Royal Oberoi Resort Hotel, Puerto Princesa City

We stayed here for 4 days and 3 nights during my last visit to the city last November 2012. Here are some of my reviews for this accommodation:

• Their reservation through email was very quick and hassle free. The owner, Mark, responds to my queries almost everyday. You can even ask for the tally computation for better understanding.
• Their facade isn't that inviting that you couldn't even imagine that it was a resort hotel inside. Just like a typical subdivision gate.
• The location was a bit off the city proper, about 30 minutes travel by tricycle and the (rough) road leading to the place is creepy and dark at night.
• Their entire vicinity is really huge - the pool, the garden and the restaurant/events place. Everything is well-kept as well and enough attendants to assist and guide you when you need them.
• Their pool is huge and quite deep for Asians like us. I think the shallowest is around 5 feet deep. Though they don't change the water everyday, I can see that they put treatment chemicals every night to the pool.
• Their restaurant is also huge! It is actually two floors but I think we can only access the ground. It is non-aircon but the air is enough to keep us cool and be one with the environment. You got to try their burger and pizza!
• The rooms are tidy as well. I appreciate their decorations and fixtures that made the room more pleasing to the eye. We had the villa type and my only concern is that there is only one aircon (at the second floor) and their shower area drainage wasn't that properly placed. Aside from that, everything is fine.

Here are some of my captured photos of the place...

the double bed at the second floor

the balcony looking through the outside of the resort

view from the second floor loft 

the second floor bed and sofa set

shower area located on the first floor

master bed at the ground floor

our delicious welcome drinks!

the pool and the pool-bar at night

their restaurant

my free breakfast

free breakfast on my last day

I highly recommend this accommodation if you want to have a quiet time during your stay in Puerto Princesa City. Definitely we will be back to this place!

Puerto Princesa City Itinerary and Budget

Cu Chi Tunnels Half-Day Tour

We scheduled our half-day tour to Cu Chi tunnels on our second day at Ho Chi Minh City through our hostel. We were picked up by the tour agency at our hostel and passed by the other groups as well from the different hotels in the Bui Vien area. It was just a short walk to where the coach is parked. Before getting to the Cu Chi tunnels proper, we stopped by a porcelain factory where you could actually see how they were done and buy some items at the end of the path. Here are our step-by-step journey of the Cu Chi Tunnels tour proper...

from the entrance gate, you'll walk by a huge tunnel before getting up to a forest-like surroundings

you'll first attend an orientation about the history of the tunnels

visitors are actually allowed to do this too!

some booby traps

one of the many tunnel entrances

the actual tunnel we duck-walked into

cassava treat before ending the tour

with matching tea!

the sticker provided at the main entrance

We were back to the city at around 2:30pm. It was a very knowledgeable tour and a one-of-a-kind experience. Got to try this when you'll be in Ho Chi Minh!

Backpaking Indochina Itinerary and Budget

Ho Chi Minh Half-Day City Tour

Just after settling up our things in our room, we immediately braved ourselves for our own city tour. Since we are lacking with time, we took a taxi along the Bui Vien Street. I recommend you take with you a map since taxi drivers here doesn't quite well understand English and if they do, they have a different intonation and pronunciation of words that would make the comprehension between you and him a great task. First off is the Independence Palace or also known as the Reunification Palace. This closes at 5pm and the last free guided tour will start at 4pm. Estimated time of the guided tour is around 1 hour.

scenic view of the palace from the outside

our pretty tour guide, very witty and full of humor!

the palace' window panes

one of the restricted secret passages at the basement

at the roof top

Just straight ahead from the exit of the Palace grounds, we walked for under 5 minutes to reach the Notre Dame Cathedral. You will happen to pass by parks along the way so it is still scenic and you'll get to see a lot of people relaxing alongside.

the Church's facade, it has not gates and the road is just right at its sides

Right beside the Cathedral is the Central Post Office. It is a bit elevated by about 5-10 steps so you won't be missing on this one. Also, it's architectural design wouldn't surely miss your eyes. Don't be contented with its outside because the inside designs are much better and could I say awesome?!

With the aid of a map, we managed our way towards the City's Committee Hall which is spectacular at night! There are no gates as well and its entrance is just along the road. Very magnificent indeed! I just can't imagine there's no traffic nearby this site. You will also get to see Mr. Ho Chi Minh right in front of the Hall at the island/park.

Just about 2-3 minutes walk, you'll get to see their Opera House which is also a terrific night view. Like most of the sights here, there are no gates and it is located almost in the middle of the road plus with no traffic! Truly amazing coming from a traffic-everywhere country.

Doing this blog 3 months after visiting this city makes me miss my travel to this city. I appreciate their way of life considering it is already a city with less crowded roads and population.

Backpacking Indochina Itinerary with Budget

Luan Vu Hostel

We stayed here last November 2012 for two nights. Here are some of my insights to this Hostel:

• Very cheap accommodation in the heart of the Backpacker's district

• Prices comes with daily breakfast which is usually plated egg and sausage meal with unlimited bread (toasted) and juice or coffee

• Finding this Hostel might do a trick as it is located on a very small alley from the main street (Bui Vien). Locals that we asked for didn't knew reading it's address as well. It's near the Mini-Stop along Bui Vien St.

• The receptionists are very helpful and friendly! They provided us a map when we arrived and hke-helped us figure our way to the grocery to buy some take-home goodies.

• They have very clean corridors as you would take off your shoes before going upstairs.

• You may also ask for tours and they will be the one to contact the tour agency for you. The tour guide will just fetch you at your doorsteps before the start of the tour. Their tour is also recommendable and is at par with the rest of the agencies around.

• The rooms are spacious enough for our needs. There ain't any window though but it's very tidy and well kept; even the comfort room is nice.

• The WiFi works well even inside the rooms.

Some photos of the hostel...

3rd floor corridor

the reception and lobby

my breakfast

i forgot what juice this is

with our very friendly receptionist

Over-all, I would love to come back to this place and very recommendable to anyone!

Backpacking Indochina Itinerary and Budget