There are not so many places here in Manila that is like this, where young artists can freely express their creativity without being arrested.
However, not to long ago this area where the only safe and designated skate park in the city is, was threatened to be lost. The village captain set up a basketball court replacing the skatepark.
Petitions has been sent to the city hall and I hope that everything is back to normal now.
Finally! hahaha yes I found the time and the will to pull this video together after how many months of it just lying around somewhere in my portable hard drive.
This part includes check-in, take off, a sudden temperature alert -apparently I was HOTT! lol – and finally finding the bus to Taipei downtown.
Hope this helps some of you who would like to go to Taipei so enjoy!
Part I – Departure from MNL Arrival at TPE and bus ride going to Taipei
Part II – Day I Adventure
Part III – The Monologue, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial, around Taipei, Take off at TPE and Landing in MNL
The air was blowing with a certain chill that gets to your bone that day, from the house where we were staying our gracious hosts took their day from work off just to take us around Los Angeles.
First stop for the day was the Santa Monica Pier which is one if not the oldest pier with an amusement park on a boardwalk.
The Pier can be found at the crossroads of Colorado blvd. and the famous scenic Highway 1 more popularly known as Pacific Coast Highway.
The weather that day was perfect the cold air blowing at your face in contrast to the Sun’s heat. I walk to the pier with Sheryl Crow’s song secretly playing over and over inside my head because All I wanna do is have some fun and I had a feeling I’m not the only one….. hahahaha sorry can’t let that pass! hahaha
Faking a phone call home…. LOL!
We explored the pier and of course the beach trying to imagine as if we were on Baywatch, though this really ain’t the beach where they shoot the show but hey this is California! How close can I get anymore right? hahaha! But yeah don’t panic I didn’t try to pretend like Cody or Mitch from the show I was F-A-T still that time (as if I am fit already now o_O )
After walking around the beach it self we went back up again the board walk to the amusement park on it. It could have been nice to ride some of the attractions but we were too early and it was still close, I think it opens in the afternoon till late night, I am not sure I have to check on that one.
The first thing that I noticed was the carousel, its actually a historic carousel built in the 1920’s this ride is considered as a permanent historic landmark in a landmark it self.
Make sure to try out the binoculars on the pier where you could see Malibu and Venice beach which is just across the horizon of the pier.
I will surely come back to this place one day and spend more time on the beach maybe visit it during the summer time, Oh boy! I need to start working out so I wont be shy taking my top off… hahaha…. but that’s gonna take a while though but I’ll make sure that I get that bod in time for my next California Summer Holiday!
After being a victim of my own stupidity as I may have accidentally left my wallet in the train station or (some say) a pick pocket victimized me, I really don’t know but safety really depends on us so lesson learned be extra careful next time.
I decided spend the remaining few hours that I have in Taipei at The Taipei City Hall Bus Station 市府轉運站 , It is actually an inter-modal station where you could transfer from maybe a train to a provincial bus, a city bus, a cab or just like in my case a bus going to the airport.
All I had was NT$ 200 where about $145 would go to my bus fare to the airport. Nothing more to do I opted to hang around the station and watch people. Tell me who doesn’t love people watching? ha ha ha!
A mom with her daughter (not seen) waiting for a bus going home
A couple that I watched for about thirty minutes, I think they are lost and doesn’t know what bus to take
A city bus, buses here are quick and doesn’t stay long picking up passengers.
A lady selling some stuff outside of the station
But watching this lady made me realize that not because you are in a first world country you automatically become rich in the sense that the struggles of being in a third world country, just like where I live in right now, would go away. It may actually be a lot tougher than what we imagine. Some cities’ environment may be more cut-throat than what we are complaining about right now, anyways my point is where ever we live we must never stop fighting for a better life!
Her scooter with her merchandise
the city hall station was built to ease the traffic that the Taipei Main Station gets specially during rush hours. Taipei Main Station is a pretty big place but it also gets huge traffic as all of the lines of the MRT and the HSR (high speed rail) and all Buses converge at this place. I say the City Hall station is a pretty station and I guess my own city could use a similar infrastructure. Oh this is privately operated and will be transferred back to the government after quite some time something that we are familiar with as a BOT project or a Build Operate Transfer project.
It has a shopping mall, a hotel and of course the stations so if you are waiting for some one to arrive you wont get bored or if you are a traveler who wants convenient access this is the place to stay almost everything is at the tips of your fingers.
Stairs going up to a open veranda
I like the fact that the station is friendly to everyone including people with disabilities their washrooms, walkways and stairs are all properly marked!
My favorite feature of the station is that you can leave your things in a locker right at the station where you could just comeback and get it less hassle of bringing your belongings with you specially if you are backpacking!
Instructions on how to use the lockers
The mall’s main entrance that will greet you upon reaching the top of the stairs.
My heart was really heavy over the fact that I had to leave Taiwan in a few hours, not fulfilling the things that I wanted to do like go outside to the nearby rural areas and going to the top of Taipei 101. But I guess its because Taipei wants be back sometime so that I could fulfill those on my list. But for now I decided to just hangout at the plaza on the upper floor of the Taipei City Hall Bus Station with a magnificent view of Taipei 101.
After being down and hospitalized for about five days I am back. I was confined due to an “overwhelming infection” in my blood, which is how my doctor describe what was going on to me while lying inside the emergency room. Hell yeah! I was so scared with his description. Thank God I have medical insurance from my company so I just paid for some stuff for just around Php 800 ($20).
Anyways enough about that let me share with you a photo from my trip to Taipei. Scooters!
They are the most popular mode of transport if you are going around the city in short distances. My host even picked me up at the train station, he said when we were still talking over the phone to arrange on how he could pick me up that we are gonna go around the city in true Taiwan style and that is what we did!
Living in the fast paced world of Metro Manila, with all the pressure from work is ain’t easy. So an escape to paradise from time to time is longed for by any resident of one of the biggest metropolis in the world, Manila.
For a quick trip to relax, one of the most recommended places to escape is Puerto Galera. I for one used to often this beach side municipality for some R&R whenever I feel stressed with my job. What is good about puerto galera is that it’s just a few hours away from Manila and the cost really isn’t that much. I also like the fact that you have to ride an outrigger (boat) for a several minutes to get to the beach, it gives me a complete sense escape.
Puerto Galera is also perfect as a bonding destination with your friends or family. You can dine at one of the many restaurants that cook international cuisines that I can say would be much more affordable compared to the prices in Manila even if these restaurants are beach front!
With friends some time early 2000’s at our favorite restaurant Nikita (sad that they closed now)
White beach is also famous for its fabulous (out words, lol) night life when the beach front restos turn into lively bars full with party people.
One thing that you shouldn’t miss when partying is the famous Mindoro Sling, I tell you, you would forget about everything that happened that night except that it was just one hell of a PARTEY!
Well yes, admittedly I am a beachcomber. I can just stay on the sand, under the sand for hours with just me (and a good friend) with my fruit shake. I don’t know why I like it but yeah I love doing it. But its not just me, a lot of people do love doing it in white beach too, specially foreign tourists.
While basking underneath the Sun, you can either get a massage or have your hair braided just like what I did way back. and yeah it lasted for less than a week until the rubbers snapped out of my hair.
I guess the secret in getting good accommodation in white beach is research and good haggling skills. The photo below is the view from our balcony, amazing isn’t it? But would you believe that it costs less than the one that has no view at all downstairs!?? So when we got it we asked for some discount and voila! A beautiful view from our balcony at less than 1,000.00!
You should also consider the season if you want to save some money, as for me and my companion that time, we opted to come during the lean season (it was September) because we want to avoid the crowed. We saw a different White Beach that time, a more serene and relaxing beach front, which is exactly what we needed.
At that time most of the people there were foreigners (east Asians mostly) and it was like being on an upscale beach area, it was something that I wanna do over again.
White beach offers a lot of activities that you can choose from, just hangout by your balcony, a restaurant or just by the sand a manong (a guy) or a manang (a woman) would talk you out in taking one of their activity packages.
Popular activities in white beach are para-sailing, island hopping, snorkeling and banana boat to name a few. For those people (just like me before) who aren’t that adventurous you can just get some spa services while by the beach. LOL! how can I forget those ladies shouting out MA-SADS! (massage) hahaha!
Away from the loud music and adventurous crowd of white beach, across the boulders on the west end lies Tamaraw beach which is bet for families who wants some peace and quite moments.
This would be the best activity that I love doing in White Beach, walking. If you walk far enough you would reach this part of the island. It is said that this part is owned by a wealthy family and they’re not just wealthy they are uber rich!
Though the fame and wealth that they have this family stays humble enough, look no walls or barricades blocking their veranda.
The family lives comfortably at this part of the island (and peacefully) because they are humble enough to interact with the community as a common people, they even help the Mangyans with their livelihood and in return the Mangyans help them in anyway that they can. A beautiful example of bayanihan.
Finally at the end of the day, this is what I always wait for, the Sun set. Even though the sun sets over the hilly side of the beach it is still a sight to behold. They play of colors would every Sun set would never disappoint you and you surrender to the calmness of the gushing waves.
So go on take a little trip on the nearest paradise that you can afford, make it Puerto Galera.
Take a bus going to Batangas Pier. We usually take JAM Liner or ALPS Bus Lines. At the port go straight to the ticket lobby where you can choose what is the lowest priced boat company. It is also advisable to buy a round trip ticket for your boat fare. Total round trip fare from Cubao would cost around 600 – 700 (Bus & Boat).
As soon as you get off at White Beach a group of people will approach you and offer rooms that you can rent. Just haggle really good to get a good bargain.
Lean Season: June – October
High Season: November – March
Peak Season: April – May and Holidays specially long weekends.
Update:
Because there a lot of people asking for more information about the accomodation I’ve posted this google map that I made for some landmarks… But as soon as you step off the boats hoards of agents offering rooms would flock your way just learn to haggle good. Click on the markers for more info! If this post was able to help you or you need more information please leave a comment below 😉
View My Room in puerto Galera in a larger map
Located along Hollywood blvd., the Grauman’s Chinese Theater is one of the most visited sites in Hollywood. The theater was built in the 1920’s following the success of its predecessor The Egyptian Theater which later on fell into despair. However, unlike the Egyptian theater, The Chinese theater survived through the movie industry slump during the 1980’s -90’s.
Aside from the architecture that we really enjoyed, one more reason why people just like us go there is for the foot and hand prints marked on the theater’s front yardWe enjoyed looking at the prints and comparing our hands and foot sizes to different Hollywood icons as we try to fit them on their marks.
We marveled at the beautiful building and different foot and hand prints on the floor for a while until it was almost dark. There are also some street performers dressed out in costumes of your favorite Hollywood movie character whom you could take a picture with for a tip, I even saw one dressed as Freddie Krugger… ohhh scarry!
You can take the Metro (Red line) and get off at the Hollywood Highland station . There’s an option for a bus ride as well. you may go to www.metro.net for more information.
During days when I am off from work and I have got no travel getaway scheduled, I always go back to this place that makes me dream a lot, think a lot. Dream because I get to imagine what could have been if Manila was not destroyed by the war and think of how can we bring back the old glory of this under-appreciated city.
So let me share to you a series of the photos that I have taken whenever I go back to this beautiful place and relive its glorious past as I walk along its pavements.
Regarded as the first theater ever built in the country, The Capitol Theater is one of the finest examples of art deco buildings scattered around the old districts of Manila.
Designed by National Artist Juan Nakpil who also asked for the service of Victorio Edades who him self is also a National Artist to do the mural at the lobby of the theater.
Only the building’s facade and skeletal’s structure still survives up to this day. The building after its glory days was used as a restaurant which was later demolished.
The Capitol theater is just one of the few buildings along Escolta that reminds us of our beautiful and grand past that just begs to be revived and used again maybe not as a theater but for something else to keep us connected on a not so distant past.
So join me again next time as I walk around the beautiful chaos around the city that the whole world once loved.
Hailed as Taiwan’s biggest outdoor night market, one can easily get lost here at Shilin Nighmarket and it was fun to get lost here!
I started my exploration as I alight from the Jiantan station (劍潭) of the Taipei MRT. Just out side the station you’ll see the crowd already. Just remember that you need to get off at Jiantian Station and NOT SHILIN!
Night markets are part of the Taiwanese culture and this night market would not disappoint you, its like how I found a really good and cheap airline ticket for this trip. It wouldn’t be Taiwan’s most popular for nothing right?
You’ll find a lot of bargains here but there was one reason why I made sure that I go here, FOOD! Shilin night market offers a wide variety of food choices but this is the best place to taste authentic Chinese food like dumplings, most specially!
After walking for a few minutes, Alas! The first sign of the food section of the night market emerges a stand where you can buy different fruits on skewers or on a cup with a choice of putting some cream or milk on it.
There are a lot of food shops around the night market but the out door stalls of restaurants and hawkers alike are more popular to people.
Aside from food, like I mentioned, there are loads of bargains that you can choose from and when you get bored there are some activities like prawn fishing with paper can be found on some alleys.
I guess if I would be asked food would be the main attraction in this night market. Can you just believe how many times I have said that??? hahaha… Well It’s just because going at the Shilin Night Market for food is truly an experience.
But of course I wouldn’t let my self not get some of the bargain shopping action. I was able to buy a scarf for just a $100 NT because it was getting a bit cold that night.
If I were to ask if I would go back? I would say yes to the Shilin Night Market experience without skipping a heart beat.
Xiexie Ni!
Take the MRT and get off at the Jiantan Station as soon as you get out the station you’ll see the crowd already from where you are standing. Make sure that you get off at Jiantan station (劍潭) and not the Shilin Station
First, I would like to thanks Elal of www.elaljanelasola.com, The Shades Of Grey, for tagging me. Hehehe… I am finally done with it Elal! hahaha
The photos that I’ve posted here may not be my best photos, in fact one of them dates back about half a decade ago. I have chosen them because they best represent the themes for each photo.
It was one of the few times that I have said wow, but this destination so far has made me wow the longest. From the time that we jumped off point to the hiking trail and finally the crater lake I just kept on saying wow being amazed with natures majestic creation. 
Taken about a decade ago, this photo still makes me dream. It brings back my memories of the day when I set foot in the the land of milk and honey. I would surely love to go back sometime soon.
Makes me think…. how it was being a child.
Tell me why wouldn’t you smile at this cute kitten…. =) 
This actually isn’t my best photo for food but seeing this photo makes my mouth water as I remember the time I first tasted authentic Taiwanese food. This is made up of herbs and vegetables grilled tied together with some meat, I don’t even know what it is called but it sure is delicious.
This was taken in Bohol a couple of years ago. We were on our way to the Chocolate Hills when I saw this man at the back of a motorcycle flanked by a loader on each side. The man was smile as chats with the driver on their way to deliver their goods.
This was taken during the 17th Hot Air Balloon festival in Clark Field Pampanga. I was amazed on how this photo came out because of the how the men were illuminated. Well, after analyzing the photo it turns out that I was able to shoot simultaneously with the man in front of me. Still this is one of the photos that I am most proud of.
To continue the tradition I am tagging the following people for their 7 Super Shot.
Rey Carbonel of FootTrails
Axl Guinto of Axl PPI
AJ Poliquit of The Transcendental Tourist
If you have been tagged follow the Hostel Bookers way of doing it
I was sitting in my workstation just looking at the monitor with a picture from a recent trip overseas. It was a lot of firsts for me so it just made me kept on dreaming of what had been.
It was my first airplane ride was on 2006 in a Philippine Airline 747 during a long haul flight from Manila to Los Angeles, I saw the places that I have only seen on pictures. It was a traumatically positive experience.
The experience and the feeling was too hard to let go it was haunting me and was constantly putting me into a hypnotic day dreaming state. I just had to snap out of it.
The dreams are actually turning like a nightmare, the experience kept on playing inside my head and it felt like I want it again so bad. No that is not good. I had to constantly remind my self that I am back at my real own world and far from the conveniences and luxury that the first world offers. I need to find a way to get out.
I was starting to think that I need therapy, but where would you find that in Manila? And not to mention how much was it going to cost.
Like a movie,while watching a tech show on TV I realized how I could flush these emotions out of my system, by writing about it, through blogging.
Blogging was just starting out to pick up in the Philippines back then(I think) and I figured out that if I could write about my thoughts I could finally stop the movie in my mind. Hence, my first blog was born Dreams of a Brownman.
My first blog was my friend who would tirelessly listen to my every whims and qualms and shout to the world in times of victory. He is a really good friend to be with.
Later on I was introduced to Multiply which was like a cross between blogger and friendster (well facebook wasn’t popular that time) it had cross posting features which was great because multiply really didn’t do great on the blogging part, so it made sure that all of my posts in Multiply has a copy in my first blog.
I blogged about my everyday life and special events and went on like that for a couple of years until a life changing event happened. Thank God that I already knew about blogging, I know where to flush out my negative energy.
After that life changing event I started traveling near or far it didn’t matter but I seem to withdraw from writing it. I just wanted to keep it to my self. keep quite. private.
Since I travel a lot, I research a lot about my trips. I read travel blogs and became interested in joining this group whose badges are always present on the sites that I read. I wanted to join and start chronicling my trips, so I followed the links that took me to the group’s page in facebook. I sent an email asking to be admitted and on March 2011 I was approved.
To be honest I wasn’t sure who added me up, so this is just a wild guess. I think it was Melo of Out of Town Blog who added me up since he was the first one that I could remember that I added to my facebook who I later on learned is also part of the group. So I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the group Pinoy Travel Bloggers and Melo for letting me part of it.
My blog started to take shape and direction and most of my posts were travel related. Thanks to my new found friends who influenced me to travel more.
Soon enough I was contemplating whether to put up a separate blog for my travels instead of putting in with my everyday life blog. While thinking about doing a separate blog, I read somewhere that in most cases blogs should concentrate on a certain topic like lifestyle, entertainment or something else to get the proper audience as people who visit the site may get confused on what the real goal of the site is. Then it hit me, I bought a domain and a cheap hosting plan to start everything up and with help from really nice people specially Doi of The Traveling Feet I was able to set up every thing and on November 27, 2011 Brownmantrips.com was born.
It has been like two days since I wrote the last sentence of this post as I think about how I should end it. I guess it would be hard for me to actually come up with one, because the end of this novel marks the beginning of a new story. My Travel stories.
This is my contribution to the “”The Journey That Made Us a Travel Blogger” Blog Carnival hosted by dmar Gu-Quibb of Edmaration for the Pinoy Travel Bloggers.
