Saturday, January 26, 2019
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Tom's Homestay in Bogor, Indonesia
This review is for a trip I did a long time ago, 2013 to be exact. It was a month or so after typhoon Yolanda hits Southern Philippines. I remember it that way because in the conference that I attended, I was the only Filipino. Most cancelled because of the typhoon and it's effects to the Philippines in general. In my case I had to go ahead since all of my flight are already paid, and the hefty registration fee I paid way, way in advance so I can avail of discounted rates.
The flight from Manila is Cebu Pacific since they provide the best connection from my province. The flight arrives midnight and I had to transfer to another terminal for the domestic flight. Of course I was scammed, and this is memorable to me, since the scammer speaks perfect Tagalog. This is in Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport.
He sweet talked me into taking his cab which later on I realized was a private car to the other terminal. Oh, later on I learned that bus transfer is free and there are also metered taxis there.
The first segment of my trip is a side trip to Yogyakarta to see the temples. From the airport to Magelang I had to take a bus, a small bus. Magelang is the town where Borobudur is located. Borobudur is more like a barrio because it's far from the town proper and you have to go through an access road to go there. I took a taxi going back to Borobodur to find my hostel. The hostel is pretty basic but it is very near the temple complex.
Excuse me if I forgot the name of the hostel. Whatever it does not have is redeemed by their personnel who also act as guide for motorcycle tours. I did one and we went around the community. I vividly recall the tabu factory and the small streets there. I also joined a tour for sunrise viewing on a hill overlooking Borobudur.
The flight from Manila is Cebu Pacific since they provide the best connection from my province. The flight arrives midnight and I had to transfer to another terminal for the domestic flight. Of course I was scammed, and this is memorable to me, since the scammer speaks perfect Tagalog. This is in Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport.
He sweet talked me into taking his cab which later on I realized was a private car to the other terminal. Oh, later on I learned that bus transfer is free and there are also metered taxis there.
The first segment of my trip is a side trip to Yogyakarta to see the temples. From the airport to Magelang I had to take a bus, a small bus. Magelang is the town where Borobudur is located. Borobudur is more like a barrio because it's far from the town proper and you have to go through an access road to go there. I took a taxi going back to Borobodur to find my hostel. The hostel is pretty basic but it is very near the temple complex.
Excuse me if I forgot the name of the hostel. Whatever it does not have is redeemed by their personnel who also act as guide for motorcycle tours. I did one and we went around the community. I vividly recall the tabu factory and the small streets there. I also joined a tour for sunrise viewing on a hill overlooking Borobudur.
New Puerto Princesa Airport
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| Puerto Princesa Airport pre-departure area. |
It's spacious but not much is in here. No restaurants and only a few shops. You just use it to leave and arrive. That's it!
For seniors and PWD, wheelchair is available.
Security is more strict than most airports I have been. Lighter is not allowed.
Pay parking is available but it's cheaper if you wait outside, in Mercado, if you're fetching someone.
Thursday, July 20, 2017
5J 805 Review July 19, 2017
5J 805 is between Manila and Singapore. This is an afternoon flight because we are connecting from PPS.
We arrived in Naia 4 and we had to take a Grab taxi to Naia 3 because there is no more of that airside bus transfer. The personnel there told me that they use the streets outside now. Dumb decision Naia.
- The flight was a few minutes late.
- Aircraft appears well-maintained inside.
- I saw some trash in the pouch in the back of the seat in front of me.
- Being a 5J flight, it is cooold. And noisy with lots of selling!
- No problem at all about space. I'm 5'9" but there's a few inches more in front of my knees.
- There is only one lavatory in the front section for passengers so there's always a queue.
- Service was interrupted due to turbulence.
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Pets United's New Toy
Pets United Veterinary Clinic's new toy is an Xray machine. It's the first in Palawan and Puerto Princesa dedicated for pets. Contact: 0484337387.
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Corong-corong Beach on a Nice Season
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| Corong-corong Beach in El Nido on a good season. There was one time we were here on a rainy season and the beach was muddy. |
Fort Sta Isabel, Taytay, Palawan
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| This was taken while we were having breakfast in Casa Rosa Restaurant in Taytay, Palawan. This is around 3 hours drive from Puerto Princesa City. |
Rocks of Claucar
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| This is Claucar Beach Resort in Langogan. To go there, you will need to walk down a steep stair. Going down is easy, but going up when you're going home is a task! |
Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An
This beautiful bridge is in the center of Hoi An. During the day it's pretty but at night it's even better with all the lights focused on it. Expect a lot of tourists too and ticket is required to go in.
Taipei Zoo's Panda
This is in Taipei Zoo during our trip November 2015. Taipei Zoo is several times bigger than Manila Zoo and is located a little far from the City. We needed to change trains several times but the highlight really was not the zoo nor the animals but the gondola ride! Okay, it's not the gondola but my fear of heights!
Monday, September 12, 2016
Atlas Hotel Hoi An and Hue to Hoi An by Car
I have always wanted to go back to Vietnam for a holiday. I specially liked the food when I was in Ho Chi Minh which was my first travel abroad.
This time I ventured farther north, in Central Vietnam specifically in the cities of Hue and Hoi An. I had an red eye flight again with Cebu Pacific from Puerto Princesa with a connection in Manila. The flight arrived midnight in Than Son Nhat. I looked for a bench where I could sleep and found one in the arrival hall but my sleep was interrupted by a guard to shoo us as the building will be closed. So it's just less than two hours of sleep for me.
I walked my way towards the Domestic Terminal. There were many people there waiting but it's also closed. Apparently, my flight is one of the earliest so I had to wait for around an hour more.
My flight is with VietJet, a budget airline. Check in was fast and the flight was uneventful, except that it took us a few circles around the airport to give way to earlier aircrafts, I suppose.
When I arrived, I immediately saw the driver of the car rental I contacted in advance. He's connected with Hue Car Rental which I think is a one man company. I didn't ask. I told him that I want to see some Hue tombs first and the citadel before we go to Hoi An, and we did just that. It was a hot and humid day, just too hot and too humid for me but we were able to finish the itinerary.
I specially liked the stop in Hai Van Pass. From that point, Danang could be seen in the horizon and when we were there, a photo shoot with newly weds was ongoing so I had a chance to ogle at them young couples. I refused coffee. It was all downhill and freewheeling from this point until we reached Danang, and later Hoi An.
I was dropped at the hotel by the car rental guy. The receptionists welcomed me but there was a problem with my booking. Later on I found from their marketing officer that I should have emailed them again, to "reconfirm" my reservation. It was like they did not treat seriously my email! Anyway, I was given cold towel and welcome drinks and after a few minutes I was escorted to my room.
The room is nice! Well, I'm comparing it to similar-starred accommodations in the Philippines. It's clean but not very clean, but I think it's just the effect of having unpainted rough cement for some of the walls.
Oh the buffet breakfast! Even if the options are limited, it's fine with me. The essentials are there and they also change the menu everyday I was there. I specially liked the yogurt which I learned they make at the hotel. It was so nice that I usually pick two!
The cons: It's near the old town of Hoi An, the Japanese bridge is only a short walk away but the problem is that when I asked, I was pointed at the wrong, circuitous way! It must be due to the limited English of the staff I asked. Another negative is when I was there, it was summer vacation for the Vietnamese, and the families that stayed there are a little noisy at the pool.
When I stayed, it was just the third month of operation of the hotel. The manager is a Filipino guy who is a former cruise director in Hanoi and comes from Rizal.
I specially liked the stop in Hai Van Pass. From that point, Danang could be seen in the horizon and when we were there, a photo shoot with newly weds was ongoing so I had a chance to ogle at them young couples. I refused coffee. It was all downhill and freewheeling from this point until we reached Danang, and later Hoi An.
I was dropped at the hotel by the car rental guy. The receptionists welcomed me but there was a problem with my booking. Later on I found from their marketing officer that I should have emailed them again, to "reconfirm" my reservation. It was like they did not treat seriously my email! Anyway, I was given cold towel and welcome drinks and after a few minutes I was escorted to my room.
The room is nice! Well, I'm comparing it to similar-starred accommodations in the Philippines. It's clean but not very clean, but I think it's just the effect of having unpainted rough cement for some of the walls.
Oh the buffet breakfast! Even if the options are limited, it's fine with me. The essentials are there and they also change the menu everyday I was there. I specially liked the yogurt which I learned they make at the hotel. It was so nice that I usually pick two!
The cons: It's near the old town of Hoi An, the Japanese bridge is only a short walk away but the problem is that when I asked, I was pointed at the wrong, circuitous way! It must be due to the limited English of the staff I asked. Another negative is when I was there, it was summer vacation for the Vietnamese, and the families that stayed there are a little noisy at the pool.
When I stayed, it was just the third month of operation of the hotel. The manager is a Filipino guy who is a former cruise director in Hanoi and comes from Rizal.
Sunday, September 11, 2016
The Residence on Thonglor
This is a last minute Agoda booking which I booked when I am already in the arrival hall of Don Muang International Airport in Bangkok! This is the last leg of my vacation and business trip this July 2016. My flight is Air Asia Thailand from Ho Chi Minh and I just wrote the address of my usual hotel in Bangkok. The immigration officer didn't seem to mind. There's free WiFi in the arrival area so confirmed and paid my booking there.
From the airport, I took a bus to the weekend market, Chatuchak. One of my purposes is your buy some things there. I also had my lunch there. After draining myself with the humidity and heat in the crowded alleys, I hailed a taxi to the hotel. Of course, just like in Manila, Bangkok taxi drivers are also choosy or don't want to use meter, but eventually I found one.
Being a Sunday, it was just a short ride away. Upon arrival, with my luggage and boxes, I was helped by the guard and a bellboy. The lobby is on the second floor but it's not really a problem. Check in was easy and fast as my payment is with Agoda already.
My room was on the 7th floor and the room was overlooking a big private hospital. I was surprised because it was so big. Only then that I realized that I booked a serviced apartment-like hotel.
I was so impressed by the room. The bed is nice and comfortable. Lots of power outlets are available near the desk and the bed. Lots of them really! The full sized refrigerator was useful but when travelling I only use it for beverages. One day I was able to buy microwave pizza for breakfast. That's it! Oh, a microwave is also available. In fact, it is a full kitchen as there's also a convection stove and a kitchen sink and all the kitchen utensils that you'll have at home.
The front-loading washing machine was most useful as I have exhausted all the clothes that I brought, I just had to buy the detergent and fabric softener in the convenience store across the street.
The only problem I had with this accommodation is its distance from the MRT. Yes, they provide free shuttle to and from the MRT station but the timing is off. No problem really if you're always taking a taxi, but on my case, I have to go to IMPACT for the convention every day so I really have to take the MRT to save on fare because it's that far! Even with MRT it takes me around 45 minutes in the morning and longer in the evening to commute. Several times I had to hop on a motorcycle for 20THB to go back to the hotel from the station. Bus is also an option but I think it's not available late at night. Bus is below 10THB according to the shuttle car driver.
Of course the hotel has more to offer, these features I enjoyed so much. On the roof top, there's an infinity pool. It's so relaxing to swim there in the morning and at night. The view is superb! There's also a gym there and an onsen. Really cool! Most hotels do not have these.
The room also has a little balcony provided with a chair and small table. I used the enclosed part for drying my clothes!
If ever I will be in Bangkok again, I would use this hotel! Highly recommended. Total cost for 4 nights of my stay was just a little over 7000PHP. I don't know how much Agoda's discount to me was.
From the airport, I took a bus to the weekend market, Chatuchak. One of my purposes is your buy some things there. I also had my lunch there. After draining myself with the humidity and heat in the crowded alleys, I hailed a taxi to the hotel. Of course, just like in Manila, Bangkok taxi drivers are also choosy or don't want to use meter, but eventually I found one.
Being a Sunday, it was just a short ride away. Upon arrival, with my luggage and boxes, I was helped by the guard and a bellboy. The lobby is on the second floor but it's not really a problem. Check in was easy and fast as my payment is with Agoda already.
My room was on the 7th floor and the room was overlooking a big private hospital. I was surprised because it was so big. Only then that I realized that I booked a serviced apartment-like hotel.
I was so impressed by the room. The bed is nice and comfortable. Lots of power outlets are available near the desk and the bed. Lots of them really! The full sized refrigerator was useful but when travelling I only use it for beverages. One day I was able to buy microwave pizza for breakfast. That's it! Oh, a microwave is also available. In fact, it is a full kitchen as there's also a convection stove and a kitchen sink and all the kitchen utensils that you'll have at home.
The front-loading washing machine was most useful as I have exhausted all the clothes that I brought, I just had to buy the detergent and fabric softener in the convenience store across the street.
The only problem I had with this accommodation is its distance from the MRT. Yes, they provide free shuttle to and from the MRT station but the timing is off. No problem really if you're always taking a taxi, but on my case, I have to go to IMPACT for the convention every day so I really have to take the MRT to save on fare because it's that far! Even with MRT it takes me around 45 minutes in the morning and longer in the evening to commute. Several times I had to hop on a motorcycle for 20THB to go back to the hotel from the station. Bus is also an option but I think it's not available late at night. Bus is below 10THB according to the shuttle car driver.
Of course the hotel has more to offer, these features I enjoyed so much. On the roof top, there's an infinity pool. It's so relaxing to swim there in the morning and at night. The view is superb! There's also a gym there and an onsen. Really cool! Most hotels do not have these.
The room also has a little balcony provided with a chair and small table. I used the enclosed part for drying my clothes!
If ever I will be in Bangkok again, I would use this hotel! Highly recommended. Total cost for 4 nights of my stay was just a little over 7000PHP. I don't know how much Agoda's discount to me was.
The Residence on Thonglor
This is a last minute Agoda booking which I booked when I am already in the arrival hall of Don Muang International Airport in Bangkok! This is the last leg of my vacation and business trip this July 2016. My flight is Air Asia Thailand from Ho Chi Minh and I just wrote the address of my usual hotel in Bangkok. The immigration officer didn't seem to mind. There's free WiFi in the arrival area so confirmed and paid my booking there.
From the airport, I took a bus to the weekend market, Chatuchak. One of my purposes is your buy some things there. I also had my lunch there. After draining myself with the humidity and heat in the crowded alleys, I hailed a taxi to the hotel. Of course, just like in Manila, Bangkok taxi drivers are also choosy or don't want to use meter, but eventually I found one.
Being a Sunday, it was just a short ride away. Upon arrival, with my luggage and boxes, I was helped by the guard and a bellboy. The lobby is on the second floor but it's not really a problem. Check in was easy and fast as my payment is with Agoda already.
My room was on the 7th floor and the room was overlooking a big private hospital. I was surprised because it was so big. Only then that I realized that I booked a serviced apartment-like hotel.
I was so impressed by the room. The bed is nice and comfortable. Lots of power outlets are available near the desk and the bed. Lots of them really! The full sized refrigerator was useful but when travelling I only use it for beverages. One day I was able to buy microwave pizza for breakfast. That's it! Oh, a microwave is also available. In fact, it is a full kitchen as there's also a convection stove and a kitchen sink and all the kitchen utensils that you'll have at home.
The front-loading washing machine was most useful as I have exhausted all the clothes that I brought, I just had to buy the detergent and fabric softener in the convenience store across the street.
The only problem I had with this accommodation is its distance from the MRT. Yes, they provide free shuttle to and from the MRT station but the timing is off. No problem really if you're always taking a taxi, but on my case, I have to go to IMPACT for the convention every day so I really have to take the MRT to save on fare because it's that far! Even with MRT it takes me around 45 minutes in the morning and longer in the evening to commute. Several times I had to hop on a motorcycle for 20THB to go back to the hotel from the station. Bus is also an option but I think it's not available late at night. Bus is below 10THB according to the shuttle car driver.
Of course the hotel has more to offer, these features I enjoyed so much. On the roof top, there's an infinity pool. It's so relaxing to swim there in the morning and at night. The view is superb! There's also a gym there and an onsen. Really cool! Most hotels do not have these.
The room also has a little balcony provided with a chair and small table. I used the enclosed part for drying my clothes!
If ever I will be in Bangkok again, I would use this hotel! Highly recommended. Total cost for 4 nights of my stay was just a little over 7000PHP. I don't know how much Agoda's discount to me was.
From the airport, I took a bus to the weekend market, Chatuchak. One of my purposes is your buy some things there. I also had my lunch there. After draining myself with the humidity and heat in the crowded alleys, I hailed a taxi to the hotel. Of course, just like in Manila, Bangkok taxi drivers are also choosy or don't want to use meter, but eventually I found one.
Being a Sunday, it was just a short ride away. Upon arrival, with my luggage and boxes, I was helped by the guard and a bellboy. The lobby is on the second floor but it's not really a problem. Check in was easy and fast as my payment is with Agoda already.
My room was on the 7th floor and the room was overlooking a big private hospital. I was surprised because it was so big. Only then that I realized that I booked a serviced apartment-like hotel.
I was so impressed by the room. The bed is nice and comfortable. Lots of power outlets are available near the desk and the bed. Lots of them really! The full sized refrigerator was useful but when travelling I only use it for beverages. One day I was able to buy microwave pizza for breakfast. That's it! Oh, a microwave is also available. In fact, it is a full kitchen as there's also a convection stove and a kitchen sink and all the kitchen utensils that you'll have at home.
The front-loading washing machine was most useful as I have exhausted all the clothes that I brought, I just had to buy the detergent and fabric softener in the convenience store across the street.
The only problem I had with this accommodation is its distance from the MRT. Yes, they provide free shuttle to and from the MRT station but the timing is off. No problem really if you're always taking a taxi, but on my case, I have to go to IMPACT for the convention every day so I really have to take the MRT to save on fare because it's that far! Even with MRT it takes me around 45 minutes in the morning and longer in the evening to commute. Several times I had to hop on a motorcycle for 20THB to go back to the hotel from the station. Bus is also an option but I think it's not available late at night. Bus is below 10THB according to the shuttle car driver.
Of course the hotel has more to offer, these features I enjoyed so much. On the roof top, there's an infinity pool. It's so relaxing to swim there in the morning and at night. The view is superb! There's also a gym there and an onsen. Really cool! Most hotels do not have these.
The room also has a little balcony provided with a chair and small table. I used the enclosed part for drying my clothes!
If ever I will be in Bangkok again, I would use this hotel! Highly recommended. Total cost for 4 nights of my stay was just a little over 7000PHP. I don't know how much Agoda's discount to me was.
My First Airbnb, in Taipei
This is a business trip, the purpose of which is to attend a convention in Taipei, November 2015.
Cebu Pacific provides the best connection as we are coming from the province, so we arrived very late. I was travelling with my Mom this time and we're both Taipei first timers.
We took the bus from the airport, it took more than 30 minutes I think to our bus stop which is in front of Ambassador Hotel. The Airbnb is only a few meters away from the stop! So we really did not have much problem with our luggage. The problem that we had is, I didn't know how to call or doorbell the unit! I really didn't know how to use their system. The building is composed of several apartments on the upper floors while the ground floor is occupied by offices. We were stranded for a few minutes in the lobby, there is no front desk, no guard. Good thing a seemingly drunk resident is going up! We asked and he paged the owner. She said something Chinese in the intercom, of course I didn't understand but it's something like we should proceed upstairs, as interpreted by the man we asked. It's a private building that's why we're hesitant to go up without asking permission from someone and besides, I don't know what floor in is. It's not in the directions provided to us.
So we went in, the owner who also stays on the unit, welcomed us. She gave us key card for the doors and gave a brief orientation. One thing I specially liked on this unit is that it's spotlessly clean. Immaculate, almost like OC-clean, as in its even cleaner than most hotels I have been to.
The room has a big bed and has a window facing the small, one way street below. In most hotels, having a room that faces a street can be noisy but this one has good sound proofing. Sleep was not a problem. The room has in-ceiling cooling system that's very easy to control. There are multiple power outlets too so charging our gadgets is not a problem.
A kitchen is also available but we did not use it.
The cons:
1. Lavatory is too far from our room. It's a common bath shared by two other Airbnb rooms in their unit. It's near the other two but far from us. Difficult for my senior citizen mom who needs to empty her bladder at night. The lavatory itself has no problem. The toilet seat is very high tech like that you see in Japan. It's very clean too just like the rest of the house. Oh, we asked to transfer to another room but we're not allowed because it was booked, she said.
2. Cannot leave baggage with them. On our last day, we asked the owner if we can leave our luggage after checkout. No. It sounds too indifferent to me but I can't blame her language skills. Her English is too limited as most of the older Taiwanese. The result, we had to go to the airport earlier to spend the rest of our time in Taipei. More than 8 hours wasted I think.
While there, my favorite is the breakfast. I go to the building in front of Ambassador Hotel and buy food. It's usually rice wrapped in pork and mixed vegetables. Its pork is crispy and there's also some pulled pork in there. Super delicious! Drinks is warm soya milk, which is flavoured sometimes. I forgot what they're called but they're so good and filling.
At night, well it's typical Taipei, there are a lot of food options around. One night we had noodle soup, another we had grilled sweet corn. Cakes and breads are good too, as well as fruits. Oh my God, big atis, sweet citrus etc and they're very fresh.
Would I use this again? Maybe. It's cheaper than hotels in central Taipei. Subway is very near. It's very clean and secure.
Cebu Pacific provides the best connection as we are coming from the province, so we arrived very late. I was travelling with my Mom this time and we're both Taipei first timers.
We took the bus from the airport, it took more than 30 minutes I think to our bus stop which is in front of Ambassador Hotel. The Airbnb is only a few meters away from the stop! So we really did not have much problem with our luggage. The problem that we had is, I didn't know how to call or doorbell the unit! I really didn't know how to use their system. The building is composed of several apartments on the upper floors while the ground floor is occupied by offices. We were stranded for a few minutes in the lobby, there is no front desk, no guard. Good thing a seemingly drunk resident is going up! We asked and he paged the owner. She said something Chinese in the intercom, of course I didn't understand but it's something like we should proceed upstairs, as interpreted by the man we asked. It's a private building that's why we're hesitant to go up without asking permission from someone and besides, I don't know what floor in is. It's not in the directions provided to us.
So we went in, the owner who also stays on the unit, welcomed us. She gave us key card for the doors and gave a brief orientation. One thing I specially liked on this unit is that it's spotlessly clean. Immaculate, almost like OC-clean, as in its even cleaner than most hotels I have been to.
The room has a big bed and has a window facing the small, one way street below. In most hotels, having a room that faces a street can be noisy but this one has good sound proofing. Sleep was not a problem. The room has in-ceiling cooling system that's very easy to control. There are multiple power outlets too so charging our gadgets is not a problem.
A kitchen is also available but we did not use it.
The cons:
1. Lavatory is too far from our room. It's a common bath shared by two other Airbnb rooms in their unit. It's near the other two but far from us. Difficult for my senior citizen mom who needs to empty her bladder at night. The lavatory itself has no problem. The toilet seat is very high tech like that you see in Japan. It's very clean too just like the rest of the house. Oh, we asked to transfer to another room but we're not allowed because it was booked, she said.
2. Cannot leave baggage with them. On our last day, we asked the owner if we can leave our luggage after checkout. No. It sounds too indifferent to me but I can't blame her language skills. Her English is too limited as most of the older Taiwanese. The result, we had to go to the airport earlier to spend the rest of our time in Taipei. More than 8 hours wasted I think.
While there, my favorite is the breakfast. I go to the building in front of Ambassador Hotel and buy food. It's usually rice wrapped in pork and mixed vegetables. Its pork is crispy and there's also some pulled pork in there. Super delicious! Drinks is warm soya milk, which is flavoured sometimes. I forgot what they're called but they're so good and filling.
At night, well it's typical Taipei, there are a lot of food options around. One night we had noodle soup, another we had grilled sweet corn. Cakes and breads are good too, as well as fruits. Oh my God, big atis, sweet citrus etc and they're very fresh.
Would I use this again? Maybe. It's cheaper than hotels in central Taipei. Subway is very near. It's very clean and secure.
My First Airbnb, in Taipei
This is a business trip, the purpose of which is to attend a convention in Taipei, November 2015.
Cebu Pacific provides the best connection as we are coming from the province, so we arrived very late. I was travelling with my Mom this time and we're both Taipei first timers.
We took the bus from the airport, it took more than 30 minutes I think to our bus stop which is in front of Ambassador Hotel. The Airbnb is only a few meters away from the stop! So we really did not have much problem with our luggage. The problem that we had is, I didn't know how to call or doorbell the unit! I really didn't know how to use their system. The building is composed of several apartments on the upper floors while the ground floor is occupied by offices. We were stranded for a few minutes in the lobby, there is no front desk, no guard. Good thing a seemingly drunk resident is going up! We asked and he paged the owner. She said something Chinese in the intercom, of course I didn't understand but it's something like we should proceed upstairs, as interpreted by the man we asked. It's a private building that's why we're hesitant to go up without asking permission from someone and besides, I don't know what floor in is. It's not in the directions provided to us.
So we went in, the owner who also stays on the unit, welcomed us. She gave us key card for the doors and gave a brief orientation. One thing I specially liked on this unit is that it's spotlessly clean. Immaculate, almost like OC-clean, as in its even cleaner than most hotels I have been to.
The room has a big bed and has a window facing the small, one way street below. In most hotels, having a room that faces a street can be noisy but this one has good sound proofing. Sleep was not a problem. The room has in-ceiling cooling system that's very easy to control. There are multiple power outlets too so charging our gadgets is not a problem.
A kitchen is also available but we did not use it.
The cons:
1. Lavatory is too far from our room. It's a common bath shared by two other Airbnb rooms in their unit. It's near the other two but far from us. Difficult for my senior citizen mom who needs to empty her bladder at night. The lavatory itself has no problem. The toilet seat is very high tech like that you see in Japan. It's very clean too just like the rest of the house. Oh, we asked to transfer to another room but we're not allowed because it was booked, she said.
2. Cannot leave baggage with them. On our last day, we asked the owner if we can leave our luggage after checkout. No. It sounds too indifferent to me but I can't blame her language skills. Her English is too limited as most of the older Taiwanese. The result, we had to go to the airport earlier to spend the rest of our time in Taipei. More than 8 hours wasted I think.
While there, my favorite is the breakfast. I go to the building in front of Ambassador Hotel and buy food. It's usually rice wrapped in pork and mixed vegetables. Its pork is crispy and there's also some pulled pork in there. Super delicious! Drinks is warm soya milk, which is flavoured sometimes. I forgot what they're called but they're so good and filling.
At night, well it's typical Taipei, there are a lot of food options around. One night we had noodle soup, another we had grilled sweet corn. Cakes and breads are good too, as well as fruits. Oh my God, big atis, sweet citrus etc and they're very fresh.
Would I use this again? Maybe. It's cheaper than hotels in central Taipei. Subway is very near. It's very clean and secure.
Cebu Pacific provides the best connection as we are coming from the province, so we arrived very late. I was travelling with my Mom this time and we're both Taipei first timers.
We took the bus from the airport, it took more than 30 minutes I think to our bus stop which is in front of Ambassador Hotel. The Airbnb is only a few meters away from the stop! So we really did not have much problem with our luggage. The problem that we had is, I didn't know how to call or doorbell the unit! I really didn't know how to use their system. The building is composed of several apartments on the upper floors while the ground floor is occupied by offices. We were stranded for a few minutes in the lobby, there is no front desk, no guard. Good thing a seemingly drunk resident is going up! We asked and he paged the owner. She said something Chinese in the intercom, of course I didn't understand but it's something like we should proceed upstairs, as interpreted by the man we asked. It's a private building that's why we're hesitant to go up without asking permission from someone and besides, I don't know what floor in is. It's not in the directions provided to us.
So we went in, the owner who also stays on the unit, welcomed us. She gave us key card for the doors and gave a brief orientation. One thing I specially liked on this unit is that it's spotlessly clean. Immaculate, almost like OC-clean, as in its even cleaner than most hotels I have been to.
The room has a big bed and has a window facing the small, one way street below. In most hotels, having a room that faces a street can be noisy but this one has good sound proofing. Sleep was not a problem. The room has in-ceiling cooling system that's very easy to control. There are multiple power outlets too so charging our gadgets is not a problem.
A kitchen is also available but we did not use it.
The cons:
1. Lavatory is too far from our room. It's a common bath shared by two other Airbnb rooms in their unit. It's near the other two but far from us. Difficult for my senior citizen mom who needs to empty her bladder at night. The lavatory itself has no problem. The toilet seat is very high tech like that you see in Japan. It's very clean too just like the rest of the house. Oh, we asked to transfer to another room but we're not allowed because it was booked, she said.
2. Cannot leave baggage with them. On our last day, we asked the owner if we can leave our luggage after checkout. No. It sounds too indifferent to me but I can't blame her language skills. Her English is too limited as most of the older Taiwanese. The result, we had to go to the airport earlier to spend the rest of our time in Taipei. More than 8 hours wasted I think.
While there, my favorite is the breakfast. I go to the building in front of Ambassador Hotel and buy food. It's usually rice wrapped in pork and mixed vegetables. Its pork is crispy and there's also some pulled pork in there. Super delicious! Drinks is warm soya milk, which is flavoured sometimes. I forgot what they're called but they're so good and filling.
At night, well it's typical Taipei, there are a lot of food options around. One night we had noodle soup, another we had grilled sweet corn. Cakes and breads are good too, as well as fruits. Oh my God, big atis, sweet citrus etc and they're very fresh.
Would I use this again? Maybe. It's cheaper than hotels in central Taipei. Subway is very near. It's very clean and secure.
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