Philippine Travel Notes

Arrived ! And, I stealthily made my way out of that airport, while everyone was still busy with the arrival ceremonies. I knew where I was going, Bantayan. No no, not the island in Cebu heheh! Just a main (longest) thoroughfare of San Jose De Buenavista (SJDB). The arrangement was: to drop my bags at a hotel (I choose not to name it for now), because I was still very early, then come back at 12NN for check-in (overnight stay). Tricycles Fares Are Prominently Displayed It was even this hotel that taught me how to commute from the airport, via tricycle. I like cities that have transparent transportation fares, and that are strictly enforced. They're cities that seriously embrace honesty and fairness, that travelers love . Bawal ang nanlalamang na driver. That, is a mark of mature and progressive communities. There are not many of them in this country. I can even only remember Cauayan and Puerto Princesa. Now let's add San Jose De Buenavista, Antique. Worth emulating ...

Let's continue my walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City, aka Saigon. Immediately after lunch, we strolled to cross the road from Quan Ngon 138 (Ngon 138 Restaurant) to the Independence Palace (Dinh Độc Lập). For a location reference, you can look back at the lower left quadrant of the map in my previous post . This is an interesting place, not just the building and/or its physical surroundings but also the history of how it came to be and how it ceased to be. I was grateful I visited with a knowledgeable tour guide. You will notice, sa simula at sa ending ng story nila eh, aba me eksina ang Pilipinas! So keep reading! Like all that I saw earlier on this walking tour, this palace is a 'must see' for Saigon's visitors. This is it: K-pop ang bagets na yan. Natawa kami ng aking tour guide bakit ganyan ang tayo niya. Mahirap yan a! FYI, I didn't click to take his pic. Nainip na lang ako, antagal nya nakatayo, eh agawan mag-pose dyan! Ayos din di ba? Unique ang Gra...