Charming Cha-am

Thailand Journal 6

Our vacation won't be complete without kissing the sun and sand...
we initially thought of Pattaya to wrap our first Thailand adventure, but after seeing an article about Cha-Am, we got more excited. 

Sunrise @ Regent Cha-Am Beach Resort

Cha-Am is a district in the southern part of Phetchaburi Province, central Thailand. Like Hua Hin, it is also a well known beach resort town but there is less foreigner and more of family and students. There is no night clubs or bar and restaurants at the beach side, but its long and wide and shoreline is perfectly calm and relaxing... 

Maldives Journal: Exploring Indian Ocean

I know my post on The Maafushi Adventure was not enough...
Well, that was just a glimpse of what the paradise on earth looks like.

2 out of our 4 days stay, we were literally floating the middle of Indian Ocean.

Maldives Journal: The Maafushi Adventure

Maldives is 'A dream destination'. I have always put that on my wish list... & for years, it just remained there, until this April.

Tourist don't know where they've been; travelers don't know where they're going. - Paul Theroux

This Maldives adventure wasn't planned at all. A friend jokingly asked for it and I said yes immediately. After a week of checking promotions, browsing some reviews and "computing" for budget, we sat one afternoon for 3 hours to search for flights and accommodation and finally do the bookings.It was spontaneous. We are group of four, with different interest. Initially, as everyone else would imagine, we wanted to go to an exclusive island resort...

(Image from Google)

A paradise in the middle of Indian Ocean, just how we all imagined. The same way that it remains an imagination if we look at it this way.

JAL Hotel, Fujairah

Located just 90 minutes from the dynamic city of Dubai and 40 minutes from Fujairah City, the hotel is situated between the Hajjar Mountains and the ocean and is set on more than 500 meters of private beach.

JAL offers not only the best facilities and but the best customer service you can get.

(hotel lobby) 

Fun and relaxation are all over JAL.

With its long private beach and separated buildings, guests have their privacy.

Have it your way...

Warm water @ Infinity pool

Or Cold Fresh water pool

and of course, your kids' covered pool...

I know swimming pools are just great, but we all want mooore!!!

JAL's beach is too hard to resist!

From sunrise

To sunset

As the sun bids goodbye...

Prepare yourself for an ideal evening...

@ Marco Polo

Restaurant features the traditional culinary fare from Asia and Japan.  

Traditional food preparation from the Wok for the Thai selection, Tandoori for the Indian, Sushi for the Japanese.

They also have other restaurants:

Breeze (Location: First Floor – Sea View) which offers a wide selection of Mediterranean a”-la-carte dishes including Pizza for lunch and dinner. Dishes are prepared in the open show kitchen giving the opportunity to interact with our Chefs.

Icho (Location: Top of dive center) is the only traditional teppanyaki restaurant available on the East Coast. Japanese style restaurant serving traditional teppanyaki cuisine.

Al Nokhada (Location: Second Floor) is the Arabic restaurant serving hot & cold mezzeh with mix grills in a Traditional Arabic Atmosphere. Perfect place to relax in the evening in a traditional Arabic environment.

Grand Bleu (Location: Beach Side / Ground Floor) overlooking the ocean, it offers mouth watering salads, sanwiches, steaks, seafood, light snacks and refreshing cocktails.

Moon Beach Lounge (Location: Second Floor) Let yourself pamper at our Roof Top Bar, while enjoying shisha, tisbits and cocktails in the romantic evening settings.

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Our stay was not enough to show you all enjoyment that JAL can offer...

There are a lot mooooore!

Hopefully, I'll be back there, verrrrrrrrry soooooon :) 

Source: JAL Hotel

Hunda Bay, Palawan

Aside from the Palawan Underground River and Taraw Beach, Hunda Bay (aka HONDA Bay) is another prime destination in Puerto Princesa.
A perfect place for beach lovers, divers and snorkeling addicts like us...

There are several islets that comprises Hunda Bay;

Cowrie and  Bat, Señorita , Snake, Canon, Pandan, Starfish, Lu-Li (Lulubog-Lilitaw), Señorita, Meara Marina (the breeding sites of Lapu-lapu fish) and Arreceffi (where Dos Palmas is located).

We were lucky to visit four islands during our whole day tour...

and let me share it with you :)

LULI ISLAND

(Lulubog-Lilitaw or Floating and Sinking Island)

It is only visible on low tide...

and since its low tide, our boat cannot come closer.

within the area, we had our first Honda Bay snorkeling at "The Little Tubbataha"

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STARFISH ISLAND

and here's the explanation for the island's name :)

after a delicious lunch and a never ending pictorial with starfish...

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we had another snorkeling adventure at...

SNAKE ISLAND

ooops... not the same as Starfish Island with a lot of Starfish on it,

the island's name was derived from its curvaceous tongue shape, like a snake :)

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and our final stop...

PANDAN ISLAND

and unfortunately, I cannot confirm whether there are lot of Pandan trees there

or its shape is like Pandan as well... :)

but what I know is that, its perfect to be on the last part of the tour...

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"The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His hands."

Psalm 19:1

Taraw Beach, Palawan

Palawan Underground River adventure doesn't end under ground...

After the tour in Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park,

you can continue your sun, sand and water escapades at...

TARAW BEACH

Along  the beachside of Taraw lies different nipa hut resorts and restaurants...

Another best from the row of bestssss from Palawan, Taraw Beach gives genuine relaxation from very simple and natural way...

What is better than a nap under the shade of a tree after a delicious lunch?

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And for the first time, I saw a Carabao along the beach...

only here in Taraw!

Palawan Underground River

This is an overdue post...

I went to Palawan last July, as part of my month long vacation in Manila.
There are a lot of blogs written about this beautiful island, and what I will share is just a glimpse of what we experienced. The Underground River is in Puerto Princesa...

 Its about an hour boat ride from Sabang Island, where the boats are waiting.

And if you think its long enough, you are sooo wrong!

Because the boat ride is a peek of this beautiful adventure!

 

The breathtaking view only proves that Palawan is one of the best island not just in the Philippines but in the whole world. And I am really grateful that I have seen these wonder in my own eyes...

God is really good! His creations are perfect!!!

And if you think that it ends there...

then, you have to think again!

because the above photos are just bonus from this trip to one of the longest navigable underground rivers in the world.

Upon reaching the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park which is about 5,000 hectares of well preserved forest, you will have a foretaste of what being so close to nature feels...

The smell of the forest... enjoying the shade of huge trees while walking with monkeys (I mean real monkeys) and  hearing the sound of waves from the sea.

As if nature embraced you tightly :)

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At the end of this forest path is the cave's entrance....

and again, there is so much more...

Entering the cave is an undescribable feeling.

I had fears because we don't know what might happen inside... accident or something and there is no light... only flashlight provided by boatman.

I was afraid because its underground....

but more than that...

I entertained the feeling of excitement.

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What is under this underground river?

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The formations from stalactites and stalagmaites here are known to resemble different images...

I have captured some...

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As we enter the cave, we were welcomed by

opening - the - curtains like formation ...

giving way to our boat...

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Not so far from the entrance are the Bat Caves...

where there are "Bat Rooms"...

with "Bat Shits!" :)

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These figures were said to be crocs...

Hungry crocs!!!

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This angel - like formation is in the "Cathedral" area, where the highest ceiling of the cave are, and formed a dome. Here, religious images are seen.

 

The image of

"The Holy Family"

it is located at one of the tallest pillars in the "cathedral".

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and below,  it's a Unicorn...

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Next comes the "veggies section"

 

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the "Highway 54"

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The "horror" area ...

as if this is cemetery where cross are marked on the walls.

and a creepy "head of a monster"...

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some formation seems so real...

and the explanation is up to the viewers interpratation.

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Upon reaching the end of the tour (but not the end of the cave),

we took a U-turn and had another glance...

There are a lot more to see...

amazing images that are better seen inside than in pictures.

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The underworld is marvelous...
Another proof of God's mighty hand that is beyond our imagination!
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As always, the light at end of the tunnel is something to look forward to...

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there awaits, Paradise!