Top Tourist Attractions of Ayutthaya

Before Bangkok, Ayutthaya became the capital of the Kingdom of Siam. Before the royalty of Bangkok, there was the glory of Ayutthaya. Long time ago, this Kingdom was one of the biggest and wealthiest cities in the East as described by foreign traders. It is also sometimes called the Venice of the East. Now all is left is ruins, and this site is known today as the Ayutthaya Historical Park.

Our sweat were dripping hot as we troop around this Ancient City named as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. There are several buddhist temples and point of interests that covers this old city. To begin with is Wat Mahathat.

Wat Mahathat

Top Tourist Attractions in Bangkok

Definitely, you should never miss out the Royal Adventure on your first travel to Bangkok. Well, for sure, you will be allured once you step down on the kingdom.

Here are more pictures from our Bangkok, Thailand trip.

The Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is a 218,400 square meters rectangular complex consisting of beautiful temples, museums, pavilions and other buildings that is only fit for a King. It is full of artistic and stunning architectures and treasures, leaving you an experience with a feel of royalty.

Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)

The Floating Village of Siem Reap

What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger... - Friedrich Neitzche

Top Tourist Attractions in Phnom Penh

Even when I was still in the boundary of Vietnam, I already can see how interesting and beautiful Cambodia is. I just couldn't wait to walk around, explore the place and enjoy every moment. We have decided to stay first in the capital city at least for a day and a night.

Phnom Penh is known to be the Charming City and Pearl of Asia for its beautiful and historical attractions. The Khmer architecture really shows a vibrant and unique style of the people of Cambodia.

There are a lot of structures to see in this place but here are some I have picked as the top tourist attractions in Phnom Penh that will surely give its charm.

1. The Royal Palace


The Royal Palace

Ayutthaya: The Venice of the East

Wat Mahathat
It was nine thirty when we had our breakfast. This is our second day in Thailand and our itinerary for the whole day is Ayutthaya. I've listed this as a must-visit place when in Bangkok so I was really excited. My friends Ohm and Boy is our tourist guide around the place. We rode a taxi from the guest house to Victory Monument, and arrived there at around ten thirty. This is where the terminal of the minivan going to Ayutthaya is. We did not wait for a long time in the queue while the minivan needs to fill up 12 seats. I am not sure if this is a regular day or we were just lucky. Anyway, the travel time was around one hour to one and a half.

Bangkok: The City of Angels

This is the last leg of our Asian Adventure and officially our fourth day from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. We are finally in Bangkok, Thailand.

We did not have any tour packages, just a few online researches and we just went on our own. Bangkok or Krung Thep in Thai literally means "City of Angels". The place is easy and the locals are just warm and friendly, I guess it adds up to that name they are called.

For The Love of the Kingdom of Siam

Wrapping up our travel to the Land of Khmers, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap is really a timeless beauty. I am just so overwhelmed with the experience I got and I will definitely go back and have more time in that place.

We have already arranged a minivan going to our next destination at 1100 in the morning. We did not know there was a tuktuk waiting for us in our hotel. The tuktuk driver was outrage of the delay, while we were being transferred to another hostel. lol The minivan is stationed about 10 minutes away from our hotel. We were on the road at 1130 in the morning and the ride was really cool while we were listening to the local Khmer sound.

A view of Phra Sumen Fort from our Guesthouse
Now, we are really off to the place I have been wanting to see for quite a long time already - the Kingdom of Siam, or now known as Thailand.

Siem Reap: The Great Gate to Angkor

From Paris of the Orient to the capital of the Land of Khmers, our Asian Adventure continues towards the Great Gate of Angkor, Siem Reap.

We have departed at Phnom Penh before midnight via bus. After 5 hours of travel, we saw our hotel guide waiting for us on the bus stop bearing our name. It was seven in the morning when we were greeted with warmth at the hotel.

After early check-in, we took our breakfast and got ourselves excited riding the tuktuk going to the gates of Angkor. It was a precious moment for me because this is one of the places I wanted to go before I die, my big dream to see the stunning beauty of the Angkor Wat and I was like overwhelmed with this excitement.

From Taiwan: Piliin Mo Ang Pilipinas

Before I continue my posts on the Asian Invasion that my kumare and I had, I just want to share once again this song by Angeline Quinto, "Piliin Mo Ang Pilipinas". My friend Tsai, from Taiwan is totally loving this tourism video promotion that was launched for Choose Philippines Campaign of ABSCBN.

Top Tourist Attractions in Ho Chi Minh

It was a little bit weird when we got to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I have always known that as a tourist or a foreigner, I should never give away my passport to anyone in any foreign land. But the case is not always the same like in Ho Chi Minh. As you checked in to the hotel, your passport are being held in the reception until you checkout. Even in the travel buses, the conductor gets to keep them while you are on board. It was a bit uneasy like we were held as captives. But it did not stop us to enjoy the Parisian like city of Ho Chi Minh.

Here are my top tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh, the Paris of the Orient.

Cambodia: The Land of Khmer

I barely knew Cambodia about its history, culture and its people. But I still got a memory of this beautiful place that captured me and got on my travel bucket list. I've seen it from the books and to the big screen Lara Croft: Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie. It is a treasure that have been known to the world, the grandeur of Angkor Wat.

Ho Chi Minh: The Paris of the Orient

Just what my fellow travel blogger, Chyng, said: "Summer is forever". And indeed it is. So here's for another Asian Travel, probably a continuation of my Amazing Race from Singapore to Malaysia after two years. Like what I said in this post, I will continue my Asian travel. This time to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Actually from Singapore, you can travel to Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam with either a train, bus or coach and minivan as they are interconnected by Land.

The Summer That Was

Ain't the end of summer yet, right?!?

But I guess in the Philippines, life is back to normal again. Yes, students from elementary and highschool are gonna be back to school this June. And I guess, somewhere out there in the corporate world, some have already finished their summer escapades.

But I still have a few posts for you for the summer. Just a recap of the posts I promised you.

January - Batam, Indonesia
Eat, Shop and Relax at Batam

February - Phuket, Thailand
I'm Sexy and I Phuket

March - Batam, Indonesia
Batam Returns

April - Penang, Malaysia
Penang for Weekend

And here are my upcoming posts:

2N3D Phuket Thailand Itinerary

Here is my friend's drafted itinerary of our I'm Sexy and I Phuket, Thailand trip.

23 Feb 2012 Thursday
10:30 AM - ETA(estimated time of arrival) at Phuket
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM - From Airport to R MAR Resort and SPA
12:00 PM - Check-in
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM - LUNCH
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM - Siesta (tulog, ayos ng gamit,explore the hotel)
2:45 PM - 5:00 PM - explore PATONG beach/picture taking/HENNA TATTOO
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM - back to Hotel - Rest and Dress up!
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM - Dinner(We can go to Aling Nena's Resto- tanong tanong sa kanila affordable packages)
8:00 PM - 10:30 PM - explore BANGLA ROAD/GIMIK TIME/STREET HOPPING
10:30 PM - REST (pahinga tau for activities the next day)

Penang for the Weekend

When that fun filled weekend travel to Penang Island in Malaysia happened, I told myself this is not just gonna be a one-time experience. I mean, i felt like it was my second home already. So, when my kumare visited our friend Karen who is permanently residing there, I followed her for a long weekend this April. I took my backpack and in just a few while, I found myself on this bus from Singapore going to Penang Island.

How about a cup of coffee and a plate of cinnamon rolls on the side??

Batam Returns

I returned for another weekend to Batam last March to accompany some of my friends. Since my two companions were new to the place, I let them try to eat, shop and relax at Batam the same way we did last Chinese New Year.

I'm Sexy and I Phuket

GoodBuy Summer na ba talaga ?!? (referring to Cebupac's Promo for summer ender).

And before it really ends, here's a post just when we started our summer vacay. It was the month of hearts when my friends and I have booked for Phuket, Thailand. At first, I did not know much about Phuket but the Phi Phi Islands. I can still see a picture of a beautiful beach scenery of the famous DiCaprio film, The Beach, which was shot in this lovely place.

Not to forget, the place where the sad and tragic Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004 occurred or what they call as Boxing Day.

Eat, Shop and Relax at Batam

It was like my friends and I were going to Indonesia without any plans at all. Oh, we have. We planned to just figure it out when we touch down Batam. So there. As we arrive at Batam Centre Port, we checked some booths around the area offering hotel accommodations and travel packages. While I was inquiring to one of the receptionists, I thought being a millionaire in Indonesia is okay but being asked for a popular singer in the Philippines is more fun. While the reception is holding my personal details which revealed I have the same surname with this popular balladeer not only in Philippines but Southeast Asia. She could not help but asked my relationship to him. Well, I jokingly said he is a close relative to me, can't you see the resemblance? LOL She was referring to, Christian Bautista.

Anyway, we finally got our place to stay and now we are ready to explore the small but busy island of Batam.

There's not so much to go in Batam Island like a tourist attraction or a famous spot but this island nearest to the fine city, Singapore, definitely has something worth visiting for.

As the title suggests, here are the top three reasons to go in Batam Island, Indonesia.

Cebu Resorts Hopping For A Day

I have to say that Cebu is one of the loveliest places I've been. Not only they are winners of television reality show, Pinoy Big Brother (Slater Young just recently emerged as the big winner of PBB Unlimited, the first ever male winner for regular season) but also a winner of rich historical landmarks, paradise beaches and world class hotels and resorts.

Just in time for the hot summer season in the Philippines, is my post all about. It was my second time visit to Cebu that marked the start of my holiday vacation. A one whole day event of resort hopping to the most awesome resorts in Cebu. Just like what we did last time in Plantation Bay, we took each meal of the day in three different resorts. (For us to have a free tour of their resort as well. :P)

Nirwana Beach Club in Bintan Resorts

When we had our weekend getaway to Bintan, we stayed at Nirwana Beach Club - one of the nine beach resorts of Bintan Resorts.