Travels in 2015

To travel is to get out and see other things, not to waste time and money, but to accumulate wealth in experience and learning.  To leave one's comfort is not a sign of weakness, but that of strength to face new challenges.  To embark on a journey is not to wander, but to wonder the awesomeness of people and the world. 

Travels in 2015

To travel is to get out and see other things, not to waste time and money, but to accumulate wealth in experience and learning.  To leave one's comfort is not a sign of weakness, but that of strength to face new challenges.  To embark on a journey is not to wander, but to wonder the awesomeness of people and the world. 

Birthday Feast

I intend not to celebrate my birthday in the evening but a group of friends urged me to get out of the house and partey! Since it's gonna be a boring night, I went out and had a simple feast.  Allow me to introduce the meals. 

Phat Pak Meow Mu Krop

This is a perennial favourite and I do ask for this everywhere I go. There will always be two of the same kind ordered as one goes with chillies while mine has none. 

Plah Thot

Nam Chim

I do like my fish steamed but Thai people prefer fried ones so they win, one against many. This is also a winner as the taste is exquisite less the oiliness you have in fried food. 

Poo Ob Woon Sen

The Chinese are fond of this dish called Crabs with Glass Noodles in claypot and the Thais have adapted this cuisine by adding some local touch to it such as the use of crab claws or whole crabs cut into serving pieces. 

Kung Phao

No seafood restaurant is without prawns and while others like them mixed in food, mine is just the fired ones.  Though seafood breed is the best, the one from freshwater is also of a good kind.

Tua Mai Thot

Okay, I do not indulge in eating creepy crawlies but they do.  This dish called Fried Silkworms is an appetizer eaten as a snack while drinking alcohol.  My friends urge me to taste one or two but they all get a smile from me. I take care of bugs in my garden, not eat them!

Tom Yum Talae 

One famous dish in Thailand is this Spicy Seafood Soup that can be prepared with shrimps alone, or with fish, or a combination of seafood.  It has a lovely taste as long as there are no spices.  For Thais though, the dish is bland so they added chilies afterwards.

Kung Thot

Not really a bestseller for me but the child in the group wants something with mayonnaise thus these Deep-Fried Battered Shrimps. 

Our tummies are full and there is no longer any space to fill it up.  And though the night is still young, the grandfather in me is telling everyone that it is time to go.  I do not intend to spend the night eating but ended up feasting.  While the stomach is full, the wallet is empty. Nah, just joking as the whole caboodle is worth less than 65 USD for 8 people. 

A feast worthy for a king, and that's me!

Birthday Post

In one of the Christmas themed books I read in class, I asked the children this question, "What could be the gift of Santa for the stick children?"  One of the boys in class answered, "Santa gave them seeds so that they can grow the seeds and there will be more sticks to be their friends." 

photo courtesy of Ms. P

I recently went back home for a few days to attend to some important matters. Matters that my high school friends arranged, planned and supported to help me out. We had some small group meetings as we are planning something ahead, a reunion sort of thing to celebrate four people who had and will have their 
birthdays, a day filled with business in mind, and an overnight stay to 

revitalize our senses and redefined friendship.

Santa gave us seeds many, many years ago. Those seeds were then planted, watered, taken cared of, and nourished through our lifetimes. The seed of goodness, to see within our hearts and others.  The seed of appreciation, of what we have and what we have become.  The seed of empathy, for those who are in need. The seed of honesty, to further understand each other's hearts and thoughts.  The seed of patience, to go beyond idiosyncrasies and skip dramatic flairs.  The seed of wisdom, to think beyond our age and foresee the future. And, the seed of love, to cherish each other till old age.

We took time to go together as one being silly, crazy, funny, serious, calm and proper. The hundreds of photos taken within those days will then become indelible marks of how friendship should be: tight with a dash of give and take. 

The view from Punta Fuego will not be as spectacular without some company.

Trees that give opulence to the scenery are always breathtaking.

The rest of the afternoon was spent chasing sunset while sipping some drinks.

Our morning stroll at Canyon Cove was an abundance of selfies and groupies. 

Our marvellous brunch at Bag of Beans was a treat.

So on my birthday, I am sending all my love to my bright and lovely friends

 and to those reading this post, I love you as well and have a great day!

Getting to Know You 8

Getting to Know You is a series of classroom bloopers and inspiring comments from my students.  I got a thousand but because I do not write them all then I forget, my bad. And for those that I remember, I share them to you.  Here are some of my favourites:





Teacher: When I had my cast taken out, I told the doctor that I love him.
Student: Why? Is he handsome?


Teacher:  Vegetables are good for us.
Student:  No, I cannot eat green stuff because I will turn green.


Teacher: How come everybody got a stamp on their arms except him?
Student: He has them but you cannot see them because he is dark.


Student: I like eating apple sauce.
Teacher: How do you eat it?
Student: With a spoon.


Teacher: What do you think is happening to our tree?
Student A: It's dying because it's old.
Teacher: How about me, I'm old, am I dying?
Student B: Yes, you will die but not now.  You will die LATER!


Student C: I want to die now!
Teacher: Why do you say that?
Student C: I want to die now so I can be in Jesus' house.


And my favourite from a child I tutor-

Reading a sentence-  The children studied their lessons for a test.
Student: What does stu died mean?

It means condolences to stu family, sorry!

Have a nice day!

Crossing the Mekong River

Exploring a new city brings wonderful discoveries and this time, the alluring Mekong River that borders two countries, Thailand and Laos.  I was a stone throw away from Laos but because I didn't bring my passport with me, I cannot access the border of which I could stay for three days and two nights in Luang Prabang. A big boo-boo on my part.

Anyway, I opted to ride a motorized boat to see the scenery of both sides of Thailand and Laos through the river.  Both lush and green in nature, the one hour ride is a glimpse of how beautiful the place is and how spectacular nature projects on photos. 

The beauty of the mountain range along Laos.

The pier to where to take the boat.

A view from the top.

The mountains and the clouds are truly elegant.

The ranges from Thailand side.

A sole temple standing along Laos soil.

Some houses that oversees the river along Laos.

The row of stores and houses along the Thailand side.

God provides for all.  It is not that one country has less than the other but it is how we discover the richness and wealth of each land and use them accordingly.  An hour ride gave me a glimpse of how awesome two countries are and telling me to further seek other places through traveling. My journey doesn't end, it is just starting. 

Crossing the Mekong River

Exploring a new city brings wonderful discoveries and this time, the alluring Mekong River that borders two countries, Thailand and Laos.  I was a stone throw away from Laos but because I didn/t bring my passport with me, I cannot access the border of which I could stay for three days and two night in Luang Prabang. A big boo-boo on my part.

Anyway, I opted to ride a motorized boat to see the scenery of both sides of the country through the river.  Both lush and green in nature, the one hour ride is a glimpse of how beautiful the place and how spectacular nature projects on photos. 

The beauty of the mountain range along Laos.

The pier to where to take the boat.

A view from the top.

The mountains and the clouds are truly elegant.

The ranges from Thailand side.

A sole temple standing along Laos soil.

Some houses that oversees the river along Laos.

The row of stores and houses along the Thailand side.

God provides for all.  It is not that one country has less than the other but it is how we discover the richness and wealth of each land and use them accordingly.  An hour ride gave me a glimpse of how awesome two countries are and telling me to further seek other places through traveling. My journey doesn't end, it is just starting. 

Chiang Khan Flower Garden

My final destination in Loei is Chiang Khan and this small town brings a lot of surprises for new timers like me and no blog post of mine is complete without a tour to another garden in that area. 

There are so many areas to take photographs of and there are a number of people waiting in turn to find that best spot.  The gestures of those who wait is simply divine.  There is give and take, taking turns which is a dying trait. 

Another amazing thing about this trip is that whatever empty lands the locals have, they turn them into something beautiful with very little profit.  They know that the influx of new tourists, both local and foreign, will support their surrounding businesses. 

Imagine if all people would have that entrepreneurial spirit, then I will see nobody just hanging around for the income earner to give them their share. Each work generates an income whether little or enough.  It takes a bit of creativity and some courage to start. 

A mere walk and shoot becomes a bright idea for others to follow.  I surely learn many things from my travels and the reflections, enriching!

Phurua National Park

After Petchabun, it took me more than an hour to be in another province called Loei.  Before heading to Chiang Khan, I stopped by Phurua Nationak Park.  The Phurua mountain is the highest in Loei and is home to many flowering plants and tress commonly found in cold places.  As in every mountain I had the chance to visit, there would always be a shrine for worship.  

The trees were of pines scattered everywhere giving the vibes of being in Baguio.  The flowers of multiple colours gave a bright contrast to all green and brown.

The view from the mountain top was spectacular. I learned that there are times, especially early in the morning, that a sea of clouds is visible within reach.  It would be like floating in heaven. 

From the top, one can panoramically see Hueng and Klong Rivers. The interesting and strangely formed rock formations can capture your imagination.  The sun covered the land with golden colour so each photograph is worth a click. 

I find the steps interesting as there were paw prints from each slab of stone of animals found in the forest and mountain range of Phurua.  One needs to be aware of his surrounding to see what lurks in every corner.  An awareness of one's surrounding can bring new discovery. 

Poinsettia Garden Phurua

I travelled to Loei, one of my stop over this holiday season and along the way ended up clicking my camera to the red and beautiful poinsettia spread at this garden.

Poinsettia Garden In Phurua

The houses at the right side were repainted with rainbow colours to match the garden.

A short pathway to the coffee shop. 

The garden with its windmill.

And along with the flowers come some unique air filled balloons that resembles a lot of things familiar.  Thai people really knows how to attract visitors.  The additions are fun and quirky for photo opportunities.  

I know the place won't be there by February as it is only during the high season of December that the flowers bloom.  I do wonder what replaces the site though. Maybe a trip back in June?

Nostalgia

As a very emotional person sans the drama, everything that happens in me are well-kept in my memories. The fact that things are usually melancholic, I still find some time to view the world as something majestic.  And when moments of loneliness creep side by side with a deep longing, I reminisce things old and past.

I grew up as a very quiet person and this might surprise people as they know me as the funny and energetic one.  It is probably a mask I am wearing all the time.  For the smiles are not always a sign of being happy. Those wide eyes and stingy smiles are reflections of the pain inside, albeit, well-hidden. 

There are things that I cherish most and one of them is my past: where I grew up, where I lived, where I studied and where I became aware of life's atrocities and surprises. 

I remember the room where I was staying in our former home.  It wasn't a big one, fitted with a small bed and table for writing or doing artworks, it was cramped and dark.  I have my stacks of books in two bookcases, one bookcase inherited from my relatives and the other, custom-made by one of our workers at home to fit in the small space.

I transferred to a smaller space as my brother took ownership of the room when he got married. After a year or two in a smaller and darker enclosure, it was time to leave my turf and I did. 

After all the many years I had been out of the country, I still look into going back to where I came from.  Going back to where I grew up is still calling me every time I get to visit Manila, even if our old house is no longer there.  

I believe that if I look back to my past, life or whereabouts, I will live the memories that made me a person that I am and the experiences that I learned from growing up in one humbling place.

Google+ Awesome Photos for 2015

Since signing up for Google+,  the photos that I take are instantly downloaded and once in a while I get a notice of a chosen photograph.

The majestic steps at a resort in Kanchanaburi

Model Thai house at Muang Thong Thani

A resort at Wang Nam Khiao, Pakchong

An old but historic railroad track along Pakchong

A grand beauty at Singapore's Gardens by he Bay

The Temple of Bua Quan in Pakkret, Nonthaburi

A bloom in my garden, Jonathan's house

A sunflower field in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan

A bridge inside Ban Phasawan resort in Thong Pha Pum, Kanchanaburi

Some more blooms from my garden.

A grand Phanom Rung structure in Buriram

Flowers along Saraburi

Gold Garden in Nakhon Ratchasima

Me in Coron, Palawan!

And this year,  a selfie of mine was included along with other photographs of nature and structures.  My fave is the black and white photo of a sunflower field in Hua Hin. Hooray for Google+!