Australia: Hunting the Elusive Tasmanian Devil
21 February 2010
Besides the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, kangaroos and koalas, there is another Australian icon that Tutubi was really bent on chasing for it's challenging elusiveness-- the Tasmanian Devil.
Made popular by Warner Brothers Looney Toons, although "incorrectly" represented, the Tasmanian Devil spins and eats anything in its path in search of the wily Bugs Bunny.
In reality, Looney Tune's Taz is very different from the real Tasmanian Devil, marsupials endemic to Australian island state of Tasmania. They're nocturnal mammals the size of small dogs.
In hope of even seeing one, Tutubi visited Taronga Zoo and searched for Taz sleeping inside the enclosure but to no avail. It was at the Australia Museum where he got to see the actual Tasmanian Devil but already a preserved one.
Tasmanian Devil information and photo posted near an the home of Taz in Taronga Zoo but the elusive little devil may be sleeping in his "hell hole." Note the size of tasmanian devil scaled to the holder's hand
The preserved Tasmanian Devil on display at the Australia Museum in Sydney
Tutubi dreads the day when many of today's fabulous creatures become extinct and can be seen only in books, websites, movies and museums and not in zoos or at best in their natural habitat.
---
Tasmanian devil Scientific Name: Sarcophilus harrisii
Marsupials: mammals with a pouch (called marsupium), in which females carry their babies. Examples of marsupials include wallabies, kangaroos, and koalas.
Read more after the jump!
Made popular by Warner Brothers Looney Toons, although "incorrectly" represented, the Tasmanian Devil spins and eats anything in its path in search of the wily Bugs Bunny.
In reality, Looney Tune's Taz is very different from the real Tasmanian Devil, marsupials endemic to Australian island state of Tasmania. They're nocturnal mammals the size of small dogs.
In hope of even seeing one, Tutubi visited Taronga Zoo and searched for Taz sleeping inside the enclosure but to no avail. It was at the Australia Museum where he got to see the actual Tasmanian Devil but already a preserved one.
Tasmanian Devil information and photo posted near an the home of Taz in Taronga Zoo but the elusive little devil may be sleeping in his "hell hole." Note the size of tasmanian devil scaled to the holder's hand
The preserved Tasmanian Devil on display at the Australia Museum in SydneyTutubi dreads the day when many of today's fabulous creatures become extinct and can be seen only in books, websites, movies and museums and not in zoos or at best in their natural habitat.
---
Tasmanian devil Scientific Name: Sarcophilus harrisii
Marsupials: mammals with a pouch (called marsupium), in which females carry their babies. Examples of marsupials include wallabies, kangaroos, and koalas.
Labels: Australia, Beyond Asia, Sydney
posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:46 PM,
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Do You Really Need Travel Insurance?
18 February 2010
Whenever Tutubi will travel on official business, he'll accomplish a form for travel insurance with his company's Human Resources Department. There were times however when he simply forgot to file or the trip's too close to be even processed by the insurance company.
Do you really need travel insurance? Is there such a thing as cheap travel insurance? Do you consider getting insured when traveling?
Tutubi's writing about this topic for he's celebrating his fourth birthday. Yes, you got that right. Tutubi considers himself a four-year-old on his second lease in life when he nearly drowned on a deserted Palawan Beach (and where he lost a very close friend). Tutubi and his three friends boarded a plane to Puerto Princesa four years ago. The four of them went home, three on board the aricraft and the fourth one returned in a coffin. (to read about the Palawan beach tragedy, click here
In unexpected times, this is where travel insurance will play a big role. It's a benefit you never want to avail but need in time of an emergency. It's just good that Tutubi and his friends have contacts that made them get their acts together in such an unplanned event.
Accidents, always unwelcome of course, do happen. Local Travel insurance cost of P250.00 can go a long way to avoid experiencing something a Tutubi went through. Insurance companies will shoulder repatriation and other things that went awry in your travel.
Travel Insurance may already be not cheap for most people, but the consequences of not having one when you really need one is too costly to bear.
---
Notes:
If you're flying Cebu Pacific, you have the option to tick Cebu Pacific Travel Insurance at a price of PhP250.00
The usual price of Travel Insurance for doemstic travel is PhP220.00, for foreign travel it's a bit higher.
Read more after the jump!
Do you really need travel insurance? Is there such a thing as cheap travel insurance? Do you consider getting insured when traveling?
Tutubi's writing about this topic for he's celebrating his fourth birthday. Yes, you got that right. Tutubi considers himself a four-year-old on his second lease in life when he nearly drowned on a deserted Palawan Beach (and where he lost a very close friend). Tutubi and his three friends boarded a plane to Puerto Princesa four years ago. The four of them went home, three on board the aricraft and the fourth one returned in a coffin. (to read about the Palawan beach tragedy, click here
In unexpected times, this is where travel insurance will play a big role. It's a benefit you never want to avail but need in time of an emergency. It's just good that Tutubi and his friends have contacts that made them get their acts together in such an unplanned event.
Accidents, always unwelcome of course, do happen. Local Travel insurance cost of P250.00 can go a long way to avoid experiencing something a Tutubi went through. Insurance companies will shoulder repatriation and other things that went awry in your travel.
Travel Insurance may already be not cheap for most people, but the consequences of not having one when you really need one is too costly to bear.
---
Notes:
If you're flying Cebu Pacific, you have the option to tick Cebu Pacific Travel Insurance at a price of PhP250.00
The usual price of Travel Insurance for doemstic travel is PhP220.00, for foreign travel it's a bit higher.
Labels: Travel Tips
posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:03 PM,
, links to this post
Of Ang Pao and Dragon Dances: Chinese New Year in Manila Chinatown
14 February 2010
As blogged on an earlier post, Tutubi went to Binondo particularly on Ongpin St. in Manila Chinatown on Chinese New Year (also Valentines day). He didn't bring his car to Binondo just to avoid heavy traffic and parking woes typical in Binondo area.
Some photos of Lunar New Year celebration in Manila Chinatown:
the welcome arch of Manila Chinatown on Ongpin St
the hanging of the ang pao, red envelopes, given on Lunar New Year and other festivities on the door of business establishments. this one's Hong Kong Chinese Drug House on Ongpin St.
here comes the dragon
after dancing in front and inside the chinese drug store, the dragons will get the ang pao hung on the door, all to the beat of drums and noise of firecrackers
People wear red, the color of Valentines Day...err...lucky color for the Chinese/Tsinoys
even nearby Carvajal Street, a narrow alley where you can buy exotic fruits have lots of ang pao hanging overhead
prosperity cake and lucky charms are there for the taking where even Pinoys patronize to have good luck for the year of the metal tiger
It took Tutubi only less than two hours on Ongpin to take a few pictures then hurried to New Po Heng Lumpia House on Quintin Paredes St (Rosario) where he again partook of, what else, but the house specialty-- lumpia.
The day was capped with a visit to nearby Divisoria for a few things then hurried home to celebrate valentines day.
---
Notes:
Ang Pao, in Hokkien Chinese means red package or envelope.
Tutubi, stricken again with "dysfunctional motor system syndrome" didn't use Nikki, his bulky D80 DLSR and just contented himself with Ixie, his trusty old Canon Ixus 30 point and shoot camera.
Few surprises of the trip were accidentally catching Old Manila Walks conducting the famous Big Binondo Food Wok at New Po Heng Lumpia House and also a group of bloggers led by Dong Ho including Chyng who's a new blog friend of Tutubi.
Nice meeting you both though it's a very brief encounter. Wouldn't have known if not for Ivan noticing the presence of Tutubi.
Read more after the jump!
Some photos of Lunar New Year celebration in Manila Chinatown:
the welcome arch of Manila Chinatown on Ongpin St
the hanging of the ang pao, red envelopes, given on Lunar New Year and other festivities on the door of business establishments. this one's Hong Kong Chinese Drug House on Ongpin St.
here comes the dragon
after dancing in front and inside the chinese drug store, the dragons will get the ang pao hung on the door, all to the beat of drums and noise of firecrackers 
People wear red, the color of Valentines Day...err...lucky color for the Chinese/Tsinoys
even nearby Carvajal Street, a narrow alley where you can buy exotic fruits have lots of ang pao hanging overhead
prosperity cake and lucky charms are there for the taking where even Pinoys patronize to have good luck for the year of the metal tigerIt took Tutubi only less than two hours on Ongpin to take a few pictures then hurried to New Po Heng Lumpia House on Quintin Paredes St (Rosario) where he again partook of, what else, but the house specialty-- lumpia.
The day was capped with a visit to nearby Divisoria for a few things then hurried home to celebrate valentines day.
---
Notes:
Ang Pao, in Hokkien Chinese means red package or envelope.
Tutubi, stricken again with "dysfunctional motor system syndrome" didn't use Nikki, his bulky D80 DLSR and just contented himself with Ixie, his trusty old Canon Ixus 30 point and shoot camera.
Few surprises of the trip were accidentally catching Old Manila Walks conducting the famous Big Binondo Food Wok at New Po Heng Lumpia House and also a group of bloggers led by Dong Ho including Chyng who's a new blog friend of Tutubi.
Nice meeting you both though it's a very brief encounter. Wouldn't have known if not for Ivan noticing the presence of Tutubi.
Labels: Binondo, Festivals, Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region
posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:18 PM,
, links to this post
Valentine's Day/Chinese New Year in Binondo (Manila Chinatown)
10 February 2010
Come February 14, Valentines Day coincides with Chinese New Year, what sort of romantic valentines date suggestions do you have?
Tutubi's not asking for "tremors" happening in fully-booked motels (the notorious ones in Pasay, Sta. Mesa (Manila) and Pasig) but simple as Tutubi, memorable but not to create a hole in his pocket.
Actually, Tutubi intends to visit Manila Chinatown again to catch a glimpse of dragon dances, people giving away angpao (red-colored envelopes with money given for good luck), shop for tikoy and hopia and witness other Chinatown events on Chinese New Year celebrations.
Tikoy: usually given away on Chinese New Year
Things you can do in Manila Chinatown not just during the Chinese New Year:
Visit Binondo Church
Light incense sticks at Sto. Cristo de Longos
Chinese Temples: Te Ya Kong Temple, (or Seng Guan Si Temple near Tutuban)
Shop for fruits on Carvajal Street
Buy hopia at Eng Bee Tin, Ho-Land and Polland
Eat at Estero eateries (turo-turo style)
Sample fresh dumplings at Dong Bei on Nueva St (now Yuchengco St.)
Partake fried chicken of Sincerity Cafe on Calle Nueva
Buy old-fashioned tablea at La Resureccion on Ongpin St.
Sip vacuum brewed coffee at Lido's Panciteria on T. Alonzo
Partake fresh lumpia at Po Heng Lumpia House on Quintin Paredes St.
These are just some of the various come-ons of Manila Chinatown that beckon curious tourists, food-trippers and people going to Binondo on a whim.
Stay tuned to get to know where Tutubi did on Valentines Day :P
Related Posts:
Chinese New Year Tikoy Symbolisms
Tutuban Mall
168 Shopping Mall
Read more after the jump!
Tutubi's not asking for "tremors" happening in fully-booked motels (the notorious ones in Pasay, Sta. Mesa (Manila) and Pasig) but simple as Tutubi, memorable but not to create a hole in his pocket.
Actually, Tutubi intends to visit Manila Chinatown again to catch a glimpse of dragon dances, people giving away angpao (red-colored envelopes with money given for good luck), shop for tikoy and hopia and witness other Chinatown events on Chinese New Year celebrations.
Tikoy: usually given away on Chinese New YearThings you can do in Manila Chinatown not just during the Chinese New Year:
Visit Binondo Church
Light incense sticks at Sto. Cristo de Longos
Chinese Temples: Te Ya Kong Temple, (or Seng Guan Si Temple near Tutuban)
Shop for fruits on Carvajal Street
Buy hopia at Eng Bee Tin, Ho-Land and Polland
Eat at Estero eateries (turo-turo style)
Sample fresh dumplings at Dong Bei on Nueva St (now Yuchengco St.)
Partake fried chicken of Sincerity Cafe on Calle Nueva
Buy old-fashioned tablea at La Resureccion on Ongpin St.
Sip vacuum brewed coffee at Lido's Panciteria on T. Alonzo
Partake fresh lumpia at Po Heng Lumpia House on Quintin Paredes St.
These are just some of the various come-ons of Manila Chinatown that beckon curious tourists, food-trippers and people going to Binondo on a whim.
Stay tuned to get to know where Tutubi did on Valentines Day :P
Related Posts:
Chinese New Year Tikoy Symbolisms
Tutuban Mall
168 Shopping Mall
Labels: Binondo, Fiestas, Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region
posted by backpacking philippines @ 8:15 PM,
, links to this post
Review: The Luxury Suite (Tacloban Hotel)
07 February 2010
A relatively new hotel in Tacloban City downtown where Tutubi stayed at for a night and very near major schools and places in the booming city.
From The Luxury Suite Hotel Review:
The Double Room where Tutubi stayed at, located in the annex building and not on the 3rd floor of TCS Bldg.
The Double room, with a double size bed, comes at a price of PhP750.00 (about $16.00) a night, is already cheap by any standard in a city (you won't find anything like this in Manila but that's another story). Though there's hardly any space left to move around the room as it's almost occupied by the bed, space constraints posed no problem to Tutubi who just needed a place to doze off for the night after watching the day's news on the 14" television (there's no minibar on the double room, available only in a suite)
Toilet and shower room are clean and almost immaculate (probably due to it's really being new) with water heater available.
Downside: the hotel lobby is on the third floor, no elevators available so you're forced to take the stairs. Good for those who want to exercise but bad for people "gifted" with arthritis.
Breakfast is not included in the room rates but there's Gerry's Grill Tacloban branch on the ground floor of the same building where you can order meals for about PhP120.00 (typical Filipino meals).
Ample and secure parking space located behind TCS building with 24 hour security guard.
Internet rentals available at the 3rd floor lobby. No information on "free wifi Internet" as Tutubi doesn't bring his laptop while traveling and prefers to be offline when wandering.
All in all, The Luxury Suite really has value for money for it's clean facilities, price and proximity to your "where the action is" in Tacloban City.
---
From The Luxury Suite Hotel Official Website:
THE LUXURY SUITE HOTEL
Address: 3rd Floor TCS Building
P. Burgos St., Tacloban City
Tel. No.: +63.53.321.8844; +63.53.321.8855
The hotel has 14 Air-conditioned Rooms & Suites, each having a private bathroom with hot and cold shower, Cable TV, PABX telephone system and minibar (Suites only).
SINGLE P650.00 $14
DOUBLE P750.00 $16
SUITE P1,000.00 $20
Extra Person P150.00 $3
GROUP PACKAGES
~CHECK OUT TIME is 12 noon.
~Children 12 Years and below occupying the same room as parents/guardians are free of charge.
~Major Credit Cards are honored."
Please call The Luxury Suite Contact Number, visit their official website, email address for updated room rates, inquiries, bookings, reservations and promos.
Related Posts
Welcome Home Pensione
Tacloban City Tour
Tacloban Delicacies
Tacloban Airport guide
Read more after the jump!
From The Luxury Suite Hotel Review:
The Double Room where Tutubi stayed at, located in the annex building and not on the 3rd floor of TCS Bldg.The Double room, with a double size bed, comes at a price of PhP750.00 (about $16.00) a night, is already cheap by any standard in a city (you won't find anything like this in Manila but that's another story). Though there's hardly any space left to move around the room as it's almost occupied by the bed, space constraints posed no problem to Tutubi who just needed a place to doze off for the night after watching the day's news on the 14" television (there's no minibar on the double room, available only in a suite)
Toilet and shower room are clean and almost immaculate (probably due to it's really being new) with water heater available.
Downside: the hotel lobby is on the third floor, no elevators available so you're forced to take the stairs. Good for those who want to exercise but bad for people "gifted" with arthritis.
Breakfast is not included in the room rates but there's Gerry's Grill Tacloban branch on the ground floor of the same building where you can order meals for about PhP120.00 (typical Filipino meals).
Ample and secure parking space located behind TCS building with 24 hour security guard.
Internet rentals available at the 3rd floor lobby. No information on "free wifi Internet" as Tutubi doesn't bring his laptop while traveling and prefers to be offline when wandering.
All in all, The Luxury Suite really has value for money for it's clean facilities, price and proximity to your "where the action is" in Tacloban City.
---
From The Luxury Suite Hotel Official Website:
THE LUXURY SUITE HOTEL
Address: 3rd Floor TCS Building
P. Burgos St., Tacloban City
Tel. No.: +63.53.321.8844; +63.53.321.8855
The hotel has 14 Air-conditioned Rooms & Suites, each having a private bathroom with hot and cold shower, Cable TV, PABX telephone system and minibar (Suites only).
SINGLE P650.00 $14
DOUBLE P750.00 $16
SUITE P1,000.00 $20
Extra Person P150.00 $3
GROUP PACKAGES
~CHECK OUT TIME is 12 noon.
~Children 12 Years and below occupying the same room as parents/guardians are free of charge.
~Major Credit Cards are honored."
Please call The Luxury Suite Contact Number, visit their official website, email address for updated room rates, inquiries, bookings, reservations and promos.
Related Posts
Welcome Home Pensione
Tacloban City Tour
Tacloban Delicacies
Tacloban Airport guide
Labels: Eastern Visayas, Hotels and Resorts, Leyte, Tacloban City
posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:41 PM,
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