Chiayi and Alishan Tourist Spots (Cherry Blossom) Short Visit

7 Days Budget DIY Solo Trip in Spring Season Taiwan... April 10 to 18, 2023

Taiwan Budget DIY Trip Preparation and Itinerary

I visited Chiayi and Alishan because these places are transit places going to jump-off of the Taiwan's highest mountain Mt. Jade Yushan. Bus schedule to Mt. Jade has very limited schedule, thus, planning where to stay at night on budget is crucial. There are two transit options going to Mt. Jade, either from Sun Moon Lake or from Alishan. I chose to stay in Chiayi at night because of the cheapest hostels available compared to Sun Moon Lake. 

Day 1: April 10, 2023 Monday

0900H ETA Taipei TPE UTC +0800H; Easy Card 100; Payment load (1,500); Airport Express 150

1030H Taipei Main Station; snacks 160

1106H Train #2183 Taipei to Chiayi (5.25hrs) 385

1623H Chiayi; Light Hostel 1 night 454; Song of the Forest, Chiayi Plaza, Wenhua night market, Street food Dinner 100

Day 2: April 11, 2023 Tuesday 

0745H Hostel check-out; walk to bus station

0806H Bus #7322 Chiayi to Alishan 211

1015H Alishan; snacks 130; Alishan Forest Park sakura walk 150

1300H Bus #6739 Alishan to Tataka (Yushan) 60

1330H Shangdongpu (2,580masl); Paiyun Mountaineering Center 480

Overnight in Dongpu Lodge 400; dinner 70

Short Visit to Chiayi and Alishan Tourist Spots (Alishan Forest Park sakura walk)

2023 Chinese New Year Celebration in the World's Oldest Chinatown

January 22, 2023 Sunday Binondo, Manila, Philippines

Chinese New Year is the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. In Chinese, the festival is commonly referred to as the Spring Festival as the spring season in the lunisolar calendar traditionally starts with lichun, the first of the twenty-four solar terms which the festival celebrates around the time of the Chinese New Year. Marking the end of winter and the beginning of the spring season, observances traditionally take place from New Year's Eve, the evening preceding the first day of the year to the Lantern Festival, held on the 15th day of the year. The first day of Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between 21 January and 20 February.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year

Every Chinese New Year starts a new animal's zodiac year.. There are 12 Chinese zodiac animals. In order, the 12 animals are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. 2023 is a year of the Rabbit. Your zodiac animal is decided by your birth year. 

A Chinatown is an ethnic enclave of Chinese people located outside Greater China, most often in an urban setting. Areas known as "Chinatown" exist throughout the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. The development of most Chinatowns typically resulted from mass migration to an area without any or with very few Chinese residents. Binondo in Manila, established in 1594, is recognized as the world's oldest Chinatown. 

2023 Chinese New Year in the World's Oldest Chinatown

Guayaquil (Malecon 2000, Aerialway Cable Car)

41 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Ecuador March 24 to May 04, 2021

Coastal (Puerto Lopez, Playa Montañita, Atacames, Salinas)

Day 84: Apr. 29, 2021 Thu / Guayaquil 2

0700H ETD Hostel; breakfast 3

0800H ETD Atacames; bus 14.5

1200H Santo Domingo; lunch 4.5

1800H ETA Guayaquil; walk to hostel; dinner 5.5; Casa Michael 4 nights 32

TOTAL: $59.5

Day 85: Apr. 30, 2021 Fri /  Guayaquil 3

0800H ETD Hostel; bus #74 0.30

0830H ETA La Bahia; breakfast 1.5; Guayaquil Cathedral, Malecon 2000 Walk; Aerialway Cable Car Roundtrip 1.40

1130H ETD La Bahia; bus 0.30; lunch 6; Cinemark "Mortal Kombat" 7; Casa Michael; dinner 2.5; snacks 12

TOTAL: $31

Day 86: May 01, 2021 Sat /  Guayaquil 4

Ecuador Nationwide Weekend Lockdown

1430H 22ND COVID19 TEST (PCR); MEDIKAL 45; Casa Michael; snacks 6.5

TOTAL: $51.5

Day 87: May 02, 2021 Sun / Guayaquil 5

Ecuador Nationwide Weekend Lockdown; Casa Michael; snacks 1.5; laundry 5

TOTAL: $6.5

Guayaquil (Malecon 2000, Aerialway Cable Car)

Lima (Centro, Caral, Huaca Huallamarca, Miraflores)

23 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Peru  March 01 to March 23, 2021

Huaraz (Laguna Churup, Rataquenua, Laguna Paron)

South America Day 45: Sunday is indeed a whole day lockdown nationwide

Day 44: Tue 20, 2021 Sat / Lima 1

1100H ETD Hostel; check out 70; Breakfast 12; Money Exchange 60 USD = 222 PEN (3.71)

1200H ETD Huaraz 80; lunch 15

2030H ETA Lima; taxi to hostel 15; Manorca Hotel 4 nights 120

TOTAL: S312

Day 45: Tue 21, 2021 Sun / Lima 2

0700H ETD Hostel; bus # 9601 to Plaza Norte 2

0845H ETD Lima; bus to Barranca 27

1130H ETA Supe; lunch 7; Caral Archaeological Site (failed due to lockdown)

1245H ETD Supe; bus 25

1530H ETA Lima; snacks 12; Historic Center / Cerro San Cristobal; dinner 9; Manorca Hotel

TOTAL: S82

Day 46: Tue 22, 2021 Mon / Lima 3

0730H ETD Hostel; bus # 8201 (1) to J. Prado 2; Huaca Huallamarca

1130H ECUADOR E-VISA Claim; lunch 19

1300H 19TH PCR TEST; APTUSLAB 230

1330H ETD Aptuslab (Unilab); taxi to Benavides 18

1415H ETD Puente Benavides; colectivo 6; Pachacamac Ruins (closed due to pandemic)

1515H ETD Pachacamac; bus #8511 4; Money Exchange 40 USD = 147 PEN (3.68); Manorca Hotel; snacks and dinner 28

TOTAL: S307

Day 47: Mar. 23, 2021 Tue / Lima 4

0700H ETD Hostel; bus #8201 (1) to J. Prado 2; Cruz del Sur cannot buy ticket, passport required

Walk to hostel frustrated; breakfast 13

1530H ETD Hostel; Uber to Miraflores 10; Miraflores afternoon trip; snacks 22

1830H ETD Miraflores; taxi to hostel 20

2230H ETD Hostel; Uber to airport 30; dinner 80

TOTAL: S177

Day 48: Mar. 24, 2021 Wed / Lima 5

0140H ETD Lima UTC -0500H; flight CM338

0515H ETA Panama UTC -0500H; 5 hour transit 

1048H ETD Panama; flight CM309

1301H ETA Guayaquil UTC -0500H

TOTAL: S0

 Lima (Centro, Caral, Huaca Huallamarca, Miraflores)

Belize City and Placencia Walk Tour

9 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Belize December 27, 2020 to January 04, 2021

Pandemic Summer Solo Trip in Belize Summary and Itinerary

Day 01: Dec. 27, 2020 Sun / Cancun to Belize

Flight Ticket Cancun - Belize 352 USD (cc) 

Caribbean Hotel 2N 59 USD (cc)

Sandbar Beachfront Hostel 3N 51 USD (cc)

1200H ETD Downtown; ADO to Airport FBO Building 

1500H ETD Cancun UTC-0500H; flight 9N 6611

1545H ETA Belize City UTC-0600H; taxi 14

Money Exchange 238 USD = $476 (2.0); Caribbean Hotel; dinner 20

TOTAL: $34 + 462 USD (cc) 

Day 02: Dec. 28, 2020 Mon / Belize City

0600H ETD Hotel; walk to Novelo Bus Terminal 

0800H ETD Belize City; bus to Coroazan 6

1000H ETA Lamanai (before Orange Walk)

Late arrival (tour is 0900H to 1430H at $125); Holiday today, public transportation is minimal

1130H ETD Lamanai; lunch 6; bus to Sandhill 3

1200H ETA Sandhill; car lift to Altun Ha 50; Altun Ha Archaeological Reserve 10

1430H ETA Sandhill; bus to City arrived late 2

1830H ETA Hotel; dinner 14

TOTAL: $91

Day 08: Jan. 03, 2021 Sun / Placencia

0800H ETD Belize City 20

1215H ETA Placencia; Beachwalk; lunch 5

1445H ETD Placencia 20

1900H ETA Belize City; dinner 6

TOTAL: $51

Belize City and Placencia Walk Tour

México City (Centro, Cholula, Puebla, Teotihuacán, Tula)

30 Days Pandemic Summer Solo Trip in Mexico November 27, 2020 to December 27, 2020

Pandemic Summer Solo Trip in Mexico Summary and Itinerary

Day 01: Nov. 27, 2020 Fri / Mexico Arrival

1325H ETA Mexico UTC -0600H; Airport Exchange: 20 USD = $359 (17.95)

walk outside airport, metro to Guerero line3, $100; Tacos meal 45; Money Exchange: 300 USD = $5,700 (19)

Hostal Amigo (6 nights) $770 (cc) (IsC line1); Taqos meal 51

TOTAL: $196 + $770 (cc) 

Day 02: Nov. 28, 2020 Sat / Puebla (Cholula) 

0620H ETD Hostel; metro to San Lazaro, line 1

0720H ETD Mexico; bus to Puebla 212

0920H ETA Puebla CAPU; bus to Cholula 20; McDonald's Breakfast 76

Chocula Archeological Zone 80; Chocula Centro walk; Quesadillas meal 40

1300H bus to Puebla 10; refreshments 19; Civica 5 de Mayo walk

1630H ETD Puebla Centro; bus to CAPU 10; Tacos meal 59; bus to Mexico City San Lazaro 202

1720H ETD Puebla; bus to Mexico city

1945H ETA Mexico City San Lazaro; metro to home

2030H ETA Hostel; water 4li 28

TOTAL: $756

Day 03: Nov. 29, 2020 Sun / Teotihuacan

0645H ETD Hostel; metro to Autobuses Norte, line 5

0730H ETA Autobuses Norte; bus ticket 104 return

0800H ETD Mexico; pack breakfast 41

0900H ETA Teotihuacan; entrance ticket 80

Zona Arqueologica de Teotihuacán- La Ciudadela (Templo de Quetzalcoatl), Pyramide del Sol, Palacio de Quetzalpapálotl, Pyramide de Luna, Museo (closed)

1215H ETD Teotihuacán; quesadillas meal 50 

1315H ETA Autobuses Norte; Basílica de Guadalupe (La Villa - Basilica, line 6)

Museo Soumaya (San Joaquin, line 7); Chicken meal 90; snacks 16

1730H ETA Isabel La Católica metro; Tacos meal 70

TOTAL: $451

Day 05: Dec. 01, 2020 Tue / Tula 

0620H ETD Hostel; metro to Autobuses Norte, line 5

0700H ETA Autobuses Norte; bus ticket 152; Torta de chorizo meal 61

1030H ETA Tula; walk to Archaeological Zone; Zona Arqueológica de Tula (closed)

Centro Histórico; refreshments 22

1200H ETD Tula; bus to Autobus Norte 152

1400H ETA Mexico; snacks 60;

Chapultepec (Philippine Embassy) (line 1); Palacio de Bellas Artes (hostel walk)

Monumento a la Revolución (hostel walk); Pack snacks 78; taco meal 45

TOTAL: $565

México City (Centro, Cholula, Puebla, Teotihuacán, Tula)

Dushanbe City Walk Tour

5 Days Solo Trip in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

April 20 to 25, 2018

Iskanderkul Hike to Waterfalls

After every finished of the day tours outside Dushanbe, I stroll to City Center by foot from the Hostel which is around 3km. Same as Bishkek, ambiance is like a rural province of Russia; no skyscraper, no english signs and almost no western establishment.Dushanbe is nicknamed as "The Big Dushe" by expats.

Dushanbe City Walk Tour

Bishkek City Walk Tour

5 Days Solo Trip in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

April 20 to 25, 2018

Introduction and Visa Application in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

I spent my 1st day in Kyrgyzstan by sightseeing the capital city by foot. The ambiance is like a rural province of Russia; no skyscraper, no english signs and almost no western establishments. Bishkek is, an interesting example of a czarist planned city; laid on a grid with wide boulevards flanked by irrigation canals and large trees, buildings with marble façades, and Soviet apartment complexes. 

Bishkek was founded when the Uzbek khan of Kokand built a small clay fort by a settlement on a tributary of the Chuy river in 1825, to connect up several stop-off points on the Silk Road through the Tian Shan mountains. In 1862 it was captured and trashed by Russians, before they set up their own garrison. Russian peasants were soon lured here by land grants and the fertile soil of the Chuy Valley. The renamed town of Frunze became capital of the new Kyrgyz ASSR in 1926, but it was renamed Bishkek (Kyrgyz form of it's old Kazakh name, Pishpek) in 1991.
https://wikitravel.org/en/Bishkek

Bishkek City Walk Tour

Cape Town 6th part; Cape Town City Walk Tour

4 Days Solo Trip in Summer South Africa (Cape Town City)
February 06 to 10, 2018

Cape Town 5th part; Road Trip from Cape Point to Kirstenbosch

After I finished my UBER road trip journey for the day I asked the driver to drop me to Castle of Good Hope. That time it was only 5pm and the sun set is around 8pm, which means I have around 3 hours to maximize the afternoon. I started the city walk tour from Cape of Good Hope, passing by the Cape Town City Hall and Greenmarket Square going to Bok-Kaap then to Long Street for souvenirs and architectural street sight-seeing.

Day 2 February 8, 2018 Thursday
Breakfast buffet; Exchange $200=23,600 Rand; Water 48 Rand

0800H ETD Hostel UBER road trip; Muizenburg Beach; Boulder Beach 75 Rand
Cape of Good Hope 145*2= 290 Rand; Cape Point (Lighthouse trail); Noordhoek Beach
Chapman's Peak Drive; Kirstenbosch 65 Rand; Garden Restaurant late lunch 200 Rand
1700H ETA Cape Town City Center; contracted car for road trip 1,050 Rand (including tip)
Castle of Good Hope; Bo Kaap Neighborhood; Long Street; Steers burger 50 Rand
Souvenirs 110 Rand; Night trip 190 Rands; Honeybadger Resto beers 35
Total: 2,113 Rands

Cape Town 6th part; Cape Town City Walk Tour

Inside the National Museum of the Philippines

relive the story of the Filipino people

3-May-2016 Tuesday

"Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan (To foretell the destiny of the nation, it is necessary to open the book that tells of her past)"

May forever sa National Museum... Starting July 1, 2016, admission to National Museum of the Philippines is PERMANENTLY FREE OF CHARGE to all visitors (Filipinos and Foreigners) to its museums nationwide. A policy of free general admission has been established by the Board of Trustees of the National Museum, in order to build upon significant spikes in viewership, especially among younger Filipinos. #changeiscoming
https://web.facebook.com/pages/National-Museum-of-the-Philippines/144533282223733

On the whole month of May, free admission to the public for all in celebration of National Heritage Month. The theme for this year's celebration is "Pamilya para sa Pamana (Families for Heritage)," so why not bring your family and friends to the National Museum in Manila and its regional branches (Vigan, Kiangan, Kabayan, Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs, Tabaco, Bohol, and Butuan).

http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph

National Museum (Pambansang Museo) General Information;

Opens daily from 1000H to 1700H Tuesday to Sunday (except Mondays and holidays). Wearing ballcap, flash/commercial photography, videography and monopod/tripod are NOT PERMITTED inside the museum. Basic photography coming from mobile phone/digicam/DSLR is PERMITTED. Admission is free to the public (Filipinos and foreigners) starting July 01, 2016. 

How to Go to National Museum of the Philippines (Pambansang Museo);

From LRT1 line, the nearest is UN Avenue station. For vehicles coming from Quiapo, museum building is located right after the Lagusnilad. For vehicles coming from EDSA/Baclaran, museum building is a walking distance near Rizal Park. National Museum address is P. Burgos Drive, Rizal Park, Manila. 

National Museum of the Philippines (Pambansang Museo ng Pilipinas) was founded in 1901 and will be a three building museum complex which will include the National Art Gallery (former Senate Building), Museum of the Filipino People (former Department of Finance) and the Museum of Nature (former Department of Tourism) which is on-going construction. I'm proud to say that the nation's priceless artifacts are well-presented comparable to National Museum of Saudi Arabia, Modern Museum of Egypt, Rijksmuseum of Netherlands, Louvre Museum of France, National Museum of Israel, and National Museum of Iran.

Inside the National Museum of the Philippines (Juan Luna's Spoliarium)

2016 Philippine Pyromusical Competition

19-March-2016 Saturday 1930H in Mall of Asia Seaside, Pasay City, Philippines

My 18th family trip initiated, countless city trip and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. 

The spectacular Pyromusical Competition at SM MOA paint the Manila Bay skies with the much-awaited pyromusical displays. Eleven participating countries will fight head-to-head in this competition: Portugal, Italy, United Kingdom, USA, The Netherlands, Germany, Canada, Australia, China, and France, with opening and closing exhibitions by Platinum Fireworks, Inc. Philippines.

Silver Ticket for P100, Gold Center Ticket for P300 and VIP Ticket for P600. I purchased a discounted ticket from Metrodeal. On March 19, we watched France's representatives, the Brezac Artefices and the closing exhibition of Platinum Fireworks, Inc. Philippines.

After France showcased their fireworks and an intermission number, winners were announced. China for 2nd runner-up, Germany for 1st runner-up while United Kingdom won 2016 Philippine Pyromusical Competition.

2016 Philippine Pyromusical Competition (France)

Strolling Ninoy Aquino Park and Wildlife Center with my Nephews

September 11, 2015 Friday

Everyone needs a Funcle (funny Uncle)... because Funcles are much more fun than parents...

How to Go to Ninoy Aquino Park & Wildlife Center;

This park is just 100 meters away from Quezon Memorial Circle. Quiapo bound jeep / van from Fairview is the exact public transportation that passes-by the main entrance. Entrance fee costs PhP8 for adults while PhP5 for children, free of charge for 3 years old and below. Photography and video taking is permitted inside.

Ninoy Aquino Park & Wildlife Center is a 64.58-hectare zoological and botanical garden located in Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. This park has a lagoon, an aquarium, a playground, botanical garden and a Wildlife Rescue Center, which the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) uses as a temporary shelter where confiscated, retrieved, donated, sick, abandoned, and injured wild animals are placed to be taken care of. The park houses several indigenous plants and animals such as crab-eating macaques, water monitors, Philippine deer, binturongs, Palawan bearded pigs and several varieties of birds.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninoy_Aquino_Parks_%26_Wildlife_Center

Strolling Ninoy Aquino Park and Wildlife Center

Ulaanbaatar City Tour last Part; going to Central Area

4 Days Self-guided Solo Trip in Winter Mongolia

February 16 to February 19, 2015

Ulaanbaatar City Tour 1st Part; walk to Southern Mountains

Going back to Peace Avenue, from Gandantegechinlen Monastery (free admission) to Sukhbaatar Square where the famous Genghis Khan Monument is erected (open park). The coldest capital city in the world is not in Canada or in Northern Europe but in Mongolia; it's Ulaan-baatar, with an average annual chilly temperature of -1.3°C.

Genghis Khan, born Temüjin, was the founder and Great Khan (emperor) of the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history after his demise. Between 1206 and his death in 1227, the Mongol leader Genghis Khan conquered nearly 12 million square miles of territory—more than any individual in history. Along the way, he cut a ruthless path through Asia and Europe that left untold millions dead, but he also modernized Mongolian culture, embraced religious freedom and helped open contact between East and West. 

Chinggis Square, formally Grand Chinggis Khaan Square, and previously known as Sükhbaatar Square, is the central square of Mongolia's capital Ulaanbaatar. The official name was changed in 2013 in honor of the founding father of the Mongolian nation. A large colonnade monument to Genghis Khan, as well as to Ögedei Khan, and Kublai Khan dominates the square's north side directly in front of the Saaral Ordon (Government Palace). The center of the square features an equestrian statue of Damdin Sükhbaatar, one of the leaders of Mongolia's 1921 revolution. The Gandantegchinlen Monastery is a Tibetan-style Buddhist monastery in the Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator that has been restored and revitalized since 1990. The name translates to the "Great Place of Complete Joy". It currently has over 150 monks. It features a 26.5-meter-high statue of Avalokiteśvara.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%BCkhbaatar_Square

Ulaanbaatar City Tour last Part; going to Central Area (Genghis Khan Monument at night)

Tokyo City Tour last part; a Walk from Shinjuku to Shibuya Metro Station

6-days Revisiting Summer Japan for Mt. Fuji (3,776masl) Solo Trek
August 07-13, 2014

Tokyo City tour 2nd Part; Shinjuku Gyoen and Meiji Shrine

I decided to walk the distance between Shinjuku and Shibuya metro station as my last wild city itinerary for this trip. Distance between this two metro station is around less than 10km if passing through the major tourist spots along the way. From Shinjuku metro station exit, I went to Kabukicho first, then to Shinjuku Gyoen, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku for a lunch, then National Yoyogi Stadium and finally to Shibuya metro station.

I spent most of the time on overlooking the huge electronic commercial billboards and the busiest crossing in the world. This was my 2nd time seating in front of the glass panel of Starbucks with a Medium Size Caramel Frappuccino (496JPY=$5) while just observing the countless Pedestrians from above. The Starbucks is located just northeast of Hachiko Exit of JR Shibuya station which can be seen on the 8th picture below (beside "TSUTAYA" below the gigantic electronic billboard). By the way, if you are looking at 9th picture below (Starbucks plastic cup overlooking the Shibuya Crossing with Pedestrians mostly with umbrella due to the drizzle) and the zoom shot at 10th picture, the left road was the way where I came from, going to Shibuya metro station and the Love Hill (Love Hotels). The northern part of this picture is where Hachiko monument is standing while the left side is the entrance to JR Shibuya station.

Shinjuku  is a special ward located in Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. It is a major commercial and administrative centre, housing the busiest train station in the world (Shinjuku Station) and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the administration centre for the government of Tokyo. The name "Shibuya" is also used to refer to the shopping district which surrounds Shibuya Station, one of Tokyo's busiest railway stations. This area is known as one of the fashion centers of Japan, particularly for young people, and as a major nightlife area.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibuya,_Tokyo

Tokyo City tour last Part; a walk from Shinjuku to Shibuya Metro Station (Kabukicho)

Tokyo City Tour 2nd part; Shinjuku Gyoen and Meiji Shrine

6-days Revisiting Summer Japan for Mt. Fuji (3,776masl) Solo Trek
August 07-13, 2014

Tokyo City tour 1st Part; inside the Roppongi Hills

How to go to Shinjuku Gyoen;
From Tokyo, ride a train bound to Shinjuku Station at 200JPY fare fee. Shinjuku Gyoen is around 1km away from the Shinjuku train station. Admission is 200JPY. Photography and video taking with monopod and tripod is permitted inside.

Shinjuku Gyoen, the representative modern western-style gardens in Meiji Era, was completed in 1906 as an Imperial Garden.  The entire garden was designed by Henri Martinet, the French landscape gardener, based on a concept formulated by Hayato Fukuba, a Meiji and Taisho era agricultural scientist. This extensive garden is composed of three distinctive-styleed gardens such as English Landscape, French Formal and Japanese Traditional Gardens, each of which harmonizes with the others. Shijuku Gyoen's historical background can be traced back to the beginning of Edo era. The area used to be the residence of Naito Kiyonari who was assigned to be a guardian of West Tokyo as a hereditary vassal of Shogun Tokugawa Lekasu when the Shogun got a stronghold on Edo Castle.

Tokyo City tour 2nd Part; Shinjuku Gyoen

Tokyo City tour 1st Part; Inside the Roppongi Hills

6-days Revisiting Summer Japan for Mt. Fuji (3,776masl) Solo Trek
August 07-13, 2014

Kamakura Trip last Part; Benzaiten and Sasuke Inari Shrines

How to go to Roppongi hills;
From Tokyo, ride a train bound to Roppongi Station at 200JPY fare fee. Roppongi Hill is just 100m away from the Roppongi train station. Admission is FREE. Photography and video taking with monopod is permitted inside, tripod is prohibited.

Roppongi Hills is a New Urban Centre and one of Japan's largest integrated property developments, located in the Roppongi district of Minato, Tokyo. Constructed by building tycoon Minoru Mori, the mega-complex incorporates office space, apartments, shops, restaurants, cafés, movie theatres, a museum, a hotel, a major TV studio, an outdoor amphitheatre, and a few parks. The centerpiece is the 54-story Mori Tower. Mori's stated vision was to build an integrated development where high-rise inner-urban communities allow people to live, work, play, and shop in proximity to eliminate commuting time. He argued that this would increase leisure time, quality of life, and benefit Japan's national competitiveness. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roppongi_Hills

Tokyo City tour 1st Part; inside the Roppongi Hills (spider)

Casablanca Tour 1st part; Train trip from Marrakesh

4-days Morocco Self-guided Solo Tour
July 03 to July 06, 2014

Ouarzazate tour last part; going back to Marrakesh

I booked my ticket a day before my intended schedule. From Jemaa Square, I took bus #8 going to Marrakesh train station which has around 15 minutes travel time, fare costs only 4MAD ($0.50). I chose 0655H Marrakesh departure arriving in Casablanca Casa Voyageour train station at 1010H, a 3 hours travel time with no stops. Train departure from Marrakesh has every 2 hours interval, fare costs 90MAD ($11.11) for 2nd class seat.

Rail transport in Morocco is operated by the ONCF. The main network for passenger-transport consists of a North-South link from Tangier via Rabat and Casablanca to Marrakech and this N/S link interconnects with the East-West connection linking Oujda in the East via Fes to Rabat. Major destinatioons currently not (yet) linked by rail are often served by Supratours, a bus company operated by the ONCF.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_in_Morocco

Morocco train ride from Marrakesh to Casablanca

Marrakesh Walk Tour 1st part; Strolling the Old Medina

4-days Morocco Self-guided Solo Tour
July 03 to July 06, 2014

Marrakesh Airport arrival in the morning

How to go to Old Medina;
From Marrakesh Airport, just go to the only Airport arrival exit and the bus #19 is waiting there every 30 minutes. Fare costs 30MAD ($3.7) which has around 20 minute travel to the last stop, Place Jemaa. Photography and video taking is permitted.

The name Marrakesh originates from the Amazigh (Berber) words mur akush, which means "Land of God." It is the third largest city in Morocco, after Casablanca and Rabat, and lies near the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. It is a few hours from the foot of the Sahara Desert. Its location and contrasting landscape has made it an enviable destination in Morocco. The city is divided into two distinct parts: the Medina, the historical city, and the new European modern district called Gueliz or Ville Nouvelle. The Medina is full of intertwining narrow passageways and local shops full of character. In contrast, Gueliz plays host to modern restaurants, fast food chains and big brand stores. 

http://wikitravel.org/en/Marrakech

Marrakesh's Old Medina (Koutoubia Mosque)

England's Finest last part; a Short Visit to Bath City

6-days England Summer Solo Travel (United Kingdom)

June 27 to July 03, 2014

England's finest 1st part; Biking to Stonehenge

How to go to Bath City;
I visited Bath in connection with my trip to Salisbury (Stonehenge). Bath is an hour South Western train travel from Salisbury. Tourist spots here are all NOT included in London Pass. Photography and video taking is permitted inside.

At the heart of Bath stands the remains of one of the finest spa of the ancient world. See the ruins of the temple of Minerva. Visit the Roman Bath where people bathed nearly 2,000 years ago. Discover how the Romans built this magnificent monument at Aquae Sulis. Explore the intensive ruins and treasures of the site, using the best of modern interpretation. Understand daily life in the baths and temple through animated displays and reconstructions. See also the Romans costumed characters everyday, and hear their stories. Make the imaginative leap across 2,000 years  - see the Temple Pediment as it was in Roman times.

Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Bath, commonly known as Bath Abbey, is an Anglican parish church and a former Benedictine monastery in Bath, Somerset, England. Founded in the 7th century, Bath Abbey was reorganised in the 10th century; major restoration work was carried out by Sir George Gilbert Scott in the 1860s. It is one of the largest examples of Perpendicular Gothic architecture in the West Country. Royal Crescent is a row of 30 terraced houses laid out in a sweeping crescent in the city of Bath, England. Designed by the architect John Wood the Younger and built between 1767 and 1774, it is among the greatest examples of Georgian architecture to be found in the United Kingdom and is a Grade I listed building.

short visit to Bath City (Roman Bath)

Mandalay Tour last part; Downtown Stroll

4-days Self-guided Solo Tour in Myanmar (Burma)

February 02-08, 2014

Mandalay tour 2nd part; Mingun morning trip

Since I got temple-out easily and felt nothing much to do beside the fact that my budget was not enough, I decided to just stroll around outside Mandalay Palace and sight-see those locals especially the monks.

How to go to Mandalay;
I went here from Bagan via morning bus which departed at 0800H with a fare of 7,500kyat ($7.5). Travel time of 5 hours which arrived in Mandalay bus terminal at 1300H.

Mandalay is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Burma. Located 445 miles (716 km) north of Yangon on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, the city has a population of one and half million,[3] and is the capital of Mandalay Region. Mandalay is the economic hub of Upper Burma and considered the centre of Burmese culture. Despite Naypyidaw's recent rise, Mandalay remains Upper Burma's main commercial, educational and health center. The city gets its name from the nearby Mandalay Hill. The root word has been speculated as "Mandala" (meaning, circular plains).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandalay

Mandalay city tour (Sandarmuni Pagoda)