Night Tour in Kuala Lumpur and Visit at the Batu Caves

The haze and the rain did not prevent me from visiting Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
I mean it's summer and it was not supposed to rain. But it rained!

I arrived in Kuala Lumpur after 3 hours and 45 minutes of flight onboard the Cebu Pacific. Flight was delayed due to air traffic for 30 minutes and I arrived in KL past 7 pm. My cousin Ryan Ramilo was waiting for me at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT, the other airport is the KLIA). Good thing my cousin brought his car and through GPS we were able to find our destinations for that night.

We went to Leo Palace I Hotel, checked-in and went immediately to Chinatown.

We did a little bit of souvenir shopping since the price was really cheap compared to other establishments in KL. After 20 minutes, we went to the main attraction.

Upon arriving at the Petronas Twin Towers, it suddenly rained and I was not able to get the pictures that I was longing for. We decided to go inside the tower.

The interior of the twin towers is even more majestic and we walked inside the mall and marveled at the magnificent piece of architecture. After staying for more than an hour, we went back to the hotel and called it a day.

Our destination the following morning was Genting. But we had to drop by at this tourist spot along the way.

Batu Caves

Malaysia is composed of three races, namely - Malay, Chinese, and Indian. The Indians have their own religion and that is the reason why this breathtaking tourist spot was built. It is actually a temple and you have to ascend towards the opening of the cave in order to see the temples inside the cave.

The trek was a bit tiring but once you are on the top, the view is surely worth it!

Once inside the cave, you have to ascend again to see the last temple.

After staying for 30 minutes, I decided to descend and we went to Genting. First day of my tour in South East Asia and I am loving it!

City Tour in Yangon, Myanmar 2014

Reclining Buddha, Yangon, Myanmar

From Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I took a flight to Yangon, Myanmar. I was on day 4 of my South East Asian (SEA) Tour for summer 2014. My first SEA tour happened last October 2013 and I went to Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. I had to wait for summer before I could do this tour since I am teaching in Far Eastern University (Philippines). Anyways, from the Yangon International Airport, I boarded a taxi to MGM Hotel and paid 8,000 Kyats. Travel time was approximately 45 minutes.

While onboard the taxi, the driver offered a city tour for 45,000 Kyats. I hesitated and decided to make my decision once I arrived at the hotel. 

Thaung Tun

No. 49, Mingalar Street, San Chaung Township.Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)

Ph: 95-420071913

e-mail: thaungtunmyanmar@gmail.com

Driver/Tour Guide you should not miss! =)

Upon arriving at the hotel, I immediately asked for the city tour and I was told that the price of the tour is 45,000 Kyats per person. After learning this, I decided to call Mr. Tun and asked him to fetch me the following day at exactly 7 am.

MGM Hotel was kind enough to allow me check-in at 10:00 am even though I was supposed to check-in at 2 pm. The hotel is affordable and the room is excellent.

The following morning, Mr. Tun arrived ahead of time and we immediately started with our city tour. First stop for the day was the port area. Tour usually starts 8:00 am and ends 6:00 pm. But we started 7 am that day and finished 3:30 pm.

Pansodan Jetty 

The Pansodan Jetty is where the buffet river cruise is made. You can have your buffet river cruise for 20,000 Kyats only.

Royal River Cruise

Luxury River Cruise

Tel. +95 (9) 2500 86571, +95 (9) 7315 6296, +95 (9) 449004705, +95 (9) 3173 1540

Website: www.royalgreenriver.com

Email: salessops.mgr@royalgreenriver.com / info@royalgreenriver.com

Sunset Sightseeing Cruise (Friday)

USD : 25 per pax

Kyats : 20,00 per pax

Drink : soft or Myanmar Beer I can

Cruise time : 17:30 - 19:30

Dinner Cruise (Saturday)

USD : 30 per pax

Kyats : 25,000 per pax

Meals: BBF (buffet)

Cruise time: 17:30 - 19:30

Dinner Cruise (Sunday)

USD: 30 per pax

Kyats : 25,000 per pax

Meals : Chinese food (buffet) 

Drink : Soft or Myanmar Beer 1 can

Cruise time : 17:30 - 19:30

Second stop

Botahtaung Pagoda

Just a stone's throw away from the port is the Sacred Relic of Buddha's Hair Pagoda. Entrance fee is 3,000 Kyats. Buddhism is the number one religion in Myanmar.

Third stop

Reclining or Sleeping Buddha

One of the biggest statues of Buddha that I have seen in Myanmar is the Reclining Buddha. It took us more than 20 minutes to reach this spot due to traffic congestion. The soles of the feet of Buddha indicate the way of life of Buddhism.

Fourth stop  

World Peace Buddha

From the Reclining, we went to another Pagoda. The area of this pagoda is a lot bigger than the Reclining Pagoda.

Interior of the World Peace Buddha

Fifth stop

Stone Marbled Buddha

This is one of my favorite pagodas in Myanmar. I enjoyed the trek and I was awed by the statue of Buddha.

After seeing the Stone Marbled Buddha, we decided to take our Myanma lunch. 

Sixth stop 

Bogyoke Aung San Market

This stop was for souvenir shopping. I bought only 1 bag for my mother and a souvenir shirt and we went afterwards to the next stop.

Seventh stop 

Chinatown

The tour to any country will not be complete if you will not visit their own Chinatown. 

Last stop

Shwedagon Pagoda

Height of the hill : 190 feet above sea level

Height of the pagoda : 326 feet (about 100 meters)

Land belonging to pagoda : 114 acres (46 hectares)

Area of terrace ; 14 acres (6 hectares)

The Shwedagon or the Reliquary of the Four is the oldest pagoda in Myanmar dating back from 600 BC. It was maintained by 32 kings of the Okkalapa Dynasty.

Along the tour, you will see also the public transport in Yangon.

I enjoyed my city tour in Myanmar!

Ambon-Ambon Falls and Ulan-Ulan Falls

In my travels around the Philippines, I have seen various falls in the country and one of things that interests me is the name of the falls. The name "Ambon-Ambon" and "Ulan-Ulan" caught my attention. The name Ambon-Ambon means mild or little shower of rain in Filipino. And being a nature lover, I have explored and seen these falls named "Ambon-Ambon."   

Here are the various Ambon-Ambon Falls in the Philippines.

Ambon-Ambon Falls in Laurel, Batangas

60 meters high

link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2014/03/ambon-ambon-falls-and-malagaslas-falls.html

Ambon-Ambon Falls in Panguil, Laguna

link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2014/02/ambon-ambon-falls-natividad-pangil.html

Ambon-Ambon Falls in Bagac, Bataan

60 meters high

link - http://www.waypoints.ph/detail_gen.php?wpt=ambon

Naambon Falls (also means Ambon-Ambon) in  San Juan, Batangas

link - http://lakbayinpilipinas.wordpress.com/2010/10/21/naambon-falls/

Ulan-Ulan (also Ambon-Ambon) Falls in Biliran

link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/04/top-10-falls-in-philippines-for-tourists.html

Only the Ambon-Ambon Falls in Bagac, Bataan remains to be explored and in the near future it will surely be included in my itinerary.

See the water falls in the Philippines!   

Tanawan Hills, Tanauan City, Batangas

Tanauan City boasts of various tourist spots ranging from historical landmarks, lake, falls, public park, parade, and a hill. The last tourist spot is called - Tanawan Hills.

Tanawan Hills is a good place to take a respite and escape from the stress of the city living. One can truly enjoy the tranquility and serenity of nature at this place. 

Interior of the rest house

The interior of the rest house is so cozy and comfortable.

One can roam around, forget all the hassles of work 
and simply marvel looking at Taal Lake.

  

How to get there

From Manila or Cubao, board a bus (Ceres, DLTB, Starex or Jam) en route to Batangas with the signage - Tanauan/Lipa (never board the "Calabarzon"). Fare is P99.00 only and travel time is 1.5 hours to 2 hours. Alight at the Tanauan City bus terminal station and board a tricycle (P15.00) to the city market. Then, ride another tricycle (P25.00) or jeepney to Barangay Luyos. Travel time is 20-30 minutes from city.   

In case you are bringing your car, use the SLEX and then the STAR tollway and exit at Tanauan City. It is a lot faster if you are bringing a vehicle. It will take you less than 2 hours to reach the spot.

Contact person - Engineer Legazpi (0918-912-3421) 

Enjoy the view of Taal Lake and Tagaytay.

Tanawan Hills in Barangay Luyos, Tanauan City, Batangas

Ambon-Ambon Falls and Malagaslas Falls, Laurel, Batangas

There are actually three (3) falls in Laurel, Batangas.

The most famous is the Ambon-Ambon Falls. The second is the Malagaslas Falls and the third entails more than 2 hours of trekking en route to Tagaytay City. I went to the first two falls but I did not go to the third one due to time constraint. But I will definitely go back and explore the third falls this summer 2014.

It was a beautiful Sunday morning of March 2014 when I decided to go to Laurel. I woke up around 6 am and my first instinct was to look at the sky and see for myself whether it was cloudy or not that day and much to my surprise, it was a clear blue sky! 

And I took my breakfast, fixed myself and immediately boarded my bike and sped off towards the municipality of Laurel.

How to get there

From Manila or Cubao, board a bus (either DLTB, Jam, Starex, or Ceres) en route to Batangas City. Never board a bus with the signage "Calabarzon" instead the bus that you have to take should be having the signage "Tanauan City/Lipa." The trip is good for 1.5 to 2 hours only. Fare is P99.00 only. Alight at Tanauan City bus terminal and board a tricycle to the city market. Fare is P15.00-20.00 only. 

Reaching the market, go to the jeep terminal of Laurel (or Talisay but you have to take another jeepney from Talisay). Travel time is more or less 1.5 hours from Tanauan City to Laurel. Fare is P45.00. Then, alight at Total gas station in Laurel or in the market itself and hire a tricycle for P75.00 only to Sitio Salipit (jump-off point towards the falls).

Sitio Salipit - jump-off point

My guide that day was Edwin (0949-609-1196) and I paid P300.00 for the tour.

The exact address of the falls is Sitio Salipit, Barangay San Gabriel, Laurel, Batangas.

First trip from Tanauan City to Laurel - 7 am

Last trip from Tanauan City to Laurel - 8 pm

First trip from Laurel to Tanauan City - 3 am

Last trip from Laurel to Tanauan City - 3 pm (in case you miss the last trip, you can rent a tricycle to Talisay and from there ride a jeepney to Tanauan City)

From the jump-off point, it will take you 20-25 minutes before you reach Ambon-Ambon Falls. The trek is quite easy and you can enjoy the scenery while walking towards the falls.

You have to cross the river for three times before you reach your destination.

The best time to go to the falls is between the months of January to May. And there are plenty of local tourists going to the falls and you have to go there early in the morning. 

After ten minutes of walking, you will reach the first falls called - Malagaslas Falls.

You can rent cottages (P300) and tables (P100) while you are here. There also videoke, food and other amenities offered in this site.

And you will cross the river for the third time and this one will surely make you wet since the trail goes directly through the water and there is no other alternative. But the river crossing is going to be fun!

And finally, you've reached Ambon-Ambon Falls of Laurel! It is approximately 60 meters high and the sight will surely make your jaw drop.

The falls is two-tiered and you will surely be awed once you see the majestic falls!

In case you want to spend the night at Laurel, the best choice is Hacienda Cascada.

You can experience their adventure camp at Pugad Lawin.

Standard room - P2500

Family room - P5,000

Use of infinity pool and acqua pool P199/pax

Unlimited adventure - P250

website - http://www.philippinescondominium.com/mp_lashaciendas.html

Parade of Lights in Tanauan City, Batangas

Last March 8, 2014, the city government of Tanauan City launched its first ever activity dubbed as - "Parade of Lights".

Under the auspices of its incumbent Mayor Tony C. Halili, the parade was participated by several business establishments operating in the City.

The promotion of Tourism is the primordial reason why the activity was held in line with the tagline of the city as the "City of Colors!"

The parade started around 6:15 pm after the sunset and everybody was enthusiastic and excited to see the parade culminate into a reality.

The parade was divided into three categories, namely: street dancers, most colorful and brightest float and the biggest number of supporters for the event.

The parade started from Soledad Subdivision in Barangay Darasa, Tanauan City, Batangas where a multitude of people gathered to witness the event.

And the parade was witnessed around the city.

The parade lasted for more than two hours.  

One of the brightest was the CP Reyes Hospital's float.

After the parade, the winners were announced.

And a concert was staged at the Old Municipal Hall as part of the Cityhood of Tanauan City's yearly activity.

Hopefully, this will be the start of the annual parade of lights in Tanauan City.