Journey to the Arab Land

Originally my ticket from RUH to CDG was booked under QR (Qatar Airways) via DOHA, but with the latest diplomatic issue between KSA and QATAR prior to my trip...voilah!...my flight was cancelled. And it took 3 weeks for QR re-accommodate my flight to a British Airways and Lufthansa flights. During those 3 weeks of waiting, a lot of things has been take into consideration like...do I have to call the French Embassy and cancel my visa or should I insist QR if they can change my flight to a different carriers and push with the trip. But Lord answered my prayers, 4 days prior to my flight I received a call from QR informing that my existing booking was changed to BA and LH! anywaysss.....enough with the dramas....

after 8 grueling hours flight, touchdown Charles de Gaulle Airport! based on skytrax (website that reviews airport qualities)this Air France hub is a 4/5 star rated airport. However, base on my own observation, CDG was nice and clean airport, since it was one of the major gateway to EU it was a bit old airport. But once you get inside you will feel a usual but modern airport, though the immigration area needs more spaces. WIFI is surprisingly fast!

these are the usual things you have to consider once you passed through immigration:
1. Look for money changer: I don't personally recommend to change your money at the airport, look for some money changers at the city center instead. Rates at the airport are usually lower compares in the city center.
2. Transportation from and to the airport: to get to the city center, of course you have the option whether you have to take a bus, taxi cab or well Uber since wifi connection inside the airport is quite fast. But taking the RER and Metro train really work for me!
3. SIM CARD! duh...pero since may mga public wifi naman at may wifi connection sa hotel eh..option muna to..
4. Double check your belongings!...again madaming matinggera(pickpockets)ditey friend!
5. and freshen up! charot! syempre pang malakasan na to bhe?! AFAM..AFAM...AFAM..nasan na kayo?

Since I arrived at CDG terminal 2, it only takes you 5-10 minutes walk from Arrival area terminal 2 to CDG RER train station. Sundan mo lang tong sign na to...

Pagdating sa Terminal, hanap agad ng SNCF(Ground Flr)...again you have the option to buy Navigo pass kaso dapat Monday mo sya gamitin so I ended up buying 64EUR 5 days Zone 1-5 ticket...I know mahal sya. I do recommend to do some research if ano pedeng maging option nyo.

BADINGGGG NASA PARIS KA NAAA!!!

Obviously iba tlga pag ang airport ay outside the city. Sana one day makapag patayo din ang Pinas na bongga airport! Camera roll...

Planning my 8 days stay
DAY 1
Of course you need to settle first your accommodation, kelangang hanapin muna ang hotel. Tip#1: since malakas ang wifi sa airport you have to figure it out on how to locate your hotel. So since I chose Generator Hostel Paris I had figured out on how to go the hotel from the airport in advanced...mga 2 weeks before the trip hahaha....(effort tlga yung map)

From CDG airport Terminal 2- Gare du Nord..tapos walk walk....papuntang Line 2 RER (La Chapelle station)-Colonel Fabien station...then voila!
Task#1: HOTEL check in? Achieved!

Since I booked my Pariss Passlib thru www.city-discovery.com weeks ago, instruction is you have to visit Office de tourisme Paris: 25, rue des pyramides, Paris 1st - RER: Auber (line A) - Metro: Pyramides (line 7-14) for you to exchange your voucher to the Paris Passlib pack.

Task#2: Paris Passlib: Achieved!!!

CAMERA ROLL!!!

Louvre Museum

To be continued...

YASSSS!!!! at last I was able to obtain my Schengen Visa....

Its been a childhood dream to feel how to live like Parisians, see the Eiffel tower while eating ice cream, cruising along Seine River and time travelling in Chateau de Versailles!

But first let me tell you that obtaining visa is no joke(for pinoy)...well for me I think the key is you really have to fixed your itineraries esp you flight and hotel booking, since karamihan sa nababasa ko sa mga blog that dummy bookings for flight and hotel will do. But for me, I submitted a confirmed round trip flight booking and confirmed hotel accommodation which is in case ma denied eh refundable naman ang mga bookings. Moreover, you dont have to visit the embassy, just follow the information posted at VFS website>>> www.vfsglobal.com/.

Paris is definitely on top of my travel bucket since hindi ko nakita ang replica ng Eiffle tower sa Macau nung nag travel kami ni mudang! well this time i will be seeing the legit EIFFLE TOWER! hahaha...

I left RUH airport via British Airways last June 23, 2017 and it takes me 8 hours journey from RUH to CDG via LHR.... Great Brit flag carrier is not that bad.. malinis at fresh naman sa loob ng cabin. FA are quite nice though pagdating sa food gutom lang tlga hahahaha late mag serve! ano vey?!

I arrived CDG airport around 1PM, so one thing you have to do when you arrive at the immigration...please prepare all your travel documents including your trip itineraries, immigration officers randomly check your trip bookings including your pocket money(kaloka dibah!!)....

Next, since mejo may kalayuan ang Airport ng paris sa city center you have all the means on how go to your hotel. Thru, Bus, Taxi, or Metro Train...so since 5 days ako sa Paris, I decided to get a 5days train tickets Zone 1-5 for 64EUR...well marami naman option nanjan ang NAVIGO Pass 22.15€ per week kaso kelangan mo lang gamitin starting monday...hahahaha so no choice ako kesa naman maglakad ako from airport to hotel.

I stayed in Generator Hostels Paris which I pre arranged it thru Expedia.com... again, you dont have to stay and spend in a 4-5 star hotel since tutulugan mo lang naman and lagayan ng gamit.

I do recommend this property...it was close to everything, supermarket...restaurants..and near the Subway station (line 2- Colonel Fabien)..

LOCATION: **** 4.5/5
CLEANLINESS: ****4/5
SECURITY: ****4.5/5
COMFORT: ****4/5
PRICE: ****4/5
SERVICE: ***3/5 (quite disappointed with some of the help desk)
FOOD: **2/5 Breakfast buffet is 6EUR- you can do better than this...please eat somewhere

I also purchased 3 days Paris Passlib for 129EUR that gives me access to the following:
1. admission to all the leading museums and monuments in Paris and Ile-de-France, as well as sightseeing tours to admire the top sights in Paris. You also get unlimited transport throughout your stay in zones 1 to 3. A map-guide as well as a Paris Passlib’ booklet filled with practical information are also provided free of charge with every pass purchased.

2. Unlimited travel for one day on the L’Open tour sightseeing buses, as well as a 1-hour cruise on the Seine with the Compagnie Bateaux Parisiens. When you purchase your ticket, you also have the option of booking a fast track ticket to the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower.

3. 1-hour cruise, on the day of your choice, on the Seine with the Bateaux Parisiens, and unlimited access for travel on the L’Open Tour bus for one day. Admire the Unesco listed riverbanks and historic monuments from the water, and discover Parisian avenues and districts by bus

4. It gives you unlimited access to transport : bus, metro, tram and RER, so that you can travel around as you wish during your stay from zone 1 to 3. It is valid from the first day it is used to the end of the last day of the pass chosen (2, 3 or 5 consecutive days). The validity period starts at midnight on the first day and ends at midnight on the last day and many more....

So since kumpleto na ang pangmalakasang "social climber" starter pack...eh rampa na tayizzz!!! jingat lang sa mga matinggera (magnanakaw aka snatchers) may premium branch sila ditey!

To be continued....

it was tag as the "Las Vegas of the Far East" since it was the mecca of gambling of Chinese. It is situated on the southwest part of HK. But of course since it was tag as a sin city, Macau has more than that. Kung ang Pilipinas was occupied by the Spaniards for 300 years, same goes with Macau kaso mga Portugese naman sa kanila for 300 years, kaya when you visit Macau huwag pong magtaka kung may mga naka sulat na Portugese sa mga daan at establishment.

so since HK kami mang gagaling ng ni mother well you have to take a almost 1 hour ferry ride sa may peir along Kowloon avenue. As of January 19, 2017 ang fare po was HK$135.00 per pax pero dicounted if you purchase a round trip ferry ticket. TIP: dapat sakto ang pera mo kasi hindi uso ang suklian sa bus. pag dating po sa port isa lang po napansin ko, kelangan naka ready na agad ang travel documents kasi bilisan ang galaw esp pag hinahabol ang sched ng ferry boat. Bring water kasi mejo nakakahilo ang amoy ng mga chenelin..charot!

Ok naman ang immigration sa pier, mabilis ang processes though kelangan mo lang talaga na mabilis maglakad para mauna sa pila.
Tip: may mga free shuttle bus provided by hotels, like Venetian, Galaxy, City of Dreams etc... from pier to the hotels, basta diretso lang ang lakad pasakay ng bus, huwag mahiya.hahaha...wala pong bayad ang bus.

so since wala naman kami exact itinerary ni mother at back packing lang ang ganap. Pak! bahala na hop in kami sa bus papuntang Hotel Venetian Macau. So pag dating sa Venetian Hotel, another TIP: wag papa uto sa mga pinoy na kuno mag offer ng big discount sa mga hotel, nakakadismaya lang, kelangan ba talagang lokohin mo ang kapwa pinoy para lang kumita ng salapi??? hanggang Macau pa dinala mo ang kalokohan mo? swewrte mo hindi kita napicturan...basta ang lesson ko talaga dito was do not talk to someone, pag wala pa kayo hotel friend...maraming rental rooms na mura sa Macau mainland...hindi mo naman kasi need ng bonggang hotel pag nag travel ka, hindi ka naman 24hours na mag stay sa hotel so why book expensive room?? so heto ang mga ganap.

HOTEL VENETIAN MACAU

ay ma'am spell TULALA? grabe heto na yata ang pinakamalaking hotel na nakita ko..Define Grandeur??? SOPHISTICATION???? pero syempre kahit hilo pa sa byahe sa ferry..aura agad si mudang!

Me and mom were trying to be close as possible sa main island, so we settled in a budget hotel. Well in choosing a hotel, you have to consider these factor especially when travelling with your family or your friends.
1. Security of the property: of course you don't want your belongings robbed. When choosing accommodation, property should be located on a safe neighborhood.
2. PRICE: It doesn't need to be expensive or fancy since you will not be staying the whole day inside hotel.
3. LOCATION: you don't want to end up spending too much time walking or paying up in cab.
4. CLEANLINESS and SERVICES: Sometimes you have to be very friendly with the hotel staff, remember...RESPECT begets RESPECT! hotel amenities? well for me it doesn't need to be extravagant, as long as AC is working, clean bathroom and nice & comfy bed.

Oh well heto lang ang picture ang nakuhan ko sa hotel near Ruins of St. Paul. hiihihi....
I forgot the name of the hotel..

and drum roll.. here are some glimpse of our Macau trip.

Ruins of St. Paul

Wynn Hotel Macau

Mom enjoying the cobblestone street

Hotel Galaxy

Senado Square Macau

Random Chinese temple at the back of our hotel

Chinese with Portuguese influence..not bad

Hotel MGM Grand Macau

BUT WAIT....I did not expect that Macau downtown area is quite beautiful during dusk!...and look! lights are everywhere!!

the famous Grand Lisboa Hotel Macau

WYNN HOTEL during dusk

Star World Casino

inside Hotel Venetian Macau

City of Dreams Macau

the underrated Pork Jerky...(aka Lutong Macau...hahaha!!)

Oh well this is it pansit!..

Oo im still alive and kicking! hahahaha...eh kasi naman wala talaga akong kaalam alam sa pagsusulat aaminin ko..hahaha but of course ang purpose ko lng naman is to documents kung ano ang nangyayari sa akin dito sa Gitnang Silangan. Pero yaman lang din at nakabalik na ulit ako dito after 2 years pwes lulubusin ko na ang pag update ng blog na to from time to time.

Pero syempre ang una akong pasabog ay of course ang trip namin ni mother nung nag bakasyon ako sa pinas last December 2016. It was indeed an unforgettable experience, matagal ko na talaga pinag planuhan ang trip namin yun ni mader. Syempre pinag laanan din ng budget kaya nung sinabi ko kau mother na may asian mall tour kami, aba talaga naman kina-excite nya ng bongga.

First time namin lumabas ng bansa together ni mother kaya sobra kaming na excite. Nanjan din ang walang katapusan na iyakan ng dalawa kong pamangkin na akala mo naman eh hindi na kami babalik. so drum rolllllllll....here are the paandar ng taon!!

FIRST DESTINATION???? PAK HK!!! (akala mo naman ang layo ng pinuntahan) hahaha....

It was indeed a great experience to visit the former British colony and the population is mainly Cantonese Chinese and obiously British influence is quite visible. HK is sometimes often called as China's harbour city, the streets are always full pack of tourist from mainland China esp during night time(kasi nga chinese new year). Anyway, without waiting any longer, here are some of my travel reviews achuchu...

HK International Airport: **** out of 5
masyado naman ginalingan ang architectural design ang HKG airport..and these photos will explains..

the arrival area is quite big and can accommodate thousands of passengers. Elevators and walkalators are everywhere.

Immigration area is quite big at sobrang bilis..well pansin ko lang mejo hindi friendly yung ibang Immigration Officers but all is well naman.

FOOD:
HK offers a stunning arrays of delicaies, promise magsasawa ka sa Chinese cuisines. I read this info sa isang travel blog that you can find the best and authentic food sa MARKET and also pag mag nakita kayong may mahabang pila.



but if you are craving for Pinoy foods, I suggest to visit the Worldwide Plaza located on the heart of the financial district.

Attractions:
We really don't have exact itinerary for this trip, no city tour pre arrange package, so purely back packing lang talaga. So folks, here are the attractions and landmarks we visited. drum roll.....

HK Baywalk/Harbour area

HK's own version of Avenue of Stars


Kowloon
This is where international retail brands are located.

Victoria's Peak
If you are travelling from Tsim Sha Tsui area and you are in a hurry, I suggest to take the MTR in Tsim Sha Tsui station to Central Station, walk along the worldwide plaza overpass (Landmark: may malaking Ferriswheel)and proceed to the bus terminal fronting Central Ferry Pier 5, take bus number 15 that will take you to the Peak. Para sa mga first timer gaya namin, wag mahiyang mag tanong. Locals are mostly friendly to foreigners and are willing to give directions PROMISEEE!!
and these are some of the snapshots!! ROLLL

I suggest to visit the peak during dusk time, sobrang breathtaking ang city lights during dusk time.

pagbaba ng peak i suggest to take the ferry($2) lang from Central HK to Tsim Sha Tsui area.

and also try to visit the pier area...

Accommodation: mom and I stayed @ Tabi88 thru Airbnb.com **** our of 5
tip: when travelling HK with your parents esp with your mom, I personally do not recommend to book via airbnb as most Airbnb hosts share their spaces other travelers and diff nationalities. But definitely if you're mom is cool with it then TULOY ANG GALA.. pros: obviously you can save hefty of money, plus you have to get along with other travelers and learn some of their culture over a cup of tea or coffee.

TABI 88 is highly recommended either single or groups. Sam is a great host , approachable and helpful(though may mga pangit na reviews lately sa knya thru airbnb website). Bunk beds are comfy and clean. Wifi connection is ridiculously fast!!! but what I love the most about his place is the location...it is located just beside the Tsim Sha Tsui station fronting Blue Mosque. Here are some of the snapshot of the property courtesy of Airbnb.

My realizations when you are travelling with your parents: The trip is generally not for you, its for your parents. Focus on the bonding with your loved ones, treasure all the moments. Nag enjoy ako sa trip kasi I saw mom was super excited the moment na umalis kami ng bahay(hayun hindi nakatulog ng maayos prior to the trip lol). When travelling HK with your parents I suggest to consider the pacing of your itineraries. Take a break!! maawa ka naman sa mommy mo..take some times to breath and rest between landmarks to places. Let them choose what to eat! and remember, your parents are adult so expect more matured decisions, so hindi ikaw ang pabida when it comes to directions(esp pag first time nyo both na magkasama sa destination). TRUST ME!!! MOM are the experts when it comes to directions(napipicture nyo na???..hahahaha)...

...pero syempre may disadvantages din if youre travelling with them...here are some of the proofs.

to be continued......MACAU TRIP

Ta'if (Arabic: الطائف‎; (aṭ-Ṭā'if)) is a city in Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia at an elevation of 1,879 m (6,165 ft) on the slopes of Sarawat Mountains (Al-Sarawat Mountains). It has a population of 521,273 (2004 census). Each summer the Saudi government and royal family move from the heat of Riyadh to Ta'if, the unofficial summer capital. The city is the centre of an agricultural area known for its grapes, pomegranate, figs, roses and honey. (galing ni wiki lol)

Isa sa mga perks working with the Travel industry ay "airline perks", so I and the rest of my office mates decided to fly to the western and high land part of the kingdom. Its only 2 hours flight from Capital. Kung may Summer Capital ang Pilipinas aba syempre witit din magpapahuli ang mga arabo, pero syempre mas bongga prin ang Baguio City.

first time mag fly ng domestic si bakla sa kingdom and King Khalid Airport Domestic gate is uber bongga....compare sa NAIA....why??? o heto oh...

At dahil 2am ang flight! pampagising muna...

So plug muna ang sponsor for this trip. Shukran Khatir SV

At dahil Pinay ang mga FA at saktong sa likod nakaupo ang mga baklush....pak na pak ang supply ng food..unli pakain..parang Mang Inasal lang ganurn!! taka ko lang bakit ang PAL at 5J sa pinas walang on board pakain???nyareee....here's Inang Ef eating his unli lemeon cheese cake...

1st Day: visiting Rose Plantation: Hayun literal na puro Rose...flower doon...flower dito...Rose petals are extracted and transformed it into oil, yung iba naman hinahalo sa Tea, and trust me sobrang bongga ang Rose Hip tea!

We also visited rock formations, and along the way we encountered a multitude of Baboons. And since bawal mag take ng photo hayan puslit si bakla inside the car. They are pretty scary, yung ibang tourist may dalang bread for them. Delikado daw bumaba kasi baka daw aattack sila pag wala kang bread na dala. So since puro flower ang dala ko, i just decided to stay inside the car....

and here are some photos of the rock formations...Amaaazing diba? DING and BATTOOOOOO!!

DAY 2: to be continued...

Oh well here I am again, sobrang busy for the past weeks. I did try to alot time writing this entry but sobrang work tlaga. Last night was a blast, I decided to try "The Crepe Cafe" along Tahaliya Rd corner Dabbab dahil prang naglilihi ako sa crepe? lol..... Drum rolllll......

First stop....

Hotdog crepe....Oh well, mas masarap prin ang lumpiang sariwa lol...the crepe was soft and nice...pero mukhang regular lng yung hotdog...nothing special..
Price: *** out of 5

next on the list...

Ham & Cheese....i so love the cheese that was used...
Price: *** out of 5

and tried this...

and this......

but ang sobrang fave ko is THISSSSSSSSSSSSSS.......

Oh well...I would recommend this cafe for brekky people....oh please dont visit this cafe during the night!! WHY??? well the photo below explains....lol CHEERS!

oh my first entry....and I've been planning to start documenting my happenings here in the Arab land way back and yet I do not have the luxury of time of doing it. Today mark my 3rd years here in kingdom and memory card has been loaded tons of photos to be uploaded and shared. Korik! Isa po akong OFW sa bansang may malawak na disyerto, bonggang supply ng langis, camels na kung san nanggaling daw ang MERS, mga babaeng local na akala ko nung una ay mga penguins dahil sa suot (charot lang!) at ang nakakalokang init ng panahon na akala mo nasa loob ka ng giant microwave...tama ka...isa ako sa 3 milyong pinoy na nakikipag sapalaran dito sa Saudi. Isa rin ako sa mga alipin ng isang malaking Travel company na walang ibang ginawa kundi ang magpuna ng mga kapwa alipin sa kanilang trabaho na naayon sa utos ng arabong amo.

Well, first entry ko to at Ramadan ngayon, I really don't understand kung ano na pinagsusulat ko dito(lol). Perhaps, gutom ako ngayon at obviously bawal ang kumain. Fasting period is from 3am - 6:45pm: oh diba nakakaloka talaga, walang inom at lafang sa office, pero pag dating sa balur Pak!!!!! BINGE EATING ang eksena!...perfect sa mga gustong tumaba.

Since I am working with Travel agency, opkors may invatation ang Cathay Pacific for Iftar(breaking the fast) last night in Novotel Hotel..

IMG_2447

as usual, impressed prin ako sa venue kahit ilang beses na pabalik balik...

and voila! BUFFET auntie!!! and here are my top 2 choices....roll...pak!
Ang walang kamatayang Smoked Salmon

and.....veggie platter with Nile Perch Fillet fish

IMG_2442

Thank you Cathay Pacific (CX)

Review:
Food: Apat na kembot
Service: Apat na kembot