|
| Went shopping in Kowloon (HK) and I tried asking for Canon EOS 30D in one of the street stores. I was qouted HK$6K which is equivalent to around PHP36K. The price is for a brand new unit the guy told me. That's suspiciously cheap... I checked it at the HK airport duty free and the price is HK$12K which is around PHP80K. Thats the "real" price according to Deuts. Well, next time.. HAPPY 26th B-DAY to me!!! =) May 25, my b-day.. my return flight from Bangkok.. | | |
| Bangkok Tour Everytime I go to other places, I always look for what makes that place different from Philippines. Thailand is undoubtedly the tourist destination in south east asia. Malaysia comes next most probably. While there are many nice places in the Philippines, the capital city is a big problem as compared to Thailand. In Thailand, there are so many amazing spots you can visit right at the city which is very accessible. In the Philippines, the tourist spots are mostly in far provinces. Manila is a "dead" city except for shopping and nightlife. But shopping and nightlife are just "added value" for tourists, they dont really come just because of it. And every city on earth has shopping centers and prostitutes. OK. The most common destination in Bangkok is around the Chaopraya River. This is like the Pasig River. Chaopraya river is very much alive unlike Pasig river which is relatively dead. The main terminal for the river tour starts from the Sathorn BTS station (mrt last station) where you can get Baht 100 for one day boat ticket pass. From anywhere in the city you can go to the Satorn station by train or taxi. From Sathorn to the other end of ferry terminal, you'll pass by various piers which serve as access point to various tourist spot. When you are done with one location you can walk back to the river pier and wait for ferry (passes every 30 minutes) to transfer to other locations. The Baht 100 is multiple pass so you dont worry about fares when jumping to other piers. The tourist spots along chaopraya are mostly temples with amazing architecture. Among popular spots are: Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun. Here are some pics: Wat Arun viewed form the Chaopraya River. 
Wat Pho near Grand palace 
Inside the Grand Palace 
Inside the grand palace 
One of many figures in Grand Palace | | |
| Bangkok, Thailand
Random notes... I am staying at the Ascott Apartments in the Sathorn area of the central business district. Its near the Empire Tower where I am visiting one agency. I know its the central business district cause KPMG, Deloitte and Pricewaterhouse offices are all over the area. I think KPMG is big occupying 2 levels of the giant Empire Tower. They even have K-cafe in the lobby which is operated by... KPMG. It seems CSR is a thing for the big four in this city. Signboards of Deloitte and PwC are evident along the main intersection. Thailand is under monarchy and people here really rever the King and Queen. Portraits of the King and Queen are common sites in big places. Just like Indonesians and Malaysians, you cant distinguish Thais from Filipinos until they speak. Thailand is buddhist country. Images of buddha or a goddess are in most office buildings, reataurants, hotels etc. At one of the entrances of empire tower you can see professionals lighting candles or laying flowers and pray before going up to work. Thais I think are wonderful peace loving people. I feel safer in Bangkok than in Jakarta and even in some parts of Manila. Been around the business district and so far it feels safe to walk around. Although taxi's here are much like in Manila, the airport, the bus system, the railway system are more organized here I think. And there are several tourist areas around the city which is safe to go by bus or MRT. I feel really hopeless sometimes thinking of Manila. Will post some picture later. | | |
| NEW ZEALAND- (April 17 to 27) Waihiki Island- Maybe the most popular getaway destination from Auckland. It's a 30 minute by ferry from the harbour. A packaged tour costs NZ$45 (1:35Php) which includes ferry ride to the island and the two hour commented bus ride around the island. The driver is the commentator (very good). Waiwera Thermal Spa Resort - Around 45 minutes drive from the city. This resort has variety of swimming pools with temperatures from 26 to 38 (???) degrees. Nice place minus the crowd.. Snowplanet Skiing - Along the way to the thermal resort is this man-made skiing ground (NZ$40 entrance). After trying I can say skiing is not my interest.. Had a nice experience anyway hehe.. | | |
|
