My World#11 Inside Sohoton Cove

This is what you can see inside the lagoon in Sohoton cove, Surigao. Clear, green-blue waters, forested islets, rock formations, strange-looking trees and a silent, peaceful ambience.



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How to Get to China from Hongkong

I have been receiving inquiries regarding my trip to China: how to get there, hotel accommodations, what to do and what to see.

Most of the queries prefer starting the trip from Hongkong. So, I am posting a few tips how to get to China from Hongkong. The mode of transportation will depend on what place of China will you be going. Most first time goers to Hongkong will try going to Shenzhen City, the border city nearest to Hongkong. Anyway, am posting some tips on how to get to the three cities of Shenzhen, Macau and Shanghai from Hongkong.

Shenzhen City

What to See: Window of the World, Chinese Folk Culture Village, Splendid China, Shenzhen Cultural Center

How To Get There From Hongkong: fast ferries, train (East Tsim Sha Tsui station to the Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau border). The Lo Wu station is the one that stops nearest to the Window of the World.

Chinese Visa is needed for this trip so if you decide to get to Shenzhen, plan it in advance. You may coordinate with the local agent in Hongkong or ask assistance from your hotel. Some hotels offer group visa for group tours to Shenzhen which is easier to get.

Macau

How To Get There From Hongkong: fast ferries from Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon or Shun Tak in Sheung Wan on Hong Kong Island. Passengers should be at the terminal at least 30 minutes before departure.

No visa needed if you’re staying less than 30 days.

What to see: Some of the places to see are the hotel casinos (recently popular is Venetian Macau), Senado Square, Ruins of St. Paul, The Cathedral, Macau Tower, Citadel of Sao Paulo do Monte (Monte Fort), Leal Senado, Fort of Mong Ha, Macau Grand Prix Museum and a whole lot more.

How to Get Around: City guides and rental cars are available in ferry terminals, hotels and other tourist sites. It is much easier to hire a city guide and/or rental car to get around Macau compared to Hongkong where getting around is much easier using MRT (subway) and the buses.

Shanghai City

How To Get There From Hongkong: Plane, train

From the airport, get a taxi going to Shanghai downtown. It will take about an hour getting there or you can take the MagLev train right from the airport (it will take 8 minutes). MagLev train costs at CY (Chinese Yuan)50 but for those who can show their plane tickets, it is at CY40.

What to see: The Bund, Pudong Business District, Nanjing, People’s Park, People’s Square, Shanghai Science & Technology Museum, Jin Mao Tower, Orient Pearl Tower, Xintiandi, Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Grand Theatre, St. Ignatius Cathedral

How to Get Around: Getting around Shanghai is easier due to their extensive subway with a minimum fare of CY3.00.

Visa is needed for the trip. Based on our experience, Chinese visa going to Shanghai took us about 2-3 weeks to get.

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My World#10 Sohoton Cove, Surigao

This is the entrance to Sohoton Cove, Socorro, Bucas Grande Island, Surigao, Philippines. The cove is usually half-submerged in waters and can only be accessible during low tides. Inside Sohoton Cove is a lagoon with green, forested islets in pristine waters. Upon entering the place, there is a certain kind of peacefulness and serenity that is palpable.

Kayaking and boating is allowed in the area but people are encouraged to be quite as the place is considered enchanted and a holy place for the natives.

Sohoton Cove has only one entrance and exit access. This is the marker near the entrance of the cove. It is just so easy to get lost inside the lagoon as well as lost track of time. Boatmen use this rock as a marker if the tide is starting to go up and to not get lost inside the lagoon. As can be seen, the whiter or lighter color of the rock is where the waters can go as high up during high tide.

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Worldless Wednesday#2 Sundial, Century Park, Shanghai, China

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My World#9 Museo Dabawenyo

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This is Museo Dabawenyo (Davao Museum) located at Pichon St., Davao City. It is just by the Andres Bonifacio Monument (another city landmark). The museum building was originally used as a courthouse but was later abandoned. Recently, it has been restored and is now being used as the city museum. It was opened for public viewing just early last year in time for the city's foundation day.

The museum now houses artifacts from the indigenous tribes of the city and nearby provinces. It also caters to art exhibits and symposium.

The hereunder picture is the close-up view of a miniature Maranao (one of the Muslim tribes) boat with intricate designs.

This is the entire view ofo Kapal-A-Datu, the miniature Maranao boat. This is located at the second level of Museo Dabawenyo.

I initially thought that these are hats but the sign indicated that these are called "Todong". Todongs are food covers widely used by our Muslim brothers. The designs in these food covers are in Mindanao and Tausug tribe designs.

I really wish we have more of this picture in the museum. This is a picture of two beautiful Bagobo (another indigenous tribe) ladies in their full regalia. Their dresses are usually quite colorful. Their skirt is made of handwoven treebarks called "tinalak". Their bracelets are made of brass tiny bells that ring every movement. Headdresses are made of colorful beads as well the necklaces which were interpersed with brass tiny bells.

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