James Bond Island Hopping Tour & Bangla Road at Night / Phuket

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I was definitely happy to be back in Phuket for several reasons: 1.) I will be spending Christmas here with my mother! Sure, Christmas here is not as festive as it is in the Philippines, but of course, I'm always up for experiencing something new; 2.) It was crowded here when my sister went here last March because it's summer, so now, I'll get to enjoy it better because there's lesser tourists on island hopping tours; 3.) Who wouldn't be happy to be back in Phuket?

A short anecdote I wanna share:

The day before this, we went on a day trip in Bangkok and rode the overnight bus to Phuket. When we got to the bus station, we asked for a cab that'll take us to my mother's location. When we got there, we paid the cab and he left. That was when I realized I left my camera bag in the cab! The camera bag contains (of course) the camera and my wallet which has ALL my government IDs and at least 16,000 pesos in cash. I am this close to crying. We rushed back to the bus station (which is very far by the way, like Manila-Alabang) via scooter which my mother drove and Raf and I rode at the back. My mother didn't know the way so while I was fidgeting, we got lost but then eventually got to the place after a few wrong turns and directions we asked from people on the road. Goodness of all goodness of hearts! The cab driver was there at the terminal waiting for me with my camera bag! I was so amazed with their honesty toward foreigners. 
So anyway, we spent our first day in Phuket on a James Bond Island Hopping Tour! This is something I was not able to do when I first went here so I am not going to miss it again this time!

First stop of the tour was Koh Panyee...

Koh Panyee is a small fishing village in Phang Nga Bay. The village is built on stilts so it's fascinating to me. We stopped there for the buffet lunch at the Panyee Restaurant.





And then, we headed to the location where we rode the canoe by twos or threes - which is my favorite part of the tour because I've never rode a canoe before nor used an oar.

 The canoe boating lasted for at least half an hour where we crossed narrow caves and hidden beaches. You literally have to lie down when entering some caves because you'll hit your head if you don't!










And last, which is definitely not the least - James Bond Island (which is why the tour is named after it).

 Kao Phing Kan is popularly known to tourist as James Bond Island because this is where they shot the 1974 James Bond movie "The Man With the Golden Gun."


The main attraction of the place is the iconic islet (photo below) called Ko Tapu. Ko Tapu is a limestone rock that's around 20 metres tall. It is located at least 40 metres away from Khao Phing Kan. 

 If it's low tide, you can just walk to the islet to have a closer look.





It was a great day overall because the sun was there but it wasn't hot. We got back to our jump off point at around 4 pm and We spent the rest of the night in Bangla Road to watch my uncle's gig.




My favorite Thai food - BAMI! Bami is sold everywhere, but honestly, the best bami I have tasted where the one from the streets. It's a noodle soup with red meat, shiitake mushrooms, vegetables, pork, and other ingredients I couldn't identify but nonetheless taste great altogether. 
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A Day in Bangkok

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Our real destination was Phuket but the flight we took from Manila is bound for Bangkok. That way, we could spend a day strolling around the city while we wait for the overnight bus that will take us down  south to Phuket where Raf and I will be spending Christmas with my mother and uncle.



The last time I went to Bangkok (March 2014), I wasn't able to tour around the city so I consider this time as my actual "first time" to "see the city."

We arrived in Suvarnabhumi International Airport at around 9am instead of 8am due to the delay in our flight. We took a cab to book our overnight bus tickets, left our baggage at the ticketing office and started our short Bangkok day trip.

First Stop: WAT ARUN

Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan or simply and shortly known as "Wat Arun" (also Temple of Dawn) is a buddhist temple which is also one of the most popular landmarks in the city. It is located on the west Bank of the Chao Phraya river just across the Grand Palace of Bangkok.


Skirts that reveal the knees are not allowed inside Wat Arun so in the entrance, where you buy the tickets (50baht), you can rent sarongs such as the one I was wearing below.


Named after the Hindu God Aruna, a lot of people says Wat Arun is most beautiful in the daylight as the sunlight reflects on the temple's surface with "pearly irridescence."

Maintenance was going on during our visit but that didn't stop us and all the tourists from climbing the steep stairs that leads to the top.

This is how steep it is. It's dizzying to look at from above and climbing up is waaaaay easier that going down. There was even a moment when I deferred going down because I was too scared. The steps becomes steeper as it goes higher and this is not a treat for those who are afraid of heights.




But then, the view from the top was breathtaking and the breeze was relaxing. From the top, you can see the Grand Palace from the other side of the river.


Wat Arun has existed since the 17th century but it was only in the 19th century that its iconic spires (also known as "prang") was built. The tallest prang and the four smaller ones that it is surrounded with (not in this photo, sorry) are encrusted with colorful porcelain.




Pag nahulog ka, dead. Kidding!



 Excuse my boyfriend, but this is the front view of Wat Arun. :)



It took as an hour and a half before we decided to go to the Grand Palace. We took the boat (I forgot what they call it) and went across the Chao Phraya river to the other side for just 3baht. Upon crossing, you will be greeted by lots of souvenir kiosks and street food stalls. As much as we wanted to try, so many tourists were lined up so we decided to skip it and just head to the Grand Palace.

From the port of Chao Phraya, you have to walk for at least 10 minutes to get to the entrance gates of the Grand Palace. 



 SECOND STOP: GRAND PALACE

 Sadly, we ran out of luck as we arrived at the Grand Palace a few minutes after 4pm (which means it will be closing soon) so we were only able to explore a few parts of it and not the all of the structures inside the complex.

Anyway, the Grand Palace is a complex of buildings and structures that has been the "official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782." However, the present king of Thailand, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, a well-loved king if I may add, is currently residing in Chitralada Palace, but the Grand Palace is still used for official royal events.

And since we weren't able to explore it wholly, I don't have the photo of the main buildings so the photo right below is not mine. As a whole, the entire complex looks like this.
www.bssuvarnabhumi.com
Generally, it was a great experience, albeit short since we only had morning to afternoon to do that because our bus to Phuket leaves at 5pm so we hurried back to Sai Tai Mai to catch the bus.

Hopefully, the third time I go back to Bangkok will be for a much longer stay as I plan to see the Wat Pho (just within the area), Madam Tussauds Wax Museum, and other shows that are very popular in Bangkok.

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Cebu City Tour

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On our very last day here in Cebu, we traveled back to the city from Bantayan Island the same way we went there. We boarded the ferry from Sta. Fe port at 6:30am and arrived at Hagnaya Port at around 7am and rode the bus that'll take us to Cebu City for our city tour.

Since we didn't have the luxury of time and can only visit a few locations in the city, we hailed a cab and went to SM Cebu for lunch and then straight to Magellan's Cross in downtown Cebu City. 


Located next to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Magallanes Street, Magellan's Cross is the Christian Cross that was planted in Cebu as directed by Spanish conqueror Ferdinand Magellan.


When we got there, the Cross is still under rehabilitation as it was damaged by the Typhoon Haiyan. There were wooden braces all over the structure to support this historic landmark. 


According to the signage below the cross, the original cross that's erected by Magellan and his men is encased inside the wooden cross that is found in the center of the chapel. This was done for the protection of the actual cross from the people who chips a part of the cross believing that it has miraculous powers that can grant the heart's wishes.


Inside the Magellan's Cross are older women who are selling candles for offering. Along with the candles, they also utter prayers for the well-being of the wisher. The five candles come in different colors: blue, green, yellow, pink and red and each color represent a particular aspect in life that one would want to focus on his/her prayers and wishes. Blue for career, green for financial success, yellow for health, pink for happiness and peace and red for love.




After offering our prayers to the iconic cross of downtown Cebu, we headed straight to Beverly Hills (not in California, but in Cebu!).

Travel Tip: If you are riding a cab going to Taoist Temple, try to ask the cab driver if he can wait for your group so that you'll have a ride back to the city proper. Not so many cabs pass by this area so it's best to be sure so that's what we did.


With an elevation of 980 ft above sea level, Cebu's Taoist Temple was built by the Chinese community in 1972. The towering, multi-tiered and multi-hued temple is open to worshippers and non-worshippers alike. Photos are not allowed to be taken inside the temples itself so be careful not to break the rules offend the caretakers and just take your photos on the lot outside where the structures are located.

So yeah, all the photos are outdoors which gives you a natural light so you'll surely get a nice shot if it's a nice day outside!






I wasn't able to take photos but after going to Taoist Temple, we went to Pasalubong Center and bought all the dried fish we can!

And before we know it, we had to go back to the city because our short vacation is over and work is waiting for us.

View of the city from the plane's window seat.


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Sugar Beach, Bantayan Island, Cebu

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We left Cebu City at 5 in the morning and rode a bus going to Hagnaya Port and by around 8am, we were already at the port securing our ferry tickets.

The travel from Cebu City to the island of Bantayan is smooth and we didn't encounter any problems. Commuting is easy and safe. When we got there, we still have not decided on where to stay. According to most travel blogs I read prior to this trip, Kota Beach Resort has the best view of the shoreline as it has a sand bar but when we got there, the resort is under renovation and they are still cleaning the shoreline filled with seaweeds(?) due to the past typhoon.

So we decided to go to Anika Beach Resort. They say that Anika is a little pricey compared to other resorts and is the favorite place of some celebrities to stay in when in Bantayan. When we got there, we understood why.

Creatively, they used container vans for the construction of the rooms. There are lots of rooms to choose from depending on the price and how near it is to the beach. We settled for the Sunset View rooms priced at 2,000php a night for two persons. 


The resort also has posh-looking beachfront pods that are just perfect for sunbathing. 







For lunch, we decided to take a stroll in the vicinity and most of us were craving for seafood and of course, it's an island so we didn't spent too much time looking for a place that serves seafood. 

The price were too cheap! Each meal only costs a 120 pesos and the serving size is satisfying!

The tricycle drivers "offered" us island hopping packages and since we didn't have anything planned to do on the island, we said yes. The boat picked us up at 3pm after we had our late lunch and we're all aboard! 

Shameless bikini picture on the boat. SORRY!



Although the trip was fun, it was cut short because all of us were mildly to severely stung by some jellyfish. So we headed back to Bantayan to attend to our stung skin.



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Ceby Skywalk and the Amazing Zubuchon

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Photo on the left (banjo-like pattern of the capitol leading down to the rotunda) taken by my friend, Jan; other two are mine.

 Our flights got moved once and delayed twice, so our supposed arrival in Cebu at 3pm became 7pm. But since this was a long-planned vacation, we didn't let that get to our nerves so we just tried to make the most of what we can do in that first day...err... night.

Since we didn't had much time, we compromised to just do these  three things the moment we stepped foot in Mactan-Cebu International Airport: find a hotel to lodge our belongings, head over to Crown Regency Hotel for the Skywalk Extreme Adventure, and look for Zubuchon.

We checked in at Cebuview Tourist Inn found in Sanciangko Street which is just a few blocks away from Crown Regency. Before the day of the trip, the Skywalk activity in Crown Regency is one of the things that me and my friends were really looking forward to because, if I am not mistaken, it's the only hotel that offers that kind of activity/adventure in the country.

SKYWALK @ CROWN REGENCY HOTEL

Skywalk Extreme is one of the many fun activities offered by Skye Experience Adventure - Crown Regency. You can check out their other activities here.

The Skywalk Extreme costs 550 pesos and the ride/activity lasts for 20 mins. Each group will be led by a tour guide who knows how to operate and secure the harness on the participants, so no worries!

Just in case you are wondering, you cannot bring anything in the skywalk area. No phones, no cameras, no jewelry, nothing. Just your clothes. You will be asked to deposit 150 pesos to rent a locker for your personal belongings and they'll refund it back to you afterwards. As for the pictures, as I've said, no cameras allowed but they have a photographer that will come with you and take pictures. Buying the copies of the photos is optional and costs 150 apiece. The size is like the half of a short coupon bond. 

We put on this striking orange and blue jumpsuits that looked like we are from the outer space. I hated the outfit but it was fun!


As you go along with the activity, the tour guide tells you some fun facts and trivias about Cebu City as you gaze at the beautiful Cebu City skyline.

Our tour guide was a little playful and he kept faking falling down and we were shrieking in fear. Haha. Benta lang mga "hulog jokes" ni kuya kahit di naman totoo.

We jokingly called this the "That's Entertainment" promotional poster shot.

This death-defying experience is one of the highlights of this trip. Imagine walking above 40 floors. yes, we did have a harness and it was totally safe, but still, 40 floors, Crown Regency has no room for acrophobia!



We skywalk-ed a little late and ended at around quarter to 12. We were a little devastated because we thought all of the Zubuchon branches were closed at that time. Luckily, I am the queen of kadaldalan and unnecessary questions so I asked out skywalk guide if there are still Zubuchon branches open and lo and behold! The IT Park branch is open til 2am!

If in case you are wondering what's the deal with this Zubuchon and why are we stressing ourselves to find one, Zubuchon, according to lots of blogs and food reviews we've read prior to the trip, is the BEST-TASTING LECHON in Cebu. Now, I know that's such a fearless claim but I guess, you just have to come to Cebu to find out.

The blogs and reviews didn't fail us! The kilo of boneless lechon we ordered was sinful, yes, but tastes like heaven. No matter how many adjectives I use, I can never give enough justice to tell you how good Zubuchon Lechon was.
ZUBUCHON LECHON

The gastronomically orgasmic Zubuchon Lechon! Highly recommended!



Zubuchon's Lechon is the best-tasting lechon my mouth has ever tried. The skin is so crispy  and crunchy and the meat is fantastically juicy and tender. Heck, just writing about it now makes me hate Zubuchon for not having a branch in Manila. But I guess that's the beauty of it. The Zubuchon experience is a lot more special because you actually have to travel to Cebu just to have a taste of it's heavenly lechon. And I'm okay with that.

The heart attack pose after dining... Well, Raf had to stop me from eating a lot because I cannot breathe properly anymore but I knew I cannot stop because WE. DO. NOT. HAVE. THIS. IN. MANILA. 


By the time we're done with Zubuchon, it was 1am and we only have 4 hours left before we leave for Bantayan Island at 5am the next morning so we headed back to the hotel for a 3-hour nap.
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