SHENZHEN, Guangdong China

Shenzhen is a city of sub-provincial administrative status in southern China's Guangdong province, situated immediately north of Hong Kong. Owing to China's economic liberalization under the policies of reformist leader Deng Xiaoping, the area became China's first—and arguably one of the most successful—Special Economic Zones.

The train from Hong Kong's Hung Hom MTR station to the Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau border crossings take 43 minutes and 45 minutes respectively. Trains depart Hung Hom for Lo Wu every 6–8 minutes from 5:36am to 11:13pm. The border crossing at Lo Wu is open daily from 6:30am to midnight. The Lok Ma Chau border crossing closes around 10:30

The Window of the World is a theme park located in the western part of the city of Shenzhen in the People's Republic of China. It has about 130 reproductions of some of the most famous tourist attractions in the world squeezed into 48 hectares (480,000 square meters).

Admission is 120 yuan (about 18 US Dollars) (or 50 yuan after 7:40 pm). Persons between 65 and 69 are half price, while seniors 70 and over are admitted free (ID required). Children whose height is between 1.1 and 1.4 meters are also half price, with children under 1.1 meters free

Source of some Info: Wikipedia

Seoul Searching

Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Korea (South Korea). It is one of the world's largest cities with a population of 10 miliion.

The Seoul National Capital Area, which includes the Incheon metropolis and most of Gyeonggi province, has 24.5 million inhabitants,and is the world's second largest metropolitan area.It the country's foremost economic, political, and cultural center. It is home to LG, Samsung, Hyundai-Kia.

In front of Incheon International Airport

Taken in park in front of Cheongwadae which is the executive office and official residence of the President of the Republic of Korea, located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The main building has a hipped-and-gabled roof, which is the most refined and beautiful style among Korean architecture, covered with Korean style blue tiles from which "Cheongwadae" takes its name. Approximately 150,000 tiles compose the roof of Cheongwadae. Each was baked individually, which makes them strong enough to be used for over one hundred years.

Grounds of Gyeongbok Palace which means Shining Happiness. This palace remained the main seat of power for Korea kings throughout much of the time to the present. There is usually a parade here .

Kyeonghoe-ru ("Joyous Meeting") is the largest pavilion in South Korea and has been designated National Treasure #224. Supported by 48 stone pillars and set in a lotus pond, the pavilion was a favored place for the King to entertain visiting dignitaries.

Keunjeong-jeon, the royal throne hall is Korea's largest surviving wooden structure. Kings conducted state affairs, held official functions, and received foreign envoys here. Built in 1394, high ranking officials assembled in this court to pay respect to their kings.

Stopping by at Ski Outfit Rentals on the way to Jisan Ski Resort

Jisan Ski Resorts opens at 7am and closes at 11pm. There are 10 slopes to ski and has 4 lifts. A certificate is given after the tour to this resort. This can be very very slippery ... careful!

Let it snow ... let it snow !! Brrrr ... so this is how it feels . Postcard perfect ... but in real life - not for me.

I told these guys I'm an actress in the Philippines ...

Best food in Korea ... Korean Barbeque . Yum-O! Korean barbecue (gogi gui) refers to the Korean method of grilling beef, pork, chicken, or other types of meat. Such dishes are often prepared at the diner's table on gas or charcoal grills that are built into the center of the table itself. The most typical form of Korean barbecue is galbi made from marinated beef short ribs. After grilling, place the sauce on the meat and wrap it in lettuce. Must try!!!

EVERLAND - Korea's largest theme park.




Seeing the Dancing Bear @ Zoo-Topia aboard the Safari Bus.

The "Liger" - a hybrid cross between a male lion (Panthera leo) and a tigress (Panthera tigris), hence has parents with the same genus but of different species

Everland Parade



Characteristics & Records of T Express (2008)
South Korea's first wooden roller coaster
World's steepest wooden roller coaster (77 degrees)
Drop : 57m (7th in the world)
Attraction time : 3min 00sec (the longest in Asia, 7th in the world)
Air time : 12 times (the most air times in South Korea)
Altitude : 56m (the highest in Asia, 3rd in the world)
Maximum Speed : 104km/h (the fastest in Asia, 8th in the world)
[+] Gravity Force : 4.5g
[-] Gravity Force : -1.2g


Skyline Ride - Ski Lift to take you from one section to another




The Royale Jubillee Carousel from the movie, My Sassy Girl




Korean Chicken Ginseng Soup - my least favorite food.Samgyetang is a Korean chicken soup with Korean ginseng, dried jujube fruits, garlic, ginger, glutinous rice, and sometimes other medicinal herbs. It is held to be not only a cure for physical ailments but a preventer of sickness.


Amethyst Factory

Doota, one of the shopping malls in Dongdaemun (DDM) Market Area. Shopping at Night ...

By day ... Shopping ... more shopping . This is life!



Lotte World - world's largest indoor theme park.




There is an outdoor amusement park called Magic Island.



It is connected by a monorail. If you don't have the time to spend the whole day in this park, ride the monorail and you will see the whole theme park.



Detained for shopping too much


Lunch aboard this ship ...

Good looking pirates on the loose

Korean Traditional Costume (Hanbok) - The top part called a jeogori is blouse-like with long sleeves with the men's version being longer, stretching down to the waist. Women wear skirts (chima) while men wear baggy pants (paji). Commoners wore white, except during festivals and special occassions such as weddings. Clothes for the upper classes were made of bright colors and indicated the wearer's social status. Various accessories such as foot gear, jewelry, and headdresses or hair pins completed the outfit.

Seoul Palace Hotel - good place to stay. Highly recommended.

TRIP TIPS:
1. During the cold months do bring thermal wear - to be worn inside your clothes and your coat. Invest on a Debenham's or M & S.

2. Leather Boots with fleece lining - a good thing to own. See your nearest Zara Store. Should have rubber sole as well.

3. Lip balm on your purse.

4. Mittens, gloves and beanies - a must!

5. Never leave Korea without tasting their Authentic Korean Barbeque.

6. Though not known for shopping ... it is one good place for this. Koreans are thin so the plus size women will have a hard time. I like their stuff better than HK. Walking in their street is like walking on a catwalk ... people have a good fashion sense.

7. Be careful on the ski slopes ... very dangerous.

Getting there:

1. Cebu Pacific
2. PAL
3. Korean Air

Seoul ... it is an old soul with a modern twist. Full of surprises and adventures. It is a country with a strong cultural traditions but managed to welcome the rest the world without having to compromise its essence. Seoul - good for your soul!

MALAYSIA - TRULY ASIA

The King's Palace facade

Malaysia's Motto: "Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu" (Unity Is Strength)

The Thean Hou Temple is a landmark six-tiered Chinese temple in Kuala Lumpur. It is located on a 1.67 acres (6,760 m²) of land atop Robson Heights along Lorong Bellamy, overlooking Jalan Syed Putra (Federal Highway). This temple, built by the Hainanese community living in Kuala Lumpur is dedicated to Goddess Tian Hou (The Heavenly Mother).

Beryl - Chocolate Factory ... divine taste-all-you-can experience. A bite of heaven. Tiramisu Almond White Chocolate, Coconut Delight Bar Chocolate, Camior Milk Pralines ... the feast is endless. Now readily available in the Philippines.

The view from my hotel room ... The Petronas ... this is Mandarin Oriental, a 5-star international deluxe hotel. As part of the prestigious Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) development, the hotel has direct access to and from the world�s tallest buildings - the Petronas Twin Towers, Suria KLCC shopping centre and the Petronas Dewan Filharmonik. Best view there is ... at 620 Ringgit.

Skybridge Visit - Open: Tue-Sunday. The Skybridge Ticket Counter opens at 8.30am on every operational days. Visiting hours: 9.00am to 5.00pm. There are 1300 tickets to be issued on first come first serve basis. The ticket is free of charge. Normally the tickets would be finished around 11.00am. The tickets will be issued on the visit day itself. To avoid any disappointment, I would suggest you to come to the ticket counter as early as 8.30am. The Skybridge Ticket counter located at the Concourse Floor (underground) of the PETRONAS Twin Towers. The floor can be accessed from both Towers.

The Petronas Towers are some of the highest buildings in the world. They are 452 meters tall. Following the most recent details: the Bamboo Shoot in Taiwan is at this moment the highest building in the world. It is like two crystal skyscrapers at night.

The Kuala Lumpur Tower (officially known as Menara Kuala Lumpur; referred later as KL Tower) is a tall tower located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is used for communication purposes and features an antenna that reaches 421 m (1,381 ft), which currently makes it the eighteenth tallest freestanding tower in the world. The roof of the pod is at 335 m (1,099 ft). The rest of the tower below has a stairwell and an elevator to reach the upper area, which also contains a revolving restaurant, providing diners a beautiful view of the city. This is also an observatory where they look for the crescent moon to start the Muslim month.

VINCCI - love at 1st sight. This is where I bought my 1st 3 pairs of Vincci shoes ... and the love story continued ... it is now available in Philippines as VNC. The only shoe store which has size 3. There's always a room for one more pair of shoes ...

RESTORAN SERI MELAYU - Authentic Malaysian Restaurant with cultural show while dining

Don't ask me about this ... I don't know either.

TRIP TIPS:
1. Electronics is very cheap here. Some items are cheaper here than Singapore.
2. Restaurants accept on-the-day reservation.
3. Suria KLCC is the shopping haven.
4. Chinatown offers the best bargain for souvenirs.
5. Vincci is half the price !!!
6. Catherine Zeta Jones and Sean Connery had their shoot at the Petronas Skybridge.
7. Take pictures in the Petronas quickly because you are not allowed to stay longer than 10 minutes I think.
8. Terima Kasih (thank you)
9. You can go to Singapore by bus from Malaysia.
10. Taste the freshly baked Amos cookies - delish!!!

TRIPPING ON MY OWN FEET

Have you ever met someone that you can't walk away from? This day will come, this person will appear when you least expect it. When this happens, this core shaker is bound to create chaos in your perfectly charmed life or peace in your topsy turvy world. It is when you will again trip in your own feet and be foolish once again.

But isn't it nice that this day and age, you'd be feeling like the high school kid you once was. Sometimes we all miss the novelty and the surge that the years stole away from us. The time where kids invade our waking hours , partners try to steal the minutes left of it and work constantly dominates. Where is "me and myself" in the equation? Gone ... and when you look in the mirror - you can't barely recognize the individual staring at you - and when someone walks in ... what is left of the energy that you once have allows you to just stare - to wander and wonder - "Have you ever met someone that you can't walk away from?" We all have but we have different ways of facing the situation. We totally walked out of it. We try walking around it. We let our hands dry over the fire for a while. We don't walk away from it. It is always a good choice, but good persons that we are - we always put other people that will hurt us in the process first. It will be nice to stop, stare and trip on your own feet. But regaining composure is what matters

EAT PRAY LOVE - Tale of 3 Countries

A journey of the palate, soul and heart. Traveling to Italy, India and Indonesia to find her core, Liz Gilbert, was given the chance to be "alone", to look for what is essential and find herself.

It was a good read especially if you are into traveling, journeys (literally or figuratively) and finding love. It also came to my life when I want to do something that I love - not that I'm ungrateful for what I have right now, but I also want to do something that brings joy and sends my adrenalin pumping like what I am feeling whenever I have done organizing my home or I have staged my home to entertain friends.

Lately I'm losing what I am essentially. I'm caught up with the many detours of deliverables which I have to do, not because I want to. But like the school kid that I was - I want to be the best in each task - but failing every time despite the "desperate efforts" to win. It came also during the time when what makes me happy was shown on TV ( My very own Passion Movement plug at Lifestyle Network ) and the time that I have to make a hard decision that can change lives.

Reading it was a personal journey - just like the author - but I would have wanted to eat Margherita pizza in Pizzeria da Michele in Naples, sat in a garden full of blooms in Bali or pray in a meditation cave in India. It will make you take a step back and introspect about your personal relationship with the world or with yourself or with God.

It discusses soul mate in a different light not in a fairy tale manner often written in love stories. What I have believed all this time is true after all: "you can never marry your soul mate”.

“A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then they leave."

In my mind, there isn't one person who can fulfill all your needs - it's not like Home TV Shopping line - "but wait there is more”, more of "there's no more?" .... There are just aspects of your personality that some people can relate to, some who can’t. It's as simple as that. You are lucky if you have found that specific person for your specific need. We are born for specific roles anyway.

There are tifosos (fans) whom you need to fill your self-esteem bucket ... the cafones (assholes) who forced you to be strong and swim in life's current ... codega – “one who leads the way with a lit lantern and wards off thieves and demons”... guru - out of the darkness and into the light ... Ketut - your medicine man ... funny man - someone who makes you smile but takes no particular pull in the romantic landscape ... name behind the ever available icon in your contacts- not appointments needed, no time required, just as long as you need him ... the one that got away – self explanatory ... solace - your hope in times of depression and a witness to a glorious past ... bed buddy- cuddles you through the night ... or simply a shopping companion – the one that agrees with you that there is still room for another one in your shoe cabinet and that you deserve it.

The book is real in many aspects because most of us can totally relate to it. Most parts of the journey is like a bitter pill that you have to swallow - something that is very hard to take in but is essential to get well.

The book's beauty is basically seen through the many lines I have highlighted. Done differently from the other books I've read - I also marked the places , the food, the foreign words - hoping that it will come handy when I will be given the chance to visit the places.

I've only seen Indonesia - not impressive, though I was billeted in one of best hotels the place can offer - maybe because going to a place needs cultural immersion for appreciation. Visit the market, talk to the locals and be brave to taste the food - opening your senses to the different sights and sounds distinct to that place alone. All of which was lost in the millions of Rupiah that I had to count just to buy a toothpaste.

Along came something from the US from my Mamu, Dr. Edith Dalisay (where Liz was living all her life). After reading the book came the bracelet and accessories from Bali, Indonesia given by my good friend, Dr. Arnold Pineda. My bracelet from India came from Dr. Agnes Cruz from her trip to Agra. I got a Murano bracelet from Italy as well from Miles Sabaricos from her European vacation last year. Does it tell me anything? Mere coincidence? Maybe - but then again - "God long ago drew a circle in the sand exactly around the spot you are standing right now.”

There are no coincidences. There is always a cosmic significance to a simple earthy event. Whatever you tell the universe, it will design ways to make it tangible, to make it real. Believe and pray hard … who knows? Love might be knocking on your door tomorrow when you least expect it.

Eat. Pray. Love.

Yummy. Mystic. Cheesy.

Available in National Bookstore. In theaters in August.

SINGAPORE - THE LION CITY

Singapore Fast Facts:
- from the word "Singapura" - Lion City
- has a diverse population of 5 Million people
- world's 4th leading financial district

Flights to Singapore:
1. Cebu Pacific - check out promos ; flying 3 times daily
Visit www.cebupacificair.com
2. Philippine Airlines
3. Tiger Air
4. Singapore Airlines

The Sri Mariamman Temple is Singapore's walk in past. This temple can be found at South Bridge Road near the Chinatown Night Market and Chinatown Heritage Center. It can be seen while shopping. Due to its architectural and historical importance, this has been hailed as a National Monument. It is founded in 1827 by Naraina Pillai. Great Bargains in this side of the city. Souvenirs abound.

Singapore Sling - cocktail concocted by Ngiam Tong Boon, a bartender at Raffles Hotel. This is a mixture of grenadine syrup, gin, sweet and sour mix, club soda and cherry brandy. When in Raffles ... order this, a must! Dinner at Raffles ? I'm not too impressed.

Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay - located along the Marina Bay. Home of the operas, recitals and concerts. On the roof are aluminum sun shades .Seen as Durian by many ... but 2 copulating aardvarks to me .

Merlion - found also in the Marina Bay ... tourist icon of Singapore. Trip Tip: If you go there after 11pm ... you won't see the water coming out of its mouth.

Fullerton Hotel Singapore - 5 star boutique hotel which won major travel awards such as the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List award. This is also an architectural wonder of Singapore because of its marveled restoration. Built in 1928.

The Fountain of Wealth is situated in Suntec Singapore It is the world's largest fountain. During certain periods of the day, the fountain is turned off and visitors are invited to walk around a mini fountain at the centre of the fountain's base for good luck. One has to touch the water while circling the fountain. Bottled water from the fountain is also available for good luck in the nearby stall. The inward flowing water of the fountain was used for two reasons. Water is known as the symbol of life and wealth in Chinese culture, and the inward motion of the water symbolises the retention of wealth for Suntec City. According to the feng-shui experts , the water flowing inwards represents riches pouring in. This was also featured in Amazing Race Asia.

The Forbidden City is a restaurant found in Clarke Quay (pronounced as key) which is the home of the nightlife of Singapore. It also has stalls for night shopping. It is 5 blocks of restored warehouses. River cruises are also available to get a different view of Singapore by night. G-max reverse bungee - for the adventurous and thrill seekers. The Forbidden City's interior has monuments and artifacts.

Sentosa means peace and tranquility. It is a popular island resort in Singapore with attractions that include a two-kilometre long sheltered beach, Fort Siloso, two golf courses and two five-star hotels, and the Resorts World Sentosa, featuring the theme park Universal Studios Singapore. 2 ways to get there : by land or by cable car - opt for the latter - the ride is exciting.

Tiger Sky Tower - free standing observation tower giving you a panoramic view of Singapore and parts of Indonesia and Malaysia. Capacity : 72 pax. This used to be the Carlsberg Tower.

Images of Singapore - It is historical museum in that exhibits the culture and history of Singapore using mutli-media displays, multi-screen theatre presentations (my 1st hologram show!) and lifesize tableaus depicting major events in Singapore's history.

Sentosa Express - to get around Sentosa ... fun ride.

Imbiah Lookout zone in the centre of Sentosa

Underwater World is an underground oceanarium and has an 83 metre long travelator that moves visitors along a submerged glass-windowed tunnel from which they can look at an array of 2,500 marine life including a coral reef, stringrays, moray eels, turtles, sharks, and other fishes and even divers who are cleaning the tank. In the 'Dive-with-the-Sharks' program visitors can scuba dive in the large oceanarium, even if they are not scuba qualified. Qualified scuba divers can also 'Dive-with-the-Dugong".

Dolphins Lagoon is the home of the pink dolphins. Performing live.

Palawan (named after our island?) Beach lies in the centre of the southern coast of Sentosa. There is a suspension bridge that leads to a small islet off the coast which is said to be the Southernmost Point of Continental Asia, or Asia's closest point to the Equator.

Lunch Buffet at Rasa Sentosa Resort (Shangri-La) ... yummmmm!

See you soon , my love!!!!!


Trip Tips:
1. Sentosa is a whole day tour - make sure to see the Songs of the Sea
2. Singapore is a fine city. Don't litter or spit anywhere.
3. Little India and Chinatown - home of the best bargains.
4. Electronics - cheaper here but Malaysia is also ok.
5. Hawkers Centre - selling variety of inexpensive food.
6. Orchard Road - shopping and entertainment
7. Bamboo shellfish clams - a must try
8. River cruise - experience it
9. Universal Studios and LV Marina - here I come ...
10. It's hot in Singapore. Bring cotton outfits.
11. Clarke quay - look out for posh bargains
12. Taxi cabs - via phone
13. Suntec cab queue during the rush hour can be very very long ...