A Visit to Budapest is One for the Books

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary. The country was part of the eastern European bloc which were once under communist rule. Budapest is the pride of Hungary. It is one of the must-see cities in Europe.

Budapest is divided into two by the Danube River. Buda is the hilly side of the city where the Trinity Square is located. The hill is where you can best view Pest which is the flat side of the city.

Despite the modern times, the city has maintained its charm which is very European. Old structures are still up and there are laws to protect them. Business signages can only be installed outside the buildings with no alterations to the actual structures allowed.

But, of course, Budapest has its own share of modernity. High rises as well as installation-like structures have sprung up in the city. Mostly, they are residential and business buildings located in the outskirts.

The parliament is a major site and sight in Budapest. Museums, churches, monuments and other historical places are also worth visiting. These are the places most admired by tourists. Mind you, tourists are regular sights in the city.

Budapest is one city where culture meets modernity. It is where you can see historical sites and, afterwards, enjoy shopping in stores nearby. Hillside or plainview, the city looks like another living museum as in other city in Europe.

Budapest is within a landlocked country and can accessed via plane or by land or by train. Never have I ever imagined that I will be able to go this part of the world.

Thank you to our sponsor, the Santos family of Vienna, for this unexpected trip. For me, it's one for the books.

Kuala Lumpur: At Malaysia's Front

Among Filipinos, Kuala Lumpur is not as popular as Bangkok, Hong Kong or Singapore in terms of places to visit in Asia. But the city has a lot to offer. Plus the fact that it is as reasonable as Bangkok for shopping.

For years now, hotels and other accommodations have sprung up and are creating a skyline that is distinctly Kuala Lumpur. The rates are reasonable and are tourist-friendly since people speak English very well.

Aside from the Petronas Twin Towers, other places worth vising are the KL Tower where a revolving restaurant is located and the Istana Negara Royal Palace which is situated at the center of the city. Kuala Lumpur offers tourists a hop on, hop off city tour wherein you can take a bus for a fee and goes around the city having stops in different tourist spots including the aforementoned. It is a way of knowing the city and its people.

Kuala Lumpur has an effective train system which made me envious. All the lines are interconnected and you will only have to pay once even if it requires you to transfer from one line to another. It goes around the city as well as nearby towns and cities.

Of course, a trip to Kuala Lumpur will not be complete with the usual shopping. Shops that cater to all types of tourists abound. There are popular brand stores and there are also cheap bargains which you don't see in our country.

Recently, Kuala Lumpur has become a gastronomic area with the emergence of restaurants and street food kiosks especially in Jalan Alor. Years ago, in one of trips to the city, there were just cheap restaurants in the area. Now, it is a very popular food area for the locals and tourists alike. Malaysian good as well as menu from other Asian countries are offered.

In recent years, traffic has become a problem is Kuala Lumpur. Being a melting pot of the people from the different states of Malaysia, population of the city has immensely increased. Good thing that it has an effective transport system. The trains, buses, taxis and grab are all over. Having visited Kuala Lumpur for many times, the best way to go around the city is still by foot. There are a lot to discover in this quaint city in Southeast Asia.

From the Philippines, Kuala Lumpur can be reached via the three major Philippine-based airlines. Malaysian Airlines and Air Asia Berhad also ply the route.

I don't know what makes Kuala Lumpur special to me but my passports show that I have visited the city so many times through the years and I will keep going back.