Have you ever thought of a haven for gadgets, games and anime? Wonder no more because such a place exists. Conveniently nestled in the heart of Tokyo, Akihabara or Akiba as it is often called, is the place to be if you happen to be a techie, a gamer, a toy maniac or an anime fan. In short, it is the place for different otakus to meet and catch up. One can easily gain access to Akihabara as its station runs along the JR Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku, and Chuo train lines. Also, Akihabara is just walking distance of the Ochanomizu and Ueno areas.

One of the main reasons for coming to Akiba is to shop for gadgets. Akiba does not disappoint, it’s not called Electric Town for nothing. In here you can find every gadget conceivable, both new and second hand, from PC parts to household appliances. As long as it exists, chances are there’s one for sale somewhere in Akiba and most of the time they are very reasonably priced.

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Posted in Japan, Things to do |

There has never been a better time to travel on a budget in Asia. The continent with the largest population in the world now has the highest concentration of low-cost carriers (LCCs) in the world. LCCs are “no-frills” airlines which offer travelers a fraction of the usual ticket prices by eliminating the standard amenities like in-flight food and entertainment. But in some airlines, these amenities are available to passengers for a fee.

Passengers for some of these LCCs should make ample time allowances for connecting flights, as budget airlines are prone to land much later than the scheduled time. And they should travel light, or the excess baggage fees can make them end up paying as much as if they booked on a “non-budget” airline.

Here are the Asian LCCs as categorized by country destination. With this list, getting your dream vacation in Asia would be easy on your wallets. For Part 2 and 3 of Fly the Low-Cost Skies of Asia, we shall discuss each airline and what are their good and bad points to look out for.

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Posted in Airlines, Asia |

Are you feeling the urge to just get away from it all and pack your things to go on a much deserved or long overdue vacation? Yes? So, what’s stopping you then? More often than not, the reason would be budget constraints.

The good news is traveling in this day and age is no longer just for the Rich and Famous. An average person or a regular employee can go on trips not only domestic ones but international trips as well.

Whenever I travel, I always make it a point that I do a lot of research so that I can make the most out of my trip without blowing off my entire year’s savings. This is why I’m very thankful that there are now quite a number of budget airlines that service the Philippines, my country of origin. These airlines include Air Asia, Tiger Airways and Jet Star. The destinations are interesting enough even if limited.

I decided to go on a trip late last year and was able to work around a limited budget for my trip. My destination of choice was Kota Kinabalu or KK, as it is popularly known.  It is the state capital of Sabah in Malaysia and is fondly described as a “pleasant Borneo surprise” as it is unexpectedly set between the magnificent South China Sea and rich tropical rolling hills.

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Posted in Airlines, Food, Malaysia, Things to do |

Sagada…….a breathtaking place where the sky kisses the earth. Located at 5,000 feet above sea level in the Cordillera mountain range of Luzon in the Philippines, it is far, far up from the smog and the noise of the cities below. This little Shangri-la is a tourist’s favorite, since it is not as crowded as Baguio City yet the cool weather and the plush scenery is just as pleasing. It is also famous for its world-renowned hanging coffins, 60 underground caves and charming waterfalls.

How to Get There

You could reach this mountain-top town in two ways: from Baguio, take a bus going to Sagada and pass through Mt. Halsema Express. It will take 6-7 hours, but along the way you would pass Benguet and the Chico River. From Banaue, you will take 2 jeepney rides and the trip will take 2-3 hours. During that time, you would pass Bontoc and get a view of the Banaue Rice Terraces, dubbed as the eight wonder of the world.

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Posted in Philippines, Things to do |

So you’re in Japan, but you don’t speak a word of Japanese. Fear not, here are a few essential phrases which will help you get by when you visit Japan. There are a lot of phrases that is useful to know. If you plan to go to Japan and you are not fluent, remember that it is also helpful to bring a Japanese-English dictionary to better understand what your Japanese counterparts are saying to you. One thing to remember is that the japanese have distinct ways of speaking, depending on who the speaker is addressing and the situation. Nihonggo can either be formal or informal, such as when talking to friends or family the informal form is usually used. Most of the phrases here are in their informal form. When speaking in a formal event or to one’s elders, it is imperative to use the formal way of speaking.

PLEASANTRIES

Good morning - Ohayou

Good evening - Kombanwa

Good day - Konnichiwa

Good night - Oyasumi

How do you do? - Ikaga desu ka?

Nice to meet you - Hajimemashite

I am very well - Genki desu

Thank you - Arigatou

Many thanks - Domo arigatou

Goodbye - Sayounara/ Ja ne

Best regards - Yoroshiku

By all means - Douzo

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Posted in Japan, Language |

Pressured by the needs of the world’s fastest growing economy, the Chinese government has opened the Hangzhou Bridge to the public, proudly proclaiming it’s status as the world’s longest road bridge. Spanning 36 km. (22 miles), the USD 1.7 billion bridge spans Hangzhou Bay to link the financial hub of Shanghai with the port city of Ningbo to the South in the eastern province of Zhejiang (to give you an idea of the length, imagine that if the bridge was transported across the English Channel, it would span the distance between England and France). Thus, the road distance between the two key cities in the Yangtze delta is reduced by 120 kilometers, and travel time is cut by two and a half hours.

A ceremony, attended by Premier Wen Jiabao, was held in the middle of the cable-stayed bridge to mark its official opening (a cable-stayed bridge, practical for spans up to a kilometer in length, is second only to suspension-type bridges as the longest spanning bridge design.). The bridge is reinforced to withstand the annual monsoon winds which blow from the Pacific Ocean and pound the east coast every summer. Additional safety precautions include banning vehicles with large loads and carrying any dangerous chemicals from crossing the bridge.

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Posted in Attractions, China |

Ocean Park, one of the world’s greatest educational theme parks, is located in Aberdeen which is on the South side of Hong Kong island. A lot of people, including Hong Kong residents and tourists from all over the world, flock to this theme park each year making Ocean Park a favorite destination among tourists not only in Hong Kong but in the entire Asian region.Just like any other theme park, Ocean Park, offers a lot amenities and services such as Souvenir Shops, Food Kiosks/Restaurants, ATM machines, Animal Shows, Aquariums, Aviaries, Observation Towers, and a wide selection of heart-pounding rides. What makes it extraordinary is that the entire park is divided into two major areas – The Lowland Gardens and the Headland – which are connected by a Cable Car.

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Posted in Attractions, Hong Kong |

Suppose you find yourself in the lucky country of Oz with all that slippery slang. If you don’t want to be treated like a Seppo who’s a chop short of a barbie, no worries mate! I’ll give you the drum so you could chew the fat with the blokes and sheilas like fair dinkum Aussie.

Australian slang (strine) is easy to understand - it is either a shortening of words like chokkie for chocolate, a rhyme (noah’s ark is shark), or a reversal (a bluey is a redhead). They could also be a reference to places, people, and things (Buckley’s chance - reference to the store Buckleys & Nunn - which rhymes with ‘none’). Or they could be invented just for the fun of it (woop woop - an imaginary remote place that’s never been heard before). Read on and enjoy!

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Posted in Australia, Language |