Hyggeventure

An open-ended adventure by Shai Read more

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Trip start
February 26, 2019
Hyggeventure Traveler
Exploring the local reserve.
February 27, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Booking a grap taxi route bound to central town, but rather negotiate for a one way drop of to the distant Masungi reserve.
Dropped of at the gate after 2 hours stuck in traffic, we are greeted with smiles and friends staff.
Our safety induction was lost in translation but in the lines of "follow your guide, keep your helmet on and stay on the path".
My expectations was high as I thought this tour will include some obstacles climbing or heart stoping trekking. But rather it was a change of gears, with beautiful landscapes and well maintained walkways, making for easy access.

Our lunch was well received with a iced towel, friend bananas and cinnamon dip, tuna sandwiches and delicious fruit juice.Read more
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New stop - Puerto Princesa
February 28, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Just a night stop.
Some cultural market with traditional dancing, henna tattoos and great local street food.
Awesome bbq by owner and "tour guide" big paul.
Cool hostel at the Sheebang hostel.
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Check in, El-Nido.
March 1, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
After a long and nauseating 8 hour drive. Finally solid ground El-Nido, Filipino paradise.
Long day but always time for a ocean swim and awesome sunset.
Check into hostel Tapik beach guesthouse.
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Nacpan, you beauty!
March 2, 2019 on the Philippines
First full day of exploring.
Hire some scooters, and hit the road.
First stop nacpan beach, early bird catches the worm - or rather open beautiful beach.
Nacpan beach is by far one of the most beautiful beaches I've seen. Pristine waters, awesome tanning beach, great activities and such a great beach bar.
Of to duli beach - not a big hype as nacpan and definitely less touristy. Supposedly to be the surfing beach, yet no waves. But still a great beach. (P.S. watch the beach dog, they will eat your food if you turn your back)Read more
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Island hopping day.
March 3, 2019 on the Philippines
Booked a boat tour for the el nido islands.

Our day included 4 stops starting with the Secret Lagoon, a secret world hidden in the jagged rock walls.
Continued on to Shimizu Island, a gorgeous beach with crystal-clear waters.
Fillowed by Seven Commandos Beach, lined with coconut trees and pure white sand. This is where we had our lunch of barbecue pork, chicken, and seafood, as well as vegetable salad and fresh fruits. Worked up a sweat by playing some beach volleyball.
After some scars and bruises, our last stop was the Big Lagoon. Here we rented kayaks and explored these amazing limestone mountains and cliffs.

Now what will a day be without some backflips and acrobatic dives.Read more
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Some city sightseeing
March 3, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
After a full day of snorkling, swimming and flips galore.
We head out to hit the town for some well deserved street food.
Upon discovery of this night market. Smells of BBQ meats and fish is hard to resist.
Trying out some stuffed squid, fresh fish and ofcause litro red horse beer.Read more
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Sunrise and Ferry day.
March 4, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ 🌙 23 °C
After hearing about a view point overlooking the whole of el nido by other travellers, we had to see this for ourselves.
By negotiating with our boat skipper from previous day, he had agreed to show us this so called dangerous but beautiful view point.

Meeting him 5am the morning, he had this grin and laughed while asking us if we're semi fit for what's about to come. Not thinking it could be that hard, we were handed gloves and proceeded walking through narrow zigzag passages, greeted by early morning foul stench of external toilets and leaky pipes.
Reaching the sumit of the limestone mountain in pitch darkness, we started our elevation before the sun breaks the horizon.
Jagged and loose rock edges, perspiration from everywhere and torn gloves was all worth it when we finally reached the peak.

In cases like these, photos can't capture the beauty and awe.Read more
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Welcome Coron
March 5, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Arriving by ferry.
Greeted by a crowed of eager taxi and tricycle drivers, we had to wrestle our way through to find a quiet spot to think, plan and order some food.

Checking into the mad monkey hostel, we could replenish with cold beers, refresh with cold showers and get ready to explore the town.
Booked another island hopping experience, let's get the snorkeling gear ready.

By booking the super ultimate tour package, we were able to visit and witness some amazing snorkling spots such as the Kayangan Lake, Siete Pecados Marine Park and the Twin Lagoons.Read more
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Road trip to Busuanga.
March 6, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Getting a scooter on!
Couple u and take an adventurous ride up the coast to destinations unknown.

Having to make a few pit stops along the way to stretch aching legs and glutes and ofcause some photos.

It's handy having small snack stalls along the way as cold water is an necessity.

After discovery of a private beach, we decided to investigate and cool down with a swim.

Back on the road and drive into a village called salvacion, where we met amazing locals, spectating some basketball and just soaking the moment.Read more
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Ocamocam beach
March 7, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
The discovery did not stop as we stumble upon this cute little village in ocamocam.

Riding a gravely road and then meeting a friendly local lady. She immediately adopted us by providing food, drink and accommodation for a price of cause.
Walking around, meeting and talking to the locals at ocamocam was so humbling as there's this different way they look at you. The feeling is hard to describe but rather a feeling to experience.Read more
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Black Island boat trip
March 7, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Our adopted island mother, organized us to visit a "secluded island" for white sands blue water experience. She even prepared us a take away picknick lunch.

An unexpected pricey expedition and noisy boat ride towards the black island. But yes this islands beach is as they say, although we thought that it was "secluded". Nonetheless, swimming in turquoise baby blue waters and sunbathing on white sands, was it worth it? uhmm maybe not after seeing some spectacular sights few days prior but had fun playing with the go pro.Read more
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Sunset at the beach villa
March 7, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Named the sunset villa, it's no surprise as colours of orange, yellows and reds stream across the blue horizon shaded by palm tree's.

Walking along the beach and up a nearby hill barefoot was no joke as sharp and rocky walkways made the climb very memorable for obvious ouchy reasons.

Stumbling to the peak to find that ideal spot for instagram pic, we had a selection of sunset views overlooking the sea to the left or rice fields to the right.

On way down, I was praying for a zipline but had to man up. Luckily a hammock with perfect view supplied much needed relief.Read more
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Cebu cebu cebu
March 9, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Flight in from Busuanga, get a grab. Please stop for food mr driver!
Who knew, but our grab driver is a tour guide too. Guess this will be quite common in the philippines.
So after food, deliberation and more food. We will take our drivers offer and see him 4am for tour day.

4am - not a happy camper with minimal sleep. Spent the night sightseeing cebu town, night market with amazing foods, drinks, ice creams, jewelry and nightlife.
On-route, moalboal.

Not what we expected, but still great fun.
From induction, to negotiate price of tour boat, to snorkel sight, scenic snorkeling, loosing some bracelets, to finding turtles. Now this was the peak of tour as these ancient creatures are just amazing. Our guide can hold his breath feels like 5 minutes, so he gets to dive with the go pro. Swimming with these beauties was too good and worth it.

Off to the near shore, where a school of sardines was spotted. Jump overboard into the school of piranhas, I mean sardines.

Next stop kawasan falls. This was amazing to see, with powerade blue waters and just scenic sights. Pitty it was so overcrowded with tourists.
Not planned but doing it anyway, canyoning. Saw cheaper locals offering the service so would rather support them than agency.
Jumping down some awesome swings and drops was just topping the day.

As we thought it could not get better, we approached with caution a doughnut vendor. Let's just say we had no more money left after.

Dropped of the girls as we split up to sleep over in oslob for next day, whaleshark diving.Read more
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Oslob - Whaleshark town
March 10, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ 🌙 23 °C
After spending a boring night in oslob town (not main city), me and my friend went for food and drinks at local restaurant.
Its was not bad and had live music for the attending 4 people.

Lucky prior to drop off, we stopped at a super market, where I bought snacks and drink. This came in handy as it was more fun and social at the hostel.

Waking up 4am once again, our hostel walked us over to a waiting area and our group was the 1st to go into the water.
Still being dark, we asked to wait till sun break horiy so it would make for better vision in the water.

We had a discussion within the group of who dives in first or how far do we think they'll take us to swim or like does these great animal really not eat people.

Our boat guide called, aaaand just rowed like 500m off shore, we all just dove in - every man for themself.
Some got nervous as these enormous teddy bears came closer and decided to get back on boat. While myself stayed and dove deeper to get the full experience.

I think im a big guy, but they made me feel so small and this was just an amazing feeling.

Getting back to shore, we all had a foul smell of rotten fish, as they feed the sharks to draw them closer for the tourists. Not ideal but my favorite experience.

After some cleaning up, we met again for breakfast. Pancakes galore as everyone ordered the same dish.

Well we're off to the ferry to catch up with our other travelling friends on siquijor island.Read more
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Quick stop, siquijor
March 10, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Just a quick stop on this island for quick.explore, quick swim and just sightseeing.

Got to island with farry and rented scooters on mission to find the girls.

Got a map and headed off. Discovering few nice ocean view points but soon realy, we have gone the wrong way.
So at moment we are travelling away from where the nice places are.

No matter as we just carry on and by some miracle, we drove past the girls. Turned around and try to catch up with them.

Meeting up at a beach point, we took a cool down swim and just relaxing on the beach before heading back to catch our farry out.

Sorry siquijor, we will return to explore you properly.
Till next timeRead more
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Home for the night or two
March 11, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
After day of scooter sightseeing, we accidentally saw this place - went for food, but decided to stay a night or two. Very awesome surroundings, on the river and great food. Cute dorm next to the Loboc river.
Check in Nuts Huts.Read more
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Man made forest
March 11, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
After check in at the nuts huts, we droped our bags and hit the road.
Whilst driving, we came across this enormous dense green forest. Upon inspection, we found out that this was infact the man made forest where 1000s of trees was planted and now fully grown creating shades patches and streams of sunlight.

We could not help but pull over for some stunts and dodging traffic.

All these acrobatic moves come with a rice as we now need to beat sunset and find some food.

At a pub along the loboc river, we find beer, pho soup and sunset.Read more
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Big eyes tarsier
March 12, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
New day, new adventures.
We make our way up north towards the tarsier sanctuary where these big eyed cuddly monkey like creatures are hiding from all the tourists.

We were lucky to sot some as our guide knew where they could be hiding.Read more
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Give me some chocolate!
March 12, 2019 on the Philippines ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Back on the scooters as this os our normal mode of transport.

Its also the best way to discover as can stop when want and where want.

So checking in at summit of chocolate hills, we find it very touristy and overcrowded.
So we plan to sneak and drive around to locate our own hill for viewing.

Not succeeding as planned, we head back, pay the entry and make our way up past the crowds to see if we can actually find a private spot for photos.

By following the crowd, we now have opportunities to view and admire these chocolate shaped hills.

I was told that the name comes from, when its dry season, they go brown and looks similar to Hershey's chocolate kisses.Read more
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New city, new adventures.
March 14, 2019 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 35 °C
Landing at Malaysia late night.
We were left with getting a grab to our hostel to drop our bags followed by food hunting.

Staying at the agosto guesthouse, we were nearby to chinatown.
Chinatown at night is just a sight, with Chinese lanterns, smells of bbq food and lots of interesting characters.

Finally settling for bbq claypot. We shared a large pot of fried rice with chicken, fried veggies and Chinese soups.

This was really good food and would recommend the claypot anyday.

Total blackout in our hostel rooms, we only woke at midday. Being on a sabbatical is such hard work to sleep until midday.Read more
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Kuala Lumpur
March 15, 2019 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
After a late morning and over coffee and brunch, we booked a grab to take us to the Batu caves for temple exploration.

Our first free activity as backpackers, we were amazed at the vibrant colours and amazing architecture. But what is a attraction without the crowds.

Next stop Thean Hou chinese temple.
As expected dragons, lanterns, architecture, and vibrant colour galore, This temple has it all. Really awesome pitstop for the instagram pics.Read more
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Some more KL
March 16, 2019 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Time to hit the town for city sightseeing.
Kuala Lumpur or just KL, has lot's to offer so first stop, little india.
Buzzing indian market's, smells of spices and flowers, samoosa's and street food and shy but friendly people. Little india was just great for the casual shopping and food tasting.

Invited to a local indian restaurant, we decide to try out some curry and naan.
Indian people just know how to mix spices. Dipping naan in the curry souses, awesome combination of flavours and that little burn sensation.

Filled bellies, were of to some more city sightseeing. And whats the best way from a higher vantage point.
Sneaking into a hotel with a rooftop bar, we ordered some drinks, sat around the inhouse pool and just waited for the perfect sunset.

Admiring the Petronus buildings, we need to get pics up close.

Being a trend now, crowds crowds crowds. Snapping pics and disco flashes from left to right.Read more
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Siem Reap - Floating village
March 18, 2019 in Cambodia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Not a comfortable flight but landed in Cambodia, Siem Reap.

Time to get a grab and check into our hostel

Check in time is only 2pm so time for breakfast.
Walking around Siem Reap, we find a variety of food stalls, restaurants and a lot of westernized areas.

Settling for a eggs benedict, not the best I've had, but fills the gap.

Renting a tricycle named the batmobile.
We venture to the floating village of Kampong Phluk.

Paying tourists prices once again, We head to our boat.

It's hard to imagine how these people live sufficiently and in harmony the way they do.
We all should be humble for our blessings.

Our Bruce Wayne, takes us to the angkor ticket office so we can have a early morning start.

Once dropped off in the famous pub street, we try to experience the street culture - from fish cleaning your feet, to random weed deals, and rolled ice cream to eating fried insects and curried frog.Read more
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Angkor wat sunrise
March 19, 2019 in Cambodia ⋅ 🌙 24 °C
Early morning for Siem Reaps most famous sunrise - Angkor wat.

Met with influx of tourists. We had to maneuver our way to the front for better view at the sunrise and reflection in the water.

Trying to skip ahead of the pack, we make our way to the east gate - opposite the traffic and suggested walking path.

Spending a couple of hours at the famous temple, we head to Angkor thom for some more architecture and photographers left, right and centre.

Now the temple used in the movie thomb raider.

And lastly, byon temple.
This was my fav temple with its own characteristics and theme but yes hard to enjoy and appreciate the moment when have 100s people on same spot.Read more
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The Killing Fields
March 20, 2019 in Cambodia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Hard to imagine the horror and difficulties that happened in Cambodia in the 70s.

Pol Pot, triumph over the French and Americans, but yet disastrous towards his own people.

The Cambodian genocide killing fields are a number of sites where collectively more than a million people were killed and buried by the Khmer Rouge regime under ruling of Pol Pot.
Under order, they arrested and eventually executed almost everyone suspected of connections with the former government or with foreign governments, as well as professionals and intellectuals.
The judicial process for minor or political crimes, began with a warning. People receiving more than two warnings were sent for "re-education", which meant near-certain death by torture. The executed were buried in mass graves in order to save ammunition, the executions were often carried out using poison, spades or sharpened bamboo sticks.
Hard to think that a country can endure such dark times and yet ive not met an Cambodian without a smile on their face.
A lesson for all, no matter your circumstances, life is worth living and cannot be taken for granted.Read more
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