t r i p
j o u r n a l
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DIALING CODE
+673 (2)
CURRENCY
BND1 = PHP33.11/US$0.80
TOUCHDOWN
The international airport is
approximately 10 minutes (about 10km) away
from the center of Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB).
There are taxis, car rentals and regular public bus
services that can take you to and from the airport.
BY DAY
Visit Kampung Ayer, a water village with
30,000
residents living in modern houses on stilts.
Book a tour with house visits and taste traditional
kueh
(
cakes). Have a photo with the Masjid Sultan
Omar Ali Saiffudien Mosque in the background.
BY NIGHT
In Gerai Malam in Gadong, you’ll find
stalls selling cheap snacks and full meals. Try the
nasi katok
(
fried chicken), but tell them if you can’t
take spices. Nearby is the Gadong shopping area,
where you’ll find popular cafés like Coffee Bean.
SLEEP
Get comfortable without breaking your
budget. Check into mid-range lodgings like
Radisson International (
or
Times Hotel (
.
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
BANDARSERI BEGAWAN
BESTSOUVENIRS
Buy gifts for
friends back home from Kain Jong
Sarat at Arts and Handicraft Center.
INSIDER TIP
Want to explore the
city? Get around BSB onboard the local
purple bus.
BEST DINNER
Try the Bruneian
delicacy
ambuyat,
made from sago and
water, at Ambuyat at Aminah Aarif.
aminaharif.com.bn
Kamarul
Dzaman
Ajimain
multimedia
coordinator
INDONESIA
JAKARTA
SOUTH KOREA
BUSAN
DIALING CODE
+82 (51)
CURRENCY
KRW100 = PHP3.65/US$0.09
TOUCHDOWN
From the Busan Gimhae
International Airport, take the bus, the Busan
Subway Line or railroad line. Make sure to plan
your transfers carefully so you don’t miss your
flights.
gimhae.airport.co.kr/eng
BY DAY
Visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple on
the coast of north-eastern Busan. Constructed in
1376
during the Goryeo Dynasty, this temple by the
sea was established by Naong, a famed Buddhist
teacher. Enjoy the serenity.
BY NIGHT
Join the Night Tour offered by Busan
Tourism. Visit Gwangalli Beach and watch the lights
of Gwangan Bridge. The tour is also the quickest way
to get to GeumRyeonSan Mountain and admire the
cityscape of Busan at night.
SLEEP
Toyoko Inn in Seomyeon has great
amenities for its price, although it is a bit of a walk
from the shopping areas, Young Street and First
Street.
BEST BREAKFAST
Strawberry
toast and coffee from Angel in Us
Coffee, an angel-themed restaurant.
BEST SOUVENIRS
Write home
on postcards with local stamps from
Yongdusan Park.
INSIDER TIP
Visit the underground
markets in Seomyeon and Nampo-dong
when it rains. See the world’s largest indoor
musical water fountain in AquaMall.
Roocie
Lumaad
blogger,
ruffeecola.
blogspot.com
You can expect celebrity chefs, exciting menus and all sorts of
yummy treats at the Jakarta Culinary Festival this month.
DIDYOU
KNOW?
BEST BREAKFAST
Bubur ayam
(
chicken porridge) at Barito Street. The
restaurant is a tent with just a few tables
and chairs located outside a graveyard.
BEST DINNER
Nasi goreng
kambing
(
goat fried rice) at Kebon Sirih
Street. Nice!
MUST-TRY
Tidung Island in
Thousand Islands for snorkeling, diving
and fresh air. Good for any budget.
Resty A Putri
shift leader
COUNTRY CODE
+62
CURRENCY
IDR100,000 = PHP430.74/US$10
TOUCHDOWN
Hire a Bluebird or Express
taxi from the airport to the city, which costs
IDR180,000 (PHP775) plus toll. Alternatively, the
DAMRI bus goes to any city bus station for a very
manageable IDR15,000 (PHP65).
BY DAY
Most locals of the city love shopping at
“
Sency”, which is short for Senayan City Malls.
For one-stop shopping of home decor, head to
Chic Mart, a small cozy shop along Kemang Road.
Score Asian art for your home here.
BY NIGHT
Dine at Café Batavia in the old town
district of Batavia for traditional food. You can also
enjoy drinks and dessert at Bengawan Solo in any
of Jakarta’s big malls, or spend the evening with
friends in bars along Kemang Road.
SLEEP
Best Western Mangga Dua Hotel and
Residence is in the heart of the shopping district, with
Harco Mangga Dua, Mangga Dua Mall and Mangga
Dua Square close by.
