Philippine Travel Notes

You may have noticed, I kept referring to my hotel in Phuket as HIE . That meant Holiday Inn Express in Patong Central, Phuket. Don't be confused I keep saying "HIE" at many places. I can explain that a bit. There are many HIE hotels everywhere. They're the 'express' version - meaning 'no frills but convenient and practical' kind of hotel service. Not luxurious, but mid-range priced. Best for us people on the go! HIE is an IHG hotel. Now what is IHG? That's the mother company "InterContinental Hotels Group" and it has a lot of hotel brands in its umbrella. Like in Phuket alone, aside from HIE, there is Indigo, Holiday Inn Resort, Intercon and Crowne Plaza. Why do I know that? Ah, I often stay with any of them abroad! Not that I am related to IHG in any capacity, nor am I here to advertise them. Hello, none of them even know me. But yes, I openly recommend this family of hotel brands, yet I am also the first one to holler if I exp

I can call this an interesting double surprise dinner - 1] I had a dinner mate (yes me kasama ako bigla); 2] there was Pinoy music (well, Pinoy musicians) indirectly serenading me during my 'al fresco' dinner! How did that happen? Here's the story.., Just as I was about to go down to find 'dinner anywhere', HIE frontdesk staff called to inform me that somebody was waiting for me at the lobby. Kinabahan ako ng konti dun ha? Si Insik Wakanga pala (na hindi Chinese national)! One of my tourmates during the daytour kanina, remember? Yes, yung nagpa-uto dun sa elephant safari extortion! He was staying at Hotel Indigo, just on the other corner from HIE! So ayun, for the first time in ages, I went to dinner 'not alone' hahaha! We both have tried the Loma Market food stalls , so we opted for any open-air restaurant on the road (Hatpatong) between our hotels. We found a Chinese restaurant at the ground level of Aspery Hotel. Nothing astounding, but sur

Phuket Island is not all sand and sea. There are a myriad of attractions inland, and even up the hills to satisfy the tourist who want more to do, buy or see. This is Thailand's biggest island in the first place! There are as many tour companies offering this-and-that tour for you to choose from - other than just island hopping . Many have desks at hotel lobbies. I availed the service of one at the HIE Patong lobby. I joined a tour with the 'Phuket Big Buddha' as highlight, though it passes by other 'interesting' sites of the southeastern uplands. I saw more of the good and bad of Phuket, thus, this tour was educational! First, a rolling tour from Patong to Karon Beach. No stopping, just sightseeing. This is Karon Circle . This is a snippet of Karon Beach . Others say it's better than Patong. Others say Kata is even better! Those are beach umbrellas and tents lined down at the beach - all colored blue! The highway (asphalt on cement), sidewalk (wher