A spa town which seems a little forgotten, tucked away at the base of a mountain area, with a geyser rising due to a fault. Spews iron tasting spring water of varying temperatures from 11 degrees celsius to 65.
Strolled around this old town and tasting iron water, we are strong enough to brave the rain (spot the pretty ponchos!), took the funicular to the viewpoint tower, stepped where Leo Dicaprio and who’s who did, trekked up to the Russian orthodox church and cross the river back to Hotel Thermal for a feed.
In the Czech Republic. After stuffed pink camels, comparing liquor prices at dutyfree, half a shake shack burger, (ogling milkshakes and ice cream after the burger), pokemon gym fighting and a long black at a juicery… and another 7 hour flight DXB-PRG.
First impressions.
But of course. Beer sells. With advertising like that. 🤣 Occupational hazard.
Transported to the city taking in the dip in temperature… wondering around Prague Castle, the oldest cathedral St Vitus. Walked down the Golden Lane which has little crooks and rooms built into the fortress. The apothecary, the theatre, the armoury, the cannons, the lookout.
Made a headless dash to the Astronomical Clock to arrive 4.55pm. For at 5pm, the two windows open and moving 12 apostles peer out at us while in sync like clockwork in all of 30secs or so. Amen.
Around the Charles IV bridge and Wenceslas Square, a sense of festivity takes over with little shops of pre-dinner snacks – bratwurst, strudel, sugar rolls with chocolate (looks like chocolate) and pistachio (looks like kaya) and ice cream (looks and tastes awesome vanilla ice cream).
Was wondering how to write this post. Will it be about the aquamarine shades of the sea, the rolling clouds which hover above the limestone mountains, or the fact that this post will only reach the web sphere in whichever beach time the intermittent Wi-Fi needs to deliver it across.
It’s a holiday so duh, the former wins of course!
The journey here… Well well, options there are. Our route was Singapore (via Jetstar) – Manila (via ITI aka Air Swift) – El-Nido.
Other ways may include via Puerto Princesa airport, then a road trip to El-Nido. ITI airport is about 15mins and costs 180-200pesos by metered taxi from the international Manila airport. The shuttle bus apparently doesn’t stop at the international airport. ITI flights are limited hence expect at least a 3-4hour wait at the lounge at the ITI airport, complete with chairs, cushions, hot/cold drinks, some sandwiches, mango danishes (mango yum, pastry not really), soup. No Wi-Fi but enjoy a game of Jenga (look at the kids’ section) and spray mozzie repellent. Yup, the rustic beach life begins. 🙂
Oh I hear the dogs barking suddenly. It could be a conference or a cacophony. And the little ones (doggies) join in.
Yup, the usual digression. Or distraction as the bff would say. Peace is restored. Unless you count the chirping happy birds and gentle rustling of the wind in the trees, the whirring motor of the catamaran by the coast, the sea previously rolling in the night has retreated a distance out.
To set expectations, the white sandy beach of Palawan (I speak of El-Nido) is in Sentosa, Singapore. But we’ve not travelled up to the Nacpan Beach in Palawan, Philippines yet. Notchet. Maybe today if the lazybones don’t take over. It’s a 20mins 45 mins ride by tricycletrike (a motorbike and a carriage which sits 2-4 passengers or however imaginable/manageable. We’d suggest losing some weight to fit more people. Or hug the driver when on the back seat. Or just take increase the number of tricycles for your group or squeeze much or jump off and walk much like the lift is beeping overweight and along that line, the trike just simply cannot go over the cement humps on the side roads. Smell burning tyres. LOLx!
A bunch of accommodation choices as well. Cadlao resort was our choice. And it’s situated on the right end of the El-Nido stretch. The walk there includes passing bars, restaurants, a outdoor movie screening daily at 7pm, a cemetery, some random bonfires (at night). We’ve got a 2 bedroom villa with a heat lap pool / jacuzzi about 5m from our patio. This can be lit at night for a late swim… Perfect idea. And another lap pool next to the restaurant facing Cadlao island. It’s like an infinity pool view looking yonder into the sea.
The tours. Island hopping is the season. Well perhaps always in season. Mangoes are definitely in season. Yummy yum yum. Nevermind the buko (coconut)… And avocados are elusive. Yeap, not in season. Tours are pretty standardized – A, B, C, D. Took the A route which started from booking from “Fabio” at J Benito tours opposite our resort reception. Fees at 1900php per pax includes the marine fees of 200php, and on a boat with max capacity of 8pax. The regular boats could go up to 20pax, possibly at 1200php per pax and marine fees separately charged.
Francisdale was the name of our catamaran along with Paul, our guide, Mark our captain and “Don Juan” whose name I didn’t catch and so describes his ‘do.
Our route involves sailing to near where the coast guard is for reporting purposes, life vests on, before heading out. First stop, a rock littered shore enroute to a hidden beach stretch. Activity: sightseeing and phototaking before braving the rocks back to boat. Disclaimer: memory of islands may prove inaccurate. So this was where many boats dock, and people battle rocks and corals to shore and then going around the limestone formation under an arch to reach an inner lagoon. Not sure if this was where the birdnest caves were… But we definitely saw a tiny treehouse with ropes at the side of the mountain. Wi-Fi for 2php included. Paul jests. Hidden enclaves blessed with the rays of sun, formed by the waves of the sea, greeted by blue skies and pretty white clouds, visited by throngs of tourists.
Secret lagoon. We moved to deeper depths for some minutes of snorkeling. Nemo’s friends were there, so was Dory. I mean “Dory”, in a green lifevest. 😀 watch out for jellyfish! Those little translucent creatures which sting. Rash guards recommended or see if you can outswim them. Good luck.
Lunch included 250ml extra of Coca Cola if you’d like some fizz. Had grilled fish, squid, chicken, prawns, eggplant salad and pretty fruit platter. This was on a private beach for Cadlao resort guests. For a moment good half an hour there, we had the entire beach to ourselves. Awesoooomeee!
Continuing on through several formations, what appears to be a shallower shore for snorkeling and kayaking, our boat passes through for pictures and sightseeing. Facebook profile pix worthy. We collect 3 snorkelers who wanted a ride out front where we entered the lagoon.
Our turn to kayak. The last stop, errr in some lagoon completes the tour. More enclaves of limestone.
Oooh we saw this bathtub. So cute!
Cool tub!
So did we make it to Nacpan Beach – Calitang Beach? Sure we did. Strong rolling waves on soft sand at one end, the same rockies we were exposed to on the other side. The best part? Climb up the middle rock for a 360 degrees panorama. The rocks here were less sharp (on hindsight, compared to Taraw) but on a cliff anyway, narrow paths with more rocks down below. Wise not to fall.
Had to do a selfie after the mini-climb! LOLx
And on the plans was Mt Taraw at sunrise. Seemingly difficult to get a guide from the J. Benito’s Fabio, we found Gilbert, a new shop opposite VnV Bagel and he’s a guide! Look for this dude if you’re in El-Nido!
His plan was for another partner so that there will be front and back guides for the group. But partner probably partied till late the night before. Up we went, 5.10am for Mr Sun to greet us at the top of the monolith about 1.5 hours later, headlamps, mozzie repellant, long sleeves and pants. Expect sharp rocks. These guys can show off by jumping from rock to rock, I’d not advocate that for sure. Taking a guide is a must, the trail is rather treacherous, if my scratches can be a testament. Mozzies are also commando trained, they go through the longs for fresh blood. In addition to me bleeding some from the scratches. Souvenirs from El-Nido they say. Water booties for the rocks and mountain trekkers for the monolith might be some of the sensible items to pack. And repellant. Did I mention mozzie repellant? The view from the top is A-Maz-Ing! The entire coast is seen, with Mr Sun casting rays from the east and boats ready to go out for the day serenely parked near the shore. A beautiful start to a Sunday.
All at 6.32am.
Till the Las Cabanas Beach sunset. I might hide indoors for a wee bit longer.
A nap made it feel like a brand new start to the day. Post a trip to the El-Nido bakery for the mini beach picnic and the fruit shakes after, welcome to Palawan, Sentosa Philippines! Las Cabanas style. Touted as the sunset beach, there’s a zipline just next door. Drifts of cold and hot seawater, mostly cold. Brr. When Mr Sun plays hide and seek.
Making my way up from North Kyushu of yesteryear, to the Kanzai region and little bit of the current day capital in just a few days’ time.
The Kansai region (関西地方 Kansai-chihō ?) or the Kinki region (近畿地方 Kinki-chihō ?) lies in the southern-central region of Japan’s main island Honshū. The region includes the prefectures of Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, and Shiga. – Thanks Wikipedia.
Seems like there isn’t much time to cover the entire region in just a week. So picked out the places we wanted to check out we did. Planning possibly took a couple of weeks and on the go, as kind locals share their thoughts and guidebooks and maps.
Lao Tzu says: “A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.”
Rafidah says: “When you don’t plan, life comes to you.”
I say: “Just walk lah.” We did. In the past three days, we’ve clocked only about 15km daily. Which makes the non-buying of the JR pass or the Kanzai Thru Pass a wise decision. The crazy travel buddy wants to hit 30,000 steps in a day. So far, it’s about 26,000. Alrighty, walking on we shall. #competitivemode
Our itinerary
Figure a way to get to Osaka – I took a plane to Haneda, met Rafidah post her Isetan walkabout, and got on the same plane to Osaka. That works.
Greeted by clear blue skies in Osaka… ah… 🙂 very nice. and cool. temperature drops 15deg celsius from where we came from
Osaka – figured the airport shuttle to Namba; spotted azuki shop but didn’t manage to backtrack… darn; cabbed to airbnb flat – opened mailbox, opened security gate, opened door! taa-daaa!; went in search of Glico man in the Dontonburi area, had kopi at Precious Moments or something like that… and WIFI was only for Japanese (thanks guys…); shopping! Oh right, still in Osaka. Woke up bright and early. Okay… not that early. To the Osaka Castle Park we go. And got to know a little bit more about Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Kyoto – Nanzenji. Walk. Gion. Yakaza Shrine. Walk. Sleep. Arashiyama, walk some more. Steps. Walk. Sake. Sashimi. Sushi. Coffee. Sencha. Sake. Sashimi. Repeat. You get the drift.
So in all intent, there are pictures and random musings. As well as whisky and sake and daily softees. #geekmode could well apply to the distillation process and tastings. Teetotaler ambitions could have gone in the opposite direction. Pictures in (a)nother post(s).
Still gonna be in Kyoto. Headed to Nara on a day trip – a sleep away it is.
And so we found our way to the city of angels. On the 11am bus, arriving at Ekkamai Bus Terminal about 4hrs later.
And to the city we go…
All that excitement makes for an early dinner. A fave place to go to for Thai-Chinese cuisine and walking is about our fave mode of transport there, working up an already voracious appetite, well, at least for me. Haha… We did well of course. Fueled up for the walk back, shopping, shopping and massage.
2 Jul 2015
So right about 2 or 3 days ago, the thought of cooking sprang to mind, amidst the Google searches and recommendations for all things aroy and hip in Bangkok. Plus the brief to go to the western side of the city.
The result is a bus ride on good ol’ 79 which I recall taking back home when I was staying here some time back. And the lovely conductor pointed us in the direction of Sanam Luang after advising us on the stop to alight at.
Back at school!
Found the way to Sanam Luang and into Thammasat, walking about and thinking back of the school fun. Which included the walks to Khao San Rd, that I still recall the shortcut via Rambutri Rd and saw a Muay Thai school I was contemplating to take a random lesson at today. That aside, the real reason revolved around food. Pris has to be fed. Eventually.
Lessons today!
1) tom yum paste!! Very important in all the dishes and it’s so versatile!
2) peanut sauce!! Sap sap sap sap sap! (That means yummy yummy) which is used for satay, phat thai or just as a dip
3) tom yum soup! May Kaidee is a vegetarian cooking school… So the soup was with assorted veg which tastes sap sap sap sap sap! 🙂
4) phat Thai! Fresh rice noodles with egg and veg with the peanut sauce! This dish is all about the wok hei and the speed of cooking.
5) masaaman curry which is the mildest of the curry here… With spicier modifications forming in the buddy’s mind of course
6) khao neow mamuang… Mango sticky rice!! Always a pleasure to have this in Thailand especially that mangoes are in season
Made new friends! And we graduated!!!
Followed by more shopping at the flower market. Not quite for flowers… Though they are all pweeettyyy to walk past as the rest of the shops set up for what seemed like a wet weather plan. The skies held up. And so did we to the 3 hours shopping extravaganza.
Day reset. Till the next random excursion. Or just this… 🙂 #tgif #pinkysaysihaolian #isayenjoytheday
SSS@S is awesome. Resetting, resting, resisting efforts to even make it out to yoga place on the next beach. Poolside views, leisurely swims, burning up from coconut oil to consuming coconuts. I get obsessive.
Must attempt to clean out. That was yesterday’s operation ye.
To comparing prices of magmums and Chang between the 108 minimart and the Malibu minimart. Conclusion: the latter is more atas.
The sound of crashing waves comforting, the land breeze cooling the lobsterfied folks, steamed fish with lime and chilli to fill the tummies – just about three days in a row.
Heading back to the city. Candy floss clouds hover above the glistening waters. Wish I could grab ’em. Sea spray and wind on faces as the boat ploughs through the powerful sea. Toodelooos for now. Time to zzz on the bus.
The way to being lobsterfied takes the cooperation of Mr Sun and coconut oil. Coconuts, mangoes and mangosteens are important to the mid day break. Throw in some good ol’ water for good measure. Go swimming after. While you’re at it, catch some for dinner. 😉 over and out.
Food!!!!!!!! Yes I need to be fed. Wahahaha! Walked the entire stretch of Ao Vong Duean in 15 mins… And made a beeline for a what seemed to be a European cuisine place but of course.. also have Thai food… Plus the fact that showers (I’d like to think as blessings) were on our backs.
A lone buoy on the ferry to Samet.
Grey skies.
And then Mr Sun shines again! 🙂
In the not so still of the night, with Chang and chips and magnums, with the crashing waves of the sea, with the karaoke happy uncles and possibly dancinglancingclapping to the beats of Thai music, with the now quiet lap pool at our doorstep, now… If only the mozzies will self destruct. Ain’t too shabby for a random holiday at all.
Taking a hiatus from the city, the bus from Ekkamai amidst a screaming and crying ordeal, we arrived at Ban Phe. I would have been the one crying and screaming if the pacifier wasn’t of use eventually.
Told we may have to wait an hour if there weren’t 20pax on the big boat. Paid the national park dues of 200baht each for the farang category. And was possibly persuaded to hop on the speedboat. She wasn’t very pleased when she said “your choice”. Well our haggling will be reserved for the song thaew folks at the Diamond Beach. Bon Voyage from Nuanthip Pier, see you in a few days!
My intrepidity 