HIYORI WORLD / 日和世界

Tag: diving

  • Cheap Sushi in the Philippines? How to Enjoy Manila and Cebu

    Cheap Sushi in the Philippines? How to Enjoy Manila and Cebu

    The Philippines holds a unique appeal among Southeast Asian countries. English is an official language, the beach resorts are excellent, and the prices are low.

    I visited Manila and Cebu. This time I want to write honestly about everything, from losing at the Manila casino, to the strangely cheap sushi and sea urchin bowls, to the taxi negotiation troubles.

    photo by Sean Yoro on Unsplash

    Manila Is Urban, Cebu Is Resort

    Manila
└ The political and economic center
└ Few tourist attractions
└ Casino resorts increasing in recent years
└ Caution needed at night

Cebu
└ A resort famous for its beautiful sea
└ Diving and snorkeling
└ Relatively safer than Manila
└ Nightlife to enjoy too
    photo by Denys Nevozhai on Unsplash

    English as an Official Language Brings Many Students

    English is an official language in the Philippines. Thanks to this, the country is known for offering affordable English-language study.

    When I visited, I noticed a striking number of Koreans. Drawn by the chance to learn English cheaply, language students gather here from across Asia. Hearing Korean so often around the city left an impression on me.

    At the Manila Casino, I Lost (Of Course)

    Manila is a city without many tourist attractions, but casino resorts have been popping up in recent years.

    Since I was there, I gave one a try. The result? I lost, of course. Following my defeat at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, it seems I’m genuinely incompatible with casinos. A man who never learns.

    Still, Manila’s casino resorts are large in scale and fun just to soak in the atmosphere. There are huge casinos like Okada Manila. If you play, please set a budget before you go in.

    photo by Kaysha on Unsplash

    Sushi and Sea Urchin Bowls Are Astonishingly Cheap

    This was the biggest surprise in the Philippines.

    Filipinos don’t have a custom of eating raw fish. Perhaps that’s why, even when sea urchin is harvested, they may not eat it. Whatever the reason, when I went to Japanese restaurants, sushi and sea urchin bowls were astonishingly cheap.

    What’s more, even at places with a proper sushi chef, prices were very reasonable. And the taste was excellent. Being surrounded by the sea, the seafood is fresh. A sea urchin bowl that would be out of reach price-wise at home was something I could eat casually here. That was an unexpected discovery.

    photo by Buddy AN on Unsplash

    Taxi Negotiation Troubles and Grab as the Savior

    On a past visit to the Philippines, I had some unpleasant taxi experiences.

    Riding in a taxi with another person, we got into a serious dispute after getting out over whether the fare was per person or per vehicle. This happened about twice. When negotiation is the premise, these troubles are unavoidable.

    But things are different now. The Philippines has Grab, so I’ve become free of these troubles. The fare is confirmed in advance, so there’s no arguing after you get out.

    Manila in particular is a little dangerous to walk at night, so Grab is a huge help for nightlife at casinos, pubs, and bars. For safety too, Grab is an essential app.

    Even Shisha, Banned in Thailand, Is Available

    A small aside, but shisha (water pipe), which is banned in Thailand, could be smoked freely in the Philippines.

    It’s interesting how rules differ by country. Having gotten used to Thailand’s strictness, I felt a little liberated here.

    Cebu Is the Island of Diving and Nightlife

    Cebu is a resort famous for its beautiful sea.

    You can enjoy diving and snorkeling, and it’s also reassuringly safer than Manila. Enjoy the sea by day and the nightlife by night. It’s a well-balanced resort destination.

    photo by Olga ga on Unsplash
    Popular spots around Cebu
└ Oslob
  Swim alongside whale sharks
└ Sumilon Island
  Island hopping with high water clarity

    Next Time, I Want to Visit Boracay

    Actually, there were about five Filipinos at the same school during my language study in Taiwan.

    When I asked them, they all said the same thing: “Boracay is more beautiful than Cebu and highly recommended.” If the locals say so, it must be true.

    Boracay is said to have White Beach, boasting some of the finest beauty in the world. After an island-wide renewal for environmental protection, the sands have apparently become even more beautiful. That’s homework for next time. I definitely want to go someday.

    photo by Karl Joshua Bernal on Unsplash

    You Must Have a Return Ticket on Entry

    I want to strongly emphasize this point.

    On entering the Philippines, my return ticket was checked. Not only that, my ticket was strictly checked again even when entering the airport for the return journey.

    Philippines entry cautions
└ An onward/return ticket is required
└ Without it, you're highly likely
  to be denied boarding
└ Checked at the point of entering the airport
└ Keep it readily accessible

    eTravel registration is also required. Register on the official site (etravel.gov.ph) up to 72 hours before departure and save the QR code on your phone. Registration is free.

    Don’t Worry If the Food Doesn’t Suit You

    Even if Filipino food doesn’t suit your taste, there’s no need to worry. Fast food restaurants are everywhere.

    The most common is the Filipino-born fast food chain “Jollibee.” It’s the national fast food of the Philippines, said to be even more popular than McDonald’s. Fried chicken and spaghetti are the signature menu items, an easy way to try a local flavor.

    And the perfect sweet for a hot country is “Halo-Halo.” It’s the Filipino version of shaved ice, piled high with purple yam ice cream, beans, jelly, and fruit. For a body overheated by the sun, this cold and sweet Halo-Halo is the ultimate refreshment.

    Travel Basics

    Best season
└ Dry season (December-May) is ideal
└ January-March especially has little rain
  and calm seas
└ Rainy season (June-November) is typhoon season

Cost guide (USD)
└ Local eatery: USD 3-5 per meal
└ Island hopping tour: USD 25-50
└ Mid-range hotel: USD 50-120/night

Cautions
└ Don't drink tap water
└ Toilets often have no paper
└ Watch for pickpockets in busy areas

    Filipino Food Is Delicious Too

    Recommended dishes
└ Adobo
  The national dish of pork or chicken
  simmered in soy sauce, vinegar and garlic
  Goes great with rice
└ Lechon
  Roast suckling pig, Cebu's is the most famous
└ Sinigang
  A soup with the sourness of tamarind

    The balance of sour and sweet is characteristic, and it suits the Japanese palate well.

    photo by Karl Joshua Bernal on Unsplash

    Final Thoughts

    The Philippines is a surprising hidden gem where English works, prices are low, and you can even eat sushi dirt cheap. Enjoy the casino and urban nights in Manila, and soak up the sea and resort life in Cebu.

    I lost at the casino and once argued over taxis, but now, thanks to Grab, travel is comfortable. Next time I want to see the world-class White Beach at Boracay, recommended by my Filipino friends.

    Just watch out for the return ticket check on entry. Get that right, and the Philippines is a top-value resort paradise.

  • Bali Family Travel Guide: Mother-Daughter Resort Vacation & Jet Ski Adventure

    Bali Family Travel Guide: Mother-Daughter Resort Vacation & Jet Ski Adventure

    Bali is a paradise where travelers from Asia and Oceania gather. Close to Australia, it draws surfers and resort lovers from all over the world.

    Partying with friends at a beach club. That was the dream I carried with me to Bali. But this time, for some reason, I was traveling with my mother. The nightlife I’d dreamed of was put on hold, but in its place I witnessed something unforgettable.

    Bali, the Crossroads of Asia and Oceania

    Bali draws a huge number of travelers from Asia and Oceania, partly thanks to its proximity to Australia.

    Resort hotels, diving, surfing, and a vibrant club scene. Every way of traveling is here. The Kuta area in particular has a huge concentration of clubs and a thriving nightlife.

    What’s interesting is that, unlike mainland Indonesia, Bali is predominantly Hindu. Perhaps that’s why the island feels relatively relaxed about alcohol. Within a country where Islam is the majority, Bali holds onto its own distinct “Balinese Hinduism,” deeply rooted in daily life.

    photo by Guillaume Marques on Unsplash

    What to Do Before You Leave (2026 Update)

    Before getting carried away, Bali now requires a few things to be arranged before arrival. To avoid airport queues, it’s best to complete everything online in advance.

    Things to prepare in advance
└ Bali Tourist Tax
  About USD 10 per person
  Pay by credit card in advance via the
  official "Love Bali" app or site, get a QR code
└ Visa on Arrival (e-VOA)
  About USD 35, 30-day stay (extendable once)
  Getting it in advance lets you use
  the airport e-gates
└ All Indonesia e-Arrival Card
  Register online from 72 hours before arrival

    The rules are more developed than when I went, so check the latest information and prepare ahead.

    Access: 2.5 Hours from Singapore

    From Singapore
└ Direct flights from Changi Airport
└ About 2.5 hours
└ Popular as a weekend short trip

From other Asian cities
└ Direct flights or budget carriers
└ Around 7 hours

    If you’re touring Southeast Asia, it’s easy to slot in as a detour from Singapore.

    The Beach Club Dream, Postponed

    When you think of Bali, you think of beach clubs. To gather with friends, a whole group of us, and party to our hearts’ content. I’d held onto that dream for a long time.

    But this time, for some reason, I was on a two-person trip with my mother.

    I obviously couldn’t dance until dawn at a beach club with my mom, so the nightlife I’d dreamed of was postponed. That’s homework for next time.

    Places like Potato Head Beach Club in Seminyak and FINNS Beach Club in Canggu are famous worldwide. Sipping drinks on a poolside daybed while a DJ plays and the sun sets is apparently the classic style. Someday I will let loose at one of those beach clubs with my friends.

    photo by Cassie Gallegos on Unsplash

    Mom Floored the Jet Ski and Left Me Stunned

    I gave up on the nightlife, but I could enjoy water sports with my mother.

    We each rented a jet ski, and this is where the incident happened.

    When I sped up, the jet ski bounced over the water and scared me, so I couldn’t really open the throttle. But when I glanced over, my mother was tearing across the water at incredible speed, bouncing wildly the whole way.

    I was genuinely stunned. My normally gentle mother had transformed into a different person, racing across the sea. Seeing an unexpected side of a parent might just be one of the great joys of travel.

    My Surfing Ended with Just Paddling

    Bali is a world-famous surf destination. Since I was there, I rented a board and gave surfing a try.

    I’ll be honest. I’ve tried surfing a few times before. But I have never once managed to stand up when a wave came.

    This day was no different. I spent the whole time just paddling, bobbing around on top of the water. There was zero sign of me ever standing.

    So in the end, I laid the surfboard down on the beach and settled for just looking the part of a surfer. I think I pulled it off reasonably well.

    That said, as a world-class surf spot, Bali has plenty of beginner-friendly waves, and there were many people enjoying surfing. I think even beginners like me can have fun here. There are lots of surf schools too, so with proper lessons, you’d surely manage to stand up.

    An Island with Completely Different Faces by Area

    Bali shows a completely different character depending on the area. The key is choosing where to stay based on your purpose.

    Main area characteristics
└ Kuta
  Lively surfer town near the airport
└ Seminyak
  Stylish cafes and upscale beach clubs
└ Ubud
  Inland village of art and culture,
  rice terraces and yoga
└ Canggu
  The hottest surf-and-cafe town right now
└ Sanur
  Calm east coast, family-friendly
└ Nusa Dua
  Government-developed luxury resort area
    photo by Geio Tischler on Unsplash

    Luxury Resorts at Surprisingly Good Prices

    Bali has a wealth of luxury resort hotels. They’re concentrated mostly along the coast, but high-end villas are also scattered in quiet spots like Ubud where you can see rice terraces.

    This time I stayed at a coastal resort hotel. What surprised me was how reasonable the prices were for a luxury resort. For the same quality, Bali is clearly cheaper than other resort destinations.

    Accommodation guide (USD)
└ Budget: USD 10-30/night
└ Mid-range: USD 50-150/night
└ Luxury: from USD 250/night

    Thanks to that, I could indulge in a relaxed, luxurious resort experience. Bali is an excellent resort destination in terms of value for money too.

    photo by Ern Gan on Unsplash

    Diving with Manta Rays

    I skipped it this time, but Bali is also famous for diving.

    There are even spots where you can encounter manta rays. Nusa Penida (where you can meet mantas) and Tulamben in the east (with a famous shipwreck dive) are especially renowned. As a diving enthusiast, I really wanted to, but since this was a trip with my mother, I passed this time. That’s more homework for next time.

    Plenty of Delicious Food

    The food in Bali is wonderfully varied.

    Recommended dishes
└ Nasi Goreng (Indonesian fried rice)
└ Babi Guling (roast suckling pig,
  a festive dish)
└ Sate (grilled skewers with peanut sauce)
└ Ubud and Canggu are packed with
  world-class vegan cafes

    From the classic nasi goreng to fresh seafood, you can find anything. As a resort destination, there are also many restaurants serving international cuisine, so I never struggled to find something to eat.

    Culture and Cautions Worth Knowing

    Bali's unique culture
└ Canang
  Small palm-leaf offerings placed on
  roadsides and shopfronts; take care not
  to step on them
└ Nyepi (Balinese New Year, around March)
  Fire, electricity and going outside are
  banned, even the airport closes
  The whole island falls silent

Cautions
└ Use Grab or Gojek for safe transport
└ Many accidents happen renting bikes
  without an international license; ride carefully
└ Tap water is not drinkable
└ Using your phone while walking in busy
  areas makes you a target for bag snatchers

    Best Season

    Dry season (April-October)
└ Best season
└ Low humidity, crisp air
└ Ideal for surfing and sightseeing

Rainy season (November-March)
└ Mostly short squalls
└ Fruit is delicious
└ Flights and hotels are cheaper
    photo by Tom Bixler on Unsplash

    Final Thoughts

    My trip to Bali, which turned into a two-person journey with my mother, may have postponed the beach club dream, but it became an unforgettable trip all the same.

    My mother flooring the jet ski, settling for just looking like a surfer on the beach, the reasonably priced luxury resort. All of it is a good memory now.

    Bali is a deep, versatile island where you can enjoy resorts, surfing, diving, and nightlife alike. Next time I’ll definitely party with friends at a beach club and swim with manta rays. This trip gave me those goals too.

    Solo, with friends, or as a trip to treat a parent. The fact that it works in any style is, I think, the real charm of Bali.

  • Thailand Packing List & Best Time to Visit: 20 Years of Travel Tips

    Thailand Packing List & Best Time to Visit: 20 Years of Travel Tips

    After 20 years of traveling to Thailand, I’ve learned what to bring, what to leave behind, and when to go. This guide cuts through the noise and tells you what actually matters.

    Thailand Has Three Seasons

    Cool Season (November - February)
└ Best season for travel
└ Less rain, comfortable temperatures
└ Clearest sea conditions
└ Higher prices for flights and hotels

Hot Season (March - May)
└ Hottest time of year, up to 40°C
└ Songkran water festival
└ Brutal for daytime sightseeing

Rainy Season (June - October)
└ Daily heavy downpours, usually 1-2 hours
└ Cheapest time to travel
└ Lush scenery and great fruit
└ Roads can flood
    photo by Evan Krause on Unsplash

    The Biggest Trap: Different Regions Have Different Rain Seasons

    Thailand is long and narrow, so the weather varies dramatically by region. This catches many travelers off guard.

    Bangkok (Central)
└ Hot year-round
└ Rainy season brings evening downpours

Chiang Mai (North)
└ Cool season mornings can drop to 15°C
└ February-April: smoke and PM2.5
　from agricultural burning

Phuket (Andaman Sea side)
└ Rainy season: May - October
└ Many beaches closed to swimming

Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui
(Gulf of Thailand side)
└ Rainy season: October - December
└ Sunny in July and August
└ Better choice than Phuket
　during summer holidays

    This is crucial. Travelers who visit Phuket during summer often hit the rainy season. The Gulf of Thailand islands are the smarter choice in July and August.

    photo by Ibrahim Rifath on Unsplash

    The Four Things You Actually Need

    After all these years, it comes down to four essentials.

    └ Passport (minimum 6 months validity remaining)
└ Cash (Thai baht)
└ Credit card with cash advance function
└ Smartphone

    Most other things can be bought locally. Thailand has pharmacies everywhere. Travel light and buy what you need when you need it.

    photo by Noppon Meenuch on Unsplash

    Do This Before You Leave

    TDAC (Digital Arrival Card)
└ Register online up to 72 hours before arrival
└ Free and mandatory

Check your passport validity
└ Must have 6+ months remaining

Sort out your mobile data
└ Check if your current plan covers Thailand
└ If not, get an eSIM before departure
└ SIMs are also available at Thai airports

Install Grab
└ Register your credit card in advance
└ Makes getting around dramatically easier

Travel insurance
└ Check if your credit card includes coverage
└ If not, take out a policy before departure
    photo by Julia Kicova on Unsplash

    For Beach Trips

    └ Swimwear
└ Beach sandals
└ Reef-safe sunscreen
└ Motion sickness medication
　(essential for speedboats to islands)
└ Waterproof phone case

    Motion sickness medicine is not optional on island ferry routes. The boats can get rough. Bring it regardless of whether you think you need it.

    UnsplashのThe DK Photography

    Things People Forget

    Something warm to wear

    Long-distance buses and trains in Thailand run their air conditioning at arctic levels. Bring a light jacket or cardigan regardless of the season outside.

    Temple-appropriate clothing

    Temples turn away visitors in sleeveless tops, short shorts, miniskirts, or ripped jeans. Pack a light cover-up and long pants.

    photo by Brenton Williamson on Unsplash

    Wet wipes

    Street food stalls and public toilets often have no paper. Wet wipes earn their weight every single day.

    Reusable bag

    Plastic bags are no longer provided free at convenience stores and supermarkets.

    Watch Out on the Plane

    Neck pillow
└ Useful for long flights

Inflatable foot rest
└ Some airlines including Thai Airways
　do not permit these
└ Check the rules before packing one

    Never Bring These

    E-cigarettes (vapes)
└ Illegal in Thailand
└ Confiscation and heavy fines
└ Leave them at home, no exceptions

Shisha pipes
└ Also prohibited

Regular cigarettes
└ These are fine

    E-cigarettes are illegal in Thailand. This surprises many travelers who use them at home. Do not bring them under any circumstances.

    Money and Exchange

    Exchange money in Thailand, not before
└ Rates at home airports are poor
└ Bangkok exchange booths offer
　far better rates
└ Look for Super Rich (green or orange signs)

Always carry cash for
└ Street food stalls
└ Tuk-tuks
└ Small local shops
└ Tips
└ Keep small bills handy (20 and 100 baht)

Credit cards work at
└ Mid to large hotels and restaurants
└ Shopping malls
└ Grab ride payments

    Don’t Worry About Food

    If the local food isn’t working for you, McDonald’s, Burger King and other fast food chains are everywhere. There’s always a fallback option.

    photo by Andrew Ly onUnsplash

    When Exhaustion Hits

    Thailand is hot year-round and sightseeing drains energy fast. Every convenience store stocks energy drinks including the original Thai Red Bull. It works. Keep one handy on long travel days.

    Suitcase or Backpack?

    Suitcase makes sense for
└ Bangkok and Chiang Mai city trips
└ Hotel-based travel
└ Buying lots of souvenirs

Backpack makes sense for
└ Island hopping
└ Koh Tao and Koh Phangan involve
　boats, beaches and sandy paths
└ A suitcase becomes a burden fast

    Leave These at Home

    Too many clothes
└ Laundry services are cheap and everywhere
└ Buying a local t-shirt is part of the fun

Heavy guidebooks
└ Your phone handles everything

Heeled shoes
└ Bangkok pavements are uneven
└ Sneakers and sandals are all you need
    photo by Sumit Chinchane on Unsplash

    Final Thoughts

    The most important decisions in Thailand are timing and region. Get those right and everything else falls into place.

    For everything else, the four essentials cover you. Travel light, buy what you need locally, and enjoy the fact that Thailand makes everything easy.

    Just leave the e-cigarettes at home. Every time.