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Fotofolio: Postcards from Prague

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Praha! Praha! Praha!

Prague is such a picturesque city–charming, romantic, and a real gem from the old world.

As the capital of Czech Republic, Prague was the centre of the Kingdom of Bohemia and was home to many Holy Roman Emperors (cue soundtrack of the many medieval and historical dramas I love to watch).

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Prague was founded during the Romanesque Era and continued to thrive and prospere during the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque eras. I don’t know much about history and architecture but you can see different types of these buildings while walking around Prague.

Continue reading Fotofolio: Postcards from Prague →
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FotoFolio: Berlin for first-timers

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Yep, both Niklas and I stepped into the cold, cold city of Berlin for the first time on our first week in Europe, after the butt-numbing 7.5-hour bus and ferry ride from Copenhagen. IMG_2980

Following the instructions from our half-Pinay, half-German CouchSurfing host Analie, we took the “Messe/ICC” Ringbahn (loop train) to Gesundbrunnen (one of the main stations for the Ringbahn, S-bahn (railway train like MRT), U-bahn (metro/subway) and regional/international trains) and took the S-Bahn to where she lives. (So much “bahn” right? And we’re not talking about the buses and trams yet. While the transport system is quite efficient, one of the first few lessons in Berlin is that Bahn = train and going to one station using the right S-Bahn or U-Bahn requires tourists (and locals) to never underestimate the travel time necessary. haha)

Berlin commuter rail network from BerlinMap360 -- see what I mean?!
Berlin commuter rail network from BerlinMap360 — see what I mean?!

Continue reading FotoFolio: Berlin for first-timers →

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Copenhagen to Berlin: notes from the road and the sea

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Finally, after five days of getting pampered and sheltered in Copenhagen with breakfasts, dinners, afternoon walks, cups of tea, [failed] snowball fight, a Royal Opera performance, and the warmth of Merete’s candlelit sitting room, we are now on the road (and currently almost by the sea) to Berlin, Germany and after a few days, to Prague, Czech Republic.

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At about 630am this morning, Niklas and I boarded the quite comfortable (nice reclining seats, wide legroom, heater) Eurolines Bus leaving Copenhagen and arriving at Berlin by 230pm. Yep, this bus travel is about 730 hours, more or less the same time (not sure about distance) on the bus from Manila to Ilocos Sur, maybe even until Vigan. The difference: we are crossing countries and not provinces or regions. Also, we are boarding a ferry for an almost 2-hour crossing of the Baltic Sea from Denmark to Germany. Continue reading Copenhagen to Berlin: notes from the road and the sea →

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#100Days Photo 36: Fortune Island, Batangas, Philippines

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fortune island batangas

Roughly 4-5 hours from Manila lies Fortune Island, a semi-isolated-used-to-be-super-private island off Nasugbu, Batangas. They say this is as close to Greek’s ancient ruins as could be possible, with the clear blue waters as your backdrop! Who would have thought that the typhoon destruction to an uber exclusive island paradise would result to a steadily becoming popular destination for beach bums and island campers? Known for its picturesque rows of Athens-like pillars and half-destroyed half-gorgeous statues, Fortune Island gives each traveler a nice reward for climbing atop the stairway-lined hill that leads to it’s “viewpoint ruins” and, as my friends saw and experienced, cliffs and caves. To reach Fortune Island, take the San Agustin Bus line at Coastal Mall in Pasay, going to Nasugbu (3-4 hours, PhP 200-220 AC (about $5), PhP 130-150 (about $3.5) non-AC). From there, take a 15-minute tricycle ride to Fortune Resort Dive Center (pre-booking necessary with caretakers Mang Dante 09394895292 or Chris 09087225628 is necessary) which is the jump-off point to Fortune Island. The 45-minute 10 pax-max boat ride costs around PhP 6000/$135, plus PhP 400/$9 island entry fee (overnight price, negotiable; day trip is cheaper). With upper limit calculations, that’s about PhP 1250/$28. Add in food, booze and other expenses, a beach camping (yep, no rooms) weekend at Fortune Island would be about PhP 1700/$38 which, I must say, is quite cheap to “experience” Greece and of course, enjoy the Philippines’ endless summer with the company of family and friends under the sun and stars. [Special thanks to Hazelle for organizing this CouchSurfing trip back in May and providing all these info I’ve already forgotten.]

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#100Days Photo 32: Scout Island, Hundred Islands National Park, Pangasinan, Philippines

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The sun slowly setting, the wind mildly blowing, and the ukulele songs that keep on playing — if only we can freeze time at Scout Island, we probably would. ‘Twas a really charming Saturday afternoon at the Hundred Islands National Park as we set camp on the “undeveloped” Scout Island (read: no structures or facilities) where we spent the night. After a full day of bus travel (about 5-6 hours from Manila to Alaminos, Pangasinan), snorkeling, swimming and island hopping, the quiet, rustic and peaceful vibe of Scout Island gave us the solace that we were looking for. Though devoid of material comforts, choosing Scout Island turned out to be an awesome choice — white sand beach for our bed, magic planktons (green phosporescent aka Life of Pi aka The Avatar) for our entertainment, and an entire island to ourselves!