TRAVEL: How to book your Bangkok to Siem Reap Direct Bus via Thai Ticket Major online

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There are a number of ways and transportation options when crossing the Aranyaphratet-Poipet border. Much has also been said about visa scams on that side of Southeast Asia but that shouldn't be a deterrent for you to experience land travel between the two very promising countries. Traveling with a friend and our shopping loot would be no easy task that is why I decided on just taking the direct bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap.

The direct bus is handled by Transport Co. Ltd. over at the Thailand side and Nattakan on the Cambodian side. Tickets can be bought straight from Mo Chit Bus Terminal or through Thai Ticket Major online.

If you plan to go during peak season and want to have a sure seat, then booking online is the way to go. Just follow these steps:

1. Head on over to Thai Ticket Major's website.

2. Enter the following details over at the right side of the homepage (choose your travel date) then click SEARCH:


3. After loading, you will be prompted to choose the time of your departure. Depending on the date, there are usually 2 time slots available: 8 AM and 9 AM. During our trip though, only the 9 AM option was available when we booked online.



4. After choosing your ETD, click Seating Plan. You will now be prompted to register for an account at the website. Just fill out the necessary details and click FREE REGISTER.


5. Now fill-out the necessary information to complete the registration process.


6. Click SUBMIT then click the link to continue. Log in your email address and password. Now, select your bus seats.


7. Be sure to input the correct information at the PASSENGER INFORMATION page. Then click SAVE.


8. Proceed to payment and choose your mode of payment from the following:



9. After completing your payment process, you will be getting a confirmation email that looks like this (with the TTM conditions at the bottom part):


10. Print the confirmation email and pick-up your ticket at least one hour prior to depart time at the terminal. Be sure to ready your ID/passport and credit card just in case. Although when we claimed ours, the lady at the counter just asked for the printed copy of the confirmation email. Counter at Mo Chit opens at 7:30 AM.

For Mo Chit:  1st Fl. or 3rd Fl. of Morchit Transportation Station (Right hand side of second entry)
Safe travels! :)
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10 Travel Tips I Swear by

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Since this blog’s anniversary is getting near, I decided to celebrate by sharing to you my most favorite travel tips and advice that I can swear by. Some of these are given to me as advice by seasoned travelers and some I learned the hard way. But what’s more important is, we learn something new every day!


1.       Pack light and efficiently

I used to be a pack rat, but I soon learned that traveling light has lots of advantages. Not only is it easier to move, you can also save on check-in baggage fees and your body will thank you for it too. Also, just because you are allowed certain kilos of luggage for your trip doesn’t mean you have to maximize it. Be sure to check the weather too before packing!

A friend of mine taught me the trick to rolling my clothes a few years back and I’ve been doing it ever since. It really does save up space.

Best to travel with a light heart and insatiable curiosity too.

my super trusty High Sierra that's been with me all over the Philippines!


2.       Plan enough but be flexible

Those who know me would be used to my incessant itinerary planning by now. I used to worry over every little detail of the trip. I always research my destination and get advice from travelers and online communities. But frequent trips would make you realize that planning is good, but being open-minded and flexible is better. Always expect that not everything will go as planned. And oftentimes, the best experiences come when you truly not expect it. Don’t be afraid to get lost!

3.       Respect

Learn to respect the locals, the culture, customs, and the environment. Be a responsible traveler. Respect begets respect.

4.       Back up!

Learned this the hard way when my previous phone was stolen. Luckily some of my photos were backed up in cloud. So do not be afraid of technology. Do not just store your important documents in one place. It’s better to be safe than sorry. You can back your documents or photos in cloud storage (i.e. Dropbox, Google drive, etc.), in an external hard drive, as well as DVDs. Have both physical and digital copies of your important documents and identifications.

5.       Learn a phrase or two

While it’s true that English is the only language you’ll ever need in your travels, it doesn’t hurt for you to learn a phrase or two of the local language. Albeit if it’s just a simple “hello” or thank you in their dialect, the locals will appreciate it. There is a plethora of apps that you can download in your mobile to help you with that, like Google translate or Duolingo.

6.       Smile!

A little smile can go a long way! Do not be afraid to smile at the locals even while walking. Don’t take life so seriously. Never ever leave the house without your sense of humor. And always remember to look on the bright side of life.

7.       Eat local

I, for one, have always been an advocate of eating your way through a place. It is a great way to get to know a place and its people. Go where the locals eat. As they say, “When in Rome, do as the Romans”. Don’t be the type of traveler who goes to eat at McD’s everywhere he goes.

trying out the local market across from our hostel in Bangkok

8.       Always bring a first aid kit

You never know what can happen so it’s best to come prepared. You need not bring your whole first aid cabinet. Just a few essentials should do the trick. I always bring the following: a few meds for pain, fever, allergy, motion sickness, diarrhea, and colds; gauze and bandages; tiger balm; and disinfectant.

9.       Hotels are not the only available accommodation

There are plenty of other options, from hostels, inns, bed & breakfast, guest house, pension house, apartments, and even private homes. Why spend so much money for accommodation when you’re only going to spend time there sleeping and cleaning yourself up? There are also a plethora of apps and websites to help you choose your accommodation. Choose from TripAdvisor, Agoda, Booking, Expedia, Couchsurfing, Hostelworld, Airbnb, Hostelbookers, and others.

hostel in Bangkok, Thailand

10.   Be wise. Don’t get scammed.

Best to leave your valuables at home. And unless you walk around with a bodyguard in tow, best not to walk around a foreign country with your expensive bling-bling. Research what scams are popular in the country/place you’re going to. Consider buying a money belt where you can put your money and your IDs. Always be alert of your surroundings. 


How about you? What are the best travel tips and advice that works for you? Feel free to share in the comments below!







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Newbie's Day Hike in Mt. Batulao

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For someone who has a long standing fear of heights, every hiking activity is always a big challenge. Just the thought of seeing cliffs and impending doom, makes my city girl heart aflutter. 
So when the opportunity to experience my first ever real climb in Mt. Batulao came about, I of course grabbed it with both hands. Unlike my friend who seem to have taken to hiking like second skin, I was not blessed with that kind of talent. My previous hiking experiences also (Taal, Batad and Sagada) definitely pales in comparison with this one. 

So what does a newbie need to do for preparation, days before the hike?
  • For those with sedentary lifestyle, make sure to exercise especially your lower extremities at least a month before the day of the hike. If you already have an active lifestyle, you can maintain what you're doing or increase your workout.
  • Pack light but make sure to pack the essentials:
    • 1.5 L to 2 L of water (or if you're willing to spend money to buy water, there are stores run by the locals before and along the trail)
    • Sunscreen/sunblock since your skin will get lots and lots of UV rays during this day hike. I was wearing a hat and headscarf but still I was not able to escape the effects of the scorching heat!
    • First aid kit is a must. Better safe than sorry!
    • FOOD: Handy and easy-to-eat trail food. Believe me, a little sugar rush can go a long way. Also, packed lunch or buy lunch beforehand if you don't want to pay for food that's a little pricier than what we can get in the urban areas. (Note: Make sure to have a good and hearty breakfast before you hike!)
    • Toiletries! They're your saving grace at the end of a stinky, sweaty and dirty day. Wet wipes are a very good investment since running water is quite scarce up in the mountain.
    • Plastic bags. Not just for your dirty laundry and things but also to waterproof your things in case it rains and also to put your trash along the way. Remember, leave nothing but footprints!
    • Extra clothes. You don't want to go home in your hiking wear, do you?
  • Comfortable and right footwear can be very important. Your feet will thank you for it. Though this one can vary depending on your feet. I've seen people up there in flip-flops, crocs, hiking shoes, sneakers and even leather shoes! It's up to you, but comfort is definitely a key factor.
  • And last but not the least, a positive mindset!

 How does one get to Mt. Batulao?

I went with a big group and we drove from Alabang to Mt. Batulao by taking the SLEX Sta. Rosa exit to Tagaytay until we reached the Nasugbu arch. Just a few meters from there, you will see the Hillcrest/Evercrest Golf course entrance to your left. Go straight until you reach the jump-off point. Usually there are lots of locals milling about in this area, offering parking space and tour guide services. It took us an hour from Alabang to the jump-off point. 

You can also take the bus bound for Nasugbu-Lemery. Just make sure to tell the conductor to drop you off at Evercrest or tell them you're going to Mt. Batulao. Approximate travel time is 2-3 hours depending on the traffic. There are tricycles waiting at the entrance of Evercrest so you can either take that or walk (which is still quite a long way).
can you see the Hillcrest signage? That's where you'll take the left turn.

Is a tour guide necessary?

Yes and no. Yes if you want to help the local economy and if this is your first time and you're traveling solo. No if you're going out with a group, especially if you have expert mountaineers with you. The trail is very clear and just in case you get lost, you can always ask the other hikers or the locals manning the stores up in the mountain. There are two trails, the Old and New. Which is easier? Definitely the new one. 

So what can you expect?

Definitely lots and lots of walking and hiking under the scorching heat of the sun (rain could make it a lot trickier though). Mt. Batulao has an elevation of 811 meters above sea level (2,661 ft) with 12 peaks so you'll cross almost every rise and fall of the mountain, with the deep abyss on almost each side along the way. The wind is quite strong too up in the mountain so better prepare for that.
At the foot of the mountain, some locals are selling walking sticks for just 20 pesos apiece. It was quite helpful so assess yourself if you can survive without it. Expect a bit of foot traffic along the trail especially since this is one of the most popular day hikes near Metro Manila.




We did the New to Old trail so it started out 'easy' enough. One of the biggest challenge for me was the rappelling portion down the highest peak of the mountain. The rock face was nearing 90 degrees and rappelling down a mountain is surely very different from rappelling during wall climbing. But after taking it slow, I finally managed to reach the end of the rope. I think I caused quite a traffic because of that. Haha!
Rappeling portion

Can you see the rappeling portion near the top

That peak is where you'll experience mountain rappeling ;)

 You can choose to take your lunch either in Camp 10 or in Camp 1. Both are large areas, however Camp 10 is a summit and has no trees or shade to rest under. Aside from trees, there's a 'restroom' facility, souvenir shop and small store at Camp 1. Try to rest for a few hours after lunch to escape the brunt of the midday sun and to recharge your energy. 

 TIP: Don't forget to bring small bills, as you have to pay Php 20 registration fee for each trail. If you plan to only take the New trail, then you only have to pay once. 
lunch time!
the small souvenir shop. Tshirts for sale!

 Going down the mountain via the Old trail was also very tricky. I was never good at descending because of my jelly legs and acrophobia. The soil was loose and the stones made it more slippery. A big thank you to the guys who helped me survive (Olly, Julius, Adrian and Chef Mon)! As well as the other newbies who made the climb more fun!

By the time we reached the foot of the mountain, we, newbies, were down on our last ounce of strength. There was a terminal of tricycles waiting after a few meters of walking but we were quite hesitant to ride it since we forgot how far we still were from the parking area. It turned out to be an unlucky move though. The 30 pesos ride would have been our saving grace if we took that ride. Oh well!

There are public restrooms offering shower and toilet use near the parking area. For 25 pesos you can have one pail of water to wash away the dirt and grime from the day hike. Toilet use can vary from 5 to 10 pesos depending on your usage (Number 1 or Number 2! Haha).

We started the ascend around 6:45 am near the parking area and reached Camp 10 summit around 10 am. The target was supposedly 9 am but since there were lots of photo ops along the way and stops due to foot traffic, we got there a bit late than the planned time. We reached Camp 6 around 12:15 pm and ate lunch a bit after that at Camp 1 since the seats at Camp 6 were already full. We started the descend around 2 PM and got back at the jump-off point by 4 PM (again, lots of photo ops stops and meryenda!). So in total, it took us less than 9 hours! Hahaha, Horrible time i know, but we don't regret it one bit, even if we said so otherwise during the course of the day. ;)

Mt. Batulao is considered a minor climb but it definitely ain't easy for a newbie like me. Would I do it again? Probably yes. Maybe after Pulag, eh?

Level of difficulty: 3 to 4 out of 10 (but that's just my rough estimate)

And what's the best way to end the day? Eat your heart out! And in our case, Tagaytay's Bulalo and crispy tawilis definitely fit the bill.


Me and my yellow cap and the rest of the newbies at Camp 10 summit



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Chasing that Batanes dream: my PTTA Travel Tour Expo 2015 experience

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To say that the first day of the travel tour expo was a lesson in patience, was quite an understatement. Armed with sheer willpower and a positive mindset, I went on to SMX convention center, later than the time I first set for myself. As this is my first time to attend a travel tour expo, I of course did my requisite research through Mr. Google and found only a few blog posts about the previous ones. But based on what I read, it is strongly recommended that you arrive at SMX a few hours before the 10 am opening, which I didn't heed. True enough, when I arrived there, the lines were already too long and winding around the building exterior. Battling with the heat and the credit card promoters, the line slowly dwindles and thankfully accelerated towards the entrance doors.

The long lines outside SMX entrance

Tip: no food and drinks allowed inside

Upon stepping inside, I didn't go straight to the ticket booth but instead went to the information booth to ask where PAL's booth is. It is located on the 2nd floor so head on up the escalators.

Tip: you can buy your tickets upstairs too. Shorter queue!


As soon as you get your wristband, go straight inside and just look for the long line. That's PAL!

Super long lines outside and around PAL's booth

Tip: better have a friend handy so that you can take turns queueing. or if you went solo, go make some new friends! :)

More lines at the side of PAL's booth
The entrance! 

Basco!


After 5 hours, we finally got inside PAL's booth! However, be prepared for more waiting! But thankfully, you'll do it sitting now in this second Part.

The stage

There are around 53 counters

The waiting game

To alleviate impatience and probably bring a little smile on customers' faces, PAL has employed a few personalites to regale the audience with their talents. Known artists like Nicki Minaj, Apl.de.ap, Mr. Bean, Michael Jackson and Maleficent graced us with their presence in different time intervals. Hahaha. The look-a-likes were pretty believable!

I tried to do the math on what time my number will be called (1808) but sadly my brain cannot function much anymore at this point. My phone battery is also dead too. Haha!

Tip: Bring a powerbank and be forewarned that Globe's signal is spotty at best inside the 2nd floor.

Waiting can make one hungry and fidgety so I went out (make sure to bring your stub number as this is your ticket inside and outside the PAL booth) and tried to walk around the other booths which I haven't taken a look at yet. Food stalls are available on the left and right cornera of the convention hall. Choices include among others an array of hotdogs, pizza, dimsum and dumplings, street food and rice toppings.

I tried booking through a travel agency although there are only a handful of them that offers Batanes. The dates I gave them were unsuccesful though. I was told that promo fare for Basco is already fully booked until June. Oh my!

Went back to PAL booth around 8:30PM hoping and praying that my number will soon be called. But alas, the counter said they are still only serving around 1600. Management was quick to assure us that they will accommodate all of the transactions though. There's also a few PAL personnel going around who you can give your booking form to for checking.

By 9:00PM, an announcement was made that SMX management ordered them to cease operations by 9:30pm sharp. Luckily, there were a few good samaritans and they gave me their queue number. I was called around 9:20PM and begged the counter attendant for a promo fare haha! Unfortunately, the only remaining slots are for July. After sending out a quick prayer, I finally booked it. I paid around 6,500Php for a return flight inclusive of Manila-Basco terminal fee and a 10kg check-in baggage.

Thanks to Joy, Christian and May Ann (counter 45)! :)

After endless attempts to book online a promo fare, I now finally, finally have a ticket. And there goes the start of achieving my Batanes dream!

Next stop: Planning my itinerary!


PS: PAL rates for PTTA Travel Tour Expo 2015




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SNAPSHOTS: Kabigan Falls, Ilocos Norte

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Located in Barangay Balaoi, this waterfalls is the first stop of the Northbound tricycle tour. You have to pay the entrance fee where you will also be assigned a guide for your trek through a forest before reaching the 120 ft waterfall and its concaved basin. It usually takes around 30-40 minutes depending on your speed.  

Check out my snapshots below:
our guide and the start of the trail

you'll be walking under the heat of the sun!

next stop: the forest!

don't forget to stop for a little while and admire the great scenery!
an old Balete tree (200-250 yrs old) that you will see along the way



at last!

Kabigan Waterfalls up close
the falls as seen from above one of the rocks

Swimming is permitted and there are spots to do picnics in, but we opted to go back after a few minutes of rest and photo ops since we have many spots left to go to for our tricycle tour. :)


............
Happy travels! xx

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