Yearender 2012

This year has been great for me. The travel ban to my work place has been lifted by our government at the start of this year. However, my company allowed me to spend my vacation in Philippines in the month of June only. Anyway, due to this, I am now in Philippines for my Christmas and New Year holidays. Great vacation indeed!

During the first semester of this year, aside from bringing my family to Bangkok, I traveled alone by land in several countries namely: Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.

Ho Chi Minh City

I was expecting a backward Ho Chi Minh City when my wife and I visited that country. Well, it is not yet as progressive as Manila but it is obvious that development is on high gear. To add, I had a great opportunity to have an insight on how the Vietcong won the war when we visited the famous Chu Chi Tunnels. I won't forget that place; I learned that I was claustrophobic while semi-crawling inside those tiny tunnels.

S21 & The Killing Fields

My inner being was deeply touched when I visited S21 (Tuol Sleng) and met the 2 survivors of this security prison established by Khmer Rouge under the administration of Pol Pot. More so, the brutality of killing both young and old alike at "The Killing Fields" (Choeung Ek) was simply unimaginable. I really can't comprehend how this thing happened in modern times.

Siem Reap

Still in Cambodia, I have set foot on Angkor Wat, one of the places abroad I dreamed of visiting. The experience was simply indescribable. I never thought that there were several equally magnificent temple ruins in Siem Reap making my trip more meaningful.

Outside my normal wandering, my wife and I shopped at Bangkok twice this year as well. My newfound baby, an online shop born during my wandering, "Happy Stripes" is doing great. The demand was above expectation thus I now consider Happy Stripes as possible business venture in near future; when 2 of my kids have finished their college studies. I had several business plans before and having an online shop was not one of them but perhaps, fate has played on me.

Going back to my land travel on these 3 countries, I had a very memorable experience. It was when I traveled by bus from Siem Reap to Bangkok. It took me 9 hours of arduous travel. I thought I have experienced my worst land travel but I was wrong. Surprisingly, I experienced few days back the most grueling land travel in my whole life and it happened in my own country with my family

It was one of my ardent dreams to drive to northern part of The Philippines. In fact, I envied my friends who were able to drive up to Vigan City; I knew the experience was great and challenging. I had a golden opportunity to fulfill my dream when my daughter opted to see Vigan City rather than go back to Baguio this December. It was an opportunity I gladly grabbed thus wife and I started preparing as early as November.

I knew the drive would be tedious and taxing to my body considering my recurring lower back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome hence as part of my preparation, I visited our company's gymnasium twice a week to do some workout while I was at work in Yemen.

Traveling to Vigan, it took me 9 hours of driving with 2 stop-over. Our safety was put at risk when my car's rear right wheel blew while traversing Santol, La Union at more than 80 kph speed. Luckily, it was a rear tire otherwise it could have been a disaster for all of us. Upon reaching Vigan City, I asked my family to proceed with their "Calesa Tour" while I searched for a brand new tire.

However, that was not the worst yet. After 1 night in Vigan City, we proceeded to Laoag City. After 2 nights in Laoag City and a visit to Pagudpud, we left the place at 8:30 AM. We reached our home after 15 hours. I was dead tired. In addition, I was recuperating from cough and cold during that 15 hours travel. Well, stay tuned for my Road Trip 1 (Manila/Vigan/Laoag/Pagudpud).

Previously, I thought overseas travel was more challenging and consuming. I proved myself utterly wrong! Next year would be an interesting year for my wandering; we have several road trips lined-up and I would post all details here so as to assist other road trippers.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL MY READERS ESPECIALLY TO MY FOLLOWERS! MANY THANKS!

Malaysia - Beryl's Chocolate Kingdom, Kuala Lumpur

On my first trip to Kuala Lumpur with my colleague, one of the places we loved to visit was Central Market mainly because of Beryl's Chocolate. The lady manning the Beryl's chocolate cart is a Filipina born in Malaysia. She speaks Tagalog but hasn't seen the Philippines yet.

During my second trip to Kuala Lumpur, my wife and youngest kid visited me for a few days. We stayed in hotel near KL Sentral. On their first day, I brought them to Menara Tower since we didn't have the time to queue for Petronas Tower Skybridge. When we were about to leave, we were asked by their concierge staff if we want to avail their taxi package for 25 RM. The taxi would drop us at Beryl's Chocolate Kingdom then to KLCC (Petronas Towers). Pardon? Beryl's what?

It was the first time we heard about Beryl's Chocolate Kingdom so were very eager to visit the place thus; we availed their taxi package.

Upon arrival, the taxi driver told us that he would wait for 30 minutes outside. When I looked at my youngest kid I saw his faced brightened. Aha! I remembered that he was the one raiding the chocolates I used to bring when I come home for my vacation. I'd not be surprised because kids are normally choco addicts.

From outside, Beryls' Chocolate Kingdom is like a big Villa filled with chocolate goodies. I found it odd to be in a residential area and away from any touristy place. Nenotheless, I noticed an endless arrival of taxi and private vehicles bringing with them wide-eyed tourists eager to have a taste of Malaysia's famous chocolate.

Upon entering the place, countless chocolate varieties greeted us and the best thing was the free taste. We tried tasting the different flavored chocolates; actually we took our snack there, LOL. Wife and I liked the Tiramisu and Tongkat Ali flavored chocolate while hating the Durian flavored.

Beryl's chocolates come in different packaging and designs. This is paradise for chocolate fanboys, trust me. To add, there are choco biscuits as well.

However, upon checking the price, I told my wife not to buy anything from here. The assorted chocolates, if my memory serves me right, costs more than 40 RM per 500 grams while I can buy them at Central Market for 19 RM. It seems that only tourists are coming here thus, Beryl's products are quite pricey if you buy them here.

We maximized our time inside and again the free taste. After exactly 30 minutes, we searched for our taxi. Even though we didn't buy anything from here I knew that my kid was satisfied with all those free taste.

Beryl's Chocolate Cart at Central Market

On their second day at KL, I brought my wife and kid to Central Market; she bought 5 jars of assorted Beryl's chocolate at 19 RM each jar while the the chocolate in box costs 4 RM each. You can even ask for a discount if you buy several jars or boxes.

In my case, I bought several jars as well for my Yemeni colleagues. They learned to love Beryl's chocolates too. Since I haven't had enough time to go to KL during my later vacations to Singapore thus; I bought several jars at Mustafa Shopping Center. However, it was a bit pricier to buy Beryl's chocolate in Singapore. It costs me around 25 RM per jar.

Happy Stripes - 1000 Likes

Yes! In just few months our online shop has garnered 1000 likes. More so, we are now on our 6th collections.

Likewise, due to Holiday Seasons we are having a buy 3 for 1000 pesos promo and Holiday Sale for our past collections.

Aside from that, we have released a LOOKBOOK: ALL DRESSES COLLECTION!

Meet our beauty and brain models

some of our gorgeous models

We welcome more "Likes" and you can expect more pretty clothes to come to make you happy ladies.

"The happiest girls wear the prettiest clothes!"

Like us on Facebook:  Happy Stripes

Vietnam - Roaming Around Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City used to be called as Saigon City. The French colonizer gave this westernized name until it was changed to Ho Chi Minh in 1975 when the communist took over South Vietnam. However, it seems to me that the name Saigon City is still widely used outside Vietnam.

Boulevard across The Reunification Palace

Being a previous colony of French, it came as no surprise that HCMC was sometimes called as Paris of Asia due to its French colonial architecture, wide boulevards lined with fully grown trees and magnificent French villas. While Hanoi is the political capital of Vietnam, HCMC is considered as the economic capital of the nation. Not to mention that it is the largest city in Vietnam.

with my wife

One of the famous landmarks in HCMC that boasts a classical Euro-style design is the Notre Dame Cathedral. It is more than a century old Catholic church. It used to be an abandoned Buddhist Pagoda until it was converted into church during the early years of French colonization. All original construction materials used for building this church were directly imported from France. Beside this Cathedral is the Post Office, another Euro-designed structure worth visiting while in HCMC. By the way, you can attend Mass during weekend here and if you are lucky you might see couples having their pre-nuptial or wedding shots in front of this church.

My wife and I stayed in HCMC for 3D/2N. I thought that was enough for us to have a good look of the city. I was wrong; we were able to explore only District 1 of HCMC. This place is considered as the center of the city; better book your hotel within this area if you prefer to be near touristy places.

On our third and last day in HCMC, we decided to explore District 1 by trekking to Reunification Palace, Notre Dame, Saigon Square, Ben Thanh market then back to our hotel. Wife was upset after 30 minutes of walking because we got lost due to incorrect city map we got from our hotel. Luckily, one local lady showed us the way to Reunification Palace.

More so, don't be surprised if you see our very own Jollibee in HCMC. There are several Jollibee outlets in Vietnam; this make me feel proud as Filipino. My colleague dined at Jollibee with his family when they visited HCMC. I told him, that was the most expensive way to eat at Jollibee.

The Reunification Palace

Ben Thanh Market

Saigon Square - Buy your TNF here

Metered taxis are readily available in every nook; fare is cheap as well. Likewise, our college classmate residing at HCMC with her family advised us to take Vinasun or Mai Linh (not Mai Lin or Mei Lin) taxis as often as possible because other taxi companies are not using their meters when hired by tourists. On the other hand, there is nothing to worry if you plan to explore HCMC by foot, just make sure you have a correct map, LOL.

One thing any newbie in HCMC would definitely notice is the ant-like numbers of motorcycles plying its streets. See related post: HCMC - City Riders. Beware though that like in any other bustling Asian cities, there are petty thief using motorcycle to prey on unsuspecting tourists especially around Ben Thanh Market. Take a firm hold on your DSLR and bag.

While coming back to our hotel from our day trip to Chu Chi Tunnels, my wife and I noticed that the locals are very fond of kite flying. Their kites are normally big, colorful and having various designs. This is the first time I have seen large crowds enjoying this kind of activity.

It was unfortunate that we had limited time to spend in HCMC. I would love to see their "Cho Lon" or Chinatown and some of their Buddhist Pagodas. Further, foodie will find HCMC an interesting place to indulge.

Finally, there is one thing that I noticed with Vietnamese ladies, most of them if not all are slim. I never saw any chubby local lady while we were there; no offense meant for those on the chubby side. Having observed this, I was not surprise anymore when we visited Chu Chi tunnels. Given their size, surely they would find it easy to maneuver in those tiny holes underground.

Cambodia, Bayon Temple, Siem Reap

Of all the temples I have visited in Siem Reap, more than a dozen of them, Bayon Temple is truly unique and quite impressive due to its hundreds of stone-carved Buddha faces that jut out from its towers.

Those carved serene gigantic faces are simply astounding. This temple serves as great testament of Khmer Empire devotion to Buddhist religion during late 12th century. However, there is a theory that all those 216 serene stone faces belongs to Angkor's greatest King, Jayavarman VII, the reigning Khmer King at that time due to their similarities to his other surviving statues. Nevertheless, Buddha or not Buddha, one will be in awe due to stunning workmanship employed in carving all those similar stone faces.

Bayon temple is located at the center of Angkor Thom (the great city), a walled-city with several gates aligned in Earth's axis and used to be the capital of Khmer Empire in the 13th century. Hence, as an added treat when you visit this temple is the chance to explore nearby places of interest such as Baphoun temple, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Elephant, Terrace of the Leper King, among others.

Since this temple is one of the most visited temples in Angkor, I saw a group of locals dressed as Apsara dancers offering photoshoot opportunity for a token amount. Actually they call it donation.

If there are other temples aside from Angkor Wat worth visiting for a single day unlimited temple pass, Bayon temple is one of them.

Spotted - Rudolph at Centralworld, Bangkok City

I spotted Rudolph the red nose reindeer, err mini-cooper, at Centralworld last Christmas.

 There was an on-going sales blitz of BMW luxury vehicles in the same building. Not to be outdone, mini-cooper presented their "unique" version of Santa's most famous reindeer.

I wonder this coming Christmas if Rudolph will be back at Centralworld, Bangkok City.