Pearl Farm Beach Resort: A Samal Experience

 

If you are looking for pristine waters and calm beach in Davao,  Pearl Farm Beach Resort is a place to be. Known to be a topnotch beach resort in Samal Island after a 45-minute boat trip from Pearl Farm Marina Davao City, this 14-hectare paradise is strategically located on an exclusive cove in Samal highlighting spotless beaches and thriving fauna. 

Once a pearl farm, the place of bliss has transformed into luxurious resort with Maranao and Samal inspired houses and suites perched on stilts directly above the sea with a breathtaking and spectacular view of unspoiled blue waters of Davao gulf.  

Malipano Villas and Samal Suites are designed with  the relaxing outdoor sofa,  a hanging hammock and  huge veranda to provide a panoramic sight of the peaceful sea. On the other hand, Samal Houses and Sunset Suites are ingenious  stilt houses of nautical Samal tribe of Sulu with mini porch to catch a glimpse of the unruffled waters.

Pearl Farm Resort’s pride  includes Parola Bar, formerly a lighthouse, where guests are welcomed with drinks, is currently transformed to chill place that serves cocktail delight and munchies with the dramatic backdrop picture of the deep and adjacent Malipano island. This  Pearl Farm owned island can be reached through scheduled boat which features the breakwater and white sandy beach perfect for snorkeling, swimming and sunbathing. With the panoramic scene of Parola  Bar and Davao Gulf spots the exquisite and picturesque Pearl Farm infinity pool infront of Ylang ylang Spa and the Maranao Restaurant that doles out sumptuous snacks and buffet at reasonable prices. 

Pearl Farm is an exclusive resort where everything for your vacation is within reach. Excluding the  assortment of Palawan and happenings of Boracay, Pearl Farm Beach Resort is a getaway paradise that boasts splendid  facilities and excellent customer service, serene nightlife, the solitude of pleasant beach and the Island’s grandeur untouched.

For Reservations and Accommodations:

PEARL FARM BEACH RESORT

Kaputian, Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines

Tel: (6382) 221 9970

Mla. Office: (02) 750-1898 / 750-1896

893-2093 / Fax No: (02) 750-1894

www.pearlfarmresort.com

Day Tour Fee:

Monday – Thursday : Php 1,850.00

Friday – Sunday: Php 2,250.00

Discover Mui Ne (Part 4)

The Mui Ne Tour booked with Lotus Mui Ne Resort& Spa, where price starts from 1M VND for chauffeur-driven 4x4 jeep, was indeed a teenage dream. As the group hurriedly reserved two military jeeps, butterflies filled our tummies with a splendid anticipation. The tour began at 13:00H and lasted until 19:00H. 

It was a smooth journey despite the cloudy and slightly rainy weather, a rarity since Mui Ne's climate is hot and dry for most of the year. Though it took us about 45 minutes, the trip was interesting as we were fascinated by the province's diversity and beauty. Due to the strong winds, Mui Ne is famous to be a kitesurfing and windsurfing coastal resort town of Vietnam with a strip of beach resorts in town.

Fishing Village

Our first spot was Fishing Village, an overlook with a magnificent view of multiple colorful fishing boats decorating the bay. If you have ample time, you can stop by the  fishing harbor, where you can buy fresh seafoods from the locals or walk down the beach to take a glimpse of Vietnamese fishermen busy with their catch.

The view from the coastal road is very nice boasting the line of sandy beaches while the other side amazes everyone with its reddish and yellowish desert scene. 

Mui Ne Lotus Lake

The picturesque lake of flourishing lotuses is just great for photoshoot. It is stunning that one may wish to boat across the wonderful and blossoming waters. 

White Sand Dunes

The perfect time to go basking in White Sand Dunes is early morning or late afternoon before sunset. The view of the dunes bordered with lake shore of lotuses that symbolizes Vietnam, is very striking and appealing. One word to describe White Sand dunes: Breathtaking!

It used to be a virtually hidden place despite its serene and panoramic ambiance. Now, tourists can avail an ATV at a rate of 250VND per 20 minute where no haggling allowed. If you want to experience the adrenaline rush in the desert, rent an ATV without second thoughts. I drove this vehicle at a speed that I ended up with broken slippers and my hitch almost falling off from the backseat. Hurray! Lastly, be mindful of your belongings and avoid any unnecessary assistance offered.

Red Sand Dunes

As we spent more than an hour in dunes because of the cool weather, we decided to head towards the next spot. Red Sand dunes is glorious and its sand seems finer.  It is nice to go sliding down the hills and walk with barefeet to really feel the desert experience.

Fairy Stream

This is a little majestic river that run its way through faunas and forests, boulders and the dunes. This resembles a miniature version of Grand Canyon with a stream that is about an ankle or knee-deep. Since it is sandy and safe, the Fairy Stream can be walked comfortably barefooted. Moreover, there are red hills with a view of river valley you can climb. Traversing the stream and reaching the tiny waterfall after the 20-minute walk, one can dip in the waist-deep water for a refreshing bath or swim.

The Resort and Restaurant Strip in Town

After that Mui Ne adventure, never forget to end the day with a delicious meal. The eating options are vast from simple Vietnamese cuisines to western foods as well. Mui Ne is also strand of beach parties or chill places to grab some late drinks or coffee.




P.S.
Credits to Paul and Robert for some photos. :)

The Hidden Treasure of Vienam: Lotus Mui Ne Resort! (Part 3)

After a half day of Ho Chi Minh City Tour, we boarded the Saigon to Mui Ne coach thru Sinh Café at exactly 3pm. For convenience, we asked the travel agent to pick us up at Pham Ngu Lao Street.  The trip to Mui Ne takes approximately 6 hours and costs around 9USD per person.

Mui Ne coaches are very comfortable with typical stopover at a petrol station wherein a variety of snacks, fruits and pasalubong are readily available. The long travel to Bin Thuan province can give you a chance to relax after the humid city tour or even catch up with your friends through lengthy conversation. 

We finally arrived in Mui Ne proper at 9pm. We were very excited since this part of the itinerary served as the highlight of the Vietnam trip: sand dunes, the beach, streams, lake and our resort. We took the cab to Lotus Mui Ne Resort in Pan Thiet and it only costs around 50-80VND .

At 10 minutes, we were amazed with the beauty of our home in Mui Ne, a truly luxurious place to stay! We were welcomed by the management and staff with refreshments and good news to match: Since there was an on-going company party, our deluxe rooms were upgraded to Beachfront Bungalow! From 2M VND to 6M VND, that was truly fantastic! We would be sleeping at their finest honeymoon suite which also would mean the beach would be a stone’s throw away, perfect for beach lovers like us!

With the glimpse of first-class facilities, our happy feet headed towards our suites and embraced the lavishness for a while. Then, we decided to grab some bites at Moon Beach Bar & Restaurant where we could enjoy taking pleasure of pristine sea landscape around an expresso as well as ice cream or experience the most exotic cocktails while admiring the pacific view. Also, the bar  provided sports center where we played billiards and foosball in competitive mode. We roamed around the resort to enjoy the ambiance and the picturesque pool under the moonlight before we decided to catch up with our pillows.

Waking up with the sound of the beach waves was a music to our ears.  The private balcony amidst the beach provided a space to chillax with a cup of coffee and perked up our first morning  Mui Ne. Buffet breakfast was served in Marina Seafood Buffet Restaurant offering Vietnamese delicacies to international favorites.

The whole morning was dedicated to bum around Mui Ne Pan Thiet's white sandy beach, try the resort’s Jacuzzi and enjoy such elegant and ultra-modern resort.

As a traveler, I personally recommend Lotus Mui Ne Resort  where it is classy and romantic at every single angle you look. 

Lotus Mui Ne Beach Resort & Spa

Quarter 5, Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City,
Binh Thuan Province, Vietnam


Tel : +84 (62) 375 1777
Fax : +84 (62) 371 9066
Email : info@lotusmuineresort.com


Sinhcafe Travel
Email: sales@vietnamsinhcafetravel.com
Mr. The Linh (For urgent case, please contact +84904727377)

Shopping in Vietnam: Saigon Square (Part 2)

Saigon Square is a shopping complex that offers affordable clothes, bags, footwear and over runs at reasonable prices. 

There are two "Saigon Square" in Ho Chi Minh. For cheaper goods, make sure to visit Saigon Square with the address: 77 – 89, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. It is near Ben Thanh Market heading towards the ISC building as landmark.

Vietnam is a haven for bagaholics! To shop for North Face, Crumpler or even Samsonite bags should be a vital part of  shopping itinerary.  With keen eyes to details,one can grab a precious North Face bag with a price dropped up to 50%. Bags are set to fixed price but just try to haggle if you’re buying a lot! Price ranges from 300VND to 550VND

Here are some tips to spot an authentic North Face Bag:

1. Ask the seller and confirm:

Take a hint from the vendor if North Face is a counterfeit or original

Authentic: "It's original"

Fake: “It’s copy..” “Same same” “No, copy but good quality”

2. Verify the quality of the details:

Check  the zipper, lining and tags. The tag of the zipper is embellished with North Face.

3. Check the front logo . 

This is tricky but if you are familiar with original bags sold in stores you can manage to spot the difference

Authentic: The embroidery and stitching are finer. Font used is tapered.

Fake: Irregularity in the stitching of the logo. Sometimes,immense. 

4. Find the Hologram and Inside tag.  

An authentic North Face bag has inside tags and hologram. 

Good Morning, Vietnam! (Part 1)

After the rollercoaster journey to NAIA Terminal 3, a successful check-in was made an hour before the boarding time. It was miraculous night  for heavy traffic along SLEX and EDSA on a Wednesday was inevitable.

With 11pm flight, we touched down past midnight with seemingly huge excitement: B39 (although only the 4 of us) was on a trip abroad!  The trip lasted for 2 hours where Vietnam is behind by one hour vs. Philippine time.

Not finding Vinnasun Taxi around, we ended up with Saigon Taxi going to District 1 at 160,000 VND.  Since Pham Ngu Lao Street is well-known haven for backpackers, we did not have the hard time to look for our place of refuge for the night: Red Sun Hotel. With Pham Ngu Lao Street, visitors have wide range of options for affordable accommodations within the heart of the city.

Red Sun Hotel is a homey place to stay recommended for friends and family who want to have convenient stay in District 1 without hurting their pocket.  It is located in the central district of Ho Chi Minh, perfect for travelers where  shops, restaurants, tourist spots can be easily accessed. The staff is very warm and accommodating --- a sudden feel of home in Vietnam.

Subsequent to catching up with kilig stories until dawn, we dressed up for Saigon breakfast: omelet,  bread, tomato dip and strawberry jam. It was a free and easy morning for Ho Chi Minh City tour.

The Reunification Palace


Our first stop was Reunification Palace. Formerly known as Independence Palace, this was designed as home and command center for the South Vietnam President . This  palace was noted for its role in 1975’s Fall of Saigon. Now, it boasts well-designed rooms, lounges, banquet halls, lobbies, War command room and President’s office.  It is one of the many places in Ho Chi Minh that  has been unchanged. There are also available rooms where tourists can watch a documentary film on the palace in English, Chinese, French and Vietnamese.

The Reunification Palace occupies a massive green plot in District 1 of  Saigon. The main gate on Nam Ku Khoi Nghia  located on the eastern side of the palace grounds serves as an entrance for tourists.

From the tourist district and backpacker’s area of Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien, walk east past  Ben Thanh Market, then turn left and walk north on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia to find Reunification Palace. It is open from 7:30-11:00 AM and 1:00 to 4:00 PM. The entrance fee is 30,000 VND.

The Vincom Center 

It is one of the most luxurious shopping centers in Saigon with various high-end brands to choose from. The commercial center houses fashion shops like Aldo, Charles & Keith, Nine West, Furla, Versace, Jimmy Choo, Bebe, Mango, Versus, Emprio Armani,Levi's, Just Cavali and many more.

After the expensive shopping in this 5-level mall with 3 basements, one can relax and dine with wide choices such as in Highlands Coffee, Carl's Jr., Armani Cafe, Pho 24, Seoul Garden, Thai Express, Kichi Kichi and NYDC or grab a dessert in Bud's Ice Cream of San Franciso to satisfy your sweet tooth's cravings. Vincom Center is located just across Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Opera House. 

The Benh Than Market

It is a popular market in District 1 of Central Saigon, a smaller version of Chatuchak Market in Bangkok. It offers hundred of stalls of souvenirs, shirts, bags, pasalubong, handicrafts and foods.

We had our souvenir shopping and scouted for bags. Don't forget to haggle when buying for items. As a tip, it is better and wiser to look around before buying and wear your most comfortable shoes and clothes.

Contacts:

Red Sun Hotel 

283/17 Pham Ngu Lao Street, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam District http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Redsun-Hotel/Ho-Chi-Minh/5918

Vietnam 3- Day Itinerary

Sharing the recommended 3 Day-Itinerary with the Option of Mekong (Floating River) and Vung Tau (Jesus Christ Statue) for the 3rd day. 

*Budget does not include Mui Ne Resort and shopping allocation. 

* Tours are booked thru VN Agencies

Have fun!

Boracay After Summer

Whether you are celebrating a happy heart or wallowing a broken heart, Boracay is an ultimate island destination for everyone. Showing off it's pristine and glistening beach decorated with crisp and white sands, Boracay Island is truly a heavenly paradise, claiming a 4th spot for World's Best Islands in 2011. 


As quoted from a fellow blogger, Boracay is a Disneyland for grown-ups. It is a place to party and go clubbing till dawn, to grab a favorite cocktail then chill by the beach, to follow your cravings for sumptuous meals and desserts, to get a beautiful tan while reading a good book, to bond with your friends and burn the calories thru water activities, to discover a sweet spot of heaven in the sands, to get a pampering massage while enjoying that famous shake, to swim to wherever takes you fancy, snorkel, island hop, dive and unwind to your heart's desire.


Before jumping into your swimsuit/swimwear, there are few things to remember when in Boracay to preserve our Pinoy pride c/o "Boracay Yuppies":


1. Boracay is not Bora. Let us keep the island's name intact.
2. Don't bring home the sand. It's against the law!
3. Fishing on Fish Sanctuaries is not allowed.
4. Love Boracay. Never leave trash and cigarette butts on the beach.
5. Save energy. Reduce waste. Walk more!


Make Boracay a climate and environment-friendly destination.




Here is a snapshot of the Boracay itinerary for the long weekend. Excited is an understatement!

Malaysia, Truly Asia

Although my trip was re-routed to Singapore, I did not miss the chance to take an adventure: to explore Kuala Lumpur at midnight.

I landed the Kuala Lumupr's Low Cost Terminal (LCCT) in such a breeze. After a quick walk from the plane to being held in Immigration for a while, I went towards the transport terminals and saw a chain of restaurants. "Old Town" Coffee shop caught my attention which brews one of my favorite coffee in Asia.

I immediately headed to money changer after leaving the baggage checks counters.  As I moved towards the Arrival hall, there were taxi booths  available in the premises. I just needed to cite my destination for the fare quotation and coupon was released after my payment. Striding towards Arrival hall and Parking bay next to Coffee Bean, I hailed for the taxi cab at RM150 rate. It is cheaper to ride metered taxis during the day vs. late night where rates are increased by almost half.

The taxi driver was friendly. (Should I say extremely friendly and personal? ) He toured me around the city  till dawn. He was my official photographer yet I gave him a failing mark. I was able to capture the beauty of Malaysia by wandering randomly, sight-seeing and people watching. I had a whirlwind glance  of images of skyscrapers, palm trees, motorcycles and temples.

Finally, the driver took me to Petronas Towers with enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the symbol of Kuala Lumpur was hiding its majestic light. I only saw a version of the sleeping giant towers. I believe they are even more fascinating and overwhelming in the afternoon or  in the dusk where gleaming repetition of  curves and lines shimmer from afar.

Eat Pray Love in Bangkok ( A Guide for Solo Traveler)

    I never knew I would be riding solo in Bangkok.  Thanks to my gutsy and persistent heart, I was able to experience Bangkok to its finest even without company of my best friends. I knew it would be carefree and easy as I was able to familiarize myself with this City of Angels during my visit last 2010.

The Airport

    Boarding the plane at 9:00 P.M. on August 25 and arriving in Bangkok before midnight made me stay in the airport until sunrise for safety reasons. From there, I took advantage of the free time to get acquainted with Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport BKK (pronounced as “su-wan-na-poom” which means “Golden Land”) .  It was an opportunity to explore the airport and search for  Foreign Exchange Booths, Shuttle Bus pick-up points, restaurants and Public Taxi terminal.  There are 7-11 and Family Mart convenience stores in airport where one can avail affordable snacks and goods. Moreover, I also needed to purchase a local network SIM card in Thailand to keep me connected throught out my stay. TRUE MOVE SIM costs around 349 Baht including 300 worth of call credit. IDD calls charge at around 1 Baht/min; Such a reasonably priced item for solo travel or long term stay.

                After a short power nap and snacks, I decided to take the taxi to Bangkok Loft Inn without availing the hotel’s free shuttle ride. To ride a cab, you just need to follow "Public Taxi" signs that direct to 1st floor of the outside airport grounds, which is one floor lower than the Arrivals, line up and state your desired destination at the service desk. One way metered trip to Tak Sin costs 440 Baht. This is way more expensive than the destination of Baiyoke Sky’s taxi which charges around 180 Baht. You also have to pay 45 Baht for Express Way and 25 Baht Toll plus 50 Baht Taxi Surcharge. It takes about an hour to Bangkok Loft Inn depending on the traffic situation.

The Bangkok Loft Inn

            This four-story boutique hotel offers their guests luxurious, cozy and elegant ambiance. Their contemporary styled rooms and amenities definitely give a graceful and comfortable stay which is also highlighted by their friendly and hospitable staff. A stone’s throw away from the Wongwian Yai BTS Skytrain, their location is convenient to all areas of the city without hailing a cab. Overall, I gave this Bangkok Loft Inn Boutique Hotel 8 out of 10 Stars.

City Tour

            I decided to reward myself a private tour courtesy of Tong who specializes in custom tours to explore the beauty and history of Thailand on a personal height. Thanks to Jerry, my personal tour guide, I was up to enjoy the sights tailored to my preference. It was definitely like having a good friend in Thailand. I never felt alienated, and I was truly blending in.

            The Tour began in  Vimanmek Mansion, hyped as the biggest golden teakwood house in the world located near Dusit in an attempt to blend in Thai and European architecture and style. This Teak Mansion was constructed in 1900 by His Majesty King Rama V as a royal palace for five years. Renovated and rebuilt, Vimanmek Mansion is now used as a museum to commemorate King Rama V by displaying his portraits, personal creativity and handicrafts, and to serve as an exhibit of Thai national rich legacy, history and heritage. This is open from 9:30 A.M.  to 4:00 P.M. with an entrance fee of 100Baht. However, photography is not allowed. Moreover, guests are required to keep all belongings in a locker with a fee of 20 Baht per locker and shoes must be removed upon entry. Visitors should also be accompanied by tour guide to explore the palace as no one is allowed to wander on his own. Proper attire must also be observed (at least knee-length). Although there are  available  sarongs guests can borrow that requires a refundable deposit of 300 Baht.  With Jerry’s tale of history of the Mansion and King Rama V, it was enlightening to realize that Thai people have deep devotion for their Kings and Queens.

       Passing by the Democracy Monument and Giant Swing, we headed towards Wat Pho which is famous for the beautiful golden Buddha that gauges around 46 meters in length and 15 meters in height with feet wrapped up with mother-of-pearl.  Walking around the complex leads to a part of the compound where the “Traditional Medicine and Massage School” is located. Scriptures of the Thai Massage were written on the walls and icons of different Thai massage were sculptured as invigorating and therapeutic massage to relieve stress and improve blood circulation. Access to Wat Pho charges you at  50 Baht, open from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and requires guests to take off their shoes inside the temple. Other attractions are Bangkok Chedis, Cambodian Style Chedis, Sitting Buddhas from Chiangmai, Wiharn and the Ubosot.

 Since Wat Pho is across Chao Phraya River, we grabbed the chance to watch and observe the rehearsal of Royal Kathin Barge Procession on 22^nd of October 2011 in Bangkok, which makes the royal barges of Thailand the last of their form in the world. This also stopped operations on crossing the river at that moment. Thus, we were also glancing at Wat Arun’s beauty from the banks of Chao Phraya River. The spectacular view of Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) is perfect during sunset. Crossing the river with a 15 Baht- ferry and visitor's fee for foreigners is 50 Baht, guests can climb the steep stairs up to the upper terrace where the main tower measures 79 meters high with all four prangs meticulously designed with small pieces of ceramic from China. From the terrace, visitors can catch a glimpse of the an impressive view of Bangkok transverse the river with highlights of the Grand palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and  Wat Pho.

        

      

From the Market near Wat Pho, I had the chance to eat one of Thai amazing dishes: Pad Thai. Jerry said the best one can also be found in the streets. For only 50 Baht, I had one sumptuous Seafood Pad Thai. 

The owner asked me: "Masarap?" Definitely with thumbs up, I told everybody it was indeed scrumptious. Forgetting the allergies, I finished my spicy Pad Thai meal with a dash of smile.

Then we headed to The Peninsula Bangkok and catch our ferry to Saphan Taksin BTS Station. The trip reminded me of the Lunch cruise with Chao Phraya Princess and the luxurious hotels by the river that touted Bangkok as the Venice of the East.

From Saphan Taksin, Jerry taught me the BTS 101, fares ranges from 20-40 Baht. I requested him to take me to The Emporium and Benjasiri Park. To his wonder, he took me to The Emporium which is home for signature shopping and has direct access to Phrom Phong BTS Station. This shopping center was already been outshined by Siam Paragon and Central World. I asked Jerry to look for the bird sanctuary in the Benjasiri Park but to my surprise I only saw musical fountain and Thais performing yoga in their fly. Next time, I might grab an ice cream and bag of fusty bread to feed fish in the lake for a relaxing late afternoon.

           

Going back to Wongwian Yai Station at past 6 P.M. surpassing rush hour traffic, Jerry and I ended the City tour with distinctive stories and lovely photographs.