“Karena nila setitik, rusak susu sebelanga.” (With only a drop of alcohol, a pot of milk is damaged) – Indonesian Proverb I visited Borubudor in 2010 when there was another long weekend in Singapore and we all felt we needed to have some break from work. A month before that, my friend, Reychel, have … Continue reading
“If you are happy, you can always learn to dance.” – Balinese Proverb Everyone loves Bali, they all love Bali even before Eat, Pray, Love was even written. And people get surprised every time I tell them, that for me, it’s just okay. Don’t judge me yet, too, I LOVE my experience in Bali, … Continue reading
Batam Indonesia is also one of the closest places outside Singapore, which is about an hour ferry ride only from Harbourfront Singapore. So when my friend, Basti, asked me if we could try wakeboarding over the weekend in 2009, I thought of organising one to Batam Waterfront City together with our other friends from Singapore. … Continue reading
“You are better than you think you are.” – Joe Jer Tee (one of Amazing Race Asia’s first winners) Bintan in Indonesia is one of the closest place outside Singapore for a quick getaway, and is or was usually a go-to-place for “visa runs” for those staying in Singapore and are still waiting for their … Continue reading
“Habis akal baru tawakal.” (Once wit ends, then shall hope proceeds.) – Malayan Proverb My trip to Perhentian Islands was my last holiday trip to Malaysia when I was still living in Singapore. It was in 2011 when we went just before I relocated here in Dubai. My closest friends in Singapore whom I’ve … Continue reading
“Gajah berhati, kuman pun berhati juga.” (An elephant got a heart and so does a germ.) – Malayan Proverb Pulau Rawa is one of the best island you can visit in Malaysia that is very close from Singapore for just a weekend getaway that you don’t need to fly. It is often visited by … Continue reading
“Ombak yang kecil jangan diabaikan.” (Small waves are not to be ignored.) – Malayan Proverb When I got my Open –Water PADI Certification in Pulau Dayang Malaysia, I thought we were in Pulau Tioman the whole time, I thought Dayang is just the name of our resort, lol! So I told myself, I have … Continue reading
“Alang-alang menyeluk pekasam, biar sampai ke pangkal lengan.” (Since you happen to put your hand in a container full of pickles, might as well dip your whole arm in the container.) – Malayan Proverb When I was still living in Singapore in 2010, my friend, Mark, invited us to get Open-Water PADI Certification with … Continue reading
“Ibarat burung, mata lepas badan terkurung.” (Like a bird with eyes so free yet body imprisoned.) – Malayan Proverb Another closest border to Malaysia from Singapore is Johor Bahru (JB). There are even people living in JB that works in Singapore just to cut the cost of their living. During the times I was … Continue reading
“Ada batang mati, adalah cendawan tumbuh.” (When there is dead tree stump, then there is mushroom growing) – Malayan Proverb I went to Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia in 2008 when I was still living in Singapore, so it was very quick and easy to just go here over a weekend when we needed to … Continue reading
“Tinging bumigkis sa dalawa nang di sinasadya’y magkita, pinagbuhol, pinag-isa mga pusong noo’y magkaiba.” (“An unanticipated look bound them, where once there were two hearts, now beat as one, together.”) – by Bienvenido Lumbera, a National artist from Lipa, Batangas (Music composed for Hari Rama by Ryan Cayabyab, a renowned composer from Taal) Tagaytay is just an … Continue reading
“There ought to be system of manners in every nation which a well-formed mind would be disposed to relish. To make us love our country, our country ought to be lovely.” – Edmund Burke Unfortunately, Philippines is an under-rated destination compared to other Southeast Asian countries marketed aggressively especially with their beaches. Thanks to social … Continue reading
“Living in Washington, a friend of mine told me that my colors were losing intensity. Right then and there, I knew that it was time to get back to my roots. I have observed over the past twenty years that weather and cultural surroundings have a major impact on one’s outlook.” – Pacita Abad (International artist … Continue reading
“Right is only the goodness you carry in your heart…wrong is all that comes between you and the love.” – Papa from Heaven And Earth I first visited Ho Chi Minh (or I still prefer to call it Saigon!) in May 2009 just over the weekend, then few months after that, around October 2009, I … Continue reading
“I have had my fill of pain I will not look back again I would rather die.”- Kim (Miss Saigon) It was in May 2009 when we went to Ho Chi Minh (or I still prefer to call it Saigon!) just over the weekend. It was just a spur of the moment when my flatmate, … Continue reading
“If you want to know people, do so by making friends; if you want to know the world, do so by traveling, distinguish the evil and wise through conversation; if you want to awaken your consciousness, pursue education.” – Khmer Proverb It was February of 2009 when I first visited Siem Reap by backpacking from … Continue reading
“Cultivate a heart of love that knows no anger.” – Cambodian Proverb I visited Siem Reap twice in 2009 when I was still living in Singapore. My first visit was just a last minute decision for my friend Monalee and I because we only planned to visit Bangkok at that time. It was Chinese New Year … Continue reading
“Families are made in the heart. The only time family becomes null is when those ties in the heart are cut. If you cut those ties, those people are not your family. If you make those ties, those people are your family. And if you hate those ties, those people will still be your family … Continue reading
“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” – Lao Tzu I was supposed to have few hours transit at Shanghai, coming from Beijing going back to Phuket/Singapore. However, few days prior to my flight they moved my schedule, and left me with 17hours in Shanghai! >.< I thought … Continue reading
“Great souls have wills, feeble ones have only wishes.” – Chinese Proverb Great Wall of China is one of the places on my travel bucketlist, but I always put it aside from my holiday choices when I was still living in Singapore, I thought it’s just nearby I can just visit it some other time … Continue reading
“If you must play, decide upon three things at the start: the rules of the game, the stakes, and the quitting time.” – Chinese Proverb I wonder how many Chinese gamblers believe on their own proverb, because to date, Macau generates more revenue from gambling in the world and 7 times more than in Las … Continue reading
“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me. You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” – Walt Disney Hongkong is the very first “Chinese” city I’ve visited way back 2007, … Continue reading
“Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go.” – Mother Theresa Sangkhlaburi has been a home for many refugees coming from Myanmar (Burma) especially the Karen and Mon tribes. A lot … Continue reading
“In this troubled world, it’s refreshing to find someone who still has the time to be kind. Someone who still has the faith to believe that the more you give, the more you receive. Someone who’s ready by thought, word, or deed to reach out a hand, in the hour of need.” – Helen Steiner … Continue reading
“I have suffered much. But I know you have suffered too. And you mean everything to me. Sometimes the hating has to stop.” – Eric Lomax (The Railway Man) Back in 2011, Laurie had a radome project in Sangkhlaburi, it’s the very last town of Kanchanaburi Province from the border of Myanmar, we stayed there for a … Continue reading
“Trust me, it’s paradise. This is where the hungry come to feed. For mine is a generation that circles the globe and searches for something we haven’t tried before. So never refuse an invitation, never resist the unfamiliar, never fail to be polite and never outstay the welcome. Just keep your mind open and suck … Continue reading
“I still believe in paradise. But now at least I know it’s not some place you can look for, ’cause it’s not where you go. It’s how you feel for a moment in your life when you’re a part of something, and if you find that moment. It lasts forever…” – Richard (The Beach) Travelers … Continue reading
“Remember even though the outside world might be raining, if you keep on smiling the sun will soon show its face and smile back at you.” – Anna Lee It was rainy season when I revisited Phuket in October 2009. It was cloudy and gloomy most of the time, and there are rain showers very often. … Continue reading
“A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” – Tim Cahill From Bangkok, we decided to take a day-trip and visit one of my girlfriends’ friend in Pattaya. Since it’s just 150km from Bangkok and a 2-hour bus ride, we gave it a go. A lot of you might think, of all places … Continue reading
“Travel is very subjective. What one person loves, another loathes… If you want exotic, I would say Bangkok, Thailand.” – Robin Leach I first visited Bangkok in 2009 when I was still living in Singapore. Bangkok is close to Singapore that girls from Singapore go here for one sole reason: Shopping. But believe it or … Continue reading
“Looking for peace is like looking for a turtle with a mustache: You won’t be able to find it. But when your heart is ready, peace will come looking for you.” – Ajahn Chah (Thai famous buddhist) This entry is one of the backlogs I have yet to post on this blog site. I must admit … Continue reading
“Go-saeng Ggeut-eh naki eun-da.” (At the end of hardship comes happiness.) – Korean proverb Indeed, the best things in life are free! :D This South Korea trip was funded by our company and I am truly blessed to be a part of it, it’s a well-deserved break for all of us who worked hard meeting … Continue reading
(See main story by clicking this link.) “Life’s simple. You make choices and you don’t look back.” – Han in Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift Tokyo as Japan’s capital, is now the most populated city in the world. In Tokyo, you’ll witness how high-tech Japan is. It’s a very busy city that if you walk … Continue reading
(See main story by clicking this link.) I must say, I liked Kyoto very much! If you are after a Japan cultural trip, go to Kyoto. I want to go to Kyoto because it’s the recommended place in Japan to see Cherry Blossoms! However, we came at the wrong season. Kyoto is the old capital … Continue reading
(See main story by clicking this link) This is just our day-trip from Nagoya as it’s just an hour Shinkansen train ride. I wanted to see Osaka as it is known as “Japan’s best place to eat, drink and party”. I wanted to try their Okonomiyaki or the DIY food, a bit like steamboat/shabu-shabu, but … Continue reading
(See main story by clicking this link) Nagoya is the fourth largest city in Japan. It is also known as the Central Japan. It is the capital Aichi Prefecture and it is also the center of Japan’s third largest metropolitan region, known as the Chukyo Metropolitan Area. It has its own airport, and has a direct … Continue reading
“Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.” – a famous Japanese Proverb Japan has always been on top of my list! I’ve always wanted to visit Japan because of its rich culture and its influence to mankind. Certainly, we Filipinos had an unpleasant past with the Japs during WWII, on … Continue reading
“All you need to do is say this little word, I know it sounds absurd but it’s true. The magic in the mantra will give you the answer and swallow this that’s all you gotta do.” – Beatles’ Happy Rishikesh Song Going back to Delhi after our Golden Triangle package tour (see previous blog entry), we met … Continue reading
India is very photogenic. As well as the people in it! I love taking photos of the people when I was in India — they are so colorful, have expressive eyes and they love cameras! These are just few of my favorite shots: They love to take photos of me too! Lol! I guess they … Continue reading
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi India is the land of unity in diversity. You will find a multitude of cultures, religions, traditions, cuisines and people in India. It is a magical land and most people fall in love with this country … Continue reading
Luang Prabang stands out among all other towns in Laos, it is called the “Gem of Indochina” for it’s natural beauty blending with the colonial architecture. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the capital of Laos during the French occupation and no doubt, it is remarkably beautiful! If you wanna know Laos, go to Luang … Continue reading
A 5hour away town from Vientiane by mini-van, it is a common stop over for travelers going to Luang Prabang, and it became the most popular destination for backpackers — apart from it is surrounded by hilly landscape and lies along Nam Song river, Vang Vieng became popular as Laos’ party town”! For me, Vang … Continue reading
“Simply Beautiful” is Laos’ official tourism slogan, and i knew now exactly what it means, it’s beauty lies in it’s simplicity and laid back lifestyle, a once French colony that remained culturally untouched and still gives a feeling of tranquility, very rural, very old, very Asia! It is very timely for me to visit Laos … Continue reading
“Refreshingly Sri Lanka” is their newest tourism slogan. Sri Lanka known as Ceylon before 1972 (famous for the production and export of tea, coffee and cinnamon) is now one of the top destination according to New York Times 2010, after the 30year civil war ended quite recently (2010) so now they are trying to build … Continue reading
