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Lunes, Oktubre 22, 2012
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  • 7:10 AM
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Macau is probably the place I will never forget. It's because we got so lost so much in this place, from arriving until departure. My twin sister and I dared ourselves to go to Macau, booked our night flight and realized the next time that we are to fly at another country, we should get a day flight. It's the longest ride ever because of turbulence and so much praying that I had done. But the best of all, I will never forget how our 'kababayans' cheered so much after we safe landed.

When we arrived at the airport, we were clueless on what to do next. We just need to get to our hotel, and found out that it is located on the other side of the island. Before you go to your accomodation, be sure to get a map of Macau with English translations from the airport. We were able to receive help from our fellow Filipinos in the bus the right direction. We ended up though hailing a cab as the bus will not go further and follows a number system and route.

Macau is composed of two islands and two characteristics based from what I've observed and experienced.

Las Vegas dream! There are casinos, hotels, jewelries, Macau tower, fast rides, bungee jumping. This is a modern feel and a 'sin city' of Macau.

The second one reflects the culture, old, and Portugese - Chinese influence. Churches, old houses, St. Paul's ruins, exhibitions, street food, Senado square, cemetery, monuments, light houses. The good old side of Macau.



What I also love about Macau, besides having the best of two worlds, is how the country seems so accomodating and free. Yep, free. There are buses that roams around from an island to another and are usually sponsored by casinos. The Senado square going to St. Paul Ruins welcomes the tourists with free food as you pass along. Well actually, it's not a full meal but a taste test only. The access to exhibit houses and a glimpse of their casinos are also free.







It's encouraged to get a hotel near the tourist spots and make St. Paul ruins as a starting point. We rose up around 5 am and had a 15 minute walk from our hotel to see the famous facade of St. Paul ruin. Alongside, there are museums that were guarded by Filipinos. It was fun interacting with them. Include this in the itinerary as it will provide a preview of Macau.

Afterwards, we just explored the place using the map. We have the itinerary, that I will share with you, and found some interesting things along the way. Be ready with an endless walking to see everything. Upon our walking, we saw a nice set of art and movie posters, very old cemeteries at the center of city dated 1800s and 1900s, their specialty egg tarts, mini monuments, cheap inns, Portuguese influenced art deco houses, golds (not sure if they are cheaper), old canyons, theraupetic playgrounds, different casino themes everywhere and many more.















The next morning, Kresta left me and dropped her off to the port near The Sands casino.  It is also a port wherein you can go to China riding a Jetstar that costs 150 rmb and with a Chinese visa.

Anyway, I was on my own and I still have 6 hours to spare. To kill time, The walking familiarize us a lot with the routes and going around Macau. I  felt like a freeloader, riding the free rides and just jumping into one place to another without any clue where I am heading.  I finally settled to The Venetian, a marvelous casino place, and watched musicians play and women sing.











I've regretted a little that we only book for 3 days giving me only a day and a half to roam around Macau.

I really felt I was reincarnated and belong in this place. Maybe because Macau has been captivated by the Portugese long before the Philippines was also greatly influenced by the nation. It also somehow contributes that Filipinos are scattered everywhere and everyone seems hospitable. When I went home,  I sat beside a Filipino and offered me a job. It's nice to know that they enjoy living and working in Macau.

Here are the Macau maps to guide you.

[caption id="attachment_764" align="aligncenter" width="648"] Credits to: http://www.travelmacau.net[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_765" align="aligncenter" width="588"] Credits to : http://www.cotai-strip.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/cotai-macau-casino-map.jpg[/caption]

And itinerary that my sister worked on: Macau Itinerary - Karlytops.com

In three days or a week, you will be able to master Macau's routes and lifestyle. Getting lost must be our ingredient to memorize and make Macau a little bit homey for us. So, get lost, walk around, interact and make Macau your next adventure!
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If you're about to die and your wish is to travel around the world? What would you wish now? I will say, shallow as it may sound, but you have to go to Windows of the World, Shenzhen China. To basically grasp everything you've missed out.

Just kidding :P

I've been here for 3 times already with different company and it always fails me to "travel around the world". I never finish it. It's a 48 hectares theme park that requires a lot of walking and learning. The entrance fee is 100 RMB, when converted to peso, it's 700 pesos. Affordable enough to spend it on a whole day of strolling.

At the start of the journey, they sell 'passports' that has all the attractions in it. You may choose to stamp it once you've visited the replica sites. It only costs around 20 RMB and a nice souvenir too.The route starts from Asia. You can go the other way and go to Antartica but it is best to go around Asia first since you're currently in Asia.

You will see miniatures of each of the attraction. Some of it are just big as your regular table. Some are 1/2 or 1/4 of the actual size.











In Egypt, you can go inside the pyramid and there lies the tombs. There is also a small exhibit of the famous pharoahs and its rich history.

In the Grand Canyon, there is a boat slide that you may also ride.

The Taj Mahal, St. Peter's Church, Sydney Opera House, and  to name a few, were nicely done in details.

The Europe replicas, in my opinion, just captures my breath away among the rest.













The great attraction must be is the Eiffel tower that you can actually ride until you make it to the top. It's 1/3 of the actual size and almost perfect except with Chinese characters on its body. Hehe. Nice view too to see everything from the top.





There are several souvenir shops in every corners of the theme park.





There is also a skating rink from the Alpines and this is a nice place to hang out when it's too hot outside.



For several years, it has been kept well-maintained and hasn't lost its touch for thousands of people coming in everyday. That's why the park holds its new activities and happenings and amazes me every visit. There are roving floats, dance, acrobatic performances, mimes, and many more in store for the tourists. Best of all, respective nations' costumes can be rented out for souvenir pictures as well as cable cars for those who cannot walk long enough around the park. Stay at night and see the whole Eiffel tower lights up and their display of fireworks.

Windows of the World is just one of the main attractions you can visit at Shenzhen. There is also Splendid China, just beside Windows of the World that features their country China, a smaller version of Windows of the World. Happy Valley and Shenzhen Zoo park are a must visits too.

For more information, visit these links on how to get there and what to expect more from Windows of the World:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_of_the_World

http://www.chinahighlights.com/shenzhen/attraction/window-of-the-world.htm
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I love interior designs. I have a folder with images of my future bedroom, living room, workspaces, etc. and going to these exhibits always amuse me. That's why this is my third year to visit an interior design exhibit. The first one features an eco-friendly interior made up of trashes, used bottles and cans, and basically materials to be recycled. The second exhibit is titled as "Kaledeiscope" that concentrates on different color schemes.

The Philippine School of Interior Design now focuses on assisting our friends and their clients with disabilities. They cater the ones that are visually impaired, hearing impaired, orthodopically challenged and the elderly.







The first hall are designed for the hearing impaired. The interior design below looks normal and aesthetically appealing. Anyone would want this room to have. But the students' aim is to aid our disabled friends and researched thoroughly on a functional room, furniture, and other materials for them move around their homes. And that makes it more interesting.

This room is built for a near deaf person and still can hear a little. The floors are wood and thuds can still be heard especially when there is someone coming. More fascinating is, when a doorbell rings, the "Door" signage located in the middle part lits with a bright color red / green, signaling the person that there is someone in the door. And when the phone rings, the "RING" part below the 'door' now lights up. The students made use of technicalities too to cater their needs.



The table is designed for the visually impaired and the engraved table can definitely determine the placements of plates, spoon and forks. Rounded tables are also considered to avoid accidents and bumps.



There were marks that can be felt on the floor that indicates the pathway and this makes a 13 year old client can go around the living room. The stair was questionable by the spectators and was defended by a student that this serves as a training tool for the blind who will also encounter stairs outside. Makes a lot of sense. The handle bars can be a major support too.



As you have observed, the orthodipically challenged has enough space to move around in his own living room. The sofa is not high and there is a side table where they can just put their things on for an easy reach. The cabinet is customized by the students and can also move around the area.







This room is built for the elderly. The student explained that there's a garden on the side where they can grow their plants to attain their active minds and lifestyle. I love how they incorporated "Eat pray love" in the background. It creates an ambiance of a serene place to relax. I voted this first place because it's the kind of room that I would want to settle in until I get older. Actually, i can have this space right now. :D



I love how each of the interior designs were each explained by the student. At first glance, it was just a nice piece of art, tables and chairs and coordinated color schemes. But as they've explained each of the booth, their purpose, why they've used this material, it moved us with their efforts on providing these disabilities hope to enjoy their own homes. They've combined all the elements such as safety, beauty, and a homey feel suited to their needs.

Thumbs up to the students of PSID for a job well done!

Dibuhong Umaaakay exhibit runs the whole month of October and located across SM North Edsa.
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Lunes, Oktubre 8, 2012
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Ni Hao! Hello!

I've been to China for so many times and if I want to reminisce again and try their specialties, it would be Binondo. This is a little China town for Filipinos, also a gateway of trading and a home to many of our Chinese friends.

Robbie (The Creative Dork) organized a food trip for food and diet lovers because Binondo is also well-known for exotic food and cheap thrills. I was quite hesitant because I monitor my food intake nowadays and consuming more than the calories I've estimated would mean disaster and eventually go  back to my old habits of bingeing. The "tour guide" assured me that we will visit restaurants that serves healthy food and definitely on our budget.





I've always asked myself why Chinese are slim. When I was in China, I've learned that their waters are served hot everywhere which is good for the digestive system and they take time to eat their food with hot pots, organic and seafood choices. Here in the tropics, we like it fresh, cold and fast food. Not that I don't like what they serve here in the Philippines, but it's also a nice to practice eating ala Chinese style. Healthy to the body. And I'm more amazed that there is a vegetable restaurant that serves - uhm veggie - that looks and tastes like meat. Pics below.



While we were walking along the fruit stands, I've spotted my favorite fruit I would always eat in China. You don't see this fruit anywhere. It's color is orange and looks like a tomato and tastes a little bit of chico. Robbie bought a kilo. But along the way, it got a little rotten, so I ended up eating all of them. Hehe. I've concluded that it's best to eat right away and freeze it a little.

The delicious foods that tops my taste buds are shrimp chong fan, roasted duck congee, steamed dumplings, custard hopia, fried pancakes. It is more delicious if you will be the one to try them on your own. :D













The last stop definitely lingered to our memory. The food burst to our mouths and I had fun watching them glorifying the food. Hehehe. The restaurant is Dong Bei and these are the food I'd always eat with my Chinese friends in China.







Surprisingly, I feel safe roaming around Binondo. It's clean and it's fun discovering shops and restaurants and more than happy that I saved up a lot of money. In the veggie restaurant, the group of six, had to pay only 57 pesos each with 3 dishes and 3 big cup of rice as our meal. If that's enticing enough, Robbie is willing to tour you around with a little package tour he can allot on his spare time (or usually weekends).



zài jiàn - Goodbye! :D
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