TANZANIA EXPEDITION !

KARIBU TANZANIA!

Mbudya Island (2018)

Let us together discover, explore, and enjoy a foreign land situated in Africa.
Considering this is my first time here, I believed there so many things I can do, travel, eat, dine and party.

Where to go in Tanzania?

Travelling is my passion and I always find the beach very comforting and relaxing that is why it is my first list of the destination I have visited here.

(1) First stop: Mbudya Island

Mbudya Island White Sand

The Mbudya is one of the four islands of Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve. It is an inhabited island in Tanzania and is located north of the country’s capital city, Dar Es Salaam. It lies close to the beach resort and is very accessible from the mainland for just 20-25 minutes of the boat ride. The island is also popular for day tour trips both tourists and residents of the country. The water is clean and is perfect for sunbathing as well. They have managed to maintained and make the island a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the powdery white sands. There are trees planted on the island that serves as protection from the sun where visitors can relax, read books, chill, eat, have some drinks. Good food is also available here and bringing food is extremely not allowed.

Cottages in Mbudya Island

We took a boat from Kibo Beach in Mbezi directly to Mbudya island with some of my new local friends. Arriving at this island is really relieving, where else can you go where you want to forget the pressure, the stress from the city? It is the nearest and one of the most accessible islands you can go to. Perfect time to visit here is morning to see the sunrise and of course witness the amazing sunset on the beach. You are not allowed to camp here so you will need to leave at 6:30 in the evening.

This is such a beautiful experience and my very first beach visit here in Dar Es Salaam Tanzania

(2) Let's go wild and safari @ Mikumi National Park

Up for a wildlife and nature adventure in Tanzania? Here we go. 

Before we move our feet and see these lovely creatures. Let us first get a glimpse of this park. 

Mikumi National Park is the fourth largest national park in the country of Tanzania with a massive area of more than three thousand square kilometre such vast area animals can freely live and produce more creatures. Coming to this place is a bit tough especially to foreigners, immigration people and police are on the road to check. The speed is also very strict here, in some area even at the greenery side without many people, the speed limit is only 50 kph, it will make you waste more time on the road than the usual driving you do. It took us nearly 6 hours to travel there by private car, there's one immigration officer who stopped us and has some Kiswahili questions and luckily these friends of mine can understand and communicate Swahili now so he let us go and never bother to check our papers. 

Arriving at 10 a.m. so many people are registering and you know some people are just really slow at work and you just need to be patient. If you ever come here, be sure to bring a photocopy of your identification card and permit or business visa, it is a requirement before entering the park.
The car who took us inside was good because it allows us to stand in the middle of the car and see the animals. We saw different types of animals which I never encountered yet and it is so cool to see them walking, eating freely without being tied up. Inside the park, we saw elephants, zebras, antelope, wildebeest, hippos, giraffe, monkey, birds and buffalos. Unfortunately, out of the big five animals (Cheetah, Lions, Elephants, Rhino, Giraffe) only two of them that we have seen vividly. It is because of the timing, as far as the locals advise, better come early in the morning to these creatures walking around and hunting for food, Afternoon time like we did is impossible to see them as they are going to rest and hide underneath the big trees.

After an almost 3 hours tour inside the park, we are all exhausted and headed to the restaurants for a meal before going back in Dar es Salaam. If you don't want to be so exhausted, you can book a hotel near the park so you don't have to rush coming there and going back on the same day.  

And this is where we spent our Christmas in Tanzania.

(3) Kunduchi Beach Resort

This New year, we visited this beautiful beach resort located in Kunduchi. It is called Kunduchi beach resort. The entrance fee at the hotel is only 10,000 shillings but if you wish to enjoy the buffet inside then you pay 50,000 shillings. The hotel has many amenities so paying that much is just what it's worth. They have a live band, local dance shows. You can also enjoy either use the swimming pool which is up to 8 feet deep or gets tan and kissed by the sun on the beach. They have fine sand that is everyone's love when coming to a beach like this. I and my friends are quite a sporty so we opted to play volleyball for almost an hour before going to swim. It was a fun-filled experience and a blast for a new year to celebrate. This hotel also offers go-cart racing so you will never get bored checking into this place.

With Pinoy ex-pats

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I WAS FLABBERGASTED! BANGKOK, THAILAND MUST-SEE

MY SECOND TIME IN BANGKOK!

I had a very quick trip to Bangkok for only 21 hours and I knew I had to make the most of it. So since this is my second time here, I prioritized those places I have yet to visit. Two years ago I visited this beautiful country for 3 days and yes that was really worth the luxury of time we all have. I had enough time to wander, explore and discover more things from good to something exotic. Before flying to Bangkok, I made sure I had complete documents for the immigration pass. There are plenty of times where travellers were denied going to other countries for whatsoever reasons and surely, I don’t want to be one of them so I need to be very persuasive and since it's my 5^th time to go out of the country I am used to answering and passing through. And most especially I don’t want to lose all the efforts I’ve spent just to come here, I have spent to buy a vice versa ticket, hotel accommodation, transport fees and other fees you may have incurred- which to me is very costly, so be alert, be clever. These immigration officers are very keen on your return flight so having a vice versa ticket gives them an impression that you're coming back together with your hotel accommodation coupon. I booked my hotel accommodation online via Airbnb at Express Hostel, in Sathon road close to my fave place which is Silom where bar and business are open til late, it is an hour ride from the airport. Before coming, I asked the hotel to arrange a car to pick me up at the airport, gave them all the flight details, air carrier, time of arrival, name, etc and paid 600 baht which is quite high instead of paying a normal taxi but I have the convenience and I don’t have to talk to these taxi drivers and bargain from 1000 to lower the price. So for hassle-free trips- make some wise decisions, the grab can be an option as well. Before I left the airport- I bought a local sim with a bundle at 299 baht for 8 GB and also get an exchange at the arrival area (USD 200 x 30.68). Travel time from Manila to Bangkok is 3 hours and from the Suvarnabhumi airport to Hostel took us 1 hour due to heavy traffic even we took a skyway. One-night accommodation cost me 1,413 pesos and my airfare which I bought 2 days before my flight is around 13,000 pesos.

At 11 a.m. I arrived at the hostel, tired and exhausted but I only have a few hours here so no time to be a lazy boy. I have not eaten breakfast yet but I want to save time so I went to the convenience store and bought some chips and juice then booked a grab and found this the spectacular beauty of Wat Arun Temple.

Download this app for your best experience in Bangkok, it’s called “Bangkok Guide App”.

To begin our tour, first stop: Wat Arun Temple

Entrance fee: 50 Baht only

Dress code: Dress appropriately- you’re visiting a temple so avoid wearing sexy, short clothes otherwise you will not be allowed to enter but there’s a store where you can buy shoals to cover your legs and shoulders available for sale or for rent.

No sleeveless allowed in this area. From Express hostel to Wat Arun is almost 25-30 minutes depending on the traffic jam and charged me only 145 baht via grab.

There’s s much to see in this place and you will surely be delighted seeing its beautiful, intricate and detailed piece of work.

After an exhausting and tiring day around in this temple, I booked an uber and went to a massage spa to get some good, a really good massage. I just found it on google and it costs me 1,500 baht, a little expensive but it is very good. It an hour massage and they have a shower available as well. The room is beautiful and the place looks nice as well. It's worth the price. After an hour, I headed home, rest for a while and I went to Tawan in Silom area to have dinner and also some drinks.

If you’re able to visit Thailand, Tawan area in Silom is a must-visit place, it is safe, so plenty of businesses around you, bars and spas. And it is open till late in the morning so, you will surely enjoy your time coming here.

Day 2- THE GRAND PALACE

On my second day, I woke up early and rode to Grand Palace. I booked a grab from the express hostel and it only costs me less than 200 baht. But before you go to this temple, you need to do a little research first especially the dos and don’ts. If you happen to visit this place, you are not allowed to wear shorts and sleeveless. Wear appropriate attire every time you visit a temple even not in Thailand. The entrance fee is 500 baht, the crowd here is too much, you can hardly take a picture without photobombers.


Coming to this place is so fascinating. But even if this place is crowded, I found my way to catch the best memories in my life even I’m travelling alone.

After an hour spent in the Grand Palace, I headed to the other side of the temple where Wat Arun was situated, I rode a boat and paid only 3.50 baht to go across. I was looking for some extra shirt to buy since I’m sweating already due to a warm climate but unfortunately I have never found the local cloth I wanted to wear but only when I came back then I saw so many local clothes just outside the grand palace, I felt so disappointed of wasting my time crossing the river but I have to be positive and enjoy my holiday here.

Please bring enough cash when you go out, I ran out of cash and headed to the banks to exchange but I haven’t brought my passport with me so I was looking everywhere but he banks won’t do transactions without your passport so my last resort is withdrawing from the atm machine. It is not advisable doing this otherwise the exchange rate will rip you off.

Beat the heat of the sun and bring some water to keep hydrated.

Grab is not allowed in the grand palace so you can book grab a taxi for your convenience.

Next destination, I went to Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall

I rode tuk-tuk coming to this place and it's about 20 minutes ride from the grand palace and paid him 100 baht. It is my second visit here but I have enjoyed here compare last two years back. We just passed by last time now I’m literally outside the palace. Took cool photos and headed to my third destination.

The third destination- I headed to Wat Suthat Temple and The Giant Swing.

THE GIANT SWING

THE GIANT SWING

WAT SUTHAT TEMPLE

WAT SUTHAT TEMPLE

The entrance fee is only 100 baht and here is quiet and less crowded but still, the temple is amazing.

After a long day of gallivanting, I went to the bathhouse for some hour and had dinner in Siam Paragon. The food was delectable and I only paid 900 baht for three of us with my new local Thai friends. After having dinner, I went home via BTS Train. It was Friday and traffic is expected everywhere so I need to drive early to the airport.

And that’s my 21 hours well spent time in Bangkok. As a traveller, you need to be flexible and strategic. Make everything easy, enjoy have fun.

Thank you! Khon Krub!

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#BREATHTAKING: THE BONBON BEACH AND SANDBAR IN ROMBLON, ROMBLON

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BONBON BEACH & SANDBAR

#CapturingGreatMoments

#LivingABeautifulLife

#WandernotWonder

A must visit and absolutely not-to-be-missed destination once you step yourself here in Romblon Island. With its amazing 360 and panoramic view that captures fresh, green-blue crystal clear water, you will not regret visiting this beach. It is one of the most popular beaches in Romblon and Entrance is absolutely free. This is a public domain and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

It feels like coming to a paradise, such a beautiful beach with its white sand and sandbar. It is a bare beach without resorts, neither commercial amenities. It is very natural, unspoiled, amazing turquoise water, fantastic view of Tablas island, and fascinating sunset. 

Other parts of the beach look unattractive due to Amihan, dried leaves and trash are brought by the wind to the beach from the nearby barangays. The Government must impose stricter and austere regulations and compliance of not throwing garbage anywhere especially to the beach. The local tourism helps clean and maintain the area but the trashes brought by Amihan is quite a big deal as the beach is long and huge and if you sweep it every day, it is really not efficient. Prevention is better than cure! Mitigate this kind of scenario. The beach is absolutely amazing, please take good care of it. I also think that maybe it will be better if it can be privatized and put hotels and restaurant around the area so travellers, guests, visitors can really enjoy and will not need to go back to town to buy some food. There are no vendors allowed here so you will need to bring your food and water. You can also drink with your friends but only up to 7 p.m. There's a police patrol who will check the place as to some made it as a place for lust, and some hard-headed visitors who are still drinking beyond the allowed schedule.
Take a tricycle from town to Bonbon beach and pay only Php 15, the travel time is roughly 5 minutes or 30 minutes by walk.
Sandbar can be seen as fully exposed and cross the other small island during the summer season between March-May.

Here are some photographs that are really really breathtaking:

No Entrance fee
No Cottage Available
No Security Guard
No Vendors
No Water sports and other outdoor activities
Yes to Amazing view
Yes to 360 and Panoramic view
Yes to pristine/crystal clear water
Yes to White Sand

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