San Juan, La Union

La Union is 5.5 hours away by bus.  We took the Partas line from Cubao.  We left at 2AM and got there at 7:30AM.  Too early for check in time which is at 12 noon.  We had breakfast by the beach.  People are surfing as early as that time.  Topless for guys is a must.  Hahaha!  BTW, for my foreign readers,San Juan ,La Union is one of the surfing sites in the Philipppines.  A must for people who wants to learn how to surf.  Lesson starts at 200 pesos per hour plus 250 for surfing boards.  Cheap isn't it?  :P

We stayed at Sebay.  The room costs 1800 +400 for 2 extra mattresses.  The room can accommodate 6 people. - http://sebaysurfcentral.com/

 Angel and Marie's Surfer's Retreat Restaurant

Before going to Manila,we dropped by Midway Grill.  Don told everyone that it offered the best baby back ribs in San Juan.  It didn't disappoint.  So peeps, if you happen to be in La Union, don't forget to drop by at this restaurant.


The meat from the ribs fall off from the bones.  Very tasty sauce.  You should try it to experience it.  :)

Lubang Island, Mindoro

If you want to swim, relax, trek without anyone interruption from the outside world, Lubang Island is the right place for you.  When I visited in 2010, they didn't have any signal for globe users.  I wonder if that changed now?

Lubang Island is a small island in Mindoro.  The place is not very touristy and undeveloped.  They have electricity and water but after 7PM, there are not much to do.  Almost everything is closed apart from the karaoke place that is open until midnight.  

As for the accommodation, I don't know any hotels or B&B as I stayed with my friend's family.  This website might help you though - http://wn.com/Lubang_Island_Tourism_Sites

Koh Chang, Thailand

 Khlong Phlu waterfall

 Private Beach at Aana where we stayed.

Koh Chang, literally means Elephant Island.  This doesn't mean that you can see elephant everywhere.  There are certain places to go to though where you will be allowed to ride in an elephant but for a fee of course.  I wanted to go but my boyfriend thinks that it is wrong.  He doesn't like animals to be exploited.

There are few things to do in Koh.  At least that's what we did when we visited.

1.  We went to the Mu Koh Chang National Park.  It is small but you have a pretty coastline view of the island.

2.  Hike through Khlong Phlu waterfall.  

3.  Swam.

4.  Sesha at the Full Moon Party bar.

5.  Had a massage.

6.  Relax.  :)

To help you plan your trip better, go to this link http://www.koh-chang.com/

Pattaya Weekend Food Market

Weekend Food Market is something that I look forward to when in Thailand.  Apart from authentic Thai Food(it should be as I was in Thailand), the selection is massive and the prices are cheap.  Definitely a food heaven!  :)

Here are some of the photos of my food trip.  Enjoy!

JJ Weekend Market

Everytime I visit Thailand, I make sure that I drag dear boyfriend to Chatuchak Market also known as the JJ Weekend Market or the 1 km non-workout workout as I call it.  I am not a big shopper(Read:In denial).  I simply like browsing and looking around stalls until I decide what to buy.  It is heaven for me, maybe hell for everyone.  JJ Market is similart to the cluster and 168 mall in Divisoria only they sell better clothes and accessories on much cheaper prices.

JJ Market sells almost everything, from home accessories and furnitures to clothes and accessories to animals and reptiles.  Yes reptiles.  We saw aligator, Iguana and snakes.  They have bunnies, dogs, cats, fishes and birds too.  My boyfriend likes aquatic animals.  I like to ask him questions about it and hear him geek out.  It is so cute.  (I cringe while writing cute.  LOL)


If you are planning to go to Jatujak Market, please go to this link - http://www.jatujakguide.com/home/

Haad Nang Ram Beach, Pattaya

Nang Ram Beach is 45 minutes away from Pattaya by driving.  It is situated in the Royal Thai Navy land but is open for public and is free as I remember.  The place is not congested and is less touristy.  Beach chairs can be rented out.  You can also buy food there BUT with limited options so better bring your own food.  There is ample parking.  

The beach is clean and the water is clear.  It is also lined with beautiful pine trees.  I'm sorry to say that you have to drive yourself to get to the beach or maybe arrange a taxi to and fro from your accommodation.

For driving directions, please go to this link - http://www.traveltosiam.com/Sightseeing-Chonburi-Haad-Nang-Ram.html

Bangkok Cycling Tour

Do you like to be challenged?  Do you enjoy cycling?  Do you like green scenery?  If you answer yes to all this question, then this is activity is for you.

This was Luke's first Christmas present for me.  He knows that I love to tour on bikes.  I did it in Ayuttaya and in Amsterdam and now I'm doing it in Bangkok.  I was really excited when he told me about it.  But I didn't factor out the hell of cycling for 35KM in 40 degrees weather.  I was on borderline insanity at the end of the trip begging Luke to leave the group.  We can't.  We have their bicycles.  

 We have to carry our bikes in this stairs.

1.  We stopped on a small cock pit arena and watch an actual cock fight.  I've seen one before but it was Luke's first time.
2.  We saw lots of temples.  It feels like a temple trip. :P
3.  We fed fishes at the side of the temple.


What to expect from cycling:


1.  Tiredness.  Our trip took 6 hours to complete lunch break not included.
2.  No standard toilet.
3.  Thirst.  


What to bring:


1.  Water.  Lots of it.
2.  Sunblock.
3.  Camera.  There are lots of interesting places to take photo of.  You will be given enough time to take photos.

If you are interested, please go to this link - http://grasshopperadventures.com/tour-GHTD09.php.  This was the tour that we joined.