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Day 4. It was already 5AM when I left the gang at Buddy Resto. As planned, Cathy and I will try to catch the 630, or 730 the latest, bust to Poipet. I deliberately stayed on late as I didn't intend to sleep anymore. Otherwise, I will end up marrying my bed for the whole day. When I get to our room, Cathy was already preparing herself for our long trip. After my very quick shower, we were all set for Cambodia. Angkor, here we come!   ( To be continued...)

The flight from Siem Reap to Singapore was very quick and smooth.  (departure tax- note that you have to pay a $25USD departure tax when you leave Cambodia - they do take credit cards, but the machine was broken when we were there, and they don't take Riel.) We grabbed a taxi who took the quickest route to V's place and we were able to pack all of our stuff into our bags - yeah!   We were afraid we'd be over the weight limit or have to buy new luggage.  We then had our las...

I had to fly back to Bangkok to catch my flight back home via Tokyo. I decided to spend a few days there so that I could get a suit made and to get some gifts.  Not much new to say other than I will never get tired of 20 Baht pad thai and Kohsan road is still shocking even after being there before and having traveled SE Asia for half a year.

Whaaat?  Meet up again? Yes because some TBs from other countries are dropping by Manila before going on holiday trips to Boracay and Palawan; and an arrangement had been done for a meet and greet dinner at Trinoma in Quezon City, with drinks afterwards. Some Manila TBs didn't make it due to busy work schedules but although the group was a small one, it was fun for me to meet for the first time sisters Racquel  and Rowena (racquel T127 & bellarena), Shaun(mil...

I left Singapore very early in the morning. It felt weird that after seeing Yangon devastated, I am back in a place where everything is normal, where everyone is apathetic to each other.I arrived in Manila peacefully. My mom called from the province, she was delighted that I am okay. My dad asked me if I'll stop travelling after all this experience. I said - hell, no! hahaha but next time, I might consider only those countries which accept credit card. :)It was already in Manila when I learne...

A few things I've noticed during my first day in Japan, that I find interesting:Taxi drivers all wear suits, and Taxi doors automatically open for you.People are exceedingly friendly and customer service is better than any other place I've seen, yet people are not tipped.There is an obsession with things French. Lots of high-end boutique stores, cafes, and pastry shops utilize French names and language.It is considered rude to talk on your cell phone on buses or trainsMany places don't open u...

I was supposed to start getting engrossed with a new job today, but then I got a call that pivoted my life to a new direction just as when I have decided to focus on work for a few weeks or months before I start travelling again. ;) At first I was hesitant to receive it because it was a call from my brother (he doesn't usually call me), but I answered it anyway. :P I also didn't know what to say when he asked me if I was still planning to take a vacation, but I just said yes. He told me that ...

This is it -- the start of my two-week travel that I planned for a month!  Well, actually, I was supposed to just come along with some TravBuddies who were planning a SEA trip in July to August -- a hassle-free trip for me, since they had already made an itinerary and all I had to do was join them.  But due to sudden changes with my mom’s schedule, who I am traveling with in Hong Kong and Macau and joining these fellow TravBuddies later on, and the schedules would no longer...

Day 8 Negombo That morning we had an appointment with the Catamaran-Crew. We sailed to a shipwreck that was pretty far from the coast. It was a great trip because there was a lot of wind and the water was not that calm as it had been the first time! It was pretty cool! We sailed away from the coastline and it went so fast! That was just really nice! We saw a lot of fishing boats on the water that morning. Small ones with just one person on it fishing with a net, but also really big ones wich...

I've been so excited to finally join this trip. Not only because Corregidor was a tourist attraction I so longed to visit but also because I was going out of town with virtual strangers. With a budget of Php 3000 for the tour, I didn't have to think twice. The difference between a one time meet up for me versus a weekend out of town is that most would have their best foot forward for the former and you get to know the people on a more intimate level on the  latter. This is ex...

And we will continue to do so as the TB community continues to grow. I went to the TB meet-up yesterday with less expectations. While on the way to SM Megamall last night, I was just thinking that I would go there to help welcome the new TBs, and talk with the others I haven't met yet in person. When I got to the venue and interacted with everyone present, I was totally amazed with the spontaneous warmth, fun, excitement, and heartwarming camaraderie.  I arrive...

the B'laan children welcoming us with their traditional dance After the first week of our relief operations, we needed a break.  We are humans after all. We have to prepare ourselves mentally and emotionally for the next week which we plan to spend carrying out Child Friendly Spaces in the areas of active conflict. Taking into careful consideration the diversity in culture and religion of these areas, our approach must be conflict-sensitive and all-inclusive. We were very careful...

As I promised Jason at the meetup, he wouldn't see me in Corregidor the next day because we're surely going to clash...so I decided not to confirm on that day eventhough my name's already on the list. Haha! :P Well, it was because I also had to cancel my appointments over the weekend. So unless I completely get to free up some time, I couldn't commit to anything yet. But you know the saying that "if there's a will, there's a way" right?! To cut to the chase, I chose to go with them and ruined...

Yeah, one year old on TB so what am I gonna today? Throw out a party? Buy myself a cake? No, maybe I'll just celebrate it at the next day's July 17 Global Manila Meet-up if I make it to the event? The July 17 meet-up is the closest TB event to July 16 so that could be my way of celebrating my first year anniversary. But what about today, the 16th? Well, nothing is planned. I'll just go ahead with my daily routine. I wouldn't even text my TB gangmates in Manila to bother them about this. Just ...

I slept lovely last night and enjoyed breakfast just as much as the smooth airco in the hotel room. Temperatures are very warm and the sky is blue, things couldn't have been nicer. We leave for the flower and vegetable market, which I like a lot for the same reasons as I liked China Town: there are many odd things to see, many colors and smells and tastes and people. We have a delicious pancake made of cocos at one of the stalls, while strolling through the buzzy morning atmosphere. To bad fl...