A Dreamer's Notebook

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:

Baguio City, Philippines

Baguio City, so far, is one of my favorite place here in the Philippines. It is a highly urbanized city in the Northern Luzon and also known as the "Summer Capital of the Philippines". I love the cold weather na parang meh Korea feels lang. :D I love roaming around the city seeing people wearing their best winter clothes (and I just love winter clothes because maybe kinain na nga ata talaga ako ng sistema ng KDrama. LOL). The view of the pine trees are just so beautiful that you will feel like you're in a different world. It is really an amazing place for me compare to the hot temperature and traffic in Manila. You could really relax and feel refreshed after your stay here. The place itself is just perfect for me.The food there is cheaper compared to other places i have visited but tastes good. Meat and vegetables are fresh and each servings can be shared by two people already. A lot of nice and cozy restaurants located inside and outside the City you can visit and enjoy.

We have visited beautiful and breathe taking places in Baguio City. I've been here twice already and looking to have more in the future. During our first trip here, we visited those known places where people would usually go if they stay there. Please follow through as I narrate what I have experienced during my trip.

First stop was in the "Burnham Park". A 32.84 hectare urban park located in the heart of Baguio City. We rented a boat to experience paddling around the pond where I enjoyed a lot. I feel like I was still in my younger years then. We ate ice cream in spite of the cold and freezing weather. You can see people rent bicycle and roaming around the park too. There were slides and swings for kids to play with. The scenery in the area was just so nice where you can see a lot of beautiful smiles in people faces. Different kind of flowers were planted to add color to the place. There were also some stalls selling bling-bling, accessories and souvenirs around the park. Food stalls and restaurants were also there for those who become hungry and tired roaming around. A cup of hot or iced coffee is just perfect. SM and other shopping Malls are around the corner too.

Second Stop was the well-known "Strawberry Farm". This is the most common place were most of the tourists go and experience picking strawberries and to have some Instagram selfies too. The farm contains not only Strawberries but different fresh Vegetable like Lettuce, Broccoli, Cauliflower and with different colorful flowers too (like Sunflower, Roses, etc.). The place was just so awesome and it was the first time I experienced eating a strawberry flavored ice cream made locally and it was delicious (they call it Dirty Ice Cream). I picked up one basket of strawberry and the price was reasonable.

We also went to the "Botanical Garden". In the entrance, there were local Igorots wearing their costumes and you can have some pictures with them for 20 Pesos only. The place is big with nature scenery and lots of pine and other big trees. There were some souvenir shops inside and food stalls. The weather there was so nice and perfect to lie down on a grassy field staring up the sky. There is also a Cave in this place that contains different caged wild animals like snakes, lizards, etc. So if you are up to wild adventures, this is the place for you.

Next stop is this amazing "Mines View Park". This is an overlook park on the northeastern outskirts of Baguio. The view is just superb. More souvenir shops here selling different goods like Baguio shirts, Strawberry and Ube jams, Malongs, etc. Going up here was not easy. The road was kinda steep and traffic during peak season. You can also do picture taking with a Pony for 20 Pesos only. Not much adventures here except for the magnificent view.

Other places we visited were Camp John Hay and the Christmas Village. Camp John Hay, or what they previously call as John Hay Air Station, is a Major Tourism and recreation attraction located in the City of Baguio. The place offers a lot of stuffs to the Tourist. Currently, a lot of hotels and restaurants were constructed and opened in the Area. There were Adventure Parks and Museums also just around the corner for the Tourist to enjoy. Christmas Village on the other hand were specifically mounted during the Christmas Season. The place is equipped with a Snow making machine and it offers Christmas presentations like dancing and singing.

Oh before I forget, we have dropped by at the "Bell Church" just after we visited the Strawberry Farm. The Bell Church is located north of the downtown area of Baguio along the road leading to the town of La Trinidad, Benguet. Within its compound are intricately designed arches and buildings adorned with flags, bells and dragons.

It has a pagoda, and beautifully landscapped gardens. There are some artifacts about Buddhism that you will find at the Bell Church as well as some literature about the history of China.

More pictures during our trip...

Strawberry Picking at the Farm is quite fun. Anyone care for a bite?

Fresh Vegetables at Strawberry Farm (Yum Yum)

Inside the Botanical Garden with all the Pine Trees at the Back

Taking a shot at the Entrance of the Botanical Garden

Ooopppsss... Something is starting to cover the whole city...

Just to add guys, be sure to check the weather forecast before going to Baguio. Weather here is unpredictable and you might experience thick fog along the way. Double check your car brakes and tires if you are driving. Be safe everyone and enjoy.

Till here for now, will have another post of my other adventures in Baguio City.

Zambales, Philippines

It was one of our dreams to visit Mt. Pinatubo and it has kept us a while in planning the trip. We were all prepared a night before and ready to invade the Volcano just to hear the bad news that the Local Government decided to close the location to the Public/Tourist for some reasons. The Tour Agency advised and provided us other options like going to Zambales with Island Hopping package or move to other dates. We were so disappointed considering that we were so excited to see the Volcano and we have not searched or checked what are we going to have in Zambales. Since we cannot move to other dates anymore, we decided to take the Zambales Cove and Island Hopping Package Tour. We left around 3 in the morning the following day and thoughts of how Zambales will look like kept playing in our minds. We passed thru Subic and have witnessed part of the sun rise. It was almost 9 in the morning when we arrived at Zambales and was so tired due to heavy traffic. Our eyes grew big when we had our glimpsed of the beach and islands ahead of us. The excitement and adrenaline started to pump up in us.

Capones Lighthouse

Snap with Family

We took a small motor Boat from the main land and first dropped by the Capones Island. It is located almost at the outer part of the main land and the highlight of the island was the lighthouse (named Capones Island Lighthouse). It is a historic lighthouse located in Capones Island off the coast of Brgy. Pundaquit, San Antonio. The view of the West Philippine Sea from the lighthouse was extremely overwhelming. You will feel like you we're on the top of the world. The water on the sea and the blue sky makes it a perfect view. You might just want to stay there dreaming and relaxing the whole day long.

Hidden River in Anawangin Cove

Beach Front Anawangin Cove

After Capones Island, we jumped off to our Boat and went to Anawangin Cove to have lunch. This place was a popular destination for camping and beach outing. It has white sands, pine trees, hidden river, a hill and mountains to climb. Do expect though that the place has no electricity and that Mobile Phone's signal is a bit weak. Just the perfect place to relax and disconnected yourself to all those busy and stressful days in the city. After lunch we climbed the hill near us and took photos of the whole area. It was a bit tiring plus the scorching heat of the sun. Since this was an unplanned and unexpected trip, we never got the change to swim at the beach.

We left Zambales at around 4 in the afternoon having a "Bitin" feeling but then decided to have another trip back here. Of course, should be perfectly planned ahead.