As a new year tradition(and hopefully I can keep it up), I am sharing these simple travelogue postcards of beautiful cities I’ve visited this year. All shots were taken by me with my Sony. Feel free to share. =)
Category: And ETC !
A Day Around Amsterdam|A Photoblog
A morning stroll around Amsterdam is always a delight. 
A side trip to Zaanse Schans should never be missed. It is where you will find the centuries old windmills and cheese factories. Getting there will only take an hour from the central station.
Amsterdam is also as lovely in the afternoon.
Contemporary Oslo|A Cityscape Photoblog
Norway’s capital city is certainly a contemporary design heaven for architects and other design enthusiasts. Without a doubt, Oslo boasts some of the best and most current ideas in art,architecture and interior design in the European region.
Here are the highlights from my two days visit to the Norwegian capital.
The Oslo Opera House is one of the capital city’s most celebrated architectural masterpiece. The building is purposely designed with a multi-level sloped decks that allows people to walk from the ground level and up to the top without having to go inside the building. The opera house as well boasts an impressive interior woodwork. No fees are asked to enter the building lobby.
The opera house has one of the most impressive comfort room I have ever visited.
The opera house is at its most impressive during sunset to early evening.
The view of Oslo waterfront as seen from the roof deck.
The view of the city as seen from roof deck.
Tjuvholmen (Thief Island) and the Aker Brygge are two noted modern day waterfront developments in Oslo. The place erects Norway’s famous contemporary buildings, as well as museums and community facilities. Day tours are welcome, and are free of charge.
The Astrup Fearnley Museum, which is also located in Tjuvholmen, holds a wide collection of contemporary art and installations from artists of different nationalities. The Building designed by the famous architect Renzo Piano. Entrance to the exhibits costs around 12 Euros (600 Pesos)
Here are some highlights of the museum exhibit.
The museum toilet for the disabled looks like something from a sci-fi movie set.
Vigeland Sculpture Park is another highlight of Oslo’s contemporary art scene. Entrance to the park is free of charge. 30 minutes tram ride from the city centre via Tram # 12. 
More on Oslo to follow. =)
A Day in Bruges| A Photoblog
Bruges is a medieval city of northwest Belgium, that is highly distinguished for its canals, cobbled streets and brick-faced buildings. The city played a significant trading point in Northern Europe during the 14th to 19th century, and is among the few that had been spared from major destruction during the WWII. It was said that a certain general of the Nazi got charmed by its old world beauty, that he ordered protection over the place during the war. Today, Bruges is one of Belgium’s most visited spot, and is considered as one of the most well preserved medieval city in the whole of Europe.
Here are some snapshots that I took during my day tour around Bruges; gloomy, yet still pretty. =)
Bruges is a mere one hour train ride from the capital city of Brussels. Several trips run between the two cities, but it is recommended that you take the intercity train from Brussels ‘MIDI’ station with fewer stops (Trains from Brussels Central Station take longer time). Round trip ticket is around 20 Euros. A day tour would be enough to see Bruges; and when purchasing round trip tickets, always ask the attendant to guide you re return time options. Always keep your ticket in the safe place as the attendant will check this from time to time. Bruges is very walkable. Upon arriving at the central station, do a quick stop at the tourist centre just before the exit, to secure a city map and take some free postcards with you. =) 
Food is fairly cheap in Belgium, compared to other European cities. In Bruges, a quick grub from Pasta Maria is recommended. A pack of Alfredo for 3 Euros isn’t bad already. 
Between Brussels and Bruges is another charming medieval city, known as Ghent. If you intend to visit the place, ask from the Brussels MIDI station the proper transfer tickets. Credit card and debit cards are widely accepted in Belgium.
Jose’s 10 Best Street Food Moments
Ok, dahil kain lang ako ng kain lately, I thought of shortlisting some 10 memorable street food moments and lamons from my recent biyahes around. Nothing super fancy, basta yung mga casual, simple at cheap pagkain lang; nonetheless, authentic pa din. Walang cheeseburger dito ha? So here goes. Enjoy. =)
1.) Pho, Ho Chi Minh (2013): Nung binubuo ko pa lang this compilation, first that came into my mind was the Pho I had from a modest sidewalk set up eatery named Bum Bo Hue, along Bui Vien Street. Sobrang sarap, sobrang fresh ng sangkap, very pretty looking, it’s actually unforgettable. Pho is a traditional beef (or chicken) broth soup ng Vietnam na madaming leafy herbs, usually cilantro or fresh mint. Iba din arrive nya compared sa other Asian soup. Super nice din nung lady owner, that she gave me kakanin. A big bowl was around 50,000 dong ( around $ 2.5 usd, 100 pesos ). This may not be the cheapest, but it was highly recommended by the hostel staff. Typical sa Ho Chi Minh yung naglalatag lang sa sidewalk ng tables and chairs, lalo na pag gabi; sobrang Vibrant ng place.
2.) Authentic Pad Thai, Bangkok (2013): Though madami naman masarap na Pad Thai everywhere, iba pa din when you get to enjoy a freshly cooked set along Rambuttri o Khaosan Road. As such, deserving to ng spot dito sa compilation. Pad Thai is an authentic Thai noodle dish that is mildly sweet and mildly tangy (from its tamarind-based sauce), and usually topped with peanut and drizzled with lemon. This one in the picture is a vegetarian set. Tofu lang yun gamit. around 59 Bhat (100 Pesos)
3.) Poh Piah, Singapore (2013): This may be ordinary for some, pero sobrang na enjoy ako sa Poh Piah na nakain ko dun sa SG. Poh Piah s a Fujian/Chaozhou-style fresh spring roll that is sweet,peanuty and medyo crunchy inside kasi magulay. This is also common in Taiwan, Malaysia and Thailand. This one on the photo was around 2 Sgd.
4.) Curry Mutton Balls, Kolkatta (2014): Ito ung first meal ko sa India, kaya memorable kasi sa labas lang to ng public market kasabay yung mga locals, kaya sobrang authentic ng feel. Sobrang flavourful din ng dish na ito. Wag na kayong ano, mahilig talaga ako sa curry. This was only 25 Rupees (Around 25 Pesos), may kasamang Paratha (Indian bread prepared on a griddle, and lightly oiled).
5.) Masala Omelette Sandwich, Delhi (2014): Simple lang, super cheap ,like 25 Rupee (around 25 Pesos) pero sobrang saya ko na dito. Masala is a traditional Indian spice mix. Di ko ma explain ano lasa nito. Alanganin curry, alanganin cumin, basta very pungent. May fresh Onion pa at Coriander combined with the omelette. Overwhelming for some, pero sarap na sarap ako. Common to sa Pajar Ganj. 2x ko to breakfast when I was in Delhi.
6.) Kusum Mutton Roll, Kolkatta (2014): Nabasa ko to noon kay Migrationology.com. Its basically like kebab, only that the grilled mutton stuffing is somewhat curried, and is wrapped with a Paratha (Indian bread prepared on a griddle, and lightly oiled) and walang garlic sauce/white sauce for this; just red onion, onion stalk and light chili sauce. Mga 70-80 Rupees per piece.
7) Souvlaki, Athens (2015): Souvlaki is Greece’s version of Beef Kebab. This one in the photo is from a famous eatery called ‘Thanalis’ in Athens, which is known to serve good wraps. Souvlaki is somewhat more comparable to India’s Kusum Roll, kasi the wrapper is prepared almost the same way. Mas madami lang anik anik itong sa Greek like tomato, red onion, and may potato fries pa, tas may white sauce. Around 3 Euros (150 Pesos) pero generous naman sa size.
8.) Not so traditional Salami Pizza, Rome (2015): Di ko na maalala ung name, nahanap ko lang to sa tabi tabi eh. Sobrang nasarapan ako dito, among all pizza na natry ko dun. May fresh basil leaves to under the salami. 3 to 4 Euros per serve.
9.) Kimbap, Seoul (2015): Kimbap is like Korea’s version of maki/sushi… Only that feeling ko, theirs is more basic, fastfood-ish, and are usually stuffed with ham,egg, cheese and crispy vegetables.And like a typical Korean dish, may this one has a kick of Sesame oil. Common to sa mga subway hawkers around seoul. If you are not into the strong smelling fishcake and the spicy deokbokki, then this is your next best streetfood option in Korea.
10.) Hongkong Style Skewers (2015): Hongkong is also every man’s streetfood heaven. Lahat ng cravings mo on international levels, nandun nah sa streets nila; kaya deserving din to ng spot sa compilation. Among all skewers, itong bacon wrapped sausage ang favourite ko. Basta may bacon, I’ll rest my case. Lol
Bonus: Dessert, beh! =)
11.) Gulab Jamun, Delhi (2014) : Ito ang tunay na masarap! Jamun is a Solid Milk-based Mithai (Indian Sweets). Usually caramelized, minsan meron pang rose flavour, o saffron flavour… kaya nagiging kakaiba na ung taste.
12.) Belgian Waffle, Brussels(2016): Bilang sarado gana, sasali ko sa list this super pretty Belgian Waffle i had near the Grand Place in Brussels. Mejo chewy ung mismong waffle, ganun daw tlga ang authentic. Generous ang topping, and smothered with real white chocolate. Sobrang filling. This one is at 4 Euros, pero good for 2 na to.
Yun lang muna guys. Sana nagutom kayo =)
Backpacking Scandinavia (10 Days in Sweden,Norway & Iceland. Magkano ba?)
It’s no secret that the Scandinavian countries of Europe are among the most expensive countries in the world to visit; especially when you are coming from the Philippines. Sobrang layo na nun,beh. You can already breathe in the cold air from the north pole, at di mo na ramdam yung equator from there. Chot! Intimidating puntahan? Medyo siguro at first. Posibleng nakakatakot yung gasto? Pag demanding ka,definitely. Pag mababa naman standards mo sa pagbabakasyon, carry na yun. Para sa mga pusang gala tulad ko, lahat naman pwedeng gawan ng paraan para makamura.
Scandinavia as a backpacking destination? kayang kaya!
Sa mga nagtatanong lang, Scandinavian peninsula covers the Northern region of Europe. Sali dito ang Kingdoms of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. May ibang articles din na sinasali ung Greenland. Kung meron man akong na miss-out, then sumbong nyo lang sa barangay.
Sa article na to, I will be discussing how to budget a 10-days backpacking trip across Stockholm(Sweden), Oslo(Norway), and lastly, Iceland, which was really the purpose of my trip. Lalatag ko na secret formulas ko sa planning ha? Wag kayong ano jan.
How I booked my flights. To be honest, wala sa plano ko magbackpacking ng Europe this year. Gasto beh. Nag iipon sana ako pambili ng pag-ibig. Chot. Pero seriously, all these only started when I encountered a super-sale ticket with Norwegian Airline last Feb 2016. It only costs around Php 18,000.00 roundtrip Bangkok to Stockholm, then Oslo back to Bangkok. This Round trip ticket is already too good to miss. (Hello Europe yan, nasa 40k to 50k ang regular nyan.) Pero ang catch kung bakit sobrang mura? 1) No check-in baggage, and 2) No food included. If I added food, + Php 5,000.00. Pero sa totoo lang, hindi yun issue sa akin. Sanay ako magbaon, at di naman yun bawal sa plane (basta wag lang masabaw o beyond 100ml ang sarsa ng afritada mo). Sandwiches,Pizza slices, apple, pears, etc.. ok na un for an 11 hours ride, and usually may pabenta tlga nito sa mga airports abroad. Tsaka, matutulog ka lang din naman mostly. Aside sa binili kong mineral water dun sa departure hall, may dala ako water bottle. Refill ko lang before departure. And also in flight, pwede naman humingi ng tubig.
Yung flight from Manila to Bangkok and back,I did not worry so much kasi madalas naman un sale with Cebu Pacific.
As proof,here are my tickets.
From Stockholm, relatively affordable na lang ang plane tickets to Iceland. Salamat sa skyscanner.com to help travellers book a good deal. Ito ang pasample kung pano ako mag hanap ng cheap. Though the screenshots below are not the exact flights that I got into last month, the concept of finding tickets is the same. For the purpose of costing, I will be using the values given below as reference.
Stockholm to Reykjavik Ticket comparison in Month mode. This is among skyscanner.com’s most convenient feature.
How I applied for Tourist Visa and other requirements. Here’s a reference to check. https://iamjosemanuel.com/2015/06/16/applying-schengen-visa-through-the-netherlands-embassy-in-the-philippines/
Airport Transfers when you get there. Mahalagang factor din ang pagcocommute from the airport to the city, because unlike NAIA, malalayo tlga airports nila dun; Say around 1 hour travel pa. As I’ve read, mas logical pa din if you choose public bus over train. Though the public(regional) trains are some pesos cheaper, it might require transfers pa, which would be a hassle. Maliban sa Reykjavik, All my airport transfers were settled at the airport na upon arrival. May wifi naman so you can connect and purchase online. Cheaper that way. Will discuss more of his as soon as I blog for the individual cities nah.
THE ESTIMATED COST. 10 DAYS, 3 SCANDINAVIAN CITIES. Ito po yung inabot ng gasto ko.
Ito naman ung Itinerary that I followed when I was in Stockholm,Oslo and Reykjavik. Maliban sa Northern Light tour ng Reykjavik (see https://iamjosemanuel.com/2016/11/06/backpacking-iceland-on-a-cheap-things-to-dowhere-to-stay-and-stuff/ ), everything on the list is based on my personal experience and budgeting.
Overall Summary of Cost
ASSESSMENT.
- Yes po, Scandinavia definitely isn’t the cheapest backpacking destination. Pero beh, Iceland pinunta ko dun, at lahat ng pinaghandaan kong budget was worth all the feels. Sobrang ganda. Incomparable. Kaya nga sinadya kong maging relax ang pace ko when I was there, kasi di tayo basta bastang makaka balik dun.
- Kung gusto nyo makarami ng European countries na pupuntahan with relatively the same cost as above, then choose the cluster of countries near France.
- My spending could have been cheaper by say 20%, if I tapped with couchsurfing. Kaso with the limited time, at malalayo from the city yun hosts, mas pinili ko nalang mag hostel/dorm within, o that is walkable from the city center, nang makarami. The 1200-1500 Pesos per night is not bad na actually for a dorm bed. May standard naman na sinusunod ang Europe to provide accommodations. Sa magtatanong, Couchsurfing is like an organization ng backpackers,na pwede kang makitira o mai-host sa destination mo. Google nyo lang.
- On going around Iceland, some backpackers tend to just rent a car and share the fee and gas. Mas makaka mura kyo sa ganun if ever. However, I opt to join na a group tour, particularly with Reykjavik Excursions for my Golden Circle Tour, kasi nakaka tuwa din naman ung ma brief ka with the country’s history (and intrigues). =)
- All my hostels/Dorms have been prebooked with Agoda.com and Hostelworld.com
- Sa pagkain naman, nagtipid ako, pero definitely di ko ginutom sarili ko noh. Masaya naman ako kumain sa mga street food at average diners lang. OK na ako dun. Cguro sa bawat destination, I only allow myself 1-3 above average priced meals. Lalo na sa Iceland, nag grocery ako dun sa “Bonus” supermarket.
- Di ako masyado nag museum during the trip. Mas ok ako sa city tour tlga than museums. Sa Oslo lang ako pumasok at Astrup Fearnley.
- No shopping policy applied. Di ako pumasok sa H&M kahit alam kong may sale. haha. Kapagod din mag dala pauwi. Wala pa nmn ako check in baggage.
Sana naman ay may maicontribute ang post ko sa mga nagbabalak mag backpacking ng Scandinavia. Though there were cheaper options, my ways and means for this trip had been rather practical, than just going for the cheapest. Feel free to pattern your preparations with mine. Better yet, improve it. =) Will share a more detailed for each city, on a separate blog posts to follow.
Favorite Eats, Favorite Places (Balik tanaw sa mga nakaraang laag, Session II)
Chill Sunday it is. Careerin muna natin ang day off and lets loosen up a bit. With that, I thought of sharing on my blog, some ganaps and personal faves and experiences from my travels so far. Nakaka tuwa ito, promise. Dami pictures.
First foreign city visited: Bangkok, Thailand(2010). Well, di un backpacking talaga. It was more of a touristic vacation. Sobrang takot pa ako nun mag travel. Dikit ng dikit lang ako sa kaklase ko. Tsaka first time ko mag immigration noon, sobrang praning lang baka mapag trippan. As expected, dami tanong ung immigration ng Manila. But in Bangkok, super swift. We stayed in Pratunam, near Platinum Mall, so alam na ang purpose. haha. We booked our room at Tango Vibrant Living Place, a boutique hotel costing around 1,100/pax/night with buffet breakfast. We also joined an arranged tour to Ayutthaya, which is very nice. And the best part of the trip for me is experiencing Chatuchak weekend market for the first time, and watching the SIAM NIRAMIT show/Cultural stage play. Though mahal ang ticket but it was really entertaining.
I feel na Bangkok is always a good option to go to for first timers. It is inexpensive. It is near, yet there is so much uniqueness in Thai food, culture and architecture, that is totally different from ours.
Most recent foreign city visited: If based on the most recent stamp I got, then it is Singapore for Transit. But for backpacking, it’s Oslo Norway(2016), just this month, actually; and I fell in love with the City’s Beautiful mix of Classic and Modern Contemporary Architecture. Sobrang instagram-worthy at every corner. Will post a separate entry on Oslo soon.
Most Expensive city/town visited based on personal spending: Within the backpacking standards, definitely Reykjavik,Iceland(2016). It’s kinda expected actually. No secret naman na almost everything in Iceland are either imported, or grown from a greenhouse. Will post a separate entry on Reykjavik soon. But just an Idea, Iceland has the most expensive Airport transfer I experienced so far, at 1250 Pesos per way, for a 45 minute bus ride. Dine in and take away meals fall at an average of 600 to 800 pesos. Cheaper if you buy at the grocery and cook at the Hostel. In addition, visiting tourist spots around the island would be impossible with public transportation. Either you join the tour or rent a vehicle.
Cheapest City/town visited based on personal spending: Vang Vieng, Laos (2013), definitely!!! A guesthouse room (not shared) with a good view costs only around 450 Pesos. A whole day Kayaking, Caving and Tubing down the Mekong costs only around 500 Pesos with lunch. Food may not be the cheapest there but still, the average daily cost is super low. Kathmandu, Nepal(2014) came close din. My dorm bed there cost only 180 Pesos. I swear, and it is actually OK!
Most Beautiful City: Venice (2015) definitely, with its rustic Baroque-Renaissance Architecture and incomparable old world charm. Going around rustic, stone paved streets of Venice is like conquering a maze city; Definitely you’ll experience getting lost, which adds more to the enchantment. And given so much things to experience, Venice is actually not that expensive. Some Euro cities are far more demanding.
Most Beautiful Classical Building I’ve Visited: In terms of grandness, and proportion in relation to the setting, The Parliamentary Building, Budapest (2015) 
Most Beautiful Modern Building I’ve Visited : For the Exterior, Astrup Fernley Museum (2016) by Architect Renzo Piano. For the interior, the Oslo Opera House (2016)
Most Beautiful Church I’ve visited: Florence Cathedral (2015) in Renaissance Style and Saint Mark’s Cathedral,Venice (2015) in ‘Baroque-Ottoman/Middle East influence’ Style. 
Most Romantic City Visited: None. I did not feel anything.
Favorite City na masarap balikan. Seoul (2012,2015) Pretty in Spring, pretty in Autumn. Relatively cheap. Relatively near. Amazing Food. Beautiful and highly fashionable people sitting beside you on the train. Streets are bursting with vibrant color. Fun and quirky cafe interiors. A lot of cute abubots and butingtings for sale that you might find useless, but are just to lovely not to buy. I rest my case.
Pinaka malayong napuntahan so far: Reyjavik, Iceland (2016) . 8 hours time difference from the Philippines.Fave Street Food Session: New Delhi, India (2014). Bias because I love Indian Food. The taste and smell of curry and other spices excite me. When I went there, I tried my best to find the pagkain na featured ni Migrationology.com (one of my travel idols). There’s this Curry Lamb Stew in Baphe da Hotel, Delhi na hinanap ko tlga. Well, its a sit down type of street food, and it was amazing!!! Plus the Samosa, Biryani, the lamb kebabs, the masala omelette, the Gulab Jamun you find sa street… amazing!!!!
Some lunch – curried Fresh Water Fish and Pita Bread
the super yummy Kusum Mutton Roll in park street Kolkatta, mentioned by Migrationology.com as one of his 25 best street food in the world worthy of travel. and indeed it is.
Jamun Balls. deep fried sweet dough with caramel sauce. Yummy ! 15 INR for 2 piece !
Yummy Kebab along MG Road , Jaipur
Curried Lamb Stew from Baphe da hotel , as featured by Migrationology.com . I had time looking for this in Connaught place, New Delhi . But indeed it was worth the task ! this dish is unforgettably delicious !
My First Street Food , some fried roti and Kari
Masala Egg Omelette Sandwich . A cheap street food , prepared while you wait. Which was is good because you get to see how its done. (think fairly clean street food)
Fave Authentic Food worth Craving: Andami Syet! hmmm ok, after a bit of contemplation just now.. I’d say, Beef Rendang paired with Nasi Lemak. Malaysia (2013,2014,2015,2016) Syet, every year pala ako nakaka tungtong ng Malaysia, mostly for transit. Gustong gusto ko mga pagkain sa Malaysia kasi aside sa traditional Malay food which is either coconut based o spicy (Sambal), wide din ang choices dun ng Indian and Arab food, as well as Chinese food. Saya lang diba?
City where I splurged on food the most: Barcelona (2015) Cheap food! A lot of buffet options(lunch buffet for only 45o Pesos, sobrang dami na. free flowing pa beverages and beer also. And food scene is not super far from ours. They also have adobo and other ma-sarsa cuisines, super different from neighboring gourmet France o Germany. Also, it was my second to the last stop last year during my first Eurotrip… so maluwag na ako sa budget.
Best Pastries: Paris (2015) Pastries and breads there are of the highest quality. Pero di ako expert with pastries, actually madami din masarap sa Seoul, and are very pretty.
Best Beer: Tyskie of Poland (2015) 
Have I ever got sick during travel? Sickness from food, yes, in Siem Reap, Cambodia (2013). I went to a public market with a local whom I met there. He introduced me to a certain local cold noodle dish. His Treat! I was a bit hesitant because it is a cold dish but I was just too shy to refuse, kasi her was very accommodating. The food, I think it is called Khmer Noodles; Though it was good and peanut-ish, turned out,na I was right. My tummy wasn’t able to handle the rawness of the dish. I had recurring stomach pain that lasted for 3 days, pero tolerable naman. Moral lesson, never trust dishes that are not cooked on fire.
Worst Airport : Tinatanong pa ba yan?! Duh.. Broken walkalator, busted bulbs, no bidet spray, scammers, abusive custom officers, noisy, and worst of all, difficult terminal transfers. Madami fill up. may health card pa which I find useless. My custom declaration paper pa. ewan! samok. too much drama everywhere.
Best Airport: I lost track of my count but among them, Changi, Singapore is still the best. Yung pagpasok mo pa lang sa tube, amoy mo na ang linis at bangong kaakit akit. Seoul’s International Airport came close. Kasi may indoor pool, sauna and spa/lounge where you can stay overnight. Dubai International Airport is also OK for providing inclined chairs and functional shower rooms, not just toilets.
Minsan na ba akong na Scam? None so far. The worse na siguro is my tripod got stolen sa Agra, India. So far di pa din ako nawalan ng money o things sa dorm. Careful ako. Dito sa Philippines, yes minsan na ako na hold up ng badjao, and nawalan na din ng cellphone.
Minsan naba ako naiwan ng plane o train? Muntik na. sa flight to from Kota Kinabalu pauwi ng Manila. haha. Pero usually I prepare tlga some hours before departure. In cases na early morning flight, I sleep na sa airport. Ilang beses ko na yan nagawa sa Europe nung 2015. para maka tipid ng Hostel expense. Dinamay ko pa si Annilou Bravo nun sa Paris. haha.
Worst night in a Hostel: Yes Boss Hostel, Pajar Ganj,New Delhi (2014) There was tae in the bowl pa of my room. Owner didn’t like Filipino guests because sabi ng staff nya, his ex girlfriend was a Filipina and apparently, the girl took a lot of money daw from him. Cost of a night/250 Pesos.
Hotel Yes Boss’ Cheap Non air Bedroom for only 250 INR . around 4-5 usd , the cheapest Ive found along Main Bazaar, PajarGanj
The comfort room you get for the cheap room. The bowl was dirty.
Best Night in a Hostel: Buntang Guesthouse, Vangvieng, Laos (2013) I got a room all to myself with a balcony and an amazing view of the foggy valley. Cost of room, 450 Pesos.
Souvenir things that I collect: Ceramic, porcelain or resin type 3D-Ref magnets of significant architectural masterpieces that I have personally visited. Items should be of the best quality that I can find, and should be personally bought by me.
Most Memorable Moments: Dami eh. Medyo mahilig ako sa History channel so basically, dream come true tlga sa akin makatungtong sa mga historic UNESCO protected places na minsan ko lang napapanood; Lalo na’t enjoy ako mag drawing noon ng ancient buildings for our history of architecture subject. Ask me now, first thing naisip ko was ung moment I set foot on the grounds of Angkor Wat (2013) and I was just in time for sunrise. Grabe. Surreal. Same feeling din nung nahawakan ko na ang marble walls and minarets ng Taj Majal (2014), at ung una ko nasilayan from afar ang Parthenon sa Athens (2015),oa, pero naging emotional ako nun ng light.
Memorable din sa akin nung free day ko sa Venice (2015), and I just walked around the city endlessly, hanggang sa naabutan ako ng ulan so nakisilong ako sa isang waterfront building na inaayos that time. 1 hour din ako nag antay. walang gawa. observe2x lang ng palibot, pero masaya ung feeling, kasi yung thought na minsan ko lang pinangarap mag Venice, and there I was, actually feeling the cool breeze and the rain in a historic city I once just dreamed of visiting.
Current Dream Destination: Istanbul, Cairo, Alexandria, Petra, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Colombo, Bhutan, Rio de Janeiro, Sau Paolo, Lima, Mexico City.
Luang Prabang, Yogyakarta, Tokyo and Osaka are nearby dream destinations that I purposely reserve, on the hopes na baka meron ako pwede kasama dun na someone special. Pero atik lang =)
Travel Ka Na Naman,What’s The Occasion? -A balik tanaw session sa aking mga laag so far
For four years now, backpacking had become an annual thing na for me. And with all my heart, these days of traveling, have always been the best days of my recent years. Backpacking excites me, and it drives me para mag ipon on something. In fact, I am actually more excited for my travel time, than having Christmas holiday o my birthday. Seriously. Weird ba? Pero thats the way it is. Through the planning stage, on abanging of promo tickets, on studying the maps of foreign cities, and on being in the actual city and finding out that the maps you studied were kinda uncertain… The feeling of ‘being anonymous and somewhat lost in a place that I’ve never been before’ is totally my kind of adventure.
Why Solo backpacking? Simple lang.
- Easier sa planning stage (Walang antayan ng approval)
- Mas madami time to do things at my own pace
- No need to adjust my budget and travel standards (I sleep at airport floors when i have to)
- No need to adjust my feelings (Chot!)
- Most of all, mas malayo ang aking nararating.
Though I also recognise and appreciate din the friends that I traveled with sa particular stops, ksi naman masaya din sila kasama. Pero ewan lang, mas na eexcite ako mag explore ng unfamiliar cities on my own and at my own stride.
Malungkot? Di naman. Di lahat ng nagsosolo travel, e sad na agad. Yung iba, Aura lang.
Kasi walang lovelife? E di wow. Feelings can wait.
Home sick? Walang ganung ganap. I always have my home with me inside my heart. Chot!
Nakakatakot? Di naman. Sigurista din naman ako sa pinupuntahan ko. Minsan nga feeling ko mas delikado pa dito sa atin kesa dun. Hello?! Tsaka ok din naman mag isa. kasi kahit pa maiwan ako ng train dahil sa katangahan ko… walang madadamay.
Mahal ba mag solo? Compared sa me kasama? hmmm.. di naman. kasi nagdodorm lang ako o cheap hostel. depende lang tlga yan sa standards mo kung maarte kang nilalang. Me kasi, I don’t mind sharing room and things with people I don’t know… as much as I don’t mind sleeping on airport floors when I have to. I believe yun ang true essence ng backpacking eh… kaya pag sasabay ka sa akin, wag ma mag expect ng too much comfort. But I assure you, malayo mararating mo =)
Sa food cguro, yes. mas mapapa gasto ka more minsan. kasi you won’t be able to have someone to share the bill with. Pero most of the time naman may maffriend ka while on travel eh, ung mga kapwa backpackers din.
When you decide to go solo… madami namang online blogs that can give you ideas how to move around on a budget eh. Tulad nyo, dependent din ako sa kanila.
Budget? hmmm relative! dipende sa lugar na pupuntahan mo. Usap nalang tayo sa FB. haha. But really, more than the budget, starting this solo travel bug requires courage! Tapang at kapal ng mukha! Charot. Tapang lang, ok na.
Yung budget, kaya yan gawan ng paraan. E di mag trabaho ka. O hanap ka mayaman na daddy daddy. your call. Wag nyo ako tanungin paano mag ipon =)
How to Start a planning a backpacking adventure? Ideally, dapat daw meron kang travel bucket list na sinusunod. Truth, you need that for inspiration. But having a fixed destination on a particular year? hmmm wala akong ganun. How I start? Simple. Kung saan may ok na promo ticket, dun na! Sasample ko ung recent backpacking trip ko. Wala sa plano mag Europe ulit… pero dahil may promo, laban!
Stockholm -> Brussels -> Brugge -> Amsterdam -> Reykjavik -> Oslo. This was my route during my recent backpacking up the cold north. The planning started when I encountered ‘on sale’ flights with Norwegian Air last February. The flight only cost me less than 18,000 Pesos for a round trip Bangkok-Stockholm and Oslo-Bangkok (regular tickets are expected at 35,000 Pesos up). It was a good deal already. I did not bother worrying my Philippines to Bangkok kasi madalas naman mag sale on SEasian route.Sadly, I only had two weeks; The shortest that I did so far. Work this year had been quite serious and consuming. Kaya un.
How I find promo tickets? Hmmm,
- I included myself to the mailing list of most international airlines that had been noted to run promos from time to time. Emirates, Etihad. Norwegian Air, KLM, etc. Usually din kasi nagsesale mga airlines around Feb/March.
- I follow more airlines on Facebook to get updated
- I follow a number of travel enthusiasts and travel blog groups of Facebook, kasi from time to time, may nagseshare naman ng updates. Salamat sa kanila.
Where and how do I book tickets? usually direct sa airline websites (as mentioned, nasa mailing list ako ng karamihan); And skyscanner.com has always been a good friend on comparing prices. Payment is with credit card. And I do not go through agencies when booking tickets. DIY lahat, from booking of tickets to finding hostels and tours. VISA application, DIY lang whenever I can. Minsan na ako nag Manila based agency o getting my China Visa (work related trip). Salamat din sa kanila.
How to find a place to stay? Agoda.com and Hostelworld.com. Very convenient. and I highly appreciate the ‘MAP’ option ng websites nato. kasi i get to see where the place is located with regards to my preferences.
Considerations on which hostel to choose. Alway, and always… I stay lang dun malapit sa mga Central Train/Bus Station o near palengke. Easy to find, and usually may mga cheap food options(o market) around, and certainly may mga police so it is safe, basically. Important sa akin mapag aralan ang Transpo from the airport to the City center by public transpo. I worry about other on site things later na.
AirBnB, di ko pa natatry. kasi naman mejo malalayo ung mga options usually from the city center.
I tried couchsurfing.com na. Eto ung makikitira ka sa mga families. Na try ko na to when I went to Brunei 2014, and it was a good experience. I food good friends there. Sa India din, though i did not actually live with the couchsurfers pero I got major assistance from them and will forever be grateful.
Travel Bucketlist? Madami! Kailangan ng separate post for that. However, priority ko tlga makumpleto ang 7 wonders of the world before ako mag 35… ok 40… kasi meron ako regular work to take care of. haha.
- Taj Majal (Agra, India) – 2014, Check!
- The Roman Colosseum (Rome) – 2015, Check!
- Petra ( Jordan) – most likely susunod
- Christ the Redeemer Statue (Rio de Janeiro) – mahal ticket oi!
- Machu Picchu (Peru) – oa ang ticket!
- Chichen Itza (Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico) – benta ko muna atay ko.
- Great Wall of China (China) – last na to.
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Top 5 European Beers ni Jose(My favourites so far)
Dahil Valentine’s at napapanahong maglasing, I am posting my top 5 favourite beers, from the countries I’ve visited in Europe. I love beer, particularly the mildly sweet brew. I am an avid beer drinker, but I am not an expert of beer science or anything. The list is basically on my personal preference with taste, crispness, and partially with the packaging. hihi
There are different types of beer based on how it is prepared and stored. Personally, I like Draft beer. These are stored and served from a barrel (or pressurized keg) rather than from a bottle or can. Regardless of the type of beer, the container, the handling and exposure to the elements may actually affect the taste. Kaya nga if you noticed, minsan di consistent ang lasa ng bottled. I find draft beers more preserved, better tasting, consistent and more flavourful. But this is just a thought of mine. Nothing super fancy.
And I don’t like putting ice on my beer. Zzz.
So, here goes my list… =)
#1 Tyskie Beer from Poland. 5.6% alcohol and up. Tyskie is actually a bit fruity-ish. And I love mildly sweet beer, that is why it stood on top of the list. Taste is light malty and honey sweet with pretty much no bitterness, which is just perfect for me. And as per the bar tender, Tyskie is consistently good. #2 Soproni Beer of Budapest. 6% , 8%, 12% Alcohol. One of Hungary’s favourite.The taste is light, mildly sweet at the start, followed by a mild bitterness to the finish.
#3 Hansy Beer of Vienna, Austria. Concocted by a local Viennese restaurant Gasthaus Hansy that brews their own beer, this lager beer is surely served fresh and crisp. Tripadvisor has good rating for this restaurant, and the beer as well.
#4 Mythos Beer of Greece. 4.7% to 5% Alcohol. As per some reviews, some find it too mild. But I find it good actually. Perfect to pair with meaty street food around Athens.
#5 Staropramen Beer of Prague Czech Republic. This is among Prague’s Decent Bohemian Pilsen, that is balanced to the milder side
Other Runner Ups: Arany Beer of Budapest
G Menabrea Beer of Italy
Kronenbourg of France
Pilsner Urquell of Czech Republic
This list is really just a fraction of Beer names around Europe. Will I be updating the list on my next visit? We’ll see. =)
12 Most Beautiful Churches In Europe
More than a symbol of man’s faith, churches(or any house of worship), are among the most relevant reflection of a civilization’s age, culture and story.
Of all the churches I have visited during my trip to Europe, here are 12 (At no particular order) with the most beautiful facade I’ve seen and an impressive setting that gave an ethereal feel of place. Though these churches may not necessarily be the grandest of grand, the selection is based on distinct exterior details and on how I was awed by standing on its presence.
The Budapest Cathedral (St. Stephen’s Basilica) of Hungary. 
Although this Roman Catholic Church is relatively new (completed 1905), the church impressively stands at the middle of the a crossing that its tallest towers can splendidly be seen from blocks away. It effortlessly became one of my favourites. The church also has one of the most impressive altars I have seen, to which I shall be featuring on a separate post. Architectural Style : Neo Classical
St. Stephen Cathedral (Stephansdom) of Vienna, Austria 
Here is another cathedral named after St. Stephen, that is amazing it its own right. The original structure was completed 1160, and underwent a number of restorations due to fire and war. However, the structural and most of its facade and details remain original. The most amazing feature of the church is probably its tiled roof with geometric patterns, that is unlike any other. Architectural Style : Gothic
St. Vitus Cathedral of Prague(The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Wenceslaus and Adalbert). 
Original structure completed 1344, the church completely embodies the Goth-bohemian character of Prague with its impressive exterior embellishments. The facade still has burn marks on the walls from several fire accidents of the past, to which somewhat gave the church a story to tell. Architectural Style: Gothic
St. Mary’s Basilica of Krakow, Poland
St Mary’s of Krakow is a unique Brick-Cladded church, originally built in the early 13th century. The very tall church proudly stands like two guardians. Krakow is among the most beautiful towns I have visited; And indeed, its church and square has one of the most beautiful setting. By tradition, a golden trumpet is blown every full hour from the window of the higher tower. This is still practiced until today. Architectural Style: Gothic
Barcelona Cathedral, Spain
Barcelona Cathedral(Original Structure constructed 1298 to 1420) is another Gothic church with a beautiful set up, worthy of praises. The Spanish steps elevated the church to a more impressive view and an ethereal feel. Although the Sagrada Familia is the more famous, it is yet to be completed and there are cranes and lifts around its towers. Based on perfect setting, this church is the most beautiful in Barcelona. Architectural Style: Gothic
Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris. Original structure completed 1345 (plus several recent restorations). Notre Dame is a historic Catholic monument of French royalty. The cathedral is considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, and it is among the largest and most well-known church buildings in the world.
The Notre-Dame de Paris was among the first buildings to use the flying buttress, or the additional reversed L shaped support placed on the outer side walls for further stability, and later became part of the design pattern. The box type bell towers at the front also made the church distinct from others. And who doesn’t know Victor Hugo’s Hunchback of Notre Dame? Architectural Style: Gothic
Le Madeleine Church, Paris (completed 1828) is somewhat a skillfully fully made revival of the Greek classical facade of the Parthenon. This church graciously stands right at the middle of a main crossroad in Paris.
I must admit that the 90’s movie ‘Madeline’ did have an impact for me to like this church so much. =) Architectural Style: Neo clasical
The Pisa Cathedral, Tuscany, Italy
The Pisa Cathedral is probably the oldest in the list (construction started 1064). The baluster-like posts at the facade are each made of solid white marble, and most of the original posts were picked by the Romans from the ruins of Greece. Behind this church is the famous leaning tower. Architectural Style: Romanesque.
Romanesque (pre-gothic time)was prevalent especially in the 11th and 12th centuries and characterized by massive walls, round arches, and relatively simple ornamentation and less window openings since structural design are yet to be further developed during that time.
Milan Cathedral, Italy 
Milan Cathedral, Italy (Construction started 1836). With the capacity of 40,000 pax, Milan Cathedral is the 2nd biggest, next to St. Peter’s in Vatican. And with 3,400 statues, 135 gargoyles and 700 figures in all, Milan Cathedral has the most impressive number of decorative statues. Impressive in every angle, this church easily because one of my favourites. Architectural Style: Gothic
St Mark’s Cathedral, Venice, Italy 
St Mark’s Cathedral (Construction started 1084). Located in the East Isles of Italy, Venice shared a lot of its history with the Turks, as such, the Byzantine Architecture is very evident on the city’s most celebrated church. The Gold facade embellishments, pointy arches and mosaic art frescos and colored glass chandeliers are among the adopted characters from the Turks, and have clearly made this catholic church a ‘one of a kind’. Architectural Style: Byzantine
The Stripe Church of Monterosso, Cinque Terre in Liguria, Italy
The Stripe Church of Monterosso (Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista – Church of St John Baptist, Monterosso al Mare, 14th Century). Standing at the Seaside town of Monterosso, Ligurian Region of Italy, the church is really a stand out on this list for its Stripe black and white walls and impressive rose window. Though the relatively unknown of the group, the seaside church (and the whole Cinque terre, infact) is worth a visit. Architectural styles: Renaissance architecture
Florence Cathedral, of Tuscany
With such intricately detailed exterior, Florence Cathedral honestly got my spot for most beautiful facade on this list. The Photo does not give enough justice, as this church is truly ethereal and stunning in actual (nakaka-lula in tagalog). Living up to the principles of Renaissance art, the cathedral itself is an a masterpiece of when Italian art and knowledge was at its most glorious days. Architectural styles: Renaissance architecture
Source of dates : Wikipedia.com. All Photos owned by the Blog Owner. All rights reserved.
