Paris
Cliché, but still a must visit. The Eiffel Tower, the River Seine, Le Louvre, Versailles, the Arc de Triomphe, cafes – need I say more? Oh, and I absolutely have to go to the Ice Kube bar. It’s not a new concept, but it would be cool (no pun intended) to go there.

London
Easily accessible from France via the train that goes through the Channel Tunnel, London is definitely a must see. Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and fish and chips! Maybe a visit to the West End as well.

Istanbul
Let’s deviate from the usual stops and take a look at the outer edges of Europe. We always hear talk about “East meeting West,” and there is no better place to discover that than in Istanbul. The culture is certainly unique and exhilarating.

Budapest
Another stop where the old world meets the new. Budapest is known for its night life AND thermal baths. Where else can you find such a combination?

Going to Europe? Make sure you stop by in each of these cities for at least a couple of days.

Jambiani, Tanzania
The Beach that Time Forgot – that’s how this area is described. The only drawback to this beach is that you cannot really swim as the tides are low. However, you can put up that hammock and be lazy all day.

Pulau Perhentian, Malaysia
Lonely Planet’s write up says “Except for snorkelling, diving, frolicking, swimming, sunning your body or pretending you’re either Brooke Shields or Christopher Atkins inThe Blue Lagoon (1980), there’s nothing to do.” I think that that just about describes paradise for me! The biggest selling point: this place is so free from any commercial activities!

Kai Islands, Indonesia
They say that more and more people are proclaiming these islands to be the best in the world. I wouldn’t know, but I would sure like to find out for myself! Again, there isn’t much to do in terms of partying, but you can snorkel all you want and simply enjoy nature.

North Stradbroke Island, Australia
This area is said to offer some of the largest sand islands in the world. The waves are high and are best for surfing. There are also parties monthly, so extroverts will find it more interesting.

For the complete list, visit the article at Lonely Planet.

Some of the featured cities were not really a surprise. Buenos Aires, Argentina, for example, has long been known to offer the most exciting night activities one can ask for. After all, this is the land of tango!

But, did you ever think of going to Tel Aviv to party? According to the travel experts, this city is filled to the brim with bars and clubs, which start getting crowded by midnight. That should let you know that the partying doesn’t stop till the early morning hours. Oh, and yes, Tel Aviv is very outgoing and open to most everything.

If you want to get a natural high, head on over to La Paz in Bolivia, which is 3000 meters above sea level. That means that you will get a buzz going way before you normally do. And yes, the people of La Paz love to party!

Cape Town, South Africa also made it to the list. With the 2010 World Cup fever infecting practically everyone in the city, the parties never stop. Have the best of both worlds here – the beach during the day and the clubs at night.

For the full list, visit the Ultimate Party Cities article.

In any case, as I was telling you in my previous post, Ben Thanh Market closes in the early evening, but its night market draws more crowds – if that’s at all possible. The night market is composed of stalls set up in the streets flanking the Ben Thanh Market. During the day, these streets serve as, well, streets. The sides are parking areas as well. When the night market opens, they still serve as streets – motorcycles galore – but your senses will be assaulted (pleasantly) by the sights, sounds, and smells of what the people have to sell.

I think that I did most of my shopping at the night market. I got clothing – this nice shirt with a tiger print on it, the most amazing white robe with a silver dragon embroidered onto it, wallets, and all sorts of other stuff! The best thing about the night market is that you can haggle all you want. The trick I learned is to just walk away when you don’t get the price you want. If it’s reasonable, the salesperson will run after you and you’ll get an excellent price!


Of course, you CANNOT ignore the aroma of food while at the night market. This is perhaps one of the best places where you can eat. There are a lot of stalls selling grilled everything, soup with anything in it, fried everything – name it, you’ll find it in these stalls. Thank you, guru Anthony Bourdain, for alerting me to the presence of this night market!

The fact that it erupted fairly recently and that you can hike right up to the crater is too tempting to resist. Even more so, the sight that greets you at the end of the trek is enough to entice anyone – even those who wouldn’t normally go hiking. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.

That’s my first view of the crater. The eruption created this gorgeous lake, the depth of which is currently undetermined. I had seen pictures of this view so many times before but nothing prepared me for the real thing.

Yes, you can go swimming in the lake. The water is perfect! At first it may seem too cold but the sun is hot enough to keep you warm.

There are different routes you can take to the crater – we chose the easiest one. We drove all the way to Capas, Tarlac, where the famed Pinatubo Spa is located. We met our guide there, who took us near the crater on a 4×4. That ride lasted about an hour (rough road all the way!), while the trek lasted about 30 minutes. According to the sign below, we’re way older than senior citizens!

I say who cares? The experience was worth everything!

You see, the countless hotels in Saigon offer good rates – anywhere from USD15 to USD40. The really big names, like Sheraton and Continental, are out of my league. I would have loved to stay at the Sheraton but it was just too much. Anyway, we ended up staying at Blue River Hotel for the first two nights, and then moved to Blue Diamond for the last three nights.

We chose Blue River Hotel 2 (there IS a Blue River Hotel 1) because it was very cheap – USD30 for a family room (good for at least 4 people). They have WiFi (free), hot water, cable TV, a bathtub (for this particular room). The only problem I had with the hotel is its location – about 10 minutes of walking to the bars and Ben Thanh Market (more about this in another post). There’s nothing to complain about regarding the staff – they are amazing!

Entrance to the alley going to the hotel.

Entrance to the hotel.
Blue Diamond Hotel is a bit more upscale, and it opened about two months ago. It is very very new and for $40 a night, it is very much worth it. It’s located just behind the Ben Thanh Market, making it ideal for tourists.

Their breakfast buffet.

With all the choices available to visitors, picking out a single hotel can be confusing. If you’re heading to Saigon anytime soon, I suggest checking these two hotels out. You really won’t regret doing so.

So why am I itching to see Saigon (now called Ho Chi Minh City – HCMC for short – by the way)? As I said, Vietnamese food is to die for. Fresh spring rolls, the famous pho (noodle soup), and banh mi (French baguette with all sorts of stuffing). I am fairly new to their cuisine, so we’ll see what else I will discover! Oh yeah, I shall let Anthony Bourdain’s Vietnam feature guide me for a week.

I also read this article in the New York Times about “following the beer trail in Vietnam.” I didn’t know it, but Vietnam has quite a good selection of beers, many of them local! I wouldn’t call myself a beer connoisseur but I can appreciate a good brew anytime! Now I have printed out the article and will go around HCMC looking for some of the best beer in the city.

Of course, there is shopping. From what I hear, I can find tons of shawls, bags, and other apparel for dirt cheap.

I seriously am beside myself with excitement now.

So anyway, the news is that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – that’s the name of the theme park – is set to open its gates on the 28th of May. That’s about 3 months away from now – more than enough time to gather together enough money to afford the cost of entering Harry Potter’s world.

Universal has announced the first travel package for the theme park. It’s a 4-night deal which will cost an adult $258 and a child (between age 3 and 9) $130. For a family of four (two parents and two kids), the package amounts to $829.

What’s included in the package?

• Accommodations at a Universal Partner Hotel (mid-range)
• Early Admission to the theme park
• Park ticket (3 days)
• Breakfast at The Three Broomsticks.

Harry Potter fans better start saving up now!

There are two main groups of islands that are usually visited by tourists – one to the south and one to the north. The southern islands are farther, but a whole lot more beautiful. Manlawi, which I wrote about in the previous post, is located in this area. Another island in this area is Cotivas. It is also beautiful, but smaller than Manlawi. When we got there, there were a small group of people lunching under the shade of a small tree. It was so serene!

Sabitang Laya is also a must visit. The beach is much smaller, but the rock formations are astoundingly beautiful! There is a small cove – if you can call it that – with more rock formations. I could spend a whole afternoon there just breathing it all in!


Islands in the northern part worth visiting are Lahus Island and Matukad Island. Lahus has a relatively long beach in the middle of two groups of rocks.

Matukad is smaller, but has some interesting plants. There is also a lagoon which is accessible by climbing a steep “cliff.” There is supposed to be a “guardian fish” in the lagoon, which cannot be caught by anyone.


Isn’t this place just magical?

Where we are going, there aren’t too many fancy restaurants. What I am really looking forward to are the small “eateries” where you can taste the local food in all its authentic glory. The best part is that everyone says it’s cheap!

Perhaps the most popular dish from this region is Bicol Express. This dish is available almost anywhere in the Philippines, but I am sure that what I will find in Caramoan is nothing like anything else I have ever tried. Bicol Express is a pork dish with lots of chili peppers (of course), shrimp paste, and coconut milk (of course). They say that every Bicolano family has its own version but at the end of the day, you won’t forget the creamy coconut milk flavor and the fiery peppers.

Another dish that I want to try is laing. This dish features dried out taro leaves. Again, coconut milk and chili peppers are thrown into the mix. Some versions include shrimp paste, while others have dried fish. Perfect for vegetarians!

Pinangat seems to be a combination of the first two dishes: taro leaves with minced pork. Now that sounds like heaven to me! I know that I will be going on a food trip next week!

The main thing for me, really, is the beach. I will probably spend most of my time just relaxing and swimming. I already have books and some TV shows lined up. Just give me food and drinks and I’ll be fine. Of course, I cannot pass up on the famed island hopping tours. Caramoan supposedly has 7 islands – all of which have to be discovered by the visitor. From other travelers’ experiences, a tour will take at least a day. Boats can be rented for PHP1,500 to PHP1,800 (about $30), and they can accommodate about 5 people. Not bad!

Spelunking or caving is also a popular activity in this part of the world. I am not sure I will try this as I have an aversion to dark enclosed places, but it sounds interesting. They say that you can hire guides for less than PHP500 ($10) to take you to Omang Cave. We’ll see how I feel when I get there.

Fishing – now this is something I would LOVE to do! My dad’s an avid fisherman and I guess he passed that on to me. Imagine having fresh fish for lunch – something you caught yourself. As long as I don’t have to clean it, I’ll be good!

Photo courtesy of caramoan-paradise.blogspot.com

How to get to Caramoan Islands
First you need to get to the Philippines, which I assume is easy enough for those who are in other countries. From Manila (other cities may have flights to Bicol but Manila is your best bet), you can take a Cebu Pacific flight to Naga City. This is one of the major cities in the Bicol Region.

From Naga City, you need to go to either Sabang Port. The trip will take about an hour and the cost will depend on the mode of transportation. Public transportation such as buses and jeepneys are available; the cost anywhere from PHP 65 to PHP85 (less than USD2).

From Sabang Port, you need to go to Guijalo Port. Travel is by boat and it takes about 2 hours. This will cost around PHP120. From there, you can get to Gota Village or wherever you are staying.

Here’s the better alternative for those who do not want to worry about all the transfers. Just make sure you get a flight to Naga City and let your resort handle all the transfers! Both Gota Village and La Playa will gladly do this for you for a reasonable price.

Up Next: What to bring

This group of islands is located in the southern part of the main island, Luzon, in the Bicol Region. It only became popular in the recent years, especially after the French version of Survivor was held there. Indeed, not much is known about the area, hence the moniker “Secret Paradise.”

From what I have been hearing from people who’ve been there, there are only a handful of resorts in the area. The main one is Gota Village – the exact site of the French Survivor. Naturally, the rates are quite high, although still affordable for some. My travelmates have decided to stay at another place (yeah, I was outvoted) – La Playa Resort. It’s more of a laidback place, so I am not expecting much BUT all I really need is the sun, the sand, and the sea!

So why should anyone go to Caramoan? The pictures I’ve seen – both from people I know and others who have written about the place online – are just gorgeous. The main thing is that there aren’t many people there – peak season it may be, but it shouldn’t be crowded.

Obviously, I have no pictures of my own to show you yet, but by the first week of January, I shall be writing more about this new destination.

For more info on Caramoan, check out these sites:
http://caramoanislands.com/
http://caramoan-paradise.blogspot.com/

The idea is not that novel. After all, a lot of people have embarked on their own journeys to experience Dan Brown’s stories for themselves. The Da Vinci Code started it all, and the subsequent stories added more destinations for fans to visit. Now, it’s Twilight’s turn. In spite of the fact that Halloween is over, the idea of visiting the setting of the story enchants fans.

Forks, Washington is the center of all the attention, for it is the place where Bella and the Cullens reside. Forks is in the northwestern part of the state, and is known for high levels of rainfall. This remote town is taking advantage of the attention, and even has a Twilight Lounge where events are held. A couple is also planning on opening a restaurant called Volterra, a city in the novels, by next year.

If you’re into cruises, you could join next year’s Twilight Cruise, which will be joined by Ashley Greene, Alex Meraz, and Michael Welch. It sails from Seattle on the 8th of August next year. By the looks of it, the cruise will soon be fully booked so you should get your tickets as early as you can.

Twilight fans, have you ever visited a place that is Twilight-related? Would you like to visit one in the near future? Tell us about it!

Photo courtesy of LA Times

Fall is one of the best times to travel and visit destinations bursting with color. Unfortunately for those living in tropical countries, this season is not part of our daily lives. Then again, all the more reason to go pack one’s bags and discover the beauty of fall! So, where to go?

For those in Asia, Japan could very well be the best place to go in fall. The cherry blossoms in spring may be more popular, but there is no denying that fall offers a spectacular sight. The temples, shrines, and castles which are already amazing in normal color seem to be even grander when the foliage around them seem to be on fire.

In the United States, you can go practically anywhere to experience the best of fall, but a lot of people agree that New Hampshire is one of the best places to visit in this season. The fiery colors add to the beauty of the landscape, which includes river gorges, waterfalls, and covered bridges.

Crossing the ocean to Europe, you can also experience fall at its best. In Bavaria, in the southeastern part of Germany, visitors can gaze at the wonderful countryside – complete with castles – ablaze with fall colors. Of course, the fact that the world famous Oktoberfest is held during this season is a MAJOR plus.

Then there is France, which boasts of the best wines in the world (though some argue this point). Visit the French wine country and you just might see the most beautiful sights ever. A glass – or bottle – of wine will make it even better!

Last week, the country experienced a natural disaster of immense magnitude. Typhoon Ketsana (Typhoon Ondoy) hit Luzon, the northernmost island, and left billions worth of damage behind. Countless people were affected: hundreds lost their lives, more lost their homes and their belongings. Even today, there are still areas which are waist deep (or even deeper) in water.

Bottom line: the people of the Philippines welcome your aid. They are some of the most hospitable people in the world, and this time, it is them that need care. The Philippine Red Cross has set up a PayPal account to receive donations. Click below if you feel the desire to help out.

And don’t believe warnings that the Philippines is not suitable as a travel destination these days. The typhoon wreaked havoc and damage, but it is only temporary. Trust me, we will be back on our feet before you know it.

On another note, I saw a promotional video create by Apl De Ap of Black Eyed Peas – you might not have known it but he is Filipino. Here is the video.

That’s the Filipino spirit.

Contrary to what you might expect, there are actually good deals to be found during this season. More often than not, you would expect hotels to jack up their prices during peak season, right? The good news is that many hotels in the country are actually offering lower prices, especially for package deals. The Hindu Business Online reports:

“Average room rates have declined by approximately 30 per cent. However, the decline at leisure hotels has not been that significant,” said a spokesperson for Oberoi Group of Hotels.

On the occupancies, the leisure hotels are expected to see a 15-20 per cent increase over Dussera last year. “More so, this year with Dussera falling on a Friday, there is the advantage of a long weekend,” she added.

To capture the festive mood at luxury properties of Oberoi you could head for a 2-night stay at The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur priced at Rs 35,000 exclusive of taxes. The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra and The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur would cost Rs 36,500. The offer will be valid till September 30. Some offers extend up to December 31 too.

Perhaps the reason for this is that the travel industry has been hit by the recession as well. Hotels and airlines have been forced to adjust to the difficult times and offer more attractive rates than they did before. Whatever the reason, here’s something that travelers can take advantage of!

I remember meeting a French woman who used her vacation time to visit every single place mentioned in the Da Vinci Code. The Louvre was, of course, easy for her to visit, but she also went out of her way to travel to Scotland and the United States, just to see for herself what the places were actually like. Statistics also show that visitors to the UK have grown exponentially due to Harry Potter fans who want to get a glimpse of the world of their favorite wizard. Of course, the real deal is probably not the same as what the stories portray, but the sense of adventure and a little imagination is what matters – these can get you a long, long way.

Dan Brown’s new novel, The Lost Symbol, is also set to increase the number of visitors to Washington, DC. This is especially true now that they have set up a web site detailing the places of interest that people can visit in real life.

Have you ever planned a vacation based on a novel?

Let’s take a look at the United States, McNeil identified 8 locations that every American should visit. Can you guess what they are?

1. Sears Tower (Willis Tower) – yeah, it has a new name, and it seems no one is used to it yet, but the fact that it’s the country’s tallest tower has not changed. This Chicago landmark is a must visit for every American.

2. Gettysburg – every American child learns about Gettysburg in school. It is the site of one of the worst Civil War battles, as well as one of the most famous speeches of Abraham Lincoln. Definitely an essential part of American history.

3. Yellowstone – nature lovers have to visit this park at least once – and even that wouldn’t be enough with 10,000 hot springs, 300 geysers, and countless species of wildlife.

4. New York Harbor – another historical site, this is where immigrants entered the country many many decades ago.

5. Monticello – owned by the man who penned the Declaration of Independence, the Monticello is another must visit.

6. Graceland – Elvis fan or not, a visit to Graceland is something one will not forget.

7. Pearl Harbor – pay homage to the people who lost their lives in World War II. Pearl Harbor is where it all first started for the U.S.

8. Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church – you may not know about this church, but this is where Martin Luther King Jr. was baptized; in effect, the origins of the fight for racial equality.

How many of these places have you visited?

According to a study done by USA Today, however, some of the most popular travel destinations in the United States have “poorly performing” hospitals. And how do they define “poorly performing?” How about having some of the worst death rates in the United States? To quote the report:

“…from the Central Valley in California to the East Coast, from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to Myrtle Beach, S.C., to the Florida beaches. Hospitals with high death rates for heart attack, heart failure or pneumonia can be found in big cities, such as Las Vegas, Dallas and San Diego, and near treasured landmarks, such as Zion National Park.”

Some figures to support this statement:

“…University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, where the heart attack death rate of 21.1% tops the U.S. average of 16.6%. In the San Diego area, four hospitals from La Mesa to Oceanside have high death rates for heart failure or pneumonia.”

Now, there may be other factors as to why the death rates are high in these hospitals BUT the numbers still mean something, don’t they? Not to be an alarmist, but I suggest checking out Hospital Compare (a government site) if you are planning on traveling and you have a medical condition.