A Traveller’s Reinvented Metro (Manila Bay Sunset Cruise & Ocean Park)

                We know Manila as the Capital of the Philippines, an overpopulated, toxically polluted and congested traffic Metropolitan where numerous of bad things have already happened and are still happening every single day. From Natural Disasters like Ondoy who stole many lives in just a few hours to regular thieves and other cons doing multiple crimes to People residing within the Metro. You need to have a tough gut to be able to survive in this Chaotically Urbanized Jungle…

                However, Manila is not all that, there has to be something good amidst all the negativities brought about by this place. As I was researching regarding the unique things to do in Manila, not just shopping and night life, I discovered a feel good romantic experience – the one you’ve watched on the television, where the lead actors are having dinner by the candlelight with a perfect view of the Moon and a sensual feel of the Ocean Breeze. I guess you already have an idea with the clues I’m giving… Yes! You got me! A DINNER CRUISE to a YACHT along the Bay of Manila. "For a while, it made me feel like I’m one of those in the movies – Acoustic instruments serenading me, delightful food satiating my tongue’s senses and nature’s miracle quenching my body." What a wonderful and flawless way to pamper yourself in the Metro & release all of your stresses from your daily anxious life…

                So, this is one of the things that you should not miss doing when you are in Metro Manila, most recommended by your Pambansang Manlalakbay Armie “Happy Loner Traveller” Yuson!

                I also recommend “Manila Ocean Park” so that you and your children would realize how huge our impact is on our Underwater World Friends. That every action we take, whether it be tiny or large, would affect their World which is also a part of ours, therefore, in the end would also alter our Ecological System.

                After all, I found out that there are still virtuous, worthy and humane things that you can witness in the Metro despite of all adversities occurring within. And maybe, just maybe, it is GOD’s magnificent will for all of these circumstances to happen so that we would know how to value what is left of us Humans…

- Happy Loner Traveller

*** This Article is dedicated to the "GREAT" ARMANDO Q. LEYVA. Tatay, I always miss you and I love you so much...

Happy Loner Traveller Goes To MALAYSIA (My Truth About Kuala Lumpur)

ARMIE YUSON ADVENTURES - HAPPY LONER TRAVELLER GOES TO MALAYSIA (PART 1 OF 2)

ARMIE YUSON ADVENTURES - HAPPY LONER TRAVELLER GOES TO MALAYSIA (PART 2 OF 2)

                I spent my Christmas Eve alone for the very first time, going back to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore, it’s also what I wanted coz’ I don’t want to celebrate or feel Christmas in any way, that is why I just want to isolate myself from everyone and just allow myself to be alone on this most important Holiday of the Year.

                I got the best seat of the bus again, infront of the bus’s second floor. I had a very wide space where I can just raise both of my feet up high and have that pleasurable comfort, another six hours ride departing from Singapore at ten in the evening and arriving at Kuala Lumpur Malaysia at four in the morning. I went back to my accommodation at Berjaya Times Square Hotel and just slept till’ nine in the morning. My Destinations in Kuala Lumpur were Chinatown – a place where you can buy cheap clothes, accessories, bags and shoes but it’s just the same with our Divisoria in the Philippines, ours is probably cheaper. My next visit is the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, the Largest Aviary Park in the World, not just in Asia! The entrance fee is only 45 Ringgit and I pretty much enjoyed myself there because I got the chance to interact with numerous of Bird Species, most of them were not even in cages, so you see them in flocks wandering around the Park. But the thing that I enjoyed the most is the feeding time held at their Lake, all the Birds, flightless or flying were all rushing to get their food and you will definitely get entertained! My Last Destination in Kuala Lumpur is their Most Prominent Landmark, the Symbol of Malaysia, the Petronas Twin Towers. My Kuala Lumpur Trip wouldn’t be complete without visiting these Twin Skyscrapers. However, I encountered some problems going there, Taxi Drivers were haggling me and they don’t like using their metered fares instead their giving off contracted prices which is very expensive compared to the metered fares and they even have this sticker written on the side of their car door “This is a metered Taxi, don’t tolerate haggling.” And yet they’re still doing it and the Government of Malaysia is not doing anything about it. Good thing I discovered the KL Monorail, it’s cheaper and faster than Taxi, no traffic at all, I only paid 3.20 Ringgit for a roundtrip to my target station which is “Bukit Nanas”, just 3 stations away from my station of origin “Imbi”. After going down to station “Bukit Nanas”, a short ten minute walk and you’re already there, infront of the Third Tallest Building in the World, the Petronas Twin Towers! "I was amazed with how the building was made, steel structures, beautifully designed in terms of its architecture, you just can’t stop looking at it. You just can’t help but to ask, is this how far us humans have already developed our technology? It was just surreal to my eyes." While walking back to the monorail station, I was just appreciating Kuala Lumpur’s surroundings, getting to know KL a little bit more…

                My third day in KL is just rest time for me, just enjoying Berjaya Times Square’s Hotel, Swimming Pool, Huge Ten-Floored Mall and a Mini Theme Park. Berjaya Times Square is a one stop place for everything you need in a place. Buses to and from Singapore stops here too because it is right in the Central of Kuala Lumpur, the Capital of Malaysia. With regards to their Dishes, Malaysian Cuisine is similar to the Chinese and Indian Specialties, Spices are its main ingredient.

                There are a lot of pros and cons about Kuala Lumpur but if I would honestly describe it? Exactly the same as Manila Philippines but a little more improved compared to it. These two countries have the same flow of traffic and haggling modus of Taxi drivers on their passengers. Although, it is not polluted when it comes to vehicular smoke and garbage compared to Manila.

                Overall, Your Pambansang Manlalakbay Armie “Happy Loner Traveller” Yuson enjoyed Malaysia’s KL Bird Park, Petronas Twin Towers and Berjaya Times Square Hotel… YEBAH!!!

- Happy Loner Traveller

*** This Article is dedicated to the "GREAT" ARMANDO Q. LEYVA. Tatay, I always miss you and I love you so much...

A Traveller’s Karting Experiment (Kart City In Tarlac)

ARMIE YUSON ADVENTURES - KART RACING IN TARLAC

                Tarlac Philippines has always been known as the “Gateway to Northern Luzon and Metro Manila”. You will always have to pass by it in order to arrive at Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos and Benguet Provinces, to name a few. It’ll always be the road in between but not anymore. Over the years, much has changed with the infrastructures of Tarlac, it has progressed and developed a lot and could now be compared to our Metropolitan Cities like Manila, Cebu and Davao.

                I have heard of one of its popular tourist spots, right in the heart of Tarlac City, it is named “KART CITY”. A GO KART RACING TRACK, the first in Northern and Central Luzon. The best thing about Kart City, compared to Metro Manila’s price, it is way cheaper! For ten rounds, you only have to pay for 200 Philippine Pesos and 120 Philippine Pesos for five rounds. Very affordable! And it is open daily from 3PM to 1AM. "I had so much fun driving these Go Karts, even if it is small, I can still feel the adrenaline rush because at that time, I was driving around the Racetrack all by myself, that is why I could make the speed so fast and too furious." So if you just want to have a quick fun, better escape to Tarlac City’s Kart City! Definitely, your Pambansang Manlalakbay Armie “Happy Loner Traveller” Yuson’s hangout place! YEBAH!!!

- Happy Loner Traveller

*** This Article is dedicated to the "GREAT" ARMANDO Q. LEYVA. Tatay, I always miss you and I love you so much...

A Traveller’s Extreme Wakeboarding (Camarines Sur Watersports Complex)

ARMIE YUSON ADVENTURES - EXTREME WAKEBOARDING IN CAMSUR

                "Oh Camarines Sur, Camarines Sur… If I have to simply and plainly describe you in just one word, it would be “EXTREME”."

                Your Pambansang Manlalakbay Armie “Happy Loner Traveller” Yuson’s next destination in his “SOUTHERN LUZON CHALLENGE” is in the Land of Camarines Sur. I finally had the chance to learn and try Kneeboarding and Wakeboarding! Where else but in the Extreme Capital of the Philippines, BICOL! From Legazpi City, I rode the Van in the Terminal going to Pili Camarines Sur for only 140 Philippine Pesos. It’s a one and a half hour ride and I dropped off at its Capitol & rode the trike to the Famous CWC (Camarines Sur Watersports Complex) for only 20 Philippine Pesos. From there, I availed two hours of their Extreme offer, one hour Kneeboarding and another hour for Wakeboarding. It only costs 330 Philippine Pesos plus they gave me a free pass to their swimming pool which is supposed to be an additional of 150 Philippine Pesos.

                I was excited on my first try in Kneeboarding, a cable pulling you so fast while you’re controlling the board is Exhilirating, I had 12 rounds in the complex overall! So my next hour was Wakeboarding – After orienting me with the techniques, I get to have my first set of attempts and I got so stranded in the water for several times, that’s where I realized that Wakeboarding is harder than Kneeboarding. It’s hard to control and balance on the board especially with the strong tension speed of the cable pulling you. I had 2 more repeats until I was finally able to stand, maybe my background of being a Surfer had contributed to it. After the Board with support in it, I tried to do the advance Wakeboarding, the one without a support and they call it the “Weighskate”. They said that it’s even harder but I got it right away on my first try because it’s easier for me, the Board was easy to control because it’s lighter and smaller.

                I had so much fun being an Extremist in Camarines Sur for a day and the staff there were very helpful & kind. After that, I just had a shower and went back to Legazpi City via bus for only 100 Philippine Pesos.

                In the Philippines, it is only in CWC Pili Camarines Sur where they offer Kneeboarding and Extreme Wakeboarding Adventure. The feeling of floating in the water at a high speed is an experience you must not forget to try! And all in all, I just spent 590 Philippine Pesos, Awesome! Caution! Wakeboarding could be so addictive, better have a bigger budget! YEBAH!!! :-)

- Happy Loner Traveller

*** This Article is dedicated to the "GREAT" ARMANDO Q. LEYVA. Tatay, I always miss you and I love you so much...