I took my open water certification at Pulau Dayang near Tioman and follow up by advance diver certification at Redang Island at 2007. I had only dive a few great dive sites around South East Asia (SEA), which is Sipadan, Similan, Tulamben, Tioman and Bunaken, that I will describe the geographical site and also the highlight of each dive experience.
My first introduction dive site would be Tioman Island. This was my first dive after my OWD and also my recent dive logged at Tioman. I believe this was the best dive sites that I love most that I can find at Peninsula Malaysia. The first dive was at Labas Rock and Sea Fan Garden that I like most. A little adventure dive through the rock and later amaze with the magnificent sea fan garden and many beautiful fishes.
After I complete my advance diver certification, then I visited Bali with some diving trip which is my second dive site introduction, Tulamben wreck dive. The wreck dive is a majestic view of the USS Liberty warship that stores a huge bio diversity of corals and fishes. Even though I only make 2 dives but I really didn’t manage to see everything but even the 30% coverage of the wreck was already worth a diving. I will definitely going back Bali for my second Tulamben and Nusa Penida diving.
My advance diving actually make me active with diving recently. On the same year after visiting Bali, then here come my third introduction dive site, which is my favorite dive site and I consider it the best so far, “Sipadan Island”. Beside Sipadan, there are 2 beautiful island Mabul and Kapalai that shore beautiful site as well that make the whole dive trip a wonderful experience. Even though Mabul is a dive sites that actually saw many beautiful macro sea creatures but the highlight was Sipadan Island wall dive. The first dive site ‘Drop off’ that make me amaze with shark and green turtles, then diving towards ‘Barracuda point’ which later saw a school of barracuda fish swim round the site.
After 3 months from Sipadan, I took a long break during Chinese New Year to visit Thailand to dive at Similan Island. Similan comprise of an archipelago of small islands that make many of its dive site strategic too. It was a dive on board and I stay on the boat for 2 nights.
My last introduction dive sites would be Bunaken Island at Manado situated at Sulawesi Indonesia. Manado is a great places for wall and muck diving (muck mean volcanic black sand) but I only manage to do few wall dive at Bunaken but not Lembeh Straits for muck diving. It was a waste but doing the wall dive at Bunaken is a great experience too.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Visiting Penang, George Town World Heritage Site
I haven’t visit Penang after both Melaka and George Town was declare UNESCO world heritage sites for its historic cities at straits of Malacca on 2008. I planned a trip to Penang or Pulau Pinang from 30th May to 1st June to attend a good friend beautiful baby Iris 1 month old birthday party at Bukit Mentajam and it is a good time for me to bring my family as well to visit this special heritage site at George Town.
Before Penang declared the world heritage site, I never really walk George Town after visiting Penang several times. This time I will take my time to capture some heritage building at George Town with my own design walking tour after so many good reference sites from Penang blogger and observer. I will name this tour “Jo’s George Town Core Heritage Walking” tour (separate into 4 section Esplanade section, Commercial Section, Clan Section and MKK Section) which take approximately 3 hour by foot that covers Esplanade Cornwallis, commercial building at Beach rd, historic religious places and some traditional houses.
My walking tour is mainly focus on building architecture and religious places without entrance fee. Anyway I visit the heritage sites on Sunday where many places like Fort Cornwallis, Lim Kongsi, Dr. Sun Yat Sen base are closed. Some places like Khoo Kongsi, Dr. Sun Yat Sen, Historical houses need to pay for entrance which I am not interested. So this is the places that I am interested and worth a visit according to my preference where I would be introducing.
I started my first section of the walking tour from Esplanade section along Light Rd where my first attraction would be the Logan’s memorial sitting in front of the High Court (Mahkamah Tinggi). This is a beautiful statue that captures my attention.
That’s another structure that captures my attention which is the Great Eastern old building. Then we walk towards Esplanade to look for Town hall, City Hall Building and Cenotaph War Memorial. The next destination would be Fort Cornwallis that I would recommend but I did not really visit as it was close on Sunday.
Then come the second section of Commercial building, where I started from the Queen Victoria clock tower, follow by the stretch of commercial building of Standard & Charted building, RBS building,
Malayan Railway Building that I love most and capture my attention.
After beach rd, then I turn into Chulia Rd where my third section of Clan started with my first attraction which is the little mosque of Nagore Shine.
Then by pass Madrasah Hamid Arabi & Lim Kongsi, visiting Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple and Yap Clan Temples.
Then we walked along Armenian Rd to visit Dr. Sun Yat Sen base and Islamic Museum, former residence of Syed Alatas Mansion before ending at Khoo Kongsi and Acheen mosque.
We had our early vegetarian lunch along the Masjid Kapitan Keling Rd next to a temple. After the lunch then we start our final section of the MKK section that comprise of penang oldest temple Kapitan Keling Mosque,
Teochew Ancestral Temple,
Mahamariamman Temple,
Kuan Yin Teng (Kong Hock Keong),
and St George Church.
Before Penang declared the world heritage site, I never really walk George Town after visiting Penang several times. This time I will take my time to capture some heritage building at George Town with my own design walking tour after so many good reference sites from Penang blogger and observer. I will name this tour “Jo’s George Town Core Heritage Walking” tour (separate into 4 section Esplanade section, Commercial Section, Clan Section and MKK Section) which take approximately 3 hour by foot that covers Esplanade Cornwallis, commercial building at Beach rd, historic religious places and some traditional houses.
My walking tour is mainly focus on building architecture and religious places without entrance fee. Anyway I visit the heritage sites on Sunday where many places like Fort Cornwallis, Lim Kongsi, Dr. Sun Yat Sen base are closed. Some places like Khoo Kongsi, Dr. Sun Yat Sen, Historical houses need to pay for entrance which I am not interested. So this is the places that I am interested and worth a visit according to my preference where I would be introducing.
I started my first section of the walking tour from Esplanade section along Light Rd where my first attraction would be the Logan’s memorial sitting in front of the High Court (Mahkamah Tinggi). This is a beautiful statue that captures my attention.
That’s another structure that captures my attention which is the Great Eastern old building. Then we walk towards Esplanade to look for Town hall, City Hall Building and Cenotaph War Memorial. The next destination would be Fort Cornwallis that I would recommend but I did not really visit as it was close on Sunday.
Then come the second section of Commercial building, where I started from the Queen Victoria clock tower, follow by the stretch of commercial building of Standard & Charted building, RBS building,
Malayan Railway Building that I love most and capture my attention.
After beach rd, then I turn into Chulia Rd where my third section of Clan started with my first attraction which is the little mosque of Nagore Shine.
Then by pass Madrasah Hamid Arabi & Lim Kongsi, visiting Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple and Yap Clan Temples.
Then we walked along Armenian Rd to visit Dr. Sun Yat Sen base and Islamic Museum, former residence of Syed Alatas Mansion before ending at Khoo Kongsi and Acheen mosque.
We had our early vegetarian lunch along the Masjid Kapitan Keling Rd next to a temple. After the lunch then we start our final section of the MKK section that comprise of penang oldest temple Kapitan Keling Mosque,
Teochew Ancestral Temple,
Mahamariamman Temple,
Kuan Yin Teng (Kong Hock Keong),
and St George Church.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
My Future Backpacking Trips
After backpack to Manado and Chiang Mai, I am figuring my next backpacking destination. I always wanted to explore the world heritage area declare by UNESCO which I believe it would be worth a visit.
Before any major planning, these 2 months (May & June) I would be visiting Malaysia World Heritage Site's Penang and famous dive island's Tioman for some local adventure. At the end of June, I will be joining KL marathon but I only running for 10km. But it is a good healthy exercise for me to boost up my energy in my future backpacking trip.
I am planning to visit Indonesia heritage sites and Vietnam heritage sites. My priority backpacking trip would be Indonesia Borobudur and Prambanan temple. I am planning a 9 days backpacking first flying to Jakarta for a night. Then taking a night train straight to Jogya and staying at Jogya for 3 days 2 nights visiting main attraction Borobudur and Prambanan temple following with a 2 days 1 night trip to Mount Bromo to enjoy a magnificent volcanic mountain scenery before ending my trip at Bali for 3 nights. I will be flying back to Kuala Lumpur from Bali and that make my Indonesia Java trip a complete itinerary.
My second planning is Vietnam, where I will be targeting the 3 world heritage sites located at central Vietnam. This trip will take 8 to 9 day as well where I will arrive at Ho Chi Minh for 2 nights and then taking a train to central Vietnam to visit Hoi An ancient town, Hue monuments and My Son Sanctuary. I will be staying at central Vietnam for 3 nights before departing to Hanoi for our last destination before flying back to KL.
This is an adventure itinerary that I always wanted to do for a intra country backpacking where I can cover few UNESCO world heritage area and also a mixture of mountain, beach and shopping altogether.
So this would be my future trip that I waiting for so long. Stay with me for the updates.
Before any major planning, these 2 months (May & June) I would be visiting Malaysia World Heritage Site's Penang and famous dive island's Tioman for some local adventure. At the end of June, I will be joining KL marathon but I only running for 10km. But it is a good healthy exercise for me to boost up my energy in my future backpacking trip.
I am planning to visit Indonesia heritage sites and Vietnam heritage sites. My priority backpacking trip would be Indonesia Borobudur and Prambanan temple. I am planning a 9 days backpacking first flying to Jakarta for a night. Then taking a night train straight to Jogya and staying at Jogya for 3 days 2 nights visiting main attraction Borobudur and Prambanan temple following with a 2 days 1 night trip to Mount Bromo to enjoy a magnificent volcanic mountain scenery before ending my trip at Bali for 3 nights. I will be flying back to Kuala Lumpur from Bali and that make my Indonesia Java trip a complete itinerary.
My second planning is Vietnam, where I will be targeting the 3 world heritage sites located at central Vietnam. This trip will take 8 to 9 day as well where I will arrive at Ho Chi Minh for 2 nights and then taking a train to central Vietnam to visit Hoi An ancient town, Hue monuments and My Son Sanctuary. I will be staying at central Vietnam for 3 nights before departing to Hanoi for our last destination before flying back to KL.
This is an adventure itinerary that I always wanted to do for a intra country backpacking where I can cover few UNESCO world heritage area and also a mixture of mountain, beach and shopping altogether.
So this would be my future trip that I waiting for so long. Stay with me for the updates.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Backpacking @ Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai
My backpacking itinerary @ Northern Thailand :-
12th May – I am preparing for another backpacking trip to Thailand but this time it would be Northern Thailand that comprise of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Our actual flight suppose to be 8:20am but because of Air Asia cutting cost and they combine 2 flights into 1 flight. Air Asia fly only 1 time each day now. So we took the 10:40am flight and reach Chiang Mai at 12:20pm (local time). I reserved Thaphae Garden Guesthouse for my group and the staff picks us up for free from the airport to the guesthouse.
After reach Thapae garden Guesthouse, then my first day van rental and driver’s pong are there waiting for us. The van rental is around Baht1200 for half day excluding petrol. It would be cheap if you have a group of 6 to share the cost. So he drove us for a simple noodle soup for lunch before visiting Bo Sang and Doi Suthep.
Our first attraction at Chiang Mai would be the paper umbrella village's Bo Sang.
Then we visit the second attraction Wat Doi Suthep, a temple sitting on the mountain at 1676m.
Wat Doi Suthep is a beautiful temple and worth a visit.
Before going back to city, we visited a small Wat Jed Yod which is pretty small and nothing fancy. But the main highlight and attraction for the lady in the group would be the night bazaar shopping at Chiang Mai.
13th May – Everyone wake up at 6:30am to dress up and have our breakfast at the guesthouse. The guesthouse private van took us to the arcade bus station to Chiang Rai.
But the queues are so long and there are so many people going to Chiang Rai and we only manage to brought 10:20am bus ticket.
So we have to wait for almost 2 hour before departing. Luckily the journey isn’t long and it only took 2.5 hour to reach Chiang Rai. We took a tuk tuk for baht60 for 3 persons to go to Ben Guesthouse from the Chiang Rai bus station. The guesthouse only cost us baht400 for a room and it was so nice and cheap.
After a short 20min rest then our van rental and driver’s pok are here to bring us to our delicious khao soy (noodle soup),
then proceeding to golden triangle and
then visit the burma border town’s Mae Sai for some shopping again.
The trip ended and we ask the driver to drop us at Chiang Rai night bazaar for our dinner and shopping again. You see that’s the different when you go with some pretty girls and of cause they like shopping.
14th May – After a good rest at Ben Guesthouse then we continue our van rental and driver’s pok for the second day at Chiang Rai. We start at 8:20am.
We go straight to Wat Rong Khun, the white temple for breakfast and also visit the temple right after that.
Then we rush to doi tung and the journey took us 1.5 hour. It was raining when we reach doi tung royal villa and mah fah luang garden. But we still continue our visit during the rain because it was a long journey to reach. Doi tung is on the mountain and it has a beautiful garden and royal villa. It was unlucky that the whether is bad.
Then the driver drop us back to Ben Guesthouse to wait for the pick up to Akha Hill at 4:30pm. It was a adventure journey to Akha Hill with bumpy jeep to the mountain where the akha tribe village will be. It take 1 hour to reach Akha Hill.
We stay at a local wooden bungalow facing the mountain and it is something special to visit the Akha tribe village and get a feel of the mountain of Chiang Rai.
I guess it was a boring night for the ladies as there are no shopping at Akha Hill.
15th May – We wake up at 6:30am and trek to the huey kiew waterfall (15min a way). It was a simple trek and simple waterfall.
I visited the village tribe and took some photos with them but the villagers persuade us to buy something from them. So the ladies did some shopping again that actually helps the villager. Shopping is not a bad idea after all. We had our breakfast 9am. The free drop off send us back at 9:30am to Chiang Rai bus terminal. We brought a 11:45am 1st class bus for baht170 back to Chiang Mai. Reach Chiang Mai at 3pm.
This time we try a better Montri hotel with better room and also included nice breakfast and also free transport to airport that cost us baht800 per room.
At night we did our final shopping at night bazaar before ending our trip with a luxury northern thailand lanna food at riverside restaurant for a closing ceremony of our trip achievement.
16th May - Before leaving to the airport at 10:30am, we visited Chiang Mai Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh temple. We check in to our flight 12:50 back to Kuala Lumpur.
My Backpacking @ Northern Thailand highest achievement - spend only RM350/person (group of 6) for ground only e.g. accomodation, food, drink, transport, entrance fee, donation etc.
12th May – I am preparing for another backpacking trip to Thailand but this time it would be Northern Thailand that comprise of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Our actual flight suppose to be 8:20am but because of Air Asia cutting cost and they combine 2 flights into 1 flight. Air Asia fly only 1 time each day now. So we took the 10:40am flight and reach Chiang Mai at 12:20pm (local time). I reserved Thaphae Garden Guesthouse for my group and the staff picks us up for free from the airport to the guesthouse.
After reach Thapae garden Guesthouse, then my first day van rental and driver’s pong are there waiting for us. The van rental is around Baht1200 for half day excluding petrol. It would be cheap if you have a group of 6 to share the cost. So he drove us for a simple noodle soup for lunch before visiting Bo Sang and Doi Suthep.
Our first attraction at Chiang Mai would be the paper umbrella village's Bo Sang.
Then we visit the second attraction Wat Doi Suthep, a temple sitting on the mountain at 1676m.
Wat Doi Suthep is a beautiful temple and worth a visit.
Before going back to city, we visited a small Wat Jed Yod which is pretty small and nothing fancy. But the main highlight and attraction for the lady in the group would be the night bazaar shopping at Chiang Mai.
13th May – Everyone wake up at 6:30am to dress up and have our breakfast at the guesthouse. The guesthouse private van took us to the arcade bus station to Chiang Rai.
But the queues are so long and there are so many people going to Chiang Rai and we only manage to brought 10:20am bus ticket.
So we have to wait for almost 2 hour before departing. Luckily the journey isn’t long and it only took 2.5 hour to reach Chiang Rai. We took a tuk tuk for baht60 for 3 persons to go to Ben Guesthouse from the Chiang Rai bus station. The guesthouse only cost us baht400 for a room and it was so nice and cheap.
After a short 20min rest then our van rental and driver’s pok are here to bring us to our delicious khao soy (noodle soup),
then proceeding to golden triangle and
then visit the burma border town’s Mae Sai for some shopping again.
The trip ended and we ask the driver to drop us at Chiang Rai night bazaar for our dinner and shopping again. You see that’s the different when you go with some pretty girls and of cause they like shopping.
14th May – After a good rest at Ben Guesthouse then we continue our van rental and driver’s pok for the second day at Chiang Rai. We start at 8:20am.
We go straight to Wat Rong Khun, the white temple for breakfast and also visit the temple right after that.
Then we rush to doi tung and the journey took us 1.5 hour. It was raining when we reach doi tung royal villa and mah fah luang garden. But we still continue our visit during the rain because it was a long journey to reach. Doi tung is on the mountain and it has a beautiful garden and royal villa. It was unlucky that the whether is bad.
Then the driver drop us back to Ben Guesthouse to wait for the pick up to Akha Hill at 4:30pm. It was a adventure journey to Akha Hill with bumpy jeep to the mountain where the akha tribe village will be. It take 1 hour to reach Akha Hill.
We stay at a local wooden bungalow facing the mountain and it is something special to visit the Akha tribe village and get a feel of the mountain of Chiang Rai.
I guess it was a boring night for the ladies as there are no shopping at Akha Hill.
15th May – We wake up at 6:30am and trek to the huey kiew waterfall (15min a way). It was a simple trek and simple waterfall.
I visited the village tribe and took some photos with them but the villagers persuade us to buy something from them. So the ladies did some shopping again that actually helps the villager. Shopping is not a bad idea after all. We had our breakfast 9am. The free drop off send us back at 9:30am to Chiang Rai bus terminal. We brought a 11:45am 1st class bus for baht170 back to Chiang Mai. Reach Chiang Mai at 3pm.
This time we try a better Montri hotel with better room and also included nice breakfast and also free transport to airport that cost us baht800 per room.
At night we did our final shopping at night bazaar before ending our trip with a luxury northern thailand lanna food at riverside restaurant for a closing ceremony of our trip achievement.
16th May - Before leaving to the airport at 10:30am, we visited Chiang Mai Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh temple. We check in to our flight 12:50 back to Kuala Lumpur.
My Backpacking @ Northern Thailand highest achievement - spend only RM350/person (group of 6) for ground only e.g. accomodation, food, drink, transport, entrance fee, donation etc.
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LISTING FOR SOUTH EAST ASIA
Malaysia ::
1. Gunung Mulu National Park (2000)
2. Kinabalu Park (2000)
3. Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca (2008)
Thailand ::
1. Historic City of Ayutthaya (1991)
2. Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns (1991)
3. Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries (1991)
4 .Ban Chiang Archaeological Site (1992)
5. Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex (2005)
Indonesia ::
1. Borobudur Temple Compounds (1991)
2. Komodo National Park (1991)
3. Prambanan Temple Compounds (1991)
4. Ujung Kulon National Park (1991)
5. Sangiran Early Man Site (1996)
6. Lorentz National Park (1999)
7. Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (2004)
Philippines ::
1. Baroque Churches of the Philippines (1993)
2. Tubbataha Reef Marine Park (1993)
3. Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras (1995)
4. Historic Town of Vigan (1999)
5. Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park (1999)
Cambodia ::
1. Angkor (1992)
2. Temple of Preah Vihear (2008)
Lao People's Democratic Republic ::
1. Town of Luang Prabang (1995)
2. Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape (2001)
Vietnam ::
1.Complex of Hué Monuments (1993)
2. Ha Long Bay (1994, 2000)
3.Hoi An Ancient Town (1999)
4. My Son Sanctuary (1999)
5. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (2003)
1. Gunung Mulu National Park (2000)
2. Kinabalu Park (2000)
3. Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca (2008)
Thailand ::
1. Historic City of Ayutthaya (1991)
2. Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns (1991)
3. Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries (1991)
4 .Ban Chiang Archaeological Site (1992)
5. Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex (2005)
Indonesia ::
1. Borobudur Temple Compounds (1991)
2. Komodo National Park (1991)
3. Prambanan Temple Compounds (1991)
4. Ujung Kulon National Park (1991)
5. Sangiran Early Man Site (1996)
6. Lorentz National Park (1999)
7. Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (2004)
Philippines ::
1. Baroque Churches of the Philippines (1993)
2. Tubbataha Reef Marine Park (1993)
3. Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras (1995)
4. Historic Town of Vigan (1999)
5. Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park (1999)
Cambodia ::
1. Angkor (1992)
2. Temple of Preah Vihear (2008)
Lao People's Democratic Republic ::
1. Town of Luang Prabang (1995)
2. Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape (2001)
Vietnam ::
1.Complex of Hué Monuments (1993)
2. Ha Long Bay (1994, 2000)
3.Hoi An Ancient Town (1999)
4. My Son Sanctuary (1999)
5. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (2003)
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Backpacking & Diving @Manado, Sulawesi Indonesia
30th Jan 2009 –
Reached LCCT pretty early at 3:30am to catch the 6:20am flight to Manado. I am little nervous on the budget that I had research and really don’t know how true is all the figure extract from Internet research. Anyway adventure backpack is always full of challenges and surprises. So reached Manado at 10:20am and the journey start off with the bargaining cabby to town. I had budgeted RP50.000 but it was RP80.000 and now you know what I worry. I guess we have to keep bargain all the way. Once we reach Manado town then we walk straight to a shopping center call ‘Mega Mall’ for a simple lunch and then walk directly to the jetty to cross over to Pulau Bunaken. I had plan to stay 2 night at Bunaken island for diving.
Once we reach the jetty then there is bargaining time again for boat to Bunaken. Anyway I have checked that there is public boat to Bunaken cost around RP25.000 per person but I got a private charter boat for only RP35.000 instead better than the public boat I guess. It took us 45 min to reach Pangalisang beach from Manado.
I had prepare to stay at Bunaken village for EURO 25 per pax but I insist to search for chalet once we reach the island. I have few option and the boatman also recommend Daniel Homestay that I wanted to search too which cost only RP175.000 per person. This is lots more cheaper than Bunaken village but of course Bunaken village are more high end and comfy with that price and service. I am satisfy with Daniel with that price range. Cheers.
31st Jan 2009 –
Second day at Manado and Bunaken Island was a full day wall diving trip. Am excited with the wall dive over here and my 1st dive site at Bunaken was Lekuan 3. It wasn’t great about my 1st dive.
Excitement come with 2nd dive site which is Lekuan 1 wall dive where there are full of butterfly fish all over the place. Something specials that I experience for a little leisure dive.
After lunch, we head off to the 3rd dive to Timur wall dive and the last dive is really a deep dive but I couldn’t meet any BIG creature like manta or whale shark. Anyway it was a good dive and diving at Manado is slightly expensive where it cost EURO 25 per dive.
1st Feb 2009 –
Checkout 10am and took the boat back to Manado at 10:30am as today is Sunday and everyone at Manado has to go to church and it cost slightly higher to get a charter boat. So we took back the same boatman and it cost us RP175.000 charter boat back to Manado town. Reach Manado at noon and then take a light lunch. The second parts of the adventure to highland Tomohon continue thereafter. We took a cab for about RP90.000 to reach Tomohon and it took us about 1 hour to reach and the city is on top of a hill and little chilling with the view of 2 volcano mountain, Gunung Lokon and Gunung Mahawu. We stay at Lokon Boutique Resort and it is a beautiful resort looking directly Lokon Mountain. Fantastic!!!
After check in, we hire a kijang to visit Linow Lake, sulphur lake that changes color depend on the sun and Lake Tondanau which is the largest lake at Manado for a superb hot & spicy dinner. Trips end with a light shopping at Tomohon city of flowers.
2nd Feb 2009 –
The next morning was a great day at Lokon with a great view of Lokon Mountain. We start off we a hike to the swimming pool which is not so nice afterall. Then we took the blue Microlet to the Tomohon morning tradisional market with only RP2.000 one way and is cool. Guess what? I saw bat, dog hanging in the market. WOW!! Amazing!
Then check out at 10am and we hire the kijang again to visit Bukit Kasih, something special but not very fascinating. Bukit Kasih is a hill near volcanic area with hot sulphur lake and also statue of many religion displays. The most important is a little hiking and relaxing at the hill and scenery but there wasn’t any maintenance but of cause they need many donation for that.
After Bukit Kasih, we move straight back to Manado town to stay at Manado Central budget hotel for the last night. So it will be a city life with public bus microlet and also walk along Boulevard road at Manado.
3rd Feb 2009 –
Before we leave, we had a very tradisional manado food near wakeke road where all the local food are located. We try bubur manado which is vegetable porridge serve at wakeke. Something special but is weird having lots of pumpkin and mint at the porridge. But it was a good adventure trying lots of weird experience. We took the flight 11:05am from Manado back to LCCT.
Reached LCCT pretty early at 3:30am to catch the 6:20am flight to Manado. I am little nervous on the budget that I had research and really don’t know how true is all the figure extract from Internet research. Anyway adventure backpack is always full of challenges and surprises. So reached Manado at 10:20am and the journey start off with the bargaining cabby to town. I had budgeted RP50.000 but it was RP80.000 and now you know what I worry. I guess we have to keep bargain all the way. Once we reach Manado town then we walk straight to a shopping center call ‘Mega Mall’ for a simple lunch and then walk directly to the jetty to cross over to Pulau Bunaken. I had plan to stay 2 night at Bunaken island for diving.
Once we reach the jetty then there is bargaining time again for boat to Bunaken. Anyway I have checked that there is public boat to Bunaken cost around RP25.000 per person but I got a private charter boat for only RP35.000 instead better than the public boat I guess. It took us 45 min to reach Pangalisang beach from Manado.
I had prepare to stay at Bunaken village for EURO 25 per pax but I insist to search for chalet once we reach the island. I have few option and the boatman also recommend Daniel Homestay that I wanted to search too which cost only RP175.000 per person. This is lots more cheaper than Bunaken village but of course Bunaken village are more high end and comfy with that price and service. I am satisfy with Daniel with that price range. Cheers.
31st Jan 2009 –
Second day at Manado and Bunaken Island was a full day wall diving trip. Am excited with the wall dive over here and my 1st dive site at Bunaken was Lekuan 3. It wasn’t great about my 1st dive.
Excitement come with 2nd dive site which is Lekuan 1 wall dive where there are full of butterfly fish all over the place. Something specials that I experience for a little leisure dive.
After lunch, we head off to the 3rd dive to Timur wall dive and the last dive is really a deep dive but I couldn’t meet any BIG creature like manta or whale shark. Anyway it was a good dive and diving at Manado is slightly expensive where it cost EURO 25 per dive.
1st Feb 2009 –
Checkout 10am and took the boat back to Manado at 10:30am as today is Sunday and everyone at Manado has to go to church and it cost slightly higher to get a charter boat. So we took back the same boatman and it cost us RP175.000 charter boat back to Manado town. Reach Manado at noon and then take a light lunch. The second parts of the adventure to highland Tomohon continue thereafter. We took a cab for about RP90.000 to reach Tomohon and it took us about 1 hour to reach and the city is on top of a hill and little chilling with the view of 2 volcano mountain, Gunung Lokon and Gunung Mahawu. We stay at Lokon Boutique Resort and it is a beautiful resort looking directly Lokon Mountain. Fantastic!!!
After check in, we hire a kijang to visit Linow Lake, sulphur lake that changes color depend on the sun and Lake Tondanau which is the largest lake at Manado for a superb hot & spicy dinner. Trips end with a light shopping at Tomohon city of flowers.
2nd Feb 2009 –
The next morning was a great day at Lokon with a great view of Lokon Mountain. We start off we a hike to the swimming pool which is not so nice afterall. Then we took the blue Microlet to the Tomohon morning tradisional market with only RP2.000 one way and is cool. Guess what? I saw bat, dog hanging in the market. WOW!! Amazing!
Then check out at 10am and we hire the kijang again to visit Bukit Kasih, something special but not very fascinating. Bukit Kasih is a hill near volcanic area with hot sulphur lake and also statue of many religion displays. The most important is a little hiking and relaxing at the hill and scenery but there wasn’t any maintenance but of cause they need many donation for that.
After Bukit Kasih, we move straight back to Manado town to stay at Manado Central budget hotel for the last night. So it will be a city life with public bus microlet and also walk along Boulevard road at Manado.
3rd Feb 2009 –
Before we leave, we had a very tradisional manado food near wakeke road where all the local food are located. We try bubur manado which is vegetable porridge serve at wakeke. Something special but is weird having lots of pumpkin and mint at the porridge. But it was a good adventure trying lots of weird experience. We took the flight 11:05am from Manado back to LCCT.
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