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SE Asia 2024
  • Nancy and Doug Trips
  • Nancy and Doug Trips

SE Asia 2024

Our DIY tour of this fascinating region introduced us to many cultures, diverse traditions and interesting, mostly delicious, foods. We visited Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Philippines. Weiterlesen
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  • Nancy and Doug TripsSE Asia 2024Reisender

    Spectra Light Show

    25. April 2024 in Singapur ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    At the end of our first full day in Singapore, we took in the 15 minute light show at the Event Plaza outside the high end Marina Bay Sands shopping area. This runs a couple of times each night with fountains and laser projected images on the water mist. We both agreed that Disney Surpasses this show but given the cost it should be! (no cost here).Weiterlesen

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    Peranakan Terraces

    26. April 2024 in Singapur ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Off to a latish start being somewhat over tired the day before, with balancing our “agenda” with rapidly rising temperatures (the Weather Network reporting a heat wave and to stay inside to avoid heat related illness). A bus ride with some excellent views of the development along the eastern waterfront and through an upscale residential street along Mountbatten to the Joo Chiat area named after Chew Joo Chiat, a wealthy Chinese landowner in the early 20th century. We walked the main streets noting the evolution in architectural style of the shophouses. Most were colourful two-storey shophouses and terrace houses with ornate facades, intricate motifs and ceramic tiles. Having been to Penang where such restoration has not yet taken place, one can appreciate the economic activity that has permitted Singapore to modernize while preserving the architecture.Weiterlesen

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    Kampong Glam

    26. April 2024 in Singapur ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C

    Historically one of Singapore’s oldest urban quarters, The word ‘kampong’ means "compound" in Malay, while 'gelam' refers to the long-leaved paperbark tree, commonly found in the area and used for boat-making, medicine and even as a seasoning for food. Neighbourhoods, such as where we stayed in Yogygakarta are often marked by an archway with "Kampong X" inscribed on it as you enter the maze of attached bungalows connected by narrow alleyways.

    The district has a history that dates back to Singapore’s colonial era, when Sir Stamford Raffles allocated the area to the Malay, Arab and Bugis communities. The golden dome of the majestic Sultan Mosque is the main landmark around which the streets and alleys are located. Built in 1824 by Sultan Hussein Shah, this place of worship is one of Singapore’s most prominent religious buildings.

    The Arab neighbourhood is now touristic, Doug noted the the stores reminiscent of his trip to the Middle East but more tidy, certainly lots of textile and carpet shops but otherwise largely restaurants and souvenir shops. No inexpensive Shawarma to be found and we fell for a Google highly rated cute looking restaurant with poor food and service and a high price tag; you can’t get ‘em right all the time!    Weiterlesen

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    Asian Civilizations Museum

    26. April 2024 in Singapur ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C

    We took the bus across Esplanade bridge and past The Fullerton Hotel and Merlion to the Museum where we cooled off for the afternoon. We recognized many things that are now familiar.

    With its mix of races and cultures, Singapore has earned a reputation for being the cultural melting pot of Asia, and this is showcased at the Asian Civilizations Museum. The ACM is the only museum in the region devoted to exploring the artistic heritage of Asia, especially the ancestral cultures of Singaporeans. Founded in 1993, and in its present building by the Singapore River since 2003. The galleries include the Trade and the Exchange of Ideas gallery including the Tang Shipwreck discovered in 1998 with 70,000 ceramics mass-produced in China about 800 CE bound for Arabia. Highlighted are Singapore’s history as an emporium for global trade, the Ancient Religions Gallery and the Scholar in Chinese Culture Gallery. There were many absolutely gorgeous pieces of art and ceramics on display.

    We agreed that we had now had our fill of museums and followed the redeveloped river front to Clarkes Quay and enjoyed chili, onion rings and shrimp tacos at a quayside American chain restaurant. This previous shipping and industrial area is now a vibrant tourist and nightclub area.    Weiterlesen

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    Gardens By The Bay

    27. April 2024 in Singapur ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Took the MRT to Bayfront Station for a full day at the Gardens which was one of the highlights of our visit to Singapore. Doug recalls 18 years ago, nothing was in this area but scrub and swamp. It is now developed at a cost of over a billion USD into a 54 hectare garden area with artificial Supertrees with a walk way the height of a forest canopy. Entry into the gardens are free, you pay for the observation area, walk and entry into the flower and rainforest domes. We decided to do the rainforest dome (the largest climate controlled plant showcase in the world) and it was spectacular - pictures do not capture the amazing technology and collection of plants.

    We enjoyed curry and Chan's famous BBQ chicken at the Jurassic themed indoor Hawker food court, walked over to the high end shopping mall and dropped into the lobby of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel (2,600 rooms in 3 towers with a 4th on the way at about 1,000 CDN+/room/per night). Doug noted with interest that non Singaporeans entry into the Casino is free, locals pay $150; we assume to discourage over indulging.

    We then took a Grab to the legendary Raffles Hotel to seek our Singapore Slings at the Long Bar. Seeing the Raffles colonial grounds was the highlight, the bar having undergone a renovation where there are now token electrically operated rattan fans on the ceiling took away from the imagined charm although we did appreciate the aircon! We noted one should try to go "off hours", perhaps 2 or 3 pm, as the Happy Hour line up was very long and hot looking.    Weiterlesen

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsSE Asia 2024Reisender
    Tekka Centre - Hawkers and shopping
    Excellent curry

    Little India

    27. April 2024 in Singapur ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    After a cool down in our room, we made it to the last of three ethnic areas. Singapore's Little India is easily the most atmospheric and authentically local neighborhood of all those we visited. Had a very nice and authentic dinner at a Northern India restaurant Jaggis, lining up with the locals at the cafeteria like table to request our dishes.Weiterlesen

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    Four Days in Singapore

    28. April 2024 in Singapur ⋅ 🌩️ 31 °C

    MUSINGS ON SINGAPORE
    A must see, unique, technologically advanced and futuristic city! The leader of this country for fifty years seems to have been a “benevolent dictator” to get so many things done. Of note, it is documented in the biography that Nancy started to read that he donated $12 million of his money to help set up 2nd language schools to help preserve and promote Mandarin (giving some indication as to how much money he built up over time). We’ve been able to see the multiple HBC (low income) houses, no street people, feeling safe, extremely clean environment and witnessed lux public transport and organized green spaces. Amazing to think we saw a Kingfisher Bluebird fly on to one of the high-tech trees at Garden’s By the Bay. We have tuned into the Asian News network and there seems to be a lot of momentum towards solving the plastic problem, green technology and attention to promoting the physical and mental health of people (eg if you reach the desired step count on the government program app, you get paid back in credits to buying healthy food!). We both felt much inspiration and hope to be found in this financially rich country that has optimized its special position as hub in East West shipping. Some would be critical of the over regulation and forced change and there is no doubt loss involved in the move to skyscapper vs kampong living. We found that people are not as genuinely warm, but very helpful, perhaps a reflection of a large city with "rules". We would stay in the Bencoolen area again as it was very convenient with the MRT at our doorsteps. Similar to the last locations, coffee and breakfast could open earlier for us, so something on site would be preferable to get going given that it is almost always hot and humid here.Weiterlesen

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    Changi Terminal 4
    Changi Terminal 4 DeparturesAtrium of The Jewel Shopping MallWhat are they spraying for?

    Travel to The Philippines

    28. April 2024 in Singapur ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    As our flight for Manila did not leave until 5 pm and Nancy was keen to see “Jewel” the part of the airport that has a huge water funnel/waterfall. This is a 300 store shopping/restaurant complex attached to Terminal 1 . It is fantastic if one has an overnight layover and no time to visit the rainforest dome at Gardens by the Bay. Since we had done that, the fact that it was otherwise a rather humid mega shopping mall on a Sunday made this a less than ideal stop for us, especially Doug who hates shopping (when it has no purpose as traveling carry-on means you can't buy anything!) It takes quite a bit of time getting from Terminal 1 to 2 where you catch a bus to Terminal 4. Terminal 4 was quiet, modern, carpeted, with calm music playing and comfy chairs, no need for the Plaza Lounge. We got a bite and the time passed quickly.

    On to our last stop: Manila and El Nido, the main city of the Palawan Islands where Flower Island Resort is located. The Philippines, along with all of SE Asia, is in a heat wave, and we suspect no air con on “Gilligan’s Island”. No touring planned, we hope there will be ocean breezes, a beach and fan in our accommodation will keep us cool for our six nights of resting up before our 40 hour travel time back to Canada (Toronto for a visit).

    The flight with Jetstar was good with the extra space of the exit row.. A rather strange thing happened when the flight attendant came down the aisle with an aerosol can to spray the cabin "as recommended by the World Health Organization."    Weiterlesen

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsSE Asia 2024Reisender
    1Shade umbrellas gratefully accepted for boardingBoarding for our second leg of the tripPick up by van at Nido Airport for third legFinal leg of the trip over1Check in complete, down rhe 'hall' to our roomFrom our cottage veranda on first night

    Arrival at Flower (Gilligan's) Island

    29. April 2024 auf den Philippinen ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    After a good nights sleep and excellent buffet breakfast at the Manila Belmont Hotel which was connected to our arrival terminal, we took a Grab to the quaint old Domestic Terminal 4. We took a turboprop on very friendly Air Swift to El Nido airport, which is very small, manual baggage unloading. The resort arranged transportation by car and then a speed boat to Flower Island Resort, taking two hours total. Suddenly, we were met by staff, given a shell necklace, and joined a group of 5 other guests. A big bonus is that our bungalow actually has air con! There are no electrical plugs or internet connection other than the dining room and the bar, and it went down at times, so we are relatively remote. The resort in general seems very authentic and well maintained, operating for 30 years, 21 units on an uncrowded property on the ocean. Palawan is the least inhabited area of the Philippines, contrasting with Manila, which is the most densely populated city in the world.Weiterlesen

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    Cleaning cages at seaX-rayRemoving for cleaningTough work cleaning oystersOyster shell cleaningCleaned oystersOysters in the "ICU" recovering from cleaning the outside shells of competitive seaplantsImplantation of a small smooth bead made from a mussel shell and the mantle of a "mother oyster"After five years, another procedure to remove the pearlFruit bats

    Pearl Farm

    2. Mai 2024 auf den Philippinen ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    We spent a day relaxing, then booked this tour from the Resort. From reading a book left in our room, we have pieced together the story of what seems to be a rather unique place. Jewelmer is a "fully vertically integrated company involved in cultivation, design, manufacturing and distribution of pearls". It was was cofounded in 1979 by a French sea captain and aviation pilot Jacques Branellec and Manuel Cojangco (whose family owns the Philippine beer San Miguel). They have the rights to use 8,000 hectares of ocean including Flower Island, the next one and the one that the pearl farm is located on. The area is essentially a nature reserve as pearls require a very clean water environment. We took a 20 minute boat ride over to see the farm and oyster "hatchery" which supplies the other 3 farms with baby oysters via helicopter. There are 266 employees living on site. Fresh water comes by pipeline from an adjacent island into a filtration system which supplies the Pearl Farm as well as Flower Island with potable water. The marine biologist explained growing baby oysters to South Seas golden pearl takes 377 steps and five years! Jewelmer only uses 2% of its pearl production in its brand of jewelry aimed at the "high end luxury market" and the rest is wholesaled off. A strand of pearls on display retailed at $30,000 USD. Additional inhabitants of the island were large fruit bats which were hanging in the mangrove trees nearby.Weiterlesen

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    Our favorite hang out spot.
    Restaurant areaInfinity poolSidewalk up to the tower.View from tower over the beach.Typical outrigger boat for stability in the waves.Modest homes Palawan Island.Cobblestone on concrete walk around the island.Beachfront.Our Manila hotel

    Flower Island Resort

    4. Mai 2024 auf den Philippinen ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    We stayed six nights, at this "off the beaten track" resort. On site there is a nice infinity pool, bar, restaurant, palapas, beach, snorkeling equipment and kayaks. We had a quiet, relaxing time overall; it took a day to adjust to slowing down. Slept well, enjoyed our bungalow. No Mosquitos! (end of dry season and with the hot temperatures the land, creek beds and vegetation were visibly dry). Staff were all friendly and hardworking. Breakfast buffet was included and it was $23 USD for lunch and dinner buffets. Overall food was good except for the chicken (tough), local and there was seafood most nights. We did find it too much to have a buffet three times a day and would have liked to see more a la carte options for lunch than pizza and clubhouse. We walked the 45 minute cobble path around the island and took the "sidewalk" up to the tower for impressive 360 degree views, seeing a native four foot monitor lizard along the way.

    We said goodbye to the wonderful staff at Flower Island Resort and got the customary send off, they move the bar speaker down to the beach, pump up the volume and do a good bye dance as we pull away. The "boys" work hard on the island; balancing heavy loads such as suitcases and large water dispenser bottles on their shoulder while negotiating the slope of the boat ladder into the water depending on the height of the tide and then walking up the slope of the beach to the resort. The waves were pretty high getting to Palawan Island and then we had the 45 minute drive to get to El Nido, stopping briefly at a craft store along the way. We headed to Manila for two days on the way home.

    The flight to. Manila delayed due to wind - our first delayed flight since the WestJet at the start, and on arrival our bags did not make it as it was fully booked and we noted some suitcases were quite large (likely filled with dive equipment). Grab to our hotel just inside the old Spanish walls (Intramuros area) and we had a nice dinner at the restaurant. Luggage caught up with us just after midnight.    Weiterlesen

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    Manila - Intramuros and shopping

    6. Mai 2024 auf den Philippinen ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C

    The next day Doug walked around Intramuros seeing the typical tourist sites. Intramuros, or the ‘Walled City’, is one of the oldest districts of Manila, built around 1571 by the Spaniards – and is bound on all sides by moats and thick, high walls, with some over 6 meters high. Only the elite Spaniards and Mestizos were allowed accommodations in Intramuros. Intramuros repelled numerous attacks throughout history as the Dutch, the Portuguese and the Chinese all failed. During World War II, Intramuros was used as a garrison and prison facility by the Japanese, but Allied bombings resulted in it, and other parts of Manila, being severely damaged.

    Today, there is a mix of historic monuments such as the Cathedral and Fort, many lovely colonial buildings and lively local residential and market streets. Pedestrians, cars, motorcycles, and rickshaws and horse and buggies for the tourists all crowd the streets and lanes. Also dropped in on a small exhibit on the Filipino diaspora.

    During the day, Nancy spent time picking up a few things at a local antique, art and craft store called Silahis which was very good.

    In the afternoon we went to the SM Mall of Asia which is huge and Nancy bought a new gym bag to bring home her purchases.    Weiterlesen

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    Bulul replicasPlastic bottle sculpture

    National Museum of Anthropology

    7. Mai 2024 auf den Philippinen ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    On the morning of the day of departure we both took in the (free) National Museum and of particular interest was an explanation of Neolithic pottery making and tools as well as an excellent film and area devoted to rice cultivation. The galleries on textile making and basket weaving were among the most educational and comprehensive we had seen on these topics.Weiterlesen

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    Leaving The Philippines - Homeward Bound

    7.–13. Mai 2024 auf den Philippinen ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    After the morning visit to the museum, we had a final drink on the rooftop bar after a late check out as our plane does not leave until almost midnight to Tokyo; the first leg of a two and a half day trek back to Toronto via LA and Chicago.

    MUSINGS ON PHILIPPINES AND MANILA
    We found the Philippine people very respectful and pleasant. We were warned that Manila was not a big tourist draw and that walking around our area was not advisable after dark. Security checks at museums, the mall (the guards at the entrance carry guns, ask you to open your bag; no doubt this show is basically to keep certain individuals out). We know there is significant poverty here and the common folk on Palawan are living very modestly but we did not get exposed to much of it during our short stay in the tourist centre. City or country we are hoping the heat wave ends soon (highs in the mid 40s) and rain comes as it must be so hard on those who can not escape the heat.    Weiterlesen

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    The End

    9.–14. Mai 2024 in Kanada ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    58 hours (and apparently 13,200 km) after leaving our hotel, here we are at Claire's. Our overnight flight from Manila to Tokyo Haneda was uneventful, but sleepless, so we decided the 12 hour layover was best used by checking into the HND hotel for a sleep. A long flight to LAX, another long layover and a delayed arrival into Chicago left us happy to get into the hotel for another night before the last leg of our South East Asia trek.Weiterlesen

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    Ende der Reise
    8. Mai 2024