Top Spot Travel

October 25, 2012 by jfalbelda

Relaxin’ to the Maximum in Pai, Thailand

Mountains around Pai

After deciding Bangkok was too nutso for me, I headed to the north of Thailand to explore the region, and my first stop was Chiang Mai. While it’s the 2^nd largest city in Thailand, it is shockingly more calm, easy to get around and just exudes a way different vibe than bustling Bangkok. And when I wanted to take my chillaxing to the next degree, I was told about a place called Pai from some other travelers, just a short 3 hour ride northwest of Chiang Mai.

So, instead of opting for the 150 baht minibus there (5 bucks), I channeled my inner Ché and rented a motorcycle to head for the hills, literally. Continue reading →

October 14, 2012 by jfalbelda

Experiencing Siem Reap and Angkor Wat in Cambodia

Angkor Thom

While visiting temples isn’t usually something I go out of my way to do these days (I’ve been dragged to more mediocre Mayan ruins by my mom than I can count), the amazing Angkor complex in Cambodia is one place that is worth a visit (UNESCO says the same). Ever since I had a charismatic Dutch professor in college, Jan Nijman (dude is a modern day Indiana Jones) who talked to us about the wonders and grandeur of Angkor Wat, I have ever since been intrigued.

Continue reading →

October 7, 2012 by jfalbelda

Cock Fighting in The Philippines

The ash from my cigarette fell between my legs as I wiped the beading sweat from my brow. I thought to myself, “it must be 110 degrees in here” as I sipped my warming beer for a little relief from the blanketing humidity.

I looked out around the cockpit at the local Filipinos chit chatting with one another, eating oiled peanuts and most definitely arguing who they thought was going to be the big ticket bird that day. I asked the guy next to me when he thought the first fight would start and he said once the first two cocks are matched and fitted with blades outside, they’ll bring them in and the rest of the spectators will follow. Continue reading →

September 27, 2012 by jfalbelda

China’s Coolest City – Macau!

When I was in Hong Kong recently, I saw a lot of promotion for a place I had only heard briefly about, Macau. What I saw were billboards for casino names I knew from the states like Sands and MGM, but what caught my eye were pictures of colonial Portuguese neighborhoods and foods that looked more in place in Lisbon rather than across the world smack dab in the middle of Asia. Continue reading →

September 19, 2012 by jfalbelda

Ridin’ Hogs in Bohol, Philippines

motorbike in the Philippines

I read in my Rough Guides travel book about the Philippines that one of the best the things to do is rent a motorcycle in Bohol and let the road take you where it will, I was immediately interested. While I own a scooter in Miami, I have never actually ridden a real motorcycle, i.e. one that involves changing gears manually.

I was lucky enough to drive the trike of a taxi driver in Baler Beach, but I was pretty god awful at shifting I must say. Well, when a Filipino guy outside my hotel in Alona Beach, Bohol Island offered me to rent his 125 cc motorcycle for the day, I jumped at the chance. Continue reading →