Reviews written by The Travel Penguin
When I was looking for a good Japanese restaurant within walking distance of my hotel, the concierge recommended Kamei Royale so I decided to try it out. I visited there around 4PM on a weekday afternoon and since I was there before the evening rush, there were only a handful of other customers there. I sat at the sushi bar...
Due to it's historical significance, a visit to Corregidor Island was one of the highlights of my time escorting tour groups throughout Asia. Most people take a tour boat from Manila. But a group of us once chartered a cabin cruiser from Ternate to visit Corregidor. We had a private guide who took us...
If you are in the Manila area but would like to get out and explore the more natural areas of the Philippines, a canoe ride up/down the river to Pagsanjan Falls is great. It can get quite crowded on the weekends. So if possible, try to schedule for a weekday excursion. It takes about 1.5 hour drive southeast of Manila...
Bali is not only unique for Indonesia, it stands out as a unique island in the world. It is not just that Bali is beautiful unto itself, it is the long standing development of the arts community with its roots in Hindu culture that has flourished so beautifully here on the island. The Balinese architecture is also beautiful. On Bali,...
If you don't have time to visit the Forbidden City, then a visit to Tiananmen Square at least allows you to see the main gate into the Forbidden City and lots of sightseers from China and around the world. It is one of the most photographed scenes in China. So if you are very limited in time, at least visit...
I'm not sure if any of the tour boats from Manila deviate enough to include a cruise by Fort Drum which was constructed on El Fraile Island a few miles south of the island of Corregidor. You cannot land on the island fortress anyway. But, in my case, while staying in the Ternate area, a group of us chartered a...
I enjoyed using the Big Bus during my stay in Vancouver. However, at CND $40 for a one-day adult pass, it is somewhat expensive. Since I was based in the downtown waterfront area, I'm wondering if I could have visited all the sights that I did just using public transportation. However, the Big Bus'...
Borobudur Temple is located near Yogyakarta in Central Java. It is built in a multi-level tiered pyramid form with over 500 Buddha statues adorning it. A climb to the top is worth the view of the many Buddha statues plus the surrounding countryside and mountains. If you are near this area of Java and are interested in the past Buddhist...
Stanley Park is definitely on the short list of Vancouver's highlights. Although much of the park is still rustic in nature, it can be quite trafficked with hikers, bikers, and motorists out to enjoy the wooded and ocean views -- especially on the weekends. Here you will see a lot of families and couples out to enjoy this most famous...
Granville Island is one of my favorite places in the Vancouver area. I guess that it is partly that it is a compact island with a variety of things to see and do including it's large indoor market plus restaurants and bars. I visited here the first time via the Big Bus which required one to walk a fair distance...
If you are just passing through Toronto or your time is limited here, my sightseeing attraction of first choice is the CN Tower. You take an elevator to the top of this 553 meter (1,815 feet) tall tower with its fantastic views of the city and Lake Ontario. Teens will dare each other to walk over the clear plexiglass flooring...
If you have interest in the revolutionary history of the United States where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States were debated and adopted, a visit to Independence Hall in Philadelphia is a must. Virtually all of the major founders congregated here and walked these halls.