Australia: Sydney Free Walking Tour

After taking a quick shower after arrival in the hostel, went to the common area. Got some brochures and saw a FREE walking Tour.

I met a fellow guest of the hostel named David. He was with his friends Dean and Joe. So we heeded to the START POINT of the tour near the Circular Quay Railway Station .

Based from the map guide- we just have to look for a guy in RED SHIRT. Many guests were already waiting for the guide too, since nobody in RED shirt came, I managed to sneak a peek inside the Old Library Museum. Inside you will see a minature of entire Sydney and much more. Had to go to the restroom too.

 A miniature Sydney on glass top.

Went outside after a few minutes. Still no guy in Red shirt, took some pics with the Bridge on background.

David, Joe and Dean

After a few minutes, the guy in Red Shirt came. We started the walking Tour.

Austraila: Exploring Sydney

Transiting to KL from Clark via Cebu Pacific, arrived almost midnight in LCCT. Just went outside for a late  Indian dinner.

Just waited inside the terminal for an early morning Air-Asia flight direct to Sydney.

It was about a 5-6 hours flight. Arrived in Sydney at about 10 in the morning (2 hours earlier than in PH).

 After clearing the immigration, I walked oustide asked  an airport police where the station for the coaches where. I was directed   about 200 meters and waited. I asked how much was the fare to the bakcpacker's hostel that I would be staying and I was told it was AUD 10. waited for a few minutes for additional passengers, 5 mores guests and we left.

I was dropped off just opposite to my hostel. Zing Backpackers in Kings Cross.

 After checking in , I went to my room. Unpacked my luggage. Went to the common room and looked for available tours. Saw a "FREE WALKING TOUR BROCHURE" at around 2 PM. Just freshened a liitle bit and there I was ready to go. Instead of planning to sleep , I was some sort of re-energized..hehehe.

Sorsogon: A trip to Donsol from Legazpi City and Encounter with the Butandings(Whale sharks)

I arrived at the terminal at around 515 am. I looked for the van for Donsol. I guess I was the first one to arrive. There were no Vans yet. After about 15 minutes, a van arrived. I asked what time would it depart and the driver said we had to wait until all seats are taken. Oh, oh..what a long wait. I guessed I was too early. I waited for another hour until another passenger arrived. It was already past 6 am in the morning. Another couple arrived and we decided to just split the fare so we could leave. They agreed. Luckily there were 5 more who arrived. Since it was too late already we told the driver that we should go. I just paid  Php 200 as my share for the fare. ( Actually transport cost to Donsol via a Van for hire is only 80 php ).

Travel time was about 2 1/2 hours. I catnapped within the travel since I had no proper sleep. We arrived in Donsol at almost 9 in the morning. I went directly to the Donsol Tourist Office and inquired if what time is the next boat for the Whaleshark tour. Fortunately there was one that would leave in 3 minutes. I asked how much would I pay. I was told it would cost me Php 1,800. There are already 2 couples waiting: One Japanese couple and another Australian couple and I would be the 5th passenger and we would go. So excited, I paid and changed clothes. 

A view of Mayon from the terminal

The whale shark guide directed me to a dive shop and told me to fit a pair of fins and mask and snorkel. I thought it was for free. But the lady asked me for P 450 pesos. I told them I brought my own snorkel and I would just pay for the fins. It cost Php 300. Well since its needed so I paid. We boarded the motor banca and fortunately after about 5 minutes we saw a couple of whale sharks. The tour guide would tell us every time to 'GET READY- (If we see some Butandings) and JUMP". We did it for several times. It was quite exhausting. I jumped to the water for only about 5 times and seeing 4-5 Butandings. I just relaxed on the banca while other passengers were enjoying swimming after the whale-sharks.

 

Albay: Legazpi City- Exploring Embarcadero and a Cheap Overnight Stay

After about 30 minutes of exploring the breath-taking view of the city from Lignon Hill, I asked the tryke driver to drop me to the nearest-affordable hotel. He took me to the Sampaguita Tourist Inn. It looks new outside because of the fresh paint. There was no available air-con room so I settled for the fan room. It was very cheap for Php 200.00.

( When I returned after dinner I saw this signage in the main door of the hotel. It looks disturbing for guests. When I checked the hotel it was freshly painted. It does not really look like a five star hotel but for Php 200 it was okay. Common bath room but with tv. )

After leaving my backpack, I freshened a bit , changed shirt and stroll to the Embarcadero. It was about 20 minutes walk from the hotel. Embarcadero is a shopping mall that is located in a reclaimed area near the port. There are plenty of specialty shops as well as restaurants. It also has a race-track for Go-karts as well as a Zip line.

I took my dinner in one of the restaurants before further exploring the city.

After dinner and strolling the mall, I walked to the nearby mall called NCCC. I bought some food for the early morning trip to Donsol  Sorsogon. I had no idea what time will be the first trip. I asked someone that it was better to go to the Bus  terminal and take the commuter van if you are on a budget, which I actually did. he said the van would leave the terminal at around 530 am.

Getting Ready for the Donsol trip the next morning

I just watched tv since I could not sleep properly.  The room was pretty hot even if it had a fan. I woke up at about 450 am and checked out the hotel. Got my backpack and took a tricycle to the Bus Terminal for Sorsogon.

Albay, Legazpi City: Views from Lignon Hill

From Daraga, Albay, we proceeded to Lignon Hill. Lignon is is actually near the airport. You get a better view of Mayon from the Hill top.

You have to pay entrance fee (environmental fee) of P 40 when you enter. There is a restaurant, a travel and tour booking office if you want to take an ATV within Mayon's crater (unfortunately I did not push through because of the weather- it was raining so hard for two days), a park good for jogging and simply walking.

Shortcut to to to the hill top.

This is an old tunnel used by the Japanese.

Albay, Daraga: Exploring Daraga Town and its Historical Church

Municipal Hall of  Daraga

 Our Lady of the Gate Church

Images of Famous Patron Saints

 

A view of Mayon from Daraga Church