More things to do in Taiwan

11. Visit temples

There are a lot of temples in Taiwan.  There are three major religions in Taiwan - Buddhism, Taoism and Confuscianism. 

12.  Admire the beauty of Shifen waterfal

Shifen waterfall is located in the Ping Xi District in the north eastern coast of Taiwan.  We went on a trip to this waterfall on a nort eastern coast tour through KKDAY voucher.

13. Visit the A Mei Teas House in Jiufen

A Mei tea house is one of the location shooting in the movie Hayao Miyazaki’s award-winning Spirited Away.   

14. Ride the see through floor gondola at Mao Kong

15.  Off the beaten path - Visit a cemetery and pray for the souls 

Things to do in Taiwan

Here is the continuation of our Taiwan family travel:

6.  Join the hisorical walking tour

Our first day in Taipei was concluded with a historical tour in the afternoon.  The walking tour Like it Formosa is a free walking tour conducted by Taiwanese volunteers on a tip basis.  We took the voucher from KLOOK  It was very informative and cheap way to budget travel in Taiwan.

7.  Get around the city by Taipei MRT (mass rapid transit)

This very efficient transport system is very easy to navigate though it might look complicated at first especially for tourists.  The Taipei MRT is a government operated mass transit that runs from Taipei to New Taipei.

8.  Eat at Modern Toilet Restaurant

Modern Toilet Restaurant as the name implies are all about toilets (does not smell good for a restaurant, ey?).  Well it is actually a restaurant that uses bathroom and toilet items as plates, serving tray, etc.  The restaurant is also designed with all bathrooms and toilets and, guess what? cute poops :)

9.  Visit the UNESCO heritage "Queen's head" in the north eastern coast

The Queen's head (Wanli) can be found in the Yehliu Geopark in the north eastern coast of Taiwan.  It is a rock formation formed by the waves hitting the rocks.  As  time goes by, the head is getting eroded, so a replica was made.  Visit this now or you might not be able to see the original rock formation anymore.




10.  Make a wish and fly a Ping Xi Lantern in Old Shifen street

This is a great experience of sending your wishes up, up and away.

Taiwan family travel

With another year of "visa on arrival" extension for Filipinos travelling to Taiwan, take this opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful countries in Asia.

Ilha Formosa which means beautiful island is Taiwan's Portuguese name.  Amongst the Asian countries that I have gone to so far, Taiwanese are the nicest of them all.  They are so courteous and even if some do not understand English, they do not shout out of stress unlike some Asian countries I have been to.  My family and I traveled to Taiwan in April 2019.   It was still cold then where the temperature ranged from 15 degrees to 20 degrees celsius.  We were not actually ready with this cold and rain when we were there.  Good thing we had  long sleeves, shawls and caps to cover us.  It was really cold.

What's good about travelling with teenagers, my son and my niece, is that these millenials are really good at directions. Yes because with the complexity of Taiwan's very efficient railway system, it would be hard for me as a no-life-direction human to navigate in Taiwan.  Thanks to my millenial son and niece.  

There are a lot of fun things to do in Taiwan as a family.  Here's what we have done during our Taiwan visit.

1. Rent a portable wifi

Before travelling to Taiwan, we bought a https://www.klook.com/wifi-sim-card/ portable wifi router for onlt 6 AED for four days.  This was the best thing as even in the east coast we were connected.  It can be picked up in the airport by just presenting the Klook voucher, passport and copy of credit card (security purpose only) to the Unite traveler counter in Taoyuan airport.  Return to the same counter.




2.  Check in to a budget local Hotel.

For this trip, we checked in to King Plaza Hotel.  Five of us were booked in a huge room with two large bathrooms.  We booked for three nights and four days for only 9000 PHP.

King Plaza Hotel:
3F No. 163 Nanjing W. Road, Datong District

3.  Visit a Catholic church - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Every time our family visits a country, we make sure that we hear mass in the local language or visit a church in that area.  When we arrived in Taipei, after checkin in, we went to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Shenxi Road, Taipei.  This is just walking distance from our hotel so it was easy to find through google map.

When a closed door literally opened by kind hearted church sisters especially for us awww so touched. Thanks sister Theresa Lee and friends. 

4. Lunch along NingXia night market area

Oyster omellete

Lunch around Ningxia night market

5.  Taste the local tea.

Taiwan is the origin of milk tea which almost all Filipinos are crazy about.  Never forget to try the best tea in the world.  It's all over Taiwan.

Oolong Tea

To be continued....

Things to do in Macau on a budget

My teenage son and I traveled one day ahead of the rest of our family to Macau.  We traveled at night via Cebu Pacific's budget fare to Macau International Aiport.  It is advisable to travel from the airport to the hotel via bus.  There are a lot of free buses and public buses from the airport.   But since the two of us were tired and wanted to reach the hotel, we took the taxi.  TIP:  Taxi drivers especially oldies do not know how to speak in English.  If you want to take the taxi, be prepared with a Chinese name of your hotel or ask the airpot information to explain it to the driver.

Here is our itinerary in Macau.

Day One or first night:

• Night flight to Macau via cebu pacific air
• Airport to Hou Kong Hotel (Check my hotel review https://theseandbeyond.blogspot.ae/2017/08/where-to-stay-in-hong-kong-and-macau-on.html).
• Check in to hotel.
• Get acquainted to the neighborhood.

Day 2:

• Break fast Portuguese bread
• Visit 100-year-old temple

• Barra
• Ama temple
• Take bus to Macau Convention Tower
• Macau tower glass walk
• Macau creations
• Sto. Domingo church
• Sto. Domingo museum
• Ruins of St. Paul.
• Snoopy shop
• Lover's lane  - Travessa da Paixao
• Macao museum
• Old walled city
• 3D
• Street food free tasting

Day 3:

• Breakfast at Mcdo
• Our lady of Penha
• ferry to hong kong

Where to stay in Hong Kong and Macau on a budget

We stayed in both Hong Kong and Macau during our family budget travel last June.  There were two budget hotels that we occupied.  This is my review.

1.  HOU KONG HOTEL   -  Macau

Website:  http://www.houkonghotel.com/

Address:  No.1 Travessa das Virtudes , Macau, Macau

Booked through:  Booking.com

Price for two days  188 AED  (400 HKD)

Staff:  One female staff knows a little English and always smiling but the rest seem distant and rude.

Deposit:  YES.  200 HKD whch will be given back after the stay and after surrendering the key.  DO NOT LOSE the receipt.

BED:  OKAY.  Firm to hard.  One pillow per bed in a comfort twin room.

TOILET:  Private toilet with free shampoo, soap and comb daily.

WIFI:  Strong even at top floor.

HOUESEKEEPING:  Very clean and orderly.  Cleans daily.  

NEIGHBORHOOD:  Near to all attractions and 24-hour shops and 7-11.

TIPS:
1.  Book the room away from the elevator.  It could be noisy at night if you stay near the elevator.  We stayed very fare from the elevator at the corner.
2.  Always be ready with Chinese translations of what you want to ask the receptionist.
3.  Staff may seem to be distant and rude but they are not, just shy maybe.


2.  Fortune Hotel - Hong Kong

Website:  http://fortune-hotel.hongkonghotelchina.com/en/

Address:  FLAT 24, 5/F, WING WAH BUILDING, 40P SHAN TUNG STREET, MONG KOK, HONG KONG, HONG KONG

Booked through:  https://www.airbnb.com/

Price for three days  8246 PHP  (1253.62 HKD)

Staff:  The owner is very nice.  She attends to every room daily.  Small but very clean.

BED:  OKAY.  Firm to hard.  One pillow per bed in a comfort family room.

TOILET:  Private toilet with free shampoo, soap and comb daily.

WIFI:  Strong even at top floor.

HOUESEKEEPING:  Very clean and orderly.  Cleans daily.  

NEIGHBORHOOD:  Near to all attractions in Mong Kok Area.  Very near the MTR and bus stops. ladies' market is just downstairs.  Sneaker's market is very near.

TIPS:
1.  The owner do not speak English.
2.  Google map is very handy.
3.  Take public transportation.

Family budget travel tips - Hong Kong and Macau

My last budget trip was in Hong Kong and Macau last June 2017.  The weather in Hong Kong and Macau during that time was sunny with a dash or rainfall (very little).  It was too hot.  Nevertheless, we still walked and rode public transportation which is by the way very efficient knowing that Hong Kong has millions of commuter daily.  Both Hong Kong and Macau attractions mostly are walkable if you are really on a tight budget.

I travelled with my family.  We were five - three adults and two teenagers.  I traveled with my son one day ahead from my sister's family.

First stop was Macau where we stayed for three days.  We took the 45-minute ferry ride to Hong Kong where we stayed another three days.  On our last day, we went back to Macau for our flight back home.

Here are few tips to remember when you are on a budget travel to Hong Kong and Macau.

1. KLOOK.  For discounted activities, attractions and things to do, buy tickets at Klook.com   I bought our disneyland tickets and meals (I really advise you to buy meal tickets at klook as it is too expensive inside disneyland), The peak tram tickets and Macau tower tickets.

2.  Book hotels at booking.com for cheaper deals.

3.  Use public transportation = buses, MTRs and ferries.

4.  Walk.   Most attractions can easily be reached on foot.

5.  Food? Go local.  It is always cheaper to eat local food and street foods than eating at  your well loved fast food chains like McDonald's or Burger King.  Our family meal at Burger King costs us 300 HKD while a big heaping family meal at a local restaurant with rice and bubble tea was only 200 HKD less.

6.  Airline.  PISO FARE from Cebu Pacific is always the best.


SO, that's a few tips for a family budget Hong Kong and Macau travel.

10 Travel Photo Challenge - Macau and Hong Kong 2017

I have been out of sight in my blog because I went home to the Philippines and traveled to Macau and Hong Kong.  Of course, it is a family budget travel once again ladies and gentlemen.  Before I share my family budget travel to Macau and Hong Kong, left me share with you my 10 travel photo challenge - Macau and Hong Kong 2017.  I always do the 10 photo challenge wherein in I list down 10 items to be photographed before i travel.

Find these on FB

1. Coffee

2. UNESCO/heritage sites

3. Local people

4. Food

5. Transportation

6. Market/shop

7. Architecture

8. Airport

9. Themed 

10. Street sign 

How I fell in love with Armenia?

How I fell in love with Armenia?  How will I not?  I fell in love with this beautiful Caucasian country the moment I laid my eyes on the snow-capped mountains while up on the plane before we descended to Zvarnots Airport.  So, how did I fall in love with Armenia?

1.  The people.  Oh how I love the Armenians.  From the taxi driver who fetched us from the airport, to the homestay family we so love and the random Armenians we met along the way.  There is something about the Armenians that you get to easily love them - warm welcome and hospitality.

2.  The food.  We ate only fresh and homemade/handmade by Mama Nvard from Homestay Yerevan.  This is my vacation that I did not eat processed food but did enjoy one "junk" food - the Lay's Bacon and BBQ pork flavor, oh sooo heavenly.  We had the chance to taste also beer, wine, apricot fizzy drinks, taragon juice and the Armenian tea and coffee.  I love the gata and lavash.

3.  Historic sites.   Armenia is rich in history and culture.  From pagan temples, to monastery and of course museums.  Seeing these structures and knowing their history really make me fall in love with Armenia.

4. Love of the cross and Jesus Christ.  Armenians used to be  pagans but in year 301, Armenia was the first country to become  Christians.  Their  love and passion for the cross is evidenced by the khachkar, the Armenian cross that can be found everywhere in Armenia.  When I came to Armenia, I was undergoing spiritual dryness but the moment I saw the shepherd in one of our trips up the mountains, I felt God telling me, it's all about Jesus, the shepherd.  Rest from all your burdens and negativities and rest on Jesus' love.  The Armenian's passion for the cross inspired me to better love the Lord despite of all the negativities around me.

5. Contentment.  The once Soviet ruled Armenia seems to have moved on slowly to the recent times.  If asked was life better during the Soviet rule, answer would vary depending on the age group.  The oldies would prefer being under the Soviet Union but the young and new generations would prefer to be independent Armenia.  What's important is they are content with what they have at present.

Armenia is LOVE!

How to budget travel to Armenia

Here is the breakdown of our budget travel to Armenia.  

• Air ticket

Whether you are backpacking or budget travelling, there are a lot of airlines that give lesser fare fee when the ticket is bought online months before.  In our case, i have checked the different airlines including Fly Dubai, Air Arabia and Armenian Airline.  Luckily, I have a cleartrip account and purchased an Air Arabia ticket for only 800 AED (Dubai-Yerevan and Yerevan-Dubai).  But six months before that, the fare was only 500 AED but we cannot decide because of leave issues at work

• Visa

Visa for Filipinos in Armenia can be taken upon arrival for only 3000 Armenian dram or about 27 dirhams for 10 days.  It is very easy to get Armenian visa from the airport.  Just remember to change dollars to Dram.  The immigration officers do not accept other currency except dram.  The exchange center inside the airport does not accept dirhams, only dollars or euros.  Always give them exact change or lesser amount at least 5000 drams or exact 3000 drams.  The officers will give you a "Russian eye" look if you give them 20,000 drams.

• Accommodation 

There a lot of accommodation booking sites online.  Always check the rating for these accommodations even for hotels.  For homestay and hostels, you can find on the following websites:

Air BNB

Booking.com

We had the best time in Homestay Yeravan.  The host family is very accommodating.  The food is great and the place is very near to the city center.  For only 372  dirhams for 5 days/4 nights with free abundant breakfast daily, what more can you ask  for?

The beautiful view from the balcony of Homestay Yerevan

• Things to do in Armenia for free or lesser budget

We love finding out things on our own, so we did not depend on any tours and beside, the tours are just too limited to know the country.  Before we left Dubai, i had planned our itinerary by the day.  Most if not all were fulfilled.  We only had 1000 dirhams as our pocket money and I am so proud to say that it was more than enough for all our DIY tours, food and even a 12,200-dram leather jacket on sale.

Another tip is to find other tourists to share taxi fees or transportation fees with you.  Luckily, we met several Filipinos who were travelling.  Some were on package but no tour included, so we asked then to join us in our plan.  They were so thankful that they joined us because what we had was more than a tour package.

Day 1:  Free walking tour (covered most of Yeravan) - we gave a tip of 10,000 drams and souvenir from Dubai.
           Dinner at Rossia Mall - Pork shawarma, fries and drinks - 3000 drams

Day 2:  Mountain tour                       80,000 drams for four persons
           Khor Virap
           Khor Virap cemetery
           Noravank
           Stone henge
           Tatev - Guinness book of world record

           Snacks and drinks                  1500 drams

           Dinner at Queen burger           2100 drams - three pork steak, fries and veggies

Day 3:  Churches, monastery and pagan temple             20,000 drams for four persons


      Etchmiadzin Cathedral 
      Roasted chicken dinner and half liter of beer each (street side) - 5500 drams for two

      Central Armenian Aposttolic Church where we found the first letter of our one true love :)
      Garni temple
      Geghard Monastery
      Vernissage market
      Republic square at night
      North ave
      Karabala statue
      Public market

                  
Day 4:  History tour                              15,000 for two persons

            Armenian alphabet monument
            Genocide museum
            Tsirani Restaurant complex       16,000 drams for three persons
            Mother Armenia
            Say cheese
            Sunset at Cascades
           
           Dinner at KFC                                   1450 drams for two persons


Day 5:  On our way to the airport           5000 drams

        The red piano inside the airport
        Airport sunrise

   

Cemetery

• Food

When budget travelling, do not eat in fancy restaurants.  We dared to eat local foods and most food in Armenia are handmade.  When on your feet, do not buy water from street kioks as it cost 300 drams for 500 ml mineral water.  There is a drinking fountain everywhere that you can drink free.  They said it is very clean and safe but since we do not want to take chances, we buy bottled water.  You can buy water, coffee and softdrinks from vendo machines also.  Water from vendo machine is only 150 drams but if you can go to SAS supermarket, a liter of water is only 200 drams, that saves you much.

Eat from small cafeterias and eateries.

Restaurants in North avenue is far more expensive compared to other branches out of North avenue.

There are a lot of fast food chains around Yerevan but there is no McDonald's and Starbucks.  You can find starbucks coffee for sale in SAS supermarket.

Buy the bread - puri, lavash, gata - they are very filling.

Remember to always eat your FREE breakfast from your accommodation.

• Friends

To lessen the burden for fees, be sociable.  There are other tourists who do not have plans and you can mutually both enjoy each other's company with a lesser budget.

New found friends

• Memories

Charge all your gadgets and get ready with a power bank.  Do not miss the memories.  You only travel once in a place and make the most out of it.

These are just few tips on how to budget travel to Armenia.  They may also be applicable to other places.  The most important thing in budget travelling is having fun with a little less budget.  Seize the moment for we you only live once.