TRAVEL+LEISURE: World's Top 10 Cities

Two of Travel+Leisure Magazine's Top 10 Cities in the World are in Southeast Asia. It just so happen that the Top 1 and 2 are in Thailand! Yey!

Bangkok is the World's No. 1 City destination according to 16,000 voters. The northern Thai city of Chiang Mai came in 2nd. Last year, they were voted 3rd and 5th respectively.

This great news was a big boost to the morale of Bangkokians after the 10-week civil disorder that rocked the city. The poll stopped a few days before it happened.

Incidentally, the T+T also listed the Top 10 Cities in Asia: Bangkok (1), Chiang Mai (2), Siem Reap (4), Hanoi (8) are Southeast Asian cities that made it to the list.

Here is the full list of the World's Top 10 Cities.

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TOP 10 SURF SITES IN THE PHILIPPINES

*2nd of the series of the Top 10 Surf Sites in Southeast Asia.

There are 27 surf sites in the Philippines known to the surfing circuit – 18 in the North & Southeast (of Luzon Island) and 9 in the Southeast (off Mindanao coast). The best and the most famous of which are in the latter.

As the Philippines is a relatively new surfing destination, surf shops are quite rare. It is imperative that you bring your own provisions. One thing you have to know, waves in the Philippines are fickle and almost absolutely dependent on typhoons.

This list is subject to 25 seasoned surfers surveyed exclusively for BISEAN. Actual visits from 02 May to 25 July 2008. Total surf sites visited: 27. Here are the Best 10 Surf Sites the Philippines has to offer:


1. Rock Island (off Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte) Right reef-rocky. Come August to November and you'll know why this is the Philippine's No.1. For Kamikaze surfers only; meaning surfers looking for "scenic backdrops" should go somewhere else. This list is about surfing.

2. Cloud 9 (Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte) This site is mostly on top of everyone else's list especially the capitalists of the island. The "too-much-trying" crowd pulls it down a notch for the BISEANers.

3. The Majestics @ Puraran Bay (Baras, Catanduanes) Awesome long-barrel waves. September is the prime month. Crystal clear waters. If the Puraranese would hire PR people, they can easily be on the Top 1.

4. D-Land (Labo, Ilocos Norte) Also known as the Labo Surf Spot. Right reef-coral. 150-300m waves on a good day. Experienced surfers only. 6 hours bus ride from Manila.

5. The Boneyards (Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte) Beach-break, left & right. You have to find the surf sites your self. No local tourist assistance. Find Blue Lagoon. Ask other surfing dudes at the bus terminal. It's quite hard to make directions on this blog. Smile and ask. Period.

6. Crystal Beach Break (Zambales) Standard waves left & right, beach-break. 300-500m long with 5m swells on a good day. Crystal Beach Resort +63.47.913.4309 Cool and friendly people! 3 hours drive from Manila.

7. Twin Rocks (Catanduanes Island, Luzon) Reef-coral, left & right, 50-150m waves with 3-4m swells. What makes this on the list is the frequency of waves.

8. Sabang (Cabugao, Ilocos Sur) Reef-Rocky, right. 100-150m waves with 5m swells. Experienced surfers only.

9. Paradise (Siargao Island) Reef-coral, left & right. Power, power, power! This site can be all to yourself on certain days meaning; No hyenas chuckling when you fall off.

10. Daku Island (Siargao Island) Right & Left, reef-rocky. Very long waves! For experienced surfers only. Siargao Island is your best bet. 9 surf sites of the Philippine's 27 are located here.

Beginners should try San Juan (La Union), Urbiztondo Beach or Llorente. All in the North.

Happy Surfing and Mabuhay!


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Related Post: Top 10 Surf Sites in Indonesia

TOP 10 SURF SITES IN INDONESIA

Indonesia is the world’s ultimate surfer’s paradise. With more than 17,000 islands *whoa!*... who knows what else is out there!?

The island of Bali alone has more than 40 established surf sites! There are more than 150 surf sites in Indonesia known to the surfing circuit! Woohoo! Thank god for Indonesia!

Having said that…it would be quite impossible to rate the Top 10 Surf Sites in Indonesia. So I asked some help from a couple of friends who has visited most of these sites. Here’s what we thought…

1. Padang Padang – Southern-most tip of Bali. The Bali Pipeline. The most dangerous in all of Southeast Asia. For pros and kamikaze only. Power and fear. Epic 100-300m waves with 3-5m swells. The crowd makes it more dangerous. Left/Reef-Coral.

2. Uluwatu – Southern-most tip of Bali. The most famous in all of Southeast Asia. Totally epic! 50-300m waves with 2-5m swells. Entry caves. Left/Reef-Coral.

3. Impossibles – Southern-most tip of Bali. Short 50m waves with awesome 2-5m swells. Left/Reef-Coral.

4. Bluffs – Bali. Hollow waves surrounded by rocky cliffs. Wave stats same as Impossibles. This spot is very hard to find. Right/Reef-Rocky

5. Bangko Bangko – Southwest coast of Lombok Island. The Aussies call it “Desert Point”. 300m waves with 2-4m swells. Tubes occur for 10-20 sec. Left/Reef-Coral

6. Bawa – Sumatra. Right/Reef-Coral
7. Asu – Sumatra. Left/Reef-Coral
8. Rifles – Mentawai. Right/Reef-Coral
9. Keramas – Bali. Left&Right/Reef-Rocky
10. Grajagan – East Java. Left/Point Break

This list is subjective to 26 seasoned surfers surveyed exclusively for BISEAN. Actual visits from 15 January – 10 March 2008. Total surf sites visited: 67.

I personally think the 3 sites in Sumba Island were overlooked. And they should’ve more Mentawai sites on the Top 10. But hey, this was a survey – nothing I could do with it.

Nevertheless, the list is ACTUALLY Southeast Asia’s Top 10 already.
So, there you go. Thank you, Indonesia.

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*Special thanks to all 25 BISEAN surfers. Georgy, Mer, Bjorn, Hagar, Tommy, Hulda, Frog, Ton, Macky, Piss, Monsta, Boggs 1, Boggs 2, Jim A., Jim G., Jim L., Mary Antoinette (Queen of All Surfers), Henry, Beng-beng, Noel B., Noel D., Dave, Xtian, Mugger and TinyGiant. Plus the legendary Maui S! I owe you all trip to the Olympics…Now, get your asses over to the Philippines! New tasks were sent to your emails. =) **Thanks to Carl Page for the 2nd photo.

10 LARGEST LAKES OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

Here’s another one to disprove the claims of the largest in our region – the lakes.

Just like our rivers, lakes are important for trade, livelihood and traveling around. Some lists would differentiate natural to man-made. Some would list according to types and there are more than 15 types of lakes. This list includes all of them, since we are talking about the total area it covers.

Here are the largest lakes in Southeast Asia… (Lake, Country, Total Area)


1. Tonlé Sap, Cambodia, between 2700 – 16000 km²

2. Lake Toba, Indonesia , 1130 km² (World’s largest volcanic lake)

3. Songkhla Lake (ทะเลสาบสงขลา), Thailand, 1040 km²

4. Laguna de Bay, Philippines, 940 km²

5. Lake Towuti, Indonesia, 561 km²

6. Lake Jempang, Indonesia, 450 km²

7. Lake Tempe, Indonesia, 350 km²

8. Lake Lanao, Philippines, 340 km²

9. Lake Poso, Indonesia, 323 km²

10. Indawgyi Lake, Burma, 300 km²


The largest lake in Brunei is Tasik Merimbun. Jurong Lake is the largest in Singapore. In Laos, it's the Nam Ngum Lake. And it's Ba Be Lake in Vietnam. The largest lake in Malaysia is Kenyir Lake in Terengganu and Ira Lalaro is the largest in Timor Leste.


*Data source: Lake Basin Management Initiative of the World Bank exclusively for BISEAN, Photos by Google Earth

YOUR GUIDE TO BALI’S BEST BEACHES

Whoever says the beaches of Bali is too touristy, too crowded and too busy can kiss my sun-tanned a*s through eternity. For all I know, they never been to Bali AT ALL! Ha!

And before we go on, one more thing – I have already told you the importance of knowing what kind of beach you are looking for before actually heading anywhere. This would ensure you’d enjoy it and won’t spoil somebody else’s holiday…

Anyways, enough of the bitchin’… here’s your guide to Bali’s best beaches according to 14 BISEANers. Let’s categorize it into 3:

[1] For watchin’ bronzed gods & goddesses / displaying yourself / Party Zone
[2] For the family oriented / Quiet solitude / Drama Queens (and kings!)
[3] For the rich & famous / nouveau riche / social climbers

Category 1

Kuta Beach – Absolutely the most popular beach on the island No shortage of beach babes and dudes, super party zone, Hard Rock. Kuta’s 5 km stretch is the longest beach in Bali. Even those who fancy Categories 2 & 3 comes here. Lots of surfing, water sports, activities and a beach culture of its own. Here is where the action you are looking for.

Dreamland Beach – Lots of action, very vibrant. 15 minutes from Kuta. Surfer dudes and babes galore. Lovely crowd.

Uluwatu & Padang Padang – Surfer god’s paradise + sunset parties + spectacular views + quiet lagoons.


Category 2

Sanur Beach – The center of it all; starting point to see the rest of the island, pale pink sands, white sands, fashion shops, boutique hotels, for thos who love culture.

Legian Beach – Comfy guest houses, boutique hotels, activities for the family, lots of kids, honeymooners, behaved but still has a wicked night life. A few minutes drive from Kuta.

Seminyak Beach - Very cosmopolitan but casual ambiance, classy restaurants, fine dining, local designer shops. Tanah Lot's is walking distance from here. Good for surfing in dramatic sunsets.

Candidasa – Well… not really the best. But what makes this special is the tranquility you’re looking for. For those who’d like to have some peace and quiet with the family. Or self-pity extravaganzas.

Category 3

Jimbaran Beach - Sterile, clean, organized and picturesque. Like the one’s on post cards. The Four Seasons, The Intercon and the Ritz Carlton dominate the beach.

Nusa Dua Beach - One word: Prestige. Another sterile beach where everything is in its proper place. International celebrities head here.

Bali’s 10 Best Beaches according to BISEAN.

2008 is Visit Indonesia Year. Come and visit.

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10 LARGEST MOBILE PHONE COMPANIES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Mobile phones have definitely changed the way we live and really came a long long way. From the 1st Generation “you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-me!” super-bulky Motorola DynaTac to the 2nd Generation GSMs to the smallest “dude!-have-you-seen-my-phone?” tiny weenie models of the 3rd Generation.

Southeast Asia has a total 44 mobile network providers and we have more than 500 million people -- That’s half a billion potential subscribers. Of all these 44 companies, which ones attracted the most customers?

Here are the 10 largest mobile companies in Southeast Asia by number of subscribers:



1. SingTel, Singapore, 124 Million


2. Telkomsel, Indonesia, 39 Million



3. SMART Communications, Philippines, 21 Million



4. Advanced Info Service, Thailand, 18 Million



5. IndoSat, Indonesia, 12.9 Million



6. Globe Telecom, Philippines, 12.4 Million



7. DTAC, Thailand, 11.5 Million



8. Maxis Berhad, Malaysia, 8.5 Million



9. Excel Commmunications, Indonesia, 8.4 Million




10. Viettel, Vietnam, 8 Million

Singapore’s SingTel ranks 16th in the world for the most number of subscribers spanning their service to 6 other countries. Indonesia’s Telkomsel ranks 18th in the world although it’s services are only limited to Indonesia.