Mt. Huangshan West, Jade Screen (Yuping) Trail

6-days winter solo backpacking in Mainland China
january 26 -  february 01, 2013 saturday to friday 

Mt. Huangshan eastern part, cloud valley (yungu) trail

For biological protection, peaks in Yellow Mountain (Mt. Huangshan) may be closed down from time to time especially on winter season due to heavy fog, slippery trail and extreme cold above so always refer to the latest news bulletins. Please make sure your gloves are thick enough to keep your hands warm.

In addition, if having health problems in dealing steep siairwar trails with countless steps, PLEASE THINK TWICE before challenging yourself to reach the peak.

Huangshan (literally "Yellow Mountain"), is a mountain range in southern Anhui province in eastern China. The range is composed of material that was uplifted from an ancient sea during the Mesozoic era, 100 million years ago. The area is well known for its scenery, sunsets, peculiarly shaped granite peaks, Huangshan Pine trees, and views of the clouds from above. Huangshan is a frequent subject of traditional Chinese paintings and literature, as well as modern photography. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of China's major tourist destinations.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huangshan

Mt. Huangshan west, jade screen (yuping) trail

Mt. Huangshan East, Cloud Valley (Yungu) Trail

6-days winter solo backpacking in Mainland China

january 26 -  february 01, 2013 saturday to friday

Shanghai City day tour (SWFC & The Bund at night)

As per my researched, taking a bus has much shorter travel time than train so I decided to inquire also on long bus terminal which is located just beside the train terminal. It took me some time to know the bus schedule because it was very hard to find local english speakers even the counters who sell the tickets. Since winter is off peak season there was only one bus sked of around 1400H departure and will arrived in Huangshan at midnight. Afte knowing this, I went to shanghai train ticket booth located 300 meters outside from the train station. they told me there is only 1 train departure for the day which was 2124H and I purchased the hard sleeper which is composed of 6 passengers per compartment.

Mt. Huangshan east, cloud valley (yungu) trail

Shanghai City Day Tour (SWFC & The Bund at Night)

6-days winter solo backpacking in Mainland China

january 26 -  february 01, 2013 saturday to friday

Shanghai City day tour (yuyuan and S&T museum)

Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC) was the second-tallest building in the world and the tallest structure in Mainland China. It also had the highest occupied floor and the highest height to roof, two categories used to determine the title of "world’s tallest building". The SWFC opened its observation deck 30 August 2008 as the world's tallest at the time of its completion, offers views from 474 m (1,555 ft) above ground level.

The SWFC will be exceeded in height by the adjacent Shanghai Tower, which is due for completion in 2014. SWFC, Shanghai Tower and Jin Mao Tower will form the world's first adjacent grouping of three supertall skyscrapers.

how to get to SWFC Observatory;
just take metro subway bound to lujiazu station which is almost 400 meters away to the building. Entrance fee cost 150 cny with opening hours from 0900H-2000H.

3 giants of shanghai

Travel Addict's Whatta Achievements (2007-2012)

the viewing deck's 2nd anniversary special 1st part

"It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves - in finding themselves." - Andre Gide

DID YOU KNOW THAT .....

1. I started having mountaineering when my co-workers/friends asked me to join them. As in I only had my typical school backpack with exactly no trekking stuff like tent and mountaineering bag. Thank you very much to Sir Beng, Sir Drew, Sir Joel and Sir Pablo for having this wonderful invitation and very endearing accommodation. 

2. My 1st do-It-yourself itinerary was in Baguio City, Benguet (Mar. 2007) during holy week with my family. I chose this destination because I have been here before on a college educational field trip way back 2003 as 4th year engineering student.

3. My 1st do-It-Yourself itinerary with flight included was in Puerto Princesa, Palawan (Sep. 2009) during the time when the online votes was on-going for Underground river being nominated for 7 new nature wonders of the  world.

4. My 1st do-It-Yourself itinerary with a friend was in Potipot Island, Zambales (Oct. 2009) during Halloween. I did this to grant her request without entirely knowing how to go there and without the traveler mindset yet. Of course, this trip had 100% scary thought what if I failed her. 

mt. tarak trekking, my 1st major climb (2007)

 

Sightseeing above the Cairo Tower at Night

fearless 4.5 days DIY eid season solo trip to Egypt

october 25-29, 2012 thursday to monday

strolling the modern egyptian museum

From Modern Egyptian Museum, I just walked towards this tower for about more than a kilometer crossing the Nile river and seeing the Tahrir Square on my way.

How to go here;
Starting from Sadat station, just crossed the Tahrir Square going the Nile river. The tower is seen already while walking on the streets, follow its visibility. Entrance fee costs 70 EGP for adults and 35 EGP for students. Opens daily from 0900H to 0000H.

Photography is allowed on the viewing deck, and strolling can be enough at most 1 hour.

The Cairo Tower, also known as Borg Al-Qāhira, is a free-standing concrete tower located in Cairo, Egypt. At 187 m (614 ft), it has been the tallest structure in Egypt and North Africa for 50 years. It was the tallest structure in Africa for 10 years, until 1971 when it was surpassed by Hillbrow Tower in South Africa. One of Cairo's well-known landmarks, it stands in the Zamalek district on Gezira Island in the River Nile, close to Downtown Cairo.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairo_Tower

sightseeing above the cairo tower at night

My Travel Photobook Collection

proud of my travel and proud to have it all...

"All the memories make me want to go back there... All the memories, how can we make it back there... I want to be there again" - Weezer

Photobook Philippines, as part of the Photobook Worldwide Group, is the most popular photo book company in the Philippines. An ideal gift for the special occasions, Photobook preserve special memories and it comes in professional binding. Delivery within 7-11 days business days with easy-to-use bookmaking program. Premium 170gsm Silk paper included (optional upgrades available).

A photobook is a book in which photographs make a significant contribution to the overall content. The most critically acclaimed photo-books celebrate the creative work of an individual photographer. With personalized photobooks, a real book with its own images and texts can be created. The resulting book is printed on digital color printers and case bound.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photo-book

I started to have interest on this kind of memorabilia when I saw an advertisement for a voucher giving discount of 75% off for a personalized book from Photobook Philippines. Giving the impression that this looks like a graduation or a prenuptial commemorative collection, why not give it a shot on my travel addictiveness. I immediately signed-in and availed 4 vouchers for only PhP1,450 for 52 pages each book (11-in. x 8.5-in. Medium Landscape Imagewrap Standard Hardcover).

cover page of my 4 travel photobook



Burj Khalifa Sightseeing at the Top by Day

dubai - abu dhabi 2 days weekend solo backpacking
april 13-14, 2012 friday to saturday

day 1: abu dhabi city solo day tour
day 2: dubai city solo day tour
atlantis dubai nasimi beach clubbing

how to go to burj khalifa from dubai airport;

just ride dubai metro alight to dubai mall / burj khalifa station. there is approximately 1 kilometer walk from station to the main lobby (inside dubai mall) of At The Top burj khalifa observation terrace. 

Before entering this building, it is a MUST to purchase entrance ticket in advance because walk-in visit will took the visit schedule minimum of 2 days after booking. Thus, the visit is always fully booked. i purchased my ticket online in more than a week before my chosen date.  No time limit when I reached the viewing deck at 124th floor, the highest in the world.

burj khalifa sightseeing at the top by day

Strolling Alone the Boracay Island 2011

A Christmas weekend solo backpacking special

December 23-26, 2011 Friday to Monday

Solo land and sea trip to Boracay Island
Bus and Ferry trip from Cubao to Caticlan 

Started the round of photo-ops of course in boat stations 1, 2 and 3 in White Beach. immediately compared to all the underrated beaches in our country... found out that white beach sand is as fine as what publicity exactly describe. 

white beach of boracay island

white beach of boracay island

Victoria Peak Tower Sky Terrace 428 Night Shots

touring hongkong and macau in 3.5 winter days

december 4-7, 2011 sunday to wednesday

day 3: macau to hongkong shift tripping

main observation deck of macau tower

macau tower's outdoor observation deck

ferry from macau to hongkong

peak tram at night

madame tussaud celebrity wax figures 

The Peak Tower is located at an elevation of 396 m, 156 m below the summit of Victoria Peak. Because the architects sought a design which would be prominent on the skyline but would not interrupt the natural line of the hills, they chose a site in a dip along the line of the hills, and restricted the tower's height to 428 m above sea level.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_Tower

peak tower sky terrace 428 night shots

Macau Tower's Outdoor Observation Deck

touring hongkong and macau in 3.5 winter days

december 4-7, 2011 sunday to wednesday

day 3: macau to hongkong shift tripping

main observation deck of macau tower

Admire the highest possible view of Macau city at the Outdoor Observation Deck, overlooking the unparalleled scenic view reaching 55km away. Challenge yourself with AJ Hackett Macau Tower Activity including the Guinness World Record highest Bungy Jump, SkyJump or the Skywalk X to feel the thrill.

macau tower outdoor viewing deck

Main Observation Deck of Macau Tower

touring hongkong and macau in 3.5 winter days

december 4-7, 2011 sunday to wednesday

day 3: macau to hongkong shift tripping

Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre, also known as Macau Tower, measures 338 m (1,109 ft) in height from ground level to the highest point. An observation deck with panoramic views, restaurants, theaters, shopping malls and the Skywalk X, a thrilling walking tour around the outer rim. It offers the best view of Macau and in recent years has been used for a variety of adventurous activities. At 233 meters, the Macau Tower's tethered "skyjump" and Bungee jump by AJ Hackett from the tower's outer rim, is the second highest commercial skyjump in the world, after Vegas' Stratosphere skyjump at 260 meters. The tower is one of the members of the World Federation of Great Towers. Besides being used for observation and entertainment, the tower is also used for telecommunications and broadcasting.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macau_Tower

macau tower at night

Riyadh TV Tower of Saudi Arabia

my 3rd communication tower visited
november 06, 2011 saturday

The Riyadh TV Tower in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is a 170 meter high television tower located inside the premises of Saudi Ministry of Information. It was completed in 1978.

i visited this place twice aiming to climb the viewing deck atop (one in the morning last october 26 and the afternoon of november 06) but i failed. i really thought that viewing deck is open for tourist visitors but as i scanned the area, it was barricaded on all of its major fence wall and gates. so thats it, be  contented to capture the gigantic structure outside the vicinity. this tower is best shot at night having different light color shadowing its shape.

riyadh tv tower of saudi

Sunset in Riyadh CIty Water Tower Park

visiting alone the nearby park
november 03, 2011 thursday

this park is just 300 meters away from batha center. with its unique architecture as a water tower, everyone who see's it will not thought its not like that. at 1st glance, my impression it was a huge torch tower. riyadh water tower was built during the reign of the government of hid majesty king faisal bin abdul aziz al saud, the great. the tower holds 12,000 cubic meter of water and was completed in service in october 1971 AD. this also an actually copy of the Svampen Tower in the Swedish town of Orebro.

entrance fee of 5 sar, and if you want got to the viewing deck atop, additional of 10 sar located at the 16th floor of its elevator. and from the ground, this 16th floor is the only accessible for tourists visit. opens everyday, 0900H to 2100H. this tower is best shot at sunset or at night.

this park, which is ideal for family and kida only, is included in the 5 sar entrance fee and especially designed for kids due to its amusement park included. kiddie rides have excluded fees that included roller coaster, bump car, airplane ride, etc. there is also miniature of famous landmarks and tourists spots in saudi arabia found at the center of the park. you can navigate this mini-map by walk or by boat.

riyadh water tower

riyadh water tower

Kingdom Center, at the Skybridge by Day

tallest skyscraper in the world below 50 floors
october 18, 2011 tuesday

Kingdom Centre also called Al Mamlaka Tower is a skyscraper located in the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is currently the second tallest skyscraper in Saudi Arabia with a height of 302.3 m (992 ft). It's also the third tallest building with a hole in the world (after Shanghai World Finacial Center and Tuntex Sky Tower). AL-Mamlaka Tower contains a total of 41 floors and 2 basement levels. AL-Mamlka Tower is owned by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, a prince of the Saudi royal family. It is also the headquarters of his holding company: Kingdom Holding Company. The total cost of the project was US$ 1 billion and the contract was taken by Saudi Arabian Al-Seif and The Italian Impregilo.

Kingdom Centre is the tallest skyscraper in the world below 50 floors. At its completion this was the 25th tallest building in the world, and the tallest of the 21st century. The hotel's ballroom is the largest in Riyadh, and the largest in the entire Four Seasons hotel chain. The viewing deck has a steeply arched floor, and features diagonal cross-beams along the windows. The building has an entrance on each of its four sides, each one serving a different usage (hotel, shopping, ballroom, and apartments/offices). The tower is aligned in a direct axis with Al Faisaliyah Center, Riyadh's other major skyscraper.

kingdom center view at far

Al Faisaliah Center, at the Globe at Night

ballpen-shape tower of riyadh city

october 14, 2011 friday

The Al Faisaliah Center is a commercial skyscraper located in the business district of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is the second tallest building in riyadh city after the Kingdom Centre. Immediately below it an outside viewing deck; at ground level, there is a shopping center with major world brands. The Al Faisaliah Center is about 267 meters high and consists of 44 floors.

The Al Faisaliah Complex in Riyadh plays a key part in the city's urban development. The 240,000-square-metre complex includes Saudi Arabia's first skyscraper - a distinctive 267-metre-high office tower - a five-star hotel, a banqueting and conference centre, luxury apartments and a three-storey retail mall. The office tower is square in plan, designed around a compact central core, and tapers to a point, with four main corner columns defining its unique silhouette. Viewing decks at stages up the building correspond with giant K-braces, which transfer loads to the corner columns. The building is clad in silver-anodized aluminum panels with cantilevered sun shading devices which minimize glare, allowing the use of non-reflective, energy-efficient glass. These layered facades provide maximum control over the internal environment.

Above its thirty floors of office space, the tower houses the highest restaurant in Saudi Arabia, set within a golden glass sphere 200 metres above ground level. The viewing deck below the globe provides a breathtaking panorama of Riyadh and the surrounding landscape. At its pinnacle, the tower narrows to a brightly lit lantern, topped by a stainless-steel finial.

al faisaliah outside

What did I do to My Stolen Digicam Photos!

quest to fight my right on my plagiarized masterpiece

September 19, 2012

"Don't worry about people stealing your ideas. If your ideas are any good, you'll have to ram them down people's throats." - Howard Aiken

They even put it in a slide show to hide the link intentionally so that it will be difficult to trace and recognize by the real owner.

My Self-Organized Bohol Budget Trip (2010)

Ignorance of law excuse no one "ignorantia juris non excusat" is a legal principle holding that a person who is unaware of a law may not escape liability for violating that law merely because he or she was unaware of its content. This is the claim of the travel agency website owner who undoubtedly published my three (3) digicam Canon Powershot A310S photos for over a year without my consent and without knowing it was owned by a hobbyist photographer from somewhere.

An excellent rule of thumb...

If you do not have specific permission (preferably written!) from the owner of a PHOTO, you cannot legally display it on a website, post it on the web, copy it, send it around by Email or other means, make photos derived from it, sell it, or otherwise EXPLOIT it...
source: http://webnet77.com/webstuff/copyright.html


one of my 3 plagiarized photos published for over a year by Bohol Gateway Travel & Tours

Solo Walk in Coron Town Tour

stunning waterscapes of northern palawan
july 15-18, 2011 friday to monday

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly.
additional task: to find-out why most of the filipino speaks about coron's lagoons, lakes and beaches

calamian group of islands

continued...

important note (coron town):
Coron is both the name of a town on Busuanga, and the name of the island just offshore. The municipality covers part of Busuanga Island and all of the nearby Coron Island.

mt. tapyas' start of 724 steps to the top

mt. tapyas' 724 steps to the top

Negros Occidental Seven (7) Falls Trekking

my last 2011 summer escapade
may 28-29, 2011 saturday to sunday

objective: to visit the best tourist spot that fits to my budget at limited amount of time.
additional tasks: to have  night shot in the ruins and taste best chicken inasal.

important note (negros occidental):
Negros Occidental (Filipino: Kanlurang Negros) is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Bacolod City and it occupies the northwestern half of Negros Island; Negros Oriental is at the southeastern half. Across the Panay Gulf and the Guimaras Strait to the northwest is the island-province of Guimaras and the province of Iloilo on Panay island. Known as the "Sugarbowl of the Philippines", Negros Occidental produces more than half the nation's
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negros_Occidental

1st falls

Batanes 1st Day; Batan Island Group Tour

holy week specials for a unique philippine province
april 21-24, 2011 thursday to sunday

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my budget at limited amount of time.

additional tasks: to conquer this 3 famous place of batan, sabtang and itbayat islands and taste there local delicacies

northernmost best wonder, the batanes islands

continued...

by the way, this trip was supposedly a solo backpacking but since the entire duration was a religious holiday especially for the ivatans, irregular schedule of public transpo has been implemented. in addition, tour services rented public transpo vehicles due to the volume of visited tourist. on that reason, i have no choice but to hitched in a package tour offered in the hiro's cafe. this was also the package tour availed by my travel-mate, the difference was inclusion of meals and accommodations because i requested to omit it. so there it was, the  itinerary of doing it alone has changed in an instant due to ignoring the holiday effect. it seems this has taken more on advantage level for having to share the fun and excitement of traveling with other fellow tourist not to mention the saved budget.

arrive 1130am at the hiro's cafe, took lunch and decided to wait for my travel-mate to hitch on his tour set for this day. around 130pm, we left and started the rounds.

spring of youth

Seoul City Tour 2nd part; Seoul Tower & Bear Museum

every budget traveler's dream, feel the chill !!

February 23-28, 2011 wednesday to monday

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly.

additional tasks: to conquer the Everland’s T-express (world’s most steepest roller coaster) and experience the snow for the 1st time

korea winter get-away

day 1: seoul city tour 1st part (deoksu palace)

continued... 

N Seoul Tower is a communication and observation tower located on Namsan Mountain, central Seoul, South Korea. Built in 1969, at a cost of approximately $2.5 million, and opened to the public in 1980, the tower has been a symbol of Seoul and measures 236.7 m (777 ft) in height (from the base) and tops out at 479.7 m (1,574 ft) above sea level. It has also been known as the Namsan Tower or Seoul Tower. After the tower's original owner merged with the CJ Corporation, it was renamed the N Seoul Tower (official name CJ Seoul Tower).

N seoul tower

N seoul tower