Asia
Familiar and foreign. That's always Asia for me.
The continent I was born in - it may be late in my life when I started exploring. From the pristine waters of the Philippines to the ancient temples of Cambodia. From the craziness of Bangkok to the calm wonders of Halong Bay.
​
Welcome to my Asian adventures.
Cambodia | ANGKOR WAT
Visiting Angkor Wat was always a dream of mine since I saw the miniature look-alike in Ayutthaya in Thailand. And when I saw a feature on Discovery.
I travelled there with my Thai friend, Jing - from my Banyan Tree Days. It was supposed to be a girlfriend trip but her mom and dad decided to join last minute. Her parents were cool - especially her Dad, always up for a fun photo.
The flight from Bangkok to Siam Reap was harrowing. The small tora-tora-looking airplane has seen better days and seems to have flown during the last war - I remember looking at Jing and we both said to each other, we are going to die here!
Going through passport control was an experience. That was the first time a border patrol asked me for a tip right out in the open. When I confusingly asked what he meant - he took a $10 bill and waved in my face while saying the words repeatedly and impatiently - "Tip Tip"!
Beyond the airplane horror and the shocker at the airport - Siam Reap is lovely. Angkor Wat is as impressive as I thought it would be.
Used to the austere looking of statues in Europe, it was incredibly interesting to see that all Buddha-carved statues were smiling. Now that I think of it, it is a nice thought to be praying to a smiling deity than a frowning one.
While going around in Angkor Wat - you can hire a photographer to follow you on your entire trip. They charge around $10 and you can pose as much as you want.
​
ACTIVITY:
STAY:
China | HONGKONG
Porky Chan, it says on a random sign of a clinic. Only in China will you have a doctor that is named after a Looney Tunes character and be proud enough to put it on a sign.
I did a stopover in Hongkong on my way home for a day. The views from the airport train ride were one of the best I have seen in a while. In barely 30 minutes I was in the city. Perks of working in the HQ, when I arrived at the hotel - I got upgraded into a suite with again, great views.
For a short period - I did what normal tourists would do. I walked around, and grab some food (I mean, you can't call it Chinese anymore when you are in China). Saw a bottle of a century egg and some random snake bottled with spices. Meandered at the Temple Street Night market, shopped for souvenirs including a beautiful painting (that I forgot at the airport), and then ate again some street food weird-looking shrimp that were so good (which I learned now are called rock shrimps) in that area. I remember trying to give a tip and the owner screamed at me "No Tip! No Tip!". Quite the opposite of my experience in Cambodia.
It was the 3rd week of December when I went there - it was quite chilly but fresh. Tesla was on a rave there at that time. Locals refuse to call themselves Chinese. They refer to China as the mainland. And that I stopped over at their airport again on New Year's Eve and greeted the new year there. Except for some of those who were traveling together and greeted each other - Most of the passengers at the airport were just trying to avoid each other's eyes. That bit was depressing, nothing at all like at the movies.
​
ACTIVITY:
STAY:
China | LIJIANG
There are places that call you. Lijiang was one of those. I was going through all the Pullman hotels for marketing inspiration when I came upon Pullman Lijiang. And I knew one day - I will get there.
10 years after, I was gazing at the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from my villa lawn at the same hotel. A very good friend now works in the same hotel I.
Getting to Lijiang is not easy as there were no direct flights. From Dubai, I had to fly first to Kunming. Then from Kunming to Lijiang.
Being a friend of the Director of Sales - I got one of the best villas all for myself. It has its own
Lijiang is like having a glimpse of what Old China was. Like stepping into a Once Upon A Time in China scene. You'll find most of the resorts are facing the mountains.
If you like tofu - they do the best-grilled tofu, I have ever tasted in my life. I was so used to bland Chinese food so I wasn't expecting the burst of spices.
With my friend Julia - we went up to Dragon Snow Mountain. It was so high - everyone was holding portable oxygen to breathe into. I was sniffing that thing every few seconds. The views were incredible. Then we went down to a place called Blue Moon Valley with a rock formation I have never seen before in my life. It was fascinating at that time - not so much when I learned after that it was man-made. The Old Town is amazing, it is really like stepping back in time but with great shopping options, incredibly cheap ones. I closed my trip celebrating an advanced dinner with Julia at the Shuhe Old Town. Again, the food in Lijiang. Ah-may-zing. I may go back there just for that alone.
ACTIVITY:
STAY:
China | SHANGRI-LA
Before I visited Shangri-la, I only knew about the hotel brand. So was quite surprised when I learned that there was an actual place called such. A few hours' drive from Lijiang - lies this Tibetan town. There were only Chinese tourists - so I was sticking out like a sore thumb with my recently dyed ginger-flamed hair a la Little Mermaid.
The locals were so friendly. An old lady was one-upping me from climbing the stairs since I was stopping every few steps. Even the monks at the temple were urging me to catch my breath from climbing all those stairs.
This was my second time in China - Hongkong doesn't really count as it was quite cosmopolitan. The architecture screams the Far East, especially the Tibetan monastery called Songzanlin. Like most monasteries are - the place is quite above sea level, so make sure to bring water with you as the elevation can easily catch you by surprise. Not a single person speaks English - my roaming data saved me from Google translating everything from buying souvenirs to asking for directions. The funniest thing though was - while I was walking around trying to find a place to eat, I chanced upon a place serving Lebanese food. How random!
​
ACTIVITY:
STAY:
Malaysia | KUALA LUMPUR
I visited Kuala Lumpur to see a friend. And the main thing I can talk about is their food. I must have gained 5 pounds in my 3 days of stay there. Everything is just so yummy! As an Asian - I struggle with our food - too bland, too spicy, too much curry, too much meat, too sour, too sweet - etc. Here - it is just simply right to my taste, and for someone who is a picky eater - I would utter a Hallelujah except my mouth is filled with a second serving of egg and cheese paratha.
At first, my impression was it was so reminiscent of Dubai - but after a day there I realized it just wasn't. Unlike Dubai which is known to go for the obvious - KL basks in the subtle. The mystery, the hidden. You'd be walking at a ticket booth and then bam, behind it was a cozy bar serving gin-laced cocktails.
You'd climb up into some random tiny stairs and it would open up to an aesthetically designed vegan cafe.
KL is so big - and there is much to see, I would recommend walking around in their Chinese town for some random souvenirs. If you get to visit the monastery - take a walk behind and read the scriptures by those statues. I won't ruin the surprise - but it is imperative that you read them!
​
ACTIVITY:
Philippines | LAKE SEBU
I'll write while you sleep.
Philippines | MANILA
There are a lot of things in Manila to amuse yourself. From shopping at the Mall of Asia, haggling for discounts at the Divisoria Market, sunset walks by the Manila Bay, casino at New World Resort, and more.
I started my university years here at the University of Sto. Tomas - the oldest university in the country and Asia dating back to the early 16th century. Still, I simply just couldn't fit in. Too hot, too crowded and not in a good way. Traffic for hours.
As an archipelago of more than 7,100 islands - the distance has not fostered trust but created tall tales from neighbouring islands. And because I come from the South - most locals are leery towards me. People from the South are all thought to be mindless, psychotic warriors that go on murder sprees when provoked. For someone who doesn't even keep a sharp knife and has been a pacifist all my life - it is not a title appreciated. Although, some wore that title as a cloak and even spread rumours of their southern royalty.
However, one area always fascinates me since I was young. The walled city called Intramuros is an echo of the old-world Manila during the Spanish era. It boasts the ornate Manila Cathedral where most celebrities tie the knot (including my previous artsy Brit boss and his beautiful Filipina wife), cobbled streets and horse-drawn carriages. Fort Santiago complete with moats and cannons. It also has a statue and remnants of the country's national hero - Dr Jose Rizal. The only person in my life that after reading his biography, I muttered to myself - if his ghost walked up to me now - I would feel honoured instead of scared.
The first time I visited this place was when I was barely 10 - and the last visit I did was when I was 30. Through the years - whenever I find myself with extra time on my hands while in Manila - I walk through the gates of Intramuros and get fascinated all over again.
​
ACTIVITY:
STAY:
PHILIPPINES | GENERAL SANTOS
Thailand | BANGKOK
Bangkok was my rite of passage when it comes to travel. It was the first destination that I braved to travel to alone. I remember reading all the necessary precautions beforehand and yet lost my head when I arrived there.
There were 3 things the travel guide says. 1 - Use the official taxi at the airport. 2 - Have the hotel name printed in the Thai language ready. 3 - haggle when you buy.
As you can guess, I followed the first random person who approached me at the airport offering a lift, forgot the printout I readied and when I was faced with all these amazing products - I did not even think of haggling.
I have been to Bangkok twice and each time, I leave with extra luggage filled with clothes I might never wear again.
Places to visit would be the Grand Palace, Floating Market and a day trip to Ayutthaya Kingdom is a must. Obviously if you like to shop - do it at your heart's content.
​
ACTIVITY:
Ayutthaya Temples and River Cruise
Floating Market & Railway Market
STAY:
Thailand | AYUTTHAYA
Am old! Need time to remember
Vietnam | HANOI
Wait for my story. It's gonna be legendary.
​
ACTIVITY:
STAY:
Vietnam | NINH BINH
Am giving you a reason to come back!
​
ACTIVITY:
STAY: