My older sis Maitz and I went on the Great Britain tour from Oct 3-10, 2012. I was celebrating my 30th birthday on the 9th and I thought what better way to spend it than travelling to places I've never been? So, I was on the lookout for tours and sample itineraries that we could go on, and I found Expat Explore. I was just blown away by how much cheaper it was than other tours, so I did my due diligence, checked out some reviews and booked it right away, months before our scheduled travel date.
We were a bit anxious at the beginning, but we shouldn't have worried. We were picked up at Ibis Greenwich on time, and from the moment we got on the coach, we knew it would be a good trip. When we did our introductions on the coach, almost a third of our group were "repeat customers" of Expat Explore, so we knew we were in good hands. Our tour leader, Paul and our driver Gary, were excellent companions, telling us about the sights, insider tips, places to eat and such, and took us from place to place with great efficiency. The trip was well organized, and it's an excellent way to meet new people.
There are some caveats, because of the number of places to visit, there are times you feel rushed, but I think what's good about the tour is that you get to "sample" the places and then you can decide which ones to go back to at a more leisurely pace. With the price, we were prepared to stay in small inns/B&Bs, but surprisingly our accommodations were quite decent, with Holiday Inn, Premier Inn, Ibis and Caledonian hotel. Hotel locations were good too, especially the Premier Inn in Cardiff and the Holiday Inn in Edinburgh. We were also pleasantly surprised that we had full English breakfasts all the way, and there were even some dinners included in the cost of the tour, and we also had great walking tours from local guides and got to ride a punt in Cambridge. Really, really excellent value for money, so I will not hesitate to recommend this to others, and am already saving up for the 17 day Western Europe tour. :)
Expat Explore Great Britain Tour
Day 1: London – Cambridge – York
Day 2: Hadrian’s Wall – Jedburgh – Scottish Borders – Edinburgh
Day 3: Edinburgh (Free Day)
Day 4: Edinburgh – Inverness – Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle – Scottish Highlands
Day 5: Highlands – Loch Lomond – Liverpool
Day 6: Liverpool – Stratford – Upon-Avon – Wales
Day 7: Wales – Bath – Stonehenge - London
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Thursday, September 06, 2012
I Need A Breather!
Yeah, I get tired too.
Every once in a while. work just gets on my nerves and I feel like everything just keeps going wrong and things are beyond my control.
And if you still haven't noticed by now, things that I can't control, tend to upset me.
Yeah, I'm upset.
The only thing that keeps me going now is that I know I've been through worse, and I know it will get better soon.
Every once in a while. work just gets on my nerves and I feel like everything just keeps going wrong and things are beyond my control.
And if you still haven't noticed by now, things that I can't control, tend to upset me.
Yeah, I'm upset.
The only thing that keeps me going now is that I know I've been through worse, and I know it will get better soon.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Two is Better than One: Dual Sim Love
Since I started working in HP, dual-sim phones have become indispensable. My first dual sim was a Myphone Q22. It was cheap, at aeound P3,500. To be honest, I wasn't expecting too much from it, but that phone actually passed the two year mark and was still functioning pretty well when I decided to replace it with an LG P698, dual-sim Android phone.
Big mistake.
Not only was battery life dismal (well standard for a smartphone), but touchscreen was quite laggy at times and worst of all, there were times battery drained from 50% to 0% on standby! I guess some of these could be minor caveats for those who don't necessarily have to be available all the time, because the phone functioned well most cases, but it was not acceptable to someone like me, who was on call, and have this weird need to being "always on".
I missed my MyPhone. It was basic, it was no-frills, but it was reliable. And it would take days before I needed to charge it.
So, I started looking for a replacement, this time I knew what I wanted. Nothing fancy, something functional, and with a strong battery life. I considered getting another MyPhone, but I also checked out other "branded" phones who were now offering dual sim models and I found the Nokia Asha 200.
I love the way this phone looks, mine's white, it's made of plastic but feels durable, and it's very light. So far, I'm still getting used to it, because I haven't owned a Nokia in over a decade, but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.
Initial thoughts, it's pretty good, it does what its supposed to. The things I don't like too much about it, would be it takes too many clicks to send something, and the headset is just plain awful, and I mean awful. I replaced mine with my regular earphones and sound quality is decidedly better. But these little things are just minor negatives, especially since the phone can be bought at just P3,250 and maybe cheaper in other stores as of time of writing. Anyway, I have the rest of the week to test it out, but so far, I'm liking it. It's not perfect, but it's pretty good.
Big mistake.
Not only was battery life dismal (well standard for a smartphone), but touchscreen was quite laggy at times and worst of all, there were times battery drained from 50% to 0% on standby! I guess some of these could be minor caveats for those who don't necessarily have to be available all the time, because the phone functioned well most cases, but it was not acceptable to someone like me, who was on call, and have this weird need to being "always on".
I missed my MyPhone. It was basic, it was no-frills, but it was reliable. And it would take days before I needed to charge it.
So, I started looking for a replacement, this time I knew what I wanted. Nothing fancy, something functional, and with a strong battery life. I considered getting another MyPhone, but I also checked out other "branded" phones who were now offering dual sim models and I found the Nokia Asha 200.
I love the way this phone looks, mine's white, it's made of plastic but feels durable, and it's very light. So far, I'm still getting used to it, because I haven't owned a Nokia in over a decade, but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.
Initial thoughts, it's pretty good, it does what its supposed to. The things I don't like too much about it, would be it takes too many clicks to send something, and the headset is just plain awful, and I mean awful. I replaced mine with my regular earphones and sound quality is decidedly better. But these little things are just minor negatives, especially since the phone can be bought at just P3,250 and maybe cheaper in other stores as of time of writing. Anyway, I have the rest of the week to test it out, but so far, I'm liking it. It's not perfect, but it's pretty good.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Trip Planning Mayhem!
I'm not even going to give any excuses about the missing posts that I promised I would complete. I'll do it one of these days, but I figured if I stopped blogging just because I haven't "filled up" the rest of the entries, then that could be a very long wait.
Soooo...I decided to just go ahead and write stuff. It's the
2nd 3rd (as it is already past midnight) day of a 4-day weekend, and I am taking a break from planning the biggest trip of my life to date. This fall, my sister and I are taking on Rome and the U.K. and I am once again in charge of the itinerary.
To be honest, this isn't the most complicated itinerary that I had to plan, but for some reason, I'm having a lot of difficulty in finishing it. I think it's because there's just so much to do and such a limited time to do everything and it's probably also because it's the most expensive trip I've had to plan. With a finite budget, and infinite ways to spend it, I find myself stuck.
But that doesn't mean I'm not enjoying myself.
I love finding great deals and bargains on accommodations, plays, attractions...I love being able to maximize budgets and schedules to make sure everything gets done. There's nothing like seeing a trip fall into place on paper... it's almost like foreplay, knowing that the climax is to come. :)
OK, sexual references aside, let me share some of the tools I use to plan the perfect trip.
1. Google - OK, so this is a bit of a cheat, almost an all-encompassing entity. I know I don't have to explain it, but it had to be said. Google is your friend. Here are a few of the things I usually search:
2. Tripadvisor - I go to Tripadvisor for the reviews, it's a good way to see how other people rate hotels, B&Bs, attractions etc. I also like the forums, I once got a promo code for Megabus for 1$ ticket fares from New York to Philadelphia and New York to Boston.
3. Google Maps - So I can plan the perfect route, or the best grouping of attractions to visit on a day. I'm paartial to trains/MRTs/trams over buses so this site is a lot of help.
4. Booking.com - I only recently used started using Booking.com, previously I would always go directly to the hotel website, but when you're canvassing for multiple cities and just want to get an idea of the rates, this is a good choice. And once you have a hotel in mind, you can cross check with their own website, plus reviews on Tripadvisor.
5. Travel Agency Websites - These are excellent sources of information and sample itineraries. You can then pattern your own trip from the ones being offered. If you're feeling diligent enough, you can even compare the cost of your own itinerary, and feel good about the money you would most likely save by going the DIY route.
So there you have it, my top 5 tools for trip planning. Usually I consolidate all the data into an Excel file, with separate sheets for budget, itinerary, important info, directions... yeah I'm OC like that. But before you think I'm some super control freak, I don't do that for all my trips obviously, but for my upcoming Eurotrip, I'm sure it would be better if I came prepared.
Soooo...I decided to just go ahead and write stuff. It's the
To be honest, this isn't the most complicated itinerary that I had to plan, but for some reason, I'm having a lot of difficulty in finishing it. I think it's because there's just so much to do and such a limited time to do everything and it's probably also because it's the most expensive trip I've had to plan. With a finite budget, and infinite ways to spend it, I find myself stuck.
But that doesn't mean I'm not enjoying myself.
I love finding great deals and bargains on accommodations, plays, attractions...I love being able to maximize budgets and schedules to make sure everything gets done. There's nothing like seeing a trip fall into place on paper... it's almost like foreplay, knowing that the climax is to come. :)
OK, sexual references aside, let me share some of the tools I use to plan the perfect trip.
1. Google - OK, so this is a bit of a cheat, almost an all-encompassing entity. I know I don't have to explain it, but it had to be said. Google is your friend. Here are a few of the things I usually search:
- Places to see/top attractions/things to do
- Accommodations/hotel reviews
- Food/Dishes to try
- Events/plays/musicals
- Promo codes
- Customs/Culture
- Weather
- Currency/daily budgets/sales/merchandise
- ..and so much more!
2. Tripadvisor - I go to Tripadvisor for the reviews, it's a good way to see how other people rate hotels, B&Bs, attractions etc. I also like the forums, I once got a promo code for Megabus for 1$ ticket fares from New York to Philadelphia and New York to Boston.
3. Google Maps - So I can plan the perfect route, or the best grouping of attractions to visit on a day. I'm paartial to trains/MRTs/trams over buses so this site is a lot of help.
4. Booking.com - I only recently used started using Booking.com, previously I would always go directly to the hotel website, but when you're canvassing for multiple cities and just want to get an idea of the rates, this is a good choice. And once you have a hotel in mind, you can cross check with their own website, plus reviews on Tripadvisor.
5. Travel Agency Websites - These are excellent sources of information and sample itineraries. You can then pattern your own trip from the ones being offered. If you're feeling diligent enough, you can even compare the cost of your own itinerary, and feel good about the money you would most likely save by going the DIY route.
So there you have it, my top 5 tools for trip planning. Usually I consolidate all the data into an Excel file, with separate sheets for budget, itinerary, important info, directions... yeah I'm OC like that. But before you think I'm some super control freak, I don't do that for all my trips obviously, but for my upcoming Eurotrip, I'm sure it would be better if I came prepared.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
SEA Odyssey: Sunflower Place Review (Bangkok)
This place is just fantastic! Location is very accessible, near the BTS and MRT stations. However, taxis are affordable so my friends and I usually just take the cab, but make sure they use the meter!
Rooms are very clean, a/c very cool (which is a must in the Bangkok heat), water pressure is good, with elevators, the place is very secure and quiet. There are 2 desktop computers in the lobby, free printing upto 2 pages, Wi-Fi available in the rooms.
Near the Patpomg night market (and other nightlife entertainment spots that we didn't go to), several shopping areas available, food choices abundant, 7-11 just around the corner and also near a big supermarket for all your needs.
The place is cozy, well appointed, clean, secure, safe, quiet. The people at the reception, especially Wiwi are all great, and best of all the rates are affordable! Really an excellent find in Bangkok! You won't regret staying here!
Rooms are very clean, a/c very cool (which is a must in the Bangkok heat), water pressure is good, with elevators, the place is very secure and quiet. There are 2 desktop computers in the lobby, free printing upto 2 pages, Wi-Fi available in the rooms.
Near the Patpomg night market (and other nightlife entertainment spots that we didn't go to), several shopping areas available, food choices abundant, 7-11 just around the corner and also near a big supermarket for all your needs.
The place is cozy, well appointed, clean, secure, safe, quiet. The people at the reception, especially Wiwi are all great, and best of all the rates are affordable! Really an excellent find in Bangkok! You won't regret staying here!
SEA Odyssey: Siem Reap Hostel Review
This place doesn't feel like a hostel, it has its own pool, billiards table, foosball table. The bar/restaurant is a good place to hang out and meet new people. I would suggest getting a private room for $10/person/night for 2 or 3 people/room. Water pressure is excellent. Wi-Fi gets weak on the 3rd floor, blackouts are common in Siem Reap (but not the hostel's fault), it usually lasts around 15 minutes. For 3 days, we only experienced 2 blackouts.
We also had a problem with our a/c (we stayed in room 303), it would act up and sometimes turn off by itself and didn't cool very well. Our friends in 304 had no issues with theirs.
Also, even though the hostel offered tours, we didn't book tours with them. We made plans with our tuk-tuk drivers, Shon and San whom we met at the bus station. I think it's better to make plans directly with the tuk tuk drivers, the possibility of getting ripped off is quite slim. We haggled the price down to $12/ tuktuk (hostel offered $15) to tour Angkor Wat temples, but we still gave the full $15 to our drivers afterwards.It's quite obvious that the people from Siem Reap need all the help they can get from tourists, and the people are so incredibly warm and friendly, so if you can afford it, please feel free to be generous.
Overall a great place to stay in, would recommend to friends.
We also had a problem with our a/c (we stayed in room 303), it would act up and sometimes turn off by itself and didn't cool very well. Our friends in 304 had no issues with theirs.
Also, even though the hostel offered tours, we didn't book tours with them. We made plans with our tuk-tuk drivers, Shon and San whom we met at the bus station. I think it's better to make plans directly with the tuk tuk drivers, the possibility of getting ripped off is quite slim. We haggled the price down to $12/ tuktuk (hostel offered $15) to tour Angkor Wat temples, but we still gave the full $15 to our drivers afterwards.It's quite obvious that the people from Siem Reap need all the help they can get from tourists, and the people are so incredibly warm and friendly, so if you can afford it, please feel free to be generous.
Overall a great place to stay in, would recommend to friends.
SEA Odyssey: Velkommen Guesthouse Review (Phnom Penh)
Phnom Penh was just a part of a 10 day, 5-city SE Asian tour, so we could only spend one night here. We arrived by 3PM, Gavin offered one of the suites with a balcony view, but we opted to still get 2 rooms so we could have 2 bathrooms for our group of 5. Since, we had limited time in Phnom Penh, we didn't want to spend most of it, waiting on each other. :)
Gavin upgraded one of our rooms to a triple, and it was huge! There were 3 double beds but we still had enough room to move around. The a/c was a little weak but there was a fan to compensate for this. Beds were firm and comfortable, rooms were clean and they had their own restaurant/bar (Lazy Lizard) which offered great food, and a very relaxed atmosphere. We had a good time just lounging about and enjoying the $1 draft Angkor beer.
We also arranged our bus tickets to Siem Reap through the hotel, I only wish there were options as to what bus company would be used. We paid $10, but would gladly pay more for more comfortable travel/bus arrangements. The bus we used was unbearably hot, and stopped often. It made the 7 hour trip to Siem Reap more uncomfortable than it needed to be.
Tip: It's cheaper to arrange tours to Russian Market, Tuol-Seng and Killing Fields through he guesthouse ($15). But feel free to make arrangements with other tuk-tuk drivers if you want to explore other areas.
Aside from the clean and spacious rooms, good food, relaxed atmosphere and great location, Gavin and the staff of Velkommen guesthouse provided great service and made me want to stay longer. Would recommend this to anyone visiting Phnom Penh and will hopefully be able to stay here again.
Gavin upgraded one of our rooms to a triple, and it was huge! There were 3 double beds but we still had enough room to move around. The a/c was a little weak but there was a fan to compensate for this. Beds were firm and comfortable, rooms were clean and they had their own restaurant/bar (Lazy Lizard) which offered great food, and a very relaxed atmosphere. We had a good time just lounging about and enjoying the $1 draft Angkor beer.
We also arranged our bus tickets to Siem Reap through the hotel, I only wish there were options as to what bus company would be used. We paid $10, but would gladly pay more for more comfortable travel/bus arrangements. The bus we used was unbearably hot, and stopped often. It made the 7 hour trip to Siem Reap more uncomfortable than it needed to be.
Tip: It's cheaper to arrange tours to Russian Market, Tuol-Seng and Killing Fields through he guesthouse ($15). But feel free to make arrangements with other tuk-tuk drivers if you want to explore other areas.
Aside from the clean and spacious rooms, good food, relaxed atmosphere and great location, Gavin and the staff of Velkommen guesthouse provided great service and made me want to stay longer. Would recommend this to anyone visiting Phnom Penh and will hopefully be able to stay here again.
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