When in Thailand

It's been awhile since my last International Adventure. Thanks to my very supportive hubby for making this happen. Never in my life did I dream that I will be visiting Thailand and experience its culture. The only thing I know is that Thailand has a famous celebrity (one of my personal favorites) and that is Mario Maurer. But since we have friends there and all the stories I heard from my hubby since he used to work in a Company there years ago makes me wanna visit and explore it. I also wanted to know more about their culture and beliefs. One that amazes me the most is their language too. How they communicate to tourists and why there are many English teacher from Philippines working in their country.

Before anything else, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Cebu Pacific for their promo fare. It's a big plus for our trip since we saved a lot. Without your promo fare we won't be able to experience traveling to different Countries. Perks of staying late at night. 😅

Our itinerary was prepared by my hubby with some help from our friend who is already there. We left home at around 2:00 am for our 5:00 am flight. We arrived in Suvarnabhumi Airport around 8:00 am (9:00AM PH Time) and we headed directly to Pattaya. We took a Bus and traveled for about 3-4 hours. Since we did not have enough sleep due to early flight, we took the chance to get some while in the bus. Thanks to hubby he knows a little Thai language so it somehow helped a bit when asking for directions. It was both our first time to go to Pattaya and we met a lot of foreigners heading there as well. 

When we arrived in Pattaya, we took another 45 Minutes Ferry ride going to Koh Larn, one of the beautiful Islands around Pattaya. The place was so beautiful during the day and peaceful during the night. I've noticed that most of the people there don't know how to speak in English and they were afraid to talk to us. We then settled our things and place to stay for a night. The Resort we got offered free motorcycle for Customers to use to drive around the place the reason it was not hard for us to see most of the place in a few hours only. Koh Larn have beautiful beaches with affordable food and places to stay.  We visited Pattaya view point and some old historical places the island offers. The scenery was so awesome and dramatic and the food was so delicious and tasty. Everything in Koh Larn Pattaya was beautiful.

 Staying only for a night in Koh Larn was a bit short but we need to move to our next itinerary which is going to Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. Another 3 to 4 hours Bus ride again from Pattaya to Bangkok and of course, chance to get some sleep. We stayed in our friend's apartment this time and it was near the old Bangkok Airport. Our Day 2 were almost spent on traveling places to places. We experienced eating dinner on sidewalk food stalls (it is so popular in Thailand) with freshly cooked food served in front of us. The food we ordered were very cheap and delicious (we had Kao Phat Moo, Moo Krook and Tom Yum Goong) and we enjoyed it a lot. Thailand is really all about their affordable foods, lifestyle, and beautiful places.

I was not informed that our Day 3 itineraries in Bangkok were so packed. But thanks to my previous training (jogging and mountain hiking), it helped me a lot when it comes to all day walking and non-stop travels. Our Day started at 7am and it ends at 11pm. It was a continuous roaming around with a combination of riding, walking, eating and taking photos. We visited different Temples during this day. We rented a Taxi with a Thai driver but can speak English very well. He toured us around Ayuthaya, Elephant Camp, Wat Mahathat and Wat Yai Chai Mongkhol. For the price for that trip, I would recommend him to other Tourists since he knows most of the places and he is very friendly.

The ruins in every temple we've visited were fabulous and left me a feeling to know more about their history. They were so beautiful and appealing. It also  makes me wonder how it was built and how it looks like before it was destroyed. How the King of Thailand lead his people in this magnificent Kingdom? You can see it for your I felt puzzled and speechless while roaming around and taking photos. After Ayuthaya, we went to Chatuchak Weekend Market. The market was so overwhelming that at the very moment we arrived, I had no idea where to start and what to buy. Everything in my mind I wanted to buy before this trip were all gone and I ended up buying nothing except for a small souvenirs I brought home. 

Other Photos from temple ruins:

I really felt so sad that time and learned a lesson to make sure to plan out every thing especially when we have a very limited time. And before our Day ends, we dropped by to Asiatique The Riverfront for our Dinner and a couple of beers. We took MTR from Chatuchak going to a Station near the Terminal of the free Ferry Boat going to Asiatique. This place is a large open-air mall in Bangkok. It is situated in the former docks of the East Asiatic Company, and faces the Chao Phraya River and Charoen Krung Road. They have different food selections, the selections of shops is interesting too, with a good range of unusual brands. We had our dinner at Baan Khanitha, a Thai Cuisine and their food were so delicious but a bit pricey. But still it was worth the experience.

Because we were so tired, our Day 4 was limited to Wat Pho, Mont Nom Sut, and Terminal 21 only. Wat Pho, is a Buddhist temple complex in the Phra Nakhon District. Known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. It was near the Grand Palace where the body of the late King of Thailand was place and open for visiting. Going here should have in proper dress code. Technically everyone (men and women) should wear long sleeved tops and long trousers. All shoes should have the toes covered as well. Realistically this only applies when you go inside the Reclining Buddha building and any of the bots (chapels). 

I experienced also dropping coins in their 108 bronze bowls in the corridor representing the 108 auspicious characters of Buddha as it is believed to bring good fortune, and it also helps to maintain the place. After Wat Pho, we went to a well-known successful food chain in Thailand, the Mont Nom Sut. Famous for their toasts and milk. Their toasts comes with a variety of delicious fillings (Original Coconut Custard, Coconut Custard, Condensed Milk, Sugar, Marmalade Jam, Chocolate, Corn Soup, Strawberry Jam, Taro Custard) at just 23 baht. Of course, we tried their chocolate, strawberry, condensed milk and pandan fillings with their delicious juices. They also have a variety of breads for sale. Mont Nom Sut is really famous were foreigners and even locals spend time to visit this place. So be patient a bit as you need to wait for a while to get a table were you will enjoy your food. After having snacks, we went to Terminal 21 where we experienced riding their underground train (which my second time after Hong Kong). Terminal 21 brings the dream of traveling the world to downtown Bangkok, with it's cutting-edge concept that places several world-famous cities under one roof.  Here you will experience a lifestyle mall with a personality. A luxurious place for me with a very nice architectural designs and a good ambiance. People who love shopping for branded items will love this place.

Other Photos from Wat Pho:

Our Day 5 was all about Baiyoke Sky Hotel experience and I will just share it with you guys in a different page. 

Our Day 6 was the most painful part, the moment you need to leave and go back home. I will really miss Thailand, their food, lifestyle, transportation, locals and especially my Filipino friend. Special mention to our dearest friend Jane Secula who helped us in planning the trip and letting us stay in her apartment. Thank you friend for everything (our tour guide/interpreter, introducing us to different Thai food, being our UNO master and especially cooking my midnight snack). I know that you had a personal struggles prior this but still you let us enjoy our stay there. My experience and beautiful memories won't be that awesome without your help. And to my hubby whose been very supportive in everything I do, I love you! 😘

Pictures with friends:

The Church in Magdalena, Laguna Philippines

When I was invited to attend my cousin's wedding at Magdalena Laguna, this beautiful church caught my attention. It was so old but strongly built. I did not let the chance to capture a shot with it slide away. Magdalena Laguna is approximately 80 km from Metro Manila which resides at the Southern part of the island. You can go there by driving a Car or riding a public bus for about 2 - 3 hours depending on the Traffic (Much better to leave Metro Manila early in the morning to avoid the rush).

The Santa Maria Magdalena Parish Church (also Saint Mary Magdalene Parish Church) is a Roman Catholic church in Magdalena, Laguna, Philippines under the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Pablo. The current parish priest is Father Andres P. Olaso, Jr.[1]

History

Magdalena was formerly known as Ambling, a barrio of Majayjay until it was elevated as a towin in 1821.[2][3] The first church, made of cogon and wood was constructed in 1820 and was dedicated to Mary Magdalene. Father Antonio Moreno, OFM was appointed at its first parish priest in 1821.[3] A permission to build a stone church was ordered by Captain Pablo de la Concepción in 1829.[2] To obtain funds for the church, the people were forced to pay taxes and quarry sand and stones from the river. The construction of the church building was halted in 1839, continued in 1849 and finished in 1855 under the direction of Father Maximo Rico, Father Jose Cuesta, Father Joaquin de Coria and Father Francisco de Paula Gonzalez.[2][4] Construction of the belltower was finished in 1861.[2]

In its convent, Filipino revolutionary leader General Emilio Jacinto sought refuge and his blood stains could be found.[5][6]

Architecture 

The Baroque church is elevated by a flight of steps facing a plaza.[2] It is mainly made out of sandstone.[7] To its left is a four story octagonal belltower with a square base.[2]

Don't forget to leave a message/question in the comment box. Have a great day everyone.

Las Casas de Acuzar, Bataan Philippines

To get a chance to be here and to see some historical houses preserved of Las Casas de Acuzar was a priviledge to know more about my country, the Philippines. I can say, I am a proud Filipina.

History and Description:

José "Gerry" Acuzar, owner of New San Jose Builders started to rebuild Spanish mansions in Bagac in 2003.[2] Each house was dismantled brick by brick, numbered, transported to his property in Bagac, reassembled in the same order, and then restored. Houses were chosen based on their historical, cultural and architectural value. Acuzar bought houses which were in a state of neglect, from the owners, and in some cases also purchased the lot where the mansions stood. The bahay na bato (Tagalog, literally meaning stone houses) which have stone foundations on the first floor and are made of wood on the second floor(constructed thus to withstand earthquakes), were transplanted from Manila (Tondo, Binondo and Quiapo), Quezon City, Bulacan, Pampanga, La Union, the Ilocos and Cagayan.

Seven years later, in 2010, the heritage park was opened to public.

Spread over 400 hectares, the park features a collection of 27 Spanish Colonial buildings and stone houses (bahay na bato in Tagalog), planned to resemble a settlement reminiscent of the period. These houses were carefully dismantled, brick by brick, transplanted from different parts o[3] of the Philippines and rehabilitated in these premises, to resemble the original structure. For parts that were missing, woodwork and bricks were replicated to resemble the original structure. For this, the Ciudad employs a workforce of 130 people, including 10 wood sculptors, three metal sculptors, 30 craftsmen who design ceilings, and construction workers. There are also five architects, two of whom are historical architects, and two artists

The resort also has a restaurant, a beach, calesa rides and a swimming pool. The resort plans to house 50 such heritage houses.

Mount Samat Shrine, Bataan Philippines

History and Description:
Mount Samat National Shrine (Tagalog pronunciation: [samat]) or Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valour) is a historical shrine located near the summit of Mount Samat in the town of Pilár, Province of Bataan, in the Republic of the Philippines. The memorial shrine complex was built to honor and remember the gallantry of Filipino and American soldiers who fought during World War II.

Consisting of a Colonnade and the large Memorial Cross, the park was commissioned in 1966 by then-President and dictator Ferdinand Marcos, for the 25th Anniversary of WW2.[1] The white Memorial Cross stands as a remembrance to the soldiers who fought and lost their lives in the Battle of Bataan. The shrine complex also includes a war museum with a wide array of collections from paintings of the Philippine heroes, to armaments used by the Filipino, American and Japanese forces during the battle.

From the colonnade and the cross, there is a panoramic view of Bataan, Corregidor Island and on a clear day, the city of Manila situated about 50 km (31 mi) across Manila Bay.