Aventuras De Viaje's Blog, page 27

Sri Ramachandra Medical Center Review, Chennai, India

This post is a Sri Ramachandra Medical Center review.

Sri Ramachandra Medical Center is the largest medical center in Chennai, as well as one of the largest in the whole of South Asia.

This Sri Ramachandra Medical Center review includes personal opinions and useful information including directions, pictures, costs, etc.

Right Picture: The grounds.

Featured Picture: Entrance to the medical center.

For the quick version of this Sri Ramachandra Medical Center review you can scroll to the bottom of this post and look in the reviews. Mine is the first one

Ardent Hot Springs Review, Camiguin, Philippines

This post is a Ardent Hot Springs review.

Ardent Hot Springs is a resort and hot spring located south-west of Mambajao near the hiking entrance to Hibok-Hibok.

This Ardent Hot Springs review includes personal opinions and useful information including directions, pictures, costs, etc.

Right Picture: Ardent Hot Springs is also a resort. This is some of the cottages.

Featured Picture: One of the hot spring pools.

For the quick version of this Ardent Hot Springs review you can scroll to the bottom of this post and look in the reviews. Mine is the first one .

Cost(s): 30php standard entry.

Address: Esperanza, Tagdo, Mambajao, Camiguin. Phone # (088) 387 0948

Ardent Hot Springs Review, Camigiun

I had been snorkelling immediately prior to going to the hot springs, and when I discovered it was not hot (luke warm) I decided not to bother actually goign into the water.

But the grounds were quite nice for a quick look around.

Ardent Hot Springs Review 1 – Huts – Survive Travel

Need somewhere to sleep while visiting Camiguin in the Philippines? Find your perfect accommodation no matter what your budget.

There are a few different pools, each of them a different temperature. There is a sign there that tells you about them.

You can hire a little shelter hut for 70php.

There is also a restaurant and chalet style accommodation there.

I noticed a sign that was a timetable for the staff uniform color of the day. I wonder why they have to wear a different color uniform each day? I tried to ask the gardener but I did not comprehend.

Want to know more awesome things to do in Camiguin? Get all the information on Camiguin and the rest of the Philippines that you need with arguably the best travel guide books on the planet.

Getting to Ardent Hot Springs in Camiguin

On a motorcycle, head west out of Mambajao. Not far past the airport you will see a sign to go to the Ardent Hot Springs.

If you miss it don’t worry, there are a few.

It is easy to find, just follow the signs.

I don’t know how much a lift would cost. I wouldn’t pay more than 50php (from Mambajao or Yumbing). Probably less.

Have you been to the Ardent Hot Springs in Camiguin before? Help out other readers and leave your Ardent Hot Springs review below, and if you know of more or updated information or even if you just want to say hi then please leave a comment .

The post Ardent Hot Springs Review, Camiguin, Philippines appeared first on Survive Travel.

Sunken Cemetery Review, Camiguin – Philippines

This post is a Sunken Cemetery review.

The Sunken Cemetery in Camiguin (Philippines) is the site of an old cemetery that sunk when the Old Volcano erupted (I think it was the old volcano, either that or Hibok-Hibok). Now days is is a great spot for snorkeling.

This Sunken Cemetery review includes personal opinions and useful information including directions, pictures, costs, etc.

Right Picture: Entrance to the Sunken Cemetery.

Featured Picture: The new cross of the Sunken Cemetery (the old one is underwater!)

For the quick version of this Sunken Cemetery review you can scroll to the bottom of this post and look in the reviews. Mine is the first one .

Cost(s): 100php per person for environmental fee (mandatory), 150php for a guide (mandatory, good for three people), 50php per person for equipment rental (snorkel and fins).

Address: South of Bonbon on the west coast of Camiguin.

Sunken Cemetery Review, Camiguin

I was a bit reserved about going snorkelling at the Sunken Cemetery because others that I had talked to had said that apparently you do not see any of the sunken cemetery except for the old cross, however, I was not leaving Camiguin without snorkelling somewhere and I did not fancy taking a boat to the White Island or Mantigue Island. Nor did I want to go to the Giant Clam Sanctuary, so I decided to at least inquire about the Sunken Cemetery. I’m glad I did.

Shoreline of the Sunken cemetery snorkelling site.

Out the front of the Sunken Cemetery I talked to a couple of Americans who told me that it was the best snorkeling they had done in the Philippines, and they had been to Palawan and Moalboal (and others). I was convinced by this so I returned the next day at 11:00am (between 11:00 and 13:00 is the best time to go, high tide, according to the guy in the tourist office).

I waited for the guide for about twenty minutes and then we were off.

I tried to take pictures with my phone (in a plastic case) but unfortunately anything underwater would not work. It’s a shame because they snorkeling there was awesome. It is true that the only part of the cemetery you see is the old cross, but the corals, fish and giant clams easily made up for it.

The old cross, underwater.

Need somewhere to sleep while visiting Camiguin in the Philippines? Find your perfect accommodation no matter what your budget.

The guide takes you to swim out to the old cross (which was sunken by the Volcano) where you can stand and look back to shore. You can see Hibok-Hibok and the Old Volcano.

After that you swim back to sure (a different way than you came) to make a bit of a circle I guess.

The whole thing took about 45 minutes, but I didn’t stop to take photos and if you did the guide would not rush you.

Once back at the office you can rinse off the salt water which is good, cause I hate that salt water feeling.

Two things I think I will need to invest in if I keep snorkeling. A rash-shirt and a waterproof camera.

Hibok-Hibok volcano.

Want to know more awesome things to do in Camiguin? Get all the information on Camiguin and the rest of the Philippines that you need with arguably the best travel guide books on the planet.

Getting to the Sunken Cemetery in Camiguin

Ride a motorbike or get a lift in a tricycle or motorbike. If riding yourself head to the west side of the island.

Coming from the GV Hotel in Mambajao head west on the Circumferential Road. Go past Yumbing – it’s about halfway there. The Sunken Cemetery is on your right. Arrange snorkeling from the office across the road.

You can park your bike outside of the gate (to the left of it as you look at it). If you park inside they charge you 20php, and it doesn’t have any advantage that I can see.

Have you been snorkeling at the Sunken Cemetery in Camiguin before? Help out other readers and leave your Sunken Cemetery review below, and if you know of more or updated information or even if you just want to say hi then please leave a comment .

The post Sunken Cemetery Review, Camiguin – Philippines appeared first on Survive Travel.

Uma Residency Review, Mamallapuram, India

This post is a Uma Residency review.

Uma Residency is accommodation in Mamallapuram which is in the region of Tamil Nadu in India.

This Uma Residency review includes personal opinions and useful information including directions, pictures, costs, etc.

Right Picture: Bathroom.

Featured Picture: From the front of Uma Residency.

For the quick version of this Uma Residency review you can scroll to the bottom of this post and look in the reviews. Mine is the first one

Tuasan Falls Review, Camiguin, Philippines

This post is a Tuasan Falls review.

Tuasan Falls is yet another waterfall on the island of Camiguin in the Philippines. It is located north of the town of Mainit along the Mambajao – Itum Road (I think that what it is called).

This Tuasan Falls review includes personal opinions and useful information including directions, pictures, costs, etc.

Right Picture: Entrance to Tuasan Falls

Featured Picture: Tuasan Falls

For the quick version of this Tuasan Falls review you can scroll to the bottom of this post and look in the reviews. Mine is the first one .

Cost(s): Free Entry.

Address: North of the town of Mainit along the Mambajao – Itum Road.

Tuasan Falls Review, Camiguin

Tuasan Falls was the third and final waterfall which I visited whilst in Camiguin.

My first impression of it was “wow, this is a forceful waterfall”.

When I arrived there was only one other guy there. By the time I left there were about ten people.

It is a nice waterfall and easy to get to as it just comes off the main road that goes through the island.

They have damned off a bit so little ones can have a play without fear of drowning.

“Kiddies Pool” at Tuasan Falls

Need somewhere to sleep while visiting Camiguin in the Philippines? Find your perfect accommodation no matter what your budget.

According to the guy that rented me the motorbike, if you just keep going up the road (over the hill) you get to a place which he called the Secret Paradise. He said it was sign-posted… can’t be much of a secret if it is signposted. I did not find it that day, but did the next.

Usually I like to go under the waterfall for a bit of a massage. Tuasan Falls is a bit too forceful for that.

In fact it is not called “Secret Paradise” and is in face the Hibok-Hibok natural monument with a nice little “jungle trek” which leads to a kind of park with a small butterfly enclosure. The are still building it, as they are the road. I suspect in 6 months it will all be done.

Actually, you can also access Hibok-Hibok natural monument from the main entrance. The road to the main entrance is net to the Ardent Hot Springs Resort.

Snapped this on the way to Tuasan Falls.

Want to know more awesome things to do in Camiguin? Get all the information on Camiguin and the rest of the Philippines that you need with arguably the best travel guide books on the planet.

Getting to Tuasan Falls in Camotes

Like everywhere in Camiguin, i rode there by motorcycle. From the GV Hotel in Mambajao head west along the Circumferential Road (the main road that cirlces the island). Go past the sunken cemetery and soon enough you will see the sign to Tuasan Falls. Follow the signs. Its pretty easy to find.

Have you been to Tuasan Falls in Camiguin before? Help out other readers and leave your Tuasan Falls review below, and if you know of more or updated information or even if you just want to say hi then please leave a comment .

The post Tuasan Falls Review, Camiguin, Philippines appeared first on Survive Travel.

5 Incredible Things to do in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, India

Discover 5 things to do in Mamallapuram.

Mamallapuram is a small tourist town on the south east coast of India in the region of Tamil Nadu. It is about a 60 to 90 minute bus ride south of Chennai.

This overview of things to do in Mamallapuram gives a short review of each of the “things to do” as well as links to more detailed reviews (where applicable) which include directions, pictures and other useful information.

Right Picture: Krisha’s Butter Ball, Mahabalipuram.

Featured Picture: In Thirukazhukundram.

Things to do in Mamallapuram

For the first two days in Mamallapuram I was a little ill. Initially I though it was just too many spices but by the tail end of it I figured it was a small bout of food poisoning. Luckily I had pre-planned to stay in Mamallapuram for a while to catch up on work so I still managed to do everything I wanted to do.

1. Mahabalipuram Historic Ruins

I ended up knocking out most of the things to do in Mamallapuram in one day, even though I planned to take my time to do them. It is just that that are so close together that it made sense to just keep walking from one to the next.

The first place I went to check out was the Mahabalipuram Historic Ruins, which are a group of monument just west of the main town.

Mahabalipuram.

2. Five Rathas

After walking through Mahabalipuram site (which is a decent size) you can keep walking south to the Five Rathas. For some reason the bigger (and in my opinion the better) site of Mahabalipuram Historic Ruins is free, but the Five Rathas (combined with the Shore Temple) is 500INR, which is incredibly expensive for an entrance fee to an Indian attraction, which is usually around 50INR.

Five Rathas.

3. Shore Temple

Since I payed the 500INR for the Five Rathas it would have been insane not to see the Shore Temple, which actually much better than I though it would be.

Shore Temple.

Need somewhere to sleep while visiting Mamallapuram in India? Find your perfect accommodation no matter what your budget.

4. Eagle Temple

The following day I caught the bus to see Eagle Temple, otherwise known as Vedhargiriswara Temple. Eagle Temple is not in Mamallapurm, which is why you need to catch a bus. It is a actually in a town called Thirukazhukundram which is about 15km west of Mamallapuram. It is well worth the 30 minute bus ride to see Eagle Temple, and was the highlight of my time in Mamallapuram.

View from the top of Eagle Temple.

5. Beach

One last thing that is a big draw card for Mamallapuram is the beach. There are even surf boards for hire, although there was no surf while I was there.

The beach at Mamallapurum.

Want more things to do during your visit to Mamallapuram? Get all the information on Mamallapuram and the rest of India you need with arguably the best guide-books on the planet.

Getting To Mamallapuram

I arrived in Mamallapuram from Puducherry.

From Mothers Guest House (where I was staying) I caught a local bus to the main bus terminal. All buses on that street heading north will go there. It cost 5INR. A tuk tuk will easily cost 50+ (maybe like 90INR).

Once at the bus station I just asked around for a bus going to Mamallapuram.

I got on a bus headed to Chennai, and it dropped me off at the main road about 1km out of Mamallapuram. They journey took just a tad over two hours and cost 75INR. There is a short pit stop on the way where you can use the bathroom and buy an ice cream. A tuk tuk offered to take me to town for 50INR, but I like walking.

When I left to go to Chennai I went to the bus station in Mallapuram and discovered that it is possible to get a bus from there (regardless of what the tuk tuk drivers tell you), but they are more frequent and direct from the ECR road (where I got dropped off in the first place), so I walked to the main road.

From the main road, catch any bus that says ECR. Make sure you are on the far side of the road (furthest away from Mamallapuram) so you head towards Chennai. As a bonus, one of the stops was within walking distance of the Samrat Guesthouse where I stayed whilst in Chennai. The bus ride from Mamallapuram to Chennai cost 40INR (I got offered a taxi for 1500INR but you could get it to 1000INR if you wanted) and took a bit over an hour. If going all the way into Chennai it will probably take another 10 or 15 minutes.

Have you been to Mamallapuram before? Help out other readers and leave your tips on things to do in Mamallapuram (or anything else you want to say) in the comments

Eagle Temple Review, Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, India

This post is an Eagle Temple review, otherwise known as Vedhargiriswara Temple.

Eagle Temple, also known as Vedhargiriswara Temple, is not actually in Mamallapuram. It is in a town called Thirukazhukundram which is about 15km west of Mamallapuram, in the region of Tamil Nadu, India.

This Eagle Temple review includes personal opinions and useful information including directions, pictures, costs, etc.

Featured Picture: Eagle Temple from the front.

For the quick version of this Eagle Temple review you can scroll to the bottom of this post and look in the reviews. Mine is the first one

Old Volcano Review, Camiguin, Philippines

This post is an Old Volcano review.

Old Volcano is an easy hike up an old volcano which teaches you about the crusifiction of Christ as you climb. Old volcano is located on the west side of Camiguin Island, approximately halfway between Yumbing and Bonbon.

This Name of attraction review includes personal opinions and useful information including directions, pictures, costs, etc.

Right Picture: Jesus in court.

Featured Picture: A view from the allows you to see the Sunken Cemetery.

For the quick version of this Old Volcano review you can scroll to the bottom of this post and look in the reviews. Mine is the first one .

Cost(s): 5php environmental cost, although there was no-one asked for the money and I couldn’t see any type of “honor-box”.

Address: Halfway between Yumbing and Bonbon on the west side of Camiguin, Philippines.

Old Volcano Review, Camiguin

I decided to make this my last hike on Camiguin as I had also hiked the two previous days also. I decided that hiking up this volcano would replace the tourism favorite of Hibok Hibok. Actually, I would have hiked up Hibok Hibok but everone I speak to says you have to start at 0600 – and that is just too early for me.

The hike up Old Volcano wasnt very challenging, but it was a hot day.

The start of it was steps but after a bit it turned into a dirt trail.

Along the way there are statues depicting the story of the crucifixion of Jesus. I took pictures of each and will now present the story in storyboard fashion.

Picture one is the first picture in this post (top right). It is of Jesus going to court.

The walk starts off as concrete steps.

Start of the walkway.

The second statue of Jesus shows him carrying the cross. He is sentenced to be crucified.

Jesus is sentenced to carry the cross.

After a while of carrying the cross, Jesus falls (for the first time).

His first fall.

His virgin mother Mary comes to him.

Mother Mary.

Simon helps Jesus carry the cross for a little while.

Simon helps Jesus carry the cross.

After the Simon statue the path changes from concrete to dirt, but still very easily walked (apart from the incline and excessive heat).

The path changes to a dirt road.

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. It looks as though he is declining, but on Veronicas towel you can clearly see the blood in the silhouette of Jesus’s face.

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.

Jesus falls a second time.

Jesus fall a second time.

I’m not 100% sure what this picture was (the sign was broken) but it appears to be Jesus talking to a kid.

Jesus talks to a child.

Jesus falls for his last time.

Third and final fall.

Jesus is stripped of his clothes in preparation for his crucifixion.

Stripped of his garments.

Jesus is nailed to the cross.

Nailed to the cross.

Jesus dies on the cross.

Jesus dies on the cross.

Then they take him down.

Jesus is taken down from the cross.

Need somewhere to sleep while visiting Camiguin in the Philippines? Find your perfect accommodation no matter what your budget.

And put him in the cave.

Placed in the cave.

Later on he is resurrected.

The resurrection of Christ.

And thus concludes the story of Jesus’s crucifixion. I am not a follower of the Christian faith but I was happy to have learnt this story.

And if you don’t care about Jesus then at least you can get a nice view.

I thought you could not get to the top but after looking a bit more closely on the GPS (as I write this post) I notice a small path after the 11th (closer to the 12th) statue. If I ever come back to Camiguin (which I probably will) I will be sure to check it out.

View from the top.

After walking down I went across the road for a fruit shake and a bit of Cassava and carrot cake. It was pretty good.

Mango, banana shake (no sugar) and Cassava and carrot cake.

Want to know more awesome things to do in Camiguin? Get all the information on Camiguin and the rest of the Philippines that you need with arguably the best travel guide books on the planet.

Getting to Old Volcano in Camiguin

I drove there from the GV hotel in Mambajao. Head west along the coastal (main) road. It took about 20 minutes. It is quite easy to spot. If you get to the Sunken Cemetery you have gone too far.

Have you climbed the Old Volcano in Camiguin before? Help out other readers and leave your Old Volcano review below, and if you know of more or updated information or even if you just want to say hi then please leave a comment .

The post Old Volcano Review, Camiguin, Philippines appeared first on Survive Travel.

Five Rathas Review, Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, India

This post is a Five Rathas review.

Five Rathas is an archaeological site found in the small town of Mamallapuram in the region of Tamil Nadu in India.

This Five Rathas review includes personal opinions and useful information including directions, pictures, costs, etc.

Right Picture: A tower you are not allowed to climb on the way to the Five Rathas.

Featured Picture: Five Rathas from afar.

For the quick version of this Five Rathas review you can scroll to the bottom of this post and look in the reviews. Mine is the first one

Shore Temple Review, Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, India

This post is a Shore Temple review.

Shore Temple is an archaeological site found in the small beach town of Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu, India.

This Shore Temple review includes personal opinions and useful information including directions, pictures, costs, etc.

Right Picture: Shore Temple from afar.

Featured Picture: Shore Temple, whole site.

For the quick version of this Shore Temple review you can scroll to the bottom of this post and look in the reviews. Mine is the first one