Memorable Photos from Redang

Some photos from our trip to Redang Island in Malaysia

My Merdeka Celebration at Redang Island

Merdeka was a big event here in Malaysia, as this country celebrated its 50th anniversary. I remember when I read the papers, even President Arroyo (from the Philippines) flew in to KL to celebrate that special day with fellow Malaysians. Being a foreigner here in Malaysia, I think it's great the way they have prepared for their Merdeka -- lots of activities in different places, fireworks on Merdeka eve, full multi-media coverage pre-event and during event.

As for me, I had a different way of celebrating it. It was an extended weekend vacation which meant some free "get-away" time to discover the beautiful islands of Malaysia. I booked at the Laguna Redang for a 3 days, 2 nights package. The price was reasonable, but of course we had to pay extra because of the holiday peak season. We took the Air Asia flight going to Terangganu (so that we can make it there in the morning). Then took the Malaysian Airlines flight coming back to KL.

The trip was a bit "painful and long" because after the 1 hour flight from KL, you will take a bus / car ride to the jetty, then you need to take the 45-minute boat ride. That's not the only disappointment though ... we were in for a big surprise! When we arrived at the resort, there were more than 200 people trying to check-in!!! Apparently, the locals arrived at the jetty earlier than us because they took the bus / their car driving to Terangganu. Plus, the hotel management is not efficient ... which makes me sad because this is such a beautiful place... but poorly managed.

We were starving by the time we arrived at the resort. And we had to wait for the lunch hall to open at 12 noon. We were given vouchers to enter the premises of the lunch hall ... and same goes for breakfast and dinner. Somehow, this relaxing vacation didn't seem so relaxing at all. Imagine trying to queue up for every meal, having to go through buffet lines with hundreds of people. Kind of sad experience for the meal part.

Now moving to the snorkeling story. They brought us to a snorkeling spot, where later we were joined by a mob of people. My hubby commented that the whole snorkeling area felt like Tesco on a weekend! You can see hundreds of heads bobbing up and down as they struggle to swim to farther areas to avoid the "jam". Luckily, we were entertained by a nice local while he showed us some interesting corals, one-of-a-kind starfish, and other colorful life-forms under the sea. This made the whole snorkeling trip worthwhile.

The moral of the story is:
1. Never go to Laguna Redang on peak season -- especially on a holiday
2. Make sure that you get the meal upgrade -- which is additional RM80 per person. I only found out about this too late. If I opted for upgrade, I didn't have to queue up and eat with the "crowd"
3. Make sure you take snacks with you during the travel going to Laguna Redang

Overall, if you do go on off-peak, it could be a pleasant experience. Sand quality can compare against the world-famous Boracay of the Philippines. I used to go to Boracay every year. The sand quality there is superb. Redang is one of the rare beaches I have visited which could compare against my favorite Boracay. So if you are looking for good sand quality and clear waters, maybe the trip to Redang will be worth it -- see it for yourself!

My Paintings: the cheerful expressionist

I recently found time to finish some new abstract paintings, which are actually meant for an interior designer friend. I'm quite eager to see if these will compliment her latest project.

It takes time to complete a painting, and also one will need inspiration. Thinking back about my trips to France, where you find inspiration and beauty all around! I completed almost 10 paintings during my 1 month vacation there... sadly I didn't bring them back, since we had too much stuff in our luggages already. But it's nice to reminisce.

It's my first time to create blue abstract paintings... now that I think of it. My only blue-inspired creation was the Mykonos painting, which I made after a beautiful week spent in Greece.

Magical Greece

There are 2 places which I want to see before I die: GREECE and EGYPT. To me, those are magical places that are rich in culture and history.

Just before our wedding, my hubby surprised me with a trip to Greece. It was supposed to be our "honeymoon destination" but he knows I love summer, so it turned into a pre-wedding gift and we enjoyed Greece at the most-ultra peak season of all: August!


The weather was perfect all throughout the 8 days we stayed in Greece. Indeed, it was too short stay for us, but we had things to attend to in France so we tried to squeeze in my top picks of Greece within 8 days.

Day 1: Arrival at Athens. We took our flight from Paris to Athens. Has good service on Air France. Arrived Athen late afternoon. Only had time for check-in, dinner, stroll by Acropolis (and view the night scene, beautiful!) and rest. We have exciting days ahead.

Day 2: Early in the morning (as in VERY early) we head off to the port of Athens. Boarded a huge ship under the company Hellenic Seaways. You can book online for tickets. Don't scrimp on boat tickets and choose the cheaper rates. Why? The more expensive ticket will get you a better ship, and that means shorter travel time. So again, take Hellenic Seaways. We had a very good experience with them.

After 4 hours in the ship, we finally arrived Sunny Santorini! It's even more beautiful than I imagined!!! We stayed at a nice and cozy hotel called HOTEL FINIKIA. Highly recommended. I wouldn't mind staying there again when we go back to Santorini. Great view, good food, good service, nice rooms. What more can you ask for?

Someone once said: "Santorini: Great poets have sung its praises, a 4,000 year old history. And the eternal rock continues to stand, strong and majestic, rising proudly from the sea and guarding well the secrets of Atlantis..."

After reading that, the last day at Santorini is definitely set to go see where that great rock is!

Day 3: Drive around Santorini. Sun bathing in the volcanic sands of Santorini beaches. Caught sight of the beautiful sunset while driving back to Oia (where our hotel is located). Tried their local food. A must try : Greek yogurt with local honey... simply the best in the world!

Day 4: Walking adventure at Imerovigli (where my pic was taken as you can see posted in this blog). It's a unique town perched on the rocks which slowly descends to the water. Gives you a great view of the sea and the caldera. Definitely breath-taking! If you want to see more photos of Santorini (and Greece), check out my FLICKR site and view "TRAVEL PICS"

www.flickr.com/photos/pinkaddict/sets

After a whole morning in Santorini, we head off to the port. Took Hellenic Seaways and on our way to MYKONOS! By the way, for those renting a car (like us), you can always have the car picked up at the port, so that you don't have transportation problems to get to your boat. Renting a car in Santorini is defintely NOT a problem. So many car rentals around there! We used Spiridakos, which is right off the port. That means when you get off the boat upon arrival, so straight to their rental shop and drive off!

Day 5: Instead of renting a usual car for Mykonos, we opted for a quad bike. No regrets! It surely made our stay more interesting, and hassle free. The quad bike was enough to get us around. You'll catch a lot of tourist opting for motor bikes instead of cars.

The day was spent beach hopping. Seeing the different hot spots of Mykonos was a unique experience. All around Mykonos, you will see guys-with-guys ... meaning gays. It's such an open thing and you see them all around. Two guys on a bike. Two guys under the beach umbrella. Two guys in the restaurant. And mind you ... not ordinary guys ... good-looking hunks having the time of your life. So for friends out there looking for the ultimate get-away, Mykonos should be in your list. I swear, the trip will be one of your most memorable!

Day 6: Must see the place where they call "Little Venice", which turned out to be literally a duplicate of the unique place. Nearby you will also find windmills near the sea, which makes a good postcard photograph. There were many restaurants and shops around which will tickle your fancy. One can easily get lost around the maze of stores. Shopped for souvenirs and gifts. Tried local Greek coffee. It's called Mykonos town ... can't bring your car in there! Make sure your car-rental will provide free parking so that you get more out of your money.

Day 7: Time to say good-bye to the Greek islands. Boat to Athens. Arrived at the port of Athens, checked in our hotel and went souvenir shopping. As recommended by our hotel, we should visit Acropolis early in the morning when the sun is not too hot and most importantly when it's not too crowded yet. Dinner at Plaka and walked by Acropolis by night.

Day 8: An exciting day at Acropolis. Lots of walking and picture taking. It's great how they can preserve historical sites like this. To imagine that people built all this thousands of years ago is magical to me. And seeing Acropolis up close was just as magical as when I went to see Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Those definitely top my "great adventure" list.

After a whole morning in Athens, it was time to leave. Took the evening flight to Paris.

My GREEK adventure was more than what I thought it would be. It was even more magical spending those 8 days discovering Greece and its islands with my then fiance.

A highly recommended place to visit!

PS. You will NOT have a difficult time getting around Greece considering they literally sound Greek. Most people are English speaking especially in high tourist areas. Me and my hubby didn't have a hard time at all.

Glamour et Soleil at the French Riviera

Living in the Philippines gave me the chance to visit different beautiful beaches, which was a treat because I am a confessed beach lover. During my travels out of the country, I would try my best to visit the different beaches. So when I was in France, it was too hard to resist to visit the famous French Riviera. I tried living out some glorious days, as movie stars would when they go there for the Cannes film festival sans the big expenses of course!

Talking about expenses, it can be quite pricey especially if you decide to eat at a restuarant all the time. Other times we opted for a picnic at the beach. A typical McDonald's meal will cost you around PhP1,200.00 for 2 people (info for the Pinoy's planning to visit).

They say that French Riviera is one of the most expensive and luxurious places in the world. And it is home to the rich and famous. So don't expect too much shopping sprees when you're in the area.

What is worth spending is the boat ride which will bring you around the coast of the Mediterranean sea. That's a memorable experience. Plus, they can transfer you to another island where you can spend a few hours (like lunch and swimming) before they bring your back to the main island.

The beaches were not all that great (if you are comparing to those of the Philippines). It's always hard to compare to the beaches of the Philippines because that country is really blessed with vast natural resources and all year round tropical weather. I was a bit surprised to find out that what the sign regarded as "beach" turned out to be a stretch of rocks beside the clear Mediterranean waters. But even if it's rocky, you will find many people enjoying by the shore. Since I was already there, I joined it the crowd. These people will probably go crazy when they get to see Boracay!

To be able to have lived a few days in Cannes was well worth the experience. Just be "armed" as in ready to spend when you do drop by! Oh, and after my stay there ... my next stop was Monaco! Another pricey place with a lot of ritz and glamour.

By the way, the best time to visit (in my opinion) are months of July and August. J'aime le soleil!

Cologne: Yummy Beer and Great Accessories!

Hallo! Guten tag!

One can reach Cologne by taking a train from Brussels, and that's how I got there. Immediately, upon getting out of the train station, your attention will be caught by the huge gothic cathedral. To the Pinoys out there "grabe talaga, ang laki ng simbahan!" If you will spend only a few days in Cologne, it's well worth to try the cable car which allows you to enjoy a sky-high view of the old city.

Other than the great sites, a must is to stop at the Marketplace (i forgot the name). It's near the mall area of Shildergass (wonder if I got that right). You can get there by train, which is cheaper than a cab. This marketplace is no "market" (you know... the usual thing in mind when we think "market" is a place for selling fish, vegetable, etc). It's actually selling beer, beer and more beer! All kinds of beer! I actually don't drink beer, but when in Germany, it's a sin not to try one. I found some interesting blends, and apple flavor was my kind of brew. And since we already have panulak, we might as well try their yummy sausages. It tasted very different from the usual Swift and Purefoods back in Manila. So overall it was a gastronomic adventure.

To the shoppers out there, you must not miss the accessories stores found all over Cologne. I had to restrain myself from shopping for earrings, necklaces, bracelets, hair accessories, and more! They have such unique and beautiful pieces. In case you had a short stay in Cologne and will leave by train (just like me), I was able to do some last minute shopping at the train station. My favorite accessories shop Click Six, can be found inside the train station. You can get very interesting earrings from that shop. Overall, I spent 120 euros buying accessories. It was well worth it because whenever I wear it in Manila, I get compliments on every piece ... how original, how interesting, and more.

Ciao Italy!

Should the day come you will take a trip to Europe, with limited time (and funds), and you need to narrow down the choice from the different beautiful countries... my personal advise : go to ITALY!
Luckily, I have had the chance to travel to a number of European countries. But in the very end, the country which left a lasting impression was Italy. Every town you visit leaves you with that indescribable feeling!

For Catholics, Rome is a must-visit! St. Peter's Basilica grandeur (both inside and outside) will leave you at awe. The inside tour of that grand place is definitely worth the money and time. But when in Rome, please be aware of pick-pockets. Most especially near the train stations. Compared to all the other countries I have ever been to, this is possibly one of those places that you will need EXTRA EXTRA precaution! So keep your personal belongings close to you. 2 of my friends got robbed near the train station. Oh, and do excuse the not-so-good service of "Romans" in the area... If you are looking for a bright, beautiful and friendly place in Italy, you must go to Florence! The people are so nice. And the place is simply beautiful. Most of my friends who went there fell in love with the place, just as I did.

Things to enjoy when in Florence : shopping, eating and their walking tours. Let's go on the "shopping" topic first since this is the closest to my heart (ha ha). You will find streets lined with designer shops like Prada (my favorite!), Gucci and the likes. There are some small boutiques that sell out-of-season Prada bags, which seem to be cheaper if you do not mind to have older designs. A tip to people who love Italian designer goods ... it is actually cheaper in Italy than in Asia (or even when I compared the Prada bag to the price in France). You can even get a 12% tax rebate back on that purchase! So don't pass up the chance =)

Florence is also home to good leather, and you can actually purchase a good leather jacket at a good price. Next favorite topic is of course EATING! Italy is known for good pizza and pasta, and believe me, it's quite different from our usual Pizza Hut! Do not forget to try their Gelato ice cream. I love the tiramisu flavor, along with 20 other flavors! A trip to Italy is not complete without trying their gelatos!

Should you be the athletic type, I challenge you to go atop the the Del Duomo, which is at the heart of Florence. You need to pay around 6 euros (if i remember right) to be able to hike up almost 1000++ steps! But the scene from the top was well worth the climb. Believe me, do not wear high heels (for the girls). I was sweating and panting when i reached the top. I never thought it was that high, and forgot to ask how many steps there actually were. The walk down was much easier though!

Another must see is Pisa. I have heard about it since I was young. The site of it was unbelievable. There is was ... leaning! You cannot help but take lots of pictures of it! They are charging a certain fee for those who want to go on top and walk around the famous Pisa. Along the way to Pisa, you will encounter lots of small cafe's and shops ... a good place to stop for a drink and souvenir (after your Pisa visit!)

Different countries have their own magic and charm. Italy certainly deserves your attention. In my own experience, Italy is cheaper than France. So if travelling on a budget, considering checking it out.

Arriverderci!

Mont Saint Michel

If you want a different experience when in France, do not forget to schedule a side trip to the beatiful Mont Saint Michel. It is hard to put into words when you get to see its magnificence... but I shall try to describe my experience. I have always wanted to visit a castle, and the closest thing to a grand castle as of now was my trip to Mont Saint Michel!

A few facts about this Gothic-style Benedictine abbey: it is surrounded by vast sandbanks and perched on a rocky islet. The island, which is located 5 km from the shore during the Middle Ages, is now surrounded by water only two times a month. So you will get to see some pictures of this castle surrounded by sand, other times with water. It's a good thing that it was built on a strong rock. It is pure granite and very, very hard that it was able to resist the passage of time.

After entering this World Heritage site, you will need a few minutes of walk before reaching the top, which holds the entrance to the abbey. While on your way, you find exquisite little shops that sell souvenirs -- varying from postcards, to hand-painted stones with Mont Saint Michel's picture on it, and more. Definitely a must buy so that you can look back and remember your magical trip. You will also come across different cafe's. We tried their crepes and coffee. To me it was a bit over-priced, but the experience of dining inside the fortress was well worth it!

When you finally reach the top and enter the abbey, you will find winding staircases and large rooms made from limestone and granite. My favorite part was the small garden at the very top.

You get a great view from the top (though a bit windy!) so don't forget to pack a jacket with you.

And by the way, Mont Saint Michel was designated an official French National Heritage Site in 1872 and is restored on a yearly basis by the French Government. So you can expect visitors to be delighted whenever they visit this well-kept abbey.

Now, another unforgettable experience: trying out ORIGINAL french crepes! To the Pinoys out there who have visited CAFE BRETON (in Boracay and Greenbelt) ... you need to try original french crepes -- "ibang-iba!" And with matching apple cider -- a true "Brittany" experience. Here's a link to a French Crepe recipe .... http://www.francemonthly.com/n/0301/recipe.php

For those planning their travel to Mont Saint Michel, I suggest that you book your hotel at St. Malo or areas nearby. Do not stay at the hotels inside the abbey, because it will be more expensive. Plus, because we stayed outside the abbey (and rented a car), we were able to go around Brittany -- to see St. Malo and Rennes.

You can actually arrive Rennes from Paris (taking the train). Then after getting out of the station, you will find several rent-a-car shops. It is very easy and convenient to visit if ever you have extra days to spend in France. Even if your flight out is from Paris, it is easy to take this side trip and gain a memorable experience!