UNESCO World Heritage: Melaka, Malaysia

UNESCO Bucketlist
[x] Melaka, Malaysia

How to get there:
From the city proper, my friend and I got on a taxi and headed to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan TBS. Our tickets were booked in advanced so we just had to show up at the station before 7AM. At first I thought we were going to be late, luckily the bus was still there.

Travel Time: ~2 Hours
Bus Ticket: 12 MYR
To book your tickets, visit www.tbsbts.com.my

Upon Arriving:
The bus will stop at Melaka Sentral and you have to take a taxi going to the main heritage site.

Travel Time: 10 - 15 minutes
Taxi Price: 20 MYR

Breakfast: 
After the taxi ride, the red structures start to become visible. I was already in a world heritage site. We went  to the information center first, and sadly it was closed. So we decided to eat breakfast at a famous restaurant. Or so we think because people are lining up. What's the fuzz about?

We ordered a whole chicken which costs around 35-40 MYR and the famous (woohoo!) chicken rice balls. The food was very very tasty! I am not a food fan and I don't experiment when it comes to food but since I was in a new place, I decided to try everything the city has to offer. And I have succeeded! (woohoo!)

Tour:
After eating, we got on our feet and started the walking guided tour I found online. I'm not sure how hot it was during that day, I may exaggerate a bit but it was freaking hot. Anyway, here are some photos from the trip.

Walking Tour: http://www.asiaexplorers.com/diy/malaccacolonial.htm

Lunch: 
Nancy Kitchen in Jonker Street
Told ya before I am not a fan of food so I let my friends do the hard decision - What dish to order? While they were deciding I was enjoying the air conditioner,  instragram-ing my photos and foursquare-ing the places I've been to. After a few minutes, the food arrived.

Tour:
What to do when you're in a new place? Explore explore and eat eat.  Since we were already in Jonker Street, we decided to eat the famous Cendol or the Halo-halo(Philippines Version) in Jonker 88. I was still full but what the hell! I'm in Malaysia! Foto, entrar!

Leaving:
Our ticket's return time is 7pm so we decided to head back to Melaka Sentral and took the taxi from the heritage site which also cost 20 MYR. I don't know what got into me, probably the hot hot weather and all the non-stop walking but I was hungry again so I bought myself a Mcdonalds meal.  Our return to the city took almost 3 hours because of heavy traffic but I didn't mind because I was sleeping the whole time. Haha!

In my opinion, Melaka is a good place to visit for a day trip. I couldn't see anything much to do than eat and take pictures of this awesome place. Make it a point to visit at least 10 famous attraction so your trip would be worth it like mine!:) However, if you are visiting Melaka in the future, make sure you gear up for the sun otherwise, you'll get a tan like I did. Terima Kasih, Melaka! Til next time!

Getting to Clark Airport

Because of my #epic2013 trips, I have been a regular visitor of Clark Airport or Diosdado Macapagal International Airport. Since a lot of people have questions about Clark's accessibility, I created this post to help others know more about the schedules.

From Manila, it takes 2 hours++ getting to Clark Airport by public transportation. By private transpo, it takes about 1.5 hours depending where you live. That's how long it is getting to and from Valenzuela.


Trinoma
There are a lot of options to get to Clark Airport. Recently, they opened a lounge in Trinoma that caters to travelers from the north (Super swerte ko lang. Commute Addict.). The bus fare costs only 200 pesos. There is also a place where you can relax and wait for the bus.

Trinoma -> Clark

3:30 AM

8:00 AM

2:45 PM

Clark -> Trinoma

7:00 AM

12:00 PM

6:30 PM

Megamall
Before they opened the lounge in Trinoma, I go to SM Megamall for the bus. They arrive on time so there's no need to be there early. The bus fare costs 450 pesos.

Megamall -> Clark

7:00 AM

9:00 AM

12:00 PM

3:00 PM

9:00 PM

Clark-> Megamall

11: 30 AM

12:30 AM

4:30 PM

8:30 PM

12:30 PM

Pasay Terminal
I haven't tried the Pasay terminal yet so I can't say much about it.
Pasay -> Clark
6: 30AM
8:30 AM
11:30AM
2:30 PM
8:30 PM

Clark-> Megamall
11: 30 AM
12:30 AM
4:30 PM
8:30 PM
12:30 PM

For more info, contact Philtranco at
(02) 8518078 -79 or 09182288831


 

H&M Stores in Hong Kong

With Hong Kong being the closest city from Manila, I find it right to share this. Taken from our dead travel blog (here)

Hello fashion lovers! Since the H&M franchise is taking too long in the Philippines, why not head to Hong Kong?  Drop by any of these H&M Stores NOW.

Hong Kong Side


H&M CityplazaMTR Taikoo StationOpening Hours:Mon - Thu : 10:30 AM - 10:00 PMFri - Sun : 10:30 AM - 10:30 PM

H&M Central68 Queen's Road CentralCentral, Hong KongOpening Hours:Mon - Sat : 10:30 AM - 10:00 PMSun : 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM


Kowloon Side


H&M Tsim Sha TsuiSilvercord, Tsim Tsa TsuiOpening Hours:Mon - Sun : 10:30 AM - 11:00 PM
H&M ElementsKowloon Station- Tsim Sha Tsui+852-21968391 Mon - Sun 10:30 AM - 10:00 PM
H&M Olympian CityOlympic Station- Tai Kok Tsui, KowloonOpening Hours:Mon - Sun : 10:30 AM - 10:00 PM
H&M Langham PlaceMong Kok Station- KowloonOpening Hours:Mon - Sun : 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
H&M Festival WAlkKowloon Tong Station- KowloonOpening HoursMon - Sun :  11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
H&M Plaza HollywoodDiamond Hill Station- KowloonOpening Hours:Mon - Sun : 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM


New Territories


H&M Metro City PlazaPo Lam Station- Tseung Kwan OOpening Hours:Mon - Sun : 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
H&M Megabox38 Wang Chiu Road- Kowloon BayOpening Hours:Mon - Sun : 10:30 AM - 10:30 PM
H&M New Town PlazaShop 457, Phase I- Sha TinOpening Hours:Mon - Sun : 10:30 AM - 10:30 PM
H&M TMT Plaza- Tuen Mun, N.T.Opening Hours:Mon - Sun : 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Baguio: The day before my Birthday

One more day and I'm 23! Wohoo. I love Birthdays! Anyway, since our friend left for Manila already, we had to commute our way to what was left of the itinerary. Luckily, the taxis in Baguio are big and were able to accommodate the 6 of us! We woke up at around 6 to 7 AM and took cold baths 'cause that's how we roll. Walang lamig lamig samin! Patigasan to! Hahaha! Seriously, hang lamig talaga.

We dedicated our last day for pasalubongs. And since I have no pasalubongs for my relatives in Manila, I knew I had to spend quite a lot during day 2. It started with the famous Cafe by the Ruins.  I won't discuss about the menu since I had a different post for that. :) I was wearing a dress and I had no jacket. Ako ata ung pinakamay maraming exposed na balat sa buong Baguio! Haha

#1 Cafe by the Ruins (Menu here)

Since tipid mode, our meal was already for Brunch. I knew we have a long day ahead so I ordered rice. Believe me, this was the last meal I had until I arrived at Manila. 

#2 Mines View Park

I couldn't recall how Mines View Park looked like the last time I went there. But it was freaking cold and kinailangan kong mag tiis-ganda sa outfit! Haha Balutin ang sarili sa scarf! Haha nonetheless, the view was amazing! It was so green and so peaceful. We also bought pasalubongs here - Sundot kulangot, bonnets, peanut brittle, lengua etc! 

#3 Good Shepherd 

About 5 mins from Mines View so we just walked. Upon arriving, of course we had to take jejepics. I think that's one activity we'll never stop doing. Here, I bought ube jams and strawberry jams and lengua for my sister and bro. 

Then we left for Manila. I didn't know how many stopovers we had but it took us at least 7 hours. Even though this was a short trip, it made me realize that when you have good company, nothing else matters. =)