Four Seasons Bangkok

There is a modest and convenient place to stay for many Filipinos visting Bangkok.
This is the Four Seasons International House located in Soi Petchburi 19, Petchburi Road.
Once, during a brief visit to Bangkok with the family, we sought recommendation.
Our friend Nikki said there is a place where many Filipinos frequent and stay when in Bangkok.
We went to the internet and looked for Four Seasons and we were pleseantly surprised to get a very affordable, discounted price, perhaps because it was not peak time.

I think we only got it at an equivalent (in pesos) of P2,400 per night when we booked in www.hotelthailand.com an internet hotel booking agency.
From the airport, which is around forty kilometers outside Bangkok, the taxi fare is about 600 Baht.
Four Seasons International House is located near a commercial center.
Taxis, the metro rail,and even Tuk-tuks are accessible.

If you stay at Four Seasons there is a free half-day tour in one tourist destination of our choice within Bangkok.
We availed of this half-day complimentary tour and selected the Grand Palace.
We enjoyed the free tour, accompanied by guide who took our pictures.
The necessary amenties are available at the Four Seasons.
There is WiFi connectivity, by buying consummable internet cards at the reception.
Bufffet breakfast is free.
We noticed there were many Filipinos staying, and there were Filipino meals served also.
Maybe you can check Four Seasons in one of your Bagkok trips.

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Taal Vista Hotel

I recently attended the three-day 34th Top Level Management Conference of the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).
The venue was at the plush Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City.
This was I think the former Taal Vista Lodge.
I was surprised, or if not amazeed, at the massive facelift of Taal Vista Hotel, which is now run by the SM group, which has ventured into the hotel industry.
There is an expansion going on, with the contruction of new hotel rooms, new convention facilities, among others.
I was holed up in a pretty large room, that had one large, king-sized bed and one single bed.
The bathroom was spacious.
I took some pictures just to show the improvements on this hotel.
I recommend this for a quick get-away from the busy metropolis.
I say "quick getaway", because Tagaytay is not far away from Manila as Baguio is.
Tagaytay is a summer destination in the Philippines.
It is perhaps the coolest place to be, outside Baguio City.
Baguio is 280 kilometers away from Manila.
Tagytay is only sixty kilometers away, down south.
Its just an hour-and-a-half drive from Manila
By the way, it is at Taal vista where you can have the best view of Taal Lake and Volcano.
If you havent been to Tagaytay for five or ten years, there's been a major face lift of the city.
Tagytay was not what it was five or ten years ago.
There are now many restraurants, places to stay.
The lastest to build is the Robinsons group which just opened about a month ago.
Robinson built a big grocery store, with condominiums ore condotels nearby.
I frequent Taygaytay because I have some cases pending in that single sala court there.

Bahura

Take a breather when you're in Negros Oriental.
I would recommend you come visit Bahura.
It is a resort by the sea, in the town of Dauin, less than twenty kilometers south of Dumaguete City.
Not long ago, my parents treated us to a stay in Bahura.
It's got the larget outdoor swimming pool in the province.
I found Bahura relaxing.
You would likely notice the cool gush of the soft, morning breeze that touches the skin of your face.
In Bahura you would also notice the abounding coconut tress that are left undisturbed, which contributes to that naturally cool wind.
Bahura completes the laid-back life that you experience while in Dumaguete.
Bahura, I recall, offers a buffet lunch.
My son Josh specially enjoyed night swimming in their pool with cousins.
Bahura's got spacious rooms. There was one large bed, I think bigger than the king sized bed, plus there were other smalled beds. I think it was a family room we stayed in.
Bahura is the place if you desire your vacation to be private, and quiet.
There are times you feel you just don't want to be distubed, away from work.
Bahura would be a nice place to hang out.

The Lost Horizon

While on our way to Balicasag in Panglao island, we found a place at the tip of Panglao island.

The place was called "The Lost Horizon," a cozy hotel by the beach at Alona.

It has a restaurant that serves italian food like spaghetti and pizza.

We had lunch and we discovered the other dishes they offered were delicious, like the kinilaw.

The Lost Horizon Hotel can be found at the place that serves as a jump off point for Balicasag.

That is why the beach is filled with motor bancas for rent, ready to take passengers to Balicasag island for a price of P1,600 return.

The Lost Horizon offers afforable accomodations.

There are rooms that are a bit expensive but, a group can avail of rooms as low as P1,600 par day.

This is good for group transients because the of the common toilet and showers.

But the private de luxe rooms can also go as high as P2,500 per night.

There is also a mini-bar where different kinds of drinks are available.

The rooms are with hot and cold shower, Dream cable t.v. It is a WiFi zone, serves western and asian cuisine.

There is a massage area. The massage bed directly faces the beach. While being massaged, one can enjoy the cool whispering breeze.

The area is frequented by foreigners who visit the place to dive, either scuba or snorkeling.

There are dive shops nearby, where all diving gears are available for rent.

It is easy to come to this place. From the airport there are different modes of transport i.e. tricycle, rent-a-vans, and taxis.

I asked a tricycle driver about the rates and he said that from the airport to the Lost horizon, the charge is P250.

Taxi fare, of course is more expensive.

Balicasag Island

Balicasag Island is diver's paradise.
Balicasag is one of the islands of Bohol province, which is an (bigger) island province itself in Central Visays, Philippines.
To go to Balicasag one emanates from the now famous Panglao island, which is noted for its pristine white beaches.
We visited Balicasag for the first time during the brief All Saints' Day holidays.
In going to Balicasag, one travels by plane from Manila to Tagbilaran City, the capital city of Bohol province.
The flight to Tagbilaran is only an hour.
Or one can travel to Tagbalaran City by fast craft from Cebu. Travel time is only about an hour and a half.
Plane fare would amount between P2,000 (US$40) to P4,000 (US$80), depending on when the ticket is purchased.
Fast craft fare is P800 (US$15) return.
Upon arriving at the Tagbilaran airport, there are many modes of land transport in going to Panglao island.
One can take the taxi, the rent-a-van for group tours, or by tricycle.
The latter is the cheapest, costing only P250 (US$5). The taxi could be twice this rate, or more.
From the airport, just tell the driver to take you to Alona beach, where the Lost Horizon Resort is. This is the jump-off point for a boat trip to Balicasag.
The road trip from the airport to Panglao island, alona beach should be around thirty minutes.
Upon arriving at Alona beach, you can already see a parade of motorized boats which you can lease for the trip to Balicasag island.
The boat ride would take forty minutes from Panglao to Balicasag.
The motor boats can be rented for P1,600 (US$32) return.
These motor boats can accomodate about ten passegners per trip so the fare can be divided among the passengers.
Balicasag island is a small piece of corral mass. The entire island can be hiked around in thirty minutes.
The island is small. It does not have its own source of water, eletricity.
But fortunately there is a government-run resort that takes care of lviing amenities while in the island.
The only resort in Balicasag is run by the Philippine Tourism Authority an agency attached with the Department of Tourism.
The PTA runs the resort until private investors bring their resources and take over the tourism affairs there.
The resort offers twenty affordable cottages. At peak time, one has to shcedule ahead in order to secure a room.
The rates are cheap, at P1,800 (US$34) for an overnight's stay. It's not the classy type, but it more than delivers the needs while enjoying the natural resources of the island.
The food is fresh, and affordable.
There is of course a restaurant which allows you to have your dinner even at the beach side, like we did.
There is abundant fresh water in the island brought in by boat from Panglao island, so its not a problem.
Electricity is 24/7 as there is a generator.
Needless, to say, since these resources are not organic in the island, common sense dictates that one should conserve.
The resort has complete amenities for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Sea water in the island is crystal clear. You can swim 24 hours a day.
In the evening, lights are beamed on to the sea, so everything is visible.
There is also a salt-water infinity pool for those who prefer to dip themselves under the shade.
But the highlight of your Balicasag experience would be diving.
Countless varieties of multi-colored fish are within your reach, you can even feed them with ordinary bread using your bare hands. It is a one-of-a-kind experience. There is a fish-sanctuary in the island. This is an area where fishing is absolutely banned.
The sea is perfect for snorkeling because the water is shallow, and corrals are everywhere.
But just less than a hundred meters from the shoreline, the water suddenly runs deep like a ravine.
This is the area perfect for scuba diving.
If you haven't experienced scuba diving, not to worry, as there are basic lessons for this sport in the resort.
Early in the morning, the water surrounding Balicasag island is swarmed with motor boats.
Dolphin watching is also an attraction for bohol, so many of these boat come from dolphin watching in the waters off Pamilcana island, another land mass like Balicasag.
Many of these visitors come from Panglao and other neighboring islands, and they just want to get to taste that Balicasag diving experience.
The locals in Balicasag are related to each other by consanguinity. There are only around under seven undred families who come from the island.
They have reaped the benefits of limited commercialization, as they are the ones hired as waiters, chefs, hotel personnel.
They have abandoned their source of livelihood which is fishing.
The women now weave sourvenir items which they sell to visitors in the island or export to Panglao island.
Accoridng to the locals, the island's name, Balicasag comes from the word "Balik" (to come back) and "Kasag" (a crab).



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Singapore hostels are an eye opener

We dropped by a hostel for backpackers along Dunlop Street, just near the mecca for electronic items, Sim Lim Towers.
It was certainly an eye opener to learn how hostels for backpackers are being operated.
These hostels at Dunlop Street that we visited were the Innn Crowd and Fragrance Hostel which are located just near each other.
The rates are very affordable, it is indeed for visitors on the budget.
The rooms are dorm-style, with six double deck beds per room. The common showers and toilets are in cubicles.
Breakfast is free. Internet computers are free also.
Since it is a place to stay for those on a shoe string budget, aircondition is turned on from 5 p.m. to 11 a.m. the following day. It is expected that visitors go out and tour the city at daytime.
Hostels are distinct from what we know as pensionne houses in that hostels have that distinct personal touch.
The hosts take care of the personal concerns of ttheir visitors.
They also prepare some simple tours, give directions, offer lockers in case visitors want a secure place for their valuables.
At the Inn-Crowd, cost of the dorm fore ach person is S$18 or roughly equivalent to P550 per day.
Visit the Inn Crown on their very informative website at www.the-inncrowd.com.

The Paradise called Antulang

There is a paradise in the south of Negros Oriental province (Philippines).

Simply called Antulang, it is undeniably one of the top resorts in the region.

The name Antulang was derived from a local flower called "Antulanga". The flower by the way, abounds in the resort.

Resort owner Juanito Boy Lee, personally oversees the continuing development of the resort, ably assisted by his children Anabelle and husband Edu, and son Jonathan.

Antulang is nestled on top of a cliff of rocks that welcomes visitors to a panoramic view facing the Mindanao sea.

Antulang is located in the town of Siaton, which is a 45 minute drive southwards from Dumaguete City.

According to Boy Lee, he "discovered" this paradise while he was engaging in one of his favorite hobbies: hunting.

And boy, Boy Lee has hunted and found a lot of beauty in this area.

Attracted to the place, Boy began to imagine how it can be developed into a worldclass resort.

Antulang has amenities that bring it to a league apart from ordinary resorts.

Immediately noticeable in Antulang are the private villas.

The villas are enclosed, thus it accords absolute privacy to its guests.

What the private villas offer are nothing less than excellent.

Within the enclosed premises and fronting the main bedroom is a private pool where one can dip to his heart's content.

Beside the private pool is a jacuzzi that will relax one's body after spending hours in the private pool.

The bedroom is first class.

There is a huge bed strategically placed in the center of the room with the headboard stuck to one side of the wall.

Fronting the bedroom is a glassdoor that will allow visitors view of the private pool and view further, the splendor of the Mindanao Sea.

Of course there are hot-and-cold water and refrigerator available 24/7.

Dream TV with a ready subscription card serves as entertainment. Kids just lie on the floor watching cartoon shows just in case the outside amenities drive them to boredom.

The private villas of Antulang is the place that can erase all the stress.

The presidential suite is one-of-a-kind. It is room that is built on top of one huge rock. It provides a different kind of privacy, as it has no walled fence. Yet nobody can easily approach since the rock upon which it stands is separated from the cliff.

Other than the private villas, there are fully air-conditioned cottages (cabanas) that is ideal even for honeymooners.

Sports activities can be arranged for guests if they choose to. Guided horse backriding is something kids will definitely enjoy.

There is also a large pool for swimming called the Infinity pool that allows swimmers to see and feel the pool extending to the horizon.

But I prefer to wade in the pool designed for training of scuba enthusiasts. The water is around 15-feet deep but is smaller that the regular infinity pool.

The sea beneath the resort affords an added place for enjoyment for Antulang guests.

Well-cemented stairways lead all the way to the shore below where guests can engage in another arena of fun.

You can go swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing on the white sands of Antulang.

But the most spectacular experience is riding on the MV Anabelle Lee.

Antulang provides a boat-stroll along the seas of Siaton aboard the MV Anabelle Lee.

The MV Anabelle Lee is anchored a few meters away from shore. So guests have to take a small motorized banca that will ferry them from the shore to the boat.

Guests are treated aboard to a full breakfast of their choice, while sightseeing.

The stroll will take guests to the renowned Tambobo Bay of Siaton. It is a body of water nearly encircled by land, and serves as refuge for boats in distress in times when the weather turns foul.

As a matter of fact, we discovered that so many yachts and sailboats skippered by people of different nationalities were the ones freely enjoying this majestic natural treasure, in the absence of any regulation by the local government.

We stopped for a while in Tambobo Bay, and dipped ourselves in the cool waters. The boat has available facilities for snorkeling.

The boat stroll aboard M/V Anabelle Lee capped a relaxing adventure.

Antulang is truly a paradise.

Hidden Corrals

There is another breathtaking resort in Panglao island that will fulfill your desires for a private relaxation.

Hidden Corrals, a resort just a fifteen minute drive from Tagbilaran City is nestled in an elevated portion of Panglao which provides a spectcular view of the sea.

Hidden Corralscurrently has six fully functioning and air-conditioned cottages.

Two of the cottages are spacious enough to accomodate family vacationers.

Two swimming pools provide a refreshing refuge against the punishing summer heat...

















The pools are so cool....






















A splendid view overlooking the sea will peel any stress in the mind and body. The kiddie pool will surely get your kids pre-occupied, just like my son Joshua, enjoying the pool slide....

A visit to Sumilon Island

Once an island under the care of Silliman Unversity, Sumilon, nestled at the southern tip of Cebu province between Negros island, is now a haven for tourists and visitors seeking to enjoy its marine treausres.
Sumilon is a place for diving, fishing, snorkling or just enjoying a day at the beach.
Silliman Unversity has relinquished its hold on the island, and is now under the jurisdiction of Cebu. There is a resort in the island despite, even with the absence of electricity and running water.

It was my first time to visit Sumilon. Imagine, its the nearest island from Negros Oriental, other than Apo island, yet, I have never visited the place until last Sunday. It is a 40-minute [motor launch ride from Silliman beach.

Sumilon is a place to just enjoy natures bounties. Weh we went there, I saw trekkers exploring the island. Just the day before, Japanese tourist were fishing in the area, and came home with a fish bounty .

You can reach Sumilon by hiring a motor launch that cots about P4,000, good for thirty passengers. You can bring your own food to the island. You will pay P50 docking fee and P10 each if you want to swim just meters from the white sand.

We went there for a fishing trip early in the morning aborad the M/V Le Marian owned by a friend who leases the boat to tourists. On a hot summer day, its a great time to come to Sumilon island.