Address: Badi'ah Complex Mile 1 1/4, Jalan Tutong, Jalan Laksamana Abdul Razak, Bandar Seri Begawan
Phone: (673)241-8888 | (673)241-2555 | (673)241-7222
Email: reservation@badiahhotel.com
Website: www.badiahhotel.com
Another
highlight of our travel to Brunei, other than the Jame'Asr Hassanil
Bolkiah Mosque is the famous Empire Hotel & Country Club. I was
fascinated by this hotel from the pictures I’ve seen in the internet,
not to mention it’s rated as a six-star hotel so I want to see it for
myself.
I will give Jubilee Hotel a five star for letting us checked-in even before the check-in time. And they upgraded our room from Standard Suite to Family Room, with a kitchen, a big living room and 2 bedrooms, though we only used 1 room since we are only 3 and all girls.
Kampong Sugai Matan Homestay is a bed & breakfast located at the Water Village (Kampong Ayer). It's just by chance that we found this home stay when we explored the village from the Gallery.
The head of the home stay is very accommodating and friendly. As soon as he sees us, he greeted us and asked us to go inside.
The head of the home stay is very accommodating and friendly. As soon as he sees us, he greeted us and asked us to go inside.
The museum is built to commemorate the 1992 Silver Jubilee of His Majesty's ascension to the throne. I find this museum as one of the beautiful museums in Brunei.
The Royal Ceremonial hall or locally known as Lapau is where royal traditional ceremonies take place. Significant events such as the Istiadat Berusuruh Diraja or Royal marriage proposal ceremony takes place in this beautiful structure.
Last Updated: September 15, 2016
I'm a Catholic but that doesn't mean I don't admire other religious sites. And that doesn't mean either that I can't visit their house of worships or prayers. I just keep in mind to follow their rules and restrictions, be polite and respect their belief. Their belief is different than mine but we only have one purpose, to worship the God we believed in.
Updated: October 14, 2016
Located not far from Brunei Museum is the Malay Technological Museum that exhibits various types of traditional technologies utilized by the indigenous people of Brunei Darussalam. Contrary to its name, this museum's displays are not about information technology, like I thought, but the traditional lifestyles and practices of Malay.
I'm not regretting that Brunei was my first out of country, even though people asked why I visited Brunei when there's nothing to see. Well, for me there are a lot of places to see in Brunei and 3 days of staying there is not enough.
Established in 1982, this centre aims to conduct research into the 600 year old history and culture of the country with special focus on the history of the Brunei sultans.
Is a governmental center coordinated by the Brunei Museum. It was built with just a main purpose, to revive the country’s heritage in traditional arts and handicrafts. Originally, the center was established in 1975 and was moved to its new and current location in 1984 in conjunction with the Brunei Independence. Brunei Arts and Handicrafts Training Centre is the only place where mostly Brunei oldest Arts and Handicrafts survived from extinction.
Sultan Bolkiah Mausoleum is located on a hill ridge at Kota Batu, overlooking the Brunei River. His Majesty reign Brunei from 1485 - 1524 century AD. He’s the most famous of all sultans of Brunei.
During his reign Brunei Empire was at its peak; almost all the sultanate in Borneo were under his sovereignty including Sambas, Kotaringin, Pontianak, Kutai, Pasir, Tuli-Tuli, Banjarmasin and Burau. He even seized Manila briefly with the help of a cannon called Si-Gantar Alam (He Who Makes the Earth Shake)
During his reign Brunei Empire was at its peak; almost all the sultanate in Borneo were under his sovereignty including Sambas, Kotaringin, Pontianak, Kutai, Pasir, Tuli-Tuli, Banjarmasin and Burau. He even seized Manila briefly with the help of a cannon called Si-Gantar Alam (He Who Makes the Earth Shake)
This is another attraction that I wasn’t able to visit when we were in Brunei. This sultanate's oldest extant building is now a museum dedicated to the longstanding 'special relationship' between Brunei and the United Kingdom. The museum displays many fine shots of Queen Elizabeth II.
Opened in 2009, this gallery is in a perfect location and a good place to start exploring the water village. Located at the heart of the water village, this complex features five mini galleries, that house all the important information and pictures on history, traditions, society, arts as well as handicrafts and relics from the origins of the water village dating up to the 10th until the 20th century.
Majority of Brunei's attractions lie within walking distance of each other in the heart of the capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan. You have many transportation options to get around Brunei.
Bagnet is a deep fried pork belly and from what the local said to me when I asked, it's sun dried for a
long time to make it more crispier.
It's considered the top favorite among the Filipinos.
Almost everybody knows this delicacy and no-one can't deny this, except
me, though. It's delicious but too salty for me. It's made like that to preserve it after deep frying and sun drying.
I love it though when included in any vegetable recipe, it served as the salt and of course the meat. One of that is the Pinakbet (Mixed Vegetables Saute with shrimp paste). Another local favorite in Vigan. I love it and I would love to try it again.
This is from the restaurant at Grandpa's Inn.
Leyte is an island in the Philippines that consists of two provinces, Leyte Province (Northern Leyte) & Southern Leyte. The province is known for the longest bridge in the Philippines, the San Juanico Bridge, that connects the provinces of Leyte and Samar. Seems impossible but former President Marcos made it possible, for his wife Imelda Romualdez Marcos, so people say.
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Food
always go along with attractions, so if you get tired or get hungry while
exploring Bohol province in the Philippines, eat your tiredness away!
Floating Restaurant @ Loboc River
Lunch at a floating restaurant while
cruising Loboc River is one of the top things to do in Bohol. It's the best way
to end your morning after visiting the many tourist attractions. Read more>>
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If you need a place to
stay in Bohol, Philippines, you have the options for a cheap lodging to a very
expensive resorts. We only stayed there for 1 night so I can only give you an
idea for one resort. But please refer to the list for more choices.
Dumaluan
Beach Resort
Dumaluan Beach Resort used to be just a
family weekend getaway resort with nipa hut cottage. When friends of the
family started coming they began building more nipa hut. Readmore>>
I’ve been to Puerto Princesa once and we
only stayed in one hotel. However, if you want to check the hotels around,
please check this post.
Tropical Sun Inn
Since what we got during our trip to Palawan
is a package we have to stay here. It's a very homey inn and they are not
very strict. On our last day, it's the Island tour and we need a place to
wash the salt water and sand. We booked one room for 6 of us so we can use the
bathroom. But the hotel let us use their outside bathrooms too!
Address: 152 Manalo Street,
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Phone: +63484336493
Fax: +63484338288
Website: www.tropicalsuninn.com
Please click here for the list of hotels/Inns in Puerto Princesa.
Of course, it has become a customary that
when I go to other provinces, I try their delicacies and other well-known
food. We weren't able to try other restaurants, but these for me, were
good enough.
KaLui Restaurant
Puerto
Princesa is one of the provinces I love along with Leyte. I've been to
Leyte twice already and I'll make sure to visit Puerto Princesa again....soon.
In
the meantime, if you are planning on visiting Puerto Princes, make sure to
visit these places.
Plaza Cuartel
From afar, this looks like just a simple
park, but behind it is a tragic history. This place is a restored ruins
and a reminder of the Palawan Massacre during the World War II...read more>>
Sagada is one of the six municipalities in the province of Mountain Province, known for its tranquil and undisturbed beauty.
Sagada, even though small, is blessed with natural resources and historical sites. Make sure not to miss these places when you visit the province.
Bomod-Ok Falls
Bomod-Ok Falls is one of the popular tourist attractions in Sagada. This falls is located in Banga-an, 45 minutes to an hour walk from the town proper. Read more>>
"Flowers
have an expression of countenance as much as men or animals. Some seem to
smile; some have a sad expression; some are pensive and diffident; others again
are plain, honest and upright, like the broad-faced sunflower and the
hollyhock." ~Henry Ward Beecher
How
men and flowers are alike? Generally speaking, men and flowers are very alike.
Both have different characteristics, types and descriptions.
How
men and flowers are alike? Generally speaking, men and flowers are very alike.
Both have different characteristics, types and descriptions. 
Museo
de Akean is the province private museum housing the rich history of the
province. Aklan being the oldest province in the Philippines is very
rich of many wonderful cultures and histories.
It showcases the memorabilia of the Archbishop Grabiel M. Reyes. Jars, potteries, pina textiles, religious relics and other artifacts from Spanish era are displayed in there too.
I was not able to explore the museum when we went there because it's closed. But It's another reason why I would love to come back to Kalibo. To know and see the remnants of Aklan's history.
The museum is located adjacent to the Kalibo Cathedral and near the Pastrana Park.
The museum is located adjacent to the Kalibo Cathedral and near the Pastrana Park.
Pastrana Park was declared by the local government as a municipal archaeological site because of its major significance to the town.
Kalibo
Cathedral, officially known as Cathedral of St. John the Baptist was constructed
in 1804 after moving from it's original location in Barrio Laguinbanwa in
Numancia.
Sumaguing Cave is the largest chamber among other caves in Sagada. It houses lot of rock formations that appeal to people to explore even with less experience or knowledge. Just knowing what awaits deep within the cave, makes you excited.
Lumiang Cave or Burial Cave is one of the largest caves in Sagada. True to its name, it was really a burial cave. Coffins and remains can be seen at the entrance and inside the cave.
Kiltepan Peak is very popular for photo enthusiasts and nature lovers. The peak gives you the view of the Rice Terraces and the perfect sunrise. Sagada being in the highest part of the Philippines has the perfect sunrise and sunset.
Bomod-Ok Falls is one of the popular tourist attractions in Sagada. This falls is located in Banga-an, 45 minutes to an hour walk from the town proper. The trek is really an exhausting one, but with the rice terraces and green surroundings as your view, you won't mind walking.
Echo Valley is another tourist spot in Sagada that people like visiting. There are two reason why it's popular. First is because of the hanging coffins, some are centuries old and others were just put recently. Hanging Coffins can bee seen on the cliffs surrounding the town. One needs to be married and have grandchildren to be buried in this manner.
Updated: June 22, 2015
The 14 Stations of the Cross refers to the series of events from Jesus' passion and death. It also refers to the prayers Catholics say to reflect those images. This is the reminder for us on how he suffered from saving us.
Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church is located inside the vicinity of the Kamay ni Hesus and situated just before the hill where the Ascending Jesus statue is standing. The church is a very popular place for people with illness and has found nothing to cure them.
One of the main attractions
in Kalibo in the province of Aklan is the Jojo's Christmas Cottage. Located
inside the Sampaguita Gardens, this cottage features Christmas items and other
themed collections.
The cottage itself is
an attraction already from afar. It's a dream house for kids and kids at heart
who love Christmas. This 3-storey
Victorian house is the first Christmas-themed establishment in the Philippines.
It’s the only place where Christmas is celebrated every day.
On the ground floor, you'll find a lot of Precious Moments collectibles
for sale. You'll find pins, dolls, cute figurines and posters and other themed
collections. The designs are unique and so is the price! :P
I wanted to buy one
set, the tea making collection set, but it's too expensive for me. I just took
a picture as a souvenir. The figurines range from Php200.00 to Php5,000.00,
depending on the design and how unique it is. 
From the entrance, at
the very center of the store is a figurine of an angel beside the
Victorian-style round table with flowers and figurine set. That’s if they don't
change the decoration every now and then. This is not the
Christmas museum yet, but you will see that they also decorated it with
Christmas theme and it actually gave you that feeling.
It said to feature of collections of
extensive, electric and highly-specialized Christmas items. If offers a journey
of how Christmas is celebrated around the world. I was kind of sad when I saw
the under maintenance sign. I just content myself
in taking pictures of the figurines, trying to control myself from buying
because they are really expensive.
The Christmas museum
is located on the upper floors. It's under maintenance when we went there, so I
wasn't able to see the Christmas collections. The dolls displayed at
the stores are unique too! They clothes are designed and made by the staff.
They are so tiny and detailed, and I know it's not very easy to make them.
Maybe that's one of the reasons why the dolls are expensive too.
When you go further
behind, there are even collectible dolls of the late President Corazon Aquino,
her husband, Ninoy Aquino and their kids. I didn’t see any other Philippine
President figurines. Festival-themed dolls
are located just left of where the dolls of the Aquino dolls are.
And if you are game,
you can just sit in front of the wall with the Cinderella themed wall, complete
with crowns for you and your special someone. Or if you don't have a special
someone, then just sit there and wish for him to come.
An hour is enough to
explore the store, but if you are planning on exploring the Christmas Museum on
the upper floors, you will need 2 hours. Exploring the Sampaguita Gardens is
included in that too.
I read from other
blogs that you can also explore the mansion of Mr. Butcher, but I can't confirm
that. I didn't ask because even if we can, we don't have time and it's already
late.
Kalibo is known for its
Biscocho delicacy (toasted bread), but make sure you buy the one in
Jojo's! It's really good, like no other I've tasted.
The Php50.00 entrance
fee you will pay at the gate is consumable and you can use to buy at the coffee
shop inside the cottage or if you want to use it to buy a figurine, then you'll
just have to pay the excess.
The cottage is located
inside Sampaguita Gardens and open from 9:00 to 9:00pm daily. No tour guide, so
you'll have to explore on your own.
Kalibo is known for its
Biscocho delicacy (toasted bread), but make sure you buy the one in
Jojo's! It's really good, like no other I've tasted.
Address: #1 Sampaguita Avenue, New Washington,
Aklan
Phone#: +636)264-3422
Email: mariamae_sjb@yahoo.com
Website: http://sampaguitagardensresort.weebly.com/index.html
Entrance Fee: Php50.00 (Consumable and can be used to buy in their store)
Business Hours (Museum): 7:00am to 5:00pm, Daily
Phone#: +636)264-3422
Email: mariamae_sjb@yahoo.com
Website: http://sampaguitagardensresort.weebly.com/index.html
Entrance Fee: Php50.00 (Consumable and can be used to buy in their store)
Business Hours (Museum): 7:00am to 5:00pm, Daily
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