Archive for June, 2011
Manila For Travelers
June 27th, 2011 | 
Author: Manila For Travelers
At one oclock on a weekday night Manilas Roxas Boulevard of Baywallk as I is better known is buzzing with a variety of entertainment. A group of young standup comedians in lurid polyester overalls sporting gelled Mohawk manes tumble across a temporary stage shrieking Tagalog lines that send the crowds into hysterical fits of laughter. A little further down a band called Harmony belts out mushy hiphop to people sitting at a caf. Vendors selling corn on the cob cigarettes guitars and ballota ducks egg boiled once the chick inside has reached a certain stage of development often having grown feathers too a very popular and very grisly local delicacy weave in and out of the crowds. On another makeshift stage a group of young rappers keeps the audience dancing. A warm breeze sweeps in from Manila Bay shaking the coconut trees sending the decorative neon globes that line the boulevard into spasms and distorting the faint light of ships anchored in the bay. A steady stream of traffic flows by.
The first thing that strikes you about Manila is not the beautiful bay the smoggy traffic the fantastic sunsets of the many different types of foodits the music. Its everywhere. At the airport a 11piece Pinikpikan band plays a harmonious sometimes frantic fusion of local folk music and modern jamband rock using bamboo reed pipes flutes xylophones and percussion instruments singing in English and local dialects.
If theres one thing Manila is not its a walkers city. Metro Manila is 17 different cities Or administrative areas rolled into one large National Capital Region NCR of which Manila city is one. Apart from a few areas in Intramurous the old Spanish city and parts of Malate and Ermita the area around Baywalk the others are either too chaotic or too crowded to enjoy walking through.
GETTING AROUND IN MANILA Moving around in Manila is fairly cheap taxis are the most comfortable and usually will not cost more than P250. Jeepneys are a much more fun way to see the city and talk to Manilineans but they can get hot and dusty
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OUTSIDE MANILA Buses are the easiest ways to travel around Luzon
But the bus system is fairly disorganized and there is no central stationits best to ask at your hotel. If youre planning to travel to other islands youll have to take a boat. There are three major shipping lines which handle interisland traffic Negros Navigation Sullpicio Lines and Super ferry.
TOP TIP
SOUVENIR the Philippines has a lot by way of handicraft from detailed wood carving to garments made from pineapple and banana fibre barong Tagalog. But one of the nicest souvenirs is one of these gailycoloured hand painted vases. They are elaborately patterned and come in many different sizes. Youll find them at a shop called Kultura at the Mall of Asia in Manila.
WHERE amp; WHAT TO EAT Theres a huge variety of food in the Philippinesevery island has its own specialty. In Manila you can sample nearly all the different regional cuisines from Tocino honeycured pork to inihaw grilled seafood often including milkfish marinated in kalamansi juice. If youre adventurous you can try novelties like Balut or Tenga pigs ears.
WHAT TO DO
gt;An evening on Baywalk is a must do. Listen to some of the local bands; drink coffee at one of the many cafes of hang out at one of the openair bars with wonderful views of Manila Bay.
gt;its well worth doing a walking tour through Intramurous. Star at the Intramurous Visitors Center at the entrance to Fort Santiago the seat of Spanish power. Dont miss the San Agustin Churchthe oldest church in the Philippines. The ornate interior is filled with significant historical objects. Stop by at EC. Manazan Handicrafts on Santa Clara Street to pick up some local handicrafts.
gt;The Greenbelt shopping mall in Makati can be fun to hang out at after which you can visit the Ayala Museum around the corner. Its an excellent museum with dioramas on Filipino culture art and history.
gt;Walk through Rizal Park a 60hectare spread of lawns ornamental gardens and wooded areas. Every day hundreds of people come here to jog picnic sing and practice local martial arts like arnis de mano stickfighting. Theres an openair auditorium which has concerts on Sunday.
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Nha Trang Recommended Hotels And Resorts
Nha Trang Recommended Hotels And Resorts
Nha Trang is a short flight south on a Vietnam Airlines ATR. The overhead bins can accommodate a briefcase at best so watch your carryon. The town actually looks like a seaside resort with a long breezy marine drive. There are public beach areas with nice thatchpalm umbrellas and endless views.
Taking credit for the latter is the Evason Ana Mandara and Six Senses Spa. As would be expected this beautiful garden property features a Six Senses Spa set in its own private enclave at one end of the property. There are treatment rooms for couples with sunken Jacuzzis. Choose a package or go a la carte. If you’re not warm enough by the beach head for the sauna and herbal steam then ponder the spelling and pronunciation of words like kinesiology. The spa is airy and bright with nice garden features.
Evason Ana Mandara runs long rather than deep along the promenade drive. It is minutes from the airport yet far removed from the bustle. The cottages are roomy the largest being the 35sq m Deluxe Seaview with tile floors and fourposter bed. There’s TV mosquito net wooden furniture a bathtub with a window looking onto garden and an incredibly small safe.
The complex has two swimming pools one deep enough for diving lessons tennis courts and a super romantic dining spot on a wooden jetty right above the sea. Sort out your “I dos” here under a full moon. The Six Senses Hideaway Ninh Van Bay is on a neighbouring island a 15minute boat ride from here. This resort features just 58 pool villas. The civil airport at Cam Ranh which can handle larger aircraft is a halfhour drive to Nha Trang along a 30km highway. The old city airport smack in the middle of town used to be a breeze but…
One of the biggest and flashiest hotels on the Vietnam beach scene is the 485room Vinpearl Resort amp; Spa megaresort. This humongous allinone playground boasts a 1000guest ballroom facility bars nightclub extensive swimming pools spa marina tennis and diving. The Vinpearl is a 10minute boat or hovercraftride from the jetty near Evason Ana Mandara. The resort complex is on a grand scale. The place may not appeal to all tastes but as an allinclusive private Club Med sort of escape it will find its fans. If comparisons were to be made it is a tad like the Royal Cliff at Pattaya with a five storey structure fronting the sea on a private bay below the hills. The fivestar Sunrise Beach Resort Nha Trang on the treelined esplanade overlooking Nha Trang Bay has 121 guestrooms and suites. Close to the beach and in the heart of the city the resort is conveniently located for sightseeing and a 45minute drive from Cam Ranh Airport. The hotel boasts a raft of amenities including the Qi Salon and Spa by Shiseido where everything from mud baths and wraps to stinging scrubs is on offer.
For those on a budget the Yasaka Saigon Nha Trang Hotel is a stone’s throw away also on the marine drive. Here hotelstyle rooms start at US98 a night. Off season you might get a 50 percent discount or more. If it’s raining bargain bargain bargain. And even cheaper is the Nha Trang Lodge Hotel.
The fourhour drive from Nha Trang to Phan Thiet is on an excellent twolane highway with little traffic hard shoulders and smooth blacktop all the way. The countryside erupts in unbelievable shades of green during the rains. The road passes paddy fields quaint farm houses cows dogs chickens geese and the ubiquitous policemen who seem to specialise in setting sudden speed traps for unwary motorists. While this is a state highway you might suddenly spot an improvised 30km speed limit sign with a patrol car round the bend. This makes progress unpredictable if adventurous. At other places there is not a road sign to be seen for miles yet “tea money” is being earned by the bushel by hardworking men in uniform.
About a half hour south of Cam Ranh the hills recede yielding views of vast golden fields and patchwork green. This really is a lovely drive. You won’t be driving as foreigners aren’t really allowed to wander the roads so sit back and take it all in. Make sure the driving is during daylight hours as nightfall significantly increases your chances of meeting chickens and a procession of beasts humans and vehicles that suddenly decide to cross the road. The Nha Trang area has some of the better beaches of Vietnam though the sand is sometimes a touch more coarse than at Phan Thiet.
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Suggested by Liz MaiWeb: http:///www.vietnamholidaynow.com” target=”_blank”>www.vietnamholidaynow.com”>http:///www.vietnamholidaynow.comTel: 0084436339577Email: salesvietnamholidaynow.com
Shimla Kullu-manali Tours
Shimla Kullu-manali Tours
Himalayan Tourism is very popular among tourists from all over the world. And no one can have best Himalayan tourism experience without visiting Himachal Pradesh one of the most beautiful states of India offering amazing sightseeing options in western Himalayas. The state has everything to be a world famous tourist destination. Nature Scenery Wildlife Adventure Sport History Heritage Architecture Paintings Handicrafts Carvings Fairs Festivals Celebrations Religion Temples Pilgrimage Leisure Legends Music Dance etc team up together and makes Himachal widely popular among tourists. Himachal Pradesh is indeed a paradise for tourists.
Nature has blessed it with her exceptional beauty and delightful ambiance. Lush green landscapes snow clad Himalayan ranges verdant hill stations meadows of both cultivated and wild flowers and serene peaceful and hospitable environment make this state very favorite among honeymoon couples. Honeymoon couples will hardly to find elsewhere in such attractions and delightful ambiance oh their honeymoon tours or holidays.
Shimla is the state capital of Himachal Pradesh very popular among honeymoon couples weekend vacationers nature lovers and adventure seekers. Sightseeing in Shimla is a delightful experience. Lined by shops restaurants the Mall is the prime tourist attraction and shopping centre of this beautiful hill town. A visit to Jakhoo Hill provides a great treat to your eyes with panoramic view of town hills and distant mountain ranges. There are spectacular views at sunrise and sunset especially during monsoons. Dont forget to visit Hanuman Temple perched on the Jakhoo Hill. Visiting Chadwick Waterfalls on the way to Summer Hill and encircled by lush green woods gives a great feast to tourists eyes. Himachal State Museum Tara Devi Temple Kamna Devi Temple Indian Institute of Advanced Study housed in the former Viceregal Lodge Sankat Mochan and Christ Church are other worth visiting attractions of Shimla tour package.
Not only Shimla Kullu and Manali are also worldwide famous destinations of Himachal Tourism. No one think complete travel and tourism in Himachal Pradesh without exploring beautiful hill towns of Kullu and Manali. Manali the internationally famous hill resorts is situated in the district of Kullu valley. Entire Kullu valley is worth visiting and worth exploring. Kullu and Manali region is dotted with several temple attractions like Raghunathji temple Bijli Mahadev Temple Vaishno Devi Temple Hidimba Temple Vashisth Temple Jagatsukh Temple Manu Temple and several other religious shrines. Thats why Manali is said to be the city of gods and Kullu valley is regarded as the valley of gods. From each part of the country Domestic tourists head for tours to Manali and Kullu Valley to visit religious shrines and temples.
Kullu and Manali are not only destinations for domestic tourists or pilgrimage tourists but they are also destinations for all. They are destination for honeymoon couples. They are destination for nature lovers. They are destination for culture lovers. They are destination for special interest tourists. They are destination for offbeat tourists. They are destination for adventure sport lovers. Truly the landscapes of Kullu Manali region are worth exploring and capable to grab the heart of tourists. Travelers from all over the world embark on Kullu Manali tour to get ultimate Himalayan tourism experience.
White water rafting kayaking mountain biking snowskating skiing heliskiing paragliding etc are popular activities which can be enjoyed on tours to Manali. Manali Mountaineering Institute Vashisth Hot Water Spring Manikaran Meadows of wild flowers Lush green valleys Snowclad mountain peaks Rohtang Pass Rahala Waterfalls Raghunathji Temple Bijli Mahadev Temple Hidimba Temple Solang Valley etc are prime attractions of Kullu and Manali visit. If you too want to enjoy the charm of picturesque Kullu valley and magnetic Manali well you are welcome to Himachal Pradesh India. Book your Kullu Manali tour package provided by tour operators or travel agencies. And get ready to treasure a lifetime tourism experience.
About the writer: Michael Smith is an eminent analyst and writer in Travel Tourism related topics. He has authored many books on tour guide for himachal tour package and Shimla tour package. Now he is rendering his services to http://www.manalitourpackage.com/