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Flight chronicles of the backpacker Tutubi, with travelogues, pictures/photos/videos, travel guides, independent and honest reviews, affordable, recommended resorts and hotels (including inns, guesthouses, pension houses, lodges, hostels, condotels, bed and breakfast and other cheap accommodations), commuting guides, routes (sometimes street maps and GPS coordinates/waypoints) and driving directions to answer "how to get there" questions, information and tips on tourism, budget travel and living in Philippines, Exotic Asia and beyond!

Backpacking, independent travel, and flashpacking are cheaper than the "cheapest package tours" and promotional offers around but you can also use travel information for family vacations, even romantic honeymoon destinations.

More than the usual tourist spots and "places to see," this blog advocates heritage conservation, environmental protection, and history awareness for Filipinos, foreigners, and ex-pats wishing to explore Paradise Philippines and Exotic Asia!
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Highly Urbanized Cities

  • Angeles City
  • Bacolod City
  • Baguio City
  • Butuan City
  • Caloocan City
  • Cebu City
  • Cagayan de Oro City
  • Davao City
  • Dagupan City
  • Gen. Santos City
  • Iligan City
  • Iloilo City
  • Lapu-lapu City
  • Las Pinas City
  • Lucena City
  • Makati City
  • Malabon City
  • Mandaluyong City
  • Mandaue City
  • Manila City
  • Marikina City
  • Muntinlupa City
  • Olongapo City
  • Paranaque City
  • Pasay City
  • Pasig City
  • Puerto Princesa City
  • Quezon City
  • San Juan City
  • Tagaytay City
  • Taguig City
  • Tacloban City
  • Valenzuela City
  • Zamboanga City

  • Philippine Provinces
  • Abra
  • Agusan Del Norte
  • Agusan Del Sur
  • Aklan
  • Albay
  • Antique
  • Apayao
  • Basilan
  • Bataan
  • Batanes
  • Batangas
  • Benguet
  • Bohol
  • Bukidnon
  • Bulacan
  • Cagayan
  • Camarines Norte
  • Camarines Sur
  • Camiguin
  • Catanduanes
  • Cavite
  • Cebu
  • Compostela Valley
  • Davao Del Norte
  • Davao Del Sur
  • Dinagat Island
  • Eastern Samar
  • Guimaras
  • Ifugao
  • Ilocos Norte
  • Ilocos Sur
  • Kalinga
  • Isabela
  • La Union
  • Laguna
  • Lanao del Norte
  • Lanao del Sur
  • Leyte
  • Maguindanao
  • Marinduque
  • Masbate
  • Misamis Occidental
  • Misamis Oriental
  • Mountain Province
  • Negros Occidental
  • Negros Oriental
  • Northern Samar
  • Nueva Ecija
  • Nueva Vizcaya
  • Occidental Mindoro
  • Oriental Mindoro
  • Palawan
  • Pampanga
  • Pangasinan
  • Quezon
  • Rizal
  • Romblon
  • Samar
  • Saranggani
  • Siquijor
  • Sorsogon
  • South Cotabato
  • Southern Leyte
  • Sulu
  • Surigao Del Norte
  • Surigao Del Sur
  • Tarlac
  • Tawi-tawi
  • Zambales
  • Zamboanga Del Norte
  • Zamboanga Del Sur
  • Zamboanga Sibugay


  • Airlines
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  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Beaches
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  • Casinos
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  • World War II

  • Philippine Tourist Spots
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  • Follow/Affiliations


    DIY Tour of Genting Highlands, Malaysia

    On our last day of KL training of Netscreen firewalls, we hopped unto a train at KLCC terminal going to KL Sentral and bought bus tickets at the second floor going to Malaysia's famous hill station: Genting Highlands.

    The bus trip took about an hour up the mountain where it's misty and cold. We didn't come here to gamble but just to take a peek at one of Malaysia's tourist attractions plus an exhilirating ride on gondola of Genting Skyway, a fast cable car service.

    genting highlands cable carpicture of Skyway cable car with genting hotel nearby

    Inside First World Plaza are replicas of world famous landmarks like Eiffel Tower of Paris, Big Ben of London, Gondolas of Venice, Times Square of New York and many more

    There's also a Ripley's Believe or Not gallery or interesting and eerie displays.



    After a few photo opportunities, decided to leave early to avoid rush (we bought return tickets as soon as we arrived just to be sure)

    Genting Casinos and Gambling tips:

    ceiling of genting casino

    * Casino de Genting, Genting Hotel
    * Monte Carlo Casino
    * StarWorld, First World Hotel

    Table games: roulette, baccarat and Chinese games (tai sai and pai gow), a little poker and numerous slot machines.

    Tip: Gamblers need to sign up with Genting's Worldcard to withdraw winnings

    Genting Highlands Hotels and Accomodations:

    * First World Hotel
    * Genting Hotel
    * Highlands Hotel
    * Resort Hotel
    * Theme Park Hotel

    How to get to Genting Highlands from KL:

    KL Sentral to Genting Highlands Resort
    Genting counter at Level 2, KL Sentral Station
    Adult Fare: RM7.30 Child Fare: RM5.70

    Buses also leave Puduraya Bus terminal every 30 minutes.

    Labels:

    posted by GingGoy @ 11:05 PM, ,

    Malaysia KL: The Garden City of Lights

    Accumulated travel wisdom of Tutubi based mostly on his travel to KL, Malaysia in February 2004. This is a work in progress and will be updated once in a while.



    Places to see in KL (tourist spots)

    Petronas Tower
    once the tallest building in the world, most prominent landmark in Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), the towers are built with Muslim architecture in mind and the structure is an awesome sight at night ideal for night photography and cityscape photos of KL skyline.

    Menora Tower
    a short taxi ride away from Petronas Tower, Tutubi actually walked from Petronas Twin Towers to get there. You will be rewarded with a magnificent view of KL from a tower almost as tall as Petronas since it's built on top of a hill. A guided tour of each window is provided via electronic gizmos you listen to while enjoying the sights.

    Sultan Abdul Samad Building,
    a distinctive landmark on Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur with its moorish architecture and clocktower

    Chinatown (Petaling Street)
    Raja Chulan Station, KL’s monorail. walking distance from Maharajalela Station

    Bukit Bintang (Star Hill)
    the shopping and entertainment center of KL located on Jalan Bukit Bintang (from Jalan Pudu up to the intersection with Jalan Sultan Ismail)

    Sri Mahamariamman Temple
    Founded in 1873, the oldest and richest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur situated at the edge of Chinatown on Jalan Bandar (formerly High Street).

    Bird Park

    How to get there:

    Kuala Lumpur International Airport caters to flights from all over the world. Express trains and buses have regular trip schedules going to KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre). Can also be reached by taxi though it's quite far.

    Catholic Church in KL
    St. John's Cathedral, Jalan Raja Chulan

    Beyond KL

    Genting Highlands
    A hill station with casinos, hotels and theme parks an hour bus ride away from KL

    Batu Caves
    Batu Caves serves as the focus of the Hindu community's yearly Thaipusam festival.

    How to get there:
    Take the Putra line (LRT) and alight at Gombak station where you take a cab. Alternatively, you can take Bus 11 or 11d in Chinatown (from Batu Cave there's a bus stop for KL-bound buses located in front of the main gate)

    KL to Melaka (Malacca)

    St Paul’s Church was built by a Portuguese Captain, the chapel was turned by the Dutch into a burial ground for their noble dead and renamed it `St. Paul’s Church` from the Portuguese’s `Our Lady Of The Hill.` St. Francis Xavier was briefly enshrined in the open grave in 1553 before being shipped to Goa, India.



    KL to Penang

    KL to Langkawi

    KL to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

    Mount Kinabalu- climb the highest mountain in Southeast Asia

    Sipadan island - a popular dive site (reachable from the Philippines via Zamboanga City Ferry to Sandakan followed by a bus ride)

    Layang Layang for scuba diving and rare bird watching

    Mulu Caves, Sarawak
    Gunung Mulu National Park in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, encompasses an array of caves and the world's biggest natural enclosed space.

    Beaches Malaysia
    Tioman / Redang / Perhentian for a beautiful snorkeling and tropical beach experience

    Beyond Malaysia:

    Singapore to Malaysia
    From KL, you can visit Singapore via bus or train, with travel time of about 6 hours.

    Malaysia to Thailand:
    From KL, you can proceed to Bangkok, Thailand via bus or train

    UPDATED: October 2008







    Labels:

    posted by GingGoy @ 9:16 PM, ,

    Nice Hotel Cubao, EDSA Crossing, Manila

    Updated: August 27, 2009

    Tutubi while riding the MRT on his way to Makati just saw the newly-opened Nice Hotel EDSA Crossing. He searched the Internet for telephone bumbers and official website but couldn't find one.

    This post will be updated once information's available

    Nice Hotel Cubao
    Arayat Market, Cubao, Quezon City
    (near MRT Cubao-Araneta Center Station)
    Tel. No.:
    Location Map:
    http://wikimapia.org/#lat=14.6196309&lon=121.0503888&z=18&l=0&m=w

    Nice Hotel EDSA Crossing
    EDSA near corner Shaw Boulevard

    Nice Hotel
    C.M. Recto Avenue, Manila
    near LRT 2 Recto Station and LRT Doroteo Jose Station

    Please call the published contact numbers of Nice Hotel (or visit official website) for room rates, inquiries, events (weddings, baptisms, debuts and other functions) discounts and other promos.

    some people rate this nice hotel as a motel for sex and hooker meetups but Tutubi hasn't been there and can't comment on this reputation

    UPDATED: August 27, 2009

    Related Post:

    Eurotel

    Labels: , , ,

    posted by GingGoy @ 9:35 PM, ,

    Eurotel Cubao, North EDSA, Makati, Manila Las Pinas

    For information of travelers looking for information on Eurotel Hotels
    who want their customers to experience Europe. Something for locals but
    not for foreigners, especially European tourists-- they didn't come all
    the way to experience something different, not like home :(

    Eurotel North EDSA
    in front of SM City North EDSA, Quezon City
    walking distance from MRT North Avenue Station and Trinoma
    Contact Number: +63.2.376.7097

    Eurotel Cubao
    Araneta Center in front of Araneta Coliseum
    Cubao, Quezon City
    Telephone Number: +63.2.995.8452;

    Eurotel Manila
    near Robinsons Place, Malate, Manila

    Eurotel Makati
    Chino Roces (Pasong Tamo) corner Arnaiz Avenue (Pasay road)
    in front of Walter Mart and near Don Bosco Makati

    Eurotel Las Pinas
    in front of SM Southmall, Las Pinas

    Please call Eurotel contact numbers or visit Eurotel official website for room rates, bookings, events, weddings, reservations, discounts, promos and other inquiries.

    Tutubi has never checked-in at Eurotel Hotels but expect a Eurotel
    review once he gets to experience Europe...locally if the claim is true.

    Labels: ,

    posted by GingGoy @ 9:09 PM, ,

    Bureau of Immigration Office Manila: Visa and How to Get There

    Information Visa fees and how to get to the Bureau of Immigration office in Intramuros, Manila for foreigners applying for Philippine Visa extensions.


    Visa Extension Fees, Click here
    21 days visa-free entry
    after 59 days (21 days + 38 days): PhP
    after 6 months: PhP

    here's a tip for foreigners retiring, living in the Philippines, instead of availing of the expensive SRRV visa, just come here with tourist visa, apply for extensions annually and get out of the country for a day (or more) to reset your number of days stay to zero. :P

    A round-trip to nearby Asian countries is considered cheap these days and you get to travel too.

    All applicants for extension are required to dress properly. Applicants wearing shorts, sandos, and slippers will not be allowed entry to Immigration Office.

    How to get to Bureau of Immigration, Manila:

    Commute: from LRT Carriedo Station, walk towards Quezon Boulevard in Quiapo and board a jeepney with signboard Pier. The jeep will pass by BI. Another way is by taking the Pasig River Ferry at Guadalupe station, walking distance from MRT Guadalupe station. The ferry ride is about 45 minutes from Guadalupe to Plaza Mexico where you get off. Still another one, recommended for tourists and newcomers to Manila, is via the hop on shuttle called Wow Manila Sakay Na Hop On Hop Off service, that will take you directly to the government edifice in Intramuros, Manila.

    Immigration office can be most conveniently reached from Manila airport by taking a taxi (taxi fare is estimated at PhP150 or about US$3)

    Driving Directions by car or taxi: from Quiapo, cross Quezon Bridge, then turn right immediately on the first road to the right immediately after the bridge. You'll pass by a road crossing under MacArthur Bridge, behind the neo-classical Manila Post Office Building, again under Jones Bridge and National Press Club building before you get to the Bureau of Immigration Building.

    Here's a map of the vicinity for your reference.

    Labels: , ,

    posted by GingGoy @ 9:07 PM, ,

    List of Highly Urbanized Cities of the Philippines

    The Philippines currently has 32 cities classified as highly-urbanized. In order to belong to the "elite" group of cities, certain requirements need to be met:

    * Population of at least 200,000
    * Minimum annual income of PhP100M

    This is under the Local Government Code of 1991. The President of the Republic of the Philippines needs to declare a city as highly-urbanized which needs to be approved by the city residents in a plebiscite.

    Once declared as a highly urbanized city, the city would have its own congressional district, aside from receiving a higher IRA (Internal Revenue Allotment)


    Angeles City (Pampanga)
    Olongapo City (Zambales)
    Lucena City (Quezon)
    Iloilo City (Iloilo)
    Bacolod City (Negros Occidental)
    Cebu City (Cebu)
    Lapu-lapu City (Cebu)
    Mandaue City (Cebu)
    Zamboanga City (Zamboanga del Sur)
    Iligan City (Lanao del Norte)
    Cagayan de Oro City (Misamis Oriental)
    Davao City (Davao del Sur)
    General Santos City (South Cotabato)
    City of Manila (Metro Manila)
    Mandaluyong City (Metro Manila)
    Marikina City (Metro Manila)
    Pasig City (Metro Manila)
    Quezon City (Metro Manila)
    San Juan City (Metro Manila)
    Kalookan City (Caloocan) (Metro Manila)
    Malabon City (Metro Manila)
    Navotas City (Metro Manila)
    Valenzuela City (Metro Manila)
    Las Pinas City (Metro Manila)
    Makati City (Metro Manila)
    Muntinlupa City (Metro Manila)
    Paranaque City (Metro Manila)
    Pasay City (Metro Manila)
    Taguig City (Metro Manila)
    Baguio City (Benguet)
    Butuan City (Agusan del Norte)
    Puerto Princesa (Palawan)
    Tacloban City (Leyte) (Dec 2008)

    In order to get travel information on these cities, please click the Labels on the navigation pane of this page where each city has it's own Category page.

    posted by GingGoy @ 8:44 PM, ,