Misadventure: Confined!

Day 5! My left hand is getting painful each day especially if the nurse injects fluids on the dextrose, which happens three times a day.

Imagine anticipating for a bee sting three times a day and that's for five days,
that's how it feels. And other than that you have to wake up, at four in the morning, because the nurse gets in and he has to get blood sample. (And of course being away from your family if your sick is another story. I have been monitoring my parents who are in Manila for a three-day check-up but they don't have any idea that I am talking with them while I'm in the hospital.)

I'm just glad my tolerance has not yet taking its toll. Thank you to Apo Whang-od for preparing me to this. Being inked by her is still the most painful I ever experienced. Nothing can beat that.

Centipede by Whang-od, a 92-year-old last Filipino traditional tattoo artist

Whang-od hammers the citrus thorn on my ankle.  Photo by Des Quijalvo, a new-found friend I met when I was in search of Whang-od. 

Citrus (lemon) thorn, bamboo sticks, charcoal and an ice cream container: these are treasures to  ApoWhang-od, the last and the oldest traditional tattoo (mambabatok) artist in the Philippines who  passionately tries to make the tradition of tattooing in the Philippines still alive.

And before the traditional artistic treasure of tattooing disappears in the Philippines, I made sure I got the chance  to experience it with the legend's hand, from the  92-year-old Filipina tattoo artist, Apo Whang-od.

Whang-od's precious smile. She doesn't intend to smile because she is too conscious that she doesn't have teeth but, olah,  I was able to capture it.  Whang-od  here with her contagious, candid  and warm laugh.

Whang-od shows grace and strength of  a Filipina despite her age. She is on her 90s but she still goes to the rice field to work whenever she doesn't have guests. She is a petite old woman with traditional tattoos around her body- from her foot, legs, arms, shoulders,  chest and even on her forehead.

I was with my new-found friends, Achie, Ela, Des, Ro and Eitheen, whom I just met in the bus while  heading to Buscalan. It was only when I arrived in Sagada that I decided to get inked by her. The day I learned that she is still alive.

We trekked with our tour guide Kuya Charlie for almost an hour in the mountains of Barangay Buscalan, Kalinga to meet Whang-od. It takes almost an hour of trekking to arrive to Whang-od's community.

Whang-od was not around when we reached her place.  She was still at the rice field.  And after few minutes of waiting, we met Whang-od at her humble house. She was still full of thorns from grasses around her clothes.

Whang-od immediately prepared her  tattoo gears without minding to rest. I wonder if  she washed her hands before preparing for the tattoo session.

I volunteered to be inked first as I was catching up an early morning trip to Bontoc and be back to Manila early in the evening the next day.

She asked me to sit down on a monoblock chair , just right outside there toilet, and put a portion of log to position my right foot. Then she started sketching the centipede design , which she suggested, on my right ankle using the charcoal. Centipede in the Filipino tradition represents the warrior's buddy to protect him/her from harm.

Despite her age, Whang-od I believe don't have difficulty with her sight not like other oldies at her age. She was focused  and amazed that she can even follow the details of her sketch. Her hands were calm. I wonder where she got her strength and calmness despite her age.

For almost an hour, I was so busy enduring the pain and at the same time feeling the fresh air, seeing the scenic view of the mountains, clouds, rice terraces, observing the locals, the wild pigs passing by and the every details of tattoo Whang-od has on her arms.

Whang-od hammered my ankle using  two bamboo stick, one with the citrus thorn and the other stick  to tap for the ink to leave under the skin.

Hearing the hammering sound is a torture but  I didn't  mind. In the first place, I really intend to get inked by her without minding the risk and thrill  traveling alone in a strangers' place. Good thing, I met friends while on my way to Whang-od's place.

This is culture which most Filipinos haven't experienced and just saw it on history books. 

To be honest, Whang-od's way is more painful than the modern way of  tattooing.  I got inked at my back two years  ago but Whang-od's way is more painful than the machine. For me,  its  triple the pain of the machine. I know it was not sanitary and It might get infections but I didn't mind.

After almost an hour, Whang-od finished my centipede tattoo. She stood up and immediately fed the wild pigs before she started tattooing Ro.

Whang-od for me is a Philippine living treasure. She is a Philippine living culture. And being inked by Whang-od, an old woman who devotes her life, she started when she was 16,  for this Filipino tradition not to die, is a great honor that I will never take for granted. She just revived my spirit and be a proud Filipina.

I am few of the luckiest person who was inked by the legendary Apo Whang-od.

Note: I don't encourage you to do this but If you decide to do this,  it is worth the pain,  that's if you are a proud Filipino and if you want this tradition to live until the next generations.

Whang-od busy working on my ankle while I am managing the pain. 

Can this little boy be Whang-od's second-liner,?

A sweet slice of life....Must-try cakes and pastries in the islands...

So if you ask me, what I do? I say, "I travel and experience a taste of every place,". Whenever I am out, I love to act and feel like a local of the place-  trying hard to speak the dialect, listen to local's stories especially those who are in poverty, and experience the place, culture and food.

And every time I am on travel, personal or work-related,  I make sure to spend time alone, be in the beach or enjoy those only-in-this place- coffee shops and restaurants.

And I know it is hard to find if you don't know the place or if it is your first time to visit the place, especially if you travel alone. I know how it feels because I am one, I am like you.

And so I'd like to share with you few of my best finds across the islands of Philippines. And since I am sweet today, I'd like you to share with you sweet foodies - cakes and pastries - that literally melts in your mouth.

Every time I visit the place, the trip is not complete without re(tasting) these yummy foodies. Here are, for me, the must-try across the islands of Philippines:

Sampaguita Garden's Chocolate Moist cake- New Washington, Aklan 

The chocolate they are using are belgian chocolates. It cost  70 pesos, almost two dollars. The chocolate moist cake is their bestseller and the first to be sold out.  Sampaguita Gardens is just  few minutes from Kalibo and almost two hours from Boracay.  It is the home of Precious Moments Dolls. 

Bacolod City, Calea Cake

Calea cakes! And that's only  in Bacolod City. People won't leave Bacolod without going to Calea shop. They have best ice cream cakes. Too bad you can't bring it home as it melts easily. But they have chocolate moist cake. It is good for pasalubong. 

Tacloban, Leyte- Miyara's Cakes and Pastries

My new find and addiction- Miyara's red velvet cupcake. A cupcake that literally melts in your mouth with a cheesecake filling and topping. Miyaras cakes and pastries store is found right in front of Development Bank of the Philippines,  Tacloban City. 

Mint Leaf's Blueberry Cheesecake - Malaybalay, Bukidnon

The best cheesecake I ever tasted so far. If you are in Malaybalay, just tell the tricycle to drop you off to Mint Leaf. And if you love Durian, try their Durian coffee, a perfect combination for your cheesecake and the cozy ambiance plus the fanstastic Baguio-like weather.


Sans Rival's Silvanas - Dumaguete, Negros Oriental 
Your Dumaguete experience won't be complete if you miss to visit Sans Rival and taste their Silvanas. Sans Rival is just near the Boulevard and well-known to locals, just ask the tricycle driver to drop you off to their shop.

So far those are the best but of course I am still counting...

C'mon friends, join me in finding good stuff here in Philippines. Let's go, taste and explore the sweet slice of life. It's in our hands.

Little star on earth

I have had been known and seen alone, most of the times; a woman who distress alone; a woman who solves the problem alone; and a woman who loves to travel alone.  

Being alone has been my comfort zone, even on weekends. I prefer spending  my weekend  travelling alone where I breath the fresh air, see the clear skies or and the blue seas or just stay in a room, wherever place I am at.

As the saying goes, "Alone doesn't have to mean lonely".  It has been my motto ever since but not until this March, not until my Papa was diagnosed with colon cancer.

Since March, the situation has changed. Most of the times, I have been so preoccupied with my fears and worries. Lonesome drowns me.

Coping up with all these have been a struggle. What's keeping me sane are messages, in any forms.  Just like the messages I received last night,  two messages in a form of a text message and from the the movie I watched.

The movie: Every child is special

Ishan, the little child, with his teacher/mentor Ram played by the brillian Aamir Khan before the boys in school where send off for a summer holiday. Ram has been so patient teaching the little child as he has dyslexia, where he can't read and write. But Ishan has a briliant mind and a true artist by nature. 

The movie produced by a Bollywoord actor and producer Aamir Khan, one of the actors of 3 Idiots,  has moved me so much. I can’t put into writing any word that describes the entire movie.  I am just so in awe of Ishan, the little boy in the movie. And the story blow me away. 

I see myself on the little child. Almost every scene touched me. I can’t have enough of it, I didn’t event mind watching it for the 2^nd time just after finishing it last night.  The messages strike me, as if M(y) U(ultimate) B(uddy) is the one speaking to me. 

And in random here are those messages:

Don’t lose hope

There are breaths of fresh air

Setting up free

Discover yourself

Knowing who you are

Your potential is endless in the sky

Fly on; Fly high

Free your mind

You will find your purpose where you find your happiness

A co-worker’s text message

While watching the movie, my workmate Ate Jing texted me about work and asked me about personal things which matters to me most now - my father who is fighting against colon cancer;  Her message blow me away that I end up  weeping, tears running on my cheeks; it didn't even stop until I finish writing this piece.

And I quote, “Ma relate lagi naho nganha nimo ang story sa man nga gipa push sa daku nga stone. Gikapoy na siya sa kabug-at sa iya task pero wala siya kabantay nga because sa ka bug-at  nga task na develop iya musles. Ingana pud ka Mai.” (I can relate your story to man who was task to push a big stone. He was too tired to carry it but he didn’t notice that because of how heavy the task was he didn’t realize that his muscles were developed. You are just like him, Mai)

I didn’t know how and why it happened but I guess MUB must been so worried about me. He might be so worried on the thoughts running on my mind - all these fears and worries that I can’t speak to those around me, except those I trusted the most.

The messages I got makes me feel MUB’s presence. I know all these messages didn’t come in coincidence. It came with a great purpose. It came to remind me that despite all those fears and worries, on my mind and heart, which I think are too heavy for me to carry shall end.  That the star that almost loses its brightness will come back and be found again.

Lord, I know you are there and I promise not to lose the light, it will be back on shining.  One of your little stars will be back on shining. I promise!

Every Child is Special is a must see movie. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anCPlh18xSA&feature=related. This is link is just clips of the entire movie. 

I stand still for you

I stand still for you.

You are the reason in every decision I make.

I have the choice to argue but I chose not to;

I have the choice to stay closer but I chose not to

Because I prefer this way than to see you suffer.

I have work offers overseas but I declined

Because I believe, it’s not yet the time to leave you,

I wish another offer comes

Soon after everything gets stable.

They may disappoint you with promises, but I promise I won’t.

I promise not to fail you.

Hang on there. You and I will get through this.

Remember this; I’ll be the last person standing for you, Pa.

Happy Father’s day, Papa.  I'll be home next week. :)

Papa with my little sister.

You

I stand still for you.

You are the reason in every decision I make.

I have the choice to argue but I chose not to.

I have the choice to stay closer but I chose to be away.

Because, I prefer this way than to see you suffer.

I have offered to work overseas but I declined.

Because I believe, it’s not yet the time to leave you,

I wish another offer will come

soon after everything gets stable.

They may disappoint you with promises, but I promise I won’t.

I promise not to fail you.

Hang on there. You and I will get through this.

Remember this; I’ll be the last person standing for you.

You'll know who I am referring to on my next blog entry..:)

Guilty as charged!

traI am sharing with you thoughts from  Omar Arabia, an alternative medicine doctor whom I  met a week ago.

Fresh veggies at Baguio Market. Everytime I travel to Baguio, I drop at the market to check there fresh goodies.

Here thoughts about health are very striking that makes you feel guilty, at times.

Here are some of those:

- We tend to be too focus to be successful but forget or ignore our physical health; then we just realize the value of health when it's already cramming time.

- We don't catch diseases, we create them slowly by breaking down our natural defenses according to the way we eat, drink, think, feel and live

- There are no such things as incurables; there are only things for which man has not found a cure- Bernard Baruch

Isn't it a reminder for everyone? Let's be healthy!

Part 1: Doubts, fears ignored! (A swim with whale sharks)

Leave your 2nd thoughts behind; Ignore your doubts and fears!


This is what I learned from my Sunday morning experience while swimming with the sharks in a 15-feet deep sea water. 

Before deciding to pursue this lone traveler trip, I had a lot of 2^nd thoughts on mind.  I know this  trip is quite risky knowing that  I don’t know how to swim. And the notion that sharks eat human. I have this on my mind since I was a little child. I was also entertaining the fact that I just had 2 hours sleep and I don’t have underwater camera with me.  It sounds so lame excuses, right? hahaha

But when the sun was almost up, I made up my mind. I get up from bed and decided to use what is available; I decided to just use my phone to capture what is in store for me there.  

I charged my phone for a few minutes, packed my things in my tiger backpack; inside it  are those I usually bring with me, wherever I go. 


My favorite Ritter chocolate,  2-year-old tumbler, ‘The Girl with the Tattoo Dragon’ book, clothes that  my bikini of course, toiletries, sarong, and of course my 5-year-old pencil case with ballpens, pencils,  and ‘sili’  inside and calendar| notebook.  

I headed  South of Cebu, going to Tan-awan, Oslob.  (If you’re reading this and interested to go there and use my blog as your guide, I will give instructions later.) While I was in the bus, I was a bit groggy as I just had a 2 -hour sleep and not to mention my  runny nose.

After 2.5 hours I arrived at the place. I was not lost. Thanks to the bus driver and conductor who dropped me at the right place. 


I was so excited to get down and look for whale shark watching signage. I knew I was at the right place when. I saw a lot of tourists including foreigners outside the blue  gate  painted with whale shark design.  I was looking for someone where I can pay my entrance fee but no one welcomed me to get the payment so I just get inside. (It was not a trespassing, I guess. hehehe..)


I asked around what to do then a boatman accompanied me to the registration and briefing area. . They are so accommodating and warm. They are not commercialized workers or businessperson yet. I hope they won't be like those in other commercialized beaches I visited.  


I was not certain if they will prioritize me considering that I am just alone, so I befriended them. (A strategy that you can use too whenever you are on a lone traveler trip..hehehe.) 


 My strategy worked and the boatmen  gave me a small banca, just me and the boatman in that small banca.   How lucky I am, as they normally have 2-3 passengers for little bancas and 7-8 passengers for big ones.

The banca is non-motirized. It is so small. I was actuall  bit scared since it is not the ordinary boat that I usually ride  when I go island hopping. But I ignored the feeling and just focus on the excitement and enjoying the beautiful landscape- the blue skies reflecting the seawater while you  sitting on the banca waitng  for the sharks to go nearer.

Up-close 


While we were at the site the sharks are showing up. I can see everyone's faces,at the other bancas, with full of amusement. I assume they are in awe with what they see, same as what I am feeling. 


We enjoyed watching four giant sharks, at about 3-5 meters long and one baby shark, in white color.  They were following the fishermen that feed them with shrimps.  My boatman, Kuya Mervin said, there are times that there as many as 14 sharks in the place. 

Kuya Mervin,  is so  kind that he even offered here goggles for me to swim and check what's down there. He is even the one who takes picture of me whenever I am having an up-close encounter with the sharks.  

Seeing and swimming with them makes me reminisce my  feeling and reaction when I went to  Hongkong Disneyland. The feeling of forgetting everything and just enjoy what you are seeing.  I knew I  was acting and reacting  like a kid. Who would not be amazed seeing sharks at the sea, not in the ocean parks. 

My 30 minutes was up but I am still in awe with what I experienced and witnessed. My fear in swimming, with 15-feet deep, with the sharks  was conquered. Yahooo! Sharks didn't eat me. 


While I was heading back to Cebu City, riding on a bus, it was there I puzzled in, the question that I had been wanting to know the answer,  why my outlook had changed, from being so bitter and negative to having a positive outlook. 

It was in this trip that I realized that traveling helps me have a good outlook.  It was in this trip also that I officially confirmed that travelling makes me appreciate things more and makes me have a deeper appreciation in life, more than criticizing those negativity happening in me and around us.  


Travelling  totally sustains my sanity and good vibes. 

After this trip, I am getting ready for the next challenges and dares. I think my next is to swim without life vest, do cliff and scuba diving. Next to that is yet to be determined. 

So If I where you, leave your 2nd thoughts behind; Ignore your fears and doubts!  Don’t just be at your room. Get up, pack your  things and see the creation of My Ultimate Buddy and Your Untimate Buddy! He has a lot of things for us to be in awe and for us to enjoy and experience. This is a wonderful world for you and for all of us.


Note: Part two of this blog is on how to get there, random  practical tips, stories from the local folks that I  knew, learned, realized and observed. 

Lone traveler - Hong Kong and Macau trip

To go to a place alone where I never been before has been my practice as a birthday treat for myself. I started this last year and has been my addiction and tradition.

This year’s trip is something different as it is travelling overseas-  to Hong Kong and Macau-  without knowing anyone from there. 

This trip is a  personal dare. It is my second dare for the month of September.

This trip is just my trip. It was just out of curiosity.  I just want to experience and know how it is to be a stranger to one’s place; to experience the risk, uncertainty and also the adventure, excitement, fun and of course my favorite-surprises.

All those I mentioned were experienced in Hong Kong for two days and a day in Macau last September 18-20,2011. And of course I won’t miss capturing my experiences, in written, photograph, and of course through the lessons I learned from the trip in preparation for my  another  trip next year.

But you have to forgive me for taking just a few photos. I only have 177 photos, including some fireworks video in Disneyland. Forgive me for not bringing a SD card that has enough memory. I didn’t bought one there because I just want to simply embrace what I just have aside from having a tight budget. (I got a LESSON LEARNED though: To bring extra SD cards all the time.)

My trip allowed me to meet a lot of strangers from different races and I want to highlight those people whom had have been harmful and helpful along the way. The strangers I met were Filipinos and other races from different parts of the world.

When I arrived in Hong Kong, it was around 1 am. I was looking for a money changer to change my peso to Hong Kong dollar but unfortunately found no one at the airport; money changer shop was still close at that time.

But my Buddy is simply so good. He sent His angels to save me. He sent this  four Hiligaynon speaking girls from Iloilo (One of the places which is very close to my heart).  I met them at the airport’s restroom.  I approached them and found out that they too were also looking for a money changer and have the same hostel where I booked mine.

Since I don’t have HK dollar, I asked them if they can lend me 33 HK dollars for my fare from the airport to the hostel., and just pay them when we arrive at the hostel. The girls allowed me to borrow. Hehe..I don’t mind if you call me shameless. Haha.. (LESSON LEARNED: Change some of your peso to dollar before leaving your country.)

Then, my first day started.

I was already in "Dora the Explorer" mode, as my workmates often call me, bringing my backpack where my camera, tumbler and Hong Kong map are inside.

I was with the girls  and we were heading to Lantau Island, an island park where Hong Kong's  historical sites and the giant Buddha are found.

To reach the island, we rode a cable car for 25 minutes. It is almost 6 kilometers ropeway that allows you to enjoy the 360 degree bird’s eye view look and breath the fresh air of  Hong Kong.  It was so fun but not recommended for those who have fear in  heights and enclosed spaces.


I wish to have my photos taken during the ride but unfortunately no one has an eye for photography.  LESSON LEARNED: Bring tripod especially when you travel alone. The tripod is a good  travel buddy.

I found my own way going to the Giant Buddha as I prefer to be alone. While I  was walking at their Buddhist-designed architecture village on my way to the Giant Buddha,  I met an Indian man  who asked me to take photo of him with the Buddha as his background. There was also a Chinese woman who approached me to have my photo taken.; I think she was able to sense that I was looking for someone to take photo of me.

In one of the shops, I saw the Indian man again who again asked me to have his photo taken with this Buddha picture frames and wall as background. Then the sales lady asked us, “Do you want me to take picture of you both,” we both smiled and I quickly answered, “No! It 's ok. Thank you”.


The saleslady might be thinking that we were  travelling together. I wish to answer her, “I am sorry miss; I am not in your  place to find a partner. I just want to contemplate, discern and destress.” Hahaha. The experience made me realize that I don’t want to be in love with a perfect stranger, as my friend desired it to be. It is actually her wildest dream.

After a few minutes of  sightseeing and walking, I arrived at the top of the mountain where the giant Buddha sits serenely. It is believed to be the tallest outdoor Buddha. I am not a religious person but getting nearer with the Buddha gives me a feeling of spiritual intimacy with my Buddy.

Then day 2 came.

I allowed my feet decide where to go. My feet took me to Central, a district in Hong Kong where most of the signature shops are found. (If you happen to be a tourist, I suggest you to buy their  tourist pass cost 55 dollars where you can enjoy the unlimited Mass Transit Railway ride for 24-hours. MTR is their version of our MRT.)

I went out to the MTR station and a Jamaican looking guy caught my attention as he was following me and annoyingly asked if  I am alone. I supposed to cross the street going to a clothing shop but he won’t stop asking me the same question so I decided to change direction thinking that he will stop and will not follow me anymore. But after a few minutes, I again hear someone calling me from my back. I turned back and saw the guy again. I walked so fast for him to understand that I am not interested and  don't want to entertain him. I  felt relieved when he went back on his way. LESSON LEARNED:  Never panic. Be always wise and quick to think for options.

Then I saw this signage to "St John Cathedral". I think it s a missionary Catholic Church because there was a signage outside the church that says “Mission Filipino”. They might be helping Filipino people.


I stayed for an hour to have my intimate moment with my Buddy. And of course asked Him for  creativity, courage, strength, wisdom and of course my heart’s desire . It is the same prayer request which I always ask from Him  wherever I am, at any of our field offices. But  my  Antique-based  friends/workmates  would always include my prayer requests every Monday during their weekly devotion.  I wish He will grant all my requests soon. 

After Church, I went to Peak Tram and tried the train ride going to the uphill part of Hong Kong for a historical visit.
While roaming around, I saw this Disneyland booth at the ground floor and met one of the Disneyland staff.  Her name is Gladys. She was so kind answering some of my  questions for possible destination which I can visit and Disneyland schedules like the shows, fireworks and parade time. I bought my Disneyland ticket there and gave me a Disneyland pen secretly. She told me not to tell anyone that she gave me a pen.

Glady’s recommended me to go straight to Disneyland to catch up the 3:00 p.m. parade and 7:30 p.m. fireworks show then to proceed to Mong Kok after the fireworks show for souvenier shopping. Mong Kok is actually their version of Divisoria or Baclaran in Manila and Night Café in Cagayan de Oro.

It was a long MTR trip to Disneyland.  The MTR train from Sunny Bay, an interchange section to Disneyland has this customized Mickey Mouse statues and hand grips inside. The mood inside the MTR was so light as everyone were very excited to enter Disneyland. Everyone means not just children but people who are young at heart, even those people who are their 60's.  I think this Disneyland’s saying - "Here You Leave Today And Enter The World of Yesterday, Tomorrow and Fantasy" is really true.

Gladys advice has been very helpful. Thanks to her, I was able to experience some of the rides and catch up the Lion King, Golden Mickey show, Disneyland parade and the 15-minute fireworks display at the Sleeping Beauty Castle.  

I was not able to contain the enchanting and magical experience and since I was alone I just wrote those feeling in my notebook.


Seeing the  15-minute firework display at Sleeping Beauty Castle’s while listening to Disney songs was definitely the best. 

I was reminiscing my childhood and imagined fairy tale dreams, including having this wildest dream to experience a marriage proposal at Disneyland while enjoying the Disneyland firework. 


If this will happen, I promise to marry the man and take care of him, including all his needs for a lifetime...hahaha..I know it is a crazy dream. Dream on, Mai!

The 15-minute firework experience while standing in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle was even more enchanting and magical when I got a good news straight from Philippines.  The good news is an answered prayer that I had been asking for a couple of years now. Thanks Kuya Jhun for a very timely text message.


Then my last day came. I traveled to Macau. 

My Macau experience was definitely the funniest, terrible and somehow traumatic experience I had.

Because of being excited to take photo at the Immigration area, I never noticed a lot of signboards prohibiting people to take photos.


I took photos at the Immigration area then the Macau Immigration officer and the police called my attention. The police even  used his whistle.  I was so nervous that they might not allow me to get in Macau and the worst, would detain me for violating their rules.


Negative thoughts were running on my mind at that time. They might might seek revenge for what they just experienced with us, Pinoys. I was recalling all those incidents of drug trafficking, the one-year –old bus incident happened in Manila and etc.


I know those were crazy thoughts that I should not had entertained. LESSON LEARNED:  Be observant of the signs, before doing anything.

But aside from my Immigration experience, Macau had given me a great venue to just simply relax by just sitting at the corner, starring their amazing architectures and watching Gondola ride while the Gondolier, the Gondola driver, was singing Italian songs.


I was not able to visit different places in Macau but seeing the architecture inside the The Venetian Hotel is more than enough- the Gondola experience and the Italian-designed architecture inside the hotel. It was the best place to end my trip.

My three days and two nights trip was priceless.  The experience made me realize how it is to be a stranger in one’s place. It is so exciting to experience the risk, uncertainty and also the adventure, excitement, fun and surprises that you encounter along the way; And to know and identify, even at the first glance, who among those strangers you met along the way are helpful or harmful.

The experience gave me another perspective in my life and I think gave me more depth with all my reflections and "Aha" moments encountered along the way . Those experiences and strangers I met had have imparted a learning experience. I hope I was able to capture all of those in my notebook.


Thanks to my friends,  Karen, Michelle and Sandy for helping me with this trip.And to those strangers I met especially those who helped me along the way. Thanks napud sa mga harmful na tao I met..You rock my trip fellas! 

Truly, there‘s no greater act of hospitality than to embrace a stranger as one’s own, of course just make sure they are harmless..hehe.Until my next lone traveler trip….