If you want to shop for something cheap, well Shopping Village is not the place for you here in Sanya. It is located in the Yalong Bay National Resort District. The places where tourists frequent are the same places that you should expect anything expensive. Even though they sell expensive stuff there, it’s nice to roam around the place and have the ultimate photo tripping. (more…)

As I was waiting for a taxi to go to the conference venue that I’m currently attending, there was a local tourist who was taking pictures with her camera phone. Then, she walked towards me and spoke to me in Mandarin. I don’t know what she was really saying but I immediately understood her that she wants to have her picture taken. She even told me how to take the picture with her camera phone. This is the power of using gestures as a tool for communication. She was pleased with her photo while I just missed a taxi that passed by. (more…)

Eat like the locals, travel like the locals and certainly, I cannot speak like the locals. I was having a hard time communicating with the locals here simply because I cannot speak Mandarin. It was as if I have to play pictionary or a game of charades with them just to make them understand me. This morning was quite a frustrating morning for me because we do not understand each other. And this is when gestures became useful for me. (more…)

I’m staying in Yalong Bay Zhiyuan Resort Hotel. The Standard Twin Room with a garden view costs 288 RMB per night. The room is fairly decent with two beds, a TV, electric thermos, mini refrigerator, and of course, two pairs of Nike slippers. Apparently, there was no available room that is suited for one person only. (more…)

I cannot remember anything the last time that I went to Hong Kong. I was 8 years old then. Upon arrival in Hong Kong, we headed for the other wing via a train and I’m not sure if that train already existed since the first time I got there. By the time we arrived in the other wing, we headed towards a bookstore called Relay in which I think does not have a good name recall. (more…)

I found this sign at the foot of the grotto in Paraiso ni Anton in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. I was reading the sign and noticed that they were quite specific in a number of things such as “No Washing of Vehicles” and “No Dumping of Garbage and Dead Animals”. I find it peculiar and funny at the same time. I was wondering if there were people who were penalized for washing vehicles or for dumping dead animals there since I really cannot dig the possibility of people washing their vehicles in front of a tourist spot and even the dumping of dead animals :D.

What I like about going inside museums are the vintage stuff that I will find inside aside from the trivias that I’ve never learned from History class way back in High School. I was able to go inside Crisologo Museum, Burgos Museum, museum beside Marcos Mausoleum and the Malacanang of the North. The Crisologo Museum is a haven of vintage stuff such as calesas, a car, telephone, a music player, gas range and a lot more. In history class, I didn’t know that Padre Burgos was from Ilocos until I had a chance to visit his home there. The telephone I found inside is even more vintage than that of what I saw inside the Crisologo Museum. The creepiest spot amongst the museums that I’ve mentioned is the kitchen inside Crisologo museum. The kitchen inside has a gas range and since there was no light on, it has a certain effect on me that makes me think of a horror movie. The aircon inside Malacanang of the North is a jaw-dropping experience for me since I haven’t even gotten to see one image of it.

I just got back yesterday morning from our Ilocos trip. On the first day, we were in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. We roamed around Crisologo Street, Plaza Burgos, Plaza Salcedo and the other museums there. The place is indeed a photographic experience especially for the old school stuff we’ve found inside Crisologo Museum and the Burgos Museum. The Baluarte of Chavit Singson is a haven for animal lovers. You should see there the tigers and have a photo op with the python and experience the mule ride. Climbing the bell tower found in Bantay, Ilocos Sur is also a must for the scenic view of Ilocos Sur. The bells inside the tower have vandals though. (more…)