Phuket Town: Phuket Backpacker Hostel and the Nightcrawlers

Our first backpacking experience in Phuket

In the search for an affordable place to stay in the town of Phuket, we decided to book a hostel instead of a normal hotel. We also considered the location in finding our place and because Phuket Backpacker is just at the center of the town, we chose to stay here. It’s very near the market, local shops and the local bus terminal. 

We really wanted to maximize our funds and finding a place like this really suite our budget needs. Rooms varies from Standard (with AC), Standard (Fan only) and the Dormitory (Fan/AC) with shared bathroom. Our dormitory rate, which was four of us in a room was only 275 pesos a night per person. 

The coffeshop/bar area plus the hallway to the reception desk. 

Taken in front of the hostel, it gets busy at night. 

It was mid afternoon when we arrived. We saw several solo backpackers already and even met a Pinoy sharing his 4-months backpacking journey. I wish I could do that to. The receptionist easily arranged our rooms for the day. The ambiance is like a hippie fun cool vibe. We are totally in it.

The reception area

Some maps and printouts about Phuket and other places in Thailand. 

This is the lobby area, everyone can hang out and just read books, get online and meet new friends. 

Staffs were accommodating and they also allowed us to leave our baggage in the storage room for free even we’re already checked out. The Wi-Fi signal is also very good. You can also play some DVD’s in the lobby. The activity area becomes bar/hangout during nighttime where most of the backpackers chillin' out, enjoying the music, dancing to the beat, drinking the local beers, playing billiards and meeting new friends. 

You can also play some games, try the hula hoops,  jenga and the guitar and socialize.

The hallway to our room for the night

I love the feel; it was fresh and very trendy. I wasn’t able to take picture of the shared bathroom but it was clean and well maintained. No complaints on that part for me. Overall, it should’ve been two thumbs up except for one thing which is very important if you’re looking for a place to rest. There were bed bugs on my bed. It is my first time experiencing it and it was really horrifying. I did put insect repellant all over my body but I forgot my neck and so the bites were all over it. It was really itchy and it took days before the itch has gone completely. Though some of my friends haven’t experience it, one of the guest that we met also vent out the same concern upon seeing him the next morning. With the high Agoda reviews, I hope it’s just a one time deal. 

Be careful as there might be a night crawlers everywhere :) 

No more space to doodle 

So how's your first backpacker hostel night girls? 

Should I stay again here for a night? I’m not really sure, maybe for a place to hang out and have a Chang beer. 

Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur's Batu Caves

Kuala Lumpur's Batu Caves

Batu Caves is one of the most well-known Hindu Shrine located outside of India which is dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is located in Gombak district, North of Kuala Lumpur. It’s also another famous spot for travelers. From KL Sentral, we took the Komuter train using the Batu Caves Port Klang Route. It was around 30mins ride.

Monkey Deity

Very detailed structures

After a few minutes walk, we saw this Monkey Deity and some more statues and shrines. You’ll see a lot of Monkeys around the vicinity that’s why you need to be extra careful as they are likely to grab some food and items from you.

Monkey eating Banana

Murugan Statue

Before going up, outside the Batu Cave is the world’s tallest Murugan statue at around 140 feet. He is the Hindu god of war who is known as the commander in chief of the army of the gods. They said that the statue painted in Gold costs approximately 24 million Rupees.

How cute are they

You’ll also notice hundreds of Pigeons being fed by some tourist and even locals.

On the way up

Sarong for rent

On top of the limestone hill are some temple caves. You need to climb 272 steps to reach it. You also need to show respect to the temples by following the dress code or else they will not allow you to enter the cave.  On the side are some locals where you can rent Sarong for cover up. It’s already crowded but they said that there are even more people during the Thaipusam festival because of the devotees. I decided not to go inside because I was really tired. It was scourging hot and we're all hungry that's why we did not stay long here.

Batu Caves,
Sri Subramaniam Temple,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Office Number: +603 2287 9422

Malaysia: Petronas Twin Towers - The Iconic Landmark

Oh, hello there?! Petronas Twin Towers! 

It was an easy landing for the group because our dearest friend Arjie will be hosting our night in Kuala Lumpur. We arrived around past afternoon in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) so to utilize the remaining time of the day, as soon as we met her, we rushed immediately to see Petronas.

From KL Sentral, we ride LRT going to KLCC and went inside the Suria Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC) without knowing that the building is beneath the tower already or should I say part of it.

Petronas Twin was considered as one of the highest building in the world. Seeing the mega structure up-close is amazing. Though it's not the spot I've imagined seeing on my first out of the country trip, with these wonderful people around me, I still enjoyed the view of the night.

And this is what you can see around - taken by Sol. 

The view on the other side 

Busy tourist checking their photos with the towers. 

Ladies group shot - of course

And our feeling honeymooners - turista pose :) 

Thanks Arjie for the tour! 

You can get more details of the Petronas on this LINK
PETRONAS Twin Towers,
Kuala Lumpur City Centre,
50088 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Telephone :   +60 (3) 2331 8080     Fax:   +60 (3) 2331 1723
Email :   pettvo@gmail.com

In God’s Perfect Timing: The Best Days

My La-Loves Eskapaderas Travel Buddies! 

I promised myself that one day. I’ll be able to fly across the sea and wander what else we have outside my homeland. It has always been with me, dreaming and claiming for that day to come. Just a few weeks after getting married, it finally came true. Part of my wish was that it should be before my 30th birthday and it's another wish granted too. What makes it more grateful is that hal and I shared the trip with my friends. Traveling in group can be a bit stressful at times but definitely twice more fun and most of all saves you a lot of money. I really cannot tell how grateful I am and up to now I’m thanking the Lord everyday for the overwhelming blessings. Expenses were just around 20k each for the 15days trip, airfare excluded. :)

Our DIY Route –  Manila – Kuala Lumpur – Phuket – Cambodia -  Bangkok – then back to Manila

The Famous Petronas Twin Towers 

Pigeons near the Batu Caves Temple - all well fed by the tourist and locals

Phuket is known for their beaches, but still nothing compares to the beaches here in Pinas

In the middle of the Phuket's Sin City - Bangla Road, Patong Beach. Wait till the Sun goes down. 

This is my dream travel destination - Cambodia's Angkor Wat

Cambodia's Floating Village - another place to discover in Siem Reap

Bangkok's Grand Palace - undoubtedly  most famous landmark 

Thai monks and tourist in prayer 

Photo credit to Mirasol of ThewandersofSolita. 

Thank you so much for the wonderful photos.

Dreams Do Come True

The most beautiful sea of clouds I saw in my entire existence - on our way home from our honeymoon.

I just realized that I haven’t officially welcome 2015 on my blog. It also took 3 months before I was able to post something here. I’ve been gone for a while.

I may not be able to travel much last year but there are a lot of changes in my life. I can say the best turn around year for me.

Hal and I attending the Kerygma Conference

 I set priorities. We focused the first few months saving for our big day. We only had few out of town nearby just to relax a bit. Other than that, no other major travels for me. I even wasn't able to blog some of it because we’re busy.

Our photobooth setup at Fig Tree Cafe

I plan and execute. We finally started our own business. Aside from the wedding plans, we were able to open our Partyneeds and Photobooth business. It was hard but it was fun. We struggled but we succeed. It was a great feeling satisfying your customers and doing what we love. I love decorating already but I then I also realized that I also love editing and doing layouts. I am mostly in charge of it. One thing that makes it easier is because we work on it together.

Yes It's was AWESOME! Love you hal!

I become the hands on bride. Getting married on a budget can be exhausting. If only you have all the money to spend. Anyway, I’d rather travel around the world than to splurge on a one day event. Haha! But then, you also don’t want to miss the idea that it’s a one time deal. It’s not everyday that you’ll walk down the altar and say I do and finally be with the man you love. So then the budgeting comes in, I can say that as long as you know where to put your money, having a decent wedding without spending much is such an achievement.

Sansa is already too much comfortable in her new home and her daddy.

The joy of starting the new chapter of our life together. We moved in to our new (renovated) house. It’s a bonus for me that we moved in just a door away from my parent’s house. Literally its just 3 cartwheels and I am on their doorstep. As soon as I heard that our tenant will be moving out, we ask our parents that we will be the one to occupy it. Though we doubled our expense (paying the house we’ve bought and renovating the existing), it's still better to live near your parents so you can always check with them all the time. We used most of the monetary gifts in repainting, tiling the floor , adding a division, extending the gate and buying the basic home essentials.

And so that ends my 2014, and will continue my 2015 in a goal for more success.
I am a Happy Wife now :)
Yes, dreams do come true.