Asia Travel Blogs, page 15984

Asia » India » Orissa April 4th 1997

Preview The Orissa trip took place when I was in 9th Standard in school. It had been quite a while I had been anywhere outside Calcutta. The same daily routine school life - board bus early the morning ,attend school classes and attend tuitions after that. Life was monotonous and tiring and it was almost 4 years in row. I realized that I was in a rat race like many others where successful school life was the only motto to survive but which in turn made me work and live life like robot. I longed for fresh air, travel far leaving the maddening crowd of Calcutta, away from self-centered nerds in school to sea and enjoy tranquility. It was very unlike me to stay at one place specially after the glorious early years in my life ... read more

Bantayan Island

Asia » Philippines » Cebu » Bantayan » Sta Fe December 28th 1996

Sugar Beach, Bantayan

an88e

Looking Back: Bantayan Island - Dec. 1996. After Christmas of 1996, my friends and I planned an out of town trip. This was to be the first of the many trips we'll be having. Our first stop was Cebu City, we stayed at my uncle's place. My cousins were our tour guide. the first few days we visited, the Taoist Temple in Beverly Hills; Magellan's Cross across the Sto. Nino Shrine; a beach in Mactan. The food is inexpensive and local cuisine was superb. We took a fast ferry, Oceanjet 2 of Socor Shipping Lines to Sta. Fe, Bantayan. It is an island north of Cebu mainland. The fare was 300pesos/person and we left the port of Cebu at 5:30am. It was about 3 hours fast ferry ride. When we got to Sta. Fe, there ... read more

Time to leave HK

Asia » Hong Kong September 30th 1996

Vulindlela and family

We met up with Jim's family again and they treated us to lunch at a Korean BBQ in Kowloon. I had not eaten Korean before but I loved it!!! After lunch they took me to Kai Tak airport. Jim was staying a few more days but I had to go because I did not have enough time off. I said my thanks and good-byes and went inside the airport. I had wandered around looking in all the shops, while forgetting about the time. I suddenly realized that I only had about 30 minutes until we were departing! I rushed over to the security and passport control. On they way over I saw the Spice Girls and I said hello and ran on. I was so disappointed that I could not stop and get autographs and pictures! ... read more

Ocean Park

Asia » Hong Kong September 29th 1996

Jumbo floating restaurant

Vulindlela and family

Today we met with Jim's cousins and they took us to the Jumbo floating restaurant for lunch. After, we went to Ocean Park. I had a good time, especially on the roller coaster! Later in the day, we went out for dinner at a place in Kowloon. I do not remember too much about it, except that it was where the planes flew very low over the city while landing at Kai Tak. I did enjoy seeing the planes coming in. I was loving my time in Hong Kong but it was ending soon.... read more

More sightseeing

Asia » Hong Kong September 28th 1996

Hong Kong skyline

Vulindlela and family

We met up with more of Jim's family today and they took us all over the area. Jim's family were so kind to me and they were amused when I tried chickens feet and used chopsticks. We had some dimsum lunch at a place near the Choi Hung station, went shopping at Stanley Market and also went to the Peak. I loved the views from up there and we stayed up there until after dark. For dinner, we met up with Jim's uncle again and ate at a restaurant on the ground floor of their apartment. I saw they had jellyfish on the menu and made mention of it. They thought that I was wanting to have it and so they ordered it. I tried it and ended up liking it.... read more

The hustle and bustle of Hong Kong

Asia » Hong Kong September 27th 1996

Aircraft departing Kai Tak airport

Vulindlela and family

We awoke early and took the subway to the Central station, just stopping once for a breakfast cake at Maxims. We went to the Hard Rock Cafe on Chater Road for some lunch. This location is no longer open. After lunch, we went over to Kowloon and walked around. We explored all over the area this day and took lots of photos. We went for some drinks at the Kowloon Hard Rock, which is closed now also. I loved the vibe in HK. I was starting to think that this would be my new favorite city.... read more