Thursday, May 14, 2020
Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall
The National Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall is a memorial to the Republic of China's National Father, Dr. Sun Yat Sen. Taiwan's government began the construction in 1964 and was completed in 1972. The total building area covers 29,464 square meters in an open space of 115,000 square meters. It contain displays of Sun's life and the revolution he led, and is also a multi-purpose social, educational and cultural center for the public.
The main entrance to the hall contains a statue of Sun Yat Sen. Every hour there is a formal changing of the guards, which is a popular tourist attraction. The building also includes a performance hall, an exhibition center of about 1,000 square meters, a multi media theater, an audio-visual center, lecture halls, and a library with over 300,000 books.
The main entrance to the hall contains a statue of Sun Yat Sen. Every hour there is a formal changing of the guards, which is a popular tourist attraction. The building also includes a performance hall, an exhibition center of about 1,000 square meters, a multi media theater, an audio-visual center, lecture halls, and a library with over 300,000 books.
The National Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall may not look inviting to tour around but this is worth a visit. Additionally it has a great view of Taipei 101 that was set in a beautiful park full of flowers. The surrounding garden looks peaceful and relaxing.
The memorial hall is exactly located at Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan. It is easily accessible through LRT Blue Line (5 stations away from Taipei Main Station). It is also a few minutes walk from the famous Taipei 101.
Admission is free.
Monday, May 11, 2020
Longshan Temple
Longshan Temple is exactly located at No. 211 Guangzhou St., Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan. You can easily reach it through LRT Blue Line (Bannan Line) Longshan Temple (only two stations away from Taipei Main Station).
The temple is open from 6AM to 10PM.
The temple houses hundred of statues of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian deities. It was built in Qianlong in 5th year in Qing Dynasty in 1738 by settlers from Fujian in honor of Guanyin. The temple is almost 300 years old and survived many natural and man-made disasters. The temple was severely damaged during World War II but the statue of Guanyin stood still and it was indeed miraculous.
Entrance is free but the temple is accepting donations. Please remember that upon entering any religious locations, pay respect to people and places. Dress properly and presentably in visiting religious sites. Politeness is a must!
Great attractions near the Longshan Temple are Guangzhou Street Night Market, Huaxi Street Night Market and Mangka Park. It is also one MRT station away from the famous Ximending shopping district.
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Swimming with the whalesharks in Oslob
Oslob is the first in our list though we have already experienced swimming with them last 2014. A lot have changed. There are plentiful of tourists than 5 years ago. It was more fun swimming with them 5 years ago than now. We came from Dumaguete going to Oslob in our last tour and it is easier going to Oslob from Dumaguete. It took us less than an hour ferry ride from Sibulan, Negros Oriental to Liloan, Cebu and another 15 minute bus ride from Liloan to Oslob.
From Cebu City, we left for Oslob at around 5am. We were at the South terminal (near Emall) as early as 3am. Super dami ng tao na gustong mag Oslob... It is usually 3 hours travel time from Cebu City to Oslob but we spent almost 4 hours before arriving in Oslob.
From Cebu City, we left for Oslob at around 5am. We were at the South terminal (near Emall) as early as 3am. Super dami ng tao na gustong mag Oslob... It is usually 3 hours travel time from Cebu City to Oslob but we spent almost 4 hours before arriving in Oslob.
If you are planning to get to Oslob, swimming with the whale sharks are only up to 10am. We almost missed the activity because we arrived at around 930am.
Always insist on going to OSLOB BRIEFING AREA. In here you will not be asked to pay for a resort entrance fee. The bus conductor will usually drop you to a resort where they have quite an earning for every visitor that will be dropped to them. The resort will ask for an additional 150 to 200 pesos aside from the regular fees.
Fees:
Filipino tourists : Php300 (whale watching only)
Filipino tourist : Php 500 (swimming with the whalesharks with snorkel)
Foreign tourists : Php 1000
After payment, you will be directed to the briefing area. And these are the rules that must be observed during the whaleshark encounter:
1. No one is allowed to touch the whale sharks and worst riding them.
2. If you had already applied sunblock on your skin, take a shower again before reaching the waters.
3. Do not use flash when taking pictures, it may distract the whalesharks.
Let us follow instructions for these giants' safety. DIscipline is a must!
Viewing or swimming with the whalesharks is limited to 30 minutes. It is also done by batch. We almost missed this activity for we have arrived before 10am at the briefing area. Be at the activity site early to avoid missing the fun.
After payment, you will be directed to the briefing area. And these are the rules that must be observed during the whaleshark encounter:
1. No one is allowed to touch the whale sharks and worst riding them.
2. If you had already applied sunblock on your skin, take a shower again before reaching the waters.
3. Do not use flash when taking pictures, it may distract the whalesharks.
Let us follow instructions for these giants' safety. DIscipline is a must!
Viewing or swimming with the whalesharks is limited to 30 minutes. It is also done by batch. We almost missed this activity for we have arrived before 10am at the briefing area. Be at the activity site early to avoid missing the fun.
That small island at the background is the Sumilon Island. There will be a lot of boatman who will offer you a trip to Sumilon island. Php 1500 roundtrip, entrance fee included. Take this trip and you will be amazed on how beautiful is.
Our short trip at Sumilon island here.
Our short trip at Sumilon island here.
Monday, February 3, 2020
Sirao Flower Farm in Busay, Cebu
If you have an extra half day in Cebu City, head on to three tourist spots on the mountainous side of Cebu City.
We woke up really early to go to three places in Cebu. Sirao Flower Farm and Temple of Leah quite made it to Rated K and KMJS so we save our third day to go to these places.
There are habal habal drivers at JY Square Mall who will bring you to these 3 touristy spots. They started their price at Php 400 per passenger but we haggled for Php350 each. This is quite sulit already because the place is really far
Sirao Flower Farm is an 8000 square meter garden located in Busay, Sirao, Cebu, around 17 kilometer from Cebu Proper. For a backpacking family with minimal budget, this trip to 3 spots is quite expensive. We really did expect for a very flowery place but when we got here there are only a few blooming flowers and a lot of structures presently on construction. I would love to see Sirao again in the future after all its improvement.
Sirao resembles Amsterdam's flower fields. As they call it "very instagramable". Highly recommended for millenials.
How to get here?
We made our way to JY Square Mall in Lahug. And from there, we negotiated with the habal habal drivers with Php350 each passenger going to three (3) tourist spots already namely Sirao Flower Farm, Tops Lookout and Temple of Leah.
Sunday, January 5, 2020
Simala Church, the Monastery of Holy Eucharist
Simala Church is exactly located at the uphill area in the village of Lingodon, but because of its access is in Simala, it was eventually called Simala Church.
Simala sounds-like "Himala" is true to its name. The place have been known as miraculous. Simala Church is the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist. Simala Church is what the place more popularly known.
Simala church was built in 1998 by the Marian Monks of Eucharistic Adoration from Pampanga who escaped the wrath of the Mount Pinatubo eruption. Now, it is also where the Mongha ni Maria lives.
Our itinerary in Cebu was to go South first and explore Oslob on the first day, hike Osmena Peak and visit Simala Church on the second day. From Oslob, we made our way going to Osmena Peak in Dalaguete and from there we rode a bus going to Cebu City and told the conductor to drop us off at Sibonga going to Simala Church. There's a 7-11 store where we were dropped off and from there we hired 3 habal habal for the 7 of us, including our 1 year old. Habal habal fare is 25 pesos per person one way (as of May 2019)
From Cebu City, make your way going to the South Bus Terminal. Ride buses going to Oslob or Liloan/Santander and tell the conductor to drop you off at Simala.
Be mindful in what you are wearing going to the church as they will not allow entrance if you are wearing revealing clothes such as tubes, shorts, mini skirts, sleeveless blouse. Pay respect in going to the area even if you are not a believer of the Catholic Church or you are just going to the shrine for photography purposes only. Most of the people here comes for a purpose and they are believers of the church. The place is sacred so let us pay respect.
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| on the left side are reminders on what to wear and what not to wear |
The church holds a Eucharistic celebration everyday at 12 noon except Saturdays but every 13th of the month, the celebration starts at 10:30 a.m.
Candles are also available in the monastery for ₱35 each and you can use these to pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Proceeds will serve as funding for the improvement and maintenance of the monastery.)
• Gold: Healing (Good health, Recovery, Spiritual, Family Tree)
• Green: Prosperity/Success (Exams, Study, Financial, Business)
• Blue: Perseverance (Employment, Career, Assignment, Promotions)
• Violet: Achievement (Plans in life, Struggles, Endeavors, Journeys, Voyage)
• Red: Love (Utility, Friendship, Engagement, Family)
• Yellow: Peace (Courage, Strength, Hope)
• White: Purity (Enlightenment, Guidance, Right Path)
• Orange: Reconciliation (Sweetheart, Wife, Husband, Enemy, Family)
• Pink: Thanksgiving/Happiness/Joy (Spiritual, Physical)
• Black: Souls (Forgiveness, Pardon)
• Brown: Vocation (Marriage Bond, God’s Servant, Single life)
• Gray: Deliverance (Bad ways, Things, Spirits)
• Cream: Conversion/Faith (Children, Household, Couples)
Candles are also available in the monastery for ₱35 each and you can use these to pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Proceeds will serve as funding for the improvement and maintenance of the monastery.)
• Gold: Healing (Good health, Recovery, Spiritual, Family Tree)
• Green: Prosperity/Success (Exams, Study, Financial, Business)
• Blue: Perseverance (Employment, Career, Assignment, Promotions)
• Violet: Achievement (Plans in life, Struggles, Endeavors, Journeys, Voyage)
• Red: Love (Utility, Friendship, Engagement, Family)
• Yellow: Peace (Courage, Strength, Hope)
• White: Purity (Enlightenment, Guidance, Right Path)
• Orange: Reconciliation (Sweetheart, Wife, Husband, Enemy, Family)
• Pink: Thanksgiving/Happiness/Joy (Spiritual, Physical)
• Black: Souls (Forgiveness, Pardon)
• Brown: Vocation (Marriage Bond, God’s Servant, Single life)
• Gray: Deliverance (Bad ways, Things, Spirits)
• Cream: Conversion/Faith (Children, Household, Couples)
Thursday, January 2, 2020
Rainbow Village (Caihongjuan) in Taichung
It is not that easy to get to Rainbow Village in Taichung. Most tourists with very tight itinerary won't be able to make it in Taichung since it is two hours drive away from Taipei and not even located near the city of Taichung. I've seen itineraries from travel agencies going to Taiwan and more often visiting Taichung is not part of the tour. Good thing before we got here, I've done a lot of research about Taiwan, where to go, how much would each itinerary costs my family. Check out Mga Pasyalan sa Taiwan on facebook. The admin of the page have daily private tours to Taichung that includes visit to Houli Farm, Miyahara Ice Cream, Rainbow Village and Green Fantasy Forest. The tour costs only 1200 NT each and it was so worth it. We were picked up right in front of our rented unit in Tucheng District. Pick up station for private tours are in Ximen and Taipei Main Station. You can also reach this village through public transportation, through taxis and buses.
Rainbow Village is located in No.56, Chun’an Road, Nantun District, Taichung 408, Taiwan, a bit far from the city center. Admission is FREE. You can get there by taking a bus ride from Taichung Main Station, take bus number 27 to Ling Tung University, then walk for about 10 minutes. You can also ride bus number 56 and 89 from Taichung Main Railway Station. By taxi from Taichung THSR, it will costs you around 200 NT. It is also known as Caihongjuan Village.
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| my 5 kids |
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| Julia having fun =) |
Inside the Rainbow Village are colorful houses painted by Rainbow Grandpa Huang Yung-Fu (彩虹爷爷). He is more than 90 years old. He actually still lives in here. He began painting the walls with murals in order to save the village from demolition. He began painting a bird in his home and from there his paintings grew. Students from Ling Tung university students campaigned to save the village. Authorities have eventually agreed not to destruct the village and preserved it to become a designated cultural area.
We saw some students cleaning the whole village. I guess they are volunteers or maybe it is a school activity to help in cleaning the village. They were fond of my daughter so they allowed us to take pictures with them.
There are ice cream, bubble tea and souvenir shops inside the Rainbow Village. All are in very affordable prices.
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| hubby got hungry again, he grabbed a bite of sausage with sticky rice at 60 NT |
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Sumilon Island in Oslob, Cebu
Sumilon island is located off the southeastern coast of the municipality of Oslob. Oslob is a three-hour bus ride from Cebu City. And from here, it can be reached by a motorized banca in 15 minutes. The island is owned by Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort but can still be reached for an entrance fee of Php50 per pax and a boat fee of Php1500 for a group. The island spans 24-hectare.
Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort is a high-end resort in the island. There are day-pass offers in Trip advisor costing at 3,300/pax inclusive of welcome drinks and buffet lunch with softdrinks, mask, fins, and towels.
Bluewater Sumilon has its official webpage at https://www.bluewatersumilon.com.ph/.
View their rooms here
Of course we just stayed outside their resort. We just stayed for an hour to experience Sumilon, got a little swim, took pictures and went back to Oslob.
There are cheaper inns and hostels near Sumilon at Airbnb for as low as 558pesos per night.
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| James, JP, Janelle |
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| Julia had a little swim in the island |
Other places to visit within Oslob:
If you will still be staying for another night in Oslob, visit Tumalog Falls, a 20-minute trike ride away from Oslob town proper. Also include in your itinerary a walk to their heritage park. This includes preserved Spanish colonial buildings such as the Cuartel and Baluarte. It is beside their old church Parish Church of the Immaculate Concepcion and Oslob Museum.
