Tokyo...Maybe!

I'm cooking up a storm again with my travel plans this last quarter of the year as we plan to visit Japan once again and this time, with the 2 oldies (my mom and mom-in-law) in tow.

We are holding staff tickets so it will be a big challenge to get on board because of the high season and this is right after Christmas. Anyway, everything is still on the drawing board but we've already decided to go to Japan again this December instead of the Christmas Markets in Europe due to budget constraints. It's much cheaper to visit Japan than Europe!

So, I hope we finalize this plan soon so we can all apply for the visa again. Logistics is quite challenging now since my daughter is in Manila and we, the parents, are here. A lot of paperwork has to be requested and given to my daughter so she can apply as a minor and guaranteed by her parents. Ahhhh.... I wish applying for visas for Filipino citizens isn't this hard!

How to Save for a Trip

Want to leave the country? If you're thinking “yes, but my wallet might feel it,” then you need a plan! Any vacation is going to be a drain on your finances, especially if you leave the country. You will usually need at least two weeks to enjoy the sights, and that means time off from work. So, how do you pay for the trip and your expenses, knowing you’re looking at a loss down the road? The solution is saving, and here’s how it's done.

Interest Accounts

Begin with a good interest bearing savings account where you can place your money. This should be separate from your usual bank accounts, and difficult to move money from. That way, you're not tempted to spend. Interest is typically calculated based on an annual percentage yield, or APY. Putting even small amounts into this account will grow your money within a year. Within two, you'll be ready to book something for sure.

Installments

Whenever you can, use installment plans to try and pay for things related to your trip as a form of saving. For example, book a plane ticket on your credit card for 6 months in advance and pay it off bit by bit. You will pay interest on that debt, but you'll also pay it down slowly and avoid the shock of the upfront fee.

If you set goals for your trip and find some dollar amounts that are real, you can easily do the math and figure out what you need to save in order to achieve your goal of vacationing. Then, you can enjoy your guilt free trip.

This article was written by Samuel Phineas Upham

About the Author:   Samuel Phineas Upham is an investor at a family office/hedgefund, where he focuses on special situation illiquid investing. Before this position, Samuel Phineas Upham was working at Morgan Stanley in the Media & Technology group. You may contact Samuel Phineas Upham on his Facebook page.

Tokyo, Here We Come!

I am shrieking with delight here!!! We finally got our Japanese visas today. It's only single entry for 15 days but who cares! We are full-swing ahead with the family vacation and a Christmas treat for our daughter who has been bugging me for a trip to Japan.

Here you go baby! A week-long family time in Tokyo in a very nice, cold weather... I love!

東京、我々は来ている！ (Okay, I got that from the internet Translation! It means, "Tokyo, we are coming!")

Moshi-moshi Tokyo!

Our Studio Ghibli Vouchers Are Here!

All's well that ends well! I am happy because the much awaited Studio Ghibli Museum voucher is finally delivered. I got the voucher today via mail at the office and I am certainly squealing in delight!

This voucher is very crucial to our trip to Japan because we really want to visit Studio Ghibli. It is a part of our itinerary simply because my daughter and I are big fans of their movies (eg. Howl's Moving Castle, Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service, My Neighbor Totoro) and this will be the highlight to my daughter's exposure to graphic animation - the course she will pursue in college.

Anyways, the crux of the matter is, I have the voucher with me and we will be exchanging this voucher to the ticket outlet there. Studio Ghibli will exchange it to a portion of their movies' reel like a souvenir token.

Oh, I am so excited! I wish it's December 4 already!!!

Car Rental for Tourists in Cebu Philippines

Photo credit: yahoo images

Whether you live in Cebu or are visiting as a tourist, you may at some point want to use a Cebu car rental company. Having your own vehicle is the only way to visit the many tourist attractions scattered around the island, and to take in the full beauty of the area. A lot of visitors may be wary about driving after reading about the traffic problems in the Philippines, but Cebu is relatively fine, it is only in Manila where things can become very confusing. So if you are travelling to Cebu, then use Cebu car rental and get to see places that many other people never get to see, and that includes those who live on the island.

I can share with everyone a couple of reasons why you should have a car hire in Cebu but first, let me tell you that hiring a car rental in the Philippines can be different than that of hiring one in the UK or USA, especially if you are using a local Cebu company. Most will want proof of who you are, if you are a non-resident such as passport, driving license, international driving license, and proof of address. It is usually normal for a deposit to be paid when you book. Most Cebu car rental companies will want copies of all of these documents emailed before you arrive, but you will still need to visit the office on arrival to pay the rental charge in full, and to leave some kind of photo ID with them. Car rental Cebu includes all the relevant insurance cover for the Philippines, so you do not have to worry about that. 

Once all the paperwork has been completed you will then be given the car you have hired. As with any car rental company anywhere in the world, it is advisable to go over the car looking for previous damage and noting it with the car rental Cebu company and this saves on possible disputes later on. You can use technology for this; take some pictures or videos, and immediately upload them to somewhere like Facebook. Doing these time stamps will help you to have proof of the vehicle condition when you collected it.

Driving around Cebu is easy, and these days there is GPS available to help you out, and it is recommended that you take advantage of this. Using car rental in Cebu can really enhance your experience of the area, and you can leave the island to fly home knowing that you have seen more of the local culture and landmarks than those who do not hire a car.

Our Vacation in Seoul, South Korea Part 2

Our Seoul, South Korea trip will not be complete without a day visit to Everland Resort in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do Province of South Korea. It is similar to Disneyland Resort in Orlando as it is always compared to the latter due to the similarities in layout. It features a zoo and water resort as well.

We took the bus near the Lotte Department store that goes straight to Everland Resort. We got there around 10:00 a.m. It was not a very long ride. I think it was just around an hour if my memory serves me right.

As soon as the bus reached the terminal, we started taking pictures as the view was magnificent. There were plenty of unusual plants that I have seen for the first time. Such a lovely place and the pictures I am sharing here would show how beautiful the place was.

Enjoy viewing!



The ample parking lot of Everland Resort. This is where you will catch your ride back to the city as well.


This was taken near the bus terminal, few metres away from the main gate of Everland.

Notice the pretty "cabbage-like" plants behind me? They look so yummy! hahaha This is the area before you enter the park.

Just a bit of posing in front of the Everland Resort Logo as you enter the park.

This was taken at the Global Fair. It's the main area of the resort and so is the picture below.





This is my favorite view of the park. This was taken near the big fountain and you could actually see the various colors of fall in the vista. This place is a must-visit place in Seoul.

We were standing just outside the "gate" where the parade would start. We didn't realize the parade would start any minute and we were lucky enough to be in front of the sideline.

At the European Adventure





Bum poking hahaha




Taken near the T Express, the largest wooden roller coaster built in Seoul.

Munich, Germany Part 2

The next installment of snaps. These pictures were taken at the Nymphenburg Palace.

Nymphenburg Palace is located in Munich, approximately 10 to 20 minutes from the Marienplatz by bus. It was used as the summer residence of the royalties. In 1664, the construction commenced and over the next hundred and fifty years, several buildings were also added making this palace a sight to behold.

This is the street leading to the palace. In front of this is the long canal which freezes during winter time and is used as skating rinks.

Side profile of the palace

The queen! Oppps, the swan just licked its butt! Ewww....

Behind the palace, on our way to the gardens

The sprawling gardens

The Royal Family!

(I have taken this post from my www.riablahgs.com site and moved it here where it is more relevant.)

Easy Travel Tips For Summer

Summer has arrived! Lots of people are already on their way to their summer destination. However, for those who are still on the planning stage of their vacation get-away, it is wise to note some of these tips:

1. Go to a destination where the value of your "local currency" is higher than the destination's currency (applicable to those travelling internationally).

2. Check Internet offers for great deals and discounts.

3. Stay on lodging houses or hostels if you are not the finicky type. If you are travelling with your family, there are youth hostels and bed and breakfast accommodation suitable for your type.

4. Be an early bird! Pay early! Sometimes, airlines and tour operators offer huge discount when you purchase your tickets or packages months in advance.

5. Avoid shopping if you can. The reason for your travel is to soak in other culture, enjoy the scenery and have fun in the local scene. Some trinkets or souvenirs are fine but leave your purchases to that and to your meals if you have to.

6. Stay with relatives. This is a great opportunity to save a lot of money by not paying for accommodation. This is a bit tricky though, it only applies to those who have relatives on other places.

7. Travel as a group. Airlines and tour operators always give discounts to large group travelling together.

8. Bring light and not easily perishable snacks. Cookies and those cup noodles can save you big time.

Tour Cebu - For My Second Trip!

I have long dreamt of taking a Cebu tour or two so that I can see all of the hidden beauties within the area. I had been to Cebu three years ago and I loved the time that I got to spend there, but I did not get to see all of the things that I knew were scattered around the island. I have begun planning my second trip and will be going on the options to tour Cebu that I have read about.

The one tour that I know that I have to go on is the bike tour. I really enjoy getting out into the open air on a bike and I think that getting to explore the off grid areas of the island will be awesome as an itinerary in a Cebu tour. I have to try to decide how long of a tour I want to take. They are offered in short trips that will only take a day, but they also offer multiple day trips lasting as long as thirteen days. I know that I will not go as long as thirteen days, but more than one might be nice.

I would also like to go on a city tour. I did not get to see much of the city when I was there last. I had a hotel that was right on the beach and I spent much of my time soaking up the sun and enjoying the sandy beach that was just footsteps from my room. I have read about some of the attractions that are to be enjoyed within the city and would love to explore many of them. The place that I would like to see most in the city is Taoist Temple and other must have and must experience Cebu tour. I look forward to shopping the different stores and collecting many souvenirs from the shops.

Once I have had my taste of the city, a countryside tour sounds perfect. Spending a day viewing stone churches, town plazas and bell towers as well as the other architecture built during the Spanish era would be quite memorable. I can already picture myself wondering though the area with my camera capturing images that many people only dream of seeing in person.

Lastly, I must go on the waterfall adventure. I look forward to making my way through the mountains, climbing my way up big hills to catch a glimpse of the Kawasan Falls so that I can feel the water spritzing my face as I stand in awe at one of Mother Nature’s most beautiful creations. I would love to enjoy a nice picnic lunch just before taking a swim in the cool, crystal blue waters below the falls.

Very few things in this world are as beautiful to me as the wonders that this world has to offer me. I have read that many of the beautiful things that I want to see are within the different Cebu tour that I am considering. I will make memories that will be held dear to me for as long as I live and breathe.

Might Not Go To China

The recent news of the avian flu in China is something I cannot take lightly. We have a fully-paid package trip to Beijing, China this September but news of bird's flu around the cities of Shanghai, Beijing and Henan.

I don't want to take chances on that. I'd rather not go and it's okay if the whole trip is non-refundable. Our health and safety are my primary concern.

Fun Travel Activities to Embrace That You May not Have Thought of Before

Getting ready to go on a trip to a new destination is always fun to look forward to. You are about to get away from your daily life and embark on a new adventure. It’s both exciting and invigorating knowing that you are going to switch up your routine for the next week or more. In the back of your mind you’re probably wondering if you have forgotten to plan any activities in the country you’re visiting. If you are going to France you may have missed a hot new restaurant that just opened or if you are going to California you may not have known that there are special deals available at Universal Studios Hollywood. Doing your research ahead of time will certainly help, but here are some other tips that will make you feel like after your trip is over you won’t leave the country without doing everything possible.

Ask the Locals for Tips

It’s okay if you don’t have your itinerary all mapped out by the time you arrive to your destination, because you can always chat with the locals once you arrive. Don’t be shy – ask them what they recommend doing while you are there visiting and what you shouldn’t miss. Sometimes it is easy to fall into a tourist trap so stay open minded and look at doing activities that you normally wouldn’t do. You never know, you may want to go zip lining and then afterwards enjoy a picnic from your handy picnic baskets that the travel guide so conveniently provides.

Do the Activities that are Top on Your List First

Depending on how long you are going to be on your trip, you will have to make some decisions in regards to what to do first. If you didn’t make a list of your must-do activities before you left the country that is okay, but now is the time to write down what you’d like to do the most. That way you’ll be sure to get in all of the activities that you desire to do the most. Still not sure about which activities are your favorites? Do some extra research on the internet or talk to a worker at a site you’re thinking about spending a lot of time at. They may be open enough to give you some feedback on what tours, attractions, and other activities you might want to explore.

Don’t Forget About Simple Activities that Create Memories

Vacation isn’t all about going, going, going. It’s also about relaxing and making memories as well. So even though activities are worthwhile and will help you learn more about the country, there are still plenty of relaxing activities to be a part of too. Take a walk at a beautiful garden or have a picnic in the hills in Ireland. Drive to an unknown destination in Hawaii and be pleasantly surprised when you arrive somewhere new and exciting. Whatever you plan on doing your vacation will be fun, but don’t forget the spontaneity that also comes with having a great time.

Sierra is a freelance writer who enjoys going on vacations! Catch up with Sierra’s latest adventures on her Ocean Dreams blog.

Where To Next?

I just got back from my trip and I am already researching on of places to go to next. It has been a while since we travelled to Europe. I think a trip there will be a respite from the Asian and US vacations we have had in the past.

I am thinking of the budget now and where we could possible go to maximize our Schengen visas. We all know,  Schengen visa is not cheap and it is not issued on a long basis. So, you are lucky to get 60-days multiple-entry visa but you will have to cough out a big amount of cash to go back and forth in Europe.

My daughter is suddenly interested in Portugal and Spain. And I am relieved because our company just recently launched a non-stop service to Lisbon and Barcelona. We already have a Madrid flight last year so these 2 additional routes is really a good news. We can all use our sub-load tickets here. I just hope the flights don't get overbooked or we're in trouble.

So, our Tokyo plan may be moved again some other time when the situation is stable. I still feel queer about going to Japan now. It can wait.

I just hope we have an increment and a substantial bonus next year so I can treat my husband and daughter to another European tour.