february-2011

international adventures
Manila’s
night scene
MANILA
PHILIPPINES
This capital city on the
western side of Luzon island
showcases skyscrapers mixed
with historic Spanish colonial
architecture. This is also
evident in the country’s food,
which is anything but boring.
South
China
Sea
PHILIPPINES
Manila
Sulu Sea
FROM THE AIRPORT
CBD 7km from Ninoy Aquino
International Airport
Travel time CBD is around
30 mins by car
Taxi Approx PHP450 (S$13.12).
Prepaid taxis are available inside the
airport terminal and save you the
hassle of haggling
ON THE GO
1. Taxi You can fl ag one down at
most malls. Always insist on using
the meter.
2. Jeepney These lorries ply most
major city roads and can take you
anywhere along their route.
3. Train The Light Rail Transit takes
an east-west route across the city,
while the Metro Rail Transit goes
north-south.
94 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011
HEIDE ONG
CABUCOS
Businesswoman
Local delicacy: If you want
to go into Fear Factor mode, a
defi nite must-try is our balut — a
hard-boiled chicken or duck egg.
Sounds easy? Bite into this then,
because once you crack that
shell open, you’ll see a nearly
developed embryo and a solid
yolk inside.
Survival tips for tourists: Do
not count your money in public.
Be careful of your belongings
so as not to invite unwanted
attention. In public markets, it is
okay to haggle. Prepare for the
heat — wear light clothing, bring
a bottle of water, an umbrella
and extra shirts or clothes
whenever you go out.
Local recreational activities to
watch: I can easily think of two:
basketball and karaoke. Catch
the PBA (Philippine Basketball
Association) live three times a
week at the Araneta Coliseum,
or release your inner diva and
storm the numerous KTV bars
that are lining the metro.
Most romantic spot: White
Moon Bar over at Hotel H 2 0 is
an alfresco bar by the bay. It’s a
great place for lounging around
while catching a glimpse of the
sunset with a glass of wine to
toast the night ahead.
Must-buy gifts: Almost every
mall off ers proudly Philippinemade,
handcrafted products like
shoes, bags and apparel.
Insider’s tip: Filipinos are
generally friendly, polite and
approachable, so always wear a
smile and you’ll surely get one in
return. A good majority of them
not only understand, but also
speak coherent English.
TAIPEI
TAIWAN
This capital city is noisy and
busy. The centre of Taiwan’s
commerce and entertainment,
it’s great for those who love
the buzz of an Asian city. The
food here is a big draw in the
land of pearl milk tea.
Taipei
TAIWAN
East China Sea
FROM THE AIRPORT
Philippine Sea
PACIFIC OCEAN
CBD 40km from Taiwan Taoyuan
International Airport
Travel time Around 50 mins by car
to the city centre
Taxi Approx TW$1,100 (S$48.86)
Buses Seven buses leave from the
airport, with some making hotel
stops. Costs TW$110-140 (S$4.89-
6.22) for an adult and TW$43-65
(S$1.91-2.89) for a child; takes 40 to
90 mins
ON THE GO
1. Taipei Rapid Transit System The
most effi cient way of getting around
the city, and Greater Taipei.
2. Taxi Always carry the address of
your destination written in Mandarin
if you do not speak the language.
The Taipei 101 is a
splendid sight
TODD ALPEROVITZ
ESL teacher and
photographer
Best breakfast: Yonghe Dou
Jiang serves an excellent
traditional Taiwanese breakfast.
If you never liked soy milk or
Taiwanese crullers, chances are
you just might after trying them
in Taipei.
Must-eats: Eat your way
through Taipei’s largest night
market — Shilin Night Market,
where you can snack on oyster
omelettes, stinky tofu, and fried
chicken fi llets.
Best place to hang out
with the locals: Thousands
of Taipei citizens seek daily
spiritual guidance at the
historic Longshan Temple. The
temple absolutely radiates with
energy. This is the place to go to
experience a mix of Buddhism
and Taiwanese folk religion.
Favourite local festival: If
you’re visiting during mid-June,
be sure to watch the dragon
boat races. This international
competition commemorates
the race to save poet Qu Yuan’s
body from being eaten by fi sh
after he drowned himself.
Best idea for a family
outing: The Taipei Zoo is a
wonderful and inexpensive
place to take the whole family
to. Among its attractions, the
zoo boasts an insectarium
where you can surround
yourself with butterfl ies, a pair
of controversial pandas, and a
nocturnal animal house. If you
don’t like walking uphill, take
the shuttle near the entrance to
the top and then walk your way
back down.
For history: Take the MRT to
Danshui to explore the area.