Diary Of A Travel Blogger From Beijing To Bangkok

Ralph began traveling on his own at age of 21, after graduating college. He has been around the Philippines and at 29, has explored several countries around Asia, capturing many of his experiences using his Canon 1000D.
Name: Ralph Vincent Clemente
Occupation: Operations & Sales Manager and Freelance Photographer
Current Location: Manila, Philippines
Favourite hot place to visit: Boracay, Philippines

Out of the 7,107 islands, Boracay is the most iconic and one of the best islands to visit, with white sand beaches, crystal blue waters, and friendly people. It is also a 24/7 party island. I love going to Boracay because you will meet people all over the world and the best part of it is that you gain more foreign friends and widen your knowledge about other countries. There is no shortage of activities on this paradise. Boracay has 24 diving sites that cater to all levels of experience. You can go parasailing, cliff diving and do other water sports available.
Most happening city you’ve been to: Bangkok, Thailand

Thailand’s capital a sprawling metropolis known for its temples, shopping areas and vibrant street life. One of the places I always keep on going back to is the Khaosan Road where all good street food stalls and local pubs are located. The majority of people around it are expats, so expect the local lady boys around.
During day time there are tons of places to visit: the Grand Palace, the Jade Palace, the temples and river cruises: there are also zoos with performing animals such as Dusit Zoo and Bangkok Safari. The best place to shop is in Pratunam, where all the cheap finds are. The best part is you can bargain for lower price.
Best airport for stopping over in: Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong

 
There so many stores inside HKIA that you will never get bored while waiting: food chains and shopping stores can be pricey in some airports but here in HKIA cheap finds are lurking around every corner. There are also massage lounges, showers, luggage storage, mobile charging and smoking areas. Wifi is free and there computer kiosks in every gate.
It’s easy to find your way in and out, as signs have translations in 4 different languages.
It is very clean and doesn’t smell bad, carpets are always clean and the housekeeping staff works round the clock to clean the place. If you want to go to Hong Kong Island just take the airport express train and for 45mins and you will get there; fast, safe and no hidden charges – compared to airport taxis that ask for contracted rates.
Most dangerous place you’ve been to: Ho Chin Minh City, Vietnam

Getting hit by a vehicle is the most dangerous thing that can ever happen to you, and that is what I experienced in Vietnam. Locals do not have any discipline when it comes to driving, even on the sidewalks motorcycles pass through just to avoid traffic.
I was walking along the red cathedral during rush hour, thinking I was safe there; I was checking local stores and snapping some photos when I heard a batch of almost 25 motorcycles approaching my path without any beeping of horns. I jumped inside a store. I will never forget one Caucasian girl who told me, “Crazy, huh; I almost got ran down by a motorcycle yesterday.”
From that moment I realized I should be taking taxis instead of walking. The next day I decided to try it. I had read a blog saying foreigners should take the white taxis as these are safe – but I totally and completely forgot about this and took the green one.
Well, the taxi driver asked me for a contracted rate, so good thing I was not yet far from my hotel. I decided to make some excuse and told the driver bring me back to the hotel. I payed him (but not the contracted rate) and decided to go back to the hotel and leave from the other side and walk towards the museum I wanted to go to.
The most calming place you’ve been to: Seoul, South Korea

 
My birthday is in October and my gift to myself was to travel to Seoul in South Korea. It was my first visit to this wonderful yet very simple, safe, clean and modern city. That year I was turning 27 and as it was autumn, the weather was cold and breezy. I wanted to see Seoul and all the cool places that I have seen on TV with my own eyes. It never fail to impress me.
Walking downtown there are several palaces and temples that you can visit; there also streets that everyone will enjoy for shopping. This photo that I have taken is on the rooftop cafe of Insadong Mall. Young people go here for trinkets and cute accessories. One of the reason why I choose this place as calming is because of the fresh air and non-congested streets which are so unlike other places in Asia.
Here people can speak in english very well and there are signs all over the place so you will never get lost. Trains have heaters, public toilets are very clean and wifi cover most of places in the city – and its free.
Food is cheap, delicious and most importantly…clean!
The most incredible view you’ve taken in: Great Wall of China, Beijing, China

This is the ancient world wonder that winds for more than 5,500 miles across China, with towers and walkways; and it is the most incredible view I have ever seen in my life. The great wall of China hold a rich history and boasts thousands of haunting stories. The wall pictured is called the Forbidden Wall and there are locals who can take you there for a fraction of the cost of the common walls around Beijing. Few people ever visit this place as this is a run-down and legit. The watch towers are all original and never been touched, excepting the two first towers, and all roads are untouched and a little slippery. This part of the Great Wall has a history of everyday violence between the Mongolians and Chinese army.
During the discovery of this part of the wall, excavators dug up more than 100,000 corpses underneath the wall and these were preserved and placed in the museum.
Coldest place you’ve been to: Seoul, South Korea

We travelled here in February 2005, as I was hoping to experience my first snow. And the second to the last day of my stay, snow poured down for one hour straight.
This photo was taken at Nami Island, 2hrs away from Seoul. This island is a very popular place to visit since a lot of TV series and movies have shot their romantic moments here. Nami Island is very popular with films and wedding shoots. For nature lovers this is a must-see during spring as large variety of flora can be found in this tiny island. There are zip lines and cruises around the island, and also a hotel; if you love a little camping, Nami Island is the place to be.
The thing you don’t leave home without: My I.D.
I never leave home without them because I learnt a very important lesson way back on my first trip, when I got lost in Hong Kong and had left my bag at the hotel. My I.D., passport and money were there and I was only carrying a few things that day, as I wanted to check out a place far from the city, closer to the border of mainland China. I ran out of money and got pretty lost in one of the villages around the train station; police men asked for my passport or I.D., but I told them I had left it in my hotel. From that moment I never leave home without my I.D.
The hardest journey you’ve done: Mt. Makiling Hike, Philippines

I was in Senior Year and my friends and I had decided to climb up Mt. Makiling, but we never thought that a tropical cyclone would be coming to the Philippines right then. The morning we started climbing there was a fair weather; not too hot, not too cold. But one hour after we started walking the weather began to change. We thought it was just a short rain but three hours later, when we’d arrived at the top, we realised this rain would never stop.
Climbing down the mountain was very hard and slippery, and there were leeches everywhere. It was the hardest journey for us, but we learned so many things about climbing that day.

The most incredible food you’ve tasted: Korean Beef Rib Soup, Seoul, South Korea

During my first trip in Seoul, in 2013, I tried this soup, so when we went to Seoul this year, I decided to introduce it to my friends.
This dish the most delicious, yummy and comforting food I have ever eaten; the meat just falls off the ribs as you eat it and the noodles are incredibly tasty. For only 11,000 Korean Won you can enjoy this dish, which can feed two people.
You can visit the restaurant website at www.mapletreehouse.co.kr

Somewhere you’re yet to discover: Siem Reap, Cambodia

The resort town of Siem Reap, in northwestern Cambodia, is gateway to the ruins of Angkor, the ancient seat of the Khmer kingdom from the 9th-15th centuries. Angkor’s vast complex of intricate stone buildings includes well-preserved Angkor Wat, the main temple, which is pictured on Cambodia’s flag. Giant, mysterious faces are carved into the Bayon temple at Angkor Thom.
This is the place I want to explore so I can learn about their rich culture and taste the local food.