Exploring present Saigon - Ho Chi Minh

We just came from Choeng Euk and headed back to our hotel. We had our lunch to a nearby restaurant and prepared to pack up our things for our next destination - Vietnam.

Vietnam's bustling largest city sets the cultural and economic pace for the country. The former Saigon boasts charming French colonial architecture and wide boulevards, usually thronged and choked with traffic. Taxis are an option for seeing the sprawling city.

 

This will be our first time to travel cross countries by land and were very excited what was it gonna be like.

We bought our tickets from a ticketing office in pnom penh and based on our research and various suggestions from the web, we opted to ride Mekong Bus due to its reputation and service for tourists and business travelers.

American airplanes lining up in War Remnant Museum.

The first stop in our tour is The War Remnant Museum. Here, your guide  will tell the story of the city's darkest and most tragic hours during the Vietnam War. The museum contains displays of military craft, weaponry and many photographs - some that are quite graphic in nature and I notice pictures are somewhat anti american. I wonder what american tourists would feel seeing it though. Lol

Cambodia's heartwarming capital: Pnom Penh

After enjoying wonderful Siem Reap,  we decided to travel to Cambodia's capital and that is Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh is a laid back city which is somehow similar to Siem Reap but with an urban touch. 

Toul Sleng Genocide Museum

Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, was once known as the Pearl of Asia before the country spun into turmoil with the mass killings by the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s. Over the last few decades, Phnom Penh has grown into an economic center, sprawled with high rises, hotels, historical architecture, modern malls, and an incredible food culture.

Gemstones for sale at Siem Reap Cambodia!

Siem Reap is not only famous for Angkor Wat and beautiful temples. It is also a shopping paradise. Yes, you heard it right! They may not have the largest malls in Asia or have a huge array of bazaars but what they have is quite unique and special. GEMSTONES!!!

Shining, shimmering, splendid gemstones!

My colleagues were in Siem Reap last 2013 and were very fond of gemstones. Once they knew that I'd travel to Cambodia, they did not hesitate and asked me a favor to buy some precious gems. They were trying to complete their collections of birthstones I guess. haha

Frequently Asked Questions 104: Chinese Tourist Visa for Filipinos

1. Do I need a visa to go to China?

Yes, generally Filipinos are required to have a visa when visiting China.

2. What are the basic requirements?

For Filipino Employees, here are the requirements below.

1. Application Form
2. 1 piece of Passport size colored picture
3. Original Passport (should be valid for more than 6 months)
4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2) and emergency contact page (last page)
5. Travel itinerary and reservation of round-trip airline ticket and hotel, or invitation letters from China.

3. What are the other documents needed?

For first time Chinese Visa applicant, information about your finances and employment or studies is required.

You can submit any of the following:

• Certificate of Employment ( must include details about your salary and the length of your employment)
• Personal Bank Certificate and official receipt of the payment from the bank and Bank statements for 6 months period
• Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316

To increase your chance of approval, you may submit all the above requirements mentioned.

Captivating Siem Reap in One Day!

Siem Reap, has long been a destination for architectural and historical seekers alike with the Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom being famous worldwide, but as a destination it has a great deal to offer for many types of traveler, but you find the groove and pattern of the small city within the day. It's a very safe and easy-to-get around town, and very economical for every sort of traveller! Not to mention it's a short 20 minutes from Angkor Wat - the famous temples in Cambodia!

Temple Run! You played it, I lived with it. lol

Frequently Asked Questions 103: South Korea Tourist Visa for Filipinos

1. Do I need a visa to go to South Korea?

Yes, Filipinos are required to have a visa when visiting South Korea.

2. What are the requirements?

For Filipino Employees, here are the requirements below.

1. Application Form
2. 1 piece of Passport size colored picture
3. Original Passport (should be valid for more than 6 months)
4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2)
5. Original & Photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past 5 years (If applicable, and Korean Visas will not be counted)
6. Original Certificate of Employment (must include applicant's position, date hired, compensation, office address, HR landline number(cell-phone number is not allowed), HR e-mail address)
7. Original Personal Bank Certificate (must include account type, current balance, account opening date, ADB)
8. Bank Statement 
9. (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months)
10. Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316

       *Frequent travellers who have travelled as tourist to OECD member countries within 5 years are exempt from submitting ITR.

Frequently Asked Questions 102: Japan Tourist Visa for Filipinos

1. Do I need a visa to go to Japan?

Yes, Filipinos are required to have a visa when visiting Japan.

2. What are the requirements?

1. Passport valid for at least six months
2. Visa Application Form (download)
3. Photo (4.5 cm x 4.5 cm) with white background
4. Birth Certificate issued by NSO within 1 year
5. Marriage Contract (if applicable) issued by NSO within 1 year
6. Tour Itinerary (download sample)
7. Bank Certificate (original)
8. Philippine Income Tax Return (BIR Form 2316)

    Note. All documents should be valid within 3 months upon the date of issue (unless otherwise stated)

Frequently Asked Questions 101: Taiwan Tourist Visa for Filipinos

1. Do I need a visa to go to Taiwan?

In general, Filipinos are required to have a visa when visiting Taiwan unless, you haven't worked to Taiwan as a blue-collar worker and your passport currently holds valid visas or permanent resident cards of U.S.A., Canada, Japan, U.K., EU Schengen, Australia and New Zealand. Then you will only need to register for approval at https://niaspeedy.immigration.gov.tw/nia_southeast . You are only allowed to stay maximum up to thirty (30) days.

For those who fail to show valid visas or permanent resident cards of the above-mentioned countries, ENTRY TO TAIWAN IS PROHIBITED.

2. What are the requirements?

1. An online Visa Application Form please access (https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw to fill up the Form and print them out)
2. Two (2) passport size photos 1.5”x2” with white background (taken within 

the last three (3) months)

3. Passport valid for at least six months and old passport showing previous travels
4. Birth Certificate issued by NSO
5. Marriage Contract (if applicable) issued by NSO
6. Certificate of Employment 
7. Financial statements of the applicant (Bank Book or Bank Statements)
8. Traveling on BUSINESS, you must also submit:

• Certificate of Business Name Registration and SEC Registration（If owner of the company）
• Invitation Letter from Taiwan company / organization in Chinese letterhead that outlines clearly purpose of your visit and duration of your stay 
• Request letter from applicant’s company 
• Certificate of Employment  

    9. Other Supporting Documents if required.

Toul Sleng Genocide Museum

Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, the former security office 21 in "Democratic Kampuchea" was created on orders of Pol Pot (Sa lut Sor) in April 17, 1975. Office 21 was called S-21 and designed for detention, interrogation, inhuman torture, and killing after confession from the detainees were received and documented.

Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, formerly known as S-21 prison

On January 7, 1979, the Party and the Government collected all the evidence in S-21 such as photographs, films, the prisoner confession archives, torture tools, shackles, and the fourteen victim corpses ( one of them was female).  Now the evidence of the criminal regime is display for Cambodian and international visitors.

Phuket under P15,000 budget.

Who says travelling is only for rich and able? Travel is for everyone and every person with a sound mind are free to do so. You can enjoy an adventure without having to break your bank.

Tourists enjoy kayaking in Phang Nga Bay National Park

Phuket, Thailand is a fine place to begin your travel journey, with pristine fine beaches, picturesque karst limestone formations, delicious foods, awesome adventure activities and affordable packages - everyone will surely have a wide options to spend your hard earned money.

Here is the actual cost I spent when I went to Phuket last November 2014.

As you can see, you don't need to spend huge sum of amount just to satisfy and enjoy your dream vacation. You just need to prioritize the essentials like tours and foods. Accommodations need not to be luxurious and lavish, having to stay in a 5 star hotel for about less than 10 hours is definitely takes a huge portion of your budget unless, your pure intention is to stay in the hotel and make use of their amenities.

Travel as much as you can. Boats like this are an interesting find when you travel. 

Always plan ahead and budget. It will save you hefty amount and can give you a dynamic perspective necessary in optimizing all available options when you travel. To know more about my adventure in Phuket, please click here.

So get ready your passport and start your adventure now! :-)

Amazing Phuket, Thailand

It was November 2013 when I embarked in a journey that forever changes my view about travel. Little did I know that this will open to various opportunities for me to see beautiful places, meet wonderful locals, strangers-turned-friends, and worthwhile experiences that will hone my attitudes and characteristics as an individual.

James Bond Island

Promotional seat sales offered by major airlines are a huge factor that invites us commoners to book a ticket and discover new places. So when Air Asia announced the sale promo flights from Manila to Phuket, Thailand, I did not hesitate and booked as soon as I can before the seat lasts.

 I love beaches and when it comes to beaches, I have high standard requirements, like it should have a huge expanse of sugary white sand surrounded by shades of palm trees, and can accommodate plenty of activities that a slouch like me would love ^^, and by the looks of it, Phuket ticks all the list.

My First International Travel - Phuket, Thailand

Most of us loves to travel and definitely one of our dreams that we want to experience in our lifetime is to travel the world.

The infamous Patong beach in Phuket. 

But let's be honest, the biggest factor that is keeping us from realizing that dream is the means to do so. Yeah, you heard it right, as much as I don't want to tackle this dreaded subject, I can't help but mention the most sought after material thing in the world and that is money. We all need money and who doesn't right? And that is the truth.

Karst limestone formations in Maya Bay, Phi phi Island. This is where Leonardo di Caprio's "The Beach" movie was shot.

I am just a regular employee in a multinational company in Makati who is just starting his two year career in finance industry. My perspective in travel has changed dramatically when I received an email notification from Tiger Air Philippines back then (currently subsidiary of Cebu Pac) about promotional air fares. They were launching a new route from Manila to Phuket direct flights for only P500 all-in one way or for a meager P1,000 roundtrip. What a bargain right?

Phi Phi Islands are dotted with these kind of view.

Koh Phi phi Don, the main island in Phi phi.

Without a second thought, I followed my impulses and booked the flight that started all my passion for travel.