The Philippines

Manila, The Philippines

Famous for the most beautiful beaches on earth, Philippines was always on top of my places to visit. I had no idea that I would be getting this opportunity so soon. The island of Philippines (Filipino: Pilipinas) is an archipelago in Southeast Asia with more than 7000 islands located between Philippine sea and South China Sea. My flight was in bright day time and I was curiously staring out of window when I heard announcement that flight will be landing soon. Plane crossed sea and I got first glimpse of Philippines with greeneries all around on wavy land, hills and mountains assured me that I am really landing in a natural wonder.

It was a little troublesome at airport collecting luggage, standing in long immigration queue shifting my wait from one leg to another and later a taxi to hotel where taxi driver gave a bitter first experience in Manila. Got few dollars exchanged to Peso at airport (43 peso/1USD Aug2014). Taxi moved through big and small congested streets and skyways. We reached Makati, my destination, sooner which moreover looked like a concrete jungle and rising towers all around.

Taxi stopped in front of a high tower and we got room on 24th floor. The gazed out of glass wall toward the glittering lights of towers standing parallel to us. Slow moving traffic with vehicles twinkling lights was also clear.

Our hunger to know the place and try new cuisines sooner forced us to start exploring the city.

Locals are in general sweet and soft spoken. Tagalog is the local language here but English is also widely spoken and understood. Showing respect in polite words addressing sir/ Mam is quite common here. Public transport(Metro) is generally crowded and bone crushing during peak office hours. We still found people offering their seats to girls and older people. Jeepneys are another local public transport with low height and windows with no glass. Around 20-30 people can sit inside depending upon size of Jeepneys. Taxi is also easily available at reasonable rate.

Jeepneys, pulbic transport in Philippines

It was tough for us to find local food shops here. City is full of international food chain brands like KFC, McD and few local brands like Jollibee & Inasal giving a tough competition to them. We tried some local street BBQ and had an opportunity to enjoy local delicacy in some restaurants. Halo Halo (dessert) in Inasal tingled my taste buds along with its main course.

Halo Halo Dessert

Philippines is endowed with awesome natural beauty black lined with sudden weather change and natural disasters like typhoons quite often. We already experienced 3 typhoons within 1 months of our stay.

It is rare to see people following their traditional dress although men can be seen in silk shirts which is not tugged in pant. These shirts are status symbol here and hence mostly wore by rich people.

Shopping in Manila:

There are some local market areas. Weekend morning market also held in Legaspi Park(Sunday) near to greenbelt 1 and Salcedo Park(Saturday). You can get local and fresh items here for your full week. Mostly sellers here are from near by villages.

Morning Market, Legaspi Village

There are few wet markets here called Dampa. Dampa at Macapagal open all days and rich of fruits vegetables and seafoods. You may need to bargain as prices may be high for foreigners.

Farmer's Market: is very nice traditional market located near Cubao MRT. Fresh vegetables, meat and seafoods are available at cheaper rate with lot of local shops available for household items as well.

Farmer's Market

Greenhills : This market is a big stretch of cloths, bags, mobiles and souvenirs shops at affordable price. You can bargain at your best here. This is located near Annapolis MRT. Although I didn't experience anything as such, as per local people input, pickpocketing is common in this market so you should be careful with your belongings . In general, it is a safe place for shopping.

Other than these markets, Greenbelt, Gloreitta(nearest MRT Ayala) and "Mall of Asia"(Nearest LRT EDSA) are the malls to satisfy your shopping greed. 

Chinatown: 168 Mall and lucky Chinatown one of many shopping heavens in Chinatown. Prices are cheap still you can bargain further. you can find almost everything there, from jwelleries, cloths, household and kitchen items, electronic goods, furniture etc..

Places to Visit:

There are many churches across Manila while few are quite old and spectacular.

You can visit few of the listed places here.

Intramurous Church

Intramuros: Old Spanish City, still alive located at the sea belt gives you historical idea of Spanish influence on Philippines. The city is surrounded with high walls equipped with Canons.

Nearest LRT united Nations.Take Jeepney to Intramuros

American Cemetery: The place I liked most few Kms from Makati is a nice place to visit. A big stretch of American soldiers tomb here. A total of 17,206 tombs are here.

China Town: Oldest Chinatown of world lies here. With a smell of chinese culture and tradition with cuisine, this place is also a haven for shopping lovers. Although, for shopping you need to go a little ahead of Chinatown known as Binondo or Diversoria. 

Manila Bay: You can spend your evening here with lot of eateries around. Just sit at the bank of river and spend your evening with nature.

Star City: Located close to Manila bay, Star City is amusement park which can keep you busy for a day. Starting time is 4 PM on weekdays and 2 PM on weekends.

Ocean Park, children's museum can be also considered in your visiting list.

Visit Tagaytay

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Thailand, an introduction

Thailand, an introduction

Thailand, located in the heart of Southeast Asia, is one of the prime places for tourists. The country shares its border with Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Malaysia. Headed by the king, the country is the kingdom of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the ninth king. King is considered to be the head of the kingdom enjoying the maximum power, an upholder of Buddhist religion and defendant of all faiths. You can observe a good impact of Chinese culture on Thailand. Although Buddhism got an image in Thailand from India you cannot deny the sweet essence of Indian culture here. There are many words and many names which is taken from Hindi language. Need not to be surprised when u wonder to see the king name Bhumibol, the Bangkok airport name as Suvarnabhumi Airport, the old capital name Ayuthaya (sounds at Ayodhaya) and story of Ram and Ravan hovering in the air in temples. You can easily find the painting and carving on wall with the Ram story.

The country total area is approximately 518000Sq Kms. Bangkok the official capital, is considered as the City of angels, in thai called Krung Thep. Previously Bangkok was just a small port for trade, lying on the Chao Phraya river. In 1768 Ayutthaya, the old capital, was burnt out, Bangkok was given the status of capital of Thailand. Buddhism is observed by 94.7% of Thai’s while 4.6% is Muslim population coming from China and Malaysia. Thai’s are believed to be originated form vast land of Southeast China. Although Theravada Buddhism is the State religion, other religions are never been a restriction for freedom. Thai Buddhism is ranked highest in the world.

Thailand is only country in Southeast Asia that has never been a western colony. You will love the artistic temperament of Thai. Right from music folk dance art on wall, the traditional dress and well decorated temples all will leave your mouth wide open. If sometime you happen to attend some thai festival you will get a close look on their art and culture. Along with solemnity the celebration is a time of great merriment.

Thailand currency is known as Baht. The biggest denomination is 1000Baht comes on orange and grey paper. Other denomination in descending order is 500, 100,50, 20 baht. This comes on paper. Coins include 10baht with bronze embedded in middle with white metal in border along with 5 ,2,1,50 stang and 25 stang comes in coins. There will be many counters around the city on all tourist places for money exchange run by the bank in Thailand. You can also find the counters which are private and not run by any bank. Don’t hurry to exchange your money at airport. Also check the exchange rate at some counters before exchanging your dollars. There may be remarkable difference in rate at different counter. 1 dollar in general is 33 baht.

Culture and language: Sawasdee is how you will be greeted once you land in Thailand. Sawasdee literal meaning is “may you prosper” but in general hello. Politeness and respect is extremely important in Thailand. Sawasdee should be followed by the words which represent gender of the speaker. Sawasdee khrap for male and sawasdee kha for female. It don’t hold any meaning but very important to use with sawasdee to show your politeness.

Sawasdee is done with raising your both hand pal joined together till chest or head and bowing down. The raise hand is always given by junior person first. The head of the junior should always be lower than the head of any senior person. You can see easily in hotels if you are sitting down on a chair the hotel employees will bow their head in front of you while in motion showing the respect and representing that their head is below yours. Thanks is said as khob-kun-Ka, If you are a woman. And khob-kun-Krub, If you are a man. Negative or disrespectful remarks about king or monarchy are considered offensive and sometimes punishable. Also make sure about your attire while going inside religious places. The shorts and sleeveless both for girls and boys are not allowed.

Traditional dress is decorated with lot of jewelries. Dress will be remarkably long and with tube like skirt. Traditional dress varies from religion to religion and also the location. Some dress resembles the Saree in India. In general Thai people follow the western style dress like jeans and tee-shirt. Traditional dress can be seen in special occasion.

It is easy to get Visa for some listed countries. Visa on Arrival VOA is granted at nominal rate.

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