Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

May 2019

Approaching the airport, it is very notable that the landscape has been intentionally flattened and planted all over with oil palm.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport is a very busy modern airport. Adjacent to the airport is a train station with an equally modern hi-speed train, KLIA Expres transporting passengers to the city at just a little over half an hour. Passengers have to move fast and make sure that the barcode in the tickets is clear because the gate may not open if the sensor cannot detect the code. The train also doesn’t stay very long so the passengers need to settle in their seats as soon as they get in.

Kuala Lumpur is a very modern city characterized by landmark infrastructures such as the Petronas Towers at 1,483 ft., once touted as the tallest building before the Taipei 101 became the record-holder in 2005. Another most famous attraction of Kuala Lumpur is the KL Tower or Menara Kuala Lumpur, the tallest telecommunications tower in Southeast Asia at 421m. A breath-taking view of the whole city may be enjoyed from the observation deck of the KL Tower. Being inside its transparent glass skybox at a height of 300m gives the feeling of being afloat on air, with the buildings far, far below. People who have fear of heights though may not appreciate it.

After the leaving the KL Tower and having photos with the Petronas Towers, we proceeded to the Jalan Alor Food Court Night Market, considered as a food haven particularly for tourists. Even very late at night the street is so alive and vibrant with the acoustic bands and bright lights and crowds gathering for a gastronomic feast of different choices from one end of the street to the other end.

After dinner, we checked in to a capsule hotel, an affordable practical accommodation right at the business district where business establishments are just walking distance. Although the room is not so spacious and beds are usually double occupancy and bathroom is common for about 4-5 rooms, the facilities are clean and well kept. They have dorm-type bunkbeds and common bathrooms like in the dormitory for big groups. They also have a kitchen and dining area with all the amenities and instruction for guests to clean up after use. As an abode for transient foreigners mostly millennial, the hotel also has a library and living room where guests can watch tv or converse with travel buddies.

Our next destination was the Batu Caves named after the river nearby, Sungai Batu. The caves house several Hindu Shrines and at the same time it has become a popular tourist destination even for non-Hindus. It is located in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia. There are three huge caves, the biggest of which is the cathedral cave or temple cave and there are 272 colorful steps to get to the top and inside the cave. There are also numerous gods and dieties at the entrance right before the staircase. The gigantic statue of Murugan towering at 42.7m seemed to guard the entrance.

After leaving Batu Caves, we proceeded to Genting Highlands owned by Resorts World to experience cable ride in their gondolas with glass bottom and explore the Chin Swee Caves Temple at the top of the mountain. Genting Highlands is actually a high end entertainment center complete with casino, luxury hotels, theme parks as well as shopping malls for high end fashion and a factory outlet of branded clothes. It is situated within a rainforest and the glass gondolas will give you a unique experience to view the resort and the surrounding forest from above. This place allows the existence of both nature and resort entertainment using modern technologies, however there is also danger that there will be more commercial developments in the future at the expense of the environment.

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

April 2019

There are many attractions in Kota Kinabalu, especially the Kinabalu Mountain towering at 4,095m (more than 13,000ft. above sea level), its peak can actually be seen from the plane on a clear day. It is considered as the highest mountain in Southeast Asia and supports diverse flora and fauna.

This trip though was more an exploration of just the area around and near the city and did not include the Mount Kinabalu. We were only staying for a very short time and some of our colleagues were no longer fit for trekking up a mountain.

From the window seat, the passenger can approximate what to expect as the plane approaches the runway. Like many other areas, dwellings and other structures are concentrated near the river and although vegetation is not so dense, the buildings are not so dense as well. People who have been to this place before, however, said that a lot has changed in terms of economic development.

Among the famous attractions in the city of Kota Kinabalu is the Sabah State Administrative Building, a majestic structure facing Likas Bay. Nearby is the Tun Mustapha (Sabah Foundation Building), an ultra-modern cylindrical steel and glass 30-story building. On the way to this site, you will pass by the iconic floating mosque which is actually surrounded by a man-made moat. Many of the residents are Muslims but there are also Buddhists and Christians and probably other religious denominations as well.

There are a lot of food choices although grilled seafoods are preferred by tourists. Prices are also reasonable and there are really cheap food in the food court and street food consist of preserved fruits and homemade and unbranded crackers. Small restaurants also offer all-you-can-eat but affordable food. Iced-tea was definitely the best seller! It was made from authentic freshly boiled tea leaves then added with honey, lemon slices and crushed ice.

We also visited the usual tourist destination like the Signal Hill Observatory, the highest point in the city which is a historical place. It was a strategic place during WWII because the whole city can be viewed from up there.

Another must visit for tourists is the Atkinson Clock Tower which is the oldest standing structure along the Signal Hill in Kota Kinabalu. It is a pre-WWII structure built in 1905 in memory of Francis George Atkinson who was the first district officer of Jesselton Town which was then a British Colony. It is said that its sound can be heard all over town and the clock tower used to be a reference point in the township.

Structures in the city were already using modern designs notable among which was the City Library. Many commercial buildings, government offices, schools, and the police station were not just boxes of concrete but were aesthetically designed structures which shows how much the place have changed. The University though was surrounded by huge trees and the road towards the entrance was also lined by giant palms and old trees.

We also visited the famous beach, Tanjung Aru Beach for its glorious sunset by the bay. Many tourists congregate on the shore to watch the sun set. Many enterprising locals have set up shops nearby to offer refreshments and souvenirs for tourists to take home. Bubble sticks were also becoming common and enjoyed by children as well as teenagers to create a different effect in their selfies.

We also went to Puh Toh Tze Temple, a Buddhist temple. It is located in Jalan Tuaran just 10 minutes travel from the city center. A huge statue erected outside the temple seemed to welcome and bless the people entering the gate/arch. There were also several dieties lining up beside the temple. Huge Buddha statues were found inside the temple. There was also another Buddhist temple where we just passed by on our way home from another tourism destination.

Thung Chang District, Nan Province, Thailand

June 2019

The last place I visited outside the Philippines was Thung Chang District in Nan, Thailand. It’s a rather charming laidback place, the kind of place where I prefer to spend summer vacations, somewhat like our hometown.

Prior to our trip, our colleague informed us that it is very remote and that we will not be able to obtain anything that we need and the only food we will have are not the kind of food that we usually have, so we may bring something we like just in case. Other warnings include: there are no medicines available and nothing to buy even if you have money to spend.

I was somewhat anxious about our senior colleagues, but I’m not worried about myself because I tend to pack more than what is necessary. I always bring extra set of clothes and undergarments in my carry on and basic meds that I or my colleagues might need.

Like when we go camping, I brought my malong, dryfit shirts & hiking shorts. Unfortunately I put the malong in the luggage and did not anticipate that it could get really cold inside the plane and the airport as well. To remedy the situation I bought the rolled blanket offered by the airline and I’m glad I did because their blanket is comfy, lightweight, easy to pack & carry, and it would be great for camping too.

It was night time when we arrived in Bangkok so only the lights in the city and the old Don Mueang International Airport (not the modern Suvarnabhumi Airport) can be seen as we were about to touch down. It was also cloudy and bumpy and visibility was low at first but eventually cleared and gave us a better aerial view of Bangkok at night.

After we deplaned there were a lot of bloopers as it was very difficult to communicate with airport staff and we didn’t know exactly where to proceed for our next destination. Finally we got thru immigration and proceeded to the terminal where we will take off for the domestic flight to Nan Province.

Once we knew where we can stay for the night, we had to find a restaurant to regain our energy. It took a bit of time because each one had a different choice, however we had to stick together so we decided to try the most affordable among the choices. When food was served, it turned out that servings were large and can be shared but some of our colleagues just ate very little because they found either the taste or the aroma rather disgusting. I have no problem with the food. I don’t remember what we ate, we just ordered based on the pictures in the menu. Maybe I was the only one who ate well that evening.

We spent the night at the airport as we no longer booked an accommodation because we had to leave early the next morning. Fortunately there were not so many people that each of us were able to occupy the whole stretch of seats to be able to sleep and the bathroom is not that far from the seats we have occupied.

As we left Bangkok, landscape gradually changed from urban into typical rural setting as we approached Nan Province.

We’re about to touch down at Nan Province

The Airport in Nan Province is just like the one we have in Roxas City, but there are less vehicles to ferry passengers from the airport to their destination.There was no taxi nor tricycle, and we’re grateful that there was a jeep that took us to the Bus Stop along the highway. Only later did we realize that we paid too much because we could have walked from the airport since it’s not very far. So we learned a lesson: try to find out the distance of destinations and learn a bit of the local language and important things to ask. It would be helpful if you have online translator and waze and also if there’s anyone you know who have been to the place that you want to visit.

The host informed our group that there is only 1 bus going to our destination (the Red Bus) we have to be alert and make sure that we don’t miss it. Every now and then we would ask people in the waiting area but they don’t understand. Then there was a pretty Thai lady who can speak little English and she was very helpful. we were told that it would take about an hour or more for the red bus to arrive so we decided to have breakfast at a nearby makeshift eatery.

They were cooking in an improvised grill similar to food that we have as street food: eggs, chicken barbecue, catfish, sausage and dried fish. The first thing they did before serving the customers though was to make an offering to Buddha. It consisted of rice with fried fish flakes, banana slices, a glass of water and a glass of tea.

After breakfast we headed back to the bus stop just in time for our trip to Thung Chang District. The friendly Thai lady also boarded the bus and instructed the driver where we wanted to get off and also helped us compute the fare. She will get off before us so we thanked her but we were not able to get to know her name. We noticed that the pictures of the King were not only found in the airport but even inside old buses plying remote areas.

The countryside is very much like in the rural areas in the Philippines except for the Buddhist temples and pictures of the King and Queen of Thailand. They are very religious and respectful of their monarch.

It turns out there is actually a public market in town just like what we have in 3rd class municipalities selling the usual fish, meat and vegetables as well as mushrooms and fruits, but they consider frog meat as a usual viand which many of us might find disgusting. Their food also have a lot of spices that we are not familiar with. Moreover they have kakanin with meat filling somewhat like steamed grated cassava with chicken filling (alupi nga may palaman) but the spices can be overpowering.

But what is really great is the weekend market in makeshift stalls. Vendors transport their products via pick up trucks and just position their trucks in a way that they can just open the back and readily obtain their products and also easily pack what’s left at the end of the market day. There are a myriad of products from clothes, shoes, household items but mostly dried and fresh agricultural products as well as fruit juices, mushrooms, frogs and a lot of street food including fried dried insects.

Bucari: Summer Capital of Iloilo

Bucari is located in the mountainous area of Leon, Iloilo. It is referred to as Little Baguio with its pine forest and cold temperature especially at night time. There is a camping site and several cottages of varying designs and rental fees. Some cottages have their own restroom and kitchen. The camping area is foggy at early morning and late in the afternoon, and very windy; a coat/jacket is a must. Tents that can accommodate 2-3 persons are available for rent at Php100/tent per day. There are clean common rest rooms but not so close to the camping area.

If you are a vegetarian you will enjoy a feast as Bucari produces a lot of vegetables. If you prefer meat, however, you will have to bring your own pre-cooked food. There are no freezers/refrigerators up there so buying ice from the store is not an option. The commodities that can be bought from stores nearby are also very limited, it is best to come prepared with packed goodies. Personally though, I would prefer to make fresh garden salad as veggies are freshly picked from the garden and sold at very affordable prices. I didn’t notice if they have calamansi or lemon, so better bring your own salad dressing. Chayote (mirliton squash) also just grows wild in the area, the fruits are being sold in talipapa for Php 10 to PhP 20/kg.

As an emerging tourist destination, there are new resorts being developed, mostly agri-tourism- based, one of which is already producing strawberries together with other high-value crops.

Bucari is perfect for trekking and just communing with nature, bonding with family and friends in a different way, or just to get away from our every day routine. There is also a pilgrimage area which requires trekking up a hill; you need to warm up before the trek to avoid leg cramps.

The road going uphill/downhill is a bit steep and narrow, the condition of your vehicle’s tires and brake needs to be thoroughly checked. Gasoline stations are also few and far between, you need to gas up beforehand.

Siquijor Adventure

Siquijor is an island province with only 6 municipalities, and it is considered as one of the smallest provinces in the Philippines. It is believed to be enchanted, in fact, tourists can buy potions and voodoo dolls for souvenir. Upon arrival you will feel welcome with the huge sign welcoming guests right at the plaza fronting the church.

The usual tourist destination is the famous Cambugahay Falls in Lazi which is truly impressive. Another stop would be the very old balete tree, believed to be about 4 centuries old. Adjacent to the tree is a shallow pool where one can dip both feet and have a fish spa while relaxing under the cool canopy of the mystical balete tree.

Very old churches can also be found in Lazi, The St. Isidore Parish with its convent just across the street, houses the museum with its collection of religious antiques and other artifacts and memorabilia. The structure also includes a Catholic School.

There are numerous beach resorts and hotels. Notable among the food and beverage establishments is the Larena Triad Coffee shop situated on top of a Hill. From there you can have an unobstructed view of the surroundings.

There are numerous beach resorts and hotels. Notable among the food and beverage establishments is the Larena Triad Coffee shop situated on top of a Hill. From there you can have an unobstructed view of the surroundings.

We stayed at Charisma Beach Resort which is located at the beach front. We have a great view of the sea and watch egrets feed at the tidal flat during low tide. Since they also have a restaurant dining is not a problem. They can even prepare packed lunch for the tour. Transportation is mostly by tricycle.

The province is indeed very peaceful and clean, and boasts of zero crime rate. Food, however, is somewhat expensive, so don’t ever get stranded in the island. The Oceanjet from Dumaguete will take about an hour, but it is best to have another 30min allowance in case of delays. Fare is PhP 250 for tourist class and PhP 380 for business class.

Garin Leisure Farm and Pilgrimage Site

Life is a journey

This site contains mostly a recollection of experiences in places I’ve been to, instances, ideas, events or thoughts that somehow got saved in my actual, digital, and other external memories. In my selective memory, this is a glimpse of how I lived my life (partly) during my time, a flashback version of my journey on Earth (there would be other journeys, on another plane, in a different consciousness).

Many people believe that just before we die, our life would flashback right before our eyes. Unfortunately, we never really know when are we gonna die for sure.

We tend to cram when we are given deadlines, hence, we can accomplish some things that we normally cannot accomplish if we just believe that we have forever. This narrative, for instance is an attempt to relay a message to the next generation while I still have the time and the capability to do so.

Forever is something that I don’t believe in for many reasons, though it gives some people a sense of meaning. On the other hand, knowing we don’t have forever gives us a sense of urgency to strive harder or TO DO SOMETHING THAT WE LOVE WHILE WE CAN and ENJOY LIFE MORE BEFORE OUR TIME IS UP!

If we really live our life though, no matter how long or short the years, it is enough! We don’t have to exist for 100 long boring years if we’ll just waste most of those years regretting the things we would have wanted to do and could have done, but somehow we never did.

The worst thing that could happen to me is to spend those precious moments on a hospital bed. I guess a hospital is not the place we should be spending our days on earth. It’s ok to see a doctor to somehow relieve our medical condition, but it’s another thing to just lay down and wait for death to creep in and steal our body from our soul.

Let us live life the way it should be lived; with joy in our hearts and deep reverence and appreciation for the beauty and bounty around us; and with profound gratitude to the Almighty for granting us this Life on Earth.