Visited the four major temples: Angkor Wat Ta Phrom Bayon Temple Angkor Thom
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Saturday, December 18, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Amazing Asia * Shanghai World Expo and Hong Kong (July 2010)
Attending my first world expo, the experience was quite interesting. Not sure if it was positive or negative though, but definitely interesting.
It was a hot and humid day in Shanghai. The train ride to the Expo Gates wasn't too bad. But as we arrived, it was not a straightforward route to the expo. We had to stop and ask around, though happy to see that there are a lot of English speaking guides along the way. The queue to the expo train was not bad at all. The lines practically flowed smoothly up to the expo gates.
As we enter, we realize that the Expo grounds was really huge, my sore feet badly needed a good massage at the end of the day. It didn't help that the weather was not comfortable either.
First stop, Asia. We saw the Philippine Pavilion right away as we enter the grounds. Since there was a line, we decided to visit later in the day and go to the other pavilions first. We entered New Zealand. Then we also saw the external of the nearby pavilions all in their own shape and size, e.g. Australia, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Thailand.
Then off to Japan, passed by China, Saudi Arabia, Korea. To our dismay, the queue for Japan was 5 hours, so we decided not to go in. We would rather go around and see the other pavilions, even just from the outside. We passed by Kazhakstan, Jordan, etc. We decided to have lunch first.
Next stop, Europe, which was on the far end of the expo grounds. As we walk through the grounds, we contributed to the economy but buying some original certified expo souvenirs, as compared to the ones sold outside.
Finally arrived in Europe, queues were equally long. We went in Czech Republic, and I saw familiar sights of Prague, such as one of the famous statues of the Karlov (Charles Bridge) with the bronze dog which people touch for good luck. Then off we went to see other pavilions from the outside such as Germany, Denmark, Finland, Portugal, Slovak, etc. We then went in to France and saw famous brands such as Michelin and Louis Vuitton and Dior.
Last stop, section D, for the Coke pavilion. Again, 3 hour queue!
What a day! 3 pavilions, that's all we saw! It just reminds us that the world is enormous, and it is impossible to see them all in a day, LOL.
I've been to Shanghai several times, so I've seen most of the attractions, this time it was really more to shop and eat at our favorite places. We went to Yu Yuan Garden for the famous Xiao Long Bao, and shopped at the Fake Market in Nanjing Xi Lu. We ate Sze Chuan food, Element Fresh for Western Food, Hot Pot King for a great hot pot dinner with amazing selection of sauces, eat all you can Japanese buffet.
It was an experience to queue at the Xiao Long Bao place, this is the only place I've been where you'd have to stand beside a table with people still eating their food, just to get a chance to sit and eat. In fact, you don't save a table, you save a chair, so you'll see people trying to ignore you and trying to steal the seat that you're waiting for. It's amazing how these locals still act this way in such a progressive country. Elsewhere, you still see people spitting on the ground in front of you, people pushing and bumping into you without saying sorry or excuse me, people shouting during a normal conversation, people cutting in queues, people sleeping on the floor in public, people driving like crazy and ignoring red lights, not sure what pedestrian lanes are for, etc. I realized that however much things progressed in the environment, it is very hard to change old habits. Doesn't matter if this is one of the most progressive and modern cities. Unfortunately, as much as I admire the deep and very vast culture of China, my heritage, and the enormous progress it has undergone, this is not one of the places that I would want to live in.
It was a hot and humid day in Shanghai. The train ride to the Expo Gates wasn't too bad. But as we arrived, it was not a straightforward route to the expo. We had to stop and ask around, though happy to see that there are a lot of English speaking guides along the way. The queue to the expo train was not bad at all. The lines practically flowed smoothly up to the expo gates.
As we enter, we realize that the Expo grounds was really huge, my sore feet badly needed a good massage at the end of the day. It didn't help that the weather was not comfortable either.
Then off to Japan, passed by China, Saudi Arabia, Korea. To our dismay, the queue for Japan was 5 hours, so we decided not to go in. We would rather go around and see the other pavilions, even just from the outside. We passed by Kazhakstan, Jordan, etc. We decided to have lunch first.
Next stop, Europe, which was on the far end of the expo grounds. As we walk through the grounds, we contributed to the economy but buying some original certified expo souvenirs, as compared to the ones sold outside.
Finally arrived in Europe, queues were equally long. We went in Czech Republic, and I saw familiar sights of Prague, such as one of the famous statues of the Karlov (Charles Bridge) with the bronze dog which people touch for good luck. Then off we went to see other pavilions from the outside such as Germany, Denmark, Finland, Portugal, Slovak, etc. We then went in to France and saw famous brands such as Michelin and Louis Vuitton and Dior.
Last stop, section D, for the Coke pavilion. Again, 3 hour queue!What a day! 3 pavilions, that's all we saw! It just reminds us that the world is enormous, and it is impossible to see them all in a day, LOL.
I've been to Shanghai several times, so I've seen most of the attractions, this time it was really more to shop and eat at our favorite places. We went to Yu Yuan Garden for the famous Xiao Long Bao, and shopped at the Fake Market in Nanjing Xi Lu. We ate Sze Chuan food, Element Fresh for Western Food, Hot Pot King for a great hot pot dinner with amazing selection of sauces, eat all you can Japanese buffet.
It was an experience to queue at the Xiao Long Bao place, this is the only place I've been where you'd have to stand beside a table with people still eating their food, just to get a chance to sit and eat. In fact, you don't save a table, you save a chair, so you'll see people trying to ignore you and trying to steal the seat that you're waiting for. It's amazing how these locals still act this way in such a progressive country. Elsewhere, you still see people spitting on the ground in front of you, people pushing and bumping into you without saying sorry or excuse me, people shouting during a normal conversation, people cutting in queues, people sleeping on the floor in public, people driving like crazy and ignoring red lights, not sure what pedestrian lanes are for, etc. I realized that however much things progressed in the environment, it is very hard to change old habits. Doesn't matter if this is one of the most progressive and modern cities. Unfortunately, as much as I admire the deep and very vast culture of China, my heritage, and the enormous progress it has undergone, this is not one of the places that I would want to live in.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Wow Philippines! * Boracay (June 2010)
It's been a while since I had gone back to Boracay, one of the nicest beaches in the world. Fine powdery white sands which do not even burn your feet under the most sweltering sun, sky blue waters that are so clean you can see clearly underwater, banana shakes all day long, massages by the beach, hammocks and cabanas for you to spend the whole day lazing in, resort rooms that lead out directly to the beachfront, and of course, the most beautiful sunsets. How could you ask for more?
This is my third trip to this wonderful paradise, but to my disappointment, it is no longer the wonderful paradise I used to know. Commercialization has invaded this island. Although you are able to get to enjoy a bit more luxury and comfort these days, the island has began to lose its beauty and identity year after year.
The once white shoreline with clear blue water, is now full of algae, the white powdery sands are now yellowish, the long stretch of shore line which used to be full of people sunbathing on the sand, taking relaxing strolls or simply watching the kids enjoy the sand, is now full of commercial establishments. The water is hazy now due to the algae that stay for the entire summer waiting for the rain to take them away. It is sad to see such great natural resources being destroyed.
The older quaint and more beach-friendly establishments are now being moved to the inner areas of the island to give way to larger more commercial establishments that can afford the higher rents at the beachfront.
The romance and adventure of Boracay is dwindling. When I first came to this island, we took a small 19 seater plane and landed in a rocky bed they call a runway. It was like I was in a McGyver movie. The engine of the plane drowned out all the memories of the city and bring you into another world. As you arrive at the airport, you take a small tricycle to the port, and take a 30 to 40 minute banca ride to the wonderful island of Boracay. Riding the small banca felt like you're floating in giant pool of ocean and anytime, the waves can suck you in whenever it wanted to. Scary but that's the adventurous part of the whole experience. Then suddenly, you get a glimpse of the famous island and the beautiful beach, and the excitement begins. You get to arrive right in front of the island, and you are dropped off right by the shoreline nearest to your resort. Local guides carry you off the boat to the shore if you do not want to get wet, but for the ready and on the go, you can jump off the boat into the shallow blue waters, and walk towards the shore. What a great experience as you are introduced to this paradise called Boracay. You can really feel the difference, as you are now in paradise, away from all the city life.
These days, you get dropped off the commercial port, and take a van to the back entrance of your resort. D'Mall, which used to be a nice small town shopping area, is now a replica of a city shopping center even with branded establishments that come from the city. What a big difference!
I miss the old Boracay, where you can really feel its unique character.
But despite all of this, I managed to still capture some aspects of this island in my pictures, hoping to keep the memories of paradise fresh in my mind, a place to relax, recharge and live life.
Our 19-seater plane, but no more McGyver runway :-)
Enjoying the sunset walk
But despite all of this, I managed to still capture some aspects of this island in my pictures, hoping to keep the memories of paradise fresh in my mind, a place to relax, recharge and live life.
Our 19-seater plane, but no more McGyver runway :-)
Enjoying the sunset walk
Willy's Rock at sunset
Sailing on a paraw to enjoy the sunset
Looking through Willy's Rock
Lounging by the cabanas
Boracay sunsets still create the most fiery skies
Watching the firedancers perform
And lastly, the breathtaking sandcastles that they build fresh every day
Sailing on a paraw to enjoy the sunset
Looking through Willy's Rock
Lounging by the cabanas
Boracay sunsets still create the most fiery skies
Watching the firedancers perform
And lastly, the breathtaking sandcastles that they build fresh every day
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