Beware Of Food At Snake Island In El Nido,Philippines

Having seen the news that you can get a free visa (matters a lot for Backpackers like me)on arrival in Philippines Manila,I decided to explore the country.You get frequent cheap flights to Manila from Malaysia KL airport and onward connection to Puerto princesa. My original plan was to explore the underground river which has been declared as one of the latest 7 wonders by UNESCO world heritage .But  having landed in PP seeing the heavy scorching sun and waiting time to get the permit to the river.

Romance In The Air -Beach Walk Snippets in El Nido,Philippines

I got up 6 am from my Bed and decided to take a walk in the Beach.There was little crowd with the locals preparing their boats for the days tour,men arranging dive gears,filling kerosene for the engines and going to market to get vegetables.Young girls were training little babies to walk on the sands.Wonderful sight to see

A Reason To Splurge In Hongkong

As I was coming back from the Goldfish market in Hongkong I happened to see this advertisement in a restaurant on the street..Newsweek has selected this speciality store restaurant as one of the 101 best places to eat in the world.The store was a small one may be it is having branches.Why this confusion I saw many Dim Dim Sum hoardings in any nook and corner of the streets in Hongkong.Of late I saw these words in Madras near Spencers outlets.As I am a Vegetarian I never venture inside.

Ink And Inherent Rhythm Of Hongkong Post

As I was walking on the streets of Hongkong I noticed a young lady holding a lot of covers and was walking before me.I thought that she must be taking the parcel to deliver to a courier company.But she separated the parcels and dropped them in a post box.In this fast changing world with courier companies mushrooming and giving a door service to its clients the lady's action surprised me.After that incident I started looking for Post boxes in the streets and found Hongkongers use this facility at ease like I did when I was 15 years old..

Let The Look Do The Talking -Sun Rise View of Mt.Bromo,Indonesia

It is 3 am in the morning and we are on our way to see the Sunrise at Mt Bromo in our old Toyota Land Cruiser.The roads were bumpy and we were huddled together with a German and French couple.Those two have been picked up by our driver from Yoschi Lodge on the way to the view point.These old battered Land cruisers were maintained in good condition by these guides and immaculately they were clean and colourful.

Jeepney One Of The Many Modes Of Transport In Philippines

Filipinos mode of transport is very very different from all other countries.Whether it is a pedi cab,a tricycle ,a motor cycle rikshaw,the boats  and the famous Jeepney.All these vehicles have been indigeneously built by Filipinos in Philippines to meet their requirement.Be it a mountain climb,a mud terrain,a city transport or a long distance bus.or a ferry ship to transport people from one Island to another.All these vehicles have been built by putting together parts from different countries a engine from Japan,a chasis from an old U.S Militiary scrap, shock absorbers from Indonesia like so on.They meet the people requirements a cheap and comfortable Transport system. Jeepney tops all of them with bright vivid dashing colours,a good seating capacity,simple row of seats,a bell to attract the driver,enough space to carry merchandise on top sometimes people too.

An Open Secret-Art & Culture of Indonesia

There are various ethnic groups in Indonesia such as Acehnese,Mandailing,Javanese,Bugis, to name a few and is rich in heritage and culture.The culture includes the Tortor dance,and the Gordang Sambilan percussion instrument from Mandiling,North Sumatra,Sundanese traditional musical instrument the Angklung made of bamboo ,Pendant a Balinese dance,Topeng Dalang from Madura.Then comes the Rasa Sayange music from Amaban,Maluku and the famous Adan Krayan rice from Nunukan East Kalimantan.Follows the masked dance Reog which originates from Ponoroga ,East Java and the famous Batik artwork on clothes all part of Indonesian national Heritage and culture.

Shoot Bits # 22 : War Of Words !!

Markets:Hongkong A Golden place to buy Goldfish

I always make it a point to visit the local markets in any place where ever I stay .The Markets throws light on the culture and the habits of a common man in the town.When I was Backpacking in SE Asia I visited the famous Gold Fish Market of Hongkong.

Do You like The Cantonese Culture Of Hongkong

Hongkong is the worlds rich financial capital and you will wonder how this small vibrant city is going ahead in full steam to beat everyone .Many travellers and especially Backpackers skip Hongkong thinking that it has nothing to offer and costly to stay.I defer with this view as I stayed more than 8 days by default as I cut my stay in Macau and decided to be in Hongkong. Hongkong has got everything to offer and short stay travellers have plenty of things to choose from be either a hiking trail,a boat ride,Dolphin hunting,see house on struts in backwaters,Para sailing,Kayaking,Mountaineering.Sign boards like this guide you to your destination without asking for help.

Where To Find Vegetarian Restoran in Malaka

When travelling in Malaysia I never used to waste my time search for Vegetarian food.Every alternate restaurant has vegetarian menu.But I used to long for the Madras filter coffee which you will not get in these restaurants.The only adjustment you are required to make is that these restaurants Non vegetarian side dishes also.But the Vegetarian food quality is excellent like you have in woodlands and the price is also in par with woodlands.But the top restaurants fail to provide these type of vegetarian delicacies as you get in these Restorans.

Dolphin:Chinese White Dolphins at Sunset cruise in Tai O village

The Tourists and Tour operators in Hongkong never missto take you  to  Lantau island to see the Bronze Buddha.and the Budhist Monastry which is undergoing renovation now.But many miss to visit 'Venice of Hongkong' the Tai O village which once upon time called the piracy island.

Shoot Bits # 21 :Tales Behind Taste

Explore:The Walled City of Intramuros in Manila

Anyone going to Manila in Philippines will first make it a point to visit the old walled city of Intramuros.This is the heart of Spanish settlers and their families in Philippines.It has withstood many wars ,natural calamities and successful invasions.This walled city suffered great during the world war II.It is on the banks of Pasig River which is being used a main waterways for transportation to the numerous islands in Philippines..

Action Shifts To Sea -Experience The Pirate Boat Sailing In Hongkong

No wonder you will be wishing a trip on old junk boats in sea from Victoria Harbour in Hongkong.Very often tourists take the cheap ferry trip to see the 44 high rise buildings lighted up when the Symphony Of Lights show starts.But imagine travelling in a 60 year old chinese ship with sails and a hand pump to flush water out.It is a life time opportunity for one.

Shoot Bits # 20 :Tales Of Changing Times