Tag: budget travel

Tuesday Tip: SINGAPORE Tipid Hits – 9 Ways to Explore On A Budget

It’s not a secret that Singapore is a very expensive country to visit. I visited the country two weeks ago & I can clearly say that most of the things in this country (food, accommodation, transportation) are expensive. However, no matter how expensive this place is, there are still ways on how you can explore this country on a shoestring budget.

Don’t miss Haji Lane! It’s free to go around & take photos of area.

It’s been a while since I posted a Tuesday Tip article; I’m very happy to revive this section of the blog. Today, I’ll share with you 9 ways on how you can explore Singapore the cheapest way possible. These tips are based on my previous visits to Singapore so some points may not be applicable to everyone.

Book Tickets Early

There are more than 15 daily flights from the Philippines to Singapore – 12 of them from Manila. The technique is to take advantage of various airline promotional fares & offers. Return tickets to Singapore used to cost a little over ₱2,000. With the recent inclusion of fuel surcharges to airfares, a cheap return ticket should cost you around ₱4,000. Airport fees in Singapore are very expensive (but you get what you pay for – Changi Airport is the world’s best airport) that’s why fares are these high.

Here’s where your high airport fees to go – to the world-class Changi Airport!

Book your tickets at least 6-9 months before your planned trip, I’m sure you’ll get a good fare deal. I’ve posted two blogs with tips on how to score cheap flights – check the articles here & here.

Stay In Hostels

Hotel accommodations in Singapore are expensive. If you want to have your own privacy, there are budget hotels & guesthouses but take note that spaces are very limited & amenities are very basic. If you don’t mind sharing a room with another person, book your stay in a hostel. Singapore has a lot of nice & high-rated hostels which offer better amenities than some hotels. Check out reviews online before booking your stay.

My dormitory bed two weeks ago in Five Stones Hostel

I previously wrote an article about the ups & downs of staying in hostels. Check the article to see if staying in this kind of accommodation is something for you or not. Also, I wrote a set of tips on how to get the best accommodation deals – make sure to also check that!

Book Attraction Tickets Online

Singapore is a country with a lot of attractions to visit. This equates to spending more money on attraction passes & entrance fees. The best way to save some cash is to book your attraction tickets online. There are online platforms such as Klook & KKDay which offer discounted tickets to almost all attractions in Singapore. Check out your attraction of choice & book them before flying to the country. Booking these tickets / passes in advance also help you skip the long queue at the venue.

Going outside the Philippines for the first time? Check out these 5 steps in order to easily pass through PH immigration!

Eat In Hawker Centres

This is how a hawker centre looks like – this one is in Little India

Food in Singapore isn’t really cheap. A normal meal with a drink in a restaurant or in a shopping mall food court can cost from SGD 7 up to SGD 20. Not practical at all. Singapore has what you call ‘hawker centres,’ these are open air food courts where you get affordable local food. These hawker centres can be found everywhere in Singapore. A hearty meal will only cost you around SGD 3. You still have some extra cash for dessert or for a drink. See the difference?

Get An EZ-Link Card

EZ-Link is Singapore’s reloadable transportation card. Instead of paying for each bus ride or topping up for every train ride, you can use this tap card to pay for your fare. You don’t need to queue in every train station, thus saves you a lot of time. Also, you only pay for the distance traveled & not the usual flat fare when you pay in cash.

How an EZ-Link card looks like. Thanks to Junelle for letting me use the photo.

EZ-Link Cards are sold at most train stations for SGD 12 with SGD 7 top up value (card value at SGD 5). Also, don’t buy the Singapore Tourist Pass if you won’t ride the train very often. You need at least five to six rides a day to break even the daily pass cost.

Walk, Walk & Walk

Singapore is a very tourist-friendly country. All the signs are in English, so you won’t get lost. The best way to explore the country is by foot. Remember that the country has a very hot climate so make sure to bring your bottled water & umbrella with you, plus wear comfortable footwear. Places to visit in this country are grouped into locations.

6 attractions in a photo – you can visit all these places in a day by walking around the area!

For example, you can walk from Boat Quay, to Raffles Place, then to the Merlion Park, to Helix Bridge, Singapore Arts & Science Museum, Marina Bay Sands & last to Gardens By The Bay all in one day. You can also easily spend an afternoon walking around Little India, then to Bugis, then to Haji Lane & Arab Street at night. The secret is to plan where to spend the day so you don’t need to transfer from one area to the other.

Take Advantage of Free Attractions / Places

Singapore may be an expensive country but hey, it also has a number of free attractions or places. These clean & well-maintained places don’t need an entrance fee for you to enjoy or take a photo. These places include Merlion Park, Gardens By The Bay (entrance fees required only for the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest & OCBC Skyway), Singapore Botanic Gardens, Helix Bridge, Shoppes At Marina Bay Sands, Mustafa Centre, Singapore National Library & a whole lot more. See? You don’t have to spend even a dollar to explore & enjoy these places.

Gardens By The Bay’s Supertree Grove is a beautiful free attraction in Singapore!

Bring Water Container

Water in Singapore establishments like cafes & restaurants are not free. It usually costs 50-cents per glass (₱18-ish like really? Yeah!) so the best way to save some cash is to bring your own water container. Singapore tap water is safe to drink so you can refill it anywhere. The country also has drinking water stations found in touristy areas.

Note that smaller water bottles (SGD2-ish) cost more than bigger bottles (SGD1). If I were you, always go for the big bottle.

Look For The Best Place To Shop

Singapore has a lot of shopping centers & malls – more than you can imagine. Almost each neighborhood has a shopping center or a leisure mall. The best places to buy souvenirs are Bugis Street Market, Little India’s Mustafa Center & Chinatown. Some shops allow you to haggle or to ask for a discount; but make sure to ask for a reasonable discount.

If you’re looking for normal day goodies like snacks, drinks & toiletries, buy them from bigger supermarkets located in the basement of every shopping mall. Don’t buy them elsewhere.

In case you missed it, I posted an article about my 24-hour quick stopover in Singapore about 2 weeks ago. That part of the trip inspired me to share my tipid tips in Singapore. This short list saved me a lot of Singapore dollars during my visit in Singapore.

Do you have other tips to add? Feel free to post them in the comment sections below. If you want to share some experiences, tips & suggestions but you want to remain anonymous, send them to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Connect with me via my social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Don’t forget to like & share my Facebook page!

Thanks for your time. Until next time! 🙂

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11 & HTC Re.

SINGAPORE Stopover: Quick & Packed 24 Hours In The Lion City

Two weeks ago, I had a quick 24-hour in Singapore. I’ve been in this country a few times in the past, so there was no rush exploring a lot of places. The last time I was in Singapore was when our family welcomed the New Year in the Lion City. I already wrote about that trip & you can check it out again here.

This stopover was planned last minute. A Singapore-based friend, Lord from LordAroundTheWorld, invited me to once-in-a-lifetime trip so I had to be in the country at least a day before the big day. You’ll know about that trip in the coming weeks. I flew to Singapore from Penang last 3 November & arrived the country around lunch time. I went straight to my hostel to check in & leave my things. I went around the area right away & I managed to visit these places.

Flying to Singapore soon? Check out my tips on how you can travel cheap in such expensive country!

Haji Lane

Haji Lane’s famous mural

Haji Lane is the ‘hippie area’ of Singapore. This famous lane is characterized by colorful murals, specialty shops, cafes, restaurants & bars which youngsters enjoy visiting. The street is very quiet in the morning up until lunch time & transform into a busy area by late afternoon until midnight. It’s also one of the best places to have your ‘Instagram-worthy’ shot.

Colorful but very quiet Haji Lane

BUGIS

Bugis is probably my favorite shopping area in Singapore. I don’t know why, but I always end up in this area every time I’m in Singapore. You can find the famous Bugis Street Market, one of the best places to buy souvenirs in Singapore, here. Bugis Junction Shopping Mall is another place to buy clothes & all good stuff. This is one place which you should not miss when visiting & shopping in Singapore.

ARAB STREET

Arab Street in the morning

Located a few meters from my hostel, Arab St is Singapore’s historic Muslim center. Singapore’s national mosque, the Masjid Sultan Mosque, is located in this area. Aside from its rich history, Arab Street is also famous for its boutique cafes, restaurants & shops. This street transforms into a lively entertainment precinct every night. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to explore more of the neighborhood due to limited time.

Arab Street at night

ATLAS BAR SINGAPORE

Atlas Bar’s Gin & Champagne Collection 😍

The visit to Atlas Bar in Parkview Square was probably the highlight of my 24-hour stop in Singapore. This grand lobby & bar has become a go-to destination of visitors because of its beautiful interiors. Atlas Bar has one of Asia’s longest list of champagne collection (around 250+ champagnes). It also houses the world’s largest physical gin collection (with over 1,000 gins in all). The bar has a grand central structure where the bottles are stored & displayed.

Atlas Bar’s Classic Gin Tonic 🍸

My friends & I went here to see the place & also to have an afternoon drink. A normal drink costs about SGD 20 – SGD 30 + service charge, depending on the type of drink you get. I tried their classic gin tonic; it was the best gin tonic I had to date. They also have an extensive food menu which we were not able to try. Make sure to book your tables early because the place is always full. Take note that the place observes a strict dress code after 5:00 pm – so no shorts, slippers & active wear.

View from the Atlas Bar’s VIP area

Marina Bay Sands

The iconic Marina Bay Sands

A trip to Singapore will never be complete without a visit to Marina Bay Sands. I didn’t stay in the hotel, but I passed by this area again for the nth time. Marina Bay Sands is now one of the country’s landmarks. The Marina Bay Sands Hotel sports a unique boat-like structure on top of 3 tall buildings – this structure has the infinity pool & sky park. Marina Bay Sands also has a large shopping center called The Shoppes At Marina Bay Sands where you can see all kinds of local & international brands.

Gardens By The Bay

Inside Gardens By The Bay’s Flower Dome

Gardens By The Bay is a 100+ hectare man-made nature park located at the back of Marina Bay Sands. The park itself has a lot of attractions to see & discover. I first went around the famous Supertree Grove that are lit up every night. I purchased a Klook entry ticket to both the Flower Dome & the Cloud Forest. The Flower Dome features various gardens with flowers found from all over the world. It also features a central flower display, which changes from time to time. The theme during my visit was Floral Christmas. On the other hand, the Cloud Forest features leaves & plants that grow in tropical mountain regions. This place is famous for the big man-made waterfall & the cloud mountain.

Man made waterfall inside the Cloud Forest

Beautiful tropical feature inside the Cloud Forest

I went to this place at night, about 1.5 hours before last admission, so everything was a bit rushed. I suggest going there for at least half a day to appreciate everything. Go to the Cloud Forest & Flower Dome while there’s still sunlight, then wait for the supetrees to light up at night.

Beautiful supertrees 😍

Zouk Singapore

Right before entering Zouk Singapore 🎉

This 24-hour stop in stopover was very hectic. After going around a few areas in the afternoon & night time, my friend Lord met up with me in Zouk Singapore for the pre-event party. Zouk Singapore is the country’s most famous & also one of the world’s best night clubs. The American electronic music group, Cash Cash, was there to play a set. It was a good night, an amazing preparatory party for the big event the following day. I also got to experience Singapore night life in the world-standard night club. Cool stuff.

Sam & Alex of Cash Cash played at the pre-event party 🙌

Our Lady of Lourdes Church

Inside the church right after the Sunday mass 🙏

I woke up too early despite sleeping at 3:00 in the morning. I took the chance to go to the nearby Catholic Church – Our Lady of Lourdes Church – for the Sunday English mass. I attended the 7:30 am mass then had, breakfast after before going back to the hostel. I’ve been to this church in 2016 & was so happy to be there again.

Albert Street Hawker Centre

Local Singaporean food for breakfast 😋

There weren’t many restaurants open after the mass. I decided to have breakfast in the nearby hawker centre. I ordered rice with chicken, egg, noodles & side dishes for SGD 3.80. Albert Street Hawker Centre is in Albert St, right across Bugis Street Market. The food here is authentic & very affordable.

Changi Airport Terminal 4

Inside Changi Airport Terminal 4, after immigration & security check

The visit to Changi Airport Terminal 4 was not until after the trip, but I felt like I need to include it here. Changi Airport opened their newest terminal last year & I was lucky my flight home departs from this terminal. Everyone knows that Changi Airport has been the world’s best airport for a number of years now, but oh boy, the new Terminal 4 is out of this world. I was blown away by everything about this terminal. All facilities are still new (after a year of operation) & well-maintained. Everything is modern, efficient & well organized. I can’t wait to fly to Singapore again to see Terminal 4 again.

To the boarding gate – what a beautiful airport terminal 😍

This pretty much sums up my quick & very busy stopover in Singapore. I arrived there with only Gardens By The Bay on my plans. I love how spontaneous my itinerary was. Singapore is a country I’ll never get tired of going back. I’ve been there a few times in the past & I still look forward to visiting it again no matter how expensive the country is.

A close up photo of a supertree in Supertree Grove 😍

Have you been to Singapore? What were your favorite places to visit? How did you manage to explore such expensive country? Share your experiences in the comments below.   Got questions about Singapore or travel in general? Feel free to send them to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Check out my social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Like & share my Facebook page too!

Thank you for reading! Until the next post. ✌️

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Hostel Of The Day: OAK HOSTEL ZEN – My Favorite Tokyo Hostel

UPDATE – My favorite, Oak Hostel Zen, has ceased operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I am keeping this Hostel of the Day feature to give tribute to this wonderful hostel.

It’s time for another hostel feature! It’s been 3 years since I first went to Japan with my high school buddies. Oh missing those good times! I’ve also been to Japan thrice after that trip & I can say that there’s this one Tokyo hostel which instantly became my favorite – Oak Hostel Zen. This favorite hostel of mine will be featured as today’s Hostel Of The Day. I’ve stayed in Oak Hostel Zen thrice – that’s 3 out of 3 trips / stopovers in Tokyo. The hostel is part of Oak Hotel Group, a local hostel / hotel group which caters to both local & foreign travelers.  The group has 7 properties across Tokyo & Nara in Japan.

I’ve mentioned Oak Hostel Zen in my previous posts – 9 Days in Japan for less than ₱40,000, Fujikawaguchiko Blog, Fujikawaguchiko & Takayama for less than ₱35,000 & Hokkaido Winter Trip for less than ₱45,000. None of these posts provided a comprehensive review of this property. Fret not, I will give you a detailed feature of Oak Hostel Zen below plus give you my thoughts about staying in this hostel.

Location & Access

Oak Hostel Zen is located in 3-3-3, Negishi, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0003. It is located in a peaceful residential area in Taito, Tokyo. The hostel is about 7 minutes walk from Uguisudani Station on JR Yamanote Line or about 10 minutes walk from Iriya Station on Hibiya Line.

Oak Hostel Zen’s neighborhood – a quiet residential area in the city

From Narita Airport, one must take the Keisei Line to Nippori Station (90 minutes – all stops for ¥1,000) or the Keisei Skyliner to Nippori Station (40 minutes – limited stops for ¥2,400) then transfer to JR Yamanote Line Nippori Station to Uguisudani Station (less than 2 minutes – 1 stop for ¥130). From Haneda Airport, guests should take Keisei Line to Shinagawa Station (¥400) then transfer to JR Yamanote Line / Keihin-Tohoku Line Shinagawa Station to Uguisudani Station (¥160). From Uguisudani Station, one should take the south exit, turn left, cross & go down the bridge. Cross the street, then turn right, then turn left on the 1st street & turn another left in the street of the small supermarket.

Over JR Uguisundani Station

There are nearby local restaurants & shops. The nearest supermarket is about 10 meters away from the hostel’s door & the nearest convenience store is about 5-10 minutes walk. The hostel’s location is perfect for everyone. It is far from the city noise & it is where everything you need is just a few minutes away.

Room Options & Pricing

Oak Hostel Zen caters to all types of travelers, from those who are in budget to those who want to have privacy. In my 3 stays in this hostel, I’ve always slept in their 8-bed mixed / male dormitory rooms. The dormitory room is very spacious with each bed having curtains, comfortable pillow & Japanese- style bedding, individual reading light & universal power outlet. Each guest also has an individual locker with a hanger. Dormitory beds cost from ¥2,300 per night, depending on season. Showers & toilet are communal & can be found on each floor.

The male & mixed dormitory rooms look like this!

The hostel also has single dormitory rooms for ¥2,800 per night, depending on season. According to the hostel website, Oak Hostel Zen also has private rooms for those who want to have their own personal space. Twin rooms, semi double rooms (with own shower) & double rooms are also available for ¥5,980 per night, depending on season. Each room has a small desk, a cable TV & a small refrigerator. Families of 4 can book a family room for ¥16,000 per night, depending on season. The en-suite room has 4 single beds & has the same features of the other private rooms.

How a dormitory bed looks like in a male / mixed dormitory room

All these rooms, including the dormitory rooms, are air-conditioned. Oak Hostel Zen’s rates are reasonable for an expensive city like Tokyo. You definitely get what you pay for. I suggest that you compare the room pricing from different booking platforms such as Agoda, Traveloka, Booking.com & Hostelworld to get the best possible rate. Also, book early because rooms, especially the private ones, get fully-booked really fast.

Perks of Staying In Oak Hostel Zen

Hostels in Japan have all the facilities & amenities a guest needs. Oak Hostel Zen is one of the few hostels that provide a long list of perks for their guests. Check out these perks below.

Free WiFi

The hostel offers free ultra fast WiFi to all its guests. The WiFi signal is available in all corners of the property, even in the showers & toilets.

Communal Shower & Toilet

Dormitory & selected private room guests have access to communal shower & toilet facilities. These showers come with hot & cold water plus free shampoo, conditioner & body soap. The hostel also has a women-only shower area & unit bath. Bath towels can be rented in the reception area for a minimal fee. Hair dryers, curling & hair irons are also free of charge. Check with reception where you can find them.

Only in Japan – high technology toilets

Communal Kitchen & Dining Area

The communal kitchen & dining area is behind this communal wash area

Hostel guests have access to a fully-equipped kitchen & dining area. This area is complete with cooking utensils, refrigerator & a microwave oven. Plates, cutlery, glasses & cups can also be used. They also have complimentary coffee & tea. Unfortunately, the hostel doesn’t serve breakfast.

Spacious Lounge Area

Guests have access to a spacious lounge area near reception. This lounge area has comfortable seats & even has a personal computer to use. Guests can also watch movie with the free DVDs & can play games with the gaming consoles for free. The hostel also has a wall full of flyers & tour booklets where you can get information about Tokyo & all other places in Japan.

Free Luggage Storage

The hostel offers free luggage storage up to 1 week before check-in (make sure to inform them beforehand & include your booking details & check-in day) & during the day of the checkout. If you want to store luggage after your checkout day, they charge a minimal fee per day.

Coin Lockers

Dormitories have individual lockers, but private rooms don’t have safety boxes. For those who want to store important items in a secured place, you can use the coin lockers near the reception area.

Coin lockers found in the 1st floor hallway

Long Reception Hours

Hostel reception is open from 6:00 am to 1:00 am every single day. Check-in time is 3:00 pm & checkout is 10:00 am.

Friendly Hostel Staff

Oak Hostel Zen’s people are one of the nicest & the most helpful ones I’ve encountered in Japan. They give really good recommendations & try to help as much as they can. The staff speak very good English too. They always greet you every time you pass by the reception area.

Oak Hostel Zen reception & main lobby

Dedicated Smoking Area

Smoking is not allowed inside the rooms & in the common areas. The hostel has a designated smoking area for those who want to smoke during their stay. If I can remember it right, the smoking area is located on the 1st floor.

Bicycle Rental

The hostel offers bicycle rental for ¥500 per day + ¥3,000 deposit. Feel free to ask reception for details.

Coin-Operated Laundry

Oak Hostel Zen also has coin-operated laundry & dryer on the 3rd floor. I haven’t used this facility, but don’t be shy to ask reception how to.

Seasonal Hostel Events

The hostel also hosts seasonal events like Halloween parties, holiday celebrations & random guest meet-up events. Make sure to like & follow them on Facebook to know more about the next event.

Guest Photo Wall

Our 1st photo is still there!! 😍

One unique feature of Oak Hostel Zen is their guest photo wall. They take photos of their guests after checkout & post these photos on the walls around the reception area. I already have 2 photos (missed a photo during my 2017 trip) in their photo wall! I can’t wait to see the photos again when I go back there soon.

Another photo to be added to their photo wall – taken last February 😍

Oak Hostel Zen is one of those hostels which you won’t get tired of going back to. I’ve stayed there thrice in the last 3 years & I still look forward to staying there again. The rooms are very spacious, the beds are very comfortable & the facilities are superb. The hostel’s location is perfectly quiet. The supermarket a few meters away from the hostel is a big bonus. This hostel is well-recommended, definitely my favorite in Tokyo & in Japan.

If you have any questions about Oak Hostel Zen, feel free to contact them in the details below:

Oak Hostel Zen
Address: 3-3-3, Negishi, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0003, Japan
Phone Number:+81 3 5808 7418
Fax Number: +81 3 5808 7419
Email Address: hostel-info@oakhostel.com / oakhostelzen@gmail.com
Website: oakhostel.com/zen
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/Oak-Hostel-Zen-オークホステル禅-854047354610911

Cherry blossoms found in Ueno Park (15 mins walk from Oak Hostel Zen)

I have plans of flying back to Japan in February next year. Is there a cool or a hippie hostel in Tokyo which is worth-checking out? I’m leaning towards staying at Oak Hostel Zen again but I am also open to suggestions. Feel free post your suggestions in the comment section below. Do you have travel or hostel-related questions? Connect with me! Send your questions via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. You can also connect me via the following social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Like & share my Facebook page too!

Thanks for reading this post & until the next hostel of the day! ✌️

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11& HTC RE.

N9 In Straya Series: Exploring SYDNEY By Foot Part 2 – City Icons, Alleys & Harbours

Heya! Apologies for being relatively quiet the past month. My work & personal lives have been very busy. There are just so many things going on. Don’t worry, I am back & I will try to post as many articles as I can before I embark on another trip in November.

View of Sydney Opera House & Sydney Harbour Bridge from Circular Quay

Last month, I shared with you the list of heritage sites our Sydney walking tour went into. We’ve been to historical buildings such as the Sydney Town Hall, St Mary’s Cathedral, Customs House & a lot more. These buildings & places were big parts of Sydney’s history & heritage. I mentioned in my previous Exploring Sydney By Foot post that my friends & I took 2 walking tours with I’m Free Walking Tours. These free walking tours are conducted by the local guides to share Sydney’s history & heritage with the visitors. The tour runs by donation – no fixed fee required. Head over to their website for more information about the tours.

As mentioned in the title, this post will talk about Sydney’s city icons, alleys & harbours. From the heritage structures in the previous article, we will now jump to the modern & iconic places Sydney is more known for. Check out the featured places below!

Central Station

Central Station is an iconic place in Sydney, but isn’t really a modern one. This is the city’s main train station. All trains around Sydney & most of New South Wales either leave from, arrive to or stop by this iconic station. The station has a grand & beautiful concourse, especially at night. The structure may be old, but the train facilities are modern, clean & well-maintained.

Sydney Tower

Best photo of Sydney Tower in my files, view from Pitt Street Mall

Sydney Tower, officially known as the Sydney Tower Eye, is the city’s tallest structure. Built in 1981, this tower stands 309 meters above the Sydney Central Business District. It is located within the Pitt Street Mall premises. This tower also houses a buffet restaurant, a bar & dining area & an event space. The observation deck is located at the topmost level of the tower. For information about entry tickets & passes, head over to the tower’s official website.

Pitt Street Mall

Pitt Street Mall is Sydney’s biggest pedestrian shopping & retail center. A portion of Pitt Street has been closed to vehicles to accommodate this retail precinct. This block is home to hundreds & hundreds of specialty shops & flagship stores. According to our guide, it also has one of the highest retail leasing rates in Sydney & in the world. It is the perfect place to go shopping for branded products. Entry to the Sydney Tower can be found within the mall premises.

Angel Place

Angel Place is one of the more interesting alleys in Sydney. Empty bird cages are hung above Angel Place. As you stand underneath these bird cages, you can hear the sounds of birds that once lived in Sydney before the all the buildings & structures were built. The bird songs change during night time, giving way to the sounds of nocturnal birds.

One of the most beautiful alleys in Sydney – definitely my fave! 😍

This special artwork is called ‘Forgotten Songs‘ & was designed by Michael Thomas Hill. The best time to visit the alley is during the day. It can be a little busy at night because of the establishments around it.

Planning to apply for an Australian Tourist Visa soon? I got you covered! Check this post to know more about the application process.

Circular Quay

Circular Quay / Sydney Harbour from Sydney Opera House grounds

Circular Quay, also know as Sydney Harbour, is Sydney’s main harbour & ferry terminal. 2 city icons – Sydney Opera House & Sydney Harbour Bridge – can be seen from this harbour. This is also where most ferries arrive & depart. The best way to explore this area of the city is by foot. Make sure to go from one end to the other.

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House is the city’s most iconic & distinctive structure. Sydney has been associated with this famous building since it was finished in 1973. The opera house is a multi-venue performing arts & function center. The structure occupies the whole of Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour. This iconic building was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2007.

A visit to Sydney will never be complete without seeing & having a photo with the Sydney Opera House. If you have time, make sure to check out what’s on the Opera House to complete the experience. The Sydney Opera House also conducts daily tours. However, these tours sell out pretty quick. Book the tour early if you plan to check it out during your visit.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sunny day in Sydney Harbour – view from the Opera House 😍

Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel arch bridge that divides the Sydney central business district & the predominantly residential area of North Shore (or north of Sydney). This city icon goes across Sydney Harbour & is the primary structure that carries vehicles, pedestrian & bicycle traffic between the 2 areas. If you want to cross the bridge by foot or by bicycle, make sure to look for the pedestrian-only way on the east side of the bridge or the cycle-only way on the west side of the bridge.

If you fancy crossing the bridge through the arch, check out the AUD 300 Sydney Harbour Bridge tours offered by various agencies & websites like Klook & Oz Experience.

Australia Square

Australia Square is a retail & commercial tower located at 264 George St, Sydney. Contrary to its name, this 50-storey tower is actually cylindrical in shape. The tower also has a 360-degree revolving bar & restaurant on Level 47. Check out O Bar & Dining for details. My friends & I were supposed to go to this bar & restaurant on our last night but plans changed.

Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour at night 😍

Darling Harbour is another harbour located near the city center. This primarily functions as a recreational & pedestrian hub. Various attractions such as the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, Wild Life Sydney Zoo, Madame Tussauds & the Australian National Maritime Museum can be found here. The area also boasts a very scenic restaurant & bar area called Harbourside. The renowned exhibition center, International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), can also be found here.

The best view to cap off our last night in Sydney 🍻

In my opinion, the best time to visit Darling Harbour is during dinner time. The reflection of the buildings in the water & the vibe of the area gives a very relaxing feeling.

Kensington Street

Kensington Street is a restaurant & retail precinct located in Chippendale, just a few meters from the Central Station. This street is home to various specialty shops, cafes & restaurants owned by famous chefs in Sydney. I had dinner with my Sydney colleagues in a contemporary restaurant called Eastside Kitchen & Bar. The food was super good, but a bit pricey. Service was top notch.

Inside Spice Alley – Asian food everywhere! 😋

If you’re looking for Asian cuisine, head over to Spice Alley. This alley features 6 hawker-style eateries under glowing lanterns. This place is perfect for those who miss eating rice (like me!) when in Australia. We met up with some friends & had dinner here for our last night in Sydney. We then had dessert in KOI Dessert Bar after dinner.

Lanterns everywhere in Spice Alley 🏮

Kensington Street & Spice Alley are must-visit places for Asians having holidays in Sydney. Food, pricing & ambiance were good.

Places Missed

Just like the other post, I also missed a few good places, namely Paddy’s Market (closed every Monday & Tuesday – ugh we planned to go there on those days), Barangaroo (a new inner city suburb being developed), Chinese Garden of Friendship (just before Darling Harbour – no idea why I missed this) & the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. These places are not as major the heritage ones I missed, but I still look forward to going back to Sydney to explore ’em.

Central Station at night 😍

So far this post & the previous post sum up the sites & places we covered while walking around Sydney. I know we missed a few notable ones but I don’t mind going back for those. After exploring Sydney, my friends & I went on day trips to Hunter Valley & Scenic World Blue Mountains. Keep an eye on the posts about these day trips!

For the last time in this post – the Sydney Opera House! 🇦🇺

Have you been to Sydney? Are there places which are worth-visiting? Feel free to comment them below. Feeling shy? You can send it to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Feel free to connect with me via my social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.. If you haven’t liked or followed my Facebook page, check this link. You know what to do!

Thanks for reading! 👍 I hope to post the next article soon. Watch out!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

High School Squad Weekend: 48 Hours In BOHOL

Did you know that my Hong Kong trip with high school friends last March 2018 had a follow up trip? We (a group of 8 people) recently went on another weekend trip, but this time to a nearby domestic destination – Bohol. Yes, we only spent 48 hours in the beautiful island of Bohol. It may be too short, but I think we covered the places we wanted to visit. This barkada trip was more of a rest & relaxation one, so there was no pressure for us to explore everything the island has to offer. Let me share with you the details of this quick weekend trip.

Bohol squad with the Chocolate Hills! Photo credits to Mark 🙂

In case you missed it, I’ve been to 2 other 48-hour weekend trips this year – Hong Kong & Port Barton. Check out these stories to know more about these quick but super fun trips!

Airfare & Accommodation

We didn’t wait for any airline offer or promotion when we booked our tickets. We used Traveloka‘s discount codes instead. Our Tagbilaran return ticket cost us ₱3,264.12 each, after the discounts.

We were a big group of 8 so we had a hard time looking for a place to stay. Good thing we found this newly-opened accommodation called Casa Teofista. This accommodation is located a few meters off the main highway & about 8-10 minutes walk from Alona Beach.

We only stayed in Bohol for 48 hours but we fell in love with the place.

We got 2 spacious family rooms with 2 double beds each for ₱9,856 for 2 nights – that’s ₱1,232 per person already for 2 nights. We didn’t choose a beachfront & luxury accommodation because we were only there for a short time anyway. I forgot to take photos of our accommodation – I’m sorry. If you want to contact Casa Teofista, head over to their Facebook page & shoot them a message.

DIY Countryside Tour

My friends & I opted for a do-it-yourself countryside tour because we wanted to skip a few places (Loboc River, Blood Compact Shrine & Loboc Hanging Bridge) from the usual tour, plus we planned to go to Bohol Bee Farm for lunch (instead of the Loboc River Cruise). We hired a van with driver for ₱2,800 for a full 8 hours including gas & parking fees. We asked the driver to pick us up from the airport & we went straight to our countryside tour. We asked to be dropped off at Casa Teofista at the end of our tour.

This was a DIY tour so we paid the following entrance fees – ₱50 for Chocolate Hills, ₱60 for the Tarsier Conservation Area & ₱45 for the Butterfly Garden. Check out the countryside photos below.

Chocolate Hills

Tarsier Conservation Area

Man-made Forest

Butterfly Garden

Baclayon Church

Bohol Bee Farm Organic Lunch

We had mango pizza for appetizer? Lol so good!

Filipino food for lunch – everything organic!

That’s us having lunch at Bohol Bee Farm!

Also tried Bohol Bee Farm’s famous ice cream. Got Guyabano & liked it.

If you are travelling alone, you can always rent a motorbike & explore Bohol by yourself. You can also join countryside group tours. Rates vary from one agency to another.

Alona Beach Dinner & Night Out

Alona Beach at night

After a few hours of rest & sleep, we headed out to Alona Beach to explore the area. We had dinner at Pyramid Beach Resort & transferred to Outback Bar & Grill for drinks. I also met up with James, another friend of mine who was in Bohol, in Outback Bar & Grill.

Met up with James who was also in Bohol that weekend. Photo c/o James 🙂

Private Island Hopping Tour

We hired a boat for a private island hopping tour for our second & last full day in Bohol. The boat cost ₱2,500 for the whole day including gas & guides. We left Panglao Island at 7:00 am & went dolphin watching. We then went to Balicasag Island for snorkeling & swimming with the turtles. The last stop of the tour was Virgin Island, which is known for its long & beautiful sandbar. We were there during lunch time, so the sand bar was still submerged in water. We were back in Panglao at 1:00 pm.

Given ours was a private tour, we paid ₱650 each in Balicasag Island for entrance fee, environmental fee & snorkeling gear rental. Solo travelers can join group island hopping tours for a certain rate. Again, rates vary from one agency to the other.

View of Balicasag Island from our motor boat

I don’t have photos of the dolphins, turtles & the underwater creatures because I forgot my adventure camera. Let me share with you photos of Balicasag Island & Virgin Island’s (almost) sandbar.

Balicasag Island

A beautiful & sunny day in Balicasag Island 😍

Virgin Island Sandbar

Crowded Virgin Island Sandbar

Last Night In Bohol

Inside St. Augustine Church in Panglao

We started our last night in Bohol by attending Sunday mass in St. Augustine Church in Panglao. We went back to Alona area afterwards to have dinner at Irene’s Restaurant. Majority of the group went back to our hotel after dinner. Marc & I went to Aluna Bar & met up again with James for a few drinks.

Last dinner in Bohol with the whole gang

That sums up our 48 hours in Bohol. The place is very beautiful & relaxing. We may be there for only 2 full days but we surely enjoyed the place with great company. We made memories which we will treasure for the rest of our lives.

Have you been to Bohol? How many days did you spend there? How do you think of the place? Are there other places that are worth-visiting? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. If you want to keep your identity, feel free to send ’em to contact@thewkndtravel.com. You can also drop me a message on Facebook, post a comment on Instagram or send me a tweet on Twitter.

Thanks for the time & see you in the next 48-hour or maybe 24-hour trip?

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.