Our WANDERful JouRnEy!

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Discovering Malaysia

2012 was indeed a lucky year for me because of overflowing blessings like having the chance to work abroad and assigned on a Milk Powder Plant in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. I already knew about the overseas project late 2011 since I am also in-charge with the papers of all our personnel who will be assigned in MY and much to my excitement, I immediately search, plan and draft an itinerary of what to visit in Malaysia which I afterwards hashed out with Hon who’s in Malaysia as well.

I flew to Kuala Lumpur via Malaysia Airlines together with my father’s personal assistant and 2 additional employees. It was my first time to leave home, to leave my beloved Philippines and the feeling was so unusual. I felt a bit of sadness, thoughts keep running through my mind and I suddenly uttered “Ganito pala ang feeling ng mga OFW, ngayon alam ko na.” (Now I know how Overseas Filipino workers feel when they leave their family and their homeland) But after a while my sadness turns into excitement knowing that I’m so blessed having this opportunity to explore other countries in Asia and I’m so grateful to God for everything.

Flight duration from Manila to Malaysia is 3 hours. There are 2 international airports in Malaysia namely: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and KL Low Cost Carrier terminal (LCCT) where budget airlines like Cebu Pacific flies. We landed at KLIA and amazed by how good and spacious their airport is. After having a quick lunch we move ahead to Station Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) at Bandar Tasik Selatan where buses travel from KL to JB and vice versa. It took us 5 hours to reach Larkin Terminal hub in Johor Bahru and another hour for a taxi ride to our apartment.

For my months of stay in Malaysia, I learned some of their basic words and greetings like,

Selamat Pagi – Good morning

Selamat Datang – Welcome

Terima Kasih – Thank you

Pasukan – Entrance

Bawang Puti h – Garlic

Bawang Merah – Onion

Makan – Eat

Minuman – Drink

Ayam – Chicken

I also learned about their culture and of course their food. During wee hours, I just stay inside our apartment because of the curry smell circulating from time to time all over the compound, but after several weeks I already got used to it. Most of the time we ate fish, chicken, beef and vegetables because pork isn't available in the market and it is prohibited to Muslim countries. Most Malaysians have strong resemblance to Filipinos and at times you will see women wearing head scarf called “hajib” which symbolizes their religious devotion. One more thing noticeable with people of Malaysia is nobody points with their index finger because it is considered really rude; they are using thumbs and knuckles for pointing instead.

Here are some other discoveries I saw in Malaysia:

Malaysian Cuisine

Our project location

Roti - Bread with some filling

PTP Apartment view on the road

KFC Malaysia always serves 2 dipping sauce Catsup and Chili

KFC MAlaysia

Their Cheesy Potato Wedges - Sooo Yummy

Port Tanjung Pelepas

Fruits

Roti Canai - Spreading condensed milk

Roti Canai - Malaysian Breakfast comes with curry or sweet milk

Bittermerlon

ABC - Air Batu Campur or Ice Kakang (Halo-Halo version)

Fish and Chips - delectable

Mi Goreng my ultimate favorite product from Malaysia

PTP Apartment where we stay for months

Facilities inside the 2 bedroom/2 bathroom/2 shower room apartment

Just like a bliss apartment

Malaysia Tours

My food from Malaysian Airlines - noodles with chicken curry

Malaysian Airline free snack

Double bus Kuala Lumpur

Convenient store inside PTP Apartment

Buffet style food in the streets of Kuala Lumpur

Fish ball soup

Currencies

Business Center in PTP

Chicken Masala Pizza hut Malaysia

Our dried mangoes in a gondola of Malaysian mall

Pig's blood

Kuya Joseph - a Filipino seller we've met in a Filipino owned stall

Buko Pandan Stall - buko juice with taste of Pandan & locals love it.

Just like Greenbelt of the Philippines (signatured stuffs)

So yummy baby octopus

Bukit Indah - a mall in Johor Bahru

Malaysia is really a beautiful country with fascinating rich culture and I am so grateful I’d be able to visit this renowned country. I am truly hoping that I can visit this country again together with Singapore with my dearest friends because I want them to experience what we have encountered in this beautiful country; Malaysia Truly Asia.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Discovering Burot Beach of Calatagan Batangas

Our group had an unexpected trip to this beautiful place in Calatagan, Batangas. Since our group wants a last shot outing for summer, we decided to have a beach trip. Our original plan was a weekend getaway to Laiya Batangas but as per my inquiry to several resorts there, they were all fully booked so we ended up searching for new destination in Batangas and found out about this secluded white sand beach in Calatagan, Batangas known as Burot Beach.

Burot Beach in Calatagan Batangas, formerly known as "Elizalde beach" but now a private property of SM Group of Companies is an undeveloped, unspoiled and peaceful beach. Getting there from Alabang is roughly 3 hours drive passing by Tagaytay and towns of Lian, Balayan and Calatagan Batangas. It’s still open for public so if you’re planning to visit the place, make it soon before SM totally close the property to construct a Beach resort and Golf Course.

Before going to Burot Beach, you must first get in touch with Mang Cesar (+63915-6028907) the caretaker of this private property that can help you in renting tents and other additional queries. It’s your choice if you want to stay for just a day tour trip which will cost you 65 pesos only while 120 pesos for an overnight stay. You can also rent a nipa hut (good for 6 to 8), table or tent ranging from 200 to 300 pesos. No need to worry if you are bringing your own vehicle because the whole place is so spacious that you can even park your car beside the nipa hut of your choice and most of all parking is free. Cottages and rooms are not available in the area so if you are planning to have an overnight stay make sure you have your tents with you otherwise you can rent some tents for 300 pesos. Moreover, there is no electricity in Burot beach but there are available bonfire woods (250 pesos per bundle) that you can use to be your light the whole night. Two public toilets and two showers are available in the area but with slow flowing faucet. Since Burot beach is now discovered by many, I do hope that management can add more toilet facilities for visitor’s convenience. Also be ready if some fishermen will offer you an island hopping to the nearest sand bar for 40 pesos per head. Too bad it’s already high tide when we got there but still we enjoyed the view and the clear water.

Tent pitching at Burot Beach

View from our rented nipa Hut - Burot Beach

Just a friendly reminder, there is a sari sari store in the area where you can buy some drinks and the like but it’s too pricey so better buy all your needs at Calatagan public market just after Sto. Domingo Church before heading to Burot beach. You may also bring your own food to cook, drinking water, ice box and grilling/cooking equipment to complete your beach bum experience.

Here’s the direction going to Burot Beach in 2 ways:

By private vehicle

1. From Manila, drive all the way to SLEX (South Luzon Express Way) until you reach the expressway after Alabang junction. Straight ahead and exit to Eton Greenfield. From here you will pass by Nuvali Sta. Rosa and Tagaytay City. Drive all the way to Nasugbu, Batangas until you reach a junction then take the right turn going to Lian. Drive straight ahead.

2. After passing the CADP (Central Azucarera Don Pedro) Sugar Refinery, take a left at the intersection (Landmarks: Shell and I-Gas Gasoline Stations). Drive ahead to reach Sto. Domingo Church then turn right. You will pass by a public market then turn left in M. Apacible Street. From here you can also ask some tricycle drivers or locals that will pass by for clear directions. But most likely you will see rough road on your right side that leads to a cemetery and an eco center. Drive straight until you reach a gate with uniformed security guard that will count the number of visitors.

gate going to Burot Beach Calatagan Batangas

By Commute

1. You can hunt for buses in Starmall Alabang en route Nasugbu Batangas that will pass by Calatagan. You can also found a Bus Terminal located along EDSA near MRT Taft Station (at the back of McDonald's and Sogo Hotel) bound for Calatagan. Travel time is approximately 3 to 4 hours. Don’t forget to ask the conductor to drop you off at Calatagan Market. Then, at Calatagan Market, you can hire a tricycle that will bring you to Burot beach for Php150.00 or Php60.00 per person.

Aside from boasting a cream fine sand and pristine waters, Burot Beach offers a gorgeous view of the sunset.

Burot Beach Sunset

Burot Beach Gorgeous Sunset

Emo mode haha - Burot Beach Gorgeous Sunset

Burot Beach Gorgeous Sunset

Burot beach is a newly discovered destination few years ago and is unfamiliar to many that made the place so relaxing and not that crowded. It has creamy white sand, crystal clear water, beautiful rock formations, beautiful sunset and lot of trees which provide shades and cool wind. It’s an ideal place for relaxation and perfect way to end summery days! So, if you're planning to visit a peaceful and relaxing beach destination in Batangas, make it to Burot beach, the soonest!