From the train station that connects Shenzhen to other Chinese cities, it's only one floor down to the metro station. It was convenient because it's only a single ride from end to end of the metro subway to get to the theme park. While leaving the metro station, I felt myself exiting a glass pyramid, only to find out that it was the replica of one at the Louvre Museum. Imagine my surprise emerging from a famous landmark that also doubles as a metro entrance/exit.

The next scenery I saw just took my breathe away. Cascading waters, a fountain, flowers, and giant world-renowned statues greeted me. The tip of the Eiffel Tower at the backdrop gave a glimpse of what there is to come. For an entrance of ¥120 (about US$17.15), it was a bit pricey but it was worth every yuan.

One has to climb the entrance of the Windows of the World to see what the theme park can offer. Reaching the top of the stairs, the coliseum of the World Square with the giant globe, columns of different famous structures and a relief wall of famous landmarks came to view.

I loved the sculpture park where statues from various continents were displayed in a garden. Of course, I didn't miss downtown Manhattan that still has the twin towers, along with the Statue of Liberty, the Washington DC and the Grand Canyon. I would have wanted to climb the statue of the risen Christ resembling the one in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. There's also the statues of Easter Island in Chile and the pyramid in Mexico.

My favorite area was the tourist sights of Europe. Vatican City was there, one of the places I plan to visit in my lifetime. Of course, there are the famous churches all over Europe, the colorful St. Basil's Cathedral in Russia, Acropolis, the Colosseum, and Stonehenge, to name a few.

The pyramids of Egypt have a camel where tourists can ride and have their picture taken. Others can ride in the rapids at Grand Canyon, get wet at the Niagara Falls and take the elevator to the top of Eiffel Tower.

Of the international landmarks, Asia couldn't be left behind. Angkor Wat stands grand beside Indonesia's Borobodur, one of the places that I have been to. I've also visited Bangkok's Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Singapore's Merlion. I think those were the only three places featured in the theme park that I have actually visited.

Ah, my feet hurt after touring the Windows of the World. My camera's battery went empty. My only promise was that I'll try to visit every tourist spot featured in the Windows of the World. Yes, it opened a window for me to dream big and enter doors of opportunity to see the world.

Bohol was just like a stone's throw away from my province, Negros. It would have been easy for me to visit this nice paradise given it's also within the Visayas region. Yet, it took me 26 summers before I finally set foot in Bohol, and oh, how I loved it! The trip, which happened years ago, was the first one I took with people who have become my constant travel buddies.

First Day
We took a ferry from Cebu and as we arrived at the port, we met our guide who took us to our hotel.

Meridian Hotel was small and a bit old but bearable. It just felt creepy though. A few steps from the hotel is Jo's Inato, which is a certified hit in Visayas, where we had our first meal.

Our guide took us around Tagbilaran, going to Chocolate Hills, Lobok River and the Tarsier Sanctuary. It was a long ride but an enjoyable one. Bohol never disappointed me.

Second Day
We packed our bags and checked out from the hotel. We had the morning to go around other tourist spots. Mag-aso Falls was one of the stops we had. Boy, how we spent our merry morning dipping at the cool waters! It was unfortunate though that one of our friends was caught in the strong current that we ended our fun abruptly. Nothing untoward happened to her but it was a scary thing.

Our guide then brought us to Panglao where the boat that would take us to Balicasag Island was waiting for us. After a half-hour boat ride, we landed in the island where there were only us and about five more guests were billeted.

Oh what a serene day it was: just listening to the waves, walking by the beach and enjoying our sumptuous meals without any time pressure. The stars were out and we spent our night talking like there was no tomorrow.

Third Day
It was still dark and I could feel the wind blowing outside our small cottage. We gotta rise early before the sun is out so we can catch the dolphins at dawn. The dolphins were a bit shy that day. We were going in circles for hours and we only spotted them when the sun was already freaking hot.

Still, the sight of those jovial sea mammals made our day. We went back ashore, had our breakfast and did some snorkeling. Everything was doing okay until heavy downpour came and guess what? A typhoon was coming. We had no choice but to stay in the island. If we had a choice, we would've taken the same option.

Fourth Day
Finally, we're back in Tagbilaran but there was still no ferry ride so we spent another night, this time in another hotel.

The typhoon wasn't a disaster. It was a blessing in disguise. I'm glad we decided to extend our stay.

It all started with an exciting discussion about these tours when one of our volunteers readily offered himself to take us on a tour around Binondo for free! What started as a small talk topic blossomed into a reality. Surprised was he when there were 14 of us who turned up at the meeting place last Saturday afternoon.

Starting from the Sta. Cruz Church where we were reprimanded since some of us were in inappropriate church clothes, we snaked our way towards Ongpin to small bakeries along Salazar. We stopped on our way for a sip of sugarcane juice, which indeed tasted authentic sugarcane. One tip here, share food as much as you can so you will get to taste every bit of food your eyes, and your pocket, can feast into.

Our volunteer guide, Jude, took us to Waiying fastfood where we had a fill of mami and dumplings. Then we went back to Ongpin, stopping again in bakeries and passing by the Estero. Construction activities are aplenty in Chinatown which made the walking tour a bit of a challenge. It was like getting into Amazing Race.

Of course, we couldn't miss the famous Binondo Church and the main Eng Bee Tin branch. That street was just so violet that even the fire truck came out to be a big violet truck and not the standard red fire truck. Next stop was Tasty Dumplings trying the famous Silver Roll Bread and other dumplings that they could offer.

Carvajal St. was like that alley in Harry Potter which seemed to be kept from the public. It wasn't a street at all but just a "lagusan" or a small passage between two buildings. Yet, you'd be surprised that there are so many stuffs sold in this little walkway.

With 14 people in tow, Jude led us to Recto and unto Ambos Mundos Restaurant, a Spanish restaurant that has been around since the 19th century. Three generations have passed and the restuarant is still in its great form. One of the ladies there serving us have been with the restaurant for more than 60 years! And yep, you'll find three charcoal-black Vietnamese pigs by the doorway.

So, how much do you know of Manila? For the many times I've been there touring the newspapers in my past job I have come to know of this small siopao shop near Paco Park. You can also visit the Indian grocery stores and coffee shops at UN Avenue, just across Unilever. Instituto Cervantes found its new home at the Casino Espanol building along Kalaw Ave., behind the Masagana supermarket. The Pantalan near the Quirino Grandstand have various restaurants. Try a romantic dinner aboard Tenessee Walker which will take you along the bay. I still love Wok Inn near Malate Church.

Manila has so much to offer but they are taken for granted. You can start at Chinatown in Binondo and you'll enjoy a food trip of your life.