No pictures of Chiang Mai

July 30, 2007 at 1:25 am | In Asia, travel | Leave a Comment
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Dear readers…some of the places I write were visited months or years ago.  I’m just compiling them here in Multiply.  Anyway, my Laos saga has a continuation.  It’s the seven-hour stay in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

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I’ve been reading a lot of rave reviews of Chiang Mai.  All I could think of was “I was there…for a good seven hours…or maybe less.”  But I’ve got no regrets.  My Chiang Mai experience was full of fun, laughter, and water.

“Water, you say?”  Yes, it was the height of the Songkran Festival and we were doused with water at every street and corner we turn.  Coming from an overnight bus ride from Nong Khai and Udon Thani, the sun’s rays were peeking through the sky when we were nearing Chiang Mai.  Our bus experienced some engine trouble so we were able to arrive late in Chiang Mai.

Our colleague, Bill, who was an expat living in Chiang Mai, thought we never made it so he went home after several hours of waiting at the bus station.  There we were almost wet and trying to get in touch with Bill.  He was surprised that we finally arrived in his little town, his second home, and assured us that he will be around in a few minutes.

At the bus station, we tried to stay away from the crowd as several pick-ups with a tankful of water and people armed with squirts and water machine guns passed through us.  ‘This is going to be one literally cool day,’ my friends and I thought.

Bill arrived and took us to a food garden for brunch.  We took a quick meal and headed to the center of the city.  Bill parked his car in an alley and warned us not to bring our stuff, most especially (take note) our cameras, as they may just end up wet and dripping.  So there, no pictures were taken and nothing to show you just how drenched we were.

As we were walking, we were the target of most kids because of the white guy with us.  They thought he was the tourist and we, the hosts.  They got it all mixed up.  Wherever we went, water guns just aimed at us as they doused us with cold water!  Traffic was heavy because of the pick-ups roaming the city.  Many of them were families who were really having some great fun.  It seemed that the entire Bangkok moved to Chiang Mai on this day.

We walked for almost eternity until we reached the main square.  People of all ages were swimming by the man-made canal and were throwing water at every person who passes by.  With the terrible heat, the water was a welcome respite, although it was not convenient at all.  Finally, we asked Bill if we could already change to dry clothes.  So, he drove us to his house and introduced us to his family.

Our bags were packed with wet clothes and it was becoming heavier by the minute.  We got a 4:00 train ride to catch to Bangkok and even if we wanted to stay in Chiang Mai, our flight to Manila is scheduled the next day.  Imagine the hassle of missing that train.  Finally, we were able to avoid getting wet (once more) before we boarded our train.  We were glad we made it to Chiang Mai and to the train station.  It was a brief experience but definitely one of the best travels I’ve ever had.  Never mind not having pictures taken.  That will be another reason for me to go back to Chiang Mai to visit their wonderful night market, the beautiful Wats and the colorful umbrellas.

Till then!

Lost in Laos

July 25, 2007 at 2:46 am | In Asia, travel | Leave a Comment
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When my mom and sister heard that I went to Laos, they asked, “Hindi ba laos doon?  It’s a dead country, right?“

That would be a bit of exaggeration…or understatement.  I don’t know which category to put Laos and you would probably wonder what’s in Laos that I had to go there.

Okay, okay, the place plays a major role in any travel adventure.  But that’s just one part of the picture.  Your companions and the experience you have while traveling complete the scene.   What made my trip to Laos extra special was that it was a spur of a moment thing.  We decided to head up to Laos while we were already in Bangkok.  The best part was that we planned to go there during the Songkran Festival season!

We secured train tickets from Bangkok to Nong Khai and from Chiang Mai to Bangkok.  Meaning, we don’t have tickets for our trips from Nong Khai to Vientiane and from Vientiane to Chiang Mai.  But before I rattle off our dilemma of how to go back to Bangkok, let me first tell you about the trip going to Laos.

The train ride was convenient especially that the seats are convertible to bunk beds.  Upon arrival at Nong Khai, we had to rent a car to get us to Vientiane.  Imagine my surprise to find the capital of Laos without paved roads, no malls, no urban symbol just the laidback Vientiane.  Funny thing was, we had to look for an internet shop, to inform our contact that we have arrived.  While waiting for our host to respond or arrive or be aware that we were existing, we walked around the public market and stopped at the post office.

The best way I can describe Vientiane is that it looks like Escalante to me.  Hmmm…Tarlac looks more progressive, Tagbilaran seems more modern, Camiguin…could be similar to it.  If ever I would get lost in the world, I wouldn’t dream of being in Vientiane.

But for retirees, it seems a perfect place because of the simple life there.  Lao PDR is not much of Lao People’s Democratic Republic but more of Lao People Don’t Rush.  I got that line from a local.  People were friendly and willing to please us despite their difficulty in English (I was mistaken for an American girl there! haha!).  I got to taste their local coffee — their rural version of Starbucks.  We went to a disco house which seemed to be a house converted into a bar and restaurant.  Temples were deserted.  There’s only one public market.  And just red, dusty roads.  The inn where we stayed had one ceiling fan and a common bathroom.  Surprising though that they have their own version of our Balut!

Yet, when Songkran came, people suddenly appeared from nowhere and everyone was just in jubilation.  There was no corner where we didn’t get wet.  When news reached us that buses were full, we had to cut the celebration and rush back to Nong Khai.  There was no train ride to Chiang Mai.  What we could do was forget our money spent for our Chiang Mai-Bangkoki tickets and just head back to Bangkok.  Yet, our spirits never wavered and we pursued our plan.   We got into a bus going to Udon Thani with hopes that we would catch a ride there to Chiang Mai.  Lady luck must have been smiling down at us because we were able to catch a bus which was about to leave and got the last three seats.

So there, we enjoyed Songkran better at Chiang Mai and was able to get to Bangkok.  All’s well that ends well.  Glad I’ve tried this kind of adventure — full of uncertainties and really out of my comfort zone.  Yah, we got lost in Laos and lost in our plans but that experience is etched in my memory for long.  That was I think seven years back but the memory plays in my mind like a DVD copy: clear, fresh and vivid.

Ahhh…and I could still picture the sunset at the Mekong river bank while we drank Lao beer.  Fishermen’s boats were slowly traversing down the river.  Time stood still and the bitter tang of the beer stayed on my lips.  What else can I say but…cheers!

Bangkok adventures

July 24, 2007 at 7:05 am | In Asia, travel | Leave a Comment
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Bangkok is no different than Manila.  Same populated urban metropolis, different beliefs.  Same features, different styles.  Same Asia, different personalities.  But there’s something about Bangkok that made me instantly attracted to it.  I like Bangkok and let me count the ways…

1. The Grand Palace is a place of history, culture and reverence.  It’s not those Disney type of palaces yet it’s Asian look and beauty is unique and awesome.
2. Riverboat ride.  Hmmm…ever imagine yourself spending dinner down Pasig river?
3. Cheap markets.  Weekend markets, wholesale markets, night markets…name it and they got it.  Don’t forget MBK.
4. Skytrain.  Very convenient especially for tourists.
5. Tom Yum Soup.  Yummy!  It’s sweet, sour and spicy taste brings life to any dining experience.
6. Temples.  I have never done a “sirena”-like pose and Buddha beat me to it!  On a serious note, I admire Buddhists for the simple life they follow.
7. Patphong.  The red light district comes alive at night!  Never a dull moment at Patphong.
8. Train station.  We were on our way to northern Thailand.  The train station is the closest I have for the train station to Hogwarts.
9. Cabbages and Condoms.  Lovely theme.  Nice resto.  Wonderful ambiance.  Tasteful food.
10. I’m missing something here… oh well, another reason to return to Bangkok, I guess.

Walk and eat at Binondo

July 16, 2007 at 4:54 am | In Philippines, travel | Leave a Comment
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These Binondo walks and other tours around the city of Manila have become a famous adventure especially for those who live in Manila yet have not gone through every nook and cranny of the old city.

It all started with an exciting discussion about these tours when one of our volunteers readily offered himself to take us on a tour around Binondo for free!  What started as a small talk topic blossomed into a reality.  Surprised was he when there were 14 of us who turned up at the meeting place last Saturday afternoon.

Starting from the Sta. Cruz Church where we were reprimanded since some of us were in inappropriate church clothes, we snaked our way towards Ongpin to small bakeries along Salazar.  We stopped on our way for a sip of sugarcane juice, which indeed tasted authentic sugarcane (I should know!).  One tip here, share food as much as you can so you will get to taste every bit of food your eyes (and pocket) can feast into.

Our volunteer guide, Jude, took us to Waiying fastfood where we had a fill of mami and dumplings.  Then we went back to Ongpin, stopping again in bakeries and passing by the Estero.  Construction activities are aplenty in Chinatown which made the walking tour a bit of a challenge.  It was like getting into Amazing Race.

Of course, we couldn’t miss the famous Binondo Church and the main Eng Bee Tin branch.  That street was just so violet that even the fire truck came out to be a big violet truck and not the standard red fire truck.  Next stop was Tasty Dumplings trying the famous Silver Roll Bread and other dumplings that they could offer.

Carvajal St. was like that alley in Harry Potter which seemed to be kept from the public.  It wasn’t a street at all but just a “lagusan” or a small passage between two buildings.  Yet, you’d be surprised that there are so many stuffs sold in this little walkway.

With 14 people in tow, Jude led us to Recto and unto Ambos Mundos Restaurant, a Spanish restaurant that has been around since the 19th century.  Three generations have passed and the restuarant is still in its great form.  One of the ladies there serving us have been with the restaurant for more than 60 years! And yep, you’ll find three charcoal-black Vietnamese pigs by the doorway.

So, how much do you know of Manila?  For the many times I’ve been there touring the newspapers in my past life (no, it’s past job) I have come to know of this small siopao shop near Paco Park.  You can also visit the Indian grocery stores and coffee shops at UN Avenue, just across Unilever.  Instituto Cervantes found its new home at the Casino Espanol building along Kalaw Ave., behind the Masagana supermarket.  The Pantalan near the Quirino Grandstand have various restaurants (if you can take the stink Manila Bay).  Try a romantic dinner aboard Tenessee Walker which will take you along the bay.  I still love Wok Inn near Malate Church.

Manila has so much to offer but they are taken for granted.  You can start at Chinatown in Binondo and you’ll enjoy a food trip of your life. :-)

Marching to Bataan

July 10, 2007 at 6:07 am | In Philippines, travel | Leave a Comment
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Bataan has a colorful past.  It was known for its role during the second world war.  The Fall of Bataan and the Death March are both celebrated when those days spoke of a gloomy history.  During Marcos’ and Cory’s times, Bataan was again in the front pages with the nuclear plant that was built within its boundaries.

Now, a new hue is painted in Bataan with WWF’s Pawikan Conservation Center.  Yes, those tortoise lay their eggs along Bataan shores.  Which is why it is important that the residents know how to care for these endangered species.

And so, Hands On Manila and Ayala Land Inc. volunteers took a three-hour drive to the Pawikan Center to learn about these species and to extend the advocacy to grade two students at Morong Central Elementary School.  It was there that I learned the difference between fishes and marine mammals.

The Pawikan Center is situated in a very tranquil spot along the shore of Bataan.  The waves were so big that it would be good to do some surfing there.

Another beautiful much-awaited sanctuary in Bataan is the Anvaya Cove which is being developed by ALI.  The view is just so breathtaking.  From the cliff side, the beach below was a great sight to behold.  It truly looks like paradise but it comes with a price so I content myself with just taking my fill of the majestic view.

Check my photos to see the sights of Bataan and the activities we did with the kids.  Be one with us in caring for nature!

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