completely specific like, scream "PUTANGINAMO MADHAV" at the top of my lungs if I ever get to Everest base camp.
Maybe, sing Rhett Miller's Come Around every time i check into a new hostel? hahaha.
Any suggestions?
Maybe, sing Rhett Miller's Come Around every time i check into a new hostel? hahaha.
Any suggestions?
Monday, March 9, 2009
Planning Phase - Asia: 007 - The Gateway to Southeast Asia
1 baht = 1.34346623PHP = 0.027666 USD
The golden nugget that I was waiting for was dropped into my lap about a week ago but I didn’t realize it until last night. My sister went to Thailand earlier this month and mentioned a place called Khao San Road in passing. I didn’t think much of it at the time until I told myself that I never force on any part of this trip, not even planning. I would do things as I wanted to. And any sort of planning seemed so daunting a task to take on after what I went through with Nepal. I didn’t know how to start again.
Fittingly the place where I’m starting was coined ‘The Gateway to Southeast Asia’. Normally, I wouldn’t flock to where the crowds are but this will be at the very beginning of my trip when I’m still unsure of myself and it would be nice to start out in a backpacker friendly environment, which is exactly what Khao San Road presents itself to be.
In a tourism ploy that could have turned bad for lack of accommodations, tourists started looking and successfully found residents to stay with and pay lodging fees. The guest house business grew from there.
Getting there:
150 baht AE2 bus will go directly to Khao San Road for 150 Baht = 202PHP = 4USD. 40-60 minutes.
35 Baht BMTA bus. Ask the driver "Bpai Banglampu mai" (are you going to Banglampu) which is within walking distance to Khao San Road. Walking distance is pretty relative but I’m inclined to take this risk. 115 Baht is a huge difference but the website says that BMTA can be confusting. If I get lost and end up spending more, I would have spent the money on a welcome adventure!
For future reference, if the transportation takes more than two hours, I might want to travel half the way, spend the day or stay the night and explore somewhere along the way before traveling the rest of the way. I’m also willing to spend more on transpo if the transpo is an experience in itself (like a ferry) or will save lots of time (like the MRT).
Places to stay:
Judging from the pictures, their budget hotels are pretty much the most expensive places that I would pay for in the Philippines (around 450PHP/night/head) at around 650 Baht = 874PHP 18USD (Thai Cozy House) for pretty much the works (TV, fridge, hot water etc), 400 Bhat (Nana Plaza) or 250 Baht for a single fan and shared shower, (Chart Guesthouse and Restaurant). That’s probably not including taxes.
I think it might be okay to spend on a midrange room on some occasions but this isn’t one of them. Knowing me, the only thing I’ll be doing in a room in the city is sleeping and showering. Air-con rooms are for the beach if at all.
Places to visit nearby:
The Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha (Wat Prakaew), Wat Pho, the National Library, Thammasat University Library, International Art Museum, and Sanam Luang (The King's Park).
I might spend two or three days doing that and settling in.
From there, I definitely want to go to (things to plan for the future):
Khao Yai National Park
-Jungle treks
-7 tier waterfall
-elephants and other wildlife
+This place is definitely me, wanted to put an exclamation point after every point.
Bangkok Floating Market
-One day
+I know there are a few of them but I don’t think I have to go to all. Maybe the biggest and the smallest, maybe just the nearest.
Nightlife
+No need to plan. I’m sure I can find my way around at night and ask for tips from the hotel or other travelers. I imagine I’ll be sleeping from sunset when I get back from my tours until around 10 or 11pm where I’ll go out at night and see what’s up. Sana.
Krabi
-Climbing Mecca in Thailand
-Beach
-Travelers destination
+I might not go. I don’t want to force myself to go just because I’m a climber and I want to see the place. I’d rather go with other Filipinos and make an entire month long trip of it. I’m sure a week won’t be enough.
As for historical places other than temples and other beaches, although I won’t actively avoid them, I probably won’t concentrate on them since we have the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines and there’s so much else to see. Plus I can go to Krabi some other time and I will be going to Goa.
Helpful little unorganized website: http://www.khaosanroad.com/
The golden nugget that I was waiting for was dropped into my lap about a week ago but I didn’t realize it until last night. My sister went to Thailand earlier this month and mentioned a place called Khao San Road in passing. I didn’t think much of it at the time until I told myself that I never force on any part of this trip, not even planning. I would do things as I wanted to. And any sort of planning seemed so daunting a task to take on after what I went through with Nepal. I didn’t know how to start again.
Fittingly the place where I’m starting was coined ‘The Gateway to Southeast Asia’. Normally, I wouldn’t flock to where the crowds are but this will be at the very beginning of my trip when I’m still unsure of myself and it would be nice to start out in a backpacker friendly environment, which is exactly what Khao San Road presents itself to be.
In a tourism ploy that could have turned bad for lack of accommodations, tourists started looking and successfully found residents to stay with and pay lodging fees. The guest house business grew from there.
Getting there:
150 baht AE2 bus will go directly to Khao San Road for 150 Baht = 202PHP = 4USD. 40-60 minutes.
35 Baht BMTA bus. Ask the driver "Bpai Banglampu mai" (are you going to Banglampu) which is within walking distance to Khao San Road. Walking distance is pretty relative but I’m inclined to take this risk. 115 Baht is a huge difference but the website says that BMTA can be confusting. If I get lost and end up spending more, I would have spent the money on a welcome adventure!
For future reference, if the transportation takes more than two hours, I might want to travel half the way, spend the day or stay the night and explore somewhere along the way before traveling the rest of the way. I’m also willing to spend more on transpo if the transpo is an experience in itself (like a ferry) or will save lots of time (like the MRT).
Places to stay:
Judging from the pictures, their budget hotels are pretty much the most expensive places that I would pay for in the Philippines (around 450PHP/night/head) at around 650 Baht = 874PHP 18USD (Thai Cozy House) for pretty much the works (TV, fridge, hot water etc), 400 Bhat (Nana Plaza) or 250 Baht for a single fan and shared shower, (Chart Guesthouse and Restaurant). That’s probably not including taxes.
I think it might be okay to spend on a midrange room on some occasions but this isn’t one of them. Knowing me, the only thing I’ll be doing in a room in the city is sleeping and showering. Air-con rooms are for the beach if at all.
Places to visit nearby:
The Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha (Wat Prakaew), Wat Pho, the National Library, Thammasat University Library, International Art Museum, and Sanam Luang (The King's Park).
I might spend two or three days doing that and settling in.
From there, I definitely want to go to (things to plan for the future):
Khao Yai National Park
-Jungle treks
-7 tier waterfall
-elephants and other wildlife
+This place is definitely me, wanted to put an exclamation point after every point.
Bangkok Floating Market
-One day
+I know there are a few of them but I don’t think I have to go to all. Maybe the biggest and the smallest, maybe just the nearest.
Nightlife
+No need to plan. I’m sure I can find my way around at night and ask for tips from the hotel or other travelers. I imagine I’ll be sleeping from sunset when I get back from my tours until around 10 or 11pm where I’ll go out at night and see what’s up. Sana.
Krabi
-Climbing Mecca in Thailand
-Beach
-Travelers destination
+I might not go. I don’t want to force myself to go just because I’m a climber and I want to see the place. I’d rather go with other Filipinos and make an entire month long trip of it. I’m sure a week won’t be enough.
As for historical places other than temples and other beaches, although I won’t actively avoid them, I probably won’t concentrate on them since we have the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines and there’s so much else to see. Plus I can go to Krabi some other time and I will be going to Goa.
Helpful little unorganized website: http://www.khaosanroad.com/
Random Lyrics for the Broken Hearted
It happens at different times of my life that lyrics from a random song won't stop popping into my head. Last time it was If You Could Only See by Tonic. It had little to do with what was going on in my life at the time. In fact, I couldn't even understand the message despite the kinship I felt with the persona.
"If you could only see the way she loves me, maybe you would understand,
Why I feel this way about our love, and what I must do.
If you could only see how blue her eyes can be when she says,
When she says she loves me."
To the best of my literary abilities, my guess was that this guy was trying to convince his friends how much his love for this girl was right despite how wrong it seemed otherwise. It got me so bad that I took out my guitar after years of not playing and learned how to play this single song.
Today (yesteday since its already 1am) it was Disease by Matchbox 20. I didn't even particularly like this song when I first heard it in high school. It was okay. I was used to Matchbox 20 being much more than okay. But today, the lyrics seem to have a depth that wasn't there before. Or maybe its I who now has the depth to understand what I couldn't understand before. Someone recently told me that a lover assigns things to events when there's really nothing there. I think she was quoting Shakespeare.
Regardless, the first two stanzas hit me particularly hard when I actually researched the lyrics. If I'd heard them six months ago, every encounter with anyone who might be reading this would have been different.
Here are they are:
Feels like you made a mistake
You made somebody's heart break
But now I have to let you go
I have to let you go
You left a stain
On every one of my good days
But I am stronger than you know
I have to let you go
No one's ever turned you over
No one's tried
To ever let you down,
Beautiful girl
Bless your heart
I got a disease
Deep inside me
Makes me feel uneasy baby
I can't live without you
Tell me what I am supposed to do about it
Keep your distance from it
Don't pay no attention to me
I got a disease
Feels like you're making a mess
You're hell on wheels in a black dress
You drove me to the fire
And left me there to burn
Every little thing you do is tragic
All my life, oh was magic
Beautiful girl
I can't breathe
I got a disease
Deep inside me
Makes me feel uneasy baby
I can't live without you
Tell me what I am supposed to do about it
Keep your distance from it
Don't pay no attention to me
I got a disease
I think that I'm sick
But leave me be while my world is coming down on me
You taste like honey, honey
Tell me can I be your honey
Be, be strong
Keep telling myself it that won't take long till
I'm free of my disease
Yeah well free of my disease
Free of my disease
I got a disease
Deep inside me
Makes me feel uneasy baby
I can't live without you
Tell me what I am supposed to do about it
Keep your distance from it
Don't pay no attention to me
I got a disease
I think that I'm sick
But leave me be while my world is coming down on me
You taste like honey, honey
Tell me can I be your honey
Be, be strong
Keep telling myself it that won't take long till
I'm free of my disease
Yeah well free of my disease
Free of my disease
"If you could only see the way she loves me, maybe you would understand,
Why I feel this way about our love, and what I must do.
If you could only see how blue her eyes can be when she says,
When she says she loves me."
To the best of my literary abilities, my guess was that this guy was trying to convince his friends how much his love for this girl was right despite how wrong it seemed otherwise. It got me so bad that I took out my guitar after years of not playing and learned how to play this single song.
Today (yesteday since its already 1am) it was Disease by Matchbox 20. I didn't even particularly like this song when I first heard it in high school. It was okay. I was used to Matchbox 20 being much more than okay. But today, the lyrics seem to have a depth that wasn't there before. Or maybe its I who now has the depth to understand what I couldn't understand before. Someone recently told me that a lover assigns things to events when there's really nothing there. I think she was quoting Shakespeare.
Regardless, the first two stanzas hit me particularly hard when I actually researched the lyrics. If I'd heard them six months ago, every encounter with anyone who might be reading this would have been different.
Here are they are:
Feels like you made a mistake
You made somebody's heart break
But now I have to let you go
I have to let you go
You left a stain
On every one of my good days
But I am stronger than you know
I have to let you go
No one's ever turned you over
No one's tried
To ever let you down,
Beautiful girl
Bless your heart
I got a disease
Deep inside me
Makes me feel uneasy baby
I can't live without you
Tell me what I am supposed to do about it
Keep your distance from it
Don't pay no attention to me
I got a disease
Feels like you're making a mess
You're hell on wheels in a black dress
You drove me to the fire
And left me there to burn
Every little thing you do is tragic
All my life, oh was magic
Beautiful girl
I can't breathe
I got a disease
Deep inside me
Makes me feel uneasy baby
I can't live without you
Tell me what I am supposed to do about it
Keep your distance from it
Don't pay no attention to me
I got a disease
I think that I'm sick
But leave me be while my world is coming down on me
You taste like honey, honey
Tell me can I be your honey
Be, be strong
Keep telling myself it that won't take long till
I'm free of my disease
Yeah well free of my disease
Free of my disease
I got a disease
Deep inside me
Makes me feel uneasy baby
I can't live without you
Tell me what I am supposed to do about it
Keep your distance from it
Don't pay no attention to me
I got a disease
I think that I'm sick
But leave me be while my world is coming down on me
You taste like honey, honey
Tell me can I be your honey
Be, be strong
Keep telling myself it that won't take long till
I'm free of my disease
Yeah well free of my disease
Free of my disease
Sunday, March 1, 2009
50 Random Thoughts
This is called 50 FIRST REACTIONS
My cousin had this on her blog and I was actually curious what I’d come up with. I did my best to erase her answers even before reading anything so nothing would influence mine and I swear I never touched the backspace button while answering.
1. Beer: Yahoo!
2. Food: Mmm
3. Relationships: Nope
4. Your CRUSH: Wow…
5. Power Rangers:
6. Life: is waiting for you
7. The President: The president?
8. Yummy: Candy
9. Cars: Motorcycles
10. Movie: I wanna write one
11. Halloween: Candy!
12. Sex: deprived
13. Religion: funny place
14. Hate: making mistakes at work
15. Fear: my own stupidity
16. Marriage: maybe
17. Blondes: Girls
18. Slippers: beach
19. Shoes: Travel
20. Asians: Chinese (hahaha so closed minded)
21. Pass time: eat
22. One night stand: Gahh!
23. My cell Phone: sucks
24. Smoke: air
25. Fantasy: Final Fantasy VIII
26. College: Life
27. High School Life: Gay
28. Pajamas: Boxers
29. Stars: Camping
30. Fitness Center: Hahaha waste of money
31. Alcohol: Deprived
32. The word love: Why just the word?
33. Friends: A TV show
34. Money: Travel
35. Heartache: Travel
36. Time: Travel
37. Divorce: Travel (Labo)
38. Dogs: Nice to have, hard to care for.
39. Undies: none when possible
40. Parents: Love
41. Babies: I want!
42. Ex: Marks the spot
43. Song: Insomnia Craig David (I’m broadening my musical horizons)
44. Color: Ateneo Blue
45. Weddings: White
46. Pizza: 22 inch Xtreme at Xtreme Xpresso
47. Hangout: bum
48. Resto: Causeway on Libis
49. Goal: Be great!
50. Inspiration: Others
My cousin had this on her blog and I was actually curious what I’d come up with. I did my best to erase her answers even before reading anything so nothing would influence mine and I swear I never touched the backspace button while answering.
1. Beer: Yahoo!
2. Food: Mmm
3. Relationships: Nope
4. Your CRUSH: Wow…
5. Power Rangers:
6. Life: is waiting for you
7. The President: The president?
8. Yummy: Candy
9. Cars: Motorcycles
10. Movie: I wanna write one
11. Halloween: Candy!
12. Sex: deprived
13. Religion: funny place
14. Hate: making mistakes at work
15. Fear: my own stupidity
16. Marriage: maybe
17. Blondes: Girls
18. Slippers: beach
19. Shoes: Travel
20. Asians: Chinese (hahaha so closed minded)
21. Pass time: eat
22. One night stand: Gahh!
23. My cell Phone: sucks
24. Smoke: air
25. Fantasy: Final Fantasy VIII
26. College: Life
27. High School Life: Gay
28. Pajamas: Boxers
29. Stars: Camping
30. Fitness Center: Hahaha waste of money
31. Alcohol: Deprived
32. The word love: Why just the word?
33. Friends: A TV show
34. Money: Travel
35. Heartache: Travel
36. Time: Travel
37. Divorce: Travel (Labo)
38. Dogs: Nice to have, hard to care for.
39. Undies: none when possible
40. Parents: Love
41. Babies: I want!
42. Ex: Marks the spot
43. Song: Insomnia Craig David (I’m broadening my musical horizons)
44. Color: Ateneo Blue
45. Weddings: White
46. Pizza: 22 inch Xtreme at Xtreme Xpresso
47. Hangout: bum
48. Resto: Causeway on Libis
49. Goal: Be great!
50. Inspiration: Others
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