Thursday, September 25, 2014

Lazy in Lisbon



Having a friend to travel with.. who is equally lazy.. or let me say, relaxed ;) is really a blessing!

We went to Lisbon, Portugal without anything planned, and took the easiest way to see most of the city. We got on a Hop-On-Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus, and sat on the roof deck the whole afternoon, only hopping off once, and finishing the 2 bus routes twice!

It was a very long, relaxing ride, on a cool, windy summer day.. which led to sunburn!!
So don't get fooled by that cool breeze and wear your sunscreen! :)

Here are some of the sights from that EUR 20 tour...

Marques de Pombal Square, Lisboa

Marques de Pombal Square / Praca Marques de Pombal

A large roundabout that has a monument of Sebastiao Jose de Carvalho e Melo, the prime minister who was responsible for rebuilding the city of Lisbon after the Great Earthquake in 1755.

Campo Pequeno Bullring, Lisbon

Campo Pequeno Bullring

Aside from bullfights, this bullring is occasionally used for concerts, circuses, and other shows. It also has a shopping mall, restaurants, cinemas, and a supermarket.

Parque Eduardo VII, Lisboa

Eduardo VII Park / Parque Eduardo VII

Named after Britain's Edward VII who visited Portugal in 1902 to strengthen ties between the two countries, and where the Lisbon Book Fair is held annually.

Estrela Basilica, Lisboa, Portugal

Estrela Basilica / Basilica da Estrela

Built in 1790 to fulfill a vow made by Queen Maria I for giving birth to a son and heir.

Azulejos, or Mosaic Tile Artwork in Lisbon, Portugal

Tiles / Azulejos

These tile artworks are everywhere in Portugal - On the walls, streets, palaces, churches, ordinary houses, schools, park benches, railway stations... 

Azulejos, or Mosaic Tile Artwork in Lisbon, Portugal

Ponte 25 de Abril, Lisboa

25 de Abril Bridge / Ponte 25 de Abril

The 23rd largest suspension bridge in the world, and resembles the Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco, USA.

Named after the date of the carnation revolution of 1974, which led to the fall of the country's authoritarian dictatorship, and to the withdrawal from its African colonies and East Timor.

25 de Abril Bridge, Lisbon, Portugal

Padrao Dos Descobrimentos, Lisboa

Discoveries Monument / Padrao dos Descobrimentos

Located along the Tagus River, the monument celebrates the achievements of the explorers and navigators during the Age of Discovery (15th-16th Century).

Torre de Belem, Lisboa

Where we hopped off...

Torre de Belem, Lisboa

Belem Tower / Torre de Belem

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the fortress was built in 1515 to guard the entrance to Lisbon's harbour. 

Belem Tower, Lisbon

It was the starting point for many of the voyages during the Age of Discovery.

Belem Tower, Lisbon

Statue of St. Mary and Child, Belem Tower, Lisbon

At the terrace, a statue of St. Mary and Child meant to protect the seafarers

Torre de Belem, Lisboa

From one of the windows of the tower... 

Jardim Torre de Belem, Lisbon

The Jardim (Garden) and Avenida (Avenue) Torre de Belem

Canon, Belem Tower, Lisbon, Portugal

At the bastion cave with a canon

Belem Tower, Lisbon, Portugal

Hopping back to the bus..

Jardim da Praca do Imperio, Lisboa

Empire Square Gardens / Jardim da Praca do Imperio

Located in the centre of the Empire Square, where the Belem Cultural Center and Jeronimos Monastery are.

Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, Lisboa

Jeronimos Monastery / Mosteiro dos Jeronimos

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a symbol of Portugal's power and wealth during the Age of Discovery, the great monastery was built to give thanks to the Virgin Mary for the success of explorer Vasco de Gama's voyage to India.

Berardo Collection Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Lisbon, Portugal

Berardo Collection Museum / Museu Coleccao Berardo

A museum of modern and contemporary art, it houses a part of Portuguese magnate Joe Berardo's art collection which includes works by Picasso, Dali, Magritte, Jeff Koons, and others.

Atlantic Pavilion, Lisbon, Portugal

MEO Arena

Named after its main sponsor, MEO (a commercial brand from Portugal Telecom), this venue for major concerts, sports events, and shows, is the country's largest indoor arena with a capacity of 20,000 people.

Passio dos Olivais, Lisbon

Outside the MEO Arena

Lisbon Oceanarium, Largest Indoor Aquarium in Europe

Lisbon Oceanarium / Oceanario de Lisboa

The largest indoor aquarium in Europe, with tanks housing different habitats separated by invisible sheets of acrylic giving the illusion that the creatures are all swimming in the same space.

Torre Vasco de Gama and Cable Cars to the Oceanarium, Lisbon, Portugal

Vasco de Gama Tower / Torre Vasco de Gama

Named after one of the country's greatest explorers, the sail-shaped building is the tallest in Lisbon. It has a viewing platform at the top, and has been recently converted into a hotel.

The cable cars connect the Vasco de Gama Tower and the Lisbon Oceanarium.

Jacaranda Purple Flowers, Lisbon

Did you feel like you were also on the roof deck of the tour bus? Hehe ;)

Before we hop off, I just want to share these Jacaranda Trees that were in full bloom!

Jacaranda Trees, Lisboa, Portugal

It was in June, and these purple flowers were just beautifully everywhere :)


Also check out: Streets of Lisbon ;)

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References:

Research - www.golisbon.com
Oceanarium - www.oceanario.pt

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Thank You, Travel Now Magazine!


I just want to share how happy I am!!!!! :)

Thank you very much Travel Now Magazine, Philippines for allowing me to share our travel stories in your August - September Issue, Volume 4 2014!!!

Travel Now Magazine

The Bucket List Issue

Friends in the Philippines, I believe it's still available for sale.. go grab a copy now! :D

Below are the 2 of my articles published... ;)

Aurora Borealis Finnish Lapland





Once again, Thank you Travel Now Magazine!!! :)

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort, Thailand



I read a lot.. really a lot of reviews before I book an accommodation, and I was very happy to find this resort in Phuket, Thailand. 

So hoping I could save you guys some time in researching, here's Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort.

It is on Bangtao Beach, and a 20-minute drive from Patong Beach and Phuket International Airport.

Lobby, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Lobby and Reception Area

Icon, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Icon Terraces and Lounge

Where we hung out at night, listened to live music, and gazed at the moon and stars.

Deluxe Room, Sea View, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Deluxe Room, Sea View

I really loved lounging on the day bed!

Deluxe Room, Sea View, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Bathroom

That is a "window door." The entrance door is on the left side.

Deluxe Room, Sea View, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Toilet and Bath Tub / Shower

Deluxe Room, Sea View, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Balcony facing Bangtao Beach

The Club, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

The Club

An executive club lounge you can access if you book the club rooms.

The Club, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

The Club at twilight

Bangtao Beach, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Bangtao Beach

Bangtao Beach, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

This is not my kind of beach, but for most of the beach resorts in Phuket, you have to take the day tours to Phi Phi Islands, Similan Islands, Krabi Islands, etc, to find the beautiful beaches.

Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Sunbathing Beds facing Bangtao Beach

Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Swimming Pools

Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Edgewater (on the right)

A beachside / poolside restaurant where they have the "beach barbecue night" every Sunday.

That dinner was really delicious! Do NOT miss it! :)

Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Again, do NOT miss the beach barbecue night!

Sunset, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Beautiful sunset from our balcony

Sunset, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Sunset from the swimming pool area

Twilight, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Twilight at Bangtao Beach

Twilight, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Elephant, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

And my favourite part, Candy, the baby elephant!

She goes to the platform near Metzo's Bistro every 10:00 to 11:00 in the morning, and to the swimming pool area every 3:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon.

Elephant, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Elephant, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

She was kissing me.. blowing air on my neck, and making "mwah" sounds. 
And I was just so tickled! :)

Elephant, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Where else can you do this?! ;)


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References:

Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort - www.outriggerthailand.com
Deluxe Room, Sea View, with Breakfast - June 2014 - SGD 195 per night
Booked through www.hotels.com