Category Archives: travel

Bird Crap

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bird poop

I’ve been living in the concrete jungle of Metro Manila for the past four decades and never in my life that I have encountered such destiny of being pooped-on by a flying bird.  I only stayed for four short days in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia but it was the first time ever that a bird’s poop landed on my body.

One most likely explanation is because there are more birds in Malaysia as compared to Metro Manila.  This is because birds in the wild in Metro Manila usually end up either as an adobo (Filipino-style stew) on the dining table of ordinary Pinoy household or hepatitis-inclined inihaw (grilled) for sale by street hawkers.

There is a foolish irrational belief that a person getting crapped on by a bird will result to good luck.  My two cents on this is maybe because there is a very small statistics of mortals being pooped-on by these feathered creatures similar to the statistics of individuals winning the lottery.  Or maybe this horrible circumstance that is hypothesized to lead to impending godsend providence could be correlated to life’s general law of balance, harmony and equilibrium.  That one cannot have successes without failures or gains without hardships.

Now on my part, I am just but excited on what lies ahead…

Magpapasalamat akong tiyak sa tatcheng yon!

Kuala Lumpur: It Grows In You

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I didn’t like Nasi Lemak Daging Rendang the first time I tasted it.  The taste was something unusual –   mixture of cardamom, karisik, tamarind pulp, turmeric, chili, galangal, lemongrass, ginger, cinnamon, star anise, whole peanuts, shallots, garlic and kaffir lime.  It was a spice filled experience!  But while digging into the food, adjustments and fine-tuning of my taste buds took 180 degrees turn so as to appreciate this Malaysian dish.  Until, I am left astounded that I have actually finished the whole dish and was craving for more.  It was a mind-boggling flavor that you would not like at first but learns to appreciate it later.  The palatal encounter would surprisingly grow in you.

This experience is basically similar to what I felt when I, Nengkoy and my sisters went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  Because of a busy schedule, I never got the chance to check out the internet on where to go and what to do prior to staying for a long weekend in Kuala Lumpur.  I basically did not expect anything spectacular about Kuala Lumpur.  I just wanted to go there, spend a relaxing weekend and know what this bustling city has to offer.

True enough when we arrived and rode a cab at midnight going to our hotel, the feeling was not as thrilling.  It was unlike the electrifying feeling when I would usually arrive in other parts of the world.  I actually said to myself, “Okay, so this city is a little better than Metro Manila.  How I wish we went to another part of Asia.”

But as the days passed, I am astonished to learn the cosmopolitan ascendancy, cultural grace and inhabitant’s charm of KL.  Civilized eco-friendly urban planning is definitely evident.  My fondness about the city seems to grow! It’s like the longer you stay, the more mesmerized you will be.

On our last day, I admitted to have the wrong notion and impression about Kuala Lumpur.  There really are a lot of surprising things to see and do in KL.  Also, I acknowledge that it is very much ahead and better than Metro Manila (which is actually a poignant thought for my land of birth).

My stay in Kuala Lumpur is like eating Nasi Lemak Daging Rendang.  It’s full of spice, there are multitude of stuffs to offer and “it grows in you”.  I don’t just like it, I loved it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walang kuliglig sa KL!

Sights of Club Paradise, Palawan

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joesel, karen, I and jesse

 

Four gorgeous and irresistible souls recently enjoyed an equally captivating island.  It was simply perfect!  That’s what happened when I, Karen, Jesse and Joesel spent a great September weekend in Club Paradise, Dimakya Island, north of Palawan.

Because of the beauty of the island combined with our eye-catching looks, I succumbed.  I succumbed to the irresistible deed of collecting all our photos of delight.    However, I failed the hounding struggle of keeping the pictures private.  Our photos in Club Paradise were just too attractive it would be an evil transgression not to broadcast, share and make it public.

Nakakagigil!

Dimakya Island, Palawan

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Words are not enough to describe the beauty of Dimakya Island located at the northern tip of Palawan.  This gorgeous patch of paradise is so beautiful it annoys me. 

 The sky is too blue, the sunset is too amber.  The breeze is too fresh and the animals (fruit bats, turtles and various birds) were too free to live their own free lives. The sea water is too clear and too aquamarine.  The schools of fish are too gracious they don’t mind a monster like me would snorkel atop and around them. The corals underwater are too colorful.  The foliage is too lush, in fact the green is so green and the flowers were too flowery. 

 The island is too perfect, it disturbs me.  I thought I was dead and gone to heaven.

Kinukurot ko sarili ko para mapatunayang di pa ko tsugi.

A Lan Kwai Fong Episode

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One of the highlights of my recent Hong Kong trip was the Saturday night clubbing at Lan Kwai Fong.  Though it has been a couple of weeks already, I admit that I totally enjoyed that night in that part of Hong Kong in which it would be a sin not to write about it.

Lan Kwai Fong is Hong Kong’s most popular nightlife entertainment district.  People from all walks of life enjoy a drink with friends and even strangers both local and foreign.  It’s one cool jam-packed party place!

You can never get hungry in this dynamic district.  The diversity of cuisines has equated into dozens of food establishments in the area from make shift food stalls to sophisticated dining joints.   We actually just had hotdog sandwich right on the street for dinner.  Thanks to the heavy pouring of rain that we need to get cover because we accidentally intrude an overcrowded bar called Insomnia where a live high-spirited Filipino band plays.  Inside Insomnia we did nothing but have fun!

We couldn’t get over Lan Kwai Fong we actually came back the following day and broke-in at Balalaika.  With the huge bust of Lenin at the entrance door, this Russian bar is still closed when we invaded.  Thanks to the nonchalant and friendly bartender who is still doing a pre-operating stuff inside the establishment for he let us in and even allowed us to wear fake fur coats and enter the coldest place in Hong Kong, the negative 20 degrees Siberian Vodka Room.  It’s so bitterly cold I thought my fingers have fallen off.

Lan Kwai Fong’s buzz is so contagious that is why when I will get the chance to visit Hong Kong again, clubbing at Lan Kwai Fong will definitely be part of it!

Nag-endyoy talaga ako dun! Ang tsalap tsalap…

A Retail Therapy in Hong Kong

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Shopping in Hong Kong is a must!  This is especially true this particular season because it is a screaming half-the-price season now.  Armed with my stupendous haggling powers, I personally got the chance to do a little retail therapy (shopping) in this former English territory last weekend.

 My personal experience can be considered an epiphany since it confirmed that Hong Kong is one of the best shopping Mecca in the planet.   In Hong Kong, you will be besieged with signs saying “50% off”;  “Sale Only for Today”;  “Sale Happens Only Once A Year!” or “Removal Sale”.  This is not only because of the unpretentious prices but also of the efficient sales crews of the various shops.

 In Hong Kong the sales crew would delightfully encourage a buyer to offer me to bring two different sizes of the same design of clothes that I would like to fit inside the fitting room.  A sales lady actually chased me and insisted to fit a smaller size.  Unlike in Manila, sales lady would never offer such and I would usually ask permission to bring 2 sizes for me to try on.

 In Hong Kong the sales crew never forgot the moment to greet me as soon as I entered their store and never miss the chance to say thank you even if I did not purchase any item at all when I leave.  Unlike here in Manila the sales crew would give you a rude bad look if you fit on certain merchandise but leave the store without buying a single item making yourself so guilty for messing up their merchandise.

 In Hong Kong the sales crew would automatically call another branch if the item you wish to have is of different color or if the size you want is either smaller or bigger.  Unlike here in Manila, the sales lady would automatically say “wala” (“none”) even without lifting a finger or checking their storeroom or asking a colleague.

 Yun nga lang di ko maintindihan ang sinasabi ng mga Chekwa. 

Visita Buddha

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Don’t get me wrong, I am a Catholic but Visita Iglesia is one Filipino custom that I have yet to do.  It is a Catholic tradition of visiting at least seven churches in one day to ernestly pray- usually done on a Maundy Thursday.  Maybe it is because being based in the Philippines I know that I will at one point in my life will have the chance to do it.  The opportunity is always present and possible.

This made me so guilty when I recently had my second opportunity to visit Bangkok, Thailand.  Because stepping into Bangkok is a rare chance, I again find myself visiting the various Buddhist Wat-s (temples).  These are the counterparts of the Catholic churches in Manila.

I am especially at awe with the very Asian culture, aesthetic designs and architecture of Bangkok.  Entering each of the glittering Buddhist temples of Bangkok basically made the same impression when I enter the Catholic churches here in Pinas.  It is serene, it is spiritual, it is pious and it is heavenly.  I am very impressed though by the Thai Buddhist people praying with much focus and deep contemplation because unlike the churches in the Philippines their temples in Bangkok are tourist-flooded!

Here’s the proof of my guilt, my Vista Buddha encounters…

 

 

 

 Ayun na pa sayn op da kros ako pagka-dasal ko sa isa sa mga templo!

World Cup for Pinas is Bland

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In the midst of all the brouhaha about the NBA Finals Game 7, the citizens of the Philippines do not care and do not know that there is an estimated 380,000 foreign fans who travelled and will travel to South Africa to watch the World Cup; there are already 2.9 million tickets sold for its various matches this year; an estimated 3.2 billion US dollars earned by FIFA in media and marketing revenues; and, 60 million estimated number of viewers who will watch the World Cup finals on television.

However, in the Philippines we seem to not belong in the above stated statistics.  It is because majority of us find soccer as a boring low scoring game.  It is because we do not know the names of the players (David Beckham is more of a husband of Posh Spice and more of an underwear model than a soccer player to us).  It is because we do not know its history or the game’s tactics.  We just essentially see 22 men running up and down a huge field chasing and kicking a ball. 

But it is a totally different scenario in Bangkok, Thailand.  I was almost bitten by the World Cup bug during my short stay in Bangkok last weekend.  The international sports all I was exposed to was nothing but World Cup.  It’s everywhere in Bangkok!  You can really feel the South African World Cup fever. 

My first night, I was amazed by the young Caucasian-race foreigners crowding at almost all bars along Khaosan Road watching and cheering on the games flashed on TV screens and digital projectors.  The stores in Siam Square are decorated by massive billboards promoting the games.  The streets are full of promotional materials bearing the various superstar players of the game.  Magazines, newspapers and even restaurant bar’s bulletin boards are headlining the highlights and schedules of the games.  Even at the airport, the travelers waiting for their boarding time are all stuck on the TV screen watching the games. 

I do not understand the underlying excitement that has the world captivated about this sport.  Some even believe that fans riot out of boredom but I totally disagree because if boring sports like soccer lead to aggressive spectators, we must surely witness a lot of blood during a chess match.  I believe that in soccer, it’s just so hard to score that is why tension and excitement builds up which leads to full blast celebration when one player makes a goal.

Filipinos have yet to be mystified by the sport maybe it’s also because it’s like some food from other countries which we think is gross and some things we eat is gross to them.  It’s the way we are raised and what we have grown accustomed to.  We love NBA because we are so American!  I still find soccer to be absolutely boring yet I am mystified as to why it’s so damned intense in other parts of the world like Thailand.

Kung boring sa atin, eh bakit “sipa” ang pambansang laro?

Scala Cinema: A Thai Eye Candy Interior Design

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It is one of the locations where the award-winning and well-admired coming of age Thai movie – Love of Siam – was shot.  That is why when I got the opportunity to visit Bangkok for the second time, I did not hesitate to check it out.  Thanks to Red “Tarquata” Juacalla (a devoted fan of Mario Maurer) for letting me search the actual location prior to going to Bangkok.

 I just hope the Thai people know and realize the grand beauty of the interiors of Scala Cinema.  I am not an authority in interior or architectural designs but when I stepped into the magnificent lobby of this movie palace located in the bustling area of Siam Square, I was totally moved.  It is a living witness to the stylish and elegant cinematic movie-watching era of the Thai people.

The lobby design is of 60’s-era European-feel interiors that is totally visually captivating that can topple other modernized Thai interior designs in Bangkok.  I personally believe that it is a Thai icon and architectural crown jewel that should be preserved and maintained.  You don’t need to watch a movie to enjoy Scala Cinema in Bangkok. 

Climbing up the grand marble stairs and seeing the regal interior ornaments – gold flower-like accents on the ceiling, the massive 5-tiered chandelier, and the out of the ordinary design of the wooden ticket booths – is already a glorious experience.  It will definitely meet the standards of the Thai royalties.  I may be exaggerating but being inside the lobby of Scala is a mesmerizing treat of visual fortification!

Ameysing Tayland ang dating!

Liliw: Immortal Tsinelas & Sinantol Pasta

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Second time is as fascinating as the first.  This is what I felt when I got the opportunity to walk the narrow streets of Liliw Laguna for the second time.  The place is a paradise for shoes and tsinelas (slippers) lovers.  Too bad my subsequent visit to Liliw was just a stopover and there was only limited time to go gaga over footwear.  The diversity and assortment of footgear available in Liliw can rival the traditional shoe-making capital Marikina.

With only short time allotted, I was able to cover a number of stores with a thought framework “if the shoe fits, buy it!”  I bought myself two pairs of leather-made immortal tsinelas at only 190 pesos each.  I consider it immortal because it takes like a lifetime before these Liliw-made footgear-s would tear off.

An ideal Filipino province, Liliw is clean, organized, peaceful and tourist-friendly.  Aside from the amazing footwear, there is another bonanza I struck in this place.  It is a Tagalog delicacy that I believe can only be found in the Philippines.  It’s called Sinantol.  It is a dish out from the velvety skinned tropical fruit santol in which the pulp is grated and squeezed off its juice cooked with coconut milk, red chili pepper and bagoong alamang (salty shrimp paste).

Sinantol is commonly eaten with other Pinoy viands and hot steamed rice.  However, since I hardly store rice grains in my house, I instead mixed the Sinantol with cooked spaghetti pasta.  It was awesome!  My taste buds wanted to grow its own taste buds so as to relish the heavenly flavor in my palate.  Thanks to the absence of any rice grain in my house because I was able to put together one amazing gourmet sensation! Yum yum!!

Sarap tikman at tapakan…