Destinations on My Mind

So many celebrities seem to have passed away this month, and only in their 60s, younger than my parents too.  David Bowie (69), Alan Rickman (67), Glen Frey (67), Natalie Cole (65), etc. that it made me think that life is really short.  So much so that I think I cannot just plan around waiting to travel to some countries once I'm in my 60s or around retirement age.

Anyhow, I was in Greece (Athens and the islands), Turkey, and visited some friends in France kind of right before the refugee/migration crisis in Europe.. or before the Paris attacks.  These were before I bought my new home.  Anyhow, below are some destinations on my mind that I'd like to visit sooner or later and hopefully before my knees can't handle all that walking anymore. Lol.

• Christmas season in Germany
• Iceland
• Scotland
• New York (if it meets expectations, I'd like to go there annually.. Lol)
• New Orleans
• Spain and Italy again.. Especially Cinque Terre in Italy and try to avoid the shopping.. Lol!
• my friends in southern France again
• Chicago
• Bergen, Norway
• remote part/s of Canada where the northern lights and sled dogs are plenty.. woot!
• the more exotic places - Sri Lanka, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, etc.
• the rest of the world.

Another Hotel Stay

This time, 'cause of an airline service snafu, I missed my connecting flight some weeks back, and the airline had me stay overnight at a Hilton hotel near the airport on one side of the Atlantic.  So they should!  Needless to say I no longer care about my points with this airline and would book my succeeding trips with any airline first other than this one if I can help it.  Such a disappointment.

The Magic Carpet

Was on vacation recently... and saw this carpet among several being shown to us prospective customers.  They're all hand made and made of different materials - wool, angora, silk, etc.

I really liked this one.  It's like in one of my favorite colors.  It's light and not heavy-looking.  It's just gonna dent my pockets badly if I went ahead and bought it though. Costs about 3 round trip tickets between 2 continents with a big ocean divide. Tsk!  But whenever I see this pic, I kinda regret not buying it but I don't know. Gaaaah!!

Winter Assignment

On a business trip/project assignment last winter... some shots.

 hotel room w/ travel buddy

fjord? (cellphone pic)

Updating My Camera This Year

I'm considering updating my camera this year.  And discussing a tiny bit re design here.

For my photography/camera needs, aside from wanting a camera that outputs DSLR-quality images, it has to have:

• a built-in viewfinder
• wi-fi
• art filters
• pic size can print to poster size prints
• built-in flash would be nice to have
• with a kit lens

And most importantly, be not bulky like a normal DSLR.  I don't enjoy lugging heavy gear and lenses with me.

I like street photography, candid people shots, portraits, macro, travel and culture, and not just landscapes... almost documentary-like.


Anyway, my current cameras are:

Busy 2013

Been a while since I last posted anything on this blog.  Hmmm, lotsa things happened in 2013 I suppose.

Got busy 'cause of a new job

and moving so as to be closer to new job.

Flew to another city for a temporary work assignment,

hotel room

Then had guests staying at my new place and we went to an island, did some hiking

and hung out at some beaches.

but we also dropped by my uncle's place in the country after coming back from the island.

And finally got a new pet as well after moving.  Whew.

Now things are more settled.  I have finally done a proper scoping out of my new neighborhood (walked about 5km for an hour).  This is so I'd know the best running route so I can continue my running routine.  Apparently there's an urban trail behind my neighborhood stretching all the way to the other end of the country, wow.

I passed by views of mountains and waters by the mountains, a recreation centre, as well as a few little parks including an off leash park for dogs on the way, and homes in my neighborhood on the way back.  Not bad.

I look forward to running again, after the dark wet winter last December. Perhaps will join a big 10k run some time this year, organized for the city.  My office fields its own team annually with this running event.  We shall see. 

Beach Shots October 2013

Ski-Doo

On break from work for two weeks.  Spent part of the time travelling, including cross-country skiing.  I loved it.  Lol.

 

 my skis

scenery along the trail

Inspired

Amazing runner and inspirational video.  I miss running.

"...pushing out of that comfort zone. 

Makes you realize how lucky and 

how fortunate we are."

"There's lots of different paths you can take. 

Kind of which set of footprints do you take or 

do you make your own path, 

I think that's the same as life.

Kind of if you follow the same path 

you're always gonna be  

making the same mistakes as the person in front of you.

It's about trying to take the right option 

in order to have the best experience and 

make the most of it and 

make that experience a success."

You definitely got that right,  Mr.  Ryan Sandes. hehe!

Add to that, that sometimes, you don't need your gadgets and Twitter and Facebook or what not to be on a high. Teehee! =)

I must say though, the video reminds me of our Himalaya trek guides last year. They could probably just as easily do the running he does, and in Crocs or rubber thong sandals even, honest.

 take note of the footwear climbing the Himalaya, dearie

our Nepali trek guide Hari in his trusty ol' Crocs while 
we were at the foothills of the Himalaya.  

He started wearing the Crocs when his running shoes gave in.

 Kind of made me feel like an utter "highlander" 
in all our gear.  Da hell!  Tee hee!
And he never missed a beat except 
when he had to slow down for the likes of me.  Lol!  
Dhaany baad Hari.  Hehe.

Speaking of trips... I'd like to go on a road trip again some time I just don't know when.  I've done Canada's Icefields Parkway... one of the world's top drives of a lifetime, according to National Geographic.  I certainly agree.  But next, I'd like to try Norway, Iceland, or Scotland.  So many places to see.  I wonder where my next trip shall take me?  Gah.

Skirt & Bagpipe by the Water

Took this video last weekend. =)

There's something about bagpipes I like.  I'm also reminded of the first time I heard one played live by a female busker (see my shot below) at one of the arched entryways at the plaza near the Cathedral when I was in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

hmmm.. Maybe should have taken a video of this too. hehe.

Some other pics from last weekend:

No Wind, No Rain, No Winter Storm

 

More Fun in the Philippines

The Philippines's Department of Tourism is launching its new tourism campaign "More Fun in the Philippines".

I found it simple yet effective and easier to promote.  Many people do.  It's been quite successful locally.  No wonder there's now even an online More Fun in the Philippines meme generator, whereas the official campaign site hasn't yet gone live (now that's a fail.  Tsk!).


Anyhow, I posted a photo I shot in Panglao Island with the meme via the morefunmaker website:

It's true.  Some activities are indeed more fun in the Philippines.  Now if only traffic/driving/and the commute isn't so stressful in Metro Manila (definitely not fun!), then I could have had more fun in the city.  Lol.

Yes many things, activities and people are more fun in the Philippines but some of the customs people (on arrival in the country) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 -- the oldest NAIA terminal -- certainly aren't.  And they're notorious for this. 

You arrive tired from a trip, looking forward to getting past the airport gates and being home sweet home, but wait, customs person here is definitely sending feelers to get some "goody/ies" from me or whatever are in my/our bags...asking, staring at, and pointing at our huge bags "o, ang dami nyong bags.. ano mga nauwi nyo... ang lalaki ng bag nyo ah?" (translation... it's akin to saying: "Wow these bags you've brought back are rather big... what did you guys bring home?") or something to the effect which didn't sound quite right to our ears.  It's almost like telling us, "If you get my meaning...." Red flag! 

To which I would dearly have loved to have replied, "Sipa, gusto mo?"  (loose translation: Want a kick in the butt?)  hahahaha!  :D  And to think those bags were from a weeks-long trek we undertook in the Himalaya.  Geez.  Sige, iyo na lang my hiking sticks/trekking poles.  Go take a hike won't you?  And never return sana.. hahaha!  *sighs* 

My Nepal Trek Gear - A Review

Some months back I posted a blog of the gear I planned on wearing and using during my Nepal Himalaya trek.  This time, I'm blogging about some points regarding these gear/apparel after the trip because such info might also be useful to some.

Note that I'm also a photography enthusiast so I also brought some photography gear with me, and the trek was done during the monsoon season.

To start off:

1. daypack

in the bus from Pokhara to Nayapul

I used a Deuter Act Trail 28 SL.  Used it all the way from the flight from Manila, to Bangkok, and to Kathmandu and back, and of course while on the trail.

at one of the teahouse stops

Verdict = essential, but when I bought it, I was looking to buy the 24 SL 'cause it's slightly smaller and I didn't want to bring heavy stuff while on the trail so I thought 24 SL might be enough.  However, since I also used the same pack as a carryon bag on the flights to and from Nepal, the 28 SL was the better choice.

Nepal Himalaya Trek - Some Highlights

my favorite shot from my trip
That's one of the peaks of the Annapurna in the Himalaya,
shot from the bus on the way to Nayapul from
Pokhara for the first day's trek

It's been 1 or 2 weeks now since I got back from my trek in the Himalayas. Things kept me busy on the home front since my return, with family visiting from other countries and us going on another vaca while they were here.  And then finding out that my old laptop keyboard has gone bust the day we got back home.  What's a girl to do?  hehe.

Anyhow, this trek was my first weeks-long trek anywhere.  We took the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek, not the Everest one.  Hearing the name Everest alone sort of makes a newbie trekker like me hesitate to undertake one's first long trek.  Lol.  However, just because the Annapurna Base Camp trek can also be for newbies doesn't mean it's any less challenging.

One thing's for sure, if you're not fond of taking walks or have a pretty serious problem with your knees (I have no knee problem but ended up having to wear knee support to be on the safer side when the right knee started feeling weak/sore... still managed to carry my daypack everyday though) or aren't really into the outdoors, trekking in the Himalayas isn't for you, including this one -- Annapurna or not.  But if you're like the Hong Kong residents who typically walk fast or Westerners (mostly Europeans) we encountered on the trek who are used to hiking and have similar terrains back in their hometowns, it probably would be a breeze for you.  And maybe I'll blog more about this in another post.

This is the itinerary we chose to undertake:
On the way --

Hmmm

sneak peak of my trip

Guess where?  Will post some more info in the next month/s I guess.  Hehe.

Paris - No Woman No Cry...at the Arrondissement 18

Why do I like France/Paris...?  It's not so much the monuments, or the food, but rather its richness and appreciation of arts and culture, and not just for the high art sort of culture... hehe.

I like listening to many different sorts of music, sometimes in different languages.  And Paris is a pretty good place to be for this.  Arts and culture appreciation is so inherent in them it's not uncommon to find it manifested quite more overtly in their urban landscape than in many other urban cities.

A lot of times, you can encounter talented or interesting artists and musicians performing on the streets, the metro, etc...like it's just another ordinary day,  like this guy Ben L'Oncle Soul singing in the Metro.  I was listening to an online French music station when I heard it play one of his songs -- Elle Me Dit.  And I was like, Wow.  Loved what I heard and now I have mp3s of his album.  I took a look in youtube today to know more about this artist and found this, probably one of his older performances.

Nice no? Effortless talent indeed, especially with his rather distinct voice.  You should view their accoustic cover of Acqua's Barbie Girl song.  Lol! Here's another show of talent from him:

Below are videos I recorded of some performances I encountered on the streets in Paris, taken with my old point and shoot camera's video feature:

This one was recorded on a footbridge along the Seine, at the arrondissement 4.  That was pretty cool too.

Trekking and Me

As is evident in this blog, none of my travel experiences involved climbing or hiking or trekking mountains in the Philippines....only leisurely drives, picnics, explorations, and beach stays in Philippine destinations.  

It's only when I started working that I met people who do mountaineering, and even then, it didn't catch on with me.  I always feel it's too rugged an activity, especially with the heat and humidity, and ruggedness of such places in the Philippines.  And I know myself when it comes to these things.  I'm not that strong a person either and don't look forward to carrying a huge load on my back for a long period of time in such conditions.  Hehe!  So it doesn't interest me much to join local mountain climbing treks.  I always think it's too challenging for me and not worth so much effort.  I'm more of a leisurely explorer I guess.

Despite all these, I'm the sort who actually enjoys and looks forward to walking; as well as hiking in places where it's not too hot.  I owe this I think to having lived in a district of Manila and Makati where everything's within walking distance except for my school.  

At the same time, I like taking pictures.

My Travel Bug

Ever since I can remember, my family has always gone out of town for trips especially during my siblings' and my school vacations.  You wouldn't find us at home almost every Sunday during the summer school break.  At other times, they were spontaneous weekend day trips.  My dad is the sort who likes going out on long drives.  We either go to the beaches or Baguio or Tagaytay way back when.  We all loved and enjoyed these trips.  My dad takes lots of pics too.  

My mom also enjoys her travelling outside of the country.  Whereas my dad only usually does it for business or to visit relatives.  And us kids got our overseas vacations like they were our right of passage in the family.  So growing up, my siblings and I all ended up being travel bugs, some more than the others.  Lol.  It became one of my raisons d'etre for having gone into the career I am in now (IT with multinational companies... means opportunities to work and therefore travel as well, to overseas with minimal visa application hassle.. lol)

Shots of me in San Francisco, Germany, Paris, and Spain

Therefore, for me, as long as I get to explore/travel a city, a rural area, or a place with varying topography, or where I can shoot pics with interesting subjects, I'm happy.  I like this activity better than I do shopping.  And if I'm not shopping for Sanrio items, I best like shopping only when it has something to do with shopping for items for my travel, shopping for souvenirs, or shopping for home decor/items at the country I'm visiting.  Lol.

Roma, Italia - So That's What SPQR Means...

 Whenever I travel to new places, I take photos of their manhole covers. Sometimes with my foot on the cover. hehe! The name of the city is usually found on the cover. And taking a pic of them makes for a nice memento of the trip.

Anyway, in Rome, I noticed that the text of the city name "Roma" or "Rome" wasn't on the manhole cover. Instead there's text on it whose significance I didn't know: "SPQR". I remember I was a bit puzzled to read that text there but took some photos of it just the same.

a cropped shot of the actual photo (from my
cellphone cam)

I thought it might be the name of a utility company in Rome, just like when I saw my ex-employer's client's company name on a manhole in Lisbon. The shot of the manhole above, I think it was a manhole at PIazza Venezia or around the Capitoline Hill. And I've since forgotten about it and the "SPQR" text on it.

Sooo... now 5 years later, I watch Ridley Scott's Gladiator for the nth time and checked out its trivia on the imdb.com website. Only to come across that text again, be reminded of my shot of the manhole cover, and learn what the text means. Lol!

My Carryon Trolley Bag

Last year, I decided to shop for a wheeled carryon that can be as light as can be but also as small as can be possible for me considering the things I bring and the sort of packrat I can be when I travel.  Lol.

I decided that this new carryon, for my size and build:

• may or may not have spinner wheels, as long as it's wheeled
• should be as light as possible but still be sturdy
• should be suitable for both business or adventure/leisure travel
• should have clean lines and not look too rugged: can look like a backpack but with no visible external straps flapping about; no mesh-like or netted pockets
• not look like almost every other kind of wheeled carryon (boring, rectangular, rigid, etc.).  So no Samsonite or something similar please.  Lol.
• not be made of hard plastic or shell sort of casing
• small enough to be under carryon regulations by all if not most international airlines
• but roomy enough for lots of pieces of clothing and other non-carryon gear (gadget chargers and batteries, etc.. anyone? hehe)
• has an outer pocket for a laptop, and should be on its front, not back
• one am willing to check in if required to (like with domestic flights with smaller planes)
• one I can stow in the overhead bin by myself

Hence, after checking out two different locations where they sell different brands of carryon bags, I settled on this Eagle Creek wheeled trolley, with the same color as in the pic.

 

http://www.eaglecreek.com/product/20200