Asia Travel Blogs | Travelogues | Travel Journals

Joseph the Spaniard, whom I met in Zhongdian, convinced me to join him on a 18 day trek around mount Manaslu in one of the last remaining restricted areas in Nepal. Restricted in Nepal means that they can charge unsuspecting tourists more money in the form of expensive permit fees and entrance fees. Although I didn't need much convincing to join him as I had no special plans muself other to get to Kathmandu and organize a trek. So I signed myself up and went to read myself into the trek: "Th…

It's 8.30pm and the group is gathered at Cafe Bola at the Araneta Center to embark on a 14 hour bus ride to Donsol, Sorsogon in the Bicol region for an experience of a lifetime - to with swim whale sharks (locally known as butandings)!  After last-minute smokes, trips to the bathroom and the nearby ATM, we make our way to the bus depot down a few blocks, find our designated bus bound for Legaspi, settle in our respective lazyboy seats and gear up for the cryogenic AC conditions. A ceilin…

Beaches for you * Haad Leela - 10 minutes walk from Haad Rin * Chaloklam * Tong Nai Pan Yai and Tong Nai Pan Noi * Bottel Beach * Bann Tai * Mae Hadd & Koh Ma * Haad Rin * Haad Salad * Haad Yao * Haad Son * Than Sadet * Haad Youn Activities If you don't want to do anything but swimming, chilling, walking around the beach, that's great. But  someone who doesn't, here you are : * Skuba Diving, snokling!!! * Kayaking - if you like an adventures, many resort h…

I'm here in Koh Samui sitting on this gigantic 7ft wide king size bed, looking out my window, beyond the deck of my bungalow, out to the beautiful lush green gardens, with a slight view of the ocean through the coconut trees. hmm what more could you want? I'm staying at the Coral Bay Beach Resort which is only a 5 min taxi or 15 min walk north of Chaweng. Ive been here now for 4 days and have had a nice a relaxing time, reading, sitting by the pool, drinking cocktails, window …

There is something majical about getting lost in the mountains, whether they are the Rocky Mountains, the Alps, the Himalayan Mountains or any range that might be in your backyard.  And by saying 'getting lost', I don't mean not knowing where you are.  'Gett'in Lost' in them as leaving everything behind you regarding work, family, stress, relationships and just emerging yourself in the moment.  Not thinking about how many days left and what you need to do when you get out. …

I wasnt excited at all for my coming home trip. In the short period ive been here in China, Ive gone accustomed to liking the weather. As I hurried on to the airport bus near the railway station, I started to get a bit sad about leaving the country, so rich in history and culture. For me, China's one country like no other and I'd definitely want to go back. From the language, to the heritage, to the Chinese spitting everywhere, everything had a unique touch to it. Im looking forward to a Trip…

My lessons finished, I virtually ran out the door, stuff paper work who needs it. ( I'll better do that first thing Monday morning). I hopped on the train and headed into Osaka for a mini meet up that coincided with Jenns birthday. Jen had come from New York  to Japan for her birthday. There were only 6 of us who attended but we all had a great time. The meeting place was HEP5. a shopping mall that has a ferris wheel on its roof.Thinking that I was late, only 5 minutes past seven I…

So, how to try and tell all about what i was up to in the last 2 months? it looks like the best time i had in my life until now. i'll try to do it as a guide book:   Backround: For years i dream to visit Mongolia! huge country, about 40 times bigger then israel, the size of most west europe, with only 2.5 milion people live in. about 1000 km of paved roads in the entire country including the roads inside the cities, and plenty untouched by humans incredible, amazing nature. Mongo…

I've always wanted to visit Mt Patag. It is a popular place with Mountaineers. Located just outside Silay City, it is about 45 km or 28 miles from Bacolod City. I just moved to the Philippines and was staying with an aunt. She and her sisters decided it was too dangerous for me to visit Patag. There was a recent report of a Frenchman being abducted by the NPA, New Peoples Army. There are NPA territories, they do not wander the whole mountain range but still paranoia had set in for them O…

I am officially a tourist in Japan. Jana, Annie, and I went to Mito where Jana and I switched over our visas. I went from an instructor to a visitor. I have no job and no purpose right now. It is a strange feeling.   We also went to the bank and closed our accounts. Then it was to the post office where we informed them we were moving and gave them our addresses. The final stop was at the Town Hall where we informed them of our visa change. (This was important because we don’t w…

  This is one of the most ironic days I have this year - when I was sooo happy and surprised and yes, sooo frightened.   It was just one of those special days when I really look forward to coming home after a week of endless meetings and strategy writings. My flight with PAL last Saturday was scheduled at 10:40 AM and so coming from Quezon City, i opted to leave the hotel at 7:30 AM. My other colleagues who were flying to Davao and Cagayan de Oro left earlier to catch t…

  What can I say that hasn't been said?  It is a sublime place.  I enjoyed Agra fort more so for the mystery and imagination of how it once must have been used.  I spent more time at agra fort but more pictures of the Taj.... I don't know anything else about Agra tee hee

Classically we started our trip getting duped on our first meal - having ordered about 6 apparently 'small' dishes...ha! Anyway, it was delicious so we weren't complaining too much. The city is pretty cool, ultra efficient clean, air conditioned (even on the tube!) and not really polluted. Kind of reminds me of canary wharf - hints to it's past with historic buildings, structures & monuments etc, which seem to have no relevance to the current day - it's all surr…

  Yes, this is Manila TBs 3rd meetup already! And yes, we have done it monthly (first two were Jan. 3 and Feb 7)!!   This was not actually planned, nor scheduled to be done regularly. Let's just say we Filipinos are so hospitable that we are all willing to partake in a group date where we will be in full force to welcome our “guests” (by our definition, guests are people we met through TB who visit our side of the planet =D). And this can also be a perfect venue to meet…

We went to the second most bombed island in the world, Corregidor (next to Malta)... at least we were at the number two list for a different reason; that was a welcome change from my country being in the most corrupt list…It was beautiful, added to the fact that I was with 10+ travbuddies, which made the whole experience amazingly fun and crazy! ...the crazy part, I’ll get to later hehehe. From our quick ferry ride from Manila Bay to the island (less than 2 hours) there were…