It Starts With Kens Blog on RealTravel

Edinburgh journal: Arrival @ Waverley Bridge

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 21:24:45 GMT

We arrived at Waverley Bridge and I couldn't believe the view. It' really was a beautiful sight. With a clear view of the castle and a huge draconic and burnt spire-like tribute to Robert Burns (right next to a giant Ferris Wheel), we started walking to our hostel.

After checking in and stowing away our luggages in the luggage room (they really do call it that and it's all luggage in there, so be careful where you place yours as it may get squished) we headed out and took a gander around the city square. We stopped for some hot pub food over at Ensign Ewart. I had some really tasty ...

Edinburgh journal: Hogmanay Day 1 of 3

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 21:24:11 GMT

After checking in at our hostel, I decided to take a four hour long nap to try to compensate for our lack of sleep and recharge for the kickoff celebration tonight.

.. starting off with the torch candle processional, the entire streets of Edinburgh is literally flooded with thousands of people holding brightly lit torches. One could describe the event as a glimmering sea of fire, adding a warm ambience to the already surreal city. Upon arriving on Princes Street, we join the swarming crowd of fire as the nearby Pipe Band play the national anthem with these loud yet beautiful bagpipes. At ...

Inverness journal: On a Train We Go

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 20:56:08 GMT

The skies clear out for the sun to warm up the streets as we walked to Waverly Train Station and book us tickets to Inverness. It's 11 am and we don't leave until 1 pm so we kill some time one last time at the Elephant House drinking some much needed mocha and internet access.

[Yesterday was quite an interest with the amount of Aussies we have met so far. I wish we Americans have what they call their 'gap year'. This would satiate partly my now growing wanderlust.]

Unfortunately, on the four hour train ride, I start to feel a bit of the flu. I try to rest as much as I can, ignoring ...

San Ramon journal: Our Final Destination

Thu, 03 May 2007 21:05:33 GMT

After hours of what seemed like endless driving, we reached our destination. We immediately retire as soon as we checked in at our guest rooms of the Oldham’s Bed and Breakfast.

The following day we enjoyed a very hearty breakfast at Red Robins and enjoyed a tour of the wine country of Livermore. To end our visit at San Ramon we had another hearty and scrumptious dinner (thanks to our hosts) with some great company, and excellent wine.

San Simeon journal: Castle in the Sky

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 22:26:44 GMT

I’ve never heard of The Hearst Castle before, so when we went to the place, I was astounded at how huge and populated the place was, well, with tourists. Several faces were familiar, and I was beginning to think that these were the people I previously saw in Solvang. I shook the afterthought off as we lined up for the buses that will be taking us a mile and half trip up to the mountain.

Upon arrival twenty minutes later, I was astounded by this man’s imagination. Who would have thought of having a Spanish influenced castle as a home in the middle of nowhere? Well, Mr. Hearst ...

Cebu City journal: Your Own Island

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:23:29 GMT

A beautiful, simplistic in-your-face-nature chill spot. Whether you prefer sipping fruit cocktails, or some ice cold beers while watching the sun set, you can’t get any better than this place. Although the island is small, it sets the mood for some romantic ideas (although it grosses me out to think of the happenings in the past on that bed that I laid in).

There’s only ten cabins/rooms on the island. For it’s tiny land mass, I was surprised that there was running water, and a hot shower available (although you probably would prefer a cold shower since it’s always hot) in the ...

Carigara journal: Leyte's Party... Sort of

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:20:06 GMT

We visited my mother’s homeland of leyte after several days in Cebu. If Cebu was laid back, this place, is three times as laid back. And I can only guess of one reason why: heat.

Even though the place we stayed at was a hundred feet away from the water, it was twice as scorching hot as it was in Cebu. For the big family reunion, I witnessed a pig being cooked in a spit for an entire day. After that, I was pigged out for a whole month. Afterwards, we made a trek to the famous landing of McArthur. It was something to look at; a place where the liberation of the country from ...

Cebu City journal: Quite the Change

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:15:25 GMT

We reach in the arriving terminal in one piece and are greeted by several relatives who’ve been waiting there for an hour or two. This was the second time I’ve revisited the country and surprisingly, the weather this time was actually beautiful. Humidity was very manageable and the sun wasn’t too hot. There was that very distinct smell of the cold A/C air still drenched with moisture that reminded me that I was truly in fact in Cebu.

The hustle and bustle of city life was evident in the congested streets and peddlers trying to sell their ‘ice water’ and miscellaneous snacks. On ...

San Simeon journal: Hearst Castle

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:09:09 GMT

A managable visit granted you arrive no later than noon. Lots of places to check out, especially the various mansions, villas, and artworks Mr. Hearst acquired during his time. There are several three thousand year old Egyptian pieces which were in astoundingly good condition.

Solvang journal: Do I Hear Danish?

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 17:37:06 GMT

We stop by a small ostrich farm right outside of Solvang. Rumors have it that at one time, people around the area ran out of regular meat to feed the growing tourism business. So, little did the visitors know that what was laying on their burger buns weren’t the typical beef patty. Apparently ostrich meat tastes about the same. At least for now, these ostriches are safe since I saw several cows nearby. We hop back on the road towards our destination.

We arrived at the interesting small Danish town with the pride and swagger of tourists finding their prime vacation spot, except, we ...

United States journal: Roadtrip to San Ramon

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 17:37:06 GMT

A four day road trip adventure to San Ramon with Sheila, Shellie, and my camera through the Scenic Pacific Coast Highway.

Edinburgh journal: Hogmanay Day 3 of 3

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 01:13:38 GMT

We wake up with a bit of a headache from the previous night, so in our infinite wisdom we decide to go downstairs to the local bar Belushi's and grab us a pint or two. This was a bad omen however of what was about to happen for later that evening.

I actually don't remember much of what happened throughout the day (blame it on that beer). Chris at this point is sporting a head and stomach ache, and I'm sporting the befuddled mind.

Well, fast forward towards the evening, we try to get ready and head out. Apparently, we have offended some gods as the winds have kicked up, and ...

Inverness journal: Quite a drastic shift from the monolithic hostels of Edinburgh, this quaint hostel is the perfect follow up for a much quieter scene.

Sat, 10 Feb 2007 19:15:35 GMT

The hostel was quite idyllic and very much Scottish; from the maps of touring routes of the Loch to the infamous and hilarious "Beware If You Are a Male" letter posted in the front, it was also very quiet. Upon arriving, I believe I counted just under ten people roaming around the place. Mind you, when I said this place was quaint, it really is.

One thing I did notice was the bay window with a scenic panorama of the Loch and the city of Inverness ( a perfect setup for just lounging around). Each room consists of four beds (two bunkbeds each) with quirky names such as Haggis, or Eggs and ...

Edinburgh journal: Located right on Royal Mile, wished the food was a bit more 'Royal' than just the price.

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 21:50:11 GMT

We tried ordering Fish and Chips, which they were actually known for. But to our dismay, they didn't have it. So we order some smoked salmon sandwhiches, and to our added dismay, they ran out of the regular dressing it should have come in. So, being the rollers that we travellers are, we went ahead with it. A beer and half a bottle of water later, we left the place with only a mediocre tangy taste left on our palates, and a ding on our wallets.

Edinburgh journal: Hogmanay Day 2 of 3

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 18:08:33 GMT

It's Saturday and we feel so much better. We stroll up to the Royal Mile street and check out The Elephant House, Arthur's Seat and a quick bite of Scottish smoked salmon at The Tass.

We first stop by The Elephant House for some much needed morning coffee. On the outside it looks like a typical cafe, but once you go inside, you start to realize something is a bit off (in a good way). It starts with its elephant theme throughout the place. What really sets it apart though is after you place your order, you can grab a table at the back, and while sitting there, you'll realize as you look ...

Edinburgh journal: Latte: £1.50. Chocolate crossiant: £1.00. Having the Edinburgh castle as your backdrop and the chatter of the locales as your background noise: priceless.

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 17:36:32 GMT

Quite truly, the best experience for some sumptious chocolate with your morning latte. However, the experience would be incomplete if it were not for a grand view of the nearby castle through window beside our table. Nevertheless, the chocolate crossiants were so delicious that I was actually saddened when I was down to my last bite knowing that I wouldn't be able to have this experience for some time. I would recommend this place to anyone and everyone.

Edinburgh journal: Located right above Belushi's Bar, and right in the middle of the city square, everything is just a walk away.

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 18:04:14 GMT

We stayed at the hostel over Hogmanay, so the prices were doubled. Expect to pay at least £25 during Hogmanays. We returned on the 4th of January and the price dropped down to £9 so it wasn't so bad that time around. Our first stay we stayed in the 4 bed room and the bathroom was fine. One thing to note are the different faucets for cold and hot water. It requires some creativity to get the perfect water temperature for the sink since there are two faucets and yes, one just spits really cold water and another spits really hot scalding water. As for the shower you're fine since it's got those ...

United Kingdom journal: Hogmanay's First

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 17:52:46 GMT

2007's New Year's trip and how it came to be known as the rediscovery of myself... ok, maybe not so. But, it was still a last-minute spontaneous kind of a thing. The festival was mentioned by Chris, a close friend of mine, a week ago (being early November), and before we knew it, we had bought airline tickets and room reservations for Scotland, Edinburgh's Hogmanay.

And oh yeah, we're hitting up the rest of the country while at it.

Philippines journal: Philippines Revisited

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 01:04:23 GMT

My second trip back to the islands since I moved to the big U S of A. This was a lot more enjoyable since the whole family came along.