If Taiwan is to Milk Tea, Beijing is to Yogurt #BeijingYogurt 北京酸奶

Let's give it to Taiwan when it comes to milk tea dominance.That industry is not just huge in Taiwan it extends beyond even as far as China. When I google "best milk tea in China" while in Shanghai, the search generated "COCO" as the favorite.
Read: COCO FRESH TEA AND JUICE: the Best Milk Tea in Shanghai and beyond.

Not in Beijing though. In the streets of the capital, there is one refreshment that is undoubtedly unrivaled -- Nai Lao or popularly known as Beijing Yogurt.

 #BeijingYugort 北京酸奶 

HAPPY DRAGON HOSTEL Beijing : Budget Accommodation in a Hutong District

If you want to experience how it is like in Beijing on an ordinary day, the trick is to stay in a hostel in a hutong district. HAPPY DRAGON HOSTEL in Beijing is a classic example.

Hutongs are a type of narrow streets or alleys commonly associated with northern Chinese cities, most prominently Beijing. In Beijing, hutongs are alleys formed by lines of siheyuan , traditional courtyard residences. Many neighborhoods were formed by joining one siheyuan to another to form a hutong, and then joining one hutong to another. The word hutong is also used to refer to such neighborhoods.

Since the mid-20th century, the number of Beijing hutongs has dropped dramatically as they are demolished to make way for new roads and buildings. More recently, some hutongs have been designated as protected areas in an attempt to preserve this aspect of Chinese cultural history. source

HOW WE GOT HERE

From Beijing South Railway Station
We took subway line 4 for seven stops to Pinganli station and then transferred to Line 6 get off at Dongsi station Exit E (tickets are 2rmb).

Happy Dragon Hostel Map >>>here
Beijing Subway Map >>>here
Photo Direction to the Hostel >>>here

HAPPY DRAGON HOSTEL Beijing 

NANJING to BEIJING via Sleeper Train #CRH

Another long overdue post but here it is finally ---the start of my Beijing Series, which is the third an final leg of our China 2014 9-day trip which took us to Shanghai, Nanjing and finally Beijing.

Before I continue, please read all my blog posts here on
Shanghai >>>http://www.pusangkalye.net/search/label/Shanghai
Nanjing >>http://www.pusangkalye.net/search/label/Nanjing%20China

China's vast railway network

Pusangkalye in 2014: Travels

It has been a tradition for me to come up with a travel summary each year since

2011: http://www.pusangkalye.net/2012/01/travel-memorable-year-2011-for.html

2012: http://www.pusangkalye.net/2013/01/pusangkalye-in-2012-travel.html

2013:http://www.pusangkalye.net/2014/01/pusangkalye-in-2013-travels.html

2014 though saw a moderation of my travels due to personal and domestic troubles which had an impact on my time and finances thereby limiting my ability to go mobile---with on two domestic destinations and two international. Thinking about it though, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Shanghai, Nanjing, Beijing, Bohol and twice in Puerto Princesa, it was not a bad year for my personal travel after all. I still had a lot to be thankful for in 2014.

JAKARTA and YOGYAKARTA

January

We started the year right. International ang unang byahe. And it was Indonesia's turn this time, one of the few countries in Southeast Asia we haven't visited. Actually, we were not so excited about Jakarta but the idea of flying to Yogyakarta from there tickled m,y imagine. To see one of the greatest temples in the region (Borobudur) has always been in my wish list.

We flew from Manila to Jakarte first, then immediately to Yogyakarta then back to Jakarta for a night.

MACAU TRAVEL GUIDE: Day Tour + Itinerary #AirAsiaZestMacau

Many of you will surely be flying out of the country to celebrate the holiday season. Shopping in Hong Kong, city tour in Bangkok,  food indulgence in KL and perhaps casino-hopping and history tour in Macau. The latter is becoming more and more preferred destinations to Filipinos due to its proximity in the Philippines and with low cost airlines like AirAsiaZest adding cheaper options to the territory.

With all of the high end hotels, luxury shops and glittery casinos, one might think that Macau is an expensive place to go to. The thing is, it could be the cheapest place in the world for sightseeing. You can actually get around Macau without spending a penny. Yes, you heard it right, you can go around and see so much without spending a single cent. There, I just repeated myself.

Here's the trick.

Make sure your flight arrives daytime, or at least before midnight.

The reason for this is that you would like to take advantage of the 

FREE CASINO SHUTTLE BUSES in Macau.

All major casinos in Macau have their respective buses. You can hop in and hop off these buses anytime---no questions asked. Just make sure you stay in queue as there are so many other tourists and casino patrons using them. No need to worry, there are trips usually every 10 minutes to and from each pickup points.

MAJOR PICKUP POINTS:

Macau International Airport,
Macau Ferry Terminal and Taipa Ferry Terminal
Gongbei Port (Macau-China Border)

No problem at all whether you will be flying in, taking the ferry or travel by land to Macau. From these major entry/exit points, you can take the free casino shuttle buses to and from;

Venetian Macau

Galaxy Macau

Sands Casino and Macau Fisherman's Wharf
Star World Casino Macau
Senado Square and Ruins of St. Paul

SUGGESTED 
ITINERARY for the Free Tour
Start in Taipa District in the morning, then Cotai District in the afternoon till night.
More detailed Itinerary Sample
for 2D/1N >>>here

AM -Cotai
Venetian Macau
Galaxy Macau
City of Dreams

PM -Taipa
Senado Square
Ruins of St. Paul
Wynn Macau
MGM Grand

Additional Trip: MACAU TOWER (with Entrance Fee)

WHITE FENCE COUNTRY CAFE: Nasi Goreng, Honey Glazed Chili Wings, Smokey Backyard Burger and more!

City: Puerto Princesa

Travel Period: November 2014

Place of Stay: Palo Alto

Our accommodation in our latest PPS trip Palo Alto has a decent restaurant but they will not feel bad if you want to try other food finds downtown. As a matter of fact, Palo Alto even provides free shuttle drop off and pick up. Van leaves for town 6:00 pm and pick up is 9:00pm. If you already have a restaurant in mind, they will even drop you directly there. In our case, we picked one with an intimate setting. Something of class but with good food that is not too heavy on the pocket ---White Fence Country Cafe.

Nasi Goreng at White Fence Cafe Puerto Princesa

THE INTERIOR

The restaurant is part of Purple Fountain Courtyard Inn but is open to public and it is pretty famous for walk in guests.

It consistent with the lovely appeal of the Inn. It's cozy and intimate especially at night, thanks to the artsy interior. Tastefully interiored as tasty as the food they serve. I know homey is an overused word in food and hotel reviews but no better word describes the mood at White Fence Cafe. You will instantly feel comfortable with the place and you will hardly feel the wait for your orders as your eyes will be feasting on the details inside.

Lunch at #PaloAltoPalawan's Private Beach + Underground River Tour

I thought it's gonna be just another Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour. Don't blame me, the place is amazing but I have been here twice. The third time it thought it's gonna be too painful to take but this particular tour came with a twist, something I looked forward to --- lunch in a private beach--- instead of the usual one in Sabang. Thank you #PaloAlto !!!!

Puerto Princesa 
Underground River
But first, here are some photos of the Underground River as it couldn't be missed. As I said, akala ko nakakasuka na, but we came early before the flood of tourists so we got to appreciate the cave tour more. The stillness when you feel like your boat is the only one navigating its dark corridors, with only the voice of your guide echoing in its chambers with the occasional pause interrupted by the sounds of bats hanging on the walls of the cave and the sonar chirping of "balinsasayaw", a local bird, which passes through as if surveying the area.

PALO ALTO Bed& Breakfast: "Close to Nature, Close to My Heart" #PaloAltoPalawan

Palo Alto 
http://paloalto.ph/

Life has a gentle way of telling us "hey, take it easy on yourself". Learning about this place came at a time when I needed to "feel good about myself again". My current personal troubles have been weighing hard on my emotional state that a simple 'ice cream treat' could already feel like cloud 9. What more if you get the chance to pack your bag and visit one of your favorite cities and get to stay at a resort like Palo Alto Bed and Breakfast inPuerto Princesa Palawan.

Ah! Despite all the shams and drudgery, life is still beautiful indeed.

And this came weeks after I was heartbroken learning that my favorite Inn in PPS, Banwa Pension House, was destroyed by fire. I really thought there is one less reason to be back until I came across this place.

Palo Alto is a bit off the city center but the commute back and forth downtown is worth it, sooooo worth it. Visit their website and the photos there will make you visualize a relaxing weekend retreat. I drooled over the photos there and I was suddenly imagining my vacation. Seeing it in person is another level. I call it "feel-good-place"-----A silent sanctuary in a city.

FERSAL HOTEL PALAWAN is about class and location

Fersal Hotel Palawan
http://www.fersal.com.ph/palawan/

Fersal and thier upscale brand Hotel Elizabeth have always been close to my heart since I worked with them on a project in 2012.

I have literally blogged all Fersal Hotels in Manila >>>here
and Hotel Elizabeth >>here

Fersal Palawan is the latest in their growing portfolio (I heard they are planning a Hotel Elizabeth branch in San Vicente Palawan) so I wanted to write about it. I feel privileged my courtesy call to the hotel was warmly accommodated I can finally introduce it to my readers.

the lobby of Fersal Hotel Puerto Princesa

PUERTO PRINCESA TRAVEL GUIDE #AirAsiaZestPuertoPrincesa

It's the start of travel season in the Philippines again. I am sure you already plotted your next destination. Either you did or haven't made up your mind yet,
here is a TRAVEL GUIDE ON PUERTO PRINCESA that I hope will help you on your next trip to the city.

TAKE NOTE: All the recommendations of accommodation, attractions, restaurants and food that I included here are only those that I personally experienced. I am sure there are more that one can add to the list but I can only attest to the ones here based on my experience.