Missing Manado (Indonesia)

A few years ago, I had the privilege of visiting Manado in the Province of Sulawesi Utara or North Sulawesi, Indonesia.  It is a fast-rising city that side of the Indonesian archipelago which is just a few miles south of Davao City.  The Manado trip was my first outside the Philippines (you can just imagine how many years ago that was).

Honestly, I was surprised to see that Manado is fast-becoming a bustling city in Indonesia.  Despite the forthcoming modernity, it has maintained its charm and allure.  Buildings are beginning to mushroom and businesses have sprung up.  Its population is also increasing through the years.

One thing that I have observed is the cleanliness of the city.  I thought that it being too far from the capital city of Jakarta, Manado would look like an area which is far from development.  But I was wrong.  It is because of the effective governance of its local government that it has breezed through with ease.  It is a city which can be called major in a few years.  It is one dive site where one can enjoy the beauty of nature at its best.

Hotels and resorts have been built to accommodate the influx of tourists.  Novotel Manado, where I stayed, is one hotel which gives five star service to its clients.  It has an infinity pool that has a good view of Manado Bay.  Other hotels are also available for the comfort of visitors.

Regular flights to this Indonesia city from Davao City have ceased a few years back but sometimes, there are chartered flights that ply the route.  Safely, one can fly to Jakarta first then take a domestic flight to Manado.

Should you decide to travel to Indonesia in a place less visited, Manado is a must-try.  Its peace and order is one of the best in the archipelago.  For whatever it may offer, it's for you to find out.  And, yes, I miss Manado.

Batam: A Fast-Rising Tourist Haven in Indonesia

Batam is a city in Indonesia which is only 45 minutes ferry ride from Singapore. It is a fast-rising haven for technology-savvy tourists.

Despite being least known among Indonesian cities, Batam shows a lot of promise as a side-trip destination if one wants to see another Asean city aside from Singapore. It has a community ready to take on tourists who would like to experience another kind of culture.

The city has shopping malls built to take on local and foreign tourists. Indonesian as well as brands from overseas are sold for the buying public. Restaurants catering to different tastes are all over. Crafts made by the locals are easily accessible in shopping areas.

Development is inevitable as evidenced by infrastructure built for the populace as well as for visitors. But Batam has maintained a certain Indonesian mystique that tourists look for.

The city is ready to take in more tourists as resorts, hotels, restaurants and other tourist places as sprung up especially in recent years.

Although Batam is an Indonesian city, it is easier to go there via Singapore. Jakarta is miles away from the city. I was surprised that the exchange rate in the ferry terminal is better than the money changer stalls in the malls. It is suggested that tourists change their money from reliable exchange counters in the ferry terminal.

Given more years, Batam is definitely a tourist haven waiting to be explored.

Two Nights in Bangkok

So far, this is my shortest trip to Bangkok. Previously, the shortest stay I had in the City of Smiles was 3 nights and 4 days. But, just the same, there is still that certain eagerness to visit Bangkok. Each time I visit the city, there is always something new that it offers. It seems that development is synonymous to Bangkok. That is the reason why it never ceases to amaze me. Bangkok is one city that I will never get tired of visiting.

But how can one squeeze in all activities in just 2 nights and 3 days? Well, a lot! There are many things to do in Bangkok. It is one shopping haven in the Asean region. You can buy anything there is to shop. I call the city a one big flea market especially during night time. Wherever you go, there are stalls that sell almost everything under the sun...or moon, whichever time you want to shop. Of course, there are still the usual Pratunam Market, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Siam Square and other shopping havens aside from the huge malls that abound.

There is no stopping building infrastructure in the city. Modernity is evident in the midst of Thailand's rich past. Just like what the cliche says, since there is not enough space anymore in Bangkok, there is no other way but to go up. Tall buildings are staple sights in the city.

Food is one indulgence that cannot pass. Thai cuisine is one of the best and healthiest in the world. Everywhere you go, you see restaurants and food stalls. One fancy concept is the one at Central World. There are more than 150 restaurants serving different cuisines from all over the world...a wide array of dining places to choose from.

Then, there is the floating market to visit. Though some of the goods that you will see there can be bought in other shopping places in Bangkok at lower prices, traversing the waters of the floating market is one way of understanding the culture of Thai people. The elephant and crocodile farms are also worth going to.

Suvarnabhumi International Airport is relatively new as it was only opened a few years ago but it seems that its capacity is not enough for the many tourists that arrive in Bangkok.

Bangkok may change from time to time but it has remained amazingly mysterious in its own ways. It's an oriental city that seems not to sleep. It is a city that will enchant you. Two nights in Bangkok is definitely short but a return visit is a must.

The New Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City

After seven years, I went back to Ho Chi Minh City. Back then, there were already signs of progress. I was right. Progress I saw in the city and it reflects the development going on in the different parts of Vietnam. Hotels and other establishments now abound. Shops of named brands are but ordinary sights. The influx of foreign tourists are very evident. There's a new Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City.

With the new airport catering to the arrivals of people from other parts of the globe, it is with no wonder that Ho Chi Minh City is now considered a tourist haven in this part of Southeast Asia. Still having a socialist form of government, the city is considered an open-city of sorts. It is host to several stores and restaurants that you see in democratic societies.

High rise buildings have mushroomed. Population has increased. Cars, aside from motorcycles, have contributed to the traffic situation. Tourist buses ply the streets just like ordinary cars. Government infrastructure build-up is in full swing. Development is very evident.

French architecture is still evident in Ho Chi Minh City. The hotel where we stayed, Hotel Continental Saigon, is an example. Bread buns called banh mi is sold around the city. They are actually French breads which are sold throughout the city. It is the staple snack of the Vietnamese together with their milk tea sold in side streets.

Vietnamese cuisine is considered one of the healthiest foods in the world. What with those leaves in their daily fare. Restaurants that abound carry such dishes. If one is into healthy food, try Vietnamese. Our very own Jollibee already has several branches there.\

Several airlines ply the Ho Chi Minh City route. From Manila, you may reach this side of Vietnam via Philippine Airlines with two flights daily. Cebu Pacific Air goes to the city once a day

Ho Chi Minh City is a mirror of the new Vietnam. From what I have observed, I would not hesitate to say that it has come a long way and might have overtaken the Philippines already in terms of development and tourist arrivals.