Taal Volcano - Philippines

Situated close to the center of Taal Lake in the province of Batangas, Taal Volcano is one of the world's lowest volcanoes standing at 311m above sea level. It is surrounded by a lake which covers 127 sq. km in area, about two meters above sea level and is known to originate from the eruption of pre-historic volcanoes.

The "Why don't you pick someone your own size? thingie" is irrelevant to the world's smallest volcano (yes, you heard me right, the world's smallest.) Small as it is, don't be deluded by its size because it erupted couple of times and claimed thousands of lives. It first erupted in 1752, but the most cathastropic eruptions happened in 1754 and 1911. The 1911 eruption alone claimed more than a thousand lives and spewed ashes even as far as Manila.

Despite the dangers the volcano possess, Taal Volcano is one of the most visited sites in the Philippines. Tourists enjoy the cooler climate and a very refreshing environment within the area. Fruits and vegetables are also in abundance because of its favorably rich soil. They can be bought along the highway or at the market. Having said that, though the volcano look very still from a far, it may explode anytime, so it's better to take extra precaution.  

You've been warned! Wink!.

Areia Branca (Pasir Putih) - East Timor

East Timor achieved its independence and became the newest nation of the 21st century in May 2002. It fought its independence from decades of war with Indonesia that claimed thousands of lives and properties.

After the trauma the country faced during the war, it reopened its doors to foreign visitors. Portuguese architecture, unique culture, and its natural beauty are the things visitors can enjoy while in East Timor. Other than that, one can explore the country's astonishing coastline with golden sand and glistening waters.

The most popular and the most beautiful beach in the country is the cove of Areia Branca (Pasir Putih) or white sand beach in English. Water sports adventures and activities, such as scuba diving and snorkeling are the most preferred and liked by all. An added bonus to the beauty of the beach is the fact that Areia Branca is uncongested compared to other South East Asian beaches.

Areia Branca (Pasir Putih) is indeed a beauty to behold.

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Reunification Palace - Vietnam

Turned into a museum, the Reunification Palace was originally the official residence of the South Vietnam President during the Vietnam War. Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh), was captured by the North Vietnamese army on April 30, 1975. It was the event that the American led war ended, and the start of the communist rule in Vietnam as a whole.The site was also the place of the handing over of power, or known as "The Fall of Saigon".

The Reunification Palace was partially destroyed during the war. North Vietnamese soldiers with their tanks marched on the street and destroyed the gates of the palace. It was reconstructed to its current form in 1966 and is still used for official operations or functions.

Visitors can see the conference rooms and the presidential receiving room. Not only are those rooms open to the public, because even the basement which is the most fascinating part of the building can also be accessed. It holds the telecommunications room, the war room, and some other rooms and tunnels as well.

"Vietnam -rich in history"

Mines View Park - Baguio City, Philippines

Under the scorching sun during summer can be experienced in the Philippines that is why most of the people find a cool place to relax. The number one spot for vacationers is Baguio City, located 250 odd kilometers from Manila (country's capital city) or roughly 6-7 hour drive on a zigzag road.

One of the city's tourist spots is Mines View Park. A stone-covered stairway (be careful and watch your steps as sometimes the steps are slippery, especially after the rain) will lead you to the observation deck which is near the parking lot, passing several souvenir shops. The breathtaking panoramic view of an old mine and the nearby mountains and valleys seen from the observation deck is a spectacular sight to behold.

For a few pesos, one can rent binoculars to get a better view for 5-10 minutes. If the weather is nice when you arrive, grab the opportunity to have your picture taken, because the fog moves in very fast especially in the afternoon and obscure the view. In case you don't have your camera, there are commercial photographers around which can be rented.

Lastly, shops around the park sells native handicraft of wood carvings and baskets. Sweaters, blankets and similar stuff are also available at much lower price. Good bargain eh?

Tasek Recreational Park - Brunei

Brunei cannot be compared to its neighbors such as Malaysia and Indonesia with regards to land area, yet despite the minuscule size, has many interesting places that are being maintained and well-preserved. One of the city's best landmarks is Tasek Lama Recreational Park which house a natural waterfall that stands majestically in the capital city.

The water from the park is actually a reservoir supplying water to nearly half of the country. And because the waterfall is within the city's interior precinct, the government turned it into a park for locals and tourists to enjoy. The park is a pocket of rainforest and a pleasant surrounding for nature lovers and joggers. Other than that, an 8 meter rock climbing wall is available for wall climbing enthusiast and wannabees hehe...

Ooops, I almost forgot....There are hotels within the area. A 5-10 minute walk wouldn't cause you an arthritis to find one, would it? : )

Sanam Chan Palace - Thailand

Nakorn Pathom is a province of Thailand 56 kilometers from Bangkok. In 1907, a palace was built by King Rama VI when he was still a crown prince, and named it Sanam Chan Palace. It was designed in French and English architectural styles, with a little touch of Tudor and Thai.

Sanam Chan Palace shared part of the site to Silipakorn University (university students can be seen wandering around and having their pics taken in various locations). On December 5, 2003, the surrounding buildings were returned to the Bureau of the Royal Household as requested by the former king's daughter, HRH Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda Sirisobhabannavadi.

The entire premise is more like a park actually. I had an enjoyable time taking pictures and listening to the tour guide, even if i was not able to comprehend all the things he said (My Thai language is poor, just so you know). And oh! On November 23, 2007 to December 2, 2007, Sanam Chan Palace celebrated its 100-year anniversary.

Is it not lovely? I used the canon power shot A490 : )

Sanam Chan Palace - Truly South East Asian

Cha-Am Beach - Thailand

Romantic, isn't it?

A touristy place famous for its beach front, that is only 2 hours drive by car from Bangkok, Cha-Am is a district of Petchaburi Province in central Thailand. Several attractions are offered in the area such as temples, golf courses, Royal Palaces and hills that surround the place.

My friend woke me up so i can take a photo of this wonderful unfolding

There are also plenty of accommodations to choose from. If you're traveling on budget, small guest houses are like cockroaches (hehe) that can be seen anywhere. While spas and five star luxury hotels are available for those people who want themselves to be pampered.

Things mentioned above are just but a part of Cha-Am. Since the place is near the sea, great sea foods are offered in most restaurants or by people peddling anywhere. Not to mention the white sandy beaches and the clear blue sky that makes it a perfect place for holiday seeker.

We had an English Camp from March 8-10 in Cha-am so i was off for three days. I enjoyed visiting some interesting places and i will surely make a posting of those. Here are the pics of the sunrise in Cha-Am and the beach where we stayed.

Kenyir Lake - Malaysia

The largest man made lake in South East Asia can be found in Malaysia (what a rhyme hehe). Located in the state of Terengganu, Kenyir Lake is believed to have the oldest tropical rainforest in the world. It also serves as part of Malaysia's gateway to one of its national parks.

The lake is home to numerous exotic wildlife and fresh water fishes. There are 14 waterfalls and several rivers in the 340 islands, which were once hilltops and highlands. Nature is at its best for adventure seekers, nature lovers and aspiring photographers lol.

Here's from Wikipedia:

Although an artificial lake, the area has been successfully developed for eco-tourism, and there are many resorts around its shores. Fishing is popular, as are jungle treks, waterfalls and caves. According to the locals, the best season for fishing is August when the water level is lower. Popular spots for jungle trekking are Pengkalan Gawi, Bewah at National Park, along the rivers of Soak, Lasir, Tembat and Lawit. Kayaking, canoeing, boating, rafting and shooting rapids are among the many water sport activities available here.

Jurong Bird Park - Singapore

If you are looking for an escape from the bustling city of Singapore, Jurong Bird Park is the perfect place. It opened on the 3rd of January 1971, and it is the largest South East Asian bird park and one of the best in the world. It has an area of 202,000 square meters located at the west end of Jurong Hill.

The park has 6,000 different species of birds with over 8,000 varieties that will fascinate everyone. Bird exhibits are done regularly to educate and entertain visitors such as the Birds of Prey Show, Birds and Buddies Show, etc.


Boarding the latest, air-conditioned panorail system is the best way to tour as it covers the entire park, and provides a great view for visitors to see the different exhibits or shows. Some people say that a Singapore trip wouldn't be complete without the tour at Jurong Bird Park. I'm sure many people will agree : )

For more information about the admission fees..Please visit http://www.birdpark.com.sg/l3_t1.aspx?l3=64&l2=17&l1=6&langid=1