Category Archives: Cities

Activities and Itineraries, Backpacking, Cities, Countries, FotoFolio, Leisure Trip

FotoFolio: Water Puppet Show, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

March 8, 2013 geralynrigor Leave a comment

Yes, you read right—there really is a water puppet show and you can watch it at Vietnam’s capital, Ho Chi Minh city!

And no, it’s not like any other puppet show you’ve seen before. Neither is it set on a stage with fake water/waves scenes as the backdrop. The puppet show here in Vietnam really is on water!!!

Held at the Rong Vang Water Puppet Theater (aka Golden Dragon) in Ho Chi Minh City, the show presents the amazing craftsmanship and dedication of its actors/puppet controllers. Imagine, you have to be underwater to be able to control the puppets! I think that in itself is amazing!

The only thing though is that the story is told in Vietnamese so you really won’t be able to fully understand what’s going on. Unless you speak Vietnamese of course. Or, you’re just really good in following storylines. Hehehe

So, if you’re like me, you’d read up on the story based on the sheet of paper distributed before the show. Then, you’ll focus all your energy in watching the movements of the water puppets and feel the rhythm of traditional Vietnamese music, sung and played live from the sides of the theater!

Also, if you are like me, you will be amazed and captivated by the water puppets. Whether you’re waiting for the puppeteer to show up gasping for breath or trying your hardest to understand what’s going on, the water puppets will surely keep you engrossed.

Some people are asking whether watching the water puppet show at the Golden Dragon or Rong Vang Water Puppet Show is worth it or not. I can’t remember the exact price that we paid for but I sure got value for my money. I mean, it’s probably just me, and the two Indian travellers I was with, but we felt that the water puppets and their puppeteers performed well.

Besides, it’s not often that you see puppets in the water! Really, the water puppets show is something I will always remember about Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam!

Activities and Itineraries, Cities, Food

4th Philippine International Pyromusical (Fireworks and Music) Competition, Mall of Asia

March 1, 2013 geralynrigor 2 Comments

It’s that time of year again when colorful and magnificent fireworks accompanied by groovy and magical music light the sky and illuminate Manila bay at Mall of Asia. Yep, get your cameras, videocams and tripods ready and troop to MoA for the 4th International Pyrolympics Competition!

The competition lasts for several weekends and is held on Saturdays. We watched the competition between Taiwan and Spain on February 23.

We settled at Sumo San with the consumable amount of 600 per head. The table available offered us a nice view and a relaxed vice as we ate and drank our hearts out!

The first performance was from Taiwan. Being a musical fireworks competition, the Taiwan performance was accompanied by traditional-sounding Chinese melody. It was also some kind of a story-telling.

I think they gave an English version or explanation but it still sounded Chinese-ish to me. The music and fireworks worked well though. And as Elaine put it, Taiwan really used the sky and the melody to tell the story.

On the other hand, Spain’s music and fireworks spectacle used modern and more “danceable” music. I think that’s the great thing about the Pyrolympics competition—there’s variety in the musical fireworks performances.

I was more impressed with the Taiwan performance, but that’s probably because they had more colors in it.

Spain’s performance was mostly yellow and white. There was a mesmerizing quality in it though.

At one point, we were all just gazing upon it, disregarding the sumptuous Japanese dishes at Sumo San!

Well, of course, the way that we are, we finished almost everything. And even had space for dessert! Open-mouthed smile

For more information on schedules, you can visit the 4th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition website.

Activities and Itineraries, Cities, Leisure Trip

MetroMania: Channeling Your Inner Kid Persona at Star City

February 19, 2013 geralynrigor Leave a comment

One fine December day in 2010, we went to Star City and channeled our inner kid personas. Do you believe that there’s a kid in everyone, no matter how old we get? Well, I do! And apparently, my friends and family too!

I think that before this, the last time I went to Star City was with Jed and Lalai in May of 2010. Before this, my last Star City day was probably way back in grade school. You see, school field trips in the Philippines usually have a big chunk of the day reserved for amusement parks. For the fun of the young ones and maybe the same for their teachers who secretly want to take that roller coaster ride!

And, even in Philippine festivals, there will almost always be a “carnival” aka “perya” area set-up a month or weeks before the actual fiesta.

It’s like a small version of amusement parks or theme parks like Star City or Enchanted Kingdom in Laguna. The “perya” comes and goes once a year unlike the more permanent Star City and EK.

Of course, the rides are smaller and lesser and the shows and aesthetics are not as great in the “perya” but hey, Filipinos are known for being able to make the best out of any situation!

Apart from the thrilling rides, there are also games and sports that people can play while in Star City. You can go for basketball, gun shooting games, throw-a-hoop games, and all other sorts of games for fun and enjoyment. There’s also the lazer blaster (I loved this one!) live action shooting game to keep your blood pumping!

The amusement park tries it’s best not just to cater to the kids but to all age groups. If you can’t take the adventure rides, you can always go for the “interactive” attractions at Star City like the Pirate boat ride adventure. Maybe you’ll find Jack Sparrow or Captain Hook somewhere. Or they might find you!

If you want to relive the time of dinosaurs, you can check out the Dino Island and Museum. There’s also an attraction for the horror house (not my favorite as I get scared easily!) if you are feeling Ghost Buster-ish.

And for those who are looking forward to adrenalin rush, there’s always the Surf Dance (a major, major attraction at Star City) and the outdoor roller coaster ride (for baby steps, go for the smaller indoor version first!) which also commands a long lie of passengers!

If you’re into “driving”, you can try the famous (aka long line) bump car ride. And yes, I know you want to bump ‘em cars!

If you are looking for a more subtle choice, you can go for the water bump car. Don’t worry, the water is not that deep!

So yeah. Star City does offer each and every visitor a chance to be like Peter Pan for a day. Or, ok, to not be gender bias, Alice in Wonderland? I am not sure if comparisons are correct but what I’m trying to say is, if you are in Manila and you don’t have the time to go to Enchanted Kingdom or the money to go for Universal Studios in Singapore, why not visit Star City instead?! Let Star City give you a chance to channel the inner kid in you!

For more and updated information about Star City Rides, Attractions, Facilities and Rates, you can check here.

Activities and Itineraries, Backpacking, Cities, Countries, FotoFolio

FotoFolio: Killing Fields, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

January 22, 2013 geralynrigor Leave a comment

When people say Cambodia, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the famed Angkor Wat Temple Complex in Siem Reap. What most people don’t know though, or not even bother to know, is that more than the magnificent temples and ruins that leave you awestricken, Cambodia holds a darker, sadder and, albeit the different context, an equally jaw-dropping history—the Khmer Rouge regime and the horror of the Killing Fields.

Continue reading FotoFolio: Killing Fields, Phnom Penh, Cambodia →

Business Trip, Cities, FotoFolio, Provinces, Transportation

FotoFolio: Sunset at Guimaras Island

January 21, 2013 geralynrigor Leave a comment

“The sun goes down, the stars come out. And all that counts, is here and now. The universe will never be the same, I’m glad you came.” – The Wanted, I’m Glad You Came

Actually, this photo of the setting sun in the island of Guimaras in western Visayas was taken way before this song was released and I just thought it’s a nice intro. Smile

I am a big fan of sunsets (coz I can’t wake up early for sunrise) especially when the sea is close by. So when, in one of our official trips, me and my colleague had a chance to go for a four-hour side trip from Iloilo to Guimaras, we did not waste any time and boarded the passenger boat to the island.

Known mainly for the Guimaras mangoes (claimed to be the sweetest in the world), this small island province (actually several islands in the general bay area) also holds its own when it comes to its swimming beaches, caves and rock formations, and turtle conservation!

We barely noticed the time while sailing through its waters as Guimaras, for me, held such beauty, pure and untouched, radiating as the golden orange hues of the setting sun graces the sand, sea and sky. If ever you are in Iloilo or Guimaras or Western Visayas, a spectacular view of the setting sun is really an experience you must not dare to miss!