Sunday, July 31, 2011

Welcome to August 2011

Welcome to August 2011

The stormy season over South East Asia but the Gulf of Thailand and especially around Samui it's usually very nice, with plenty of sunshine and occasional rain during the evenings. Previous have been known for storms as well but in general it's nice, especially after the first week of the month.

Deoksan beach near Samcheok in South Korea, during a sunny day

Currently I'm still in the Republic of Korea aka South Korea and will be getting back to Thailand this coming Thursday and back on Samui by Friday and guess what, a PADI IDC will kick off soon afterwards, this time on home turf again, on Samui!

Looking forward seeing you here on line, visiting my blog.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 1st August, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui is nice and the sun is getting ready to burst out. Current temp at 10am is 30C

Yesterday was a warm and sunny day around Samui with a temp of 32C.

Korean football supporters are all around the football

Back again in Osan, my home base in the ROK! It's still gray with occasional rain around town but it's warm. Current temp at noon is 27C

Just 3 more days to go and looking forward to visiting Seoul over the next couple of days. Thursday evening touch in Bangkok again!

Camille

National Revolutionary Martyr's Shrine (忠烈祠) at Taipei, Taiwan

The National Revolutionary Martyr's Shrine (N25.07826 E121.53358) is located at the roundabout along the BeiAn Road of Taipei, Taiwan.

The Martyr's Shrine of Taipei

"The Martyr’s Shrine was built to commemorate soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country during the War of Resistance against Japan and Civil War between Nationalist Government and the Communist Party. The Martyr’s Shrine was built in 1969, with the main architecture designed similar to Taihe Dian Imperial Palace in Beijing. The grand design symbolizes the braveness and selfless spirits of the martyrs. Covering a large area, with mountains nearby and facing Keelung River, the Martyr’s Shrine is a significant attraction noting the history and culture of Taiwan." Source from here.

When we reached the shrine, the timing was just Nice! The Military Soldiers Officers just about to change their shift. The Martyr's Shrine visit by many tourists everyday, one of the purpose is to witness the Officers changing shift.

The Military Police Officers of Martyr's Shrine

It was cloudy that day...and once the officers started to move, everyone (tourists) were just follow...

I was amazed with their movement, perfect synchronized!

Do you notice the three dark lines on the floor? That were their footsteps...everyday and every hour!
We were just follow the Police (Soldiers) Officers side by side until they reached the Shrine...

The Martyr's Shrine

And everyone were just stand and watching the shift changing quitely...

You can notice there were two soldiers standing on the both side of the entrance...and there were some kind of ceremony before the soldiers change.


Then they walked out the Shrine...

Well, everyone follow the soldiers again from the Shrine towards the main entrance...before the main entrance, there were some kind of 'performance' that they changing their rifles 'in the air'!


Then the soldiers just stand at the both side of the entrance motionless! Yes! For another hour...Salute!


Seems like she (tourist) wanted learn about the soldiers...:)

I captured a short moment of the Soldiers from my phone below...


If you like to know the history about the Martyr's Shrine, please click here.

Related post :-
*  My Taiwan Trip on May, 2011

The Location map of National Revolutionary Martyr's Shrine at Taipei, Taiwan.


Road trip from Osan to Samcheok, South Korea

Road trip from Osan to Samcheok, South Korea

During my stay in South Korea, we had to travel from my home base town of Osan to Samcheok on the East coast of Korea. For the open water dives of the first ever Western PADI IDC in Korea, we needed open water! The PADI IE was also to be conducted at the same location, so off we went.

Korean rice paddies with mountains in the background

I like to travel and thoroughly enjoyed the 4 hours drive, which allowed me to see some bits and pieces of the country side. One thing that struck me was the massive amounts of green from trees and rice paddies.

Fence at the beach to stop North Korean spies to enter at night coming from the sea

Upon arrival at the coast, it was pointed out to me that along long stretches of the coast there's barbed wire and ll over the coast there are watch posts, in order to prevent North Korean spies to get into South Korea coming from the ocean.

Deonsak beach, this is where the PADI IE took place

We had some extreme forms of weather, upon arrival it was nice and sunny, just like the first day! The second day turned out to be foggy and wet and today it was warm but cloudy.

Apparently we traveled parts of the Romantic Road of Korea

Memories of the World Championships football in 2002 in South Korea and Japan

We also passed the ski resorts in PyeongChang, where the Olympic winter games for 2018 will take place. From the road you could make out the ski jumping towers in the distance.

All in all a very interesting trip and fun was had by all, we enjoyed some good Korean food big portions and lots of meat!).

The coming days I will visit Seoul, so keep your eyes tuned to this channel!

Camille

Goodbye to July 2011

Goodbye to July 2011

Did this month ever fly by! It was a very busy month with two PADI IDC's pretty much back to back in Koh Samui and in Osan, South Korea. I'm becoming a travelling man! Within 7 months I was able to add three countries to my list that I visited for the first time, the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines and now South Korea. Not to mention my trips to Indonesia and around Thailand.

First off lets concentrate on the weather during July, and I think it was a pretty average July, with plenty of sunny and hot days but also some rainy days, sometimes spiced up with strong wind. Pretty standard for July.

Road map of part the East Coast of South Korea, from Osan to Samcheok and Deoksan

A highlight for me this month is my first ever trip to South Korea, conducting an IDC there on Osan US Air Base. A very interesting experience.

Eating out is an experience in South Korea, very enjoyable

A month to remember for me but also time to look forward to August and some serious good weather in Samui, I hope!

Thanks for dropping by last month and I hope to keep seeing you all in the future.

Camille

Walking Directions To Ortigas Buildings From MRT Shaw Station

This article shows you the walking directions from MRT Shaw Station to the important institutions and buildings located to the south-west part of Ortigas Center. Below are the names of these significant places. Check if your destination is listed here, then read the directions that start at the train station. If your building destination is not listed here, visit other chapters of how to get to the buildings in Ortigas Center, click HERE.



Citiland Shaw Tower
Crossing Department Stores
EDSA Shangri-La Hotel
Lourdes School of Mandaluyong
Medical Plaza
Medico
One San Miguel Avenue

Richmonde Hotel
San Miguel Properties Centre
Shangri-La Plaza Mall
SM Mega Mall Building B
St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church
The Alegro @ Sonata
The St. Francis Shangri-La Place

Here's how to get to any of these buildings from MRT Shaw Station:

MRT Shaw Station is big. If you get out via wrong exit, you'll get to the wrong side. And it's long before you get to right directions because you need to wait for pedestrian green signals, it's a long wait because this is a crossing of two busy main thoroughfares. So, if you want to get to your destination real quick, follow this: If you get off the train from Taft Station, use the escalator located towards the front of the train. If the train you're riding comes from North Station, the escalator to take is the one near to the rear of the train. From the turnstiles (exit machines), go right. That's the side going to Ortigas Center south-west area.

Shaw Station is connected to Shangri-La Plaza Mall, just go straight and enter the mall at the end of the walkway. Crossing Department Store is inside Shangri-La Plaza. Just go down to the lobby, take the hallway that goes south east and walk past National Bookstore. Crossing Department Store is to the other end of the mall.

Going to SM Mega Mall Building B, where Cyberzone is situated at fourth level, take the stairs to the left of MRT walkway. In the ground, just walk and cross Internal Avenue (you'll see the road sign) until you get to the open parking space that leads to the entrance of SM Mega Mall B.

From the foot of the stairs, go right at the corner of Shangri-La Plaza building. Walk along the edge of the mall past main entrance until you see the signage of EDSA Shangri-La Hotel to the left of Internal Avenue. Use the pedestrian lane to get to the side entrance of the hotel down the slope. The St. Francis Shangri-La Place also known as The St. Francis Shangri-La Towers 1 & 2 is situated next to Shangri-La Plaza Mall along Internal Avenue. Just walk past the sign of EDSA Shangri-La Hotel and towards the end of Internal Avenue until you get to the tall twin tower skyscraper which is exactly situated at the corner of Internal Avenue and Saint Francis Street. That's St. Francis Shangrila-la Place.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church is just across St. Francis Street opposite the corner of Internal Avenue. Now, if you go right from Internal Avenue corner St. Francis Street, you get to Shaw Boulevard where Citiland Shaw Tower stands next to St. Francis Shangri-La Place. The entrance of Lourdes School of Mandaluyohg is just across St. Francis Shangri-La Place.

If you go left on St. Francis Street from Internal Avenue, you'll see San Miguel Properties Centre building from the distance, situated to the right of St. Francis Street. To go there, you need to cross St. Francis Street first from the corner of Internal Avenue. Walk along St. Francis, cross Lourdes Drive, to get to the building. The Alegro is situated right at the corner of Lourdes Drive and St. Francis Street, just before the San Miguel Porperties Centre building. Richmonde Hotel is situated to the other end of Lourdes Drive. Just walk along Lourdes Drive up to San Miguel Avenue. Richmonde Hotel is across San Miguel Avenue, to the other corner. Medico is opposite Richmonde Hotel to the left cornner. And Medical Plaza is next to Medico along San Miguel Avenue.

If you're going to One San Miguel Avenue building which is situated at the corner of Shaw Boulevard and San Miguel Avenue, follow this: From the turnstile, walk towards the entrance of Shangri-La Plaza Mall. Before you get to the mall entrance there's stairs to the right of the walkway that leads to the ground where EDSA and Shaw Boulevard intersects. Take that stairs to get to the corner, go left on Shaw Boulevard, walk past Shangri-la Plaza, cross St. Francis Street until you get to San Miguel Avenue where this skyscraper stands. It's only 8 to 12-minute walk and the distance between EDSA and San Miguel Avenue is approximately 492 meters. If it's way too far for you to walk, then read the article that explains how to commute to the buildings located along San Miguel Avenue from MRT Shaw Station. Click HERE.


Click the red pins to see the building names.


If you're looking for a direction to a building inside Ortigas Center CBD, go to the following chapters of this topics:
Commute To Ortigas Center Buildings From MRT Shaw Station - click HERE
How To Commute From EDSA To Buildings Inside Ortigas Center - click HERE
Walking Directions From MRT Station To Ortigas Center Buildings - click HERE

Discover few simple ways not to miss new and upcoming articles on commuting and driving directions to lots of places in Metro Manila. Click HERE.

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Saturday, July 30, 2011

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 31st July, 2011

Today's weather;

The strong wind on Samui has subsided but it's still cloudy. Current temp at 10am is 29.8C

Yesterday saw very strong winds over Samui and bits and pieces of rain. Max temp reached 32.6C

Deoksan beach where we were the last 3 days, near Samcheok

There's a big weather change at our Samcheok location and as the picture above shows, the damp clouds have vanished and although it's not sunny, it's warm again. Current temp at 8am was 24C. Today it's back to Osan. There I will have three days to relax and do some sightseeing, including a trip to Seoul.

Camille

Phuket Tours - Easy Day Thailand

When I started Jamie's Phuket Blog in 2006, part of the idea was to show that Phuket is more that you might realise. More than I realised too. And it took me years to figure this out! I was often reading comments like "Phuket is crowded and too touristy and has no local life" on travel forums.... and it became clear that the people writing these comments had not left the main beaches or had booked onto the cheapest possible tours with 50 other people in 1 longtail boat to James Bond Island... I started the blog to show that Phuket has much more to offer than just beaches, bars, cheap fake handbags.. I mean why travel so far just for that? If you are from Europe you can get a beach and sun in Spain or Greece. If you're coming to Thailand, come on - try to see the real Thailand!

If you flick through the pages on this blog you'll find a huge mixture of things to do, some more touristy than others. Phuket does have some very good tourist attractions like Phuket Fantasea or Splash Jungle Waterpark or the ever popular Aquarium, but many of the places we like to visit are off the beaten track, or maybe we like to visit popular places but we do it "our way" rather than with a tour. And with that in mind... Easy Day Thailand is a tour company set up by friends of ours last year. Ingo and Diego can book you for any tour you want, but the real attraction is that they can do personalised tours, some of which are based on this blog - for example, if you want a trip in Phang Nga Bay, including James Bond Island and Panyee Village - Easy Day Thailand will do it "our way", avoiding the tourist crowds and with lunch at a very nice local seafood restaurant.

James Bond Island View

Formula 1 Longtail

(above) James Bond Island and Koh Panyee village in Phang Nga Bay

If you want a rent a villa, charter a speedboat, go elephant trekking, then these guys can arrange it. Tickets for Fantasea, airport transfers, Thai cooking classes, day trips to Phi Phi Island, snorkeling trips. Pretty much anything really! If you want to go scuba diving, then you can contact me directly - I am manager at Sunrise Divers based at Karon Beach - ready to help if you want to try diving for the first time, or if you are already a diver and want to experience the best diving in the area - find me at Sunrise Divers!

Comfortable ride on elephant in Phuket

One of the most popular trips sold by Easy Day Thailan is a very nice day trip over to Racha Yai island (aka Raya Island), about 15km south of Phuket. You can go snorkeling, explore the island and there's a lunch at Ban Raya resort. I will do this trip sometime soon, or we might extend this to an overnight trip with a night at the resort. I have been to Racha Yai island maybe 100 times, but only for diving... never set foot on the island! There's always more to explore!

Blue Water at Koh Racha Yai

(above) - Racha Yai (Raya) island - great for a day trip.

The guys at Easy Day Thailand are very flexible - if you want to arrange a personalised day trip around the Phuket area, they can help. If you are a regular reader of Jamie's Phuket, and have seen something on the blog that you'd like to do, just contact Easy Day - let them know what you want to see... something can almost certainly be arranged.

Buddha with Blue Sky

(above) a day tour of Phuket might include the Big Buddha

If you are a fan of temples, or want to take in some of the best views in Phuket, contact Easy Day Thailand - almost anything is within reason, ask for Ingo or Diego - they'll be able to help!

Easy Day Thailand - Contact Information

Friday, July 29, 2011

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 30th July, 2011

Today's weather

Samui is having to endure some strong wind, overcast and rain. Current temp at 10pm is 29.3C

Yesterday saw a dry but windy day on Samui with a max temp of 31.3C

Sunny Samcheok yesterday

Samcheok, same location, today at 7am

The PADI IE kicked off in a wet Samcheok that undergoes a constant drizzle. Current temp at 9am was 22C

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 29th July, 2011

Today's weather;

Koh Samui had a sunny day with some strong wind during the afternoon. Current temp at 7pm is 27C. It's a late update because I've been busy diving all day on the East Korean coast in the city of Samcheok and the PADI IE kicked off here today!

Yesterday was a nice day on Samui with a max temp of 30.3C

Samcheok beach

Samcheok on the East coast of Korea had some nice sunshine today and at 9pm the temp is 24C. It was sunny and despite some cloudy periods, my face got sunburned on the surface of the ocean in-between skills for Open Water training of this current IDC.

Earlier this evening the PADI IE kicked off and tomorrow and Sunday it's going to be once more a busy schedule.

Camille

How To Get To Buildings Along & Near Ayala Avenue From MRT X

This post will tell you how to get to the buildings located to the right of Ayala Avenue-Paseo de Roxas intersection from the corner down to Villar Street where Citibank Tower stands and all the buildings around that area. These buildings are accessible from MRT Ayala Station. However, if you're riding a bus, just follow the direction from the unloading zone. The detailed direction from Ayala Station to the jeepney terminal where you will take a jeepney ride to the location of these buildings is explained in the first part of this series. Read it HERE.

If you're going to one of the buildings listed in this article, please remember that you must get off the jeepney at the second unloading zone from EDSA which is located between Paseo de Roxas and Rufino Street. First unloading zone is opposite Rustans and Glorietta. You can't alignt after the jeepney crosses Makati Avenue. The area between Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas is only for loading. Wait until the jeep gets past Paseo de Roxas. The jeep will stop after crossing Paseo de Roxas. By then, you can alignt anytime. In Makati, avoid the penalty, always alight at designated unloading zones and ride in designated loading areas.

Here's the second list of the buildings situated to the right of Ayala Avenue which are walking distance from the unloading zone between Paseo de Roxas and Rufino Street aka Herrera Street. The direction to the buildings located to the right of Rufino Street-Ayala Avenue intersection and the surrounding area is explained in details HERE. Check if your building destination is listed below, then patiently read this detailed walking direction to these buildings. If your building destination is not listed here, please go to the other chapters of these topic and check if it's there. Click HERE.



139 Corporate Center
88 Corporate Center
Antel Platinum Tower
BPI Card Center
Centrum II
China Bank Building
Citibank Tower
Cosmopolitan Tower with Ministop
Equitable Bank Tower
Le Grand

Lepanto Building
Pase Parkview Tower Bowler Resto
Paseo Center
Philam Tower
Philcom Building
PSBank Center
Shell Philippines
The Cordova
The Pearlbank Centre
Valero 2 Car Park Building

After the jeepney you're riding crosses Paseo de Roxas, get off the jeep at the area nearer to Paseo de Roxas. The driver might stop at area nearer to Rufino Street. Walk towards the corner of Paseo de Roxas and Ayala Avenue where Insular Life Building is located. Go left on Paseo de Roxas. The building next to Insular Life Building along Paseo de Roxas is Philam Life Tower. Next to it is PSBank Center which is situated right at the corner of Paseo de Roxas and the first road to the left of Paseo de Roxas which is Sedeno Street. Opposite PSBank Center, to the other corner of Sedeno and Paseo de Roxas is Paseo Center, a small building that houses restaurants, fast foods outlets, boutiques, small kiosks and office supplies stores. You can get to Paseo Center by going down the pedestrian underpass to get to the other side. Paseo Center is a landmark building and the signage on its facade is visible from the distance. Next building to Paseo Center is Philcom Building, followed by BPI Card Center. And then these buildings followed respectively: Equitable Bank Tower, Lepanto Building, and China Bank Building which is situated at the corner of Paseo de Roxas and the second road to the left of Paseo de Roxas called Villar Street. To the other corner of Paseo de Roxas and Villar Street, opposite China Bank Building is Citibank Tower. That's all the buildings located to the left of Paseo de Roxas right there. Citibank Tower, the farthest, is approximately 450 meters from the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas. To the right of Paseo de Roxas is Ayala Triangle Gardens. Please remember, what you see opposite China Bank Building, to the other corner of Villar and Paseo, is just an entrance going to Citibank Tower. Its the old building of Citibank but now attached to the Citibank Tower itself. The main entrance of Citibank Tower that leads to the main lobby of the building and the reception area is located along Valero Street. To get there, go left on Villar Street, then go right. The small entrance of Citibank at the corner of Villar Street and Paseo also goes to the main lobby.

Now, let's go back to Sedeno corner Paseo de Roxas, where the landmark Paseo Center is located opposite PSBank Center. Go left on Sedeno Street. Next building to PSBank Center along Sedeno Street is 88 Corporate Center which is also bordered by Valero Street to the north and so 88 Corporate Center is situated at the corner of Sedeno and Valero to the left. To the right corner of Valero and Sedeno is an open space.

If you go left on Valero from Sedeno, you get to the next building which is 139 Corporate Center. The Cordova building is located at the north corner of Valero and Sedeno opposite 88 Corporate Center. Next to The Cordova along Valero is an underconstruction building, then Cosmopolitan Tower with a Ministop outlet. A parking area followed Cosmopolitan Tower and next to it is Le Grand.

If you go right on Valero from the corner of Sedeno Street, here are the buildings you'll see. Pase Parkview Tower is the cluster of buildings to the north right corner of Sedeno and Valero that's already visible from the corner of Paseo de Roxas and Sedeno. Bowler Restaurant signage is noticeably displayed at corner facade of the Pase Parkview. Next to Pase Parkview along Valero Street is The Pearlbank Centre. A construction site is next to Pearlbank, followed by Centrum II building, then a parking area, followed by Antel Platinum Tower. Finally, Shell Philippines is the last building along Valero to the left from Sedeno and the next intersecion which is Villar Street. Valero 2 Car Park Building is located to the right of Valero opposite The Pearlbank Centre.

If you need to get to a building near Ayala Avenue from either EDSA or MRT Ayala Station, just read other chapters of this topic. Click the links next to walking direction below.

Walking Directions from unloading area to the building locations. Please click each pin to view the building name.


Find how to get to your building destination at any of these chapters:
Part 1 - How To Get To Buildings Along & Near Ayala Avenue From MRT
Part 2 - How To Get To Buildings Along & Near Ayala Avenue From MRT II
Part 3 - How To Get To Buildings Along & Near Ayala Avenue From MRT III
Part 4 - How To Get To Buildings Along & Near Ayala Avenue From MRT IV
Part 5 - How To Get To Buildings Along & Near Ayala Avenue From MRT V
Part 6 - How To Get To Buildings Along & Near Ayala Avenue From MRT VI
Part 7 - How To Get To Buildings Along & Near Ayala Avenue From MRT VII
Part 8 - How To Get To Buildings Along & Near Ayala Avenue From MRT VIII
Part 9 - How To Get To Buildings Along & Near Ayala Avenue From MRT IX

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Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 28th July, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui is having a nice spell of sunny days. This morning has blue skies and sunshine! Current temp at 7am is 26.5C

Yesterday saw also plenty of sunshine around Samui with some clouds later in the evening. Max temp reached 30C

The road van for the next couple of days! Note the big trucker horns of top of the roof!

Osan is recovering a little bit of the torrential rains from yesterday and it's dry right now at 11am with a current temp of 26C

In a couple of hours we'll be leaving for a road trip to the East coast of South Korea, about 3 and a half to 4 hours drive from Osan. We'll be conducting open water ocean dives tomorrow as part of the current first ever Western PADI IDC in South Korea and over the weekend there will be a PADI IE. I'm not sure how much internet access I will have over the next coming days, so please bear with me.

South Korea has been hit by storms and torrential rains and Seoul, Chuncheon and parts of the Philippines have been hit very hard.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 27th July, 2011

Today's weather;

A late update today, it's been busy during the Osan IDC. Samui is slightly cloudy with strong winds but hot. Current temp at 4pm is 29.4C

Yesterday was also dry and hot in Samui with a max temp of 32.8C

View over Osan from the flat I'm staying at

Osan is dry right now at 9pm with a current temp of 26C but earlier today during the morning and all of last night there was plenty of rain and during the night plenty of thunder and lightning.

Camille

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Commute To Ortigas Center Buildings From MRT Shaw Station

If you're going to a building located inside Ortigas Center and you don't know how to get to its exact location, just continue reading and this simple guide will show you the fastest way to get to that building. But first, please check if the building you're heading to is in our list below. Then, patiently read the entire article. The direction to these buildings is written based in the order of their locations along the route. The nearer gets the first direction. The farthest building is mentioned towards the end of the whole direction. If your building destination is not listed below, go to How To Commute From EDSA To Buildings Inside Ortigas Center and Walking Directions From MRT Station To Ortigas Center Buildings. The building you're looking for might be situated in the north part of Ortigas Center.

In this article, the third chapter of our series on how to commute to the buildings inside Ortigas Center CBD, you will know how to get to the buildings located to the south of Ortigas Center. The posts How To Commute From EDSA To Buildings Inside Ortigas Center and Walking Directions From MRT Station To Ortigas Center Buildings explain best routes to get to the buildings located to the northern side of Ortigas Center, which are all to the north of Dona Julia Vargas Avenue, the main road that runs through the middle of Ortigas Center from east to west. When you look at the map, you will notice that Dona Julia Vargas Avenue divides Ortigas Center into two parts - north and south.

Here is the list of the buildings situated to the south of Dona Julia Vargas Avenue:

AMA Pasig Campus
Amberland Plaza
Antel Global Corporate Center
Banker's Center Building
Belvedere Tower
Benpres Building and Lopez Museum
Development Academy of the Philippines or DAP
Gabriel III
Greenrich Mansion
Hanston Square
Integrated Bar of the Philippines
Jollibee Center
Linden Suites
Manila Luxury
Medical Plaza Building
Medico
Octagon Center

OMM Citra Building
One Corporate Center
One San Miguel Building
Oriental Assurance Corporation or OAC
Pacific Center
Pacific Place
PCRDF Building
Pearl Plaza
Residencia 8888
Richmonde Hotel
San Miguel Corporation Complex
Tektite - Philippine Stock Exchange
The Crescent
The Exchange Regency
The Pearl
Tycoon Building
University of Asia and the Pacific

The main road that enters Ortigas Center from south is San Miguel Avenue. It begins in Shaw Boulevard, the main arterial road that bordered Ortigas Center to the south. MRT Shaw Station is situated at the intersection of EDSA and Shaw Boulevard. The distance between Shaw Station and San Miguel Avenue is approximately 500 meters or half a kilometer.

The sign of jeepneys that serve commuters going to the buildings located in the southern part of Ortigas Center is "Ugong Tektite". The jeepney is filled up with passengers in its terminal in Mayflower FX and Jeepney Terminal, which is located at Greenfield District, the new development opposite Ortigas Center to the other side of Shaw Boulevard. But if the building of your destination is situated along San Miguel Avenue but nearer to Shaw intersection, there's no need to ride the jeep from Mayflower Terminal. That's because Mayflower Terminal is approximately 450-meter walk from Shaw Station. And you can ride a jeepney right below the MRT-3 Shaw Station, alight at San Miguel Avenue and walk across Shaw Boulevard to get to your destination building. The sign of jeepney that you must ride along Shaw Boulevard near corner EDSA, just a few meters from Shaw Station is "Pasig Palengke". It will pass by San Miguel Avenue. Pay minimum fare. Use the pedestrian overpass to get to San Miguel Avenue.

First building situated right at the corner of Shaw Boulevard and San Miguel Avenue is One San Miguel Avenue, a skyscraper with 54 floors and stands 203 meters. It's just across Shaw Boulevard. Next to it is AMA Pasig Campus, followed by Development Academy of the Philippines or DAP. These buildings followed, respectively: Jollibee Center, Hanston Square, Belvedere Tower, and Richmonde Hotel. Buildings beyond Richmonde Hotel are relatively far. So, we go there by jeepney from Mayflower Terminal.

To get to the Mayflower Terminal, you must exit MRT Shaw Station at the north exit which goes to the lane of EDSA where buses that pass through are bound for Monumento, Cubao, Fairview, Novaliches, Malanday and Bulacan.

Now there are two sides of north exit - Shangri-La Plaza and EDSA Central. You must head out to EDSA Central. Here's what you do after getting off the train at Shaw Station. If you get off the train that comes from Taft Station, go towards the rear of the train. If you get off the train that comes from North Station, go towards the front of the train.

Use the escalator to exit, go left from the turnstile, then go right after you get out of the ticket booth area, and follow the walkway that links MRT and EDSA Central Mall until you get to glass doors with "Greenfield District" signs on both sides. That's EDSA Central Mall. Pass through EDSA Central Mall, exit at the back, then go to the back of the public market next to an open space covered with green grass. Mayflower Jeepney and FX Terminal is right there at the corner of Mayflower and United streets.

Look for a jeepney with "Ugong Tektite" sign. It usually occupies the first jeepney slot so you get to see it quickly. The sign in front should read "Ugong Tektite". If the sign only read "Ugong", confirm to the driver if it will pass by Tektite. Pay minimum fare.

From Mayflower Terminal, the jeep goes left on Mayflower Street, then it turns left on Reliance Street and turns left again on Sheridan Street. It passes by TV5 five-hectare Broadcast Complex which is bordered by Pioneer, Reliance, Williams and Sheridan streets.

The jeepney then cross Shaw Boulevard to traverse San Miguel Avenue. From the corner of Shaw Boulevard to the corner of Lourdes Street, the jeepney passes by One San Miguel Building, AMA Pasig Campus, DAP or Development Academy of the Philippines, Jollibee Center, Hanston Square, Belvedere and Richmonde Hotel, in that order.

Get off the jeepney at the corner of San Miguel Avenue and Lourdes Street if you're going to any of these buildings: Greenrich Mansion, Medico, Manila Luxury, Pearl Plaza, Residencia 8888, The Pearl, University of Asia and the Pacific, PCRDF Building and San Miguel Corporation Head Office. Lourdes Street is the first intersection of San Miguel Avenue from Shaw Boulevard with traffic lights.

San Miguel Corporation is situated to the left of San Miguel Avenue. You can also walk from MRT Shaw Station to San Miguel Corporation Entrance located at the back of SM Mega Mall. Watch for separate post coming soon. Medico is situated opposite Richmonde Hotel to the left corner of Lourdes Street. Next to Medico along Lourdes Street is The Pearl. Next building to Richmonde Hotel along Lourdes Street is Greenrich Mansion. Both The Pearl and Greenrich Mansion is situated at both corner of Lourdes Street and Pearl Drive. Go right on Pearl Drive if you're going to Manila Luxury which is next to Greenrich Mansion along Pearl Drive. Go left on Pearl Drive if you're going to Pearl Plaza which is next to The Pearl along Pearl Drive. Next to Pearl Plaza is Residencia 8888. University of Asia and the Pacific is located to the right of Pearl Drive opposite Residencia 8888. PCRDF Building or Philippine Coconut Research and Development Foundation, Inc. is situated to the right of Pearl Drive just opposite the corner of Lourdes Street and Pearl Drive.

The jeepney continues along San Miguel Avenue from the corner of Lourdes to the next corner of Exchange Road. Along San Miguel Avenue, the building next to Medico is Medical Plaza Building, followed by OAC or Oriental Assurance Corporation. Next to OAC is The Crescent, followed by Pacific Center, and next to it is Gabriel III. Next to Gabriel III is Linden Suites, followed by OMM Citra Building. Last building in the row is Octagon Center where a big sign of Teleperformance is attached to it.

A parking area is situated next to Octagon, next to it Exchange Road. The jeepney turns right onto Exhange Road to get to Tektite Towers. Get off the jeepney before it turns right onto Exchange Road if you're going to either Banker's Center Building or Integrated Bar of the Philippines. Walk along San Miguel Avenue northward and towards main intersection of Dona Julia Vargas Avenue. Banker's Center is situated at the south corner of San Miguel Avenue and Dona Julia Vargas Avenue. Integrated Bar of the Philippines is next to it along Julia Vargas Avenue's south side.

Tektite Towers, home of Philippine Stock Exchange is situated to the right of Exchange Road. It's a twin towers corporate office that also bordered by Pearl Drive to the west. You must get off the jeepney at the corner of Pearl Drive and Exchange Road if you're going to either Pacific Place or Tycoon Building. Pacific Place is to the right of Pearl Drive, exactly located at the corner of Pearl Drive and Amethyst Street, the first street from Exchange Road. Tycoon Building is next to Pacific Place along Pearl Drive. Get off the jeep at the unloading area near the front of Tektite Towers if it's your destination.

Exchange Road ends in Meralco Avenue. The jeepney turns right onto Meralco Avenue. If your destination is Benpres Building or Lopez Museum which are situated next to Tektite Towers along Exchange Road, then get off the jeepney before it gets to Meralco Avenue.

The tall buildings that you see opposite Benpres to the left of Exchange Road are: The Exchange Regency, situated at the corner of Exchange Road and Meralco Avenue; One Corporate Centre, next to The Exchange Regency along Meralco Avenue and situated at the corner of south corner of Dona Julia Vargas and Meralco Avenue; and Antel Global Corporate Center, next to One Corporate Centre along Julia Vargas south side. Amberland Plaza is a small building along south side of Julia Vargas across parking area in front of Tektite Towers. You can walk to any of these buildings from drop off in front of Tektite or Benpres Building.

How to get back to MRT Shaw Station?

Go to Meralco Avenue. Walk past Exchange Road towards the direction of all vehicles passing through Meralco Avenue's south lane. All jeepneys that go back to Mayflower Terminal pass through Meralco Avenue-Julia Vargas flyover. So, you must wait for a jeepney at the loading area after the ramp of the flyover. The jeepney sign is "EDSA Crossing". Note: You can ride jeepney that goes directly to MRT Shaw. The sign of these jeepneys is "EDSA Parklea" or EDSA Crossing Ilalim".

Commute Map from MRT Shaw Station to the buildings in the southern part of Ortigas Center


Ortigas Center's Northern & Southern Parts


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Shilin Food Court and Night Market (士林夜市) at Taipei, Taiwan

This was my second visit to the Shilin Night Market (N25.08591 E121.52440). Still the same procedure, having our dinner at the food court before the night market shopping. But the night was raining and we hope it will stop after our dinner...

Once we stepped into the food court, it was so crowded and difficult to find a table...after waiting for about 10 minutes, we found one 'mini table'! No choice, the only table around the food court...

The advantage of this Shilin Food Court is...there have all the famous street foods here! Plenty of choices...

All kind of Taiwanese foods available here in the food court



The famous Fried Chicken Chop of Shilin

Actually I wanted to try it, but changed my mind after look at the Looooong queue...then I decided to try my favorite Pork Belly pepper soup stall which I visited 4 years ago...

The pork belly soup stall

We ordered all different foods and that was the only way we can taste as many foods as possible...

The pork belly soup

The fried mee-hoon

The squids

The Oyster omelette

The stinky Tou-Fu

The Beef

Overall, I like the pork belly soup, beef and the squids. The rest were just average...

We took our sweet time for the dinner but the rain still heavy down poured even we finished our meals! We try to walked in the night market during the rain...but...the weather seems like against us!

So we decided to visit the night market again on the next day after our dinner. Below photos are taken on our next day visit to Shilin Night Market...

Ipad 2 was available at one of the stall during our visit! Wah!

Nice strawberries...


Nameless shop...

There were nothing much in the night market, I couldn't find anything to buy for my wife and daughter. And just for the sake of walking...because it was my friend's first visit.

Angel spotted in the night market!

The Bonnie Lass!

There was another Chicken Chop stall in the night market which was branches of the stall at the food court.

If you really want to do your shopping, you can walk around the night market for more than 4 hours or more, the night market is huge! But we were just wanted to explore the area...
After hanged around the area for about 1-2 hours then took a cab back to hotel for rest.

Related post :-
*  My Taiwan Trip on May, 2011

Location map of Shilin Night Market at Taipei, Taiwan