Thursday, June 30, 2011

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

Today's weather;

Samui is cloudy this morning and it looks like it might stay this way all day long. Current temp at 7am is 27C


Wat Plai Laem some 7 years ago

Yesterday saw almost all day long clouds over Samui but it remained dry until some rain hit the island during the night. Max temp reached 32.7C

Camille

Bicol Express Train Fare Rate And Schedules

Philippine National Railways or PNR has just released the Fare Rates of the commercial run of Bicol Night Express Train from Manila to Naga which is effective June 29, 2011. As part of their soft opening, PNR implemented 20 percent discount as initial offering to the train commuters. There are two types of accomodations - Family Sleeper and Reclining Aircon. Regular rate of Family Sleeper is 950.00, and its discounted rate is 760.00. Regular rate of Reclining Aircon is 548.00, with discounted rate of 438.00.

Bicol Express Train's estimated travel time from Tutuban Station in Manila to Naga City is 10 hours. There are 16 stopovers where other passengers can ride the train. Below is the schedule of Bicol Express Train route from Tutuban to Naga City.

Stations KM Distance Time
Manila Tutuban 00.00 6:15 PM
Blumentritt 02.73 6:20 PM
Espana 03.82 6:23 PM
Pasay Road 13.25 6:43 PM
Alabang 28.09 7:08 PM
Binang 39.76 7:30 PM
Calamba 56.16 7:59 PM
San Pablo 88.77 8:49 PM
Lucena 133.04 9:46 PM
Agdangan 179.68 11:08 PM
Plaridel 199.73 11:39 PM
Gumaca 210.59 12:04 AM
Hondagua 237.28 12:46 AM
Tagkawayan 278.39 1:52 AM
Ragay 312.41 2:43 AM
Sipocot 340.50 332 AM
Libmanan 353.19 3:48 AM
Naga 377.57 4:15 AM

You can contact PNR at telephone number 3190041 local 101.

If you want to know how to commute to PNR Tutuban Station, go to Travel To Bicol From Tutuban to Naga Via Bicol Express.

Goodbye to June 2011

Goodbye to June 2011

It's that time of the month again and for the weather archives, this will go down as a nice month. Plenty of sunshine with some really hot days, although in the middle of the month there were some very strong winds. There were also the occasional showers but they could all be categorized as tropical showers, meaning that they were sweet and short and on top of that they nicely cooled things down a bit. Most of these showers occurred during the evenings.

This was a good month, similar to the last two years.

One of the many sunny mornings on Gili Air this month

Half of the month I spend on Gili Air, a small but beautiful islands north-west of Lombok in Indonesia in order to conduct an IDC.

There weren't too many posts besides the daily weather updates, but one I like is the Gili Air Food on Wheels addition!

Am looking forward to next month, which will have me travel to Osan in South Korea, getting excited about that, but first there will be an IDC to attend starting tomorrow on Koh Samui!

Camille

Syuanguang Temple (玄光寺) at Sun Moon Lake - Taiwan

Syuanguang Temple (N23.85179 E120.91359) was the First destination of the Sun Moon Lake cruise. It's located at about 800 meter above sea level.

Syuanguang Temple Pier

The entrance to Syuanguang Temple.

Once we stepped into the entrance, there were many peoples queuing for the Famous 'Herbal Egg' (茶叶蛋)! I told myself, I'll try it later when we back to the Pier....
Clear signage in front of us, and you will Never lost within the area...


"The Syuanguang Temple Pier is the starting point for the 850 meter Cinglong Mountain Hiking Trail. Follow the steps upward, you will reach the Syuanguang Temple; continue onward, and you will get to Syuanzang Temple. This trail is also called "Pilgrim's Trail" because of the large numbers of religious devotees who take boats to the pier to worship at the two temples."

Got to climb before the temple...

The Syuanguang Temple (玄光寺)

I didn't step into the temple, because it was small and many devotees around...there were many peoples queue up in front of the temple too, it was because of everyone want to take photo with the Landmark - Sun Moon Lake Stone Craft.

Outside of the temple

The Stone where every tourist like to take photo with it!

I found this part was somehow interesting!



Beside the temple, the place also is a Nice spot to view the Sun Moon Lake...sharing some photos around the area...

The Scenery view of Sun Moon lake, Lalu island in the middle of the lake...

After the temple, we saw the trail behind...it is the Cinlong Mountain Trail. We explored the trail and try to see any surprises...

Flowers before the trail...

The well maintained ascending trail...to Cinlong Mountain

Along the way, this were what we saw...


We stopped halfway and didn't continue the trail because of the Hot weather, and we decided to save our time to Ita-Thao Village in our next destination.

If you visit Sun Moon Lake in the tight schedule, you can actually skip this temple. For us, it was nothing much over here...

While we running down to the jetty to catch the ferry and...I forgot to buy the Famous Herbal Egg! Damn! What a miss!


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

Location map of Syuanguang Temple, Sun Moon Lake - Taiwan


Wednesday, June 29, 2011

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

Today's weather;

A bit later than usual due to getting used and to and configuring a new notebook, but here we are nonetheless.
Koh Samui has some cloudy skies this morning and it seems there here to stay! Current temp at 7am is 27.8C

Cloudy skies this morning over Plai Laem

Yesterday Samui saw a dry day but with plenty of cloud cover although it was also very hot with a max temp of 33.2C

Camille

Travel To Bicol From Tutuban to Naga Via Bicol Express

PNR Bicol Express, the newky rehabilitated train line of the long-stalled route to Naga City in Camarines Sur, had its soft launch on June 29, 2011 with its maiden trip left Tutuban Station at scheduled time of 6:30 pm. The maiden voyage constitutes promotional run from Tutuban in Manila to Naga City in Camarines Sur which is done to create awareness that the route is revived. Lucky passengers who took the initial trip enjoyed fare discount.

After the maiden trip, Bicol Express will take the 10-hour travel distance from Manila to Naga on every other day basis departing Tutuban Station at 6:30 pm. Click here for complete schedules, fare rates and stations between Manila and Naga.

To travel to Naga City by Bicol Express train, commuters need to get to PNR Tutuban Station where they shall take the train.

PNR Tutuban is in the vicinity where public commuting is constantly changing. Here's the newest guide on how to commute to Tutuban PNR Terminal nowadays.

BY TAXI

If the taxi you're riding takes C.M. Recto Avenue from areas of Cubao, San Juan, Santa Mesa, EDSA-Crossing, Pasig, Mandaluyong, etc., and the driver doesn't know what's the next turn to take, tell him to turn right onto Jose Abad Santos Avenue, a major intersection with pedestrian overpass. The taxi will cross two intersections along Jose Abad Santos Avenue. Then, the driver must change lane to the leftmost and then turn left on Mayhaligue Street, a one way road going to PNR Tutuban Station. Just stay on Mayhaligue until PNR Tutuban Station is visible to your right.

If the taxi takes Jose Abad Santos from anywhere in CAMANAVA, e.g. Monumento, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Letre, Bagong Barrio, Balintawak, etc., tell the driver to turn right onto Mayhaligue Street. Before Mayhaligue, you will cross the PNR Rail Track itself, then two main intersections of Tayuman and Bambang, respectively. After that, just watch for the road sign that read Mayhaligue Street to your right.

If you're riding a taxi from areas of Paranaque, Pasay, Ermita, Malate, Taft, San Andres, etc., and the taxi takes Jones Bridge where jeepneys bound for Divisoria pass through, tell the driver the best way to get there is via Reina Regente. The trick is to avoid the traffic in Tutuban Mall so make sure you don't pass in that area. Once you're taking Reina Regente, the taxi should cross Recto Avenue and take Jose Abad Santos, which is the opposite street of Reina Regente to the other side of Recto. Cross two more small intersections and then turn left on Mayhaligue Street. You can easily see the road sign and there's a traffic left turn signal to Mayhaligue from Abad Santos Avenue.

If you come from area of Espana, Dapitan, Quezon Avenue, Dimasalang, A. Bonifacio Avenue, Del Monte, Roosevelt, Munoz, Congressional, etc., your taxi can take Espana or the side road parallel to it which is Dapitan Street. If the taxi takes Espana, the driver must turn right onto P. Campa Street and then tell him to take Fugoso Street all the way and cross Rizal Avenue or Avenida. Left on T. Mapua and then turn right onto Recto all the way to Jose Abad Santos Avenue, the main intersection with pedestrian overpass. Turn right onto Jose Abad Santos, cross two intersections and then turn left on Mayhaligue Street where PNR Tutuban Station is located to the other end, right side. If the driver prefers Dapitan, then tell hime to cross Quezon Boulevard and take Fugoso and follow the rest of direction from Espana.

BY TRAIN

LRT 1 South & North Bound - Option One (Recommended). Get off the train at Bambang Station. Ride a tricycle at the corner of Bambang and Rizal Avenue. Tell the driver to take you to Tutuban PNR Station. Avoid the confusion, say it loudly - "PNR Tutuban Station". If the driver doesn't hear you, he'll take you to Tutuban Mall, and it's way way too far you would be greatly delayed. These tricycles drop off their passengers right at the entrance of the station. This route is the most convenient way to get to the station especially if you're carrying heavy luggage. Option Two. Get off the train at Jose Abad Santos Avenue. At the corner of Jose Abad Santos Avenue and Rizal Avenue, you can take either jeepney or taxi. If you don't carry heavy luggage then you can take the jeep bound for Divisoria and ask the driver to drop you off at Mayhaligue Street. Again, avoid the confusion, the sign of the jeepney that you must ride is "Divisoria Abad Santos". Don't ride a jeepney with "Recto" sign as it will take you to Recto in Quiapo area. From the corner of Jose Abad Santos and Mayhaligue Street, you can walk to PNR Tutuban Station. It's near, approximately 290 meters. This route is recommended if you're in budget. But if you're carrying large luggage, then take the taxi and instruct the driver to turn right onto Mayhaligue Street. This option is not convenient for those carrying heavy luggage because first you need to walk way too far, second, it's hard to take taxi in the area.

LRT 2 - Get off the train at Recto Station and then ride jeepney or taxi. Take jeepney bound for Divisoria, alight at Jose Abad Santos Avenue, ride another jeepney along Jose Abad Santos Avenue bound for Navotas or Monumento and ask the driver to drop you off at Mayhaligue Street. Cross Jose Abad Santos and walk along Mayhaligue until you get to Tutuban Station.

MRT 3 - Get off at Taft Station and then ride another train bound for Monumento/Roosevelt. Alight at either Bambang Station or Abad Santos Station, depending on your budget and luggage. Please read LRT 1 South & North Bound Two Options above. This direction is better than Doroteo Jose if you're taking LRT 1 because it is faster and you get to avoid the traffic along Recto Avenue particularly near Jose Abad Santos Avenue intersection.

BY JEEPNEY

The jeepneys that you can take that go directly to the vicinity of PNR Tutuban Station are the following: Jeep from Cubao, Marikina, Quiapo, Morayta, Caloocan, Monumento, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela. The sign of the jeepney must be "Divisoria". From Marikina, Quiapo, and Morayta, get off the jeep at the corner of Recto and Jose Abad Santo Avenue. You can either ride another jeep bound for Navotas and Caloocan along Jose Abad Santos or you can hire a pedicab or tricycle that moves around the area. From Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas or Valenzuela, just get off the jeep at the corner of Abad Santos and Mayhaligue Street.

It's not advisable to take jeepney with "Divisoria" sign from Baclaran, Pasay, Taft, Pedro Gil, Ermita, San Andres, Mabini, etc. This is because the jeepneys from these areas take Juan Luna Street. Traffic condition in area near Tutuban Mall along Recto Avenue is now at its worst and it spills over different streets that connect to Tutuban Mall from which PNR Tutuban Station is approximately 550 meters away. The best way is to take jeepney with "Monumento" sign and then get off the jeep at either Bambang where you ride tricycle to get to Tutuban Station or Abad Santos Avenue where you can ride a jeepney bound for Divisoria that passes by Mayhaligue Street from which you can walk your way to PNR Tutuban Station approximately less than 300 meters away.

Stay tuned for more updates on Bicol Express Train.

For PNR Bicol Express Fare Rates, Schedule, Stations & Stopovers, go to Bicol Express Train Fare Rate And Schedules


Route Map of PNR Tutuban Station

The Phuket Heroines Monument

Time for a bit of Phuket history. Yes, history.. Phuket has a rich cultural heritage, although it's not so apparent if you're staying in a hotel by the sea. Until tourism arrived on the scene around 30 years ago, hardly anyone lived at the beaches except some fishermen and farmers. The main towns of Phuket were at Phuket Town and Thalang. Phuket Town only became the main town in Phuket in the late 19th century. Before that Thalang had been the biggest population center. Almost every visitor to Phuket will pass through Thalang on the way South from the airport, and about 6km south of Thalang you can see the Phuket Heroines Monument - in the middle of the main road on a traffic circle - you know, it's that statue of 2 ladies holding swords...

Phuket Heroines Monument

Having driven past the Heroines maybe 1,000 times I decided last weekend to actually stop and have a closer look at the monument. Stopping and getting to a statue in the middle of the busiest road in Phuket is not easy! I was coming from town, heading North.. there's not a lot of parking since this is the main road. I passed the monument, u-turned and found a parking spot outside the Tesco mini-store about 100m North of the circle. It then took 5 minutes to cross over the road to the Heroines! Phuket has been called "Bangkok by the Sea" and on the main roads you can see why! But eventually a gap came in the traffic and narrowly avoiding a large truck I got across to the Heroines monument.

Heroines of Phuket

Chan and Mook are facing North. Still fighting the Burmese! Of course these days there are maybe thousands of Burmese in Phuket working on building sites and fishing boats.. we know a Burmese guy who we call up for odd jobs around our house - he built our garden shed for us! Burmese now come looking for work and relative freedom - I won't say they are treated like equals by the authorities here, but many Burmese come here to escape from the military government in their home country. I'm not going to discuss the rights and wrongs, just want to mention the irony that Phuket celebrates defeating the Burmese - indeed the provincial symbol is the 2 Heroines - and now there are Burmese everywhere!

Chan and Mook led the people of Phuket against a Burmese invasion in 1785. After defeating the Burmese, the ladies were given the honorary titles of Thao Thepkasattri and Thao Sri Sunthorn by King Rama I. The main road from Phuket Town to the airport is called Thepkasattri road. There are temples in the Thalang area named after the heroines too.

Prayers at the Heroines Monument

Well, a closer look reveals much more than a drive-by on the main highway. This is not just a statue of the Heroines of Phuket, but also a shrine. People come here to pray and give thanks to the ladies who "saved" Phuket over 200 years ago. The shrine is obviously very well looked after by somebody - everything was very clean and neat. I was happy to finally get up close to the statue that I had seen so many times out of the car window!

Phuket Heroines Silhouette

Heroines mini-statue

The smaller version of the Heroines statue forms part of the shrine. People rub this mini statue with gold leaf. The shrine shows just how much the local people respect their history and just how important the Heroines are. And this history is not forgotten. The Heroines monument was built in 1966. And in 1985, some 200 years after the battle of Thalang, the Thalang National Museum opened. We've been a couple of times. It has plenty of information about the history of Phuket and in particular about the 2 Heroines. Worth a visit for anyone who wants more than just beaches and massages on their holiday to Phuket!

And if you happen to be in Phuket in mid-March ... the annual Phuket Heroines Festival takes place near Thalang Town around March 13th - the date of the battle of Thalang in 1785. We went along to the festival for the first time in 2010 - it was bigger and more impressive than we expected. There is a dramatic performance with hundreds of performers based on the events of 1785. We missed it this year, but would like to go again.

Phuket Heroines Festival

(above) - Photo from the Phuket Heroines Festival in 2010.

The map below shows the location of the Heroines Monument, Thalang town and the site of the annual festival. That's enough history for now! I just wanted to say something to show that Phuket has more depth than beaches, hotels and tuk tuks!


View Phuket Heroines Monument in a larger map

New Jeepney & FX Terminal In BGC Market! Market!

New terminal of jeepneys and FXs has been opened to the commuting public in Bonifacio Global City's Market! Market! in Taguig. The new terminal is called New Transport Terminal and it is located in front of Metro Market! Market!

Jeepney routes that you can take from here are bound for the following destinations: Ayala, Guadalupe, Gate 3, Pateros, Sucat, EDSA/Forbes, and Kalawaan Sur.

Meanwhile, FX and Vans that serve commuters from the new terminal are bound for the following destinations: Alabang/Pacita, Taguig, Rosario, Pasig, Marikina, Bicutan, and Ortigas.

These jeepneys and FXs previously served commuters at the open parking old terminal in front of Market! Market! Mall where they still operate for limited period of time during the day from 5:00 am to 10 am as the old terminal will be available only for buses for the whole day from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm.

The new terminal serves the public from 10:00 am to 12:00 midnight.

So, the next time you get to Market! Market! in Fort Bonifacio, don't panick when you don't see any jeepney or FX at the usual terminal. Just get back inside Market! Market! Mall, go towards the activity center and exit through the entrance beside or inside Metro. The new terminal is right outside Metro. It is also near to the big building of STI Academic Center which is located at the opposite side of 32nd Street corner 38 Street.

See related post entitled New Market Market Transport Terminal Schedule.

Shuishe Pier at Sun Moon Lake - Taiwan (水社碼頭, 日月潭)

If you travel with tourist package, I believe the Sun Moon Lake Ferry ticket is included. If not, you can refer the list below...

The ticket price.

The standard ticket is TWD300.00 which is about MYR31.50. And with no time limit, the boats will drop and pickup passengers every 30 minutes from each jetty. There are many company operating the Ferry business here, so make sure you aboard the right ferry. :)

All of us got a Red stamp in our hand before we get into the ferry. That was the pass. :)

Red stamp in our hand. (That was not my hand!)

We leaded to the correct jetty by the boat man, and this was it! The boat was waiting...



It had 2 sessions in the ferry which are indoor and outdoor area...we chose the outdoor area for better view.

The indoor sitting area

The outdoor area

Too bad we were not allow to access to the roof...
I captured the beautiful scene of Shuishe town before the boat leave...

Shuishe town of Sun Moon Lake - Taiwan

After a while, the 6 stars (they claimed) hotels appeared in front of us...and it was not One but Two...does it looks like one of the Famous building in the familiar place?! According to the boatman, the minimum room rate per night is TWD15,000.00.

The ferry passed by A Small island in the lake called - Lalu Island. It's really small, and tourists are Not allow to step in, do you notice the Golden Owl? That was the Lucky Bird for Ita Thao peoples...

Lalu Island of Sun Moon Lake

Notice the Golden Owl? :)

It was Only about 15 minutes, we dropped by the 1st tourist attraction called - Syuan Guang Temple. And everyone can take their sweet time to visit it, just remember the pier number to get back to the ferry which stop by every 30 minutes...


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

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

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

Today's weather;

Samui's sky is slightly cloudy this morning but I expect the sun to burn some holes in these clouds fairly soon. Current temp at 7am is 28.1C

Yesterday started out cloudy but soon the sun broke through and it was hot, once more! During the evening there was some serious rain for an hour or two around Samui. Max temp reached 34.6C

Camille

New Market Market Transport Terminal Schedule

I've been to Market! Market! in Fort Bonifacio Global City today and the first thing I've noticed is the major changes that took place in public transport system there. At 3:15 pm, the old terminal in the open parking is deserted without a single jeepney or FX parked in the terminal. Certainly, anybody would be surprised to see the lot empty. Lots of passengers are dislocated as to where they should proceed to take ride to get out of Market Market.

So, this will be handy for those who don't have any knowledge of the changes.

The new operation of schedules of the Market! Market! Transport Terminal took effect 12:01 am of June 27, 2011, as follows:

New Transport Terminal - opens from 10:00 am to 12:00 midnight for FX and jeepney only.

New Transport Terminal is located in front of Metro Market! Market!

Open Parking Transport Terminal - opens from 5:00 am to 10:00 am for FX and jeepney only.

Open Parking Transport Terminal - opens from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm for buses.

Please be guided accordingly.

Monday, June 27, 2011

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

Today's weather;

I'm back home again and as always it feels good! I had a great time in Indonesia but it's great to see my family again. Having changed the sunny skies of Gili Air for a cloudy sky on Samui this morning is a bit of a change though! The current temp on Samui is 27.8C. The strong winds of recent days have completely gone again!

Chaweng lake from the air

Yesterday saw a sunny and warm day on the island with a max temp of 33.2C

Camille

A Luxury Hotel's Convenient Accessibility Amidst Undesirable Location

Hotel in old Manila, anyone?

Seems everyone has apprehension in spending a day or two in a hotel in old districts of Manila such as Sta Cruz. The stigma comes from the menace of street crimes that seem to always lurk there. A friend of mine had experienced losing his valuables to a bag-slasher. He just arrived from the north riding a Philippine Rabbit bus. When he got to Issetan where he'd to meet up with a relative, he was shocked to find out that his backpack was slashed and his valuable holder was gone. Apparently, the culprit got behind him and slashed his bag when he walked from Philippine Rabbit bus terminal in Rizal Avenue, taking Recto Avenue, on the way to the mall.

I don't want to cause any alarm, but I was also a victim of these ruthless criminals. It happened while I was on my way to LRT-1 Carriedo Station. You can read how I was victimized by these people in my article entitled How To Get To Quiapo Church By Walking And Commuting.

That's why the exact location of Manila Grand Opera Hotel, though apparently a paradox, gives utmost security for its guests against those dangerous elements lurking in the alleys and streets of the decadent district.

Manila Grand Opera Hotel, which is situated at the former site of the historical and famed Manila Grand Opera House, is the only elegant hotel with luxury of a 5-star hotel in downtown Manila that you can check in without stepping on the ground of the decaying surroundings.

The luxurious hotel with 3-star rate have another main entrance directly open to the second level of LRT-1 Doroteo Station from which the LRT-2 walkway or footbridge is also connected.

That means, even if you're coming from Marikina in the east, Roosevelt in the north, NAIA-3 in the south or SM Mall of Asia in the west, you can go and check-in this elegant hotel by commuting through the trains of LRT-1, LRT-2 and MRT-3 lines.

How to get to Manila Grand Opera Hotel by trains

LRT-1 Southbound - Get off the train at Doroteo Jose Station, and from the turnstile, walk towards the entrance of Manila Grand Opera Hotel.

LRT-1 Northbound - Get off the train at Doroteo Jose Station, use elevator, escalator or stairs to get to the other side of the station and enter Manila Grand Opera Hotel through its door at the second level of LRT-2 Doroteo Jose Station.

LRT-2 - Get off the train at Recto Station, use the footbridge and walk your way to Doroteo Jose Station, use the elevator or escalator to get to the other side and enter the hotel in the second level of LRT-2 Doroteo Jose Station.

MRT-3 Southbound - Get off the train at either Araneta Center Cubao Station or Tat Station. From Araneta Cubao Station, walk to LRT-2 Araneta Center Cubao Station, ride a Recto bound train, alight at Recto and walk to LRT-1 Doroteo Jose Station. From Taft Station, use the footbridge and go to LRT-1 EDSA Station, ride a Monumento/Roosevelt bound train, alight at Doroteo Jose Station, go to the other side of the station and enter Manila Grand Opera Hotel entrance at the second level of the station.

MRT-3 Northbound - Get off the train at Araneta Center Cubao Station and walk to LRT-2 Araneta Center Cubao Station, ride a Recto bound train, alight at Recto and walk to LRT-1 Doroteo Jose Station. Go to the other side of Doroteo Station through elevator or escalators and enter Manila Grand Opera Hotel through its entrance at the second level of the LRT-1 Station.

You wouldn't get to Manila Grand Opera Hotel by bus and public jeep if you're carrying jewelries and cash, would you? Taking taxi is not practical because of the heavy traffic in the area. And driving your car to the hotel's parking space presents inconvenience and hassle issue. With the existence of PAGCOR Casino in the hotel, one would be tempted to bring some extra cash. Clearly, train is the safest and fastest way to get to Manila Grand Opera Hotel from any locations in Metro and Mega Manila and vice versa. The sense of security is definitely there. In fact, you can vicariously feel that you're in an Ortigas Center hotel or an Ayala Center hotel once you're inside Manila Grand Opera Hotel. Well, you can close your eyes while on the transit, go directly through the door of Manila Grand and discard in your mind that you're actually in Avenida-Recto-Sta Cruz area. That way, you would feel the same ambiance of Makati or Ortigas or even MOA, NAIA and Resort World while you're in Manila Grand Opera Hotel.

Simply put, omit the timeline between your point of origin and the moment you're standing in front of the concierge of Manila Grand Opera Hotel. Try it, it feels great, and it's fun.


Location Map of Manila Grand Opera Hotel

Sunday, June 26, 2011

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

Today's weather;

Koh Samui is getting ready for a warm ans sunny day. Current temp at 7am is 28C, the strong winds during last week have receded.

Yesterday saw a warm day around Koh Samui with a max temp of 32.7C


Satria Ghatotkacha Monument near Bali airport, figures in this sculpture are taken from the Mahabharata, where the story is told as the knight Ghatotkacha being gallant and brave, the son of Bimasena, one of the Panca Pandava warriors.
The statue is believed to provide spiritual protection and security for tourists who are vacationing in Bali.

Bali, where I'm currently am, getting ready for a flight back to Thailand and Samui today, is wet, last night it started to rain and there's still a light drizzle. It's nice and cool!

Camille

Deli Steak Restaurant

We recently found a restaurant that suits us very well - close to home, close to school, I drive past it on the way home every evening, it's a good price, location is pretty quiet, food is tasty. And much as I dislike the phrase.. Deli Steak "ticks all the boxes". It should be clear from this blog that we don't go for fancy restaurants very often, and normally when we eat out, it's for Thai food. If you want a steak, you normally have to pay "farang price" / "tourist price". And I know there are some very good steaks in Phuket, for example at La Boucherie in Patong, or at Norbus in Rawai, or at the Pacific Club in Karon. And some people like to eat such food when on holiday, though for me, part of travel is to experience the local food - though that does not mean you have to try oddities like fried grasshoppers or soup made with congealed blood - up to you. I am still trying new foods even now - there seems to be an endless variety of Thai food. BUT for sure I like non-Thai food, and an opportunity like Deli Steak has to be taken!

We noticed signs up saying "Steak 59 Baht" close to the Prince of Songkhla University in Kathu.. and normally I'd ignore it. A 59 Baht steak? yeh, it's going to be poor quality buffalo or something... But then my wife and a friend tried it with the kids, and told me it was good. We've been several times in the last couple of months - had a delicious honey pork chop there a few days ago (99 Baht). The steak dishes (chicken, pork, beef) start at 59 Baht, most are 79 - 99 Baht, some of the beef a bit more, up to about 149 Baht.

Deli Steak Restaurant

Location - hard to find even if you know Phuket, since the road is not used by so many people. It's called "Muang Chao Fa" road and is a shortcut from Kathu, past the Prince of Songhkla University campus, winds through the greenery and ends up next to a new Honda dealer on "Chao Fa West" road which runs from Phuket Town (Central Festival Mall junction) past Chalong temple. Yeh, needs a map. The photo above shows the front entrance by the road. Not much space to park. Room for a few cars to squeeze in by the side of the road.


View Deli Steak Restaurant in a larger map

It's a relation of the Deli supermarket in Patong where many foreigners go to buy essential non-Thai foods! Same owners as this restaurant, which is clearly aimed more at locals than tourists. With the right price, good food and a bit of word-of-mouth advertising, they are doing well. Always other people eating there when we have been, mostly Thai people. It is next to a road, but this shortcut road is not that busy, you don't notice any noise really and the restaurant has lots of greenery and a water feature (a pond with a little fountain) which helps to make it seem quiet. There are tables inside and outside, only about 10 tables in all.

Deli Steak Restaurant

Deli Steak Restaurant

And the staff are very friendly. They have mixed my order slightly twice already, probably due to my bad Thai. Mind you, when I got a beef tenderloin instead of a pork steak I didn't mind... The meat is all good quality from their supermarket. Lots of variety with different sauces. There are also loads of side dishes you can get - mashed potato, chips, onion rings, salads. Here's a couple of typical plates:

Deli Steak Restaurant

Honey Pork Chop

That's a chicken with pepper sauce and a honey pork chop. All steaks come with fries, salad and some mixed veg. I've not had a bad one yet! And here's a side dish of mashed potato with gravy - a fair size portion and only 19 Baht...

Deli Steak Restaurant

Add in a cold beer (45 Baht for a Chang) and it's a deal. We went along with some friends a couple of weeks ago. John, who is a hotel manager and tends to eat quite often in nice hotel restaurants, reckoned the food at Deli was better than at many (much more expensive) hotels. For sure the same food in Patong would be double the price. Glad to have found this place. Maybe not so easy to find for visitors, hope the map helps... but for us, very convenient as we use this backroad pretty much every day!