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philippines the farm at san benito mediation

Activities in Philippines

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The Philippines nightlife culture comes alive in the Visayas biggest city, Cebu. The city is packed with many amazing restaurants, and the live music only makes it better. If you find boards that mention ‘videoke’ know that they are referring to what is known as karaoke elsewhere. The nightlife offers various settings from posh urban VIP lounges to laid-back grunge bars that play folk music. There are also transvestite venues in Manila that many tourists visit. Filipino towns feature far more low-key bars that play reggae or country music. You can also catch classical music, opera and ballet performances at the Philippines Cultural center.

You can purchase a number of things in the Philippines from religious artifacts to exquisite pieces of art. If you are picking up souvenirs you could try looking for jeepney models or fridge magnets. You should also find cutlery pieces that use bamboo and carabao horn. If you are looking to shop for clothes, stop by Colon, Dividoria or Palitan markets; you should find batik textile products, traditional malong, vibrantly colored raw textile cloths and more. You should also find linens products in Filipino department stores. Jewelry pieces can be found at throwaway prices in malls, from tribal-imitation jewelery to pearl jewelry.

philippines the farm at san benito vegetable

Philippines’ Cuisine

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Filipino cuisine has strong Spanish influences (from the 35-decades of Spanish rule that the country saw) and ones from other native traditions as well. Many Westerners are pleased when they learn that Filipino cuisine scores the lowest on the spicy food scale among South East Asian food. Filipino food creations are made to tantalize the palate, with loud combinations of sour, sweet and salty. Ginger, onions and garlic are often used in food preparations, and the prolonged cooking period beautifully brings out all these flavors in the food.

Roasted chicken, pork and fresh fish are a staple in the Filipino feast table, and as is rice. In fact rice features in all their meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Although you may find some Visayas’ locals choose corn over rice. Dessert is also an important part of the meal in the Philippines. The diverse variety of tropical fruit found here have allowed locals to create a range of exquisite desserts that keep you coming back for more. Turo-turo and Carenderias are budget food stalls in Philippines. Eating with hands is something that you may see in some country-side locations.

philippines el nido resorts island view

Explore Philippines

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Boracay is one of the most sought-after islands for tourists around the globe, and you cannot tell if it is the azure ocean, the coconut palms that gently sway to the wind or the sun-kissed sand that makes it so appealing. Restaurant and bar chains have not gone a deaf ear to the tourist racket in Borocay, and neither have the tourists to them. However, if the tourist activity is not to your liking, you can instead go to Panglao Island. Intramuros, Manila’s historical attraction is home to the country’s most prominent museums. Tourists also stop by Corregidor to see ruins from the Second World War.

Another tourist hotspot is Tagaytay that is home to the crater-lake Taal, with a Volcano at the center. Viigan which is declared as a World Heritage site by the UNSECO is also worth a visit. If you want to go diving, stop by Puerto Galera. The location also gives you trekking opportunities in the jungles where many tribals reside. Palawan is popular amongst scuba divers, with most of them choosing the world war wreck location to go scuba diving. Mount Apo has been deemed as a tough climb by even experienced mountaineers, and is also the tallest mountain around here.

Philippines Culture

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With Tagalog being the national language, the Philippines practice nearly 150 other dialects and languages. The Filipinos have their family roots from all around the world, from Middle Eastern Sufis to Chinese traders, Spanish conquistadors, Malay settlers, and more. It’s diverse heritage, can in a way be attributed to its rich culture, of which hospitality seems to be a common thread. The warm Filipino hospitality is unmissable even in ram-shackled barrio homes. Another thing that the Filipinos take very seriously is entertainment. The vibrant fiestas that occur here are a testament to this tradition.

The countryside locals are especially known for their hospitality and generous spirit, although they may appear shy at first. They invite strangers and tourists to feasts during these fiestas without a second thought, even if it means spending all savings or running into debt in many cases. You will find that the geography hugely dominates the different groups and culture in the Philippines, such as the warm Visayans in the central islands, religious Muslims in Mindanao, frugal Ilocanos in the north and so on. A huge majority (83 percent) of the population are Roman Catholics, which is different from the dominant Buddhism influences in the remaining parts of Southeast Asia.

Cuisine in Bintan

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There are many things to do and see on the island and just a couple include Sebung Village for the freshest seafood at very reasonable prices and Penyengat Island just six kilometres from Tanjung Pinang.

It can be reached by sampan and was once the seat of the powerful Bugis, descended from the viceroys of Riau during the 18th century. Penyengat still bears the traces of its illustrious past and ruins, abandoned for almost 70 years, were recently restored.

Exploring Bintan

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Perfect the active and not so active, the island has something for everyone. Recreational activities available are snorkelling, jet-skiing, canoeing, wind surfing, golfing, fishing, sailing and diving. Island hopping adventures and shopping or just walking along the white sandy beaches make it the perfect destination for all travellers.

singapore grand hyatt singapore swimming pool

About Singapore

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Singapore is expensive compared to other Asian destinations and comparable to Western cities. However, cheap accommodation is available and you can confidently survive on US$32 per day, with a small amount kept aside for sight-seeing. It is recommended you budget a minimum of $95 per day.

The climate of Singapore is hot and humid, with minimal variation through the year. Expect median daytime temperatures to be around 31 degrees Centigrade which drops to 24 degrees in the evenings. Monsoon season means torrential downpours and it is recommended that you bring rain protection gear if you visit after November.

British citizens and those of majority of European countries, along with Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, United States and Australia o not require a visa to land on Singaporean soil. You can extend your stay by a maximum of three months.

The international dialing code of Singapore is +(65). If you are visiting Singapore, and is on an international roaming plan, there is no need to put in +(65) as you will be automatically connected to the local numbers. Do remember that smoking is considered a punishable offense in public transportation and in air conditioned places like cinemas, shopping centers, restaurants and entertainment outlets.

Singapore Transportation

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The public transport system in Singapore is efficient, fast and you will reach your destination quickly sans any fuss.

The MRT ( an acronym for mass rapid transit) is the quickest way to travel around the city. The comprehensive system of railway tracks mean you can visit a majority of the city state’s attractions by train alone. Almost all attractions are either besides or simply a short walk away from a train station. Tickets can be bought for single rides but tourists are advised to buy the Singapore Tourist Pass permitting you to unrestricted travel for a period of one day. Trains and platforms are visually impaired and wheel chair friendly.

Take a taxi if you do not want to board the train or the bus. Taxis go by the meter, but there can be a surcharge based on the destination and amounts set by the taxi company itself. You can hail a taxi all over Singapore and ask for a receipt at the end of your trip. You can also dial the call centers for a taxi to be sent to you.

Bus routes cover every nook and cranny of Singapore and is the cheapest. This mode of public transportation is also very scenic. You can pay the bus fare using the Singapore Tourist Pass or the EZ-Link card.

Hokkien Fry Noodles with Prawns and Squid

Singapore’s Cuisine

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Singapore’s rich multicultural heritage shows up in its plate, mirroring the place’s cultural diversity with generous portions of Peranakan, Chinese, Malay and Indian cuisines. Taking a stroll around the city means sniffing in delicious smells of South Indian thalis, Malay food, biryani, Peking duck, Cantonese dim sum, popiah or spring rolls and Hokien mee – a kind of fried noodles from Fujian Province in China.

Chinese cuisine is the dominant one, with the food representing the Chinese philosophy of perfectly balancing the food’s yin and yang notes. The edibles are symbolic, with oysters served for good fortune, noodles for longevity and fish for prosperity. Do order the dim sum and double boiled soups. The Szechuan spicy dishes and flavorful chicken rice are the highlights of Singaporean Chinese dishes.

If you love Indian food, order Indian Muslim dishes like parathas, nasi biryani and murtabak. Ask the waiter for a cup of the tarik or pulled tea to end the delicious meal. Malay dishes incorporate a bounty of chillies, curry leaves, galangal, lemon grass, shrimp paste or belachan and turmeric. The cuisine is deliciously spicy without being hot.

Singapore’s unique Nonya or Peranakan food provides a mix of Indonesian, Malay and Chinese flavors, mixing spices and aromatic herbs to cook a delectable world of curries, stews and braised dishes. Do try ayam buah keluak, a dish made of chicken, buah keluak nuts and also the laksa, a dish made of rice vemicelli, coconut milk garnished with chicken or seafood.

Exploring Singapore

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The geography of Singapore is shaped like a diamond and adequately compact to explore in a couple of days. The southern part of the city state is its older part and called downtown by its residents. Its epicenter is arguably the creek of the Singapore River, the place where Raffles landed from his ship to shore in 1819. At present, it is a place to relax with its buzzing bars and restaurants converted from warehouses.

Visitors to Singapore flock to its ethnic enclaves, of which Little India is the most visited. It has photogenic Hindu temples, appetising curry houses and shops retailing spices and exotic produce. The nearby golden domes of Sultan Mosque and Arab Street are also a must visit. Cross the river and you reach Chinatown with its fully restored Chinese mansion and shrines. The characteristic shophouses form an unique Singaporean attraction.

The British have also left their mark. The Colonial District to the north of Singapore river has a number of grand Neoclassical buildings like Parliament House, City Hall and the world famous Raffles Hotel. You can sift through history in the National Museum. The newest slice of the city is Marina Bay, with a namesake casino resort, an arts center Esplanade – Theaters on the Bay and Gardens by the Bay.