Tired of Bad News? Read Good news here!

GOOD NEWS PILIPINAS! http://goodnewspilipinas.com/?p=9398  

We have been so blessed to be part of the Ultimate Thailand Explorers. It is such an amazing adventure. One more hour and the FINALS voting begins. Thank you everyone for your encouragements and support. We are believing that one of our voters win the $2500 voter’s prize! Koh Samui here we come! (Dec 10 – 16, 2009)

Thailand Celebrates the Royal Flora Ratchapruek Festival!

Courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (www.tatnews.org)

How we wish were in Thailand now! As you may now know,  the yellow Ratchapruek is the official flower of Thailand and it represents their beloved monarch.  According to the Thailand Authority of Tourism, more than 200,000 visitors are expected to attend a grand festival designed to celebrate and honour His Majesty the King, now the world’s longest reigning monarch, who will be celebrating his 82nd birthday on 5 December, 2009.

The opening ceremony will be held on 30 November, and the entire festival will run from 30 November – 10 December, 2009, at the Ratchaphruek 2006 Garden in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai. His Majesty the King ascended the throne in June 1946 and was coronated in May 1950.

The highlight of the opening ceremony  is the lighting of  999 Kom Loi (Sky Lanterns). Nine is an auspicious number for the Thais. It will be followed by cultural dances from the 4 regions of Thailand with 99 dancers each! There will be fireworks and horticultural  exhibits of flowers, fruits and trees throughout the festival. It’s going to be an orchid lover’s paradise.

The grandest day will be on the King’s 82 birthday on December 5.  There will be lighting of candles, offering of prayers and blessing for his continued good health, and singing of songs. A fireworks and lights show will follow afterwards.

We are still hoping we could go in time for the King’s birthday! We’re trying to figure out a way. It’s our dream to meet King Bhumibol. We’ll update you!

101 Ways to Reach Koh Samui

Just as there are 101 reasons to visit Koh Samui, there are also 101 ways  to escape to Koh Samui. . . Let TEAM LOVE Samui show you how. . . 

Let’s start our home country– the Philippines!    

Roundtrip fares with taxes from Manila to Koh Samui  are as low as US$364.00 / passenger.

From the Philippines, the first route to Koh Samui is via Bangkok.  There are three (3) airlines flying to Bangkok from Manila and one (1) from Clark, Pampanga.  Departing from the International Airport in Manila are the following airlines (Cebu Pacific also flies from Clark to Bangkok):

• Thai Airways  http://www.thaiair.com/homepage/en/home.html

  
  
  
  
  

•  Cebu Pacific    http://cebupacificair.com/

  
  
  
  
  

• Philippine Airlines  http://www.philippineairlines.com/home/home.jsp

  
  
  
  
  

Once in Bangkok, you can make a connecting flight through one of the following airlines:

• Thai Airways  http://www.thaiair.com/homepage/en/home.html

  
  
  
  
  

•  Bangkok Airways   http://www.bangkokair.com/

  
  
  
  

You also have the option of traveling to Koh Samui by bus, train and ferry. 

For  those traveling from other parts of the world to Koh Samui. . .

Now for Koh Samui fans coming from Europe, Northern America, Latin America, Middle East, and other parts of the world, getting there is no problem!  All major carriers and national airlines all have flights to Bangkok.  And from there, you can connect to Koh Samui.

 

Roundtrip fare with taxes starts at US$1,400.00 / passenger.

 

Some countries are even blessed to have direct flights to Koh Samui.  The following airlines travel direct to Koh Samui:

• Hong Kong — Bangkok Airways:   http://www.bangkokair.com/ 

  
  
  

• Singapore — Bangkok Airways:    http://www.bangkokair.com/

  
  

• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Koh Samui: 

  Firefly Airlines–  http://www.fireflyz.com.my/

  Berjaya Airlines– http://www.berjaya-air.com/
  
  

Roundtrip fare with taxes starts at US$182.00 / passenger.

TRUE to being tourist-friendly, Thailand exempts a considerable number of countries from visas.  

 Only the nationals of the following countries  should apply for a visa upon arrival.  Period of stay  is 15 days.

• Bhutan,China, Cyprus, CzechRepublic, Estonia, Hungary, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein,Lithuania, Maldives, Mauritius,Oman, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia,Slovakia, Slovenia, Taiwan, Ukraine

  
  
  

The following countries are exempted from tourist visas and can stay in Thailand for 30 days. 

• Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bahrain, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UAE, UK ,USA, Vietnam

  
  
  

The following countries are visa exempted and can stay for up to 90 days.

• Brazil, Korea, Peru

  
  
  
  
  

Wanted: An Authentic Thai Massage

We just got massages in one of the best spas in the world--our home.  We had just flown back from an amazing conference in  Malaysia and we needed to get some time to wind down.  Aside from getting a  deep tissue massage, Michael tried a procedure called Bentosa Cupping Therapy. He had been experiencing back pains lately and he had noticed knots on his upper back, which was caused by the accumulation of lactic acid in his back muscles. The masseuse suggested  Bentosa to get rid of these big, hard knots. 

After a brief massage, the masseuse put out her armament--a set of 6 glass cups, 6 coins and a lighter. She wrapped a coin in a small white paper and rolled it. She then  put it on Mike's back and lit it with the lighter. Michael's back was  on fire. Acting quickly, the masseuse covered the flaming coin with the cup, extinguishing the fire. She repeated the whole procedure 5 more times. Michael said it felt like having six vacuum cleaner tubes stuck on his back. It felt very good. . . like getting a giant pinch from your adoring grandmother. All the pain melted away.  Michael, whose back now resembled a red lego block,  had a very relaxing nap afterwards.  

We can't wait to try an authentic Thai massage in Koh Samui. Last September Michael's cousin  opened the Thai Spa  in Zamboanga City and we were honored to be its first customers. The Thai massage we experienced there  didn't involve the  use any oil or kneading techniques.  It concentrated instead on  pressure points and involved a lot of stretching on a mat on the floor. It is the perfect massage to get in middle of a workday, perhaps on a lunch break, when you need some invigoration. No sticky, oily feel. And instead of sending you off to dreamland, you don't feel drowsy but energized and raring to go afterwards.    (The Thai Spa is located at Nunez Ext., Zamboanga City. Telephone number 992-2513) 

Do you know that Thailand now has more spas than any other country in the region?  It was recently named  the "Asian Spa Capital of 2009" by AsiaSpa Magazine. Two of the things we want you to experience with us in Koh Samui are the different massages and beauty treatments. Prepare to be pampered as we show you the different types of spa treatments available. And of course, we'll tell you which ones are worth your time and money and those that you can skip altogether.  

Right after our massage this afternoon, even before the masseuse could leave the house,we were  already in front of our computers,eagerly typing away,  excited to update our blogs and sites for the Ultimate Thailand Explorers! That's what a good massage can do--it can soothe, relax and  rejuvenate a weary soul. It's  a strong testament to the healing powers of touch.

P.S.  If you're planning on trying Bentosa, make sure you don't have a formal event or beach outing to attend, because the red spots on your back will take a week or two to fade. :) 

Love Koh Samui!

LOVE Samui--this is our team name! And also our tagline. . . We chose it because we want our team to remind you of that beautiful place we're representing-- KOH SAMUI! Or what the Thais refer to as Samui, "Koh" being the Thai word for "island." We're very convinced that like us you will also FALL head over heels IN LOVE with this unique island paradise.

 What does Koh Samui have to offer? 
Let L.O.V.E. be your guide. . . 


L- lush rainforests


O-ocean adventures 


V-verdant golf courses


E- extreme sports 


YOU CAN find these and more in KOH SAMUI! You just gotta LOVE SAMUI!

A Message from Michael and Jenny!

We are officially in the finals of the Ultimate Thailand Explorers! 

You may visit our official UTE blog at  http://tinyurl.com/mikejenkohsamui

Voting for the finals will begin on December 1 until January 8! 

LOVE Samui–this is our  team name!  And also our tagline. . . We chose it  because we want our team to remind you of that beautiful place we’re representing– KOH SAMUI! Or what the Thais  refer to as Samui, “Koh” being  the Thai word for  ”island.”  We’re very convinced that like us you will also FALL head over heels IN LOVE with this unique island paradise.

What does Koh Samui have to offer?  Let  L.O.V.E. be your guide. . . 

L- lush rainforests

O-ocean adventures 

V-verdant golf courses 

E- extreme water sports     

YOU CAN find these and more in KOH SAMUI! You just gotta LOVE SAMUI!

Our Awesome Planet features Ultimate Thailand Explorers!

Dedicated blogger and father of four Anton Diaz featured us on "Our Awesome Planet!"  OAP is one awesome blog that presents the very best in Philippine travel, events and yummy food. It sprang out of Anton's passion to chronicle his young family's adventures. Thanks to Anton, his avid readers  and many of you who voted for us throughout the semis, we have  now been officially declared as the team to represent Koh Samui in the Ultimate Thailand Explorers!

The Tourism Authority of Thailand  assigned us this official blog:  

http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui

you may also visit the blog through this URL

http://tinyurl.com/mikejenkohsamui 

If you have any questions about Thailand, particularly Koh Samui. . .or if you have suggestions on what you want us to try out while we are there, feel free to message us here or in our official blog.

Have a great week! ;)

Michael and Jenny

Zamboanga Times Features the Ultimate Thailand Explorers!

With a plethora of  problems hounding us daily, it is always refreshing to write about good news. If General Santos' Manny Pacquiao will gie honor again to our country by November 15, Zamboanga City will also have its own glory (and be known worldwide) within this month, too. 

 We may have had our fair share of negative publicity in the past, but we have been given another a chance to shine in the international scene by November 13.  Thanks to a young couple from Canelar Moret, Michael Paul and Jennifer Cocuaco, Zamboanga City made it in the  international travel competition Ultimate Thailand Explorers. They are the only team from the Philippines who got into the semifinals of this competition organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Among the 192 contestants from around the world, Michael and Jenny's 1-minute audition video caught the eye of the panel of judges who immediately included them in the list of only 25 teams to enter the semifinals. It is no small  feat because only three Asian teams got picked to be in this coveted spot. The two other teams come from our industrialized neighbor Singapore. Majority of the semifinalists are from the US and Europe. 

The battle is just heating  up  for Michael and Jenny.  The Ultimate Thailand Explorers is afterall an online voting competition. And yes, you can do something to affect the outcome. Out of the 25 semifinalists, only 5 teams who get the highest votes in their chosen destination will get to the finals.  Deadline for voting is on November 13 at 1 AM.   The past two weeks, Michael and Jenny  were trailing behind by almost 300 votes in their chosen destination, but because of  the outpouring of support from family, friends, online contacts and the media, they are now number one! Our beloved Zamboanga is now leading by 809 votes as of press time. Trailing far behind are contestants from the UK, Singapore, and the US.  Help keep Michael and Jenny at the top by voting for them every 24 hours. As a reward for your generosity, you may even win for yourself the $2,500 luxury travel package and high-tech HTC cellphone that the contest organizers are giving away to two lucky voters. This definitely is a win-win situation and a worthy investment in Zamboanga's pride. Imagine!

To vote, log on and register your details at this website: http://tinyurl.com/mike-jennifer   A confirmation letter  will be sent to your email immediately  by the contest organizers. Open the email and click on the confirmation link which will bring you to the contest's main webpage. Look for Michael Paul & Jennifer's video for Koh Samui near the end of the page and vote by clicking the pink VOTE button. It's that easy. 

 An adventurous  and fun-loving couple, Michael and Jenny's zest for life is contagious, as one can see in  their 1-minute video (http://tinyur.com/mike-jennifer)  which highlights  the best spots of Pasonanca Nature Reserve.  More than that, they serve as good ambassadors for our city and nation, as they are responsible professionals in their respective fields. Michael, an alumnus of Zamboanga Chong Hua and Ateneo de Zamboanga, took up Hotel and Restaurant Administration in the University of the Philippines. Aside from being a manager and reservations officer of local travel agency 888 Ticketworld, he is also a youth leader, often asked to share his experiences and expertise in the areas of leadership, management and finance. His wife of 1-year, on the other hand, is a graduate of Ateneo de Manila University, who majored in Business Management and Communications, where she was also a Dean's Awardee for the Arts.  As  a writer, her work has been published in numerous glossy magazines and newspapers, including Reader's Digest Asia. Aside from that, Jenny, born and raised in Manila, is also a TV producer and director who has produced magazine and documentary TV shows in the Philippines and China.  Both Michael and Jenny, chosen recently as our country's representatives to South East Asian Youth For Change,  are well-traveled and well-versed in the Asian culture.They are perfect for this competition, which tests the participants' skills in promoting and highlighting the beauty of 5 tourist destinations in Thailand namely Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chang Mai and Koh Samui. 

Two weeks into the competition, Michael and Jenny got the Philippine media's attention. Several lifestyle and social writers  from Manila featured them in their blogs, including CNET blogger Joey Alarilla,  travel blogger Anton Diaz and OK! Magazine editor-in-chief Frances Amper-Sales.  Aside from being heralded by the Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP), the  Zamboanga couple  was also featured last Saturday in  fashion icon  Tim Yap's column in  the Philippine Star.  Let's not delay in giving  this  couple our all-out support by viewing, voting and campaigning for their video.  (http://tinyurl.com/mike-jennifer) 

Once they get to the finals, Michael and Jenny will be given the chance to personally travel to the Thai island paradise of Koh Samui.  They will document their experiences through articles, pictures and video that will be published to a worldwide audience online.  Your support is crucial even in the finals, because judging is purely based on voters' support. A vote for them is a vote for our beloved ctiy. 

So log on and vote for this sweet couple and have the chance to win $2,500. Above all, Zamboanga City will be known around the world. 

  Thanks for this second article, Kuya Dante!  :D 

Ultimate Thailand Explorers in Philippine Star's Supreme Section by Tim Yap

We're in the national papers! Thank you, Supremo Tim! :)

   Published on Nov. 7, 2009 at the Philippine Star

Here is the online version . . . 

Why Koh Samui?

When we decided to join the Ultimate Thailand Explorers, Michael and I immediately chose  Koh Samui because of its reputation as an island paradise. More so, it seems to us  to be the least publicized among the five destination. We’ve been to Bangkok and Pattaya, heard about Chiang Mai and most specially Phuket, but Koh Samui is something new to us. And it beckons us to come and explore its shores. I once saw a Starworld feature of Koh Samui and the sights were breathtaking.

Our personal research showed us that aside being an idyllic beach town, it has so many other things to offer. You must have already noticed from our video. There’s so much to do in Koh Samui. Aside from the many natural attractions, there’s a wide array of  extreme sports to try, spa resorts to luxuriate in  and dining options to consider. There’s  golf for those who want a slower pace, shopping for the ladies,  and a vibrant nightlife to entertain partyphiles. I can’t wait to go there!   Later, I will post a list of activities that we can do in Koh Samui, but before that here are some factoids:

Some interesting facts about Koh Samui:

*Koh means “island” in Thai and Samui is said to either be derived from “Mui” name of a native tree or the chinese word “Saboey” which means “safe haven.” I am kinda leaning towards this second definition.

*Said to be circular in shape (looks heart-shaped to me), it is  the 3rd largest island in Thailand and the 2nd most popular island destination. It is surrounded by 60 big and small other islands. The most popular ones are Kao Thao (divers island), Koh Phangan, Koh Nang Yuan and  the Ang Thong National Marine Park. 

*Koh Samui or Samui, as locals prefer to call it, has its own international airport with direct flights coming in from HongKong and Singapore. There are also buses, trains and ferries to take tourists to the island.

*Koh Samui’s  population is 50,000 and the land area is 247 square kilometers. It’s possible to go around the whole island in half a day. 

*The island has a unique climate. Unlike other major destinations in Thailand which enjoy 6 months of rainy season from May to December, Koh Samui only experiences rain in November. (Glad we’re going there in December!)  It only rains an average of 20 to 60 minutes each time, which reminds me of Zamboanga City, where a rainy day for me is luxury.

*Aside from a thriving tourist industry, Koh Samui’s economy flourishes through rubber and coconut exports.

*Inhabitants of the island are called “Chao Samui.” 

*Koh Samui has been a backpacker’s haven since the 70’s. 

*The most convenient way to travel in Koh Samui is by renting cars, motorbikes and bicycles. Taxis are convenient but they don’t use the meter here so it’s good to haggle in advance. 

Michael: We will be driving around the island with a car provided for by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.  I am very eager too to drive the motorcycle!  

Koh Samui, here we come!    We will be there this coming Dec. 9-16! 

Bitten By the Travel Bug!

Newsflash: You have just made us NUMBER 1 in Koh Samui through your votes for the Ultimate Thailand Explorers! :) This is the first time we made it in the top spot. We are overwhelmed by your support. Thank you especially to our friends in the media who have taken time to write and feature us. We feel like celebrities already. Hehe, We went around town yesterday to campaign and the people of Zamboanga City were very positive.  Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!  Keep us at the TOP by voting everyday till Nov. 12:

http://tinyurl.com/mike-jennifer  

 Torre Molinos, Spain

My husband Michael and I are  both passionate about traveling and exploring other cultures.

     

                                  Gaudi's work in Barcelona, Spain 

 I have been traveling since I was 12  and  writing and taking photos about my travel since age 22. I have been blessed to be born into a set of parents whose credo is "Travel is the best education a parent  can give their children."  I noticed through the years that the number of countries I have traveled to always exceeds my age and I have my parents to thank for that. I am now in country 38. 

 

       Plaza de Espana in Sevile where they filmed 

               Star Wars: Attack of the Clones

I took up Business Management and Communications in college and eventually started working for the print and TV media. Because of my work, I have been privileged to be given the chance  to go around Asia-- to shoot, produce  and write stories.  It's a pleasure to go to exotic places and  rub shoulders with people whose culture and language are uniquely different from yours and to discover you're not as separate and  different from them  as you'd like to  think. 

Michael, on the other hand, has been going on cross country tours in his motorcycle since his early twenties. He got his motorcycle at age 18 and he has traveled around 12,000 kilometers with his bike.  He is still using that same bike today.  Five years ago, he and his brother established a travel agency. He has been managing it since and it thrills him to travel vicariously through his clients as he books airplanes tickets and designs tour packages for them. 

 

        Enjoying the sea breeze at Microtel, Cebu

One of our faith goals, when we got married was to see the world together before we start a family. So far, we have traveled together to the following places  around the Philippines: 

Cebu--It is also called the queen of the south, and was mentioned by Celtic singer Enya in her song Ornico Flow.  Cebu is famous as the landing site for Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. It was here  where he was killed by Lapu-lapu, a local datu. It is known for its white- sand beaches, well-crafted guitars and the local delicacy danggit (Cebu's salted fish). Cebu is the hometown of furniture designer Kenneth Cobunpue and fashion designer to Hollywood stars Monique Lhuillier. 

Bohol-- Bohol has so much to offer, from the famous Chocolate Hills to the tarsiers,  smallest primates in the world, to some of the  most beautiful and diverse  dive sites in Asia. While there you can visit, the Bee Farm and taste local salad made of flowers and pasta with coconut milk.  You can also  ride an All-Terrain Vehicle to take you on a worms-eye view of the chocolate hills.  Go dolphin watching at dawn and swim with the fishes at Balicasag Island. And don't miss the Loboc River cruise  and enjoy the sumptuous buffet lunch onboard while being serenaded by the locals. 


  

         Mitra's Ranch in Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan

Palawan--Palawan is an eco-tourist's and adventurer's  paradise. It known for its exotic flora and fauna, the crystal clear beaches and lagoons  and  the breathtakingly raw and  jagged islands. (Read my article about Coron, Palawan at http://jctravelblog.blogspot.com) 

Boracay Island-- In my travels, I haven't seen a beach that can rival Boracay's powdery-white sand and 4-kilometer long  beach front.  It is a perfect getaway with friends. All sorts of water sports await you in Boracay.  You can even play pingpong under the sea! (Yes, we have! And it's on video, too.) If you get tired of the beach, you can also try your hand at golf, biking or this crazy attraction called Zorb that has you bouncing inside a giant plastic ball filled with water. Not for faint of heart.

There's a lot more travel stories & pictures  to come. Do watch out for that . . . Have a great day!