Hi Guys, it's been a long time I did not update this blog, recently I just came back from the Philippines, who ever thought of me going back to this beautiful country? To be honest, even after what happen between Malaysia and Philippines, it does not stop me to go there, even travelling alone, Philippines is always the best country to be, reasons? People are superb and friendly and helpful, they treat you like a family, and it's more fun in the Philippines. 

For this time, I will update you guys on days of my activities and how did I get to see the whale shark and meeting all my old Filipino friends. Enjoy and check it out : 

Flying with MH704 via Kuala Lumpur, I made a decision to come to the Philippines this time on a rainy season, so flight is all the way bumpy but it was cool, my way of experiencing this crazy turbulence is always by listening to club / dance songs, you can find the facilities if you fly with Malaysia Airlines. As soon as I landed to the Manila, I sit down alone at the airport, drink coffee and smoke and think what is my next destination and what to do. I decided to be back to Our Melting Pot Hostel, it's always the best hostel and I know this place went my first visit on the February, the crews remember my name ! I really miss them! I bought them Sarawak Kek Lapiz and they loving it! To be honest, as soon as I landed, it rain crazily and it was flood at some part of Manila, traffic jammed was horrible, but it does not stop me at all :) I met Marbz, my Filipino friends that night and catch up and spend my time talking to the backpackers there and also some walk before flying off to Cebu at 7.50am flight using Zest Air ! I booked using Air Asia, I really have a bad experience with Zest Air, but first check out some of the pictures ! 

Zest Air is pretty bad experience for me because I received a last minutes email from them at 5am saying that flight delayed till 8.50am, and when is at 8.50am, plane did not even move, we only enter at 9.30am, then from 9.30am, we have to wait in the plane for 45 minutes due to the traffic of other planes. On my way back taking Zest Air from Cebu - Manila, flight board on time, but we have to wait in the plane for 1 hour, I don't understand why the cabin crew have to serve around 50 passengers MacDonalds and do all the cleaning and those who did not have food just watch them, then again, 30 minutes we need to wait to take off since traffic of other plane, so Zest Air again this time? But I am not complaining, it's the nature of travelling you well be expecting those. 

Once I landed in Cebu Airport, I took the bus to South Terminal Bus to meet one of my friend, that I did not meet or talk in person, his name is JP and he is the local here and I know him from couchsurfing :) IT was pretty hard to find him as I do not have roaming / Philippines number to contact him, but always ask the local and they help you up. I stay in Cebu with him at his place instead of hostel / hotel and it's cool experience to feel how Filipino live :) 

We stayed at the BDC Place in Oslob, the journey from Cebu City to Oslob took 3-4 hours in bus depending on the traffics. It was a nice place, I can say, a paradise ! The resort that we stay can accommodate around 8 people and it cost 1500 Pesos for the whole room! It's very cheap, to dive with the whale shark, you need 1000 Pesos for foreigner, thank God I look like a Pinoy and I get the local price of 500 Pesos and I rent a underwater camera for 500 Pesos! 

I was honestly nervous to do the whale shark snorkeling which it end up I dive deeper the sea to see the whale shark closer, I remember my dad told me I am totally insane for doing this and he afraid something might happen to me, trust me it was an amazing moments to see the whale shark that has a size like a bus and bigger than a bus ! Check out some of the amazing pictures of the moments and the place I stay and the local that I hang out with ! :) 

Below are the pictures of the journey of the whale shark watching in Oslob 

Pictures in Cebu City, where I meet another couch surfing friend, MARK :) 

IT was so sad that it gonna be my last night in the Philippines, I met many people and they treat me like a family and on the last night, guess what I actually decided to ate balut and there we met new friends from the Our Melting Pot Hostel !!! 

Owh yes, I met John, my mate as well that I know him last February, it was great meet up! Check out all the pictures! 

All good things come to an end eventually, but it won't be a last goodbye my friend, thanks to my Filipino friends that take care of me in Philippines and my new Filipino and friends from around the world as well, you know guys, I never get bored with the Philippines, even rainy season, I feel like I'm home in the Philippines, there is so much things to explore, given the change, let's do SAGADA and explore more on Bohol ! :)  IN THE FUTURE ! 

I was sitting on the plane for the 3 hours and 30 minutes flight from Manila - Kuala Lumpur, and 1 hours 45 minutes from Kuala Lumpur - Kuching, smiling myself looking at all the pictures and videos that I captured, thinking of all the memories there.... I'm gonna treasure it! Even though I got stung by a jellyfish during the whale shark, it was a great moments as you see the whale shark, who ever thought of doing this? :) 

Philippines, is indeed more fun in the Philippines, I WILL COME BACK AGAIN ! :) SALAMAT PHILIPPINES! Even though I travel alone and love to take adventures, I am happy that I meet new people during my journeys, like what sayings say "Journeys are made with the people that you travel with" ! 

MAHAL KO ANG PILIPINAS ! ! ! 

P/s : Do check my facebook album for this trip if you all interested : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151544978258558.1073741828.729523557&type=3

Overall of this trip, I spent around RM400 only for 3 days 2 nights trip in this place. All I can say that people here are friendly, but you must be careful and wise with your surroundings as well. People here live with a simple life and I do enjoyed my stay here so far. Reason why I pick Medan is for a getaway is since I worked so hard for month of March, so I need to reward myself. Well let me tell you what I did on this 3 days 2 nights to have a better understanding of Medan :) 

I was hangover when I board this plane, due to, massive party in Kuala Lumpur that night. The flight to Medan from Kuala Lumpur only took 1 hour, I used the Indonesia Airasia and service was so much better, flight attendant was super friendly, and safety demo translated into 2 languages and the cabin crew need to demo twice which is kinda cool. Reached Polonia Airport and from there I spend my time smoking and resting and I got many offers from taxi which basically I rejected. Decided to use the "beca" which reminds me like Philippines' tricycle and loving it so much. The funny thing on how  I explain to the person that gonna take me is by telling the address but the person do not know, we lost in the city and spend our time searching for Sultan Homestay.  Reason why I pick this hostel even though the beca rider asked me to try other hostel but I rejected his offer is because this hostel has a good review, the owner name Eri was very friendly and offer me help if I need. I fully recommend anyone what would love to come to stay here. I'm glad that Eri explained to me on Medan more & location wise, perfect and reasonable price. 

I basically rejected to see the orang utan and also crocodile farm because my country had it in Borneo. Still suffered from hangover, so basically I end up going for massage and resting :) I made lot's of friends, local one and spend my time eating with them at the roadside, one of the crazy things is I ride motorbike on the Street of Medan !!! Crazy! 

I spend only 25 Euro for this trip : Medan - Parapat - Lake Toba - Sipisopiso waterfall - Berastagi - Medan 
Originally is 50 Euro but there is one guy from Jakarta joined this trip so it is being split. 

The road was really bad to those destination and it took around 5 hours to get to Parapat from Medan. We depart at 6.30am in the morning. On the way, we made a stop to buy some famous bread "Toko Ganda" and it's famous for that! Love it. Once we reached in Parapat, we take a boat and the ride to the Lake Toba took 30 minutes, there you can do shopping for souvenirs and see Museum and the the Sultan's tomb. Later on, we took boat back to Parapat. From Parapat, we had some lunch and simple one overlooking the Lake Toba, it was a good one! Eating with the locals and spending my time with them and learning their culture. 

Next from there, we drove around 1 hour plus to the Sipisopiso waterfall. Amazing waterfall ever! I decided to take the challenge to go down the hills to see the waterfall nearer and feel the water breeze and climb up again to return back, total journey 1 hour and it was tough using "Batik" to do that :) But I made it !!! 

Journey is not end yet, later from there we drove up to Berastagi, it reminds me of Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. Suppose at Berastagi, you could see volcanos I mean the view but it was already 7.30pm when we reached there. So we end up having local dinner there, "Important tips when you eat the food there in Medan, especially Minang's food, they will put a lot of food on the table, just eat whatever you want otherwise they will charged you for that" :) Later after dinner, we drove up again to Medan and reach almost 11pm. I was so tired and completely collapsed on my bed :) HAHA

I woke up at 5am just for this mosque !!! Whenever you google on Medan, this mosque will shown :) 
Thank God that my hostel is near to this mosque, just around 2 minutes walk and I managed to captured few shots of this iconic landmark in Medan. Leaving back to KL was pretty sad but then the good time always end fast but we should treasure it. Remember if you depart back from Medan to Kuala Lumpur, you need to pay 75000 Rupiah for the airport tax :)
Do not ever let other people handle your passport stamp and pay your airport tax, because everything in life is not free, you need to give them tips although that is the fastest way to cut the queue of other passengers :) 

Thanks Medan! :)  I had a lot of good time here with the locals :)

Flying to Medan, Indonesia & middle of the month off to Batu Ferringhi, Penang. 
Downside of buying cheap tickets from Airasia for my Penang Trip? Flight Reschedule ! Airasia owh Airasia
✈ ✈ ✈ With backpacking mode on April 2013 

MEDAN INDONESIA, cheap flight but then unsure on what I'm gonna do, as usual, I know i'm pretty random with this and easy going. Hopefully I learnt something on this trip, what I am looking at is their culture, language and people :)

Penang Penang! Stay near to the beach :) Relaxation mode :) 

BANGKOK !  Never thought of going there, but let see how this trip gonna change my perception in life :) 

HAHA, this was me, it was 4am in the morning waiting for my plane to depart to Clark in LCCT. I only had one hour sleep, freaking tired! But gladly I slept enough in the plane...... I was thinking that time what gonna happen on  my journey in Philippines, traveling alone, unsure with everything, but I LOVE THIS EXPERIENCE! As I am a backpacker that still learning :) 

I have to admit, I have 9kg hand carry luggage, and I was lucky enough that I flirt with the officer early in the morning just to get through the check in counter as Airasia luggage was 7kg strictly... 

So yea, flirting is one of the way.... :) 

First person,  local Filipino lady that I met, Marbz! It was indeed a pleasure to know you. We had a great adventure exploring Makati and Manila itself! She took me on the first day to shop around at Makati (Green Belt) the mall where I was a bit surprised to see how amazingly strict check by the security to enter in and out of the malls. The first dinner was truly amazing! I love it so much and thanks for telling me the local cuisine in Philippines! We then decided to eat BALUT, and of course I have my San Miguel Beer accompany with me for this adventures! Check it out for the pics of the balut yea! 

Also, I asked Marbz that I wanted to see the other side of Manila, where all the media crazy talk about how dangerous it is, well sorry to some media that Philippines was truly an amazing place, amazing people. "If you give a kind to them, they will give you twice of their kindness to you, even if you don't give, they will still give you, and smile at you, no matter how poor some people here, they never complaint and stress, they smile and grateful for what they have! It was so sad to see the kids there, the street kids no education and I really hope the people there, especially government do something to them, well enough of my thought, enjoy the pics!! I ate lots of street food that was crazy like the pig blood, chicken intestines, and pancreas! So yea! I love here so much!!! 

Another Filipino friend that I met, John ! I met him in couchsurfing, he was a generous and kind man. He offered me a place to stay in Manila, so since I never been to Quezon City and experience the life staying with local, I decided to stay with him, John, thanks for the gift all away from Manila ! Truly appreciate it, when you come to Malaysia, please do so visit me in Borneo this time and I will definitely come back to Philippines this year to visit you all !!! 
That night was the recaps I ate 3 baluts total in my journey in Philippines!!! 
That night we, Bryan, you, Sebastian and Markus and Laura had an amazing chat and chilling with beers! I just love sharing all the experience with new people I met! And of course, Bryan you really inspired me to be a traveler like you too someday! 

LAURA ! I MISSED you BABE! 

We do have an amazing journeys in LA Union !!! HAHA.... never thought we could be so crazy with our new friends Antik, Edmund, Tim and Bob! Surfing at the ocean, 3am in the morning seeing you all dip yourself in the beach, clubbing with the locals and dance crazily, party at the beach ! Drink drink and also chat so much with you all ! Hope to see you all someday around this world yea! Cheers!!! 

When I look at the picture, I was lucky enough to get a cheaper rate from a stranger, a friendly Filipino that overbook the hotel room (After the security guard assist me and ask me to keep quiet for this) I did not have any reservation, go to Clark on my own with bus then tricycle, was shocked room overbooked, all the hotels, inn and hostel all fully booked. This guy in the dark blue shirt, helped me and offered me a place to stay. At first, I don't mind sleeping in the airport and giving the condition that I spend my time chatting with the security guards till the next morning with some beers!  End up,  4 of us spend time talking and talking and sharing experiences and everyone here think I'm a Filipino too!!! So lucky enough, people there are so helpful, even when I'm in the bus, unsure of everything, they willing to assist me! Thanks people! :) 

Good bye Philippines, yes good bye, I was so sad indeed leaving this beautiful place, 8 days is not enough to cover the place. As you know Philippines has 7100 islands! My plan board on the 1st day of Chinese New Year, away from home, the crew of Airasia officers from Clark Airport actually gave me fortune cookies, ang pao and also the chocolates to brighten up my day! Such an amazing hospitality. Will I come back to Philippines again this year? YES I AM DEFINITELY GOING BACK there and explore more on Davao, Illocos, Sagada and Zambales (more surfing) I really love this place and this place taught me lot's of lessons and so fun meeting up new people! These amazing journey is indeed a lesson in life that you have to treasure and I encouraged all the young people to backpack and travel and meet lot's of people, it's ok to travel alone because at the end of the day, you will meet someone in your journeys and journeys are made with these people that you traveled with at the end of the day! SALAMAT PHILIPPINES!!!! 

I always wanted to go to Philippines! And it was an superb and amazing journey I could recaps on my trip to Philippines recently, travelling backpack solo was again the choice I decided to do. Lot's of my friends and families again once more worry about me, most of them might got influence with the media saying that Philippines is not pretty safe, and they were completely wrong ! 

I have to admit that this was the most memorable and great escape at the South East Asia. 

Let me recaps my journey in terms of expenses and traveling around there with transportation and etc. It cost me only RM1800 for 8 days, yes, it was so cheap, I admit that I drink lot's of beers there, it cost me only RM3 for one pint of beers! You can travel easily with the colourful jeepneys and tricycle there ! Jeepneys cost 8 pesos in Manila during my journey and in La Union, it cost me about 11 pesos only. How cheap it could be? Tips : Tricycle cost a little bit expensive ranging from 50 pesos onwards during my trip. You could also take the taxi and ensure that you know the location well yea! 

Take a look at those pictures I capture in Manila City itself ! Especially in Makati ! 
My journey : Clark - Makati - Metro Manila - Completed the Taal Volcano Trail - City Tour - took a bus to La Union (surfings!)

For this part of the blog, let me update you more on MANILA itself!  

Once you reach to Clark Airport, take the bus called Pilantro to Manila City itself, I was pretty lucky that the bus driver actually stop me to the Makati City itself. Journey took me around almost 3 hours to reach to the Makati City, Sunday the traffic was not bad, still bearable compared to others day !  Transportation cost : 450 pesos only :) 

It was pretty hard to find the OMP Hostel at the time I reached, but it was honestly a strategic location and it is the best hostel in the city here. A dorm cost me 600 pesos, and the bed for the dorm was comfortable and what I like the most would be the friendly staffs that always be there for you to assist you when you need their help. You got free WIFI, free nice breakfast which can last you till afternoon !!! I was an indeed the best hostel and it's so clean, location was perfect as it was location at Makati Avenue where you can find lotsa shops around and also the best part, you can find BALUT there!!! Transportation wise it was the best! Our Melting Pot Hostel ROCKS my journey in Manila. Thanks to all the crew that take care of me with their best hospitality there. P/s : They do offered few activities like a nightlife outing for Reggae, Taal Volcano Trail expedition, city tour. Check out their facebook fan page : https://www.facebook.com/ourmeltingpot?fref=ts 

Check out on the pictures I captured all around in Makati, Metro Manila, Quezon City, city tour (beautiful Intramuros) and also my expedition for the Taal Volcano Trail !!! 

That's all about Manila & Metro Manila and let's move to my next blog for LA Union ! :) 
Tips : In order to get to La Union, you should take a bus called Partas, and it cost around 350pesos if I'm not mistaken, journey is 7-8 hours ! It was really long journey but it was amazing to see all around Philippines throughout the journey, during my stay in La Union, I stayed at the Circle Hostel, one of the most Unique Hostel ever! The rate per night is 300 pesos only, and it was located less than 5 minutes walk to the beach, You can actually rent the surfing board and lessons there. 
One hour lesson : 200 pesos, one hour surf board : 200 pesos
Beach party, cheap beers, life as a surfer was the best moments of my life! I managed to learn surfing finally and it's one of my bucketlist! Check out all the pics of LA UNION! 

This little kid born to be a surfer someday! So yea people, check out on my next blog on the amazing people that I met and what did I do in Manila. 

Cheers!!! 

A trip to The Rock Bar at Ayana Resort was honestly amazing, but it was so much pain in the ass to wait for the queue.....

When I check on the website, "Sunset is the busiest time and there is often a queue at the inclinator; in-house guests of AYANA enjoy VIP service with priority access to skip the queue. Night-time is just as magical but in a more intimate, sensual way, with twinkling stars above, spot-lit ocean and cooler night air. A dress code applies, requiring smart attire. No singlets or boardshorts, and no alcohol-branded attire are permitted"

----> Statement was correct !!! U have to be there earlier, however, although u have to queue up, guest of the resort is the management priority which actually slow down our journey down to this bar. I remembered the other day when I was there, we are not allowed to use the stairs due to there was a wedding ceremony there, so yea, slow down our god damn journey!!!

To be honest, all the whining and grumle of your thought gone looking at the amazing scenery and sunset!
No entrance fees, but of course you have to sit down and buy drink, what I love the most is the hospitality, each table have its own waiter/waitress. Poor internet connection when I'm there tho. Check out on those pictures to recaps my journeys!

Tips to Ayana Resort : Hire a tour guide to drive u up to the resort, be there early ! It opens at 4pm but do queue up earlier, enjoy the sunset with your Bintang Beers and nice music :) A MUST THING TO DO IF U ARE IN BALI :)

Dec 2011, it was the most memorable experience ever to finally conquer The Island Of God (Bali) & aslo Gili Trawangan (Lombok) with my best friend, Marion. What could I expect from Bali? Bali honestly was a great destination that really open my eyes, I could not express that how friendly is Balinese, polite & humble. Aside from that, The food was really nice. We board with Airasia to Denpasar (known as Bali) and flight was pretty fine for us.

Me and my friend, especially Marion has put 110% efforts in building the itinerary on the places to visit, I was so thankful to have a travel buddy like her. How we actually travel Bali itself whole day is by hiring a tour guide, it was pretty cheap and price could be around RM100-RM120 per day for 8 hours which could be split with travelers. That is the best way to see Bali.
NEVER EVER BUY A VOUCHER if you do not want to travel with strangers which honestly looks so BORING :P

We actually split our days to few important places : Firstly we landed in Kuta itself, spend a night there, then Ubud (was spectacular with the paddy field which is so stunning, then back to Kuta and headed to Gili trawangan and back to Kuta. Simple reason why we pick Kuta on weekend because I myself would like to experience the nightlife which everyone talks about. Ubud was truly amazing, we got a pretty good massage there which is around less than RM100 that includes the mandi lulur and massage and scrub. Feel so amazing. We also headed to the temples there, keep in mind that there is a entrance fees since it's a touristic area. Heading to the temple taught me a lot of lessons about life and Balinese people. Kuta was indeed amazing !!! But it was so super busy with vehicles and bikes here and there. traffics !!!

Tips : Good place to go shopping is at Sukawati, do not ever go to Ubud for shoppings ! It's so expensive :)

Heading to Gili Islands was a nice experience, taking boat ride which cost around RM300 Malaysia was worth it (2 ways return ticket) What you could expect from is no traffics, no cars, no bikes ! Best beach rated at the South East Asia ! :)

Thought of drinking the Coffee Luwak? Most expensive coffee in the world? But it's only IDR50,000 in Indonesia :) BUCKETLIST of tasting this coffee made of animal droppings DONE! :)

Heading to the temples in Bali was a great experiences, we headed to Uluwatu, Tanah Lot & Lake Bratan, not to mention that sunset dinner at Jimbaran was the highlight as well....

Gili Trawangan, some pics of it :)

Highlights of Bali & Gili  :) I will promise to blog more specific places I go and more tips especially on food, places to go and of course accomodation :)

If you wish to check on more photos, check on the album in the facebook of my friend, Marion :)

And the link of the photo Album for Bali & Lombok of my facebook  is below here, enjoy! :)

I do have an amazing moments with my team, we went to Melaka, Janda Baik & Port Dickson.
All I can say that, Melaka is seriously a station for those who loves food !!! Janda Baik whereas those who love amazing spectacular view and peace.... Port dickson beach is slightly dirty, but I believe amazing time with friends matter most. Kota Kinabalu second visit was great!!! More to business people but there is entertainment for sure! :) But I managed went to Kundasang which similar like Cameron Highlands ! :) Awesome :)

check out on those pictures, credits some pictures to my friend, Aeron :) Thanks mate!

Check our more photos on Melaka  & Kundasang, Sabah here :)

And where shall I will be going next these coming days? I will be going to Singapore for some backpack alone, trust me, just an air ticket but no confirm bookings from hostel at all, I guess I will be struggling in the airport which I think should not be a problem for me with limited funds.... After Singapore, I will be heading to somewhere which I have never ever plan of going there, and it's out of Malaysia, if it's South America I will be happy... But it will be South East Asean.... check out on my post and I shall keep you all updated!! Again, travel for live and learn while doing it when you are young !!! :) Be extraordinary daring and life will be extraordinary happening and fun ! Cheers for now! Dale amigas y amigos! :))

Un Besos,
Victor Druce

Finally after 5 years, I'm back to Cameron Highlands, this time with friends from Madrid, Spain with Mario & Miguel! 
Both are interesting great buddy and friendly ever!!!!  Good companion and of course, sincere friend :) 
Cameron is still the same, nothing much change, I did not have good knowledge on where to eat and etc because it was my uni trip last time. But at least I discover few things interesting. Such as what to visit, well Cameron is not about nightlife, it's more about having a good bonding with friends and explore the nature there, such as the tea plantations and of course, strawberries farm, food is cheap there ! We went there by Kang Travel Tours, only RM38 ride from KL. The distance take around 4 hours ride, the ride SUCKS! Road was bad.... So many curves but the scenery was spectacular ! 

Few photos of me and my friends from Spain that visit KL & Cameron Highlands! 

Groupon..... Time flies, it's been almost 6 months I'm with awesome great company ever! 
I learnt many things here, having 3 car accidents taught me a lot to be careful on the road, dealing with merchants taught me to be tough and firm in my life, learning to eat alone in the restaurants taught me to be brave for that and it's ok,  learning to walk in and meet new people and making new friends and relationship randomly taught me to be more friendly, best part is I got to know that life is tough and dealing with people you must be good and must be firm. Always gonna keep learning  :) 

Check out some pics of it :)  GROUPON MALAYSIA ROCKS!!!