Flores -- Batu Cermin Cave + Waicicu Beach

looks like a profile of a bird

A quick trip you can do that's near the town is Batu Cermin and Waicicu Beach.

From the town center of Labuan Bajo, both are only about 20 minutes away. If you're coming from the airport, then about 10-15 minutes on the motorbike.

If you prefer to walk, it's also doable. Best done in early morning so it won't be too hot.

Bali: Karangasem -- White Water Rafting at Telaga Waja River

Just months before, I and some friends went to Telaga Waja River in Karangasem, and had such a great time. So when friends from San Diego came to visit, I took them here as well.  

Flores Island -- Tips on Booking Your Tours / Adventures

And now…. the more important topic regarding your tour activities and trips: 

How to book for your Flores adventure tours (Komodo dragons, snorkeling, diving) without breaking the bank and which agencies are good and trustworthy??

Indonesia: Labuan Bajo, Flores Island

view of Labuan Bajo town

For our 3^rd year anniversary and Christmas holiday, Michael arranged a trip to the Flores Islands. Seeing the Komodo dragons has always been a dream for us, not only because they are part of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World (according to the UNESCO Heritage Site) but we were interested to see these giant lizards in action as well as experience the beauty of the island. 

What’s also highly fascinating is that the Komodo Dragon is one of the very, very few surviving representatives of the Pleistocene era, where creatures and fauna were of gigantic proportions. And now these beautiful lizards are endangered – currently there are only more or less 4,200 dragons left! Their endangerment is highly due to the diminishing fauna and food available to them on the islands they inhabit plus the changes their environments are going through.

Singapore: Hawker Food Review

                   Lao Pa Sat  vs  Gluttons Bay  vs  Newton Food Center

Apart from the night life, shopping, amusement centers, and lifestyle, Singapore is actually more known for Good Food. The eating culture in the country is huge that most everything is centered on eating and who has the best dish or dessert.

I admit, I do make trips to Singapore just to eat (well, okay apart from my regular visa runs). In fact, I hardly shop unless there is a huge sale on an item I want, but I don't hesitate getting out of the airport even on a few-hour lay-over just to get some delicious and very affordable Sg food. Hawker food to be exact.

So, Mike and I decided to eat at Singapore's top 3 popular hawker food centers and compared them:

Singapore -- Exploring Little India

Singapore -- BUGIS JUNCTION

Since Michael was confined at Raffles Hospital, I took the chance in exploring the area of Bugis, and man, did I love it!

What used to be a notorious night spot for sailors has been reinvented to a massive urban shopping district and has quickly become very popular with the locals and tourists.  More so, it isn’t only for shopping, beauty salons and restaurants can also be found here. In fact, massages and beauty services are more affordable here than other parts of the country.

Anyway, here are the reasons why you shouldn’t miss visiting this stop on the MRT especially if you’re craving for some cheap retail therapy:

Kristin's TOP STREET FOOD choices in Bali

To be honest, I am not a fan of Indo cuisine. I guess this is due to my coming from a place with amazing food and flavors, the Philippines. Also, I find dishes in Indonesia being too rich in MSG and artificial flavorings. Plus, the sambal (shrimp paste) gives me allergies.

However, there are a few that I actually really really like.

Philippines -- Baler

Beautiful BALER



Mike was busy working in Australia so I went home again to the Philippines to see family. A friend was going to Baler for the weekend and I decided to tag-along.

Philippines -- La Union

There has been so much talk about the surf in the Philippines lately, so we went to check out a popular spot up north.

sunset on the northern coast of the region

Philippines -- Chinatown

busy busy busy

Chinatown in Binondo is said to be the oldest Chinatown in the world. Established in 1594, this became the center of commerce and trade in Manila

Philippines -- Intramuros

Fort Santiago

The Philippines

photo: wikitravel.org

Mike and I were able to spend the holidays in the Philippines (admittedly due to geographical convenience and short holidays). He was finally able to try Filipino cuisine, one I’ve been marveling to him about. Of course, he didn’t pass up the chance to try the ever-famous “balut”, and he even liked it!

We were only able to do some minor traveling, less than we would have liked because of time constraints but he was still able to enjoy some of my hometown scenery, a local surf spot, and historical and cultural spots.

Philippines -- Normal Food

After all that street food adventure, It was time for Mike to try some "normal" home-cooked Filipino food.

Philippines -- Street Food Sensation

Filipino Street Food -- popular comfort food in the Philippines. They are cheap, easy to eat, flavorful, and found everywhere.

Michael loves his street food especially grilled skewers. But before I took him to get his skewer fixation, he had to pass the Balut test.

Amed

East Bali: Tirta Gangga Water Palace

After bidding farewell to Kusumajaya, we walked down the hill and a hundred meters up the road to the Tirta Gangga watergarden. I had been looking forward to visiting this site for quite a long time and hadn't told Kristin about it at all, so I was excited.

East Bali: Tirta Gangga & Kusumajaya Homestay

After visiting Pura Goa Lawah and continuing another hour north, Kristin and I were ready to settle in for the night. I had been told the best place to stay in Tirta Gangga was the Kusumajaya Homestay. Sitting halfway up a mountain, the site overlooks the beautiful valley below. It's not the easiest place to find, but we didn't mind exploring the surrounding area's rice terraces before finally arriving at our destination.

East Bali: Pura Goa Lawah

Pura Goa Lawah is one of six temples known as the Sad Kahyangan, or the 'six temples of the world'. The Balinese believe these six temples are the pivotal points of the island; along with Pura Goa Lawah, Pura Besakih, Pura Lempuyang Luhur, Pura Uluwatu, Pura Batukaru, and Pura Pusering Jagat makeup this sacred group.

Nusa Lembongan -- How to get there

Dream Beach

I decided to go out of town for the weekend and what better place to do it than
Nusa Lembongan.



Ashamedly, in my almost 4 years here, it was my first time to see this beautiful little island especially since it's so close to Bali.


Having only a couple of days, it was the perfect easy getaway. Because of its proximity to Bali, Lembo is the preferred 'go to' escape for those with limited holiday time or those needing a quick one-day leisure off Bali.

Loads of travel and boat companies offer trips from 1-day cruise tours to 3 Night holiday packages.