Freedom fighting* in Singapore

Most posts would point out how expensive Singapore is.  While I prepared for my short stay in Singapore, I wanted to test my budget/backpacking traveling skills in this aspect.  How far can you truly stretch your pocket for a two night and one day trip?

1.  Couch-surf.  Though I was traveling with two other friends, we managed to ask a friend to welcome us to his house for free.  This included free breakfasts and a welcome dinner at a fastfood chain. Cost: token from the Philippines with much of  news and listening...

Our first lunch was in this heritage place 

2.  Borrowed transport card.  It was very convenient to be handed out a transport card by our host. The card brought us to the sights that we wanted to see.  We used it for the bus and the train. We just topped it up.  I thought of buying a Tourist Pass but since we didn't make up our mind of where to go, we just settled for the transport card. Cost: 10 SgD

You can't surely miss the skyline...

The background may all look modern but they took a pose at 

 Finally meeting the Merlion!

Lost in the arts...

Goofing around at the Flower Garden

Reunion with friends to cap the day...

Singapore by night...

These tourists need some downtime too!

3.  Sightseeing.  Since we only had a day to go around the city, it was very difficult to point out places that we want to go.  We settled for getting a feel of the city in the most inexpensive way.  We stopped at Orchard station and walked through the buildings and the sights.    We went around the marina for 4 hours!  We went to some of the museums and gardens.  At the Bay Garden, we were lucky enough to get free tickets from a friend.  That was very impressive and would surely give you an idea on how much the country invested on tourism.  Cost: Free + some tokens from the Philippines

4.  Meals.  We were hosted by different sets of friends from different 'lifetimes' and circumstances in Singapore.  They re-introduced me to different Singaporean vegetarian dishes and fare.   Spicing it up with cryptic updates and stories, the meals shared were superb.  And oh, please don't skip the local ice cream sold just by the streets.  This ensures that you help the local economy. Cost: 15 SgD (Tip: Take a water bottle with you from home if you truly want to keep it low)

5.   Freedom fighting.  Simple, you simply enjoy what is shared for free!

6.  Airfare. We took the Cebu-Singapore flight of Cebu Pacific.  It costed us 1,800 (exclusive of taxes).  It was a stopover trip on my way to Indonesia.

Travel Light

Traveling light is traveling in style.  You breeze through check ins and head straight to your destination upon arrival. You are one happy person squeezing through the public transport system, saving a lot of money.

Some tips:

1.  Plan very well, analyze the nature of your trip.
2.  It pays to wash clothes.  What is a 10 minute washing compared to an eternal lugging in of oversized luggage?
3.  Traveling for a week, a month or even months sounds the same to me:

         A.  2 pairs of pants (the first pair is worn on day 1)

         B.  2 lightweight clothes 

         c.  4 tops (shirts or blouses)

         d.  2 leggings

         e.  underwears 

         f.  microfiber towel

         g.  sarong

         h.  toiletries. & laundry soap

         g. camera

         h.  traveling adopter.

4.  wear the bulkiest clothes and footwear at the airport or in long journeys.

5.  Maintain a good disposition.  Be happy!

Darmada haven by the off the beaten track

Sidemen in Bali, Indonesia is considered by guidebooks as one of the off the beaten tracks.  One can go on endless treks without meeting other tourists.  You can simply enjoy the place by yourself.  But, this doesn't mean that the place is replete of places where you can lay your head to rest...  There are simply places that pampers you.  Darmada is one of those places...

 

Awesome One Pillar Pagoda

After walking around Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, we headed off to get our cameras. One can simply breathe into the photogenic sights all over the compound.

I was also very excited to pay tribute to an architectural landmark called One Pillar Pagoda. At first, I thought it was just another overhyped touristic area where goods are alternatively sold. I wasn't prepared that locals flock to the place to actually pray there!

Despite the throngs of tourists, the place is well-maintained and the place kept to its solemn atmosphere. Also, the guidebooks were correct in saying that it truly is an architectural landmark.

And by the way, I only spent around 15,000 dong for entry and some drinks.  

Backpacking Maldives

It is true.  In just one glance, the seas of Maldives blends into several colors of blue and green.

It is also a fact that it is a pricey place.

Another fact to add is that you can see nothing much of Maldives in Male.  But the the different sea colors can drown you into ecstasy.  But nah, it is prohibited to show off your priced swimming gears.

Here are some tips to survive Male.
1.  Couchsurfing.  Although it is not so common out there, you can actually try your best.  This can save much.
2.  Visit during low season.  This gives you more mobility.
3.  When traveling South Asia, include it in the itinerary.  As it is a honeymoon place, it is prohibitively expensive to go straight to Maldives from wherever you are.  However, going to Male from Colombo or any city in India is very reasonable.
4.  Survive immigration.  Dress respectably (not too shabbily) at the airport.  You can breeze through it with a smile or undergo much questions regarding your capacity to holiday in that lovely isle.
5.  Respect the place.  Please observe the dress code.  Showing of 'flesh' may be tolerated to some extent but not much when you're a lone traveler.
6.  Leave porky and spirits behind.  In order not to catch much attention and controversies, don't take pork products and alcohol with you. 
7.  Replenish supplies before boarding the plane.  Maldives is expensive.  Especially if you traveled in South Asia for sometime, you get a shock to the high price of goods.  Also, the products are limited.  If you are fussy with a particular type of shampoo or bar of soap, secure one before boarding the plane.
8.  Take canned goods or food with you.  If you get lucky, you can barter it with a good hangout or acquaintance.  You get lucky to be cool.

Happy trip everyone!

Them Artisans

What spiced up Hanoi is not just its spicy foods and its beguiling sites.  What added zest to the land is its arts.  The beauty of the place inspired everyone to unleash the arts in them.  This did not only become a source of income for the artists but it has also become a national pride for them.  

As an art lover, my only word to top it all is PURE HARD WORK.

THE BASE

Where are the men artists?

Concentration and focus

the finished artworks are seen in the background

Hanoi Drinks

Tops in my list are the fresh fruit juices.  I can't get enough of them

All of the fruits displayed here are convertible to juices :-)

Another shift to cold coffee and dilmah tea

it still looks like cocktail

A generous mojito

how adventurous can you be?  pick your choice...

I can't get enough of the drinks in Hanoi.  The beer is available anywhere.  But since I resolved to cut down on my spirits, I zero my choice to the fruit juices.  In just any corner, you can have them as fresh as it can be.

In one of the evenings in Hanoi, we went to City View Cafe.  The mojito in the picture is prepared by the bartenders there.  They are too generous on the alcohol.  You get your money's worth...

Candid Holidaying

What does one normally do on a holiday?  Do nothing? Or, cramp the things that has not been done for a long time?  Honestly, resting or relaxing is relative.

I took some photos of friends while on 'holiday'...  And the following will best answer the things they normally do...

discovering

looking into strange captions

taking poses

soaking into the character of the place

communing with nature

take photos

less touristic jamming areas

shop

Other Activities when in Penang, Malaysia

The whole area of Georgetown is a UNESCO heritage area.  It is where most of the artsy, fancy and touristic stuff happens.  However, there are more exciting things to do more than being with the happy shutters all the time.

1.  Take a walk.  Yes, I know.  Georgetown is by itself a walking city. What I mean here is to take the hard walk.  Go to Penang Hill.  It is a cardio walk.  (If you don't want to pay 30RM for the funicular ride, you may start tackling the hill from the Botanical Garden nearby.  It is for around 3-4 hours walk uphill)

It was simply the fun of being together that kept us going

Slowing down but persistent

Something caught their curiosity...

2.  While at Take time to enjoy the diversity of its flora and fauna...

The monkey cup

spot the monkey

3.  Take the funicular.  Actually, not just once.  Kek Lok Seh Temple also got another one.

4.  Go to more temples.  (I'll blog more about Kek Lok Seh)

5.  Enjoy the food.

6.  Enjoy the company of friends or yourself.

Those colorful foods with beautiful people

I was surprised that most of my friends had a long list of food to eat when in Penang.  Mine was on a different agenda.  It was simply to maintain a vegetarian diet while I was there.  That literally meant  15 meals…

How did I survive?  The photos would show.  

brekky vegetarian meal

rothi canai at old town

non vegetarian meal

laksa -non vege

eat-all- you can veggie lunch

Indian lunch

 Where are the wonderful people?

after a long walk, it was a feast of spirits and junk foods

breakfast meal

drinks for the wi-fi

Disclaimer:  I took photos of non-veg meals for the sake of art.  I didn't order it.  Those were included in the long list of craved-for foods by these wonderful people...