Caleruega Batangas

Caleruega  is still my best choice for a quick getaway from Manila.The crisp air, koi pond, picnic huts, chapel on the hill, lush greenery, pansy flowers and mountains on the horizon.

The place is also perfect for wedding, family picnic, retreats, seminars or a  simple daytours.

At first glimpse I though it was just a simple garden with chapel on the hill but as we walk along the paved driveway, Im amazed!It's a fantastic work of nature.A couple of families are also under a  huge trees that provides shelter from the sun while the others are setting up their picnic basket. The koi pond and man made waterfalls are so serene that will surely remove a stress away.

Hanging Bridge

A hanging bridge that connects to the lush greenery is so tranquil. Ill never get tired of visiting this place. I can just stare on the mountain and wait for the stars to shine above.

A recommended place for everyone especially this lenten season. They also have station of the cross for prayers and vigils.

Caleruega: Closer to God Closer to Nature

P30 entrance fee

credits to emjaymirasol for the photos

Train Travel from Bangkok-Hat Yai- Kuala Lumpur- Woodlands Singapore

Hualmphong Station

After a looong train ride from Bangkok to Hat Yai it was 18 hours in total I'm finally in the southern part of Thailand. Hat Yai.

The train has reclining seats non air conditioned.

second class train bound to Hat Yai Jin

The pros its cheap and I get to see countryside.
Cons are people are coming in and out so be vigilant and secure your belongings.Washroom are OK I still managed to take a bath using badey since the water running on the shower is very weak. 

Sunset from the train countryside Thailand

Good Morning Thailand

Why Bangkok to Hat Yai?? Its CHEAP. The 2nd class train from Bangkok to Hat Yai cost me around 450Baht compared to the Bangkok- Butterworth which will cost me 1300 baht approx. 

From Hat Yai I waited 4 hours for another train bound to Kuala Lumpur, 2nd class fully air conditioned with comfortable reclining seats.Fare is around 250baht 10 hours train ride.Ill be spending another night in the train.

After an hour were already on the border, Padang Besar. I get off, lined up with my bags and ride the same train again.The next is Zzzz.

KL Sentral

Kuala Lumpur to Woodlands Singapore:
Train from KL Sentral to Woodlands will take approximately 7hours. We left KL Sentral around 10pm and arrived at Woodlands around 6am. Fare is 34MYR.(450pesos)

 Two Options for trains bound to Woodlands Singapore from KL Sentral.9am and the 9pm.Visit  KTMB for any updates.

TIPS:
For: There is a luggage storage at KL Sentral price depends on the size.
        Discounts for tourist 60year old and above
        Economy seats, fully air conditioned and hassle free immigration on Singapore side.

Thailand Temples

I consider this day as my last day here in Siam because tomorrow noon ill be heading back south.My Thailand trip will not going to be complete without going to the temples.

Lets start the day with my breaky at Mc Donalds . By the way they have 2 types of ketchup spicy Thai ketchup and the American tomato ketchup.

breakfast time before my diy tour

After chewing my burger and fries I started walking towards Golden Mount and Democracy Monument.

Did you know that : 

 An Italian sculptor named Corrado Feroci designed the relief sculptures around the base of the construction. He later became a Thai citizen and changed his name to Silpa Bhirasi.

Democracy Monument between Old Grand Palace Demoand Dusit Palace

Next stop is Loha Prasat.Along Thanon Maha Chai. 

Wat Ratchanaddaram is a buddhist temple located at the intersection between Ratchadamnoen Klang and Maha Chai Road, in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok. Meaning Royal Niece, the temple was built to the order of King Nangklao (Rama III) for Mom Chao Ying Sommanus Wattanavadi in 1846. The temple is best known for the Loha Prasat (โลหะปราสาท), a multi-tiered structure 36 m high

(source wkipedia)

After Loha Prasat I went to Wat Saket (Golden Mount)

Man made hill with temple on top.  To the reach the top of the Golden Mount, you must ascend an exhausting 318 steps. On a clear day, the view from the top includes old Rattanakosin Island and the rooftops of Bangkok.

inside Wat Saket (golden mount)

Its humid day in Bangkok so imagine me ascending 318steps. TIRING! Golden Mount may not be that notable but the view from top is great.I also saw a lot of Monks in the area.
After Golden Mount my next stop is The Grand Palace.

Im afraid to take the bus thinking I might be lost, so instead i walked from Wat Saket to the Grand Palace. Approximately 2kms I think. Haggard but i get to know some locals. The rain starts to pour so I decided to skip Grand Palace. Sayang!

Its raining =(

After the rain the the temperature dropped at least. I'm so dizzy and hungry at the same time. To pacify my hunger I bought a tea and chips on a corner store across Wat Pho.

Wat Pho or Reclining Buddha is directly adjacent to the Grand Palace. One of the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok. The reclining Buddha statue is the biggest in the world. The southern side is a Buddhist Monastery home of almost a thousand Buddha images.

crowded Wat Pho

Wat Pho Complex South Side

Bangkok in my mind is more than temples and Buddha.It is also home of great food,pleasant people, colorful cultures and rich traditions.Some locals embraces the modern world but still remains their old values. When I come back to Siam I'm hoping to visit Chiang Mai and Ayutthaya (wishful thinking)

Hunger Games Movie

 After reading and going gaga with Suzanne Collins novel I honestly don't know what to expect from Hunger Games movie.

image from screenrant.com

For those new to the story, The Hunger Games took place in Panem which is divided into 12 districts.
Katniss Everdeen a resident of 12 district often taking to the restricted woods to hunt for squirrel she will trade it into the market to help her mother and sister.

Katniss, Peeta and Gale  (image fr vanityfair)

She volunteer as a tribute on the 74th Hunger Games Reaping Day when her sister Primrose Everdeen name drawn.Katniss and Peeta were the tributes that will represent the 12th district of Panem.

Katniss Everdeen (image fr fanpop)

They will fight for their lives in the arena and Katniss will rely on her hunting skills and speed in order to survive
Anyways, the effects were a bit disappointing. I'm expecting a glamorous dress in fire. Nonetheless everything is okay though some scenes lacks realism.

The movie will play better if you read the book. Anyways I'm anticipating the next sequel and looking forward to its political aspects in the story.

Hunger Games Facts

• To prepare for the role of Katniss, Jennifer had to endure a lot of physical training, but also archery training as well.  Jennifer’s archery coach, four time Olympian Khatuna Lorig talks about meeting Jennifer and training her with Hollywood.com!
• 20: Minutes spent creating Katniss Everdeen’s signature braid for Jennifer Lawrence.
• The site of District 12 was filmed in Henry River Mill Village, a vacant textile town located in North Carolina.  

May the odds be in your favor

source:hungergamesmovie.org

A trip to Floating Market Damnoen Saduak

Damnoen Saduak -  is a district (Amphoe) in central Thailand in the province Ratchaburi. The central town is most famous because of its floating market held every day till noon on a khlong not far from the district office. However as it has become a prime tourist attraction of the Bangkok vicinity the market has lost its authenticity. (source wiki)

Welcome to Damnoen Saduak

After spending hours mending my stomach I still managed to get up early. Tour day!
7am is the call time and its almost 6:45 am in Bangkok. Am I late? I told myself it seems that everyone is packed up and ready.

I approached one of the local and asked if where can I find the van that will brough me to Floating Market. He checked me receipt and lead me to the van. Surprisingly we're the only asian inside the van. 

An hour away from Khao San Road we finally arrived in Damnoen Saduak.Its advisavble to get here early.Tends to become crowded with tourist.

locals preparing food

As I sat on front of the river all I can see is locals paddling their canoes in the center of the river. Offering a ride. I walked along the 100 meter market. Looking for a souvenir. Use my haggling skill and til now I still cant remember how we understood each other through her calculator.But yes she made her sales.

colorful fruits

 A tour around the village is included with the 200baht we paid at Ris. I got fascinated with Thai traditional way of life.Very simple yet colorful. Huge vases, picture of the king in every houses. It a quarter past 9 am and we are heading back now to Khao San Road. Its warmer and im excited now in our temple tour.  

Tip: I booked my Floating Market Tour at Ris Travel located along Khao San Rd. Got a 50baht discounts for Filipino tourist. 

Bangkok Thailand Ellen's Overview

It is the strong coffee and its aroma that wake up my senses. I pinch myself and realized I'm still in a foreign country. Its almost 8am when I check my wristwatch, within the next 3 hours ill be flying north.

Toast, Eggs and Coffee for breaky @ Kopitiam Tampines, SG 

Welcome to Sukhumvit Airport! I didn't bother to listen. I'm excited! Another foreign country, another foreign language.

Thailand Aerial View

From Sukhumvit Airport I rode the train located at the basement bound to city. I alighted at the last station Makkasan. I think I paid around 20baht for the train ride I honestly cant remember. Then I asked the train employee on how can i get to Khao San Road.

Airport Link Website

From Makkasan I rode the bus #556 that take me to Khao San Road for 16baht.

Where I Sleep:

Six months before the trip I booked a budget hotel in Agoda with free breakfast for 3000 pesos.

Welcome to Sawasdee Bunglumpoo Inn

Hotel Amenities:

Free Wifi ( stayed on 3rd flr I cant get any connection)

TV and Ref ( HBO is the only English channel)

Hot and Cold Shower

I must say I'm satisfied with my stay at Sawasdee. The staffs are accommodating and friendly. The rooms are clean and pleasant. Highly recommended for budget traveler like me.

Khao San Road:

Backpackers and budget travellers haven. This place is also close to historical sites in the city such as Grand Palace, Wat Po and the Chao Praya River. A very busy street with vendors left and right. Travel agencies are also scattered in the area that offers cheap tours around Thailand. But wait there's more this busy Khao San Road turns to into a street club at night. Amazing!

Khao San Road Daytime

Food:

Most local foods are spicy!  

Bangkok's Street Food Vendor

Pad Thai Spices

Pad Thai

spices,milk tea and local burger

dinner time and bar at Bangkok

Getting Around: 

With my 4 days stay at Bangkok bus is still the cheapest way to travel around intercity. Though, i got lost couple of times for budget traveller asking questions with the locals help me a lot to reach my destination. Taxi is okay though I felt like the driver cheated on me because he was reluctant to use the meter. So be careful and insist to use the meter all the time!With my 4 days stay i found tuktuk more expensive than taxi.

 There was this local who offer us to tour around the city for 20baht. Cheap right? so we went to two temples it was a small temples located inside the schools. Nothing special. The driver said there is an ongoing expo that we need to visit to check their local goods. But instead we went to a jewelry shop. So beware! We spent 2hours inside the shop, I mean I'm not interested in buying golds and jewelry so i felt like it ruined our itinerary for that day.

Tuk Tuk

Overall Bangkok is like Manila. Polluted, street vendors, traffic,the locals the look is similar to Filipino. But what makes this city unique is they  know how to value their historical attractions. Which i guessed we're lacking as I heard the old post office building in Manila is now being sold to foreigners. And soon will be Fullerton Hotel. Sad =(

Ellen @ Parvati Trinoma

Thanks to my my former boss and friend Ry for introducing me to Parvati.
A little cake shop tucked inside Trinoma.
Fact:

•  I enjoyed every bite
•  my cake comes with brewed coffee FREE !!
•  home made dessert shop

For Menu and Prices CLICK HERE

 Must Try! Sansrival P140

One of the most popular dessert in the Philippines. A layer of cashew nuts and meringue sandwich with butter cream. Perfect with the free brewed coffee.Parvati's version is truly mouthwatering!

NewYork Baked Cheescake

Choco Mousse

Overall I had an outstanding experience. The cake is toothsome, the place is cozy  and Parvati's free brewed coffee.Next time ill try the mochi ice cream. =)

say hello!!

Parvati Trinoma

Mindanao Lobby, Trinoma Mall, EDSA cor. North Ave.

Quezon City, Metro Manila

Philippines

(02) 901-1428

Ellen @Gayuma Ni Maria

My very tired feet looks like need some rest. I've been walking continually with a few stops with my best friend.If I knew that this is what  will happen Id probably backed out when she asked me to join her Divisoria shopping three days ago.

Click here for the menu

Inside Gayuma ni Maria

	After her tiring shopping we rushed to Gayuma ni Maria located in V. Luna Ext. Few blocks from Savemore heading towards Maginhawa.It's almost 9pm good thing Gayuma ni Maria is open til 12mn.

The Heart Room

	She was a bit surprised while reading the menu.The names on the menu were so unique. It was so funny!  When the waiter asked for my order i smiled back to her. Rock me baby I replied! and Beat sex any day please. She almost choked herself after she heard my order.

Rock me Baby! P285

The close up shot of my Hickory BBQ

Beat Sex Any Day P85

While, my Bff ordered Unrequited Lovers. It was Gayuma ni Maria's version of Tom Yum . The taste was just okay good enough for sharing.My Rock me baby hickory barbecue was superb.The ribs were so tender and delicious.The serving is good enough for two. And the star of our table that night.The one slice of choco fudge cake with a very interesting name. The cake was so yummy not so sweet exactly what I want.

I so loved this straw P275 per pack

 

sensual corner at Gayuma ni Maria

After feeding our virgin minds we left Gayuma ni Maria happy!

Gayuma ni Maria 

441-4872

123 V Luna Extension Maginahawa St.

Sikatuna Vill, Quezon City 

Lun - Sab:	10:00 AM	-	12:00 AM
Linggo:	10:00 AM	-	10:00 PM