Go-Tanical

Wasn't able to take an early flight out of Taipei so had to spend my weekend here and that includes my weekend running chores. So I decided to run in Taipei Botanical Garden after 20 minutes walk to MRT, 3 stops later and another 15 minutes walk was finally out running.

It was a cool experience or rather I should say cold being the weather at the time. It was a nice running around the garden with the trees, the rare plants, the squirrels, the lanscapes, the lake and the ever changing terrains. I always like to spend time here being such a serene place.

It wasn't my best time but considering the odds of the cold weather, I'm just glad I'm still moving after the 5 kilometer run. Of course, the downside could have me being added as a frozen monument in the park. Oh well, that didn't happen so I'd take it as a very nice scenic run.

Running the Subic Scenery

I attended my first out of town and international marathon in Subic and it was a whole new running experience and at such a reasonable budget. For all the trips I had in Subic, I rarely get a chance to stay long in this area.

Having the whole road traveling by feet, you get to appreciate the place in a different light. You get to see the nice sceneries at some parts overlooking the bay, the lush greenery and all the shops and structures. Then there's the much crisper and fresher breath of air and the not so warm early morning temperature. It was a much appreciated change of environment and it did show in time with my fastest 10K so far at 1:02.

Of course, we're still able to enjoy other features that make Subic famous. Dinner at the bay, coffee and drinks at the Lighthouse and those mouth-watering TJ ribs. Such a nice reward from a tiring fast paced run. It's just two expressway away so it won't be a surprise if I'd be lost here again sometime.

Look Up in the Sky

Baguio has shown a rapid deterioration over the years because it has become too urbanized yet it still owns a cool climate that makes it a haven for those who still want a get away. A center for education, a attraction for hordes of tourist and it has also attracted a lot of foreign population.

One area that has recovered its luster is Camp John Hay. I do enjoy breakfast at the Manor while overlooking the mountain terrains and the pine tree filled landscape. I was able to catch the new attraction during the Christmas Holiday... A tree top adventure. It's a bit pricey but if you want to have a thrilling ride, it's worth a try... Fly like superman... Glide like the silver surfer... Drop from the trees at an accelerated pace... Or just have a relaxing canopy ride... The rides are quite spaced away from each other so just trying it out, gives you a nature trekking adventure.

I'm quite happy that they thought of a tree-top adventure in Baguio and I just wonder what took them that long to come up with this idea. It could have been great to have this weekend alternative when I was still in Baguio. Anyway, I may get another shot as I head for home in a few days...

Expovaganza

I've been lucky enough to have several stops in Shanghai over the years and this time I was able to take a peak at the World Expo. I didn't have much time as I spent just probably a day and a half here which includes a board meeting but as always, if you want time, you'll find a way to make it work.

Short as it is, I was able to have a nice walk to admire the lights at the Bund and TV tower area... It's really a nice scene when old school buildings meets the bright lights with the darkness of the night as a canvass but of course, the main attraction of this trip was the extravagant displays at the world expo.

World expo... My first memories that comes along with it was the almost an hour queue just to get in and the inside was impressive even if we only got to see a few and only entered on pavilion (Philippines) since we only had a few hours to navigate the place. Of course, the heat was scorching hot... the crowd was suffocating and the walks was endless but it's still a welcome experience to just be mesmerized by the extravagant displays of each of the country. Too bad, these would be taken down at the end of the Expo. My take, it's a great place to visit but do start early and take at least a full day. I wished I did have more time but I'm still glad I was able to squeeze some time at the World Expo.

Cooling Down the Hot Way

Korean's spots has seem to invade the Philippine landscape so in a change of scenario... It's time to invade their haven via a visit to 88 Hot Springs in the border of Calamba and Los Banos, Laguna. Just a little over an hour from Manila and into the confides of the hot spring.

It's quite amazing how the wonders of warm water from the underground volcanic springs of Mt. Makiling can do wonders to your health. The place was overflowing with warm pools, several amusing (...bordering towards the green areas of the mind) landscapes, a lake and an Feng Shui energy pool whose 37 - 43 degrees temperature was both a challenge and a healthy experience.

A different way of cooling down from the hot temperature... Cooling down the Hot Way... We also had an additional treat of a running in the rainfall and enjoying a dip in the pool with Mt. Makiling as a back drop.

Up in the Air in Cebu

As a piece of trivia, my first ever time to ride a plane was a journey to Cebu over a decade ago. I've been here a second time years later and now is the first time I get to visit the place post-digicam era.

I did enjoy the same old things I did enjoy in the past visits. Seafoods at Su Tu Kil... An Overlooking view at the tops... The fun in the sun in Plantation Bay... The Historic Magellan Cross and Lapu Lapu Shrine... the dried seafood market... and I did have a taste of the new... a Skywalk at Crowne Towers (This is my second Skywalk, the first being in Macau)... It was quite exciting to watch the independence day parades up in the air.

A trip to queen city of the south was a nice summer time breather and it is always a pleasure being in Cebu and the next time I get to hit this area, I'm definitely going to its famous beaches...

A Merlion's Growth

I do get my at least once a year trip to Singapore and in terms of infrastructure, it doesn't fail to offer something new each time I come back. New structures, new attractions and new means of pulling tourist back in this red dot state.

2010 had seen the two casinos rise to pull droves of gambling tourists hopping in and out of the country. They have one shaped like a deck of cards (Sands) and another one in Sentosa (Resort World), They also have a new Universal Studio in Sentosa (which I was not able to visit since tickets were sold out).

For a tiny country, Singapore has diversified its market for tourism, now with Casinos and new theme parks and the Singapore Flyer is just above a year old. The Merlion country is growing.