The Action Packed Day @ El Nido (Day 2 of our trip)

People would have assumed that since I love going to the beach they might have thought I'm a good swimmer. Well guess what? I can't swim!

Hahaha!

Well in fairness to me I can swim though on a swimming pool, as long as I can touch the flooring of the pool I'll be fine but when I start to float then that's where the problem arise!

Helicopter Island, na mukhang turtle island to me =P

When me and Floro visited Kalangaman island last year I bought my own life vest for the swimming but after sometime (from Donsol to Siquijor trips) bringing this vest is a hassle!

And on our day 2 of El Nido trip to my utter surprise we were about to swim on an OPEN sea going to the hidden lagoon on the farthest island in El Nido.

What??Me? Swimming? No alalay or bangka that will bring me inside the cave?

The guide told me the kayak won't make it inside, and the only way to get in was to swim.

I tell you I want to back out, but since i'm with my girlfriend (who are more enthusiastic than me hahahaha) shempre I have to go din. Baka maumpog kasi sa mga bato at matauhan LoL (peace babe!)

Are you ready to swim?

Somewhere on those rockies ar the entrance inside the hidden lagoon

The swim was hard for me! And the water is infested with small jelly fish which makes the swim even harder. Me and Mikko got lots of sting from the jellyfish, and if not for the lifeguard bouy i don't think I can ever make it to the lagoon and back to the boat hahaha!

Getting inside the lagoon is even harder, we have to check the tide and the wave befoer entering the lagoon. C.R.A.Z.Y. but once inside you'll just say to yourself "it's all worth it".

"We shall return, pag magaling na kami lumangoy =P "

Mini caves with lots of bird's nest (for Nido soup daw)

After the death defying swimming, we headed next to an deserted island with grotto and unfinished structures. The view here is magnificent. This is one of the best locations in El Nido.

Crystal clear water, calmness after the storm

Tourist abound!

Grotto amidst the seas

Some unfinished business here

There is a small hill on this island, which shows this spectacular view.

And the back of the grotto leads to the beach part of the island naman. Perfect for intimate swimming for couples (wink wink).

Ehem, here's another MAGNIFICENT beauty. My baby Mikko =D.

Postcard worthy shot (naks!)

We did stop to another island for lunch but unfortunately we have to ride a kayak to get to the island and the water is so unstable hence we decided not to bring our camera. 

It's a good decision thank god, because my kayak overturned when i was about to land on the shore. Hahahaha. So i got this bruise on my right leg as a souvenir for this trip =(.

After lunch, we headed to this (another) hidden lagoon, but unfortunately due to strong waves nobody dared to swim. Only the middle age foreigner woman wants to go inside the lagoon (but her husband persuade her not to go hahaha).

Last but not the least, our guide reserve the last for the best beach. Helicopter island has the finest beach sand in all El Nido beaches. Same quality of sand just like in Calaguas but the water are strong and rough. But still it was fun to okay under the sun and the beach padin =).

"Tower ng bangka"

All in all, though the vacation might not be a perfect one (broken boat, brownouts at the hotel, scary swimming, jellyfish sting and what not), spending alone time with my girlfriend erased all the hassles of this trip. Sulit na sulit ang vacation when she's around =).

Hence, there I will not travel alone ever again. Yahoo!!

Trailblazing Temples

We only spent 2 days at Siem Reap (and almost 8 hours at PP), hence our schedule is very tight. First day was spent at Banteay Srei and the neighboring temples while second day was spent at Angkor Wat and the remaining temples.

We have to get up as early as 5AM just to get the sunrise photo-op of Angkor Wat (i'll have separate blog about Angkor Wat, so much to talk about that place haha) and after that we proceed to the other temples.

We're on our way to Bayon temples!

Traditional Khmer structure which serves as side decors are these huge statues that's pulling a snake body. It's a common sight in Khmer architecture but unfortunately for this one the body is already gone.

Note: hindi po babaing ahas yung nasa picture =P

Tuk-tuk drivers in Siem Reap are so nice! When we see an photo opportunity we always asked our driver to stop and wait for us. Hahaha.

After almost an hour, we finally made it at the Bayon temples. I'm very excited about this place because  of the intriguing faces etched on the spiral cones/tower of the temples. Parang yung mga Rapa Nui statues lang ng Easter island.

See the faces?!?

Compare to Banteay Srei and Angkor Wat, this temples are more rustic and ancient. Vegetation are abundant in Bayon and i believe it's hard to roam around the temple during rainy season because it will be slippery.

The sculpture are just amazing!!

On the side of the temple are layers of blocks which i think came from the temple. It looks like the temple was re-created from the ruins and it's like a giant jigsaw puzzle of some sort.

Neat!

Parang lego puzzle lang ang peg!

Any volunteer??!

Blocked Beauty!

The famous faces can be seen up close since every one can climb up the second floor of the temple. One tourist was so overwhelmed with the structure he actually climbed the wall. Crazy!!!

(he was escorted out of the temple by the way after he climbed =P )

Some hallways of the temple are already re-created/ revised from the original form but still the effect is surreal padin! 

Gilbert and the cat

Tropa at the hallway

Tropa at the Veranda of the temple 

Same as Angkor Wat, a lot of wall carved statues of Khmer people/ gods are inscribe here in Bayon. It' so awesome that this carvings are still intact in the walls after all these times. 

Time tested talaga! Galing!!

Most of the buildings though are in crumble state na, so it's no entrance for visitors. But the carvings and sculptures are so alluring kaya i can't help it and i just need to see it kahit sandali lang #waggayahin #boybawal.

Napagod sa kakaikot =P

There were a lot of people in Bayon hence the hassle in going up and down the stairs (sometimes you have to wait for a minute before ascending the stairs) and after an hour we proceed to the next temple a few meters away from Bayon.

To the unknown temple!

I forgot the name of the temple but it is near Bayon and the Monkey temple. Also it is one of the sacred temples in Angkor Wat area, meaning no sleeveless for girls daw. Olive, our researcher whenever we travel (i have to admit olive and rose are sooo O.C. when it comes to travels!) brought with her a t-shirt and she wore it before entering the temple.

There's a guard in the entrance that checked if the tourist are properly dressed or not. Better be prepared and do your research first =P.

The "properly dressed" tourist =)

Unlike the other temples where you can use the stone stairs, here they put wooden ladder to ascend to the top. According to the information on the entrance the priest do their offering to their Gods on this temple and they ascend to the top bringing with them incense and other offerings.

Sa sobrang liit ng hagdang bato ang hirap sigurado umakyat sa taas! (Or baka they small feet kaya nakaka-akyat sila hehe)

Some columns on the top are replica or combined from the old stones nalang. No original columns remains.

Yeah I make it to the top =P

The monkey temple (?) was right beside the "i-forgot-the-name" temple, though it is only small and only one entrance and exit. Surrounded by waters I was worried that maybe there are mosquitos around  LoL!

In this area also you can buy the BEST silk shawl! Don't forget to buy one! I'm sure your wife, girlfriend, mother (or any girl love ones) would surely appreciate it.

Mysterious Temple with Moat

We finished visiting these temples before lunch time. Exhausted and thirsty we headed up to get our lunch. I must admit the restaurant around the area are a bit pricey, I suggest to bring snacks while on a trip so as not to be very hungry while eating lunch or dinner (and so as not to spend more money as well) =D.

More temples and wackiness on next post. 

Feeling Royal at Edinburgh Castle

The scene on the airport was like this:

Immigration Officer: So, what are you going to do here in Edinburgh (pronounce: Edinburr).

Me: I have business meeting in Glasgow Sir.

I.O.: Oh I see, well enjoy your stay in Edinburr and don't forget to visit the castle.

Was a little bit confused after I left the Immigration. First was why did he pronounce Edinburgh as Edinburr and second what castle is he talking about??

Turns out his pronunciation is correct (typical british accent, while mine is typical tagalog-bisaya accent) and castle he's referring to is the majestic Edinburgh castle!

And thank god for conflicting schedule, we need to enter and exit Scotland via Edinburgh going to London. Swerte!!!!

We're also lucky when we're in Edinburgh it was the Fringe festival! There was a lot of street performers and artsy stuff going around the city.

But before I rave about teh Fringe, me and Ms. Vadette (my colleague and travel buddy) first went to the castle. Excited much!!!

Welcome to the Castle Rock

 Neo-Gothic architecture at Edinburgh downtown

Castle in the horizon

Unlike the British Museum (which is my favorite museum in the world!!!) there is an entrance fee going inside the castle. I think it was around 20 pounds but as other cultural related edifices this one is so worth it!

It was raining, cold and midweek when we visited the castle but surprisingly there was a huge crowd inside the castle, and not much Asians din. Hahahaha. Lutang na lutang kami ni Ms. Vadette =P.

It's a little bit of a challenge to go to the castle since it is situated on top of a rock, but the view on it's battery areas are such awesome. It overlooks Edinburgh 360 degrees. Coolness!

Hello Ulan!

Ancient !

Sayang we didn't catch the One O'clock gun salute (we we're eating lunch palang that time!) but anyhow here's one of the artillery which they fired every one c'clock (which is some sort of tradition, to signal something daw).

The artillery area of the castle is located on the third tier-kind-of-thing of the castle. The main royal residence is up there on the top tier.

Hello Your Highness!

This is part near the guns are located, nothing much to be seen here but there's a small souvenir shop here. Dito ko nabili yung ref magnet ko haha (essential souvenir!) 

The entrance fee for the castle entitles you to enter all the museum inside the castle. The National War Museum Scotland is great to see because it exhibits many war related artifacts since the early times. 

Oh, and by the way, another part of the castle was the prison museum. At first it was kind of creepy because it was an actual prison pero once inside you'll get use to it =).

Prisoner's stuff

Hala lagot! Kulong!

Happy prisoner! LoL

The administrator of the museum did a good job to give the tourist a prisoner-type-kind-of-feeling. The hammocks are actually moving and there are sound effects (of the prisoner) while you are inside the prison. Kakakilabot lang hahaha!

Creepy sleeping quarters

 

 

And since ayaw namn ma-depress at matakot sa prison museum we headed up on the second tier of the castle. Along the road we pass by the Scottish National War Memorial. It serves as a memorial for all the soldiers who fought from WW1 and WW2 and all military campaign after 1945. #akonabestinhistory.

Salute!

The royal palace is on the top tier of the castle. Here tourist can see the rooms, salas, dining room, etc of the royal family. I think this is where I saw the birth room os Queen Mary of Scotland. Sayang we didn't take any picture due to lighting effects =(.

Her Royal QC Highness

Was surprised to see that the Great Hall of the castle is not that big. I was thinking of Harry potter like hall kasi. But I have to admit the metal armors and different types of weapon on the wall are very interesting. Mukhang gaganahan ka talaga kumain hahaha.

The Crown Square, outside the Great Hall and the Royal Palace

I just love Pole directions, yung totoo ha hindi yung pang display lang, because it give fast direction sa mga nawawala. When google map and gps are not yet invented, I always relay to this kind of street pole info for me not to get lost. During my childhood days, our mayor is addicted to street signs, which is good since i don't like asking for directions (diba Mikko??! =P ).

Pag nawala kapa ewan ko nalang!

Going back to the museum, they have a collections of art from the Royal house of Stewarts and the Honours family as well. Paintings, clothes, letters, etc. are located on these part of the musuem. But I think the most interesting part of the museum is the royal jewels on display here. the crown and the scepter are enclosed on a glass case here. Bawal nga lang picturan =P.

Not related to Martha, fyi.

Kings, Queens, Princess. Jack nalang ang kulang

Theo of Las Pinas (1981- )

No photography inside or else they will confiscate your camera. Eeep!

#bestinhistory #ahem #akoyun

It's more stunning in actual than in the picture. Promise!

When we went on top of the castle, i lost Ms. Vadette here! Panic mode agad, but thank god she emerged from the chapel on the side. I thought it was just a small chapel but it turns out it is one of the oldest structure in the castle. Must-pay-repsct-to-history!!!!

A saint once use these chapel for her prayers.

The Mons Meg artillery, though not in use, are large canons sit atop the battery area. I wonder when it was used before it can surely put enormous damage to its target. Afraid!!!

The view from the Half Moon Battery give you an awesome view of Edinburgh. Did I say that upon our entrance to the castle it was cloudy and it rained. Well after an hour this is the weather naman.

And after an hour it started to get dark and it rained again. Scotland has a eccentric weather, though I think it always rain in UK.

Ate you're blocking the view!!!!!!

Hello Edinburgh! Hope to see you again!

 By the way, on the entrance part of the castle is a stadium like area wherein the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo played. Another set of tickets are required to watch them play on night time. We didn't watch it since it's late na plus expensive din plus we didn't know where to  buy hahaha.

Edinburgh castle is one of a kind museum, since it is an actual historical edifice (which i'm a sucker at) plus the artifacts are well preserved and well documented. I really recommend to all those who will go to Edinburgh to visit this place at wag manghinayang sa pera. You'll learn a lot plus you'll feel royalty even for a while haha.

Special thanks to my super travel buddy Ms. Vadette for my UK trip. I have more stories about our trip in the UK soon..

Abangan!