Going to Al Khobar

Who said that females cannot travel in Saudi Arabia? As a female, it doesn't apply in my case because I believe that traveling is a great outlet for me to stay happy and enjoy life to the fullest even if I am in Saudi Arabia. You are not a prisoner and this is a chance to see the beauty of Saudi and explore the wonder of their culture and traditions. Because we have a week of vacation during Ramadan, me and my friends decided to go to Al Khobar while staying with a family friend.

Al Khobar is located in the Eastern province in Saudi Arabia and is very well known for its beach and slow pace of life vibe. It is also a few hours away from Bahrain. There are only 2 malls in the place but they are huge and females are more open when it comes to hair covers. FYI, Riyadh is very strict in hair covering but in Al Khobar women don't cover their hair. Another thing that I noticed is that families were becoming open in taking pictures publicly. Because I worked in Riyadh, I easily distinguished the closed cultural differences between the 2 places.

Additionally, you can also visit the prominent Judas cave, which is about 4 hours away from Al Khobar.  Here are a few questions that most of you would love to tackle:

Is it safe to go to Al Khobar especially for first-time travelers?  Yes, definitely. I am also a first timer in Al Khobar and I enjoyed the whole travel. There are x-ray machines for luggage and passengers are checked so this would look like you are just in an airport.

What does the train station like? Train station in Saudi is like a mini airport. There is a waiting area for passengers and both males and females are combined in the lounge. When we arrived, there are no queues, making it easier for all of us to show our online ticket.

Tip: Be sure to book your travel early so as not to cause any delays especially during holidays. Bring a baon (biscuits, chips, etc,) with you so you will not need to buy foods inside the train. Also, you cannot buy foods during stopovers because it is just a quick stop.

Train station in Al Khobar

Train vs. Bus: 

TRAIN: Traveling by train will take 4 hours, whereas bus will take 5 hours. Inside the train, there is a table for each group. A group can be divided into 4 with 2 in front of each other. It is air-conditioned. Therefore, it is very comfortable for the passengers. There are crews inside, mainly Filipinos who are very accommodating. They have a push cart  with food inside it. They offer it to passengers just like flight attendants in planes. It is not free but you can ask them to reheat food or ask for a cup of hot water if you have your own instant noodles. During my travel, my great worry in Ramadan is if I can still eat food publicly because it is a month of fasting. However, I noticed that they are still selling foods and some people are eating inside the train. There are also comfort rooms, which I found clean.

There are 2 stopovers during the whole travel but it is just short and did not hinder the length of travel.

BUS: For the bus, we used it as a mode of transportation on our way home to Riyadh. This is because train booking is already full. As I have said earlier, traveling will take 5 hours even though there was no stopover. The whole ride is not comfortable because the air-con is too weak. I believe that the Saptco bus that we rode is already old. Some passengers complained of the heat but the conductor said that the AC was in full blast.

Pros: Because we booked for VIP, foods are inclusive of the payment. The box that they have given consists of a bread, juice, water, peanut and a tissue. Male and female are also combined but females are in front, whereas men are at the back.

Verdict: Trains are better. Obviously, I would opt for train because of the fact that traveling is swift and more comfortable than bus. Make sure to book round trip earlier online so that  you can ride a train back home. In our case, we are not sure yet of the date of going back to Riyadh that is why we booked only for Riyadh to Al Khobar. Price for the train is almost the same with bus, which is 140 riyals round trip. Install the Saudi Railway App or visit their website for booking and management.

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Flower Garden Resort in Bohol

Flower Garden is not literally a garden full of flowers. However, the resort has a lot of plants making it attractive to the eyes of the guests and has a pleasing ambience. Although its amenity is only a swimming pool, my stay became memorable and ecstatic mainly because I am with my family. The resort has a cozy feel and looks like a hobbit house. Again, it is owned by a different nationality with his 2 kids in the resort.


We stayed there for 3 days and 2 nights. Because our group consists of 11 members, we divided ourselves into 3 different houses namely House I, House II and House V. House I can accommodate 3 persons with 1 queen size bed and a single bed. House II, on the other hand has 1 room downstairs and 1 room upstairs with the same design like that of House I. This can accommodate 5 persons. Lastly, House V has no stairs but has 1 queen and a single bed.

House I and House II has a kitchen consisting of cooking pots, plates, cups and utensils. This is very great for groups who want to cook their own food and is saving money from the expensive dishes in the restaurant. The refrigerator has water and beer inside. If you want to get one, they will charge you for the items that you purchased. As you can see, there is a paper with tables for the items that you took. Tip though, water is cheaper here than in the market. A gallon of water is only 70 pesos. There is also a dishwashing liquid, and this made me realize that the owner has anticipated all the needs of his guests. Amazing right?

Location: It is located at the back of Henann resort and is very close to many restaurants such as Ronduvio (Italian restaurant), Korean restaurants and a lot more.

Verdict: 10/10.

I felt like I am just at home with this resort. All simple things that a guest needs are provided by the owner such as hanging area for wet clothes, money vault, dishwashing liquid and utensils. Additionally, staff cleans the house everyday and adds tissues in the bathroom. We spent 600 php each person per night, and I think this is a very affordable price for guests.

If given the chance to visit Bohol again, I would definitely choose Flower Garden because it is affordable, clean and well maintained by the owner,

Ronduvio Cafe and Restaurant: A Review of My Favorite Italian Restaurant

Have you ever been to Panglao Beach? If you want to savor the taste of  Italian cuisine, try going to Ronduvio Cafe and Restaurant.

Ronduvio is a couple-owned food business located at the back of Henann Resort. We are a walk away from this restaurant because we stayed at Flower Garden Resort. Before we left Bohol, we ate at this restaurant to experience the taste of their distinct dishes. The owner is an Italian married to a Filipina, According to them, all their ingredients are imported from Italy to make the flavor authentic to the taste buds of their Filipino customers. True, indeed that their dishes are scrumptious.

Foods that they Serve: They do not only serve Italian dishes but also Thai and Asian cuisine as well. We ordered Pad Thai and it was one of my favorite dishes because it is a mixture of a bit spicy, sweet and salty flavor. Although one of its main ingredient is the fish sauce, it doesn't stink or smell too fishy.

Other foods that I enjoyed is Carbonara because it doesn't have the usual milk. Instead, they used oil as the base sauce and egg whites, which made it lighter to the taste.

Tip: If you want to order a freshly baked pizza, order a few hours before you eat. However, if you really are craving for a pizza, they can offer you one. Anyway, they are also delicious and has a simple taste, which I loved.

Service: The owners are accommodating. The owner even offered an alcoholic drink for free after a meal. Waiting will not take a long time. We have waited for 10 minutes for the dish to be served and just right for our hungry stomach.

Price: Price is a bit expensive but they serve large dishes on a plate good enough for 2-3 persons. Our bill reached 3,000php good for 9 persons. We ordered 2 sets of Pad Thai and Carbonara, 2 pizzas, seafood pasta and 7 different shakes (Mango, Banana and Pineapple). Generally, all our orders are worth the price for a bulk of 9.

Verdict: 10/10

Cheapest Way to Reach Dubai from Riyadh

Remove the comfort and swift travel of reaching your dream destination, Dubai. Through SAPTCO (Saudi Public Transport Co.), people can now reach Dubai and Abu Dhabi with little spending. In addition to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, they also offer travel to Qatar, Dammam, Jeddah, Bahrain, etc.

SAPTCO is a 2 by 2-seater bus where women and family are seated in front while men are on the back area. It has 2 stopovers for you to go in the comfort room or eat for 20 minutes and another 2 stopovers in the border (exit to Riyadh and entry to Dubai).

EXPENSES:

1. Bus fare- 300SR (back and forth)
2. Exit and Re-entry Visa from Saudi- 200SR
3. Entry Visa to Dubai- 271SR

     TOTAL: 771SR

As compared to fare in the plane, which is around 800 to 1000SR, fare by bus is less than fifty percent cheaper. However, if time is too short for you since travel hours will take 14 hours, it is better to book plane earlier. In our case, travel time took 18 hours since there are delays in the border such as problem with my friend's passport, passengers who were not able to book their entry visa online, and officers who had random check on one of our co-passenger's belongings.

SAPTCO terminal station

The terminal of SAPTCO in Riyadh is located in Azizia Exit 19.

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

1. Book everything online. SAPTCO should be booked online. Don't forget to print hard copies of your booking as a proof. If you don't have a place to stay, then also book your hotel.
2. In order not to create delay in the border, book your entry visa online. Book it a month before you leave since it has expiration. The processing of visa will take 2-3 days but luckily our visa was sent a day after sending the documents. Make sure to send it before the holiday (e.g. Hajj or Ramadan) so as not to cause further delay. Furthermore, there are bus drivers and conductors asking for money when you don't have the visa so beware. This however is the case of passengers who were not able to book their entry visa to Dubai online. To apply visa online, click HERE.
3. Bring your passport and iqama (residence I.D.). The staff from the passport office allowed us to bring both documents since they know that we will travel to  Dubai and it is badly needed.

This is the longest ride I have ever been in Riyadh and all I can say is that it is safe. The ride may be long but I had a great experience and knowledge leaving Riyadh by land. My parents asked if it is safe since the journey takes a while but there are a lot of FIlipinos who will also go to Dubai and even on our way home, the conductor is a Filipino. Unleash those worries, pray, and have a safe journey! 

Top Things to Buy in Beauty Buffet Thailand

When I went to Thailand, I noticed that Thai women do not only have wonderful skin, but also great makeup along with their love for fashion. For a four-day vacation, I learned that they have a wide interest for beauty products together with their healthy diet as they are fond of eating fruits and vegetables proven in the restaurants and customers who love to eat vegetables in their platter.

The hotel that we have stayed was in front of Big-C Supermarket and inside the supermarket lies Beauty Buffet. The products in Beauty Buffet is quite cheap and they have promotion on that day making me buy products I have not been used before. These are the products I bought:

1. Collagen Mask. Collagen decreases as we age particularly when we reach 30 and up. This component in our skin provides elasticity so that skin does not sag and maintain its youthfulness. We, women all love to maintain the glow and youth in us.  Their collagen has a powdery scent that is applied every night. It is not sticky and comfortable to the skin. I think that the price is too affordable for the product since collagen products are very expensive. FYI, collagen from Face Shop or Tony Moly cost 600 and up, so I think this should really be on your list although I cannot assure you of its effect since I am a new user of this product. I bet you better try this one mainly because it is cheap and you don't want to regret not owning it. PRICE:  220 Baht
   
2. Matte Lipstick by Gino McCray. Most matte lipsticks will make your lips dry since it lacks moisture. However, when I tried their lipstick, it felt lighter and did not give chap to my lips. It usually lasts for 2 hours and can take longer when you don't eat or drink more often. The positive side of it not lasting longer is its low lead content, meaning it is not that harmful to the body. However, re-application can be made. In addition, it is does not feel sticky or does not feel itchy upon application unlike the other brands. PRICE: 249 Baht
   
3. Foundation by Gino McCray. This powder foundation is light and great for my skin. Although it does not cover much like in Mac or other top-of-the-line brands, it feels light upon application and has a smooth and natural appearance. If you can notice, I've tried to cover the lipstick I applied on my hand. It has a powder finish which is great for everyday look. PRICE: 350 Baht
   
4.  Concealer. The best with Gino McCray crayon-like concealer is it does not cake after long hours of application.The problem with my eyes is its raccoon appearance since I inherited it from my mother, having dark circled eyes. The application is barely noticeable since I put it in my hand, but what I showed you from the picture below is I tried to conceal my veins in my hand. On the eyes application though, it can cover light to medium circles around the eyes and blemishes on the skin.  PRICE: 210 Baht
   
   

Review of Fantasia Cafe

Located only at Fairview Terraces in Quezon City, Fantasia Cafe offers a masquerade themed party through its music, gargantuan chandeliers, colorful paintings and the masks placed on the table as you enter the restaurant. This fascinating appearance has probably attracted food goers to have a taste and have a glimpse of the restaurant.

As we entered the cafe, we were immediately welcomed by the waiter. The ambience of it will make you feel the glamour of being a prince or princess.

What they serve?

They serve all kinds of dishes from viands to desserts. The platter is served glamorously and in a large plate. Sorry for the eaten rice.

Chicken with Stuffed Spinach and Cheese

For me, the best would be teriyaki chicken as compared to stuffed chicken as the stuffed chicken is not well marinated.

Teriyaki Chicken

For the dessert, their best seller would be the toasted bread with ice cream topped with blueberries and cream. Moreover, you can share it for three as it is served liberally.

Price Range: 180 to 200 and up

Veridict: 7/10. The place and food are both appealing but the taste of the food doesn't seem to be too interesting like you would want to visit the place all over again. In addition, waiting time is longer than expected as the cafe lacks manpower. On the other hand, the price is right for the serving and for the great place for people who would want meet-ups and group selfies.

Top 4 Affordable Unwinding Spots in Marinduque

Famous for its Moriones festival, Marinduque is one of tourist destinations that offers a little because it is not well advertised unlike the other provinces. Also, schedule by plane had ceased because of low percentage of tourists coming to this place. Little was it known that it has amazing things to offer. Two weeks ago, I came for a vacation and learned  two things: First, happiness does not mean spending too much and  second life is simple here.

How to go?

1. From Cubao terminal , ride a bus (JAM or JAC Liner) going to  Lucena or Dalahican port. 
2. Alight at Dalahican port and ride RORO ship or fast craft. If you are in a hurry, ride a fast craft since traveling time will last for 2 hours unlike RORO that is 3 hours of travel. The good thing with RORO is that the vessel is very steady and you will not feel the waves of the water. This is very beneficial to people who often experience motion sickness in the sea.
3. Alight at Balanacan port and there you will see public vans that offer rides to Marinduque. Drivers will meet you immediately upon arrival and will ask you where to go. Fare is 80 php whether it is air conditioned or not so better choose the vehicle where you are most comfortable since traveling time is 1 hour. From  Balanacan, you can ride vehicle to the destinations that I will mention below (e.g. Torrijos, Buenavista, etc).

I know you are pretty excited which place is the cheapest. The number 1 spot is the place I considered the cheapest and good for on-tight-budget backpackers.

Top 4 Affordable Spots:

1.  Kawa-Kawa falls

Kawa-kawa falls is located in Bangcuangan, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque. Kawa-kawa means basin because of its basin-like appearance. There are actually 2 basins, one from the top and the other at the lower part. Because there is a light rainfall before we went there, the water became a little dark but rest assured that it is clean since there are caretakers in the area and the water is flowing.

Entrance: 10 php
Cottage: 50 php

2. Poctoy Beach

Although the sand is not as pristine as Boracay, it is white and the mountain behind it attracts tourists and locals as well because of the wonderful view. Today, it is slowly becoming popular as it is one of affordable beach destinations in the Philippines. If you are lazy to bring cooked foods, don't worry as there are stores offering "paluto". They serve seafoods and pork stewas well.

Entrance: 30php, 25 for senior and 20 for child
Cottage: 200 php

3. Marinduque Hot Springs

If you are frequently suffering from muscle ache or tired muscles from work, then this is the best place to be. Although the entrance is more expensive than Kawa-kawa falls,we did not avail the cottage since we ate at Poctoy beach. It contains two pools where the water comes directly from the spring.

Entrance: 50 php

Cottage: 200 php but becomes 250 during peak season

4. Maniwaya Island

Entrance: Entrance to the island is free but since there are resorts you can also avail of there amenities.

Cottage: It will depend on the resort that you will be staying but if you are for a day tour then you can just bring things that you need and leave it to the seashore. Cottage in resorts ranges from 500 php to 1500 php.

Boat ride: 500 php  but if you will come in a large group boat ride is 3, 000 php.