DORA is BACK - 2013

2013 - Welcome Back

I am officially back on writing, as I continue to document all my travel adventures here on my very own travel journal.

Just a quick recap, I started this blog last 2011 since it was indeed a travel year for me.

And I guess that's my way on how I moved on with life after a major heartbreak from 2010.

BUT...

as my 2012 approached... it was a year for LOVE.

I wasn't able to update my blog because of my busy schedule, between my job and this new found LOVE. 

I still travel, but a lot less last year.

But still good enough.

I already update and post new adventure here, from the late 2011 highlights, 

and new post for 2012.

We're on the 2nd month for 2013, and I haven't got bookings yet for this year adventure.

But I tell you what... for sure it won't be ZERO!

...and will continue to update as much as I could from this day on. 

Malaysia - Truly Asia 2012

June - Malaysia Truly Asia

Another side trip from Singapore, but this time I am with my friend, Randy. 
Instead of taking a bus ride going to KL for SG, we don't want to waste our 6 hours travelling on the road, so my friend booked us a flight from Jetstar, 
SG to KL which cost me around SG$100 
that means more than my MLA-SG-MLA roundtrip fare.

It was funny because our flight was just less than 30 mins.  I just heard that we take off, and after few minutes I heard we're on our final approach for landing at KLIA. (cool)

At SG, train is everywhere, and train from the airport to the 1st MRT station is for free... so we rushed to KLIA Ekspres when we arrived KLIA, to our surprise at the end of it which is the KL Central station we paid 35RM to exit! Wow!

We had our breakfast from there... before we headed to Genting Highlands for our 1st stop.

going to Genting from KL Central station, we hopped off at Gombak Station

From here we got our ticket for bus and Skyway Cable car ride going to the 

Resort World Genting for 30RM Express one way

it took 2 hours before we're able to get the next bus trip... good thing we have met a filipino couple who was about to go up too and eventually became our buddy through out our trip.

and we all enjoy our cable ride going up to the highlands.

It is 3.38 km long and hundred feet above the ground for 15 mins.

and up there, it was cool breeze, just like Baguio but more foggy

Welcome to Resort World Genting!

we stayed there till afternoon, after lunch and coffee with our new found friend

Free coffee from our new found friends

we didn't bother to try their theme park... 

I don't find it appealing as Universal Studios or HK Disneyland

And since our ticket is only one-way  and we enjoyed the cable car ride, we decided to take it again and get our one-way cable car ticket for 6 or 8 RM (I forgot the exact)

so tired and exhausted from Genting, we went straight to our free overnight stay at one of the condo in KL courtesy of Randy's friend... after all the expenses from airfare to KLIA Ekspres (yes, that's how they exactly spell it!), I guess we still got the best stay here since our place and food/dinner are all for free!

...and of course I wont skip the chance of seeing and taking pictures of the iconic

Petronas Tower!

Malaysia is just like Manila I should say...you can see dirty public toilets, greedy taxi drivers and barker, plus their MRT/LRT is I guess same here.

The next day, we head back to KLIA for our early flight going back to Singapore. YES we just spent less than 24 hrs there...

but I guess enough to see the two best tourist spot only found in Malaysia

But guess what, late last year they opened the LEGO Land and Hello Kitty theme park, plus some friends who are working there now... that means I am surely coming back!

Singapore - Dora's Adventure 2012

June - Singapore Adventure 

The land of the Merlion!

I remember from previous year, Singapore was just sitting on my bucket list.  But now, I was able to explore Singapore... Yay!

I have several friends who are already based and working in Singapore.  It has been a dream for me to go there and try my luck if I could also work there... but someone came up and I suddenly changed my plan.

The Iconic Merlion, SG Flyer, and Marina Bay Sands

I got a very cheap flight from Cebu Pacific 11.11.11 promo from previous year. And everyone is envy when they found out that I got my round trip ticket SG-MLA-SG for only 2200+ Peso!

Oh yeah, I know I am such a good and smart traveler! hahaha

I get to ride to their SG MRT

stroll around and taste this amazing ice cream bar on a sandwich or wafer

And whats the purpose of going to Singapore without Universal Studios

It was really an adventure going to USS (Universal Studios Singapore) by MYSELF!

YES! You all read it right, I went there by myself, since most of my friends were busy with their work week and I was there for a limited time, so I didn't mind going there alone.

Universal Studios Singapore cost me SGD 75 for ride all I can entrance ticket

good thing there is fast lane, so I normally go in there and fill in to wherever seat that is available, and I get to join others...easier and faster.

it took me a while before I was able to decide whether I will try "Battle of Galactica" , 

but guess what, I have concurred my FEAR of Heights by myself! And it was FUN!

Another ride I enjoyed most was their newest attraction.... TRANSFORMERS, it was like we were part of the movie! Wow!

my USS meal and Souvenir - Transformers-Bumblebee Tumbler which cost me SGD 80

(but I didn't mind at all, not everyone can have this anyways)

Another smart thing I did that time, since I wanted to push myself to the limit, I did want to try riding their cable car. After I enjoyed USS, I went back to Vivo City Mall to get a quick tour...

 ...to Sentosa!

There is variety of package you can choose going to Sentosa, guaranteed big savings!

Day Pass cost only SGD 65.90 - 71.90 for adults and SGD 49.90 - 53.90 for children - where you get to enjoy 16 Sentosa Attractions from 9am-7pm

Noon Pass cost only SGD 42.90 -44.90 for adults and SGD 36.90-38.90 for children and you can enjoy 4 our of 16 Sentosa Attractions from 2:30pm - 7pm.

And lastly, the one I avail, since I spent my day at Universal Studios.

Evening pass cost only SGD 26.90-28.90 for both adults and children, and you can choose 3 out of 12 choices.

(each attractions cost from SG$ 5 to $18 if you choose not to avail the discounted pass)

I made my choice, round-trip cable car ride, Tiger Sky Tower and Skyline Luge 

Now tell me, who's afraid of heights!? hahaha

I was tired and exhausted at the end of that day... but I still manage to meet and greet with some friends. 

The next day, me and my friend from there will be flying to Malaysia. (see on my next post)

after Malaysia, we went back to Singapore and spent the rest of the day buying pasalubong for my flight back to Manila the next day.

And the best place to go....

SG Chinatown and Bugis!

 

   

BTW, I only spent like 20k all in all for this trip including Malaysia. It was cheap, because I didn't spend a single dollar for my accommodation.  Thank you to my very good friend Randy and Donnie who adopted and tour me around when I was there.

Anawangin Camp - Capones 2012

April 2012 - Finally

Anawangin Camping - Capones side trip


Another package from Metrodeal, which actually not a good one I must say.

DORA and friends explore Anawangin Cove and Capones Island 
in Pundakit, San Antonio Zambales.  

via Victory Liner Bus - Iba Zambales Route

Anawangin is way different compare to my first visit to the cove way back 2009. Today, it looks like an evacuation area by the beach...so crowded and the Beach is not as clear as before too.

But the experience of Camping by the beach was my first, and so far i enjoyed it, no cellphone, no lappy, and my first time to sleep in a tent! hahaha

And since we didn't enjoy the beach of Anawangin, our supposed to be 30 min side-trip to Capones 
became 3 hours! 

our slightly rough boat ride

From the Capones Lighthouse, to the beach side of the Island where we achieved our Tan-Lines! 

Overall, this weekend adventure with my GB friends was Fun-field experience.

And since I have found a new LOVE this year, my name wont be alone on my sand mark this time -- our names together.