Bangkok, Thailand

The first stop to our three-country-globe-trot 2011. 

Best Time to Visit: Last quarter of the year. This is the so-called “Peak Season” and the “winter-vacation time” of the people living on the other side of the globe. Wait, hold your protests just yet.  Yes, this could be categorically the most expensive time to travel but this is also the time when you get to meet a lot of tourists from different countries around the world who can join you and experience with you your itinerary during your vacation. So many people, so many cultures to get to know and share stories with – THIS is the best part of the whole travel experience. 


P.S Also the best time and avenue to practice your "Harry Potter" English accent!!! ( Ehem, "Heyah maaaaaiiiite!" hahahah!)

Must-see: Grand Palace, Ayutthaya Heritage Park, Tiger Temple, Elephant Village.

Best Activity: Elephant and Tuk-tuk rides!!  (yahuuu!)

Best Place to Eat: The Streets!!!

Cool stuff: Seeing, interviewing and taking pictures of REAL Monks!!! (yeah!)

Bits More:

• Question: Is shopping in Bangkok really that CHEAP? Answer: YES BUUUUT just before you hit those cheap stores and night market, be sure to bring your best (di papatalo) “tawad” skills and charming face with you. (*wink).
• Yes, there are loads of physically deceiving, magnificently (unbelievably) made “SHE-MALEs/Lady Boys” around the city. Really, as in really, you could hardly tell the difference.
• During most of the tours, you will be visiting temples. It’s best to wear comfy jeans or below the knee length pants, t-shirt and blouses with sleeves. For people who love wearing their short shorts, a “sarong” or scarf may come in handy.
• Most Filipinos closely resemble the Thais. So don’t be surprised or panic when they start “thai-chikahing” you. (heheh!) Just give out your sweetest smile, wave and politely say “Sorry, I’m not Thai.”
• For Thais, phrases/sentences are said differently for men and women. Let’s spot the classic “THANK YOU”

• Thai Men say:  Khob khun krap
• Thai Women say: Khob khun ka
  
  
• NANA Plaza is THE controversial nightlife hub. (You know what I mean. Nuff sed.)
• I noticed that Thais are like our Ilonggos too, they are very malambing and lingering when it comes to communication.
• “Tuk-tuk” is the most accessible and “fastest” way around the city. (On pictures, this little vehicle looks as if it is as slow as our tricycle, but when we tried it, it’s speed actually grasped faster than our local Jeepney.” Whew!!
• NO VISA required for ASEAN countries.
   
  Anong masasabi ko sa trip na ito: "Grabeeeeee!!! Haykentbelibeeet! 

  Thank you Lord and special thanks to my friends and travel buddies- John Jay and William. "

  
  

-carpe diem-

Bangkok, Thailand

The first stop to our three-country-globe-trot 2011. 

Best Time to Visit: Last quarter of the year. This is the so-called “Peak Season” and the “winter-vacation time” of the people living on the other side of the globe. Wait, hold your protests just yet.  Yes, this could be categorically the most expensive time to travel but this is also the time when you get to meet a lot of tourists from different countries around the world who can join you and experience with you your itinerary during your vacation. So many people, so many cultures to get to know and share stories with – THIS is the best part of the whole travel experience. 


P.S Also the best time and avenue to practice your "Harry Potter" English accent!!! ( Ehem, "Heyah maaaaaiiiite!" hahahah!)

Must-see: Grand Palace, Ayutthaya Heritage Park, Tiger Temple, Elephant Village.

Best Activity: Elephant and Tuk-tuk rides!!  (yahuuu!)

Best Place to Eat: The Streets!!!

Cool stuff: Seeing, interviewing and taking pictures of REAL Monks!!! (yeah!)

Bits More:

• Question: Is shopping in Bangkok really that CHEAP? Answer: YES BUUUUT just before you hit those cheap stores and night market, be sure to bring your best (di papatalo) “tawad” skills and charming face with you. (*wink).
• Yes, there are loads of physically deceiving, magnificently (unbelievably) made “SHE-MALEs/Lady Boys” around the city. Really, as in really, you could hardly tell the difference.
• During most of the tours, you will be visiting temples. It’s best to wear comfy jeans or below the knee length pants, t-shirt and blouses with sleeves. For people who love wearing their short shorts, a “sarong” or scarf may come in handy.
• Most Filipinos closely resemble the Thais. So don’t be surprised or panic when they start “thai-chikahing” you. (heheh!) Just give out your sweetest smile, wave and politely say “Sorry, I’m not Thai.”
• For Thais, phrases/sentences are said differently for men and women. Let’s spot the classic “THANK YOU”

• Thai Men say:  Khob khun krap
• Thai Women say: Khob khun ka
  
  
• NANA Plaza is THE controversial nightlife hub. (You know what I mean. Nuff sed.)
• I noticed that Thais are like our Ilonggos too, they are very malambing and lingering when it comes to communication.
• “Tuk-tuk” is the most accessible and “fastest” way around the city. (On pictures, this little vehicle looks as if it is as slow as our tricycle, but when we tried it, it’s speed actually grasped faster than our local Jeepney.” Whew!!
• NO VISA required for ASEAN countries.
   
  Anong masasabi ko sa trip na ito: "Grabeeeeee!!! Haykentbelibeeet! 

  Thank you Lord and special thanks to my friends and travel buddies- John Jay and William. "

  
  

-carpe diem-

More Than What's Necessary

Let me be clear on one thing. I promised not to turn this blog (unlike my previous ones) into another emotional trash bin that's filled with rants, spur-of-the-moment retorts and hate speeches. No this will never be one of those.

Today is not to break this promise.
Today is to celebrate a wonderful experience- another blessing in the form of a person who is now very close to my heart.
Today is to announce a feeling and a desire worth embracing and acknowledging.


When a person becomes so close to you, sometimes we can't help but like this person.
When we get to know someone beyond the "daily show" and become witness to their vulnerability, we become weak and drowned in the lightness of the feeling of sincerity and trust.
We become honored and we can't help but appreciate this level of trust and affection.
It comes to a point when we like them more than what is necessary.
This excites us and makes our heart so giddy  and ecstatic.
At times, it becomes unbearable we just need to give it off.
And then we start asking the Lord (the author of the desires of our heart),
Is my heart deceiving me, Lord? Am I feeling what I should be feeling?
Is this right?


I believe that He is most faithful to us and our needs.
He knows our needs and desires more than we know them.
He knows us more than we know ourselves.
And He will never forsake us. His time is perfect.
One thing is certain. 
This season is a blessing- a time to seek Him more, to ask wisdom and discernment and time to wait for greater things to happen. 
Great things that He has prepared for us.
Great things that He has equipped us for.
And for whatever reason and wisdom that is behind this desire that He has planted beneath my heart for this person, I am sure it is to take me to better days.


So to YOU, who gives my day an extra pocketful of sunshine and bliss. Thank you. You are such a blessing.


To Jesus. My Lord and my best friend. Thank you for this Person. For this feeling. For this firing desire. For this wonderful experience. For this blessing. For this season.


Excited for the days ahead!


 -carpe diem-