Destination Diary: China and What You Will Need

Summer of this year, I went to China for 14 days to attend a short course with a delegation and it was one of the best experiences I’ve had, meeting new people and making new friends coupled with the chance to visit historical sites. We were invited by China’s Ministry of Commerce, so I went as a government employee as a member of a delegation representing the Philippines.

Of course, my excitement got a hold of me days before I was to leave. These are some things to remember when preparing for a visit to China:

Visa

Securing a Chinese Visa is one of the strictest, as it is particular with medical requirements such as ECG and X-Ray. The form alone is very comprehensive, so I spent a whole day completing all the requirements for the medical attachments for the visa alone.

Normally personal appearance is required in the Chinese Embassy but for our trip shouldered by the Ministry of Commerce, all we had to do was pick up our passports with visas from our contact and facilitator.

There are no shortcuts to getting a visa and yes, I went through all of those. For government employees, a travel order or travel authority is required upon immigration check and other relevant documents.

Facial and fingerprint scanner in China

Immigration in China

Before passing through Chinese Immigration upon arrival, all foreign visitors are required to pass through facial and fingerprint scanning. It’s easier because there are machines set up that are user-friendly and the printed slip is shown to the Immigration Officer upon arrival. The Immigration booths are modern and are well-manned. With your arrival card, passport and registration slip, you should be alright.

Electronics on Flight

Be warned that electronics checked-in are not allowed. Most of my companions during travel have mastered this, but not me. Oh no. I was able to pull out the Macbook out of my checked-in luggage but wasn’t able to save my powerbank in Guangzhou. Upon arrival in Tianjin, I discovered that my luggage was inspected and my Asus pink powerbank was confiscated. And thus, the lesson is to bring all electronics in the handcarried baggage. Check out what replacement I received here.

Side Street in Yu Yuan Garden, Shanghai

VPN for Social Media in China

One thing to remember about visiting China is that most social media platforms are banned, except for WeChat which has a WePay feature. However, WeChat can be validated by a user in Mainland China who has been using the app for 6 months at least. The next best thing to beat the restriction is by downloading a VPN router, some are paid apps, which can connect you to routers like in Hongkong for you to unblock the restrictions. I was able to discover that my phone has a built in VPN and I accessed and used it easily, so no worries there. Most hotels we stayed in had free wifi to chat with family and friends back home so that eased away the homesickness.

Basic Mandarin

Basic Mandarin is appreciated, so learning to say a few words can help with making new friends. It doesn’t have to be complicated, simply practice the basic like thank you, welcome, good morning and good bye and you can make friends with people who smile and nod at you. Chinese mainlanders are friendly, and you will be surprised at how many locals are actually willing to chat with you.

Chinese Yuan Reminbi

Local Currency

It’s better to have money changed in any accredited money changers before landing in China. We went around the airport to look for money changers inside the terminal but there were none in Guangzhou. In Tianjin we went around banks to change our American Dollars, only one bank was able to facilitate our exchange. Withdrawing from ATMs is no problem, but for Philippine accounts, your local bank might charge a Php 200 withdrawal fee. Credit cards didn’t work in Guangzhou airport in the Starbucks branch, (must be because there’s an activation notice to utilize the card abroad to prevent fraudulent transactions) though debit cards worked just fine.

Guangzhou Airport

Good Walking Shoes, Hat, Camera, Sunblock and a Water Bottle

Finally, these are the basics that I wish I brought along with me so that I didn’t have to buy them anymore. For the second part of our trip, we visited sites that one could cross off the bucket list, and so there’s a good amount of walking around to be done. Luckily I found a pair that I could wear in an outlet store in Beijing. Then I needed a hat, so I bought one in one of the souvenir shops in The Great Wall. As for a camera, I wish that I brought my mirrorless camera with me. Sunblock, whether it’s exploring a beach or going to historical sites, should be a staple in the luggage. And of course, airports and train stations in China have water fountains in every corner, it’s good to be able to bring a water bottle along. Hydrating is important especially when in transit. I know I’ll be bringing mine along the next time I leave the country.

Wearing my shoes in Nanjing Road, Shanghai

China 2018 Series:

Tianjin

Beijing

Shanghai

Note : All input are based on my experience while in China. A schedule was planned for our group beforehand given the limited amount of time.

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Unboxing Deco Art X Crafts Delight Beach Please Kit

Because of a weekend trip to the Eleven Islands here in Panubigan, Zamboanga City, I suddenly remembered that I have the perfect crafts kit to complement my experience and to journal with. Deco Arts and Crafts Delight launched a crafts kit in a box May of this year that’s just perfect for any beach theme. After all, BEACH stands for Best Escape Anyone Could Have, clever huh?

Best Escape Anyone Could Have (BEACH)

The kit came in a flat white box. I’m keeping the thank you card and using it in my notebook, nice prompt for gratitude if you ask me.

I begin all interest with washi, and for this kit there’s two, the umbrella and printed starry washi. And there’s my shell prop which I brought home some time ago, years ago maybe.

Washi from the kit

Here’s the collection of journal cards from the kit. The more colorful top ones are freebies from any purchases from the shop, (this isn’t my only purchase) the set doubles as a travel journal cards on the side. The bottom journal cards are the ones that are included in the kit and the cutest ones I like are the Waves, Lemonade and Bikini journal cards.

Summer and beach journal cards

The dividers are cute, and my favorite is the seashell, though the bikini one is also cute.

Dividers

 There are ten ephemera stickers and I really like the fishies, the seashell and pink lemonade.

Sticker ephemera

Lastly, the stickers feature functional, matte sheets that can be written on. I like the boxed quotes, they really relate to what summer and beach days are all about. I like the Weekend banner on the third sticker sheet and the cute beach accessories.

The sunscreen bottle can be a good reminder for me to always be equipped with sunblock and to remind myself that prevention of sunburn is always important.

Functional stickers

What do I think of it overall? The kit could have used some more beach or ocean themed washi for this kit. But I have some seahorse and seashell washi already. But the stickers and journal cards are something that I can definitely use.

The Beach Please kit is no longer available, but there are other kits to be launched from Deco Art and Crafts Delight. Be sure to watch out for announcements on Instagram, that’s where I place my orders.

Deco Art Instagram

Crafts Delight Instagram

Disclaimer: This is not a paid post. All opinion are the blogger’s own.

Quick Guide to Onse Islas, Panubigan, Zamboanga City

A random invitation to visit Onse Islas soon gained some interest from friends and family online as I posted our photos on socmed (social media). I put together a quick guide to answer the questions you left through comments on my feed and of course, more photos of the Eleven Islands.  

In front of Panubigan Barangay Hall

How to Get There

On a Sunday morning, we went all the way to Panubigan for breakfast at our family friend's place in a shack on the hill overlooking a beautiful view. In the highway once reaching Panubigan, there’s a huge sign by the highway that says Eleven Islands, some parts of the road going in isn’t concretized yet, so be ready to encounter a dirt road still in its construction phase. Some parts are already concretized, be patient as it will be completed soon. It also pays to have a careful and good driver with your party. 

Onse Islas Activity Map 

Do's and Dont's Onse Islas Guide

Registration and Orientation

The local government monitors all tourism activities in the area, so it’s mandatory to register all visitors and attend a brief orientation of the islands (islets rather). Visit the Barangay Hall, sign up and attend a brief orientation on the Eleven Islands, Do’s and Dont’s. The barangay will assign your guide for the day and a corresponding boat for your party. Our host paid a total of Php 5,000 for our party of eleven people (coincidentally) consisting of family and friends.

Ferry Terminal, Panubigan

After the orientation, it’s a short walk to the port where all the bancas are tied to. Vehicles can be parked near the barangay hall. All visitors are required to wear life jackets during boat rides, provided by the bancas themselves. Safety first, folks!

Speaking of safety, even if there are shortcuts through other routes, let me take the opportunity to remind everyone that protocols are there for a reason. Each person has to log in and register so that the local government can monitor, regulate and manage the visitors and the sites properly in case incidences occur. 

Experience Onse Islas

Eleven Islands is a group of islands in the barangays of Panubigan and Dita, Zamboanga City. Activities allowed in the area are island cruising (with a guide), kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, and also trekking.

Bisaya-Bisaya Island's Powder White Beach, Eleven Islands, Panubigan, Zamboanga City

In the first island called Bisaya-Bisaya, there are beautiful, weathered rock formations that one can walk to. Be careful to walk on the black rocks, I slipped and landed on my butt. Luckily I didn’t sustain any wounds. It turns out that the black surface on the rocks are caused by algae dried by the sun that turned black on the rocks.

White Rock in Bisaya-Bisaya Island, Eleven Islands, Panubigan, Zamboanga City

Natural Pool in one of the islets, Eleven Islands, Panubigan, Zamboanga City

During low-tide, it’s easy to cross to the other islet and visit the natural pool but it’s hot and we jokingly called it the solar-powered, hot spring infinity pool. There’s also the sand bar that appeared in the last island we went to, Sirommon Island where a family of starfish emerged just also enjoying the sun and sands.

Starfish Colony in Sirommon Sandbar, Eleven Islands, Panubigan, Zamboanga City

I like that the place is quiet, not crowded with too many tourists, there was only another group visiting the islands apart from us on the day. After all, Sunday is meant for relaxation.

Powder white sand beach, Eleven Islands, Panubigan, Zamboanga City

Be Responsible Visitors

It’s a good thing that the local government was able to straighten out the solid waste management program before tourists soiled the environment. There are huts to have picnics in. What lacked from the facilities was a good changing room and its corresponding amenities.

If you ask me though, I’ll have none of those souvenir stalls that are commonly seen in selling shirts, keychains or ref magnets. It just gives off a too-commercial vibe. I would rather have those on dry land and away from the islands. It’s also a good thing that no food vendors were allowed on the islands, minus the barbecue sticks and plastic that can be thrown away in the water.

Keeping the area clean is top priority and it’s emphasized in the orientation. No matter how small, it’s important to dispose of trash properly. Clean oceans is a plus, so let’s do all that we can.

Sandbar at Sirommon Island, Eleven Islands, Panubigan, Zamboanga City

At the end of the day tour, I have a collection of beautiful photos that look like I teleported to the Caribbean from Zamboanga City. I told an officemate that the only sighting missing is Captain Jack Sparrow. I went home with sunburn, but I do have stories to tell about how beautiful the place is. Looking at the islands, I’m grateful to have spent the weekend with people close to me and in such a beautiful place.

I’ve received inquiries and reactions from people in my socmed feed, so this quick guide was put together to share some information to those interested to visit Onse Islas. May you find time to experience and enjoy our beautiful sites in Zamboanga City and do be mindful of keeping them clean. 

Check out my video below. See you soon!

What’s On My Gears Packing List -August 2018 Edition

My upcoming travel is only a couple of weeks away, and as soon as August hits, you know I’m all about the excitement already. I’ve thought about what I will be needing, and here’s a few of them, since I already have a new replacement luggage on the way, that’s crossed off my things I need list. In the meantime, here are some stuff that I should never forget while on travel:

1. Good Walking Shoes 

Alright let me tell you something about good walking shoes for traveling. I was in China this year for a two-week long training and at the end of it, our organizers have arranged for visits to Beijing and Shanghai, and of course, what visit in Beijing is not complete without going to the Great Wall right?  Some well-seasoned travelers in our group were smart packers and pulled out good walking shoes for the Great Wall visit. Luckily, I found a pair of good shoes in the SciTech Outlet Park in Beijing the night before and bought myself the Nike Flex Training 7 for Women for just RMB 299 (Chinese Reminbi) approximately Php 2,392 that time and in my size too. All I had with me at the start of the trip were a pair of slippers and black loafers.

Lesson learned, be prepared for long distance walking and running and hiking and invest in good shoes to bring with you, even airports can be vast and cold. So I’m bringing the same pair with me to my escapade next month. 

2. Powerbank

Not a lot of people know this, but my Asus powerbank got confiscated in Guangzhou airport  before my connecting flight to Tianjin, because apparently, powerbanks are not allowed to be checked in and in China, inspection and security can be tough. I feel dumb that I didn’t pull out my Asus pink powerbank because it’s a convenient size to carry around, (only the size of a credit card, but still, as I took pretty good care of it to last me a couple of years). 

Asus Powerbank 10050 mah in Pink (credit card sized) 

A couple of weeks ago, C told me that he bought me a replacement and it’s not just any powerbank. It’s the Romoss Sense 6 LED 20000mAh Power Bank and oooh does it pack power. This is just what I need for our upcoming tour and it’s time to put it to the test. Imagine days of walking around and having to take all those photos and having to recharge when the need calls for it. How convenient! And I’m lucky to have a travel partner as thoughtful as C. 

Romoss Sense 6 LED 20000mAh Power Bank 

3. A Hat

And finally, this may sound so simple but yet, the last time I was out and now that I think about it, I had more than enough space in my luggage, I just didn’t bother to bring a hat for those day excursions. You see, I’m fond of ancient, historical and architectural sites, and a hat is just the most basic thing I could have brought along. Luckily there were souvenir shops in the Great Wall’s Beijing Station, which was also one of the most famous stations of the ancient landmark. I bought one at only RMB 30 or Yuan and brought it with me to all the other visits such as Tiananmen Square and all throughout Shanghai.It ended up on my father’s wall collection of all black hats. 

My RMB 30 souvenir hat from the Great Wall Beijing Station

The Great Hall of the People, Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China

Even while on travel, it’s still important to battle the heat and a hat is just one simple thing that I simply overlooked. Don’t mind me if I help myself to something similar like a gray or pink one.

And so, folks, these are some lessons that I’ve learned and can share with you. As of now I'm already excited so I'll be daydreaming about the attractions I'd want to visit too. See you soon!