Category Archives: destination

Visiting Butuan City

A few weeks ago, my family and I together with our church leaders went to Butuan City for a Leaders Conference. It was our first time to visit Butuan City. I never knew how wonderful it is not when I came there and see for myself the alluring scope of the City. While I was searching for more information about this city, Ive found out that Butuan City is the commerce capital of the Caraga region. It is located at the Northeastern part of Agusan Valley sprawling across the Agusan River is Butuan City, which known for its colorful history and culture.

Although it is highly industrialized and urbanized, the city itself remained dominantly historical. Its historical background seduces many tourists to come by and see for themselves that Philippines started here. Yup! That’s a history unleashed that long before the Philippines was discovered, Butuan already existed!Butuan’s history, culture, arts and people date back to the 4th century as showcased in museums which makes Butuan an exciting source of cultural artifacts in Mindanao.

 

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When regards to its tourism, one of the important part of ones travel itinerary when you visit Butuan should include a stop at the newly built Diosdado Macapagal Bridge or the Butuan Cable Stayed Bridge. The street views of Montilla Boulevard is also a must visit since it is one of Mindanao’s longest boulevards, a six lane two way concrete thoroughfare that bisects the heart of the city’s busy commercial district. Another interesting way of touring Butuan’s important historical sites, and that’s taking the Agusan River Cruise. Their newest tourist spot is the Delta Discovery Park which offers the longest Zip Line rides in Asia.

I find living in Butuan a relaxing and stress free experience as compared to other parts of southern Philippines. With nice scenic destinations, interesting historical and cultural sites around, a stable and peaceful atmosphere plus good urban facilities for work, rest and recreation. The simple city life in Butuan is a pleasure that is  worth living for.

World’s Best Places For Getting A Fruit Picking Job To Fund Your Travel

Fruit picking is seasonal work. Sometimes there is no work. Other times there is a lot of work and farmers are crying out for pickers offering lucrative pay, accommodation, and other benefits. This makes fruit picking the ideal way for backpackers to fund their travel.


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Fruit Picking in New Zealand

New Zealand offers year-round agricultural work in breath taking outdoor scenery. Work ranges from farm to vineyards to orchards; depending on the season.

Pickers are either paid per hour or per piece of fruit. At $28-30 per bin skilled workers can pick up to five bins per day, earning over $120 a day. Pickers have to work laboriously from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. to earn this.

Travelers can get a 12 month extension on their holiday visa if they are employed by an orchard. The North Island tends to get better weather than the South Island so itis a considered a more attractive part of New Zealand to pick fruit.

Fruit Picking in Australia

Fruit pickers can earn up to $200 daily. Although higher wages can be earned in iron ore mines, fruit picking gives you flexibility about when and how long you work.

As long as you aren’t worried about getting your hands dirty, finding work in fruit picking and farm work in Australia is easy. Australian farmers are desperate for hard workers around harvest time because a sizable crop is useless to them if they can’t get it picked.

Finding fruit picking work in Australia is a matter of knowing what fruit ripens when and where. Southern Parts of Australia have been struggling with a severe drought, making these areas difficult for finding work.

The weather is hotter and more unpredictable in Australia than it is in New Zealand. Australia also has pests such as poisonous snakes and scorpions which aren’t found in New Zealand.

Fruit Picking in Canada

Canadian orchards offer work for novice and skilled workers picking a diverse range of crops; from apples to plums to cherries to strawberries to loganberries. Harvesting, planting, and post production work is available throughout Canada.

Travelers can apply for the BUNAC’s ‘Work Canada’ program. This permits travelers to live and work in Canada as long as they have funds of CAN$1000; less is required if they can prove they will have a job before arriving to Canada. EU nationals can obtain a six month tourist visa and permission to work through the Canadian High Commission.

Fruit picking in America

Despite paying above minimum wage at $9.50 an hour; most American’s don’t want to do fruit picking. This leaves plenty of work for travelers to pick tangerines, grapefruits, and oranges.

Many orchards don’t bother advertising positions until they are desperate for workers because they get enough direct applications. The best way to find work is to find out what is in season then apply directly to orchards. There is also a harvest trail hotline.

The majority of fruit picking work is paid per piece rate. Pickers start work at 6 a.m. and would have to work hard 10-12 hour days to earn $90-120 before tax.

Fruit picking is exhausting labor, working long hard hours, for little pay; making it difficult for travelers to save much money. Although, there is usually plenty of work available and once you become more competent the pay increases.

Written by Jamie Z.
Jamie is a gardening enthusiast who loves to work with clients on their backyard facelift project ranging from designing herb garden to garden maintenance. His dad and his brother build pool fencing in Brisbane homes. Like most other Aussies, Jamie loves to spend his weekends in the backyard with his beautiful wife, three boys and a golden retriever.

Most Luxurious Honeymoon Destinations in the World

Planning your wedding should be one of the most exciting times in your life, yet it’s often the honeymoon that newlyweds like myself look forward to! Whether you’re searching for a tropical island paradise, a hidden getaway or the glistening lights of a big city, your honeymoon should be nothing but luxury. Spending endless days relaxing in bed, you’ll want to be sure that your accommodation offers the most lavish features in the world. To discover some great ideas, on where to go for your honeymoon, check out these luxurious destinations from around the world that I’ve dreaming of.

Ubud, Bali

Located in the lush Balinese jungle, Ubud provides newlyweds with a chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city. While planning your wedding is sure to be exciting, it can also become very stressful and quite overwhelming. For the perfect way to relax, after your big day, book into a private villa in the rainforests of Ubud. Having your own butler, maid and driver, you’ll need to worry about nothing other than relaxing with the one you love. Ubud is also the heart of music and the arts in Bali, with a stroll through the market scene providing the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon.

Paris, France

Labelled as ‘the city of love’, it is easy to see why Paris has remained to be a popular honeymoon destination over the years. While its popularity may be due to the historical sites or the undeniable culture, the luxury hotels within the city and its surrounds are a talking point for this honeymoon destination. Imagine falling asleep in the arms of the one you love, gazing through your hotel window to undisturbed views of the glistening Eiffel Tower. If this isn’t enough of romance and luxury for you, take a trip out of the city to the French countryside and be left in awe of the historical chateaus and picturesque landscapes that await you.

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Maldives

If you’re searching for a secluded getaway, offering only the finest things in life look no further than the spectacular archipelago that is the Maldives. Surrounded by the glistening waters of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is a luxurious honeymoon destination for the rich and famous. Offering exclusivity and the upmost in privacy, couples should expect nothing but five star treatments. Maldives resorts offer various types of accommodation, from private villas to suites and even beachside bungalows. Relax on the beach or indulge your senses in the finest island cuisines during this lavish getaway.

Your honeymoon will be something that you reminisce about for years to come, so it’s a good idea to make it something memorable. Take a trip to indulge yourselves and escape the world, with a romantic getaway to one of these truly luxurious destinations.

The Do’s & Dont’s of Passing Through London’s King Cross

London King’s Cross railway station is a hub of constant activity. Trains carrying what amounts to thousands of passengers arrive and depart at King’s Cross from all over the country at constant, steady pace all day long. It can get hectic and crowded, even with the very recently completed departures hall located directly across from St. Pancras International Station. 

If you’re leaving London via King’s Cross, a good rule of thumb is to get there in time to reach your train without rushing, but don’t arrive too early. Since the station is always busy, it’s hard to find a place to sit and wait, especially if you’re carrying luggage for a long journey. While it might be tempting to get there early in order to have a meal, coffee, or other refreshments, it might be better to pick something up on the way to King’s Cross and enjoy it on your train journey. Otherwise, you may spend all of that extra free time looking for a place to sit! Don’t forget that you’ll need to pass your ticket through the barriers in order to get to your train. Wait close to the barriers and beat the rush as the platform is announced.

If you’re coming to London via King’s Cross, then be aware that you’ll need to have your ticket ready to go as you get off the train, since there are barriers in place at departures as well. Try to follow the flow of traffic and keep an eye on any luggage you might have, not only to protect yourself from thieves, but to ensure that you don’t trip up yourself or anyone else as you’re trying to leave the station!

Even with more trains and more frequent service, you may find that it’s more convenient for you to stay overnight near King’s Cross. The station shuts after the last trains arrive and depart, and doesn’t reopen until the early morning, so don’t plan on sleeping in the station! There are hotels and hostels in the area, but perhaps the best and cheapest is the King’s Cross hotel from Travelodge. Prices can be very reasonable and they offer early check-ins or late check-outs, making your entire train journey a breeze.

Travelling via King’s Cross doesn’t have to be a hassle! With planning and forethought, you’ll be sailing through the station and onto your destination with no problems at all.

A Tour of Classic European Style Homes

I really admire looking at these classic European inspired homes just like this beautiful European house that my mom took during her tour in Regensberg, Zürich, Switzerland. European house is such a reminder of the beauty and history of the Old Country.

Its design features  with brick, stone or stucco exteriors present an elegant look with rich, ornamental detailing. European houses has a distinct look and feel. It has great architectural elements from French country, Spanish, Italian, and Mediterranean house plans.

I’m one of those people who fell  in love with the idea of a European house. It looks so sophisticated and luxurious because of the blend of modern and historical, its beautiful form and style where people could appreciate its beauty.

European style house plans nowadays offer grand exteriors and exquisite ornamental details. This style offers as many architectural influences as diverse as the countries from which they originate. European house plans have quite a romantic feel that is reminiscent of castles of long ago.

European style home plans offer a touch of elegance and refined style and they are a reminder of the history and the beauty of the Old Country while exhibiting that old world charm. It’s all about the sense of luxury inside and out. If luxury and expansive living areas with a touch of elegance are your criteria for your dream home plan, then perhaps European style house are exactly your style.