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TravBuddy.com: Latest Travel Blogs and Travel Reviews
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<copyright>Copyright 2005 TravBuddy LLC</copyright>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/</link>
<description>The latest travel journal entries and travel reviews from real travelers from around the world.</description>
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<lastBuildDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:07:32 PST</lastBuildDate>
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<title>Hotetur Palma Real Hotel Varadero</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/Hotetur-Palma-Real-Hotel-Varadero-v323597</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:07:32 PST</pubDate>
<description>nice comfortable and spacious rooms. All in service. Food could be better and the dishes in the restaurant are almost always wet, so reach for the on&amp;hellip;</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Varadero-travel-guide-910705">Varadero, Cuba</a>, Nov 10, 2009</p>
<p>
nice comfortable and spacious rooms. All in service. Food could be better and the dishes in the restaurant are almost always wet, so reach for the ones by the grill where they're dry. Good desserts though. 
Excellent swimming pools, the water has got an excellent temperature. Good evening animation shows. Poolbar where you can sit in the swimming pool. This is the pool where the animation is during the day. You can lay relaxed by the other pools as well. Big pools so room enough for everyone to take a swim. Nice staff. Buffet restaurant, Chinese a la carte restaurant (you need to make a reservation for this one), Italian restaurant with poor pizzas but ok pasta, 24h snackbar
about 2ààm from the beach, but I recommend to walk further where there are less tourist and a lot of place to enjoy the divine seawater and lovely beach</p>
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<title>What I know for sure - I think</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/58409/Visa-application-arrived-1</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:57:53 PST</pubDate>
<description>
                    There are so many thoughts running through my head. I was  listening to one of my favourite songs last night and the words stru&amp;hellip;</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Shuangliu-travel-guide-1338492">Shuangliu, China</a>, Nov 10, 2009</p>
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	{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";  	mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;  	mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;  	mso-style-noshow:yes;  	mso-style-priority:99;  	mso-style-qformat:yes;  	mso-style-parent:"";  	mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;  	mso-para-margin-top:0cm;  	mso-para-margin-right:0cm;  	mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;  	mso-para-margin-left:0cm;  	line-height:115%;  	mso-pagination:widow-orphan;  	font-size:11.0pt;  	font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";  	mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;  	mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;  	mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;  	mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;  	mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}  </style>  <![endif]-->    <p class="MsoNormal">There are so many thoughts running through my head. I was  listening to one of my favourite songs last night and the words struck a chord  with me. “You look for your dreams in heaven, but what the hell are you  supposed to do when they come true?” <span style="">&nbsp;</span></p>    <p class="MsoNormal">I guess the way I have been feeling lately had me wondering  what the heck I have done to myself. However, each time I think about what I  would be doing back in Australia if I had not left, I know I have done the  right thing. I wouldn’t go back now if you paid me. Well, I guess it depends on  how much you were willing to pay as to whether I would consider it or not. :) Chances  are though, no matter how much, I just would not do it.</p>    <p class="MsoNormal">I am so glad I aim high, and look for my dreams in heaven; it  reminds me of a quote I love, “Aim for the moon because even if you miss, you’ll  land among the stars.” I remember once when I was young, and a conversation I  had with my mother about me not having a boyfriend at the time. She said, “You  are too picky.” I still shake my head at the thought of being too picky when choosing  someone to give your love. It makes me think about life, and how some people  don’t aim for anything because they are too afraid to fail. Well, I hate to  tell you, but if you fail to aim, then you aim to fail. Others settle for what  they can get, I am happy to say I have never settled. I just keep searching  until I find what it is I am looking for. Often I only need whatever I find for  a short while before I am happy to let it go again. Other things, like certain  friends I know I will never give up. </p>    <p class="MsoNormal">I once had a beautiful friend and we considered each other lifelong  friends, little did we know that that ‘lifetime’ would end so soon, when she  died of cancer just a few short years after we met. After many years of not  having her in my life, certainly a lot more years than she was in my life, I  still consider her one of my dearest friends. I learnt so much from her. She showed  me what real grace is. I am still amazed that she felt the same way about me,  I think because I learnt so much from her I find it hard to believe I could  have given her anywhere near as much as she gave me. A couple of years ago I  contacted her widower who told me of the love Sharyn had for me. How can two  people meet and have this instant and deep connection? How is it that sometimes  you recognise something in someone you have never met before and you just know  this person will become someone very special to you? Then there are the people  who are in your life on a daily basis and it’s not until they are no longer in  your life that you truly realise just how much they touched your life. </p>    <p class="MsoNormal">I may not have had a perfect life, and I may have made some  bad choices, but I am so glad for every choice I have made. I would not be me  if I had made different choices. Well, I would still be me, but I would not  have had all the wondrous experiences I have had. Even the rotten things that  have happened in my life have led me down a path that I would not have taken if  these things had not happened. Who knows where I would be now if my mother had  not died when I was 18. I don’t regret my mother dying. Now, don’t get me  wrong; do I wish every day that she could be here? You betcha, I miss the  conversations we never had the chance to have, but how can I regret it. It wasn’t  anyone’s fault, it just happened. Ok, so the doctor misdiagnosed her to begin  with and had they not done so, mum may have lived longer. BUT still, (I am  shaking my head - it doesn't matter what might have been) my life would be different. Everything that has happened in my  life has brought me to where I am right now. I have embarked on a huge  adventure and even if it feels like a nightmare at times; it really is a huge  adventure. I have so many exciting times ahead of me that at times I can’t  contain myself. The excitement bubbles over. I am learning all about a group of  people who I had misunderstood before moving here. I am learning new ways to  look at things and do things, ok, so some of these things go against the  grain for me, but I am learning. What’s the point of being alive if you can’t  learn new things. Some of the things I am learning I never thought I would embrace.  It’s a strange feeling to open myself up to alien ideas.</p>    <p class="MsoNormal">In the last few months, I have met so many wonderful people,  and I have left so many of my dear friends behind. I keep thinking about the  choices I have made, the little nudges given to me by the universe to do things  that I have not had time for, or not had an interest in, and the doors that  have opened because I have chosen to take note of these little nudges. I am so  grateful. I don’t know why I am here in China, a place I never really had a  serious interest in exploring. I do know that I will come out of my time here a  better person with some wonderful friends and life changing experiences. </p>    <p class="MsoNormal">Even the spare time I have has given me the opportunity to  meet new people, and start learning a language that, again, I never had a desire  to learn before now, and I love it so much. I think I have fallen in love for  the first time in ages; I have fallen in love with my life. My last few years  in Tassie were not particularly happy ones, I certainly had many joyful  moments, but in general, I was not very happy. I think my friends can attest to  that. Now, even though life sucks big time with everything falling down around  me in my new apartment. There is on average two sunny days a month where I  live, nobody speaks my language, I can’t get the ingredients of my favourite  meals to cook, and the ingredients I can get, I’m really not sure what I am  meant to do with them. I walk into stores thinking I’ll find something to make,  but don’t recognise anything that is on the sides of packets and boxes, so I  don’t even know if what is in there is salt or washing powder. I can’t find  anybody to give me straight answers to my questions. I have learnt to approach questions  in a different way. Instead of asking the question straight out, I now say, “Would  you find out for me...” this yields much better and more satisfying results. I  don’t have people just answering me because here in China if they don’t know  the answer they see it as losing face so will give you any answer just to give  you an answer. I have Sylvia to thank for reminding me of how they think of it  as losing face, so thank you Sylvia. I was too close to my issues to realise  this, even though I knew it. It’s the same thing when I realise that the  Chinese in general are very smart people, but (again, generally) do not seem  to have much common sense. However, I am learning this is more of a cultural  thing and has more to do with the way they live their lives than actually  lacking common sense. </p>    <p class="MsoNormal">As I sit here, I am receiving emails and because I have  changed the alert for incoming emails, each time an email comes through I get a  kiss. It has me smiling and I am finally getting some kisses. :)</p>    <p class="MsoNormal">Another album of mine I have been listening to a lot is by  Aboriginal singer Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. <span style="">&nbsp;</span>It is an amazing album mostly sung in his  native dialect, there are a couple of songs in English, but beautiful music  does not depend on you understanding the words. I learnt today this man has  been blind since birth and when someone gave him a guitar to play, he didn’t  find out until years later he was playing it upside down, but blindness and an  upside down guitar have not stopped his magical talent shining through. The  first time I went to The Bookworm here in Chengdu one of his songs was playing,  I didn’t realise it was his until I woke up from the daze I was in to find myself  humming along to the music. He is in Europe now, so if you get the opportunity  to hear his music don’t miss it. I think listening to his music has brought a  sense of peace to my soul I have not felt in a while. Mind you, I think the  talk I had with myself the other day where I decided to embrace all this  country has to offer, the good, the bad and the ugly, has helped too.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>After my particularly bad day the other day I  received so many wonderful comments from you all giving support and  encouragement and I want to share a couple of quotes from one friend with you that  when I read them they made me wake up to myself, so thank you Irene. “Two  thoughts for my dear friend: <br>  'Don't let one cloud obliterate the whole sky'. Anais Nin and 'The real voyage  of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes'.  Marcel Proust.” I also have Irene to thank for introducing me to the beautiful  music of Gurrumul. It was the first album I bought with my iTunes vouchers once  I arrived in China. Thanks again for everything Irene. I miss you, and I miss  your ‘Irene style’ cooking. :)</p>    <p class="MsoNormal">A thought just passed through my mind, “I am so far from  home.” I was thinking of Tasmania when I thought this, but just as quickly I  realised Tasmania is no longer my home, I will not go back there to live. Right  now, I don’t know where my home is, I do know China is not my home, it is a  temporary residence, but it is not home. I will have a home again one day, and  I will feel I belong somewhere again. </p>                    
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<title>Fukuoka Youth Hostel</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/Fukuoka-Youth-Hostel-v366663</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:52:27 PST</pubDate>
<description>I stayed at Fukuoka Youth Hostel for one night. This hostel is clean, but does not have much atmosphere. The rooms are mostly private 2-bed rooms. Th&amp;hellip;</description>
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<![CDATA[
<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Fukuoka-travel-guide-279862">Fukuoka, Japan</a>, Nov 10, 2009</p>
<p>
I stayed at Fukuoka Youth Hostel for one night. This hostel is clean, but does not have much atmosphere. The rooms are mostly private 2-bed rooms. The beds are okay. The showers are clean and there is also a bath. Internet facilities are free, there are two internet computers and there is WIFI available. This is not really a place to meet fellow backpackers, it seems more like a place where people stay for business or family visits. 

The hostel is about 30 minutes walk from the train station Hakata but there is a bus-stop nearby. There is no breakfast or dinner facility, but a Lawson convenience store is just around the corner.
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<title>The Cockpit Lounge at Jakarta airport</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/The-Cockpit-Lounge-at-Jakarta-airport-v366662</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:50:40 PST</pubDate>
<description>I would be remiss if I failed to do a review on the Cockpit Lounge at the Soekarno-Hatta International airport in Jakarta (Also known as the Jet Loun&amp;hellip;</description>
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<![CDATA[
<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Jakarta-travel-guide-864113">Jakarta, Indonesia</a>, Nov 10, 2009</p>
<p>
I would be remiss if I failed to do a review on the Cockpit Lounge at the Soekarno-Hatta International airport in Jakarta (Also known as the Jet Lounge Bar). Asri and I have been here 3 different times and spent several hours in the Cockpit. Our first visit was in July 2009 when my flight to Kuala Lumpur was delayed for 7 hours and she spent the entire evening keeping me company here. Our second visit was during our 3 hour layover to Bali in October 2009. And then on our return trip, as I was catching my flight to Taipei, we spent the afternoon in the Cockpit. 
The Cockpit lounge is part of the Jakarta Airport Hotel & Restaurant, but has its own little space with bar. From the main area of the arrivals/departures, you have to go upstairs to the hotel and then down the hall. There is a TV in the lounge, cushioned sofas and chairs, and large windows on each side to see the airport and incoming/outgoing jets. Of all the times we were there it was never too crowded, and most of the time we were alone. On the last visit we ordered food. The Cockpit is a nice, cozy place to hang out if you happen to be stuck at the airport! It also serves as a smoking lounge.
I might be somewhat bias in my review of this place, but the Cockpit holds a special place in my heart!!!</p>
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<title>Osaka  Sights &amp; TB Meet-Up!</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/58415/NYC-Tokyo-Rush-Asakusa-Festival-1</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:31:44 PST</pubDate>
<description>Saw Osaka Castle and its ground...
Hang out with the girls...
TB Meet up with the Osaka/Nagoya crew!</description>
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<![CDATA[
<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Osaka-travel-guide-1308577">Osaka, Japan</a>, Jul 16, 2009</p>
<p>
<P>Saw Osaka Castle and its ground...</P>
<P>Hang out with the girls...</P>
<P>TB Meet up with the Osaka/Nagoya crew!</P></p>
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<title>Coron Village Lodge</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/Coron-Village-Lodge-v280768</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:22:49 PST</pubDate>
<description>Back in coron after 5months.... well its just not a vacation for me
its also my way of celebrating my birthday outside Manila.. we stayed there for &amp;hellip;</description>
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<![CDATA[
<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Coron-travel-guide-878759">Coron, Philippines</a>, Nov 10, 2009</p>
<p>
Back in coron after 5months.... well its just not a vacation for me
its also my way of celebrating my birthday outside Manila.. we stayed there for 5 days and here's how the story goes!!

Friday - our first day " rest day " from office to the airport
we arrived in coron at around 3pm... bob shai, Bob rene, Bob Argel, Bob Henry and the rest of the Parokya welcomed us... we took our lunch and went to our room..
well its our 2nd time around so most of them knows the two of us very well.. we went to our room took a rest and went out around 7pm for dinner
we are on a 3day 2 nights package so our spare time was spent with the " Parokya ni bob " maybe you guys are wondering who "BOB" is..
its what they call one another... callname starts with bob 

Most of the rooms were renovated and they did some extensions at the dining area
they did 3 renovations in one year and they are planning to do more this coming 2010

When We went to Coron Last May and Bob onyo told us about a guy Named " WILLOT " they call him Bob Marley.. well at first you will think of him wearing dread locks but no he's not hahaha
the way he thinks about life is just like bob marley.. he's a Very down to earth person and he parties like a rock star.. Cool na Cool toh hehehe... He owns the place!!!
Everything turned out well on our first day... not knowing my Girlfriend is planning to surprise me on my birthday! hahaha...

When we were on our room and about to take a rest for our tour on the 2nd day.. we heard someone knocking on our door my reaction was who the hell is this guy knocking
well after knocking twice i knew it was him, our tour Guide "Bob Arnel" he was suprised and excited to meet us... he asked us if we are ready for our tour tom..
we told him hell yeah and he should be ready too!! hahaha

Ohhh i Forgot we are missing one Bob that Day " Bob Onyo is till not around on our first day and we are so worried that we might not see him on our second visit..
we are relieved when we saw him the next day...

We also met Bob Grace... you can see her on the bar with bob onyo they are the best bar tenders in village lodge 

And how will i forget about my pandesal partner!! Bob Bendoc!!! wehehe..

2nd day... first day of our tour package... "Coron Island tour"
Cap Jun is already wating for us we are all excited to meet him again. we requested him to be our boatman
its like remembering Team "Bob Arnel"
we lack one teammate bob Macmac is not around he was hospitalized the day before our tour " get well soon Bob "

Since we've been there already we just went to our favorite spots...
Banol is our first stop... Banol is always like a first time.. you will always admire its beauty...
2nd stop is my favorite.. "Kayangan Lake" Water is very calm and clear.. We borrowed the "balsa" and i was the one rowing for them its like an exercise for me
we went to the far ends of the kayangan lake.. we saw some small barracuda fish but they are harmless.. 
3rd stop is the Famous " Barracuda Lake " went free Diving "its good for the Lungs hehehe" I can only go upto 6 meters deep though..
We saw a fish called "cugtong" or Giant Lapu Lapu its scary and at same time exciting hehehe
4th stop is the maquinit hot spring hehehe it's not that hot anymore not unlike our first time
after the maquinit hot spring we went to visit our former teammate "bob Macmac " in the hospital.. he doin great and he is getting well..

3rd day " 2nd day tour " 
well im excited for this tour because we went to some different islands...
first stop is the Coral Garden.. its our 2nd time in this coral garden and we are amazed that it still look the same back when we where there last may
then we headed to Calumboyan island for our lunch we stayed there for 2 hours had some small chit chat with the bobs while drinking San Mig light
then the interesting part came in where we went to this island called "pass island" its famous for its "pawikan laying egg grounds" 
sand is so fine that you will feel like your stepping on a pillow with sand... 
then we went to our boatmans resthouse/island(Del-Rey Coral Garden). its a coral garden with beachfront and picnic hut.. this place rocks and its nice to do an overnight in this place!!
off to the lodge we arrived at 6pm took a shower and took our dinner...

4th day its mah " Birthday "
nothin much happened in the morning we just took a rest because at night we will party...
we started drinking around 4pm... "Willot , Rene and My Girlfriend(Joy) planned to surprise me... my Girlfriend bought me cake..
Willot gave me a shirt and a necklace... this night is special for me because it's my first time to celebrate my birthday w/out my Family
I was surprised that almost all of the parokya was there... i bought some mixed drinks which later on was ordered by a regular customer (In short i worked at the bar for 1x day hahaha You should try the "PAROKYA DRINK")
I was Granted the "The First Ever Highest Honor" for a Guest " Being a True Parokya ni Bob Member " i thought I was far from my family but later on I realized im gaining a new family in coron

im so thankful to for them by accepting us and treating us like their own.. specially bob Willot!! he never failed to amuse us with hi Backpaking trips!!  we also met bob Gino.. Gino is the Chef from manila!! he's from CSB
and later on we found out that we have a common friend (VJ).. Gino is cool and he cooks good burgers!! and Buffalo wings!! He also went to coron last january and never left the place
now he only visits manila for vacation *baliktad na!!* hehehe

Willot gave us a 21shot of Willots firecracker!! *whew* ika nga ni bob rene Burn baby burn!! hahaha we went to party at hard rock...
everyone is dancing and having fun... What a Birthday for me!! its best birthday i had outside manila!! thanks bobs!!

5th Day Off to Malcapuya... purest white sand in coron!!!
My Girlfriend joy, Bob Argel, Me and Cap juns adventure!! Ayus Din toh si Bob "Argel" Day off niyan hahaha

I went to the market to buy our food... i bought one whole Tulingan fish, Watermelon, seaweeds, salted egg and many more
we also bought what bob rene calls Parrot fish!!
all in all we have three fresh fish to grill... on our way to Malcapuya we bumped into some fishermen who our captain knew... they gave us three more fish to grill fresh from the sea!! 
all i said was WoW thanks alot guys!! if youre going to buy those fish in Boracay it will cost you 700 pesos each...
when we arrived in malcapuya i was amazed with the crytal clear water even if its 10-15feet deep imagine you will see the fishes without going under the water!
Place is cozy and theres only 2 of us plus jun,argel and the guards of the island... its like we rented the whole island for one day..
Malcapuya is definitely one of the best island you need to see when you're in coron.. 

on our way to the lodge all we are thinking about is that we are about to leave tom which is sad because we wanted to stay there for at least 3 days more but we cant because
we need to work!! Badtrip noh??

We had our dinner at ginos famous "Burgerlicious Burger house" Best Burger in town man!!! and went back to the Village Lodge Bar to drink with Bob Willot and the Parrokya
we decided to go to Hard Rock since its our last night... we felt sad but we need to enjoy the moment while we are still there...

We went home around 2:30am fixed our things and then we slept until 7am
Bob Willot ask someone to wake us up and we had coffee at the village lodge while reminiscing our trips and kalokohans...

They taught me some Cuyonon words and expression like " Abuh or Abeeh ".. and "pay" which means kumpadre!!

We left Coron at around 8:30 arrived the airport at 10am left for manila exactly 11am..
travel is always faster wen your on your way home because your not excited anymore...

Well thats our Vacation, Birthday weekend in Coron last Oct 23 - 28

I just noticed that some people didnt enjoy their stay in Village lodge..
Im just amazed because most of us did enjoy our stay at the village lodge.. maybe some of them didnt communicate with the locals very well
im not saying this because im a regular in Village Lodge 
thats an important thing to do when your not in your territory or place.. you need to interact with others.. those guys are kind, humble and nice to be with..
you just need to know them better...

I agree with willot its just a lodge not a hotel... whos doing their best not just trying... 
this is the best lodge in Coron.. i would rather stay here than get a hotel... smile at them and you will gain friends!! Promise

about the Package make sure that you clear things out with the manila office because the manila office makes the schedules and arrangements
dont blame the village lodge people once you're there... 

Enjoy your stay at the VILLAGE Lodge and we'll be back in Coron sa MAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRCCCCHHHH yeah!!!!

Kita kits mga bob!!! "Abeeeeehhhh" </p>
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<title>Relaxing day &amp; dinner in Stanley</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/63267/First-Glimpse-Hong-Kong-1</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:09:43 PST</pubDate>
<description>
Fish and meat marketTimes squaredim sum w/ toby, niko, jtreading on roofstanley dinnerrelax        
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Stanley-travel-guide-1324816">Stanley, Hong Kong</a>, Nov 10, 2009</p>
<p>

Fish and meat market<br>Times square<br>dim sum w/ toby, niko, jt<br>reading on roof<br>stanley dinner<br>relax<br><br>        
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<title>Pier 60</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/63373/touring-Old-School-Bill-1</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:00:47 PST</pubDate>
<description>We stopped in Clearwater and the beach was pretty dead.&amp;nbsp; Granted it was a Monday and the weather was not very nice.&amp;nbsp; We walked out along th&amp;hellip;</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Clearwater-Beach-travel-guide-20168">Clearwater Beach, Florida</a>, Nov 09, 2009</p>
<p>
<P>We stopped in Clearwater and the beach was pretty dead.&nbsp; Granted it was a Monday and the weather was not very nice.&nbsp; We walked out along the pier, but didn't make it to the end for two reasons.&nbsp; 1) it cost 50 cents to go to the end and 2) Jedd and I got distracted looking for a geocache.&nbsp; We ended up finding it, but mom helped us out by deciphering the clue.&nbsp;&nbsp; Mom pointed which direction the sun set and we realized we were looking on the wrong side of the pier.&nbsp; I was leaning on the railing while Jedd searched from below - turns out it was right under me!&nbsp; </P>
<P>We didn't stay long, because everyone had to get home.&nbsp; They had an 8 hour drive back to Atlanta and I had a plane to catch.&nbsp; We drove back to Tampa and ate one last family meal together at the Village&nbsp;Inn.&nbsp; I was pushing for a more local restaurant, but that was the concensus.&nbsp; The food was good, the company was good, but it was time to go.&nbsp;&nbsp;I was dropped off&nbsp;at the hotel&nbsp;to change and pick up my car and they took off.&nbsp; I had an hour to kill before I had to be at the airport, so I decided to go geocaching (of course!).</P>
<P>I really wanted to visit Upper Tampa Bay regional park, so I went there.&nbsp; But it took longer to get there than I thought, so I never quite made it.&nbsp; I had to turn around and come back :(&nbsp; I should have gone back to Davis Island to find those caches but I was hoping to see something new.&nbsp; Instead all I saw was a suburb of Tamps and no parks.&nbsp; Oh well.&nbsp; </P>
<P>Overall it was a fun trip, but too short.&nbsp; The weather was perfect for half of the trip and still nicer than back home for the rest of it.&nbsp; It was fun meeting Old School Bill, too.&nbsp; It was a welcome and needed long weekend.</P></p>
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<title>hitting the beach on the Gulf</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/63373/touring-Old-School-Bill-1</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:52:23 PST</pubDate>
<description>We drove over to the Gulf for a little beach action.&amp;nbsp; We were all excited to go swimming and lay out in the sun.&amp;nbsp; Thanks to Hurricane Ida, &amp;hellip;</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Indian-Rocks-Beach-travel-guide-20988">Indian Rocks Beach, Florida</a>, Nov 09, 2009</p>
<p>
<P>We drove over to the Gulf for a little beach action.&nbsp; We were all excited to go swimming and lay out in the sun.&nbsp; Thanks to Hurricane Ida, all we had was clouds, wind and big waves.&nbsp; Dad and I waded, but Jedd took off swimming.&nbsp; The water was cool at first, but you got used to it.&nbsp; We aren't that familiar with oceans, so we got splashed a few times and spent the morning in wet pants.&nbsp; But hey, it was warm and the wind dried the pants quickly.&nbsp; Who cares if your pants are wet?&nbsp; You're at the beach!&nbsp; </P>
<P>Jedd and I found a couple geocaches in the area and somehow he conned my dad into stopping for them.&nbsp; I have never been able to convince my dad to stop the car so I could find a geocache!&nbsp; </P>
<P>We stopped at Sand Key Beach next.&nbsp; My parents were here for a convention about 10 years ago and stayed at the hotel next to this beach.&nbsp; My dad would walk in the park in the morning, around a little pond.&nbsp; He wondered what he would do if he met an alligator, but he never did. We stopped for a geocache here and dad got in trouble for parking on the side of the road, so he was grumpy and wouldn't stop for anymore geocaches.&nbsp; </P></p>
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<title> Samar: Leyte&apos;s big little brother </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/49119/Leyte-home-1</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:52:06 PST</pubDate>
<description>
Samar is a big island, bigger than the more industrialized Leyte, in  fact it is the third largest island in the Philippines. The marked  differenc&amp;hellip;</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Samar-travel-guide-1294289">Samar, Philippines</a>, Nov 10, 2009</p>
<p>

Samar is a big island, bigger than the more industrialized Leyte, in  fact it is the third largest island in the Philippines. The marked  difference in urbanization is evident even in the most developed  municipality I've been to. While you may not be able to easily find the  usual conveniences, such as internet at almost every corner, you will  appreciate how much less spoiled Samar's environment is compared to  Leyte's. And that's the main thing I like about Samar. <br>  <br>  I've been to Samar several times, and since it is so big with many  municipalities, each municipality deserves its own journal entry. This  is going to be one long entry because I'm going to add any new town as  I go along hmmm... Anywho, I've been to Samar several times since my  early childhood. My mom taught in a barrio school in Basey for a few  months when I was only a year old, and we lived there the whole time.  My mom says I got terrible diarrhea from their drinking water, so  that's something I always remember when going to Samar: drink only  bottled water.<br>  <br>  I would recommend riding the biggest bus you can get on of. Samar is  best trodden on a vehicle which will spare you from the bumps and  gaping holes on many major roads esp. on the way to Catbalogan, I don't  know if they've fixed those roads just yet. I'd also recommend an open  vehicle i.e. non-air conditioned, hence lots of fresh air to help ward  off carsickness. <br><br>I'm planning to see more of Samar very soon and will be posting more...<br>      
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<title>Scavenger Hunt in Bangkok</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/51378/Bangkok-Thailand-1</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:48:37 PST</pubDate>
<description>
  The first activity we had on our first day in Bangkok was to explore the city. Our boss had prepared a little scavenger hunt for us to get famili&amp;hellip;</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Bangkok-travel-guide-632148">Bangkok, Thailand</a>, Mar 21, 2009</p>
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  The first activity we had on our first day in Bangkok was to explore the city. Our boss had prepared a little scavenger hunt for us to get familiar with a few things about Thai culture. Among the items we had to look for was a McD’s where Ronald is posed doing the Thai Wai. We found one right before the steps going up to the Chong Nonsi BTS station. The hunt instructions stated a few facts about what importance the item held in Thai culture - for instance for Ronald, i.e. the Wai is a greeting showing respect. There are three types of Wai - for equals/friends, for monks, and for the King.<br><br>Other items were stuff like: <br>Take a photo of the elephants at the Empire Tower building. The significance: the elephants facing all 4 directions, NSEW, and is placed as protection against bad spirits. The Empire Tower is a big office complex containing thousands of offices.<br><br>- <br><br>*to be continued*  
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<title>Bangkok - the Foodie Cloud 9!</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/51378/Bangkok-Thailand-1</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:47:58 PST</pubDate>
<description>
    My travel buddies and I arrived in Bangkok past midnight and we were all very excited about finally getting to eat authentic Thai street food. &amp;hellip;</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Bangkok-travel-guide-632148">Bangkok, Thailand</a>, Mar 22, 2009</p>
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    My travel buddies and I arrived in Bangkok past midnight and we were all very excited about finally getting to eat authentic Thai street food. Because it was late however, we ended up in one of the places still kicking with activity at that hour - Nana. I know, what a first stop. We got our Bha-mi (not sure how you spell it) in some obscure corner, it wasn't super awesome, but it was filling nonetheless. It left us craving for the better version though, and that was exactly what we got for breakfast the next day.<br><br>Throughout the rest of the week, I just got more and more amazed at how everything seems to taste better here - simple noodles, fruits, even cucumbers and cabbage! And everything is so cheap! Thai people just seem so much more creative and adventurous with food. Noodles as dessert, deep-frying and pickling spices... I'm sure going to miss these when I get home. I'm going to be here for a bit over a week more and I'll make sure to savor every meal :D<br>    
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<title>Packer-Bucs football game</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/63373/touring-Old-School-Bill-1</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:45:11 PST</pubDate>
<description>It is so bright and sunny in the morning that it wakes me up earlier than I would like.&amp;nbsp; I decided to head back to the Gandy Park and search for&amp;hellip;</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Tampa-travel-guide-22440">Tampa, Florida</a>, Nov 08, 2009</p>
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<P>It is so bright and sunny in the morning that it wakes me up earlier than I would like.&nbsp; I decided to head back to the Gandy Park and search for those geocaches I couldn't find when Bill and I were out there.&nbsp; My brother in law, Jedd, decided to come with me.&nbsp; The first one we looked for was a tiny 35mm film capsule.&nbsp; I poked my head in the trees and found it, but let Jedd discover it.&nbsp; From then on, he was hooked!&nbsp; We found a large ammo box under the boardwalk where you could read entries of people who found the container 4 years ago.&nbsp; We walked along the boardwalk and looked at the plants of the salt marsh.&nbsp; We saw 3 little crabs, but no alligators.&nbsp; We ended up finding all 4 caches in the park, just in time to go back and get ready for the big game.</P>
<P>My parents drove down from Wisconsin, I flew from Minnesota, and my sister and Jedd live in Atlanta - and we are all Packer fans!&nbsp; We put on our Packer shirts, filled the (mini) cooler with beer and ice and drove off to the game.&nbsp; We found a little parking lot across the street from the stadium, charging an outrageous parking fee, but there were few parking options.&nbsp; We saw a couple Packer tailgate parties, so we decided that would be a fun place to park.&nbsp; We piled out of the car, cracked open the beer and was warmly greeted by our fellow Packer fans.&nbsp; You can find Packer fans everywhere, and here was no exception.&nbsp; We saw about as many Packer fans as Bucs fans walking by.&nbsp; Since the cooler was small, we each had our two beers and then we were out, so we decided to head into the stadium.&nbsp; </P>
<P>It was a windy day, but warm and sunny - perfect.&nbsp; We collected our free Bucs t-shirts and I was excited to get a free shirt that I could wear for work ;)&nbsp; We had seats WAYYYYYYYYYY up high, but we could still see the field pretty well.&nbsp; What a fun stadium to watch a game in.&nbsp; There is a pirate ship on one end that blasts "cannon" shots whenever the Bucs score or do something good.&nbsp; There are orange flags lining the stadium than workers put up when the Bucs are in the red zone, or make a turnover.&nbsp; The pirate ship throws beads out to the crowd.&nbsp; The tv screens have a neat animation of Bucs and Packers pirate ships and of course the Packer ship gets sunk by the Bucs pirate ship.&nbsp; We could even see the water of Tampa Bay from our seats.&nbsp; Even though the Bucs were 0-7, they had a good turnout of fans.&nbsp; The game was great - until the 4th quarter.&nbsp; That's when then Packers decided to embarass themselves by handing the Bucs their first win.&nbsp; It was quite painful to watch at the end, but overall it was a TON of fun.&nbsp; </P>
<P>After the game, we were caught in traffic for about an hour, but eventually worked our way over to Cypress Point Park to watch the sunset.&nbsp; Except the clouds had been rolling in, so we didn't see much.&nbsp; Instead we found a couple geocaches ;)&nbsp; It started getting cloudy during the game and was super windy the whole time.&nbsp; Hurricane Ida was working its way up the Gulf, so that's why the weather started changing.</P>
<P>After the sunset, we drove around trying to find something to eat.&nbsp; We were actually debating whether to go to Ybor city, Davis island, or Waffle House.&nbsp; I just threw that out there for fun since only my dad and I wanted to go to Waffle House (we don't have those back home).&nbsp; We ended up in a familiar looking area and it turned out to be Old Hyde Park, where Bill drove me through yesterday.&nbsp; I mentioned a couple restaurants that were recommended by Bill and we ended up finding The Lime.&nbsp; We were worried we'd be underdressed anywhere else because we still had on our Packer gear.&nbsp; Turns out this was about the best place we could have stopped.&nbsp; It had a bar and grill atmosphere, with just about everyone wearing football jerseys.&nbsp; Four different games were playing on the tvs.&nbsp; We fit right in.&nbsp; We sat in a comfy booth, ordered happy hour beers and chips and dip.&nbsp; Everyone had delicious food.&nbsp; It was Cuban food and again, very delicious.&nbsp; Yum.</P>
<P>After dinner we went back to the hotel to drop off mom and dad with the intention of finding some night geocaches.&nbsp; But then we starting playing on the computer, watching tv, etc and got too tired to go back out.&nbsp; </P>
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