My dream to Travel the World Part 2

A month after, I was set to go to Tokyo, Japan again. I went with my 2 cousins and my aunt. It was also a short vacation about 2-3 week compared to my usual 1-2 months stay. It was fun since I was like a tourist to my little cousin. We went to Disneyland, Disney Sea which I loved. Rides were interesting. We ate everywhere. I enjoyed a lot! Sad, I could not find any photo. I deleted my multiply account a long time ago. Stored most of my treasured photos there and I didn't back up. Boo!

A year after, Meng, Maco and I went to Singapore. We stayed there for a week. What else can I say but super fun!

We went to see Sentosa.

Going to Clark Quay has been our daily routine.

Clarke Quay is a historical riverside quay in Singapore, located within the Singapore River Planning Area. The quay is situated upstream from the mouth of the Singapore River and Boat Quay. Clarke Quay was named after Sir Andrew Clarke, Singapore's second Governor and Governor of the Straits Settlements from 1873 to 1875, who played a key role in positioning Singapore as the main port for the Malay states of Perak, Selangor and Sungei Ujong.

Dinner with Meng's friend

We also had dinner at Chijmes.

CHIJMES (pronounced "chimes") is a historic building complex in Singapore, which began life as a Catholic convent known as the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) and convent quarters known as Caldwell House. The complex is located at Victoria Street in the Downtown Core, within the Central Area, Singapore's central business district.

The chapel, now a multi-purpose hall, is known as CHIJMES Hall, and Caldwell House, now an art gallery, have both been gazetted as national monuments. The complex has been restored for commercial purposes as a dining, shopping and entertainment centre with ethnic restaurants, shops and a function hall, providing a backdrop for musicals, recitals, theatrical performances and weddings.

Took the city tour

Ate stingray at the China Town

Wished to have rode the bungee but too coward to do so

And then some..

As part of my work (working at my mom's business), I joined her to her trip to Qatar. As a recruitment agency, we are continually looking for clients to partner with. This trip got me really really excited. Though my mom was against it at first, I was so willing she permitted me nonetheless. 3 weeks in Qatar and 1 week in Abu Dhabi.

Qatar is such a small but emerging and thriving country as evident to the new and emerging buildings as these.

By the Corniche

At the Souk with my mom

They say this man goes around the Middle East as attraction

Qatari people hold their culture and beliefs intact such as wearing the white robe.

But they don't mind if some would wear otherwise since they are starting to open up with the other culture. Qatari people only hold 1/3 of the population, the rest are foreigners.

After 3 weeks of work and pleasure, I flew from Qatar to Dubai. It was just an hour trip. It got me more excited. My wait's almost over, 2 days and walah!!

I stayed over at Len's, a family friend. She brought me to Burj Khalifa, Jumeirah, Atlantis, Souk Madinat, went mall-hopping, went to a small museum and rode the 1st metro rail in Dubai. I was supposed to stay for 2 nights but I really can't wait any longer. To her friend's kind heart, they even brought me to Abu Dhabi. Yipee! I didn't need to take the bus going there.

Burj Khalifa, tallest building in the world

Atlantis, hotel on a man-made/artificial island

@ Souk Madinat

Oh that's not moving

@ the metro station

And then I got to Abu Dhabi to see mi amore!

Karl gave me the Abu Dhabi adventure and it was indeed one of the most enjoyable tours I ever had.

He made reservations at the Le Meridien Hotel for an overnight stay where the 4 of us enjoyed some drinking (Karl, Kyle, Francis and I).

View from our room

 Kyle, Francis and Karl

We also did swimming indoor and outdoor

and went to the beach as well. Heat was way beyond Boracay at its peak. It's really freakin' hot!

Karl also brought us to Emirates Palace (where he used to work) to have dinner. 

Photo grabbed from the internet

From here it looks small but once you go inside, it's massive

We had dinner at Le Vendome where Kyle and Francis used to work at. It's the main restaurant of Emirates Palace. Though the setting is buffet, we were served with food not even on the menu. And it was awesome. Loved it!

with Tiny, Kyle and Karl

Foie Gras, Wagyu, Lobster plus the buffet. Yum!

Got to see Ferrari World in Yas Marina by accident. Picked up a couple who also joined us for the safari tour.

Did the Desert Safari. One of the things on the list I want to do in my life. So glad I did it with Karl.

Rode the camel 

Wore Middle East's traditional clothes

And received flowers here and there. Thank you so much Karl. I love you! :)

It was a great adventure I can say. I can't wait to go more places with you!

And just last year, went to Shanghai and Hong Kong with Karl's family.

Shanghai Trip

Reunited in Hong Kong

My dream to Travel the World Part 1

It has always been my dream to travel the world. I have visited a few countries, but it's like comparing it to a few pieces of M&M's out of a big bag. The first time I traveled overseas was when I was in 3rd grade. My family and I went to Honk Kong. I can vividly recall what took place at that time. My lolo joined as well which made it more fun. Lolo's girl indeed!

 

 

At Ocean Park

5 years after, I had again a taste of a trip. We went to Hong Kong yet again. But this time, the intent was different. It was more of a trip to shop. My sister and I have gone to malls and shops where our feet would take us. I remember, my mom and my dad would wake up so late so what they did, they would give us money and let us roam around Hong Kong by ourselves. We were also accommodated by our family friend who's a resident and an interior designer there. He took us to places and restaurants we haven't seen and tried yet.

My "ulikba" days :P

A year later, my mom brought us to Tokyo, Japan to visit my dad, who for usual go to Manila every month. But they decided that it was time for us to visit him for a change. I find it beautiful, not just the place but the people. I think we went there for 3 consecutive years. Though the place is undoubtedly gorgeous, I got home sick. Every year in 3 years I would stay for a month or two. I always cried.

Disneyland

Papa and li'l sis on Mt. Fuji

Li'l sister..she was so cute like that. Now she's all grown up

When I graduated and started working a month after I marched, my allowance of any sort was entirely cut. But that didn't stop me from wanting to travel. My first job remuneration package was really good it gave me the privilege to buy my own ticket and tour package. My friend Abie and I went to Bangkok, Thailand. It was a short but fun trip. It was my first travel with a friend.

River cruise + buffet. Singer/Band were Filipinos

with people we met during the city tour

Few months after, I have saved a lot from that first job and again planned a trip with my friends. Since Maco, a now renowned young shoe designer (Maco Custodio) was then staying in China, Meng (who's now in Canada) and I paid him a visit. She went a week ahead of me. When the three of us reunited in Hong Kong. We were like kids acting so giddy and excited for the adventure awaiting for us.

With my friend Meng at HK airport

Maco and Meng

Our Dongguan, Guandong, China memories

My super fatty days

Met some friends

..and more friends. They're all English teachers.

Goofing around after a night of fun

After a week in Dongguan, we went to Macau for an overnight stay.

Walking around after a meal at McDonald's

After having lunch, we tried to look for this place. It's called Senado Square. We rode the bus, went around Macau but to no avail.So we just gave up. As we returned to our hotel, we decided to walk around a little more, and to our surprise, this place is just few steps away from our hotel. Can you imagine that?

"The Senado square is paved with a wave-patterned mosaic of coloured stones, created by Portuguese experts. From the main road to the church of St. Dominic, the pavement extends to the ruins of St. Paul's, making the heart of the city a pedestrian paradise." 

Ruins of St. Paul as Meng's backdrop

Then it was time to go home to Manila. We went back to Hong Kong and stayed for a night. An unfortunate and fortunate event took place subsequently. Maco, who is very budget-inclined person opted to take the MTR, take note with our luggage. We took the stairs, going up and down from one station to another that I have not noticed that my watch slipped from my wrist if not to a woman who hurriedly gave it back to me. Gosh, it was my first R watch. My mom would kill me if I really lost it.

I am not picky. Even without the luxury of duvet on my bed, it's fine as long as it's comfortable. Maco who made plans already brought us to a hostel to stay for the night. But I can't stand it, the room's so cramped for the three of us. People coming in and out of the hostel looked suspicious. My concern was more of our security. So I decided to move to a hotel and just paid for the room. Needless to say, Maco was really disappointed, ahahah. He paid around 150HKD for that room in the hostel for staying for an hour. But he came around afterwards.

We went to Lan Kwai Fong. "Lan Kwai Fong is a small square of streets in Central, Hong Kong. It is now a popular expatriate haunt in Hong Kong for drinking, clubbing and dining."

My 9-day stay in China was totally a blast!