Em's Asia-PAcific Odyssey

Despite the fact Disneyland is now in Hongkong too, I still don't see
any reason to take my kids in Hongkong again.

I still get reminded of past problems with cabbies there.They can speak English when you hail them and tell them where you're going. But once we get caught in traffic, they gesture and indicate we have to get off and that the place we're going is just very near already. Several times we got lost because we just followed their instructions and ended up just walking very far to where we're going! They don't really take you where you want to go, that's for sure, they just want your money!

That had been the mod(i?) operandi of a number of Hongkong cabbies.My Filipino mates also experienced similar cases. Unless you have pre-arranged tours, airport transfers, AVOID riding cabs. Also, I left my camera once and never got it back despite knowing the taxi number, my friend who was a local at that time gave up chasing as she was being given the runaround! They can easily shift to Chinese talk when you're complaining and almost always they will end up with the classic excuse:NO ENGLISH SORRY! Unless you know exactly where it is you're going try other transport.

It is very different in Singapore where the cabs are not only very modern, clean and with tellies in front of you, the drivers are honest, helpful and will not dupe you!

For night markets, I really don't see any difference buying there, they are always cramped, usually smelly and really not a very enjoyable place to shop. Sellers can be tricky, like if there is a low price in front of an item,make sure it is that price you are paying for. Once, I saw a god price for trousers and I signalled I want to buy a couple of pairs. Upon paying I was told, I paid incorrectly. I pointed to the price, the cheeky old lady said that's the price of the bulb(the price was stuck on it!) CAN YOU HONESTLY TOP THAT? It was
a clothing stall! Better to shop daytime!

o complete this "odyssey" of Asia-Pacific, I have to include again my family trip to New Zealand's South Island.

As popular as it is,there are still lots to be said about this awesome place. It is not just the majestic mountains, breathtaking sceneries but the people in general who make one's trip there pleasantly memorable.

I don't have to rave(as I have done countless times) about its beauty, about my favourite Lake Tekapo, etc. but I must include something
about New Zealanders. Just about anyone, natives, non natives or anyone
we've met there has been very accommodating ,alwlays with smiles on their faces. It reminds me of Australia when I first arrived in Sydney
in the 90's.

I hope they don't change. The people, plus the tourism, etc.. lots going for this country, I almost want to settle there forever...

We'll be back again for sure!

In the early 90's i was fortunate to be sent to a workshop on the environment sponsored by the UN and Antara NEws Agency(Indonesia's govt. owned news agency)

This was a very rewarding and refreshing 10 days of my life. I rode in a helicopter over the jungles of kalimantan and met the richest man in that country who talked about he and his company are dealing with reforestation. It wasn't my first ride in a helicopter but it was certainly the most interesting.I met Japanese, Swedish, Australian scientists all working together to plan for a better environment for the future. Oh, and our leader(for the Pulau Seribo part of the seminar) was from NEw Zealand.

Pulau Seribo is like paradise, crystal clear blue waters with its own ways of conserving water and keeping it and their land clean.

It was not too far and in Bale-I can't remember how far or near, sorry to say as I was busy enjoying the cruise. It is a place where students from the International school go for trips and field experiments.

Another different place to go to is Bogor,where the weather is always cool it seems...I also went to a zoo where we had to ride and stay in cars to see animals in their natural habitat.

It is a shame it will be quite difficult to take my kids there these days of uncertainty. Indonesians, as I have found in my travels are also very friendly and sociable people.,

Our trip to Sentosa Island can be summed up as an ok trip, good for those who are in Singapore for a short visit.

As most experienced travellers know, Singapore is just a tiny country so going to Sentosa will be a breeze, only if you go without the crowds.

We were there in December and in most exhibits where we wanted to go, peopel(especially school kids) are chock-a-block so all the rides are
always full, services, anything..butit is beautiful there, less polluted compared to the city centre and the food is still their number one saving grace. Try to go during leaner months (as long as not during X-mas season).

The chicken satay(in sticks) we ordered came with sticky rice and it was simply tasty and just tender, just right! So was my husband's laksa. Servings were notthat generous tough.

A bit expensive than Thailand or Philippines, though, this small country of mixed Chinese, Indian , Malay people. Cleaner than other Aisna places I've visited.

To sample really local food, we spied where the building workers get their lunch and we ended up in a place dishing out freshly cooked and deliciously appetising Indian food at a very good price as well! Not to mention it was just a couple of blocks near our hotel(which was expensive, not worth the money I must emphasize. the waiter in the restaurant gave me a nively folded serviette and when I opened it there was a dark red lipstick mark on it. Only too glad I looked first! The hotel:Bayview City Hotel (we had a 2br suite) I booked it in the Net but called up to give my card details...They don't clean under the beds so we found lots of interesting things there I'm not going to mention!

One reason my Australian husband loves to visit the Philippines almost every year is his feeling of safety and security and also his dollar goes a long way there!

Contrary to what we hear in the media, it is a very safe place to have a holiday(especially if you're cheapskates like us.) Your dollar(or whatever currency you have) will really go a long way and I mean a very long way!

A decent hotel in Manila, usually family friendly costs less than AU$50 and even comes with complimentary buffet breakfast with choices of hot and cold food and American or FIlipino food. For the past 13 years, we have stayed in a variety of accommodation and all have one thing in common:
the staff go out of their way to please us. Some places might be busy, etc...but in many of these hotels/resorts, they are always very very nice.

Our secret weapon? our two lovely boys! Aged 7 and 11 now, we know we shall always get whatever we desire (in terms of needs/service) especially when we let our kids do the talking.

Filipinos are just mad about kids and spoil them rotten!

One onther tip- don't stay too long in cities. It is best to go to provinces north or south in the Luzon area where it is fairly safe even for foreigners. Of course, going to the SOuth Island of Mindanao is risky. We've never been there as my family will stick out like a sore thumb and could be dangerous.

Hot springs resort in Laguna can be enjoyed for just under two hours away from Manila- the prices vary from around a mere $100 dollars a night for an overnight stay in a fully airconditioned room/ suite with plenty of towels, toiletries, and other amenities. You just have to
let a local do the arranging for you. if you do it yourself, you're
bound to be charged "touristy" prices.

Anyway, once you're there, once they see your kids, everything is forgotten. ALl they will care about is pleasing and entertaining your kids(no matter what age, I suppose).

Malls in the Philippines are a shopper's paradise whether they are in the city or in the provinces. Just going through
all the aisles of one supermarket will take you hours! Plus you cannot count the number of food outlets and stores selling all sorts of goodies(shoes,bags, clothes, perfumes, etc) catering to all budgets.

We were shopping for milk at one of Robinson's supermarkets and we were saddled with a dozen choices for full cream milk from imported to local brands. Any product of that matter, be it cereals, biscuits, etc...has a huge variety of brands. The best part? they 're quite cheap, except maybe for the imported milk products. We always end up buying more than we need to so just control yourself as you won't be able to take certain foods back. My kids love the individaully packaged cereals and bikkies good for school snacks in Oz.

Clothes are especially cheap as well and mind you, the Philippines usually is ahead of fashion compared to Sydney, if I may say boldly.Also shoes and bags, popular or unpopular brands, depending on the type and materials can last for years.Most of the shoes I have purchased years ago are still in fashion here in Sydney and are quite durable compared to the"made in China" equivalent we have here. Price wise and quality wise, Philippine products are good value!

The only drawback I can think of is the pollution in the cities, that's why it is best to go to provinces like Laguna, places like Sta. ROsa, where many exclusive villages have been built and now boasts local and rich movie stars as residents. It is near Tagaytay where scenic Taal
LAke can be seen around 30 minutes from Sta. Rosa. Tagaytay's weather is mild to cool from around late October to February. Go in January and you wont' be sorry. Near Tagaytay are the beaches of Batangas,a haven for water lovers. Traffic can be horrible but just grin and bear it..Go before Christmas(October/Nov) and it will be even better.

When you're tired diving, snorkelling or island hopping (near Baguio, there's the Hundred islands in Lingayen where tiny islands offer plenty of enjoyment for the tourists). Just don't forget to let a local do the negotiating and make sure you know th local. You can
compare prices anyway. Avoid booking in the NEt unless you have
looked around enough...

Email me in case you want to know, my sisters get discounts from lots of resorts as they do their seminars, etc as part of their jobs and just accumulate points so whenever we're in the Phils. we even get in for free, including the food(this was in Quezon- in NAwawalang PAraiso, meaning Hidden PAradise)!In Evercrest Golf and
COuntry CLub in the border between Tagaytay and BAtangas, room service is even free of charge. An order of eggs, bacon and pancakes costs 55 pesos, less than AU$2! Unbelievable! Rich Taiwanese and Japanese
golf loving tourists go there. We were there early January and the weather was just perfect. Traffic can be a pain but it is still worth it. Just immerse yourself in the culture and lighten up and your on
your way to a lovely holiday the Filipino way!

Remember the first rule: Don't stay in Manila too long as two or three nights are plenty, negotiate to hire a van for around $1,500 pesos-
less that $50 dollars a day(this is the going rate, we were there last DEc'04 to Jan'06).In any hotels, there are private groups offering this service. Our driver (who fetched us from the airport thru the hotel) became ourchauffeur going from the hotel to Laguna where my relatives live and he hires his van to tourists. It ensures safety as the hotel knows who you left with.

Okay, more next time...