Tag: itinerary

IT’S THE SHIP 2018 – 4 Days & 3 Nights Of Non-Stop Parties On Board Genting Dream Cruise

Last November, my good friend, Lord of Lord Around The World invited me to join him on It’s The Ship 2018. Known as Asia’s Largest Festival At Sea, It’s The Ship sailed to Phuket, Thailand on board Dream Cruises‘ Genting Dream for their 5th Anniversary. Its sail started in Marina Bay Cruise Center in Singapore then docked in Phuket, Thailand for a few hours then back to Singapore. Let me share with you how my first cruise experience went.

Pre-Cruise Stops

Prior to It’s The Ship 2018, I went on a 36-hour Penang side trip (to see Georgetown’s murals) & a 24-hour Singapore stop. My initial plan was to explore Penang & Kuala Lumpur for a few days until Lord invited me to join him on the cruise trip. I cut short my Penang stay, cancelled my Kuala Lumpur leg & flew to Singapore a day before the sail. I met with Lord upon arrival in Singapore, then walked around the city & finished the day with the pre-sail party in Zouk Singapore.

Day 1 – Sail To Phuket & On board Parties Begin

Check-in & Boarding

The cruise trip & EDM festival started in Marina Bay Cruise Centre. All guests, crew & artists checked-in for the trip, boarded by batch & passed through immigration. Everyone was given their respective room key cards, festival booklets & cruise schedule / information. Passports were surrendered to the crew upon entering the ship. The entire cruise had a safety briefing at 5:00 pm right before it started its sail to Phuket.

Room Tour

Lord & I stayed in Room 10556, a Balcony Stateroom on Deck 10. It features a queen bed, private bathroom & toilet, a sofa bed, a large television (with our names in it), a small refrigerator & a private balcony. The room also had 2 packs of snacks from The Golden Duck, the festival’s official party snack. The room was just right for 2 people. It was again my first time (in years) to stay in a luxury room like this. I enjoyed every detail of the room!

First Dinner On Board

While everyone was busy lining up for the gala dinner tickets (which we decided to skip), Lord & I had dinner at Dream Dining Room Restaurant. The restaurant featured a Chinese set menu. The dishes featured unlimited servings of sauteed frog legs, steamed large shrimps, roast duck & a lot more. What a sumptuous dinner!

Crown Stage Welcome Party

Parties started as soon as the cruise left Marina Bay Cruise Center in Singapore. Right after dinner, Lord & I went to the Crown Stage Welcome Party at Deck 16. It is also the cruise’ main party venue. We stayed for a few hours & enjoyed the sets of DJs like Helena Legend & Chocolate Puma. We went back to our room after a while & called it a night.

Day 2 – EDM Festival Continues & Phuket Stopover

Sunrise Party with Maddix

We started Day 2 really early with a sunrise party at Zouk Stage at the rear part of the cruise. We woke up before 5 am & made it to Maddix’s set. Maddix is one of Revealed Recording’s rising stars & is one of my current favorites. I’ve been listening to his songs & mixes for quite some time, so it was really nice to see him perform live. I even got a chance to have a photo with him after his set.

Lido International Buffet Meal

Lord & I had most of our meals in Lido International Buffet Restaurant. It is one of the two restaurants (the other is Dream Dining Restaurant) which are included in the fee. The other specialty restaurants are not for free & had very expensive food. Basically, we go to Lido for breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner, midnight snack & pre-sleep snack. Good thing this buffet offers an international spread. The food / dishes also change from time to time.

Around The Cruise

I took time to walk around the cruise while Lord hit the gym (know as Crystal Lift Fitness). I went to the main lobby, casino (known as Resorts World At Sea), Bridge Viewing Room (where the ship captain & officers can be seen + replica of the cruise) & the Dream Boutiques.

Zouk Stage Foam Party

Lord & I attended the crazy foam party at Zouk Stage. It was my first foam party & it was a mad on. Everyone partied really hard & the crowd was awesome. We were able to make it to Mira Mira & DJ Helena Legend‘s sets. Helena was joined by Jjay De Melo. Oh, I found out that Jjay De Melo drowned & died last month. I’d like to pay tribute to this cool man & I’m actually dedicating this post to him. Rest in peace, sir.

Phuket Stopover

The cruised docked at Patong Beach, Phuket at around 5:00 pm. Lord & I disembarked at 6:30 at one end of Patong Beach & walked around the streets of Phuket. We had authentic Thai food for dinner at Baan Laimai Beach Resort‘s on site restaurant. We also spent some time reconnecting with friends & loved ones through social media. Wi-Fi on board the cruise was very slow. We walked up to the other end of the area then back. We skipped the Genting Dream’s Gala Night for this stopover in Phuket. We went back to the ship a few minutes before 10 pm.

Party ‘Til Dawn

Lord passed for the 2nd night’s party while I partied my heart out. I met some cool Indonesian people on the dance floor & I joined their party until dawn. If I remembered it right, I slept around 5:00 am on the 3rd day. We enjoyed the sets of Hook N Sling & Darude. Cash Cash gave the best set of that night. The crowd was wild; the people didn’t run out of energy. It’s been a while since I danced until dawn; I enjoyed it a lot.

Day 3 – All-Day Chill & Party

Lunch at Dream Dining Restaurant

After eating most of our meals in Lido, Lord & I decided to have lunch at Dream Dining Restaurant for a change. We had unlimited Chinese set dishes plus rice & soup. The food this time was so-so; it consisted of sauteed eggplant, cabbage, some fish & meat. Our 1st meal in the same restaurant was a lot better.

Chill All Day

Day 3 aboard Genting Dream was more about chilling rather than partying. I wasn’t able to join Lord when he interviewed Maddix so I decided to just walk around the cruise (again), sunbathe & have some carbonated drink. Good thing the sun was out & the sky was super clear. Lord joined me after his interview & we went for a swim in the pool near the Crown Stage.

Hip-Hop Afternoon with Big Shaq

I dropped by the Zouk Stage while Lord was having some down time in the room. The one & only non-EDM related hip hop party was happening with the It’s The Ship 2018 Captain, Big Shaq. People came in their 90’s hip hop outfits. It was another crazy afternoon party! I didn’t stay long in that stage; I immediately went back inside the room & had some rest.

Dinner & Crazy Trance Final Night Party

Lord & I went out of the room to have our final dinner on the cruise. We went, of course, to Lido International Buffet. After dinner, we headed over to the crown stage again to have drinks & enjoy the trance-themed final night party. We also went to the Zouk Stage for another party & watched Cash Cash play beer pong with the other guests. Notable names that played that night were David Gravell, Estiva, Cosmic Gate, Paul Van Dyk (who was on the same plane as I am to Kuala Lumpur) & Vini Vici. The crowd went super wild during the sets of Cosmic Gate & Vini Vici. We stayed until around 1:00 am & we decided to go to bed afterwards.

Day 4 – Back In Singapore & Flight Back To Manila

Last Meal at Lido

Lord & I had our final brunch meal at Lido on our way back to Singapore. I know I’ve eaten a number of buffet meals on this trip, but I think this last one was special. I can very well remember the potato wedges & slices of turkey ham served in that spread.

Check-out & Disembarkation

After our meal, we went to reception to settle our bills & to check for possible last minute purchases. We headed back to our room, took a shower & packed our things. The cruise staff gave us back our passports.

The cruise ship arrived Singapore around lunch time, but we disembarked around 2:00 pm. We cleared Singapore immigration & found ourselves back at Marina Bay Cruise Centre. Our It’s The Ship 2018 experience officially ended here.

Flight Back To Manila

Lord & I immediately went to the nearest subway station. Lord took the train back to his place while I took the train to Changi Airport. A few hours later, I flew out of Singapore & landed back in Manila.

5 Reasons That Make It’s The Ship Is A Unique EDM Festival

You might wonder what makes It’s The Ship unique & why people go to this festival. Check out these reasons I thought of based on my experience.

It is on board a cruise ship.

Yes, it happens on board a cruise ship! You also go & disembark on a specific place in another country. How cool is that?

It has pop-up / themed parties.

The festival has pop-up / themed parties where guests can choose where to go to. It ranges from hip-hop parties, onesie parties, birthday bashes, foam party to pajama parties. People go to these parties in costumes, which makes the activity more fun.

It hosts side activities with DJs.

Sam of Cash Cash played few rounds of beer pong with the shipmates. Happened on the 3rd night!

It’s The Ship hosts several activities where the guests get to spend time with their favorite DJ’s. These activities include beer pong, yoga class, Singapore Sling class, games, etc. These give the guests the chance to meet their favorite DJ’s in flesh & also to have fun with them. It’s one of a kind.

It features the best local & international DJs.

The festival features the best local & international DJs in the scene. The 2018 sail gave the guests a chance to enjoy the music of legends like Paul Van Dyk, Vini Vici & Cosmic Gate. It also gave a platform for local DJs to showcase their talents & style in a bigger crowd.

It’s an experience of a lifetime.

Going to an EDM festival on board a cruise is definitely an experience of a lifetime. You get to enjoy the music of your favorite DJs while in the middle of the sea, plus you get to meet people from the other parts of the world who share the same passion for dance music. It was a fun trip, I’ll definitely attend it again in the future.

So.. There you go! It’s The Ship 2018 was a trip of many firsts & of a lifetime. I will never forget everything that happened in those 4 days & 3 nights on board Genting Dream. Massive thanks to my friend, Lord of Lord Around The World, for tagging me along!

It’s The Ship Singapore 2019 will be back for their 6th Anniversary this November 13-15. Check out the event website for cabin prices, lineup & more details. You can also start booking your cabins for this year’s party! Guess what? It’s The Ship will also sail from China & Japan this year. It’s The Ship China 2019 will depart Shanghai & go to Shimonoseki, Japan from June 13 to 17. Details are yet to be announced for the It’s The Ship Japan 2019. Make sure to follow It’s The Ship on Instagram & Facebook to get updated on the event details. You can also find everything about the ship on ItsTheShip.com. ✌️

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.

N9 In Straya Series: BRISBANE Weekend – Quality Family Time In QLD

After spending a few days exploring Sydney & the nearby regions, I flew to Brisbane in Queensland to spend a weekend with my relatives. I told my aunt (my dad’s sister) about my Sydney trip & she immediately invited me to spend a few days with them in Brisbane. I haven’t seen them for about 4 years now so it was a perfect time to catch up. I gave it a go without any hesitations. My friends decided to stay in Sydney during this part of the trip.

Plane Ticket

Domestic plane fares in Australia are expensive, especially when booked last minute. I booked my Sydney-Brisbane-Sydney tickets about a month before the trip. It cost me AUD 194.41 return or that’s ₱7,855.20 in local currency, about 2/3 of my Manila-Sydney-Manila ticket which cost me a little over ₱11,500 return.

Took Virgin Australia from Sydney to Brisbane

I flew with Virgin Australia to Brisbane. I took one of the early Saturday morning flights. The one way fare cost me AUD 120.55 or ₱4,878.50 in our currency – quite expensive because of the schedule. Virgin Australia is a full-service airline so the fare included 23 kilograms check-in baggage allowance, 7 kilograms carry-on baggage allowance, in-flight snack & wireless in-flight entertainment accessed through the airline mobile application. Seat was comfortable; legroom was just right. The flight arrived Brisbane on time.

Flew with Tiger Air Australia back to Sydney

I took Tiger Air Australia, one of Australia’s low cost carriers, back to Sydney. I paid AUD 73.86 one way – about ₱2,976.70. Airfares in Australia are really expensive. The fare only included 7 kilograms carry-on baggage allowance. In-flight meals & check-in baggage allowance were offered for a fee. I didn’t avail these add-ons because I was only travelling light. The flight went well & arrived back in Sydney ahead of schedule.

Welcome to Brisbane!!!~

Tip when flying around Australia – book your tickets early! Check out promotional fares offered by the airlines few months before the trip to score really affordable fares.

Planning to visit land down under soon? Find out how I got myself a 1 year multiple entry tourist visa to Australia here.

Accommodation & Transportation

My accommodation in & transportation around Brisbane were care of my aunt & her family. They picked me up from the airport & took me around the city. I also stayed in their house so I didn’t bother booking an accommodation for this leg of my Australia trip.

Just in case you’re wondering how the transportation system works in Brisbane, they also have Translink‘s top-up card called go card. This card can be used in local trains & buses around Queensland.

Around Brisbane

My relatives brought me to a few notable places in the city given I only had the weekend in the area. Check out the following places we visited in & around Brisbane.

Lone Park Koala Sanctuary

With my cousin – we played with some kangaroos!

We went to Lone Park Koala Sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket, Queensland. It is the world’s oldest & largest koala sanctuary. It was only until my Brisbane visit when finally I saw koalas & kangaroos up close. The kangaroos here were tame unlike those I saw in Hunter Valley. I also got the chance to have a photo hugging a koala. The koalas are so cute!

Had the chance to carry & hug a koala. 🐨 Dream come true! 🐨

Click this link for information about park tickets & koala photo fees.

Mount Coot-tha Lookout

Brisbane CBD from Mount Coot-tha Lookout 👀

We headed to Mount Coot-tha Lookout, also known as Brisbane Lookout, & had lunch overlooking the Brisbane CBD. We ordered food from the famous Kuta Cafe. The viewpoint is a must-see when in Brisbane because it gives a beautiful panoramic view of Brisbane up to Moreton Bay. Mount Coot-tha also has walking & bicycle tracks for those who are up for some adventure under the sun.

South Bank Parklands

South Bank Parklands is a recreational, cultural & social precinct located on the southern bank of the Brisbane River. Located in South Brisbane, this hub is home to different cultural institutions, restaurants, food boths & lively weekend markets. This parkland also gives a panoramic view of the Brisbane central business district.

The Wheel of Brisbane

The Wheel of Brisbane is an iconic Ferris wheel structure found in South Brisbane, within the South Bank Parklands. A ride to this Ferris wheel gives an 360-degree view of Brisbane. The ride takes about 10-15 minutes & includes an audio system which discusses some vital information about the city & its historical landmarks.

For information on tickets, head over to The Wheel of Brisbane official website.

Brisbane River

Brisbane River & 1 William Street skyscraper

Brisbane River is one of Queensland’s longest river which crosses various suburbs & cities & ends up on Moreton Bay. The river played a big role in Brisbane’s history in terms of transportation & navigation.

Brisbane CBD

View of Brisbane CBD from The Wheel of Brisbane

Brisbane central business district, commonly known as Brisbane City, is the center & capital of Queensland. Major financial, commercial, retail & business centers are found in this city. My relatives drove me around the city right before we had dinner. We also walked around one area of the CBD. The city was surprisingly laid back & quiet that weekend. My aunt told me that everyone in Brisbane or Queensland in general is relatively laid back & chill compared to other main cities like Sydney & Melbourne.

A random quiet Brisbane CBD street

Hanwoori Korean BBQ Buffet

Unlimited Korean BBQ for dinner! 😋

We capped off the day by having dinner in Hanwoori Korean Restaurant in the city. The restaurant offers unlimited Korean BBQ & side dishes. It was a good & satisfying dinner. I never thought I’ll have Korean barbecue while in Australia. Thanks to my relatives for the treat!

Korean BBQ buffet dinner with my relatives! ❤️

In case you missed it, my friends & I went on a walkathon around Sydney. Check out the list of heritage sites & city icons we visited.

Gold Coast Side Trip

Surfers Paradise from SkyPoint Gold Coast 😍

The other side of Gold Coast

My relatives took me to Gold Coast on my second day in Brisbane. We drove a little over an hour to the world famous surfers paradise. We drove around the city before going up to SkyPoint, Gold Coast’s highest attraction. This observation deck is located on Level 77 of Q1 Resort & Spa. The view deck is 230 meters above sea level & offers a 360-degree view of Gold Coast’s beaches, parkland & beyond. Tickets cost AUD 25 for adults & AUD 15 for kids & pensioners. They also offer a family plan of AUD 65 for 2 adults & 2 kids. Check out the SkyPoint website for more details.

Seafood lunch buffet! Yum~ 😋

View while having lunch in Australian’s only revolving restaurant 😍

We didn’t go for a swim on the beach because of limited time in Gold Coast plus the waves were strong. We then headed to Crown Plaza Surfers Paradise to have lunch. My uncle reserved a seafood buffet lunch (2nd buffet in less than 24 hours) for us in Four Winds 360° Revolving Restaurant – Australia’s only revolving restaurant. The buffet restaurant offered varieties of fresh seafood (crabs, prawns, mussels & oysters) & an excellent selection of hot dishes & desserts. My favorites, aside from all the seafood choices, were the following: roast turkey supreme, crispy pork belly with hoisin sauce & apple puree, ricotta & spinach tortellini & chicken tangerine. The view from the revolving restaurant was spectacular & breathtaking. Head over to the restaurant’s official website for more information on the menu & rates.

Family lunch.. Thank you for taking me around Brisbane & Gold Coast! ❤️

We headed back to Brisbane after lunch for some grocery errands. We had a simple Filipino dinner at my aunt’s house for my last night in Brisbane. I missed sinigang! I also had a few bottles of beer with my uncle after dinner to cap off my stay in Brisbane.

After spending the whole weekend with my relatives in Brisbane, I went to our local office for a quick visit then headed to Brisbane Airport for my flight back to Sydney. This basically ends my trip to Brisbane, Queensland. It was a short but a memorable visit. I got to spend some quality time with my relatives whom I haven’t seen for years. I would like to thank my aunt, uncle & cousins for accommodating me & taking me around Brisbane. Until next time!

This beautiful sunset welcomed me back in Sydney! 😍

My time in Brisbane was limited; I’d love to go back & explore more. Have you been to Brisbane? Any recommendations on where to go in my next visit? Share those places in the comments below! If you want to remain anonymous to other readers, feel free to send me an email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. You can also connect me via the following social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Make sure to like my Facebook page too.

One last ‘roo shot before ending this post! 👀

Watch out for the posts about the side trips we took from Sydney – to be posted soon! Thanks for reading my latest post & see you next time! ✌️

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

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.