Good, I'm glad that caught your attention ;).
It's kind of like the Mayas believed that the world was going to end, only to find out it was more meant as the start of something new and therefore the end of 'an old world'. There is a lot of chapters that I closed in the last few weeks and will close in the near future, my traveling days (long term), me living at home, etc. I have felt confused about all of this and have given it a lot of thought or well..mostly I went with how I felt and I realized what I already have. I have lived and lived and lived my life to the fullest, but doing so, I haven't built a life for myself or a place of my own. And I feel strongly that I would like some stability in my life or at least a place of my own. Never say never, but for now, I am moving towards my own home, a steady job, a life here in the Netherlands. And doing so, leaving a version of myself 'behind'. On to new adventures, perhaps less exotic than the ones abroad but nonetheless adventures I can call my own. Finding out what the fuzz is all about in growing up and all that ^_^. And it took some time, but I am ready to give it a shot and to explore 'normal' life for a change. And to no longer feel like I am 'in between' several lives, several homes, several 'me's'. And as people reread books, I can always reread and reopen a chapter. But for now, I will turn the page to a new story :). To be continued...
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Sunday, September 25, 2016
28 years of age ^_^!
Made it! Haha.
"Getting older sucks". Does it though? Looking back to last year (or years), there were times that I felt my body weakening but my mind usually strong as ever. Mind over body right? I sure as hell tried to! I sometimes felt confused and a bit lost but mostly I felt great, happy, hopeful and proud! Everything I have done, seen and experienced all contributed to these feelings! I learned that dreams were never meant to just come true. Not without teaching you how to work hard towards something, to believe, to dream, to hope.. And with all of that and perhaps a dash of luck..you'll get there, I got there!
And yeah, time does fly when you're having fun, yet I still feel like I have all the time in the world even though I do treat every second of every day as if they were my last, as usual living in between two extremes. And I've heard it before that time is of the essence.. But what if time is just time, just numbers, relevant yet irrelevant. You can try to control it or you can just try and let it be and enjoy the moment you are in right now. Whatever happens, happens...it's life. And when it happens just right, oh boy, what a feeling! I hope you all find something today to be happy about, something that puts a smile on your face or will even give you 'happy tears' and try to find that moment every day, I know I did :)!
Happy 28th birthday to me.
Friday, September 16, 2016
I am a lost boy / A place to call home
"There was a time when I was alone, nowhere to go and no place to call
home". The beginning of a song I first heard in the States about being a Lost
Boy (from the Peter Pan story). After hearing it a few times, I began to like
the song and hearing it again last week, I found meaning in it. Feeling at home
wherever I go but not have a home that I can call my own, being 'lost' but also
free. I've also noticed that I can get somewhat attached, but not so much to
things, but to people or surroundings, to what can't be bought with money. I'm
not sure if it's even being attached or just being used to it.
The other day when I walked from the car to the office building I work at, I looked up to the window on the first floor and I saw a familiar face, a face I see every other day, a face that I have been seeing for a few years now. And in this moment I realized that this would soon be it as my last day here is getting closer and that yes, I either got attached or used to it. And most of what I've done so far or felt attached or used to has been temporarily, but I have always done it with all my heart and given it my all, my best. And all of a sudden, it's like I do want to stay and like I did find my place in it all. But I also don't want to miss out on anything that is yet to come.
And so what do I always do when a chapter in my life is about to end? I start planning another one. Another trip, another activity, anything to keep me busy and happy. And again, maybe leave friends and family behind. And wondering from time to time if it's the right thing to do. I even applied for a job here, because I really am so confused as to what I want to do next...
I guess I am still hoping that a fairytale will come my way. A place, a life where everything is easy, where everything just fits and who knows, where everyone is merry and sings, even the animals ;). It might be Neverland (literally, because I'll Never find it) but it might also be the place, the paradise I have always been looking for or for all I know always avoided, because it was right there all along. I guess I'll know when I should and until then, I will always move forward and dream. "I am a lost boy from Neverland and lost boys like me are free".
The other day when I walked from the car to the office building I work at, I looked up to the window on the first floor and I saw a familiar face, a face I see every other day, a face that I have been seeing for a few years now. And in this moment I realized that this would soon be it as my last day here is getting closer and that yes, I either got attached or used to it. And most of what I've done so far or felt attached or used to has been temporarily, but I have always done it with all my heart and given it my all, my best. And all of a sudden, it's like I do want to stay and like I did find my place in it all. But I also don't want to miss out on anything that is yet to come.
And so what do I always do when a chapter in my life is about to end? I start planning another one. Another trip, another activity, anything to keep me busy and happy. And again, maybe leave friends and family behind. And wondering from time to time if it's the right thing to do. I even applied for a job here, because I really am so confused as to what I want to do next...
I guess I am still hoping that a fairytale will come my way. A place, a life where everything is easy, where everything just fits and who knows, where everyone is merry and sings, even the animals ;). It might be Neverland (literally, because I'll Never find it) but it might also be the place, the paradise I have always been looking for or for all I know always avoided, because it was right there all along. I guess I'll know when I should and until then, I will always move forward and dream. "I am a lost boy from Neverland and lost boys like me are free".
Saturday, July 09, 2016
Floating in between..
'Secretely', I like being at home in The Netherlands but I also sometimes feel like I don't belong here or anywhere really for that matter. It's hard to explain, but for the last 6 years, I've been at home on and off. And I've felt home or comfortable wherever I go, I make friends or am with family and I love doing that, meeting new people. There was a time here, at home, that I met new people every single time I went out. And of course as we get older ;), we learn who stays and who goes. But those friends also go through a lot themselves, break ups, moving from one place to another, new relationships, new friends, getting married, having kids or getting a pet. And not being there for a lot of that stuff sometimes feels like I am disconnected from them somehow. Like I don't know them that well (anymore), just bits an pieces. It's not a bad thing necessarily. And people say that what I do, is something nobody can ever take away from me. Which is true and I am persistent in making it happen and do what I love and be happy, no matter what the cost. Mostly because I don't want to live my life thinking 'what if' and live with regrets. But what and who I am actually leaving behind every time, are the things and people that later in life (when I finally do decide to not travel this much) I will want to have around me. And it's hard to built on something when there's always a break in between. And every once a blue moon, I do wonder what my life would have been like, had I not gone traveling, time and time again. Would I have had different relationships, friends, jobs, all and all a different life. Of which I am pretty sure I would have. And how to choose between two great paths, happy paths. One of which I live as if there is no tomorrow (which is pretty much what I do) and one as if I Iive to be a hundred and think about the future every once in a while (which is probably what I should do in time). But for some reason I still think that I need to live now, live today, live as if there is no tomorrow, just to get the most out of my life. And thinking about that, I guess it's a small price to pay to just be floating in between everything and have an everlasting natural high :). I am 100% committed to what I do when I do it, but it's never a life long (or long term for that matter) commitment. But eh I've always thought to myself that as long as I do it whilst having fun and being happy, that it must be the right thing to do!
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Traveling, a choice I made...
Life is about the choices we make and risks we (are willing to) take. And I decided a long time ago, that what I want to be when I grow up, is happy. There's a note on my mirror that has been there for at least 15 years that says: "What if you'd die tomorrow, are you happy?". Obviously not happy about dying but happy about the life you've lived. I still don't always consciously read the note, but I think I've always seen it somehow and I do know that it's there. And that is what I have been trying to do since I put it up there I guess. Make the choices that, in the end, make me happy.Of course, it would have been 'easy' if I could have been happy with the same old same. A man on my side, a near future of getting married and having children as a lot of my friends are doing right now (not that I am saying that finding love is easy, quite the contrary, I think there's work, effort and luck involved there as well). But I chose to travel, I chose to take a different path, I chose to not participate in any of it. Of course I have had a few relationships and in the end, I chose that it was not what made me truly happy, not at the moment anyway.
Traveling, meeting new people, seeing/meeting friends and family around the world, discovering all these wonders of the world, that is what makes me happy (at the moment), those are the things that put a smile on my face each and every day. Anything or anyone holding me back was/were a weakness to me, something or someone I would try to forget to live my dream. And I know it sounds selfish and in this case, it is. I am not a selfish person in general, not at all. But when I have my mind set on something, I am going for it 100%! And that is why it is better to do this alone, without leaving anyone behind. Because that is what it felt like. And there have been times that I was away, that I felt alone of course, but never for long and it's okay to be alone too at times and knowing that in the end it will be worth it. And besides WiFi was never too far to be found and so neither were my friends and family. And I have learned in the past who my friends are and who will always be my friends, no matter where I am or when I would return :). Of course, it hasn't always been the easiest thing to do, to leave, to say goodbye (farewell), to let go, even though I know many of you think I live this fairy-tale life. And in some way I do, true. But to every upside, there's a downside. I just focus on the upside and let go of the downside. It's not worth my time to dwell on the downside when the upside is so fantastic!!
I do what makes me happy, now. I always aim to live without any regrets and I have done well so far. But it's not as if everything came falling in to my lap or money grows on a tree in my backyard. I have worked hard for it and as a friend said, we don't sacrifice or give up anything, we choose to do so. I chose this path, this way of living. And I, 100% support that choice.
It's been a while since I put anything this personal in one of my posts, but I heard, it is what people want to read ;). With that, I wish everyone a healthy and most of all happy life, no matter which choices you have made in the past or will make in the future! If this is your life's path, you go for it and be happy :)! Ksx
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
If in doubt, just jump! (Oz - Bali - Florida)
To explain the title, I was discussing dance moves with Trish one night and she ended up saying "If in doubt, just jump". And she jumped to the song. But it's actually kind of fitting too, if in doubt about anything, just (take the) jump, take the risk, a leap of faith, go out and explore!
Every day I try to consciously stop doing whatever I'm doing or thinking whatever I'm thinking for a second and actually take in where I am, what's around me and it always makes me smile. Smile because the sun is rising, smile because I see children laughing or dancing, smile because the birds are singing their song, smile because a beautiful butterfly passes, smile because I am once again abroad and enjoying the s*** out of it, smile because life is good. Appreciate the little things around you, focus on the positive rather than the negative and as Einstein once said: "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle".
Back to Oz - If it wasn't for family, I would have never gone back
As you might have read in my last blog, I was very keen on leaving the Philippines. And even more so to see my family in Australia again. For those wondering how they are related to me, it's my grandfathers (on my mothers side) sister and her children and grandchildren living in Australia, most of them located in Western Australia. So my great aunt, 2nd and 3rd cousins. But it seemed more like having another grandmother and aunts, uncles and cousins :).
I arrived at Perth international airport and recognized everything. Where last time I had to ask where the bus stop was, I right away knew where to go. It was a long way from the Philippines to my actual final destination, Bunbury. A couple of flights with hours in between them and then a 4 hour wait for the bus totaled up to about 24 hours.
I was welcomed at the bus terminal by my family with open arms. It's funny how it's been two years and it was only the 2nd time seeing them, but it didn't seem to matter.
I had a lot of down time whilst there, reading books, walking the love of my life Kayla (haha one of their dogs), exchanging family stories, eating, laughing. The kids were on a break from school so got to see them more too. I did feel a bit 'useless' at times or maybe pampered is a better word :), as if I should do more around the house or help out as I am always used to. It didn't seem necessary to them though but doing close to nothing isn't really in my nature. But it was nice to be taken care of and I got to totally relax and rest (*sounds like an old lady*).
My objection for this trip was to get to know the family a bit better and try and come back every two years or so. And after this trip, to go home, get a job, an apartment and start to settle down a bit in Arnhem. Little did I know that I would feel a wee bit different in the end. It turned out that, even though I've said it over and over again that I would have never gone back to Oz if it wasn't for family because I'd seen what I wanted to see there, it's actually having the family there and being part of it, that makes me want to come back and see more, more of Oz and more of the family.
About 4 days or so before I left Oz, it was that after having a couple of drinks (which Australians are really keen on btw haha) and acting silly, that we talked about me coming back and about the working holiday visa (since I still have the option to use it till I'm 31). And after that night, I didn't seem to be able to forget about it in the days that followed. This weird tingling, tensed feeling in my stomach of excitement kept with me for days.. And I kept thinking: "Am I really doing it?!"
I have always felt as if I could better express myself in English and most know that I love speaking it more than I do my own language (Dutch). And I loved speaking it here non stop apart from a few bad Dutch words that 'someone' wanted to learn haha. And I really think that I might give it a try, just like I did with Florida once before. So without too many promises, I left today and am definitely going to look in to it. Because if I would, I would leave again this year, before getting an apartment, before getting a steady job, before settling down. I am writing this during my flight to Bali where I'll hang out with friends from back home for about a week, which is also very exciting!
Bali, back again
And off I went, back to Bali! Fell in love with Bali 2 years ago when I first visited and was only suppose to stay for two nights but ended up staying for two weeks! My mom is from Indonesia and It felt like home and I didn't want to leave. And here I am, back again, meeting up with friends from back home. They booked an all inclusive resort holiday and since I wanted to be close, but that place was way to expensive, I found a family owned homestay nearby. My friends would hook me up with 'free' drinks (all inclusive for them) at their resort and we had so much fun! Went around the island and saw some really cool stuff! The food was, once again, AMAZING :)! Which isn't really the case when it came to our singing skills during karaoke, but eh that's what it's for right and at least we enjoyed ourselves! It's so great to be able to go around the world meeting up or visiting friends and family.
-Quick update on Australia, I am planning on leaving again in October. I might visit Japan again :) and/or do a roadtrip from Darwin to Perth and might work on the way and then try and find a job closer to family.-
35 hours in 1 day
In a spur of the moment, I decided that I would visit my aunt and cousins in Florida after Bali, rather than traveling through Europe for about two weeks. You see, I had a two week gap in between Bali and meeting up with a friend in Sweden and I found a really cheap roundtrip ticket. I decided I would rather spent two weeks in the Florida sun than going through Europe. It took me 35 hours to get from Bali-Doha-Stockholm-Copenhagen-Toronto-Miami, so 5 flights and since I went back in time (12 hours) it 'only' took me '1 day'. In the time I went to Florida, Simone (my aunt) went to Holland for a few days to celebrate Mothers day with her mom and reunite with a lot of friends and family. It was very strange seeing her with my sisters and mom when I was with her kids. But I enjoyed myself every day, laid back in the sun, met up with almost everyone that I have met in the past years to catch up, celebrated Mothers Day with friends and family, celebrated my cousins birthday (officially a teenager now) and shared a lot of laughs. I also finally drove again, what a great feeling of freedom! I realized I missed driving even though it's only been about two months! It's such a great feeling with the windows open, the sun in your face and great music to sing along to. Anyway, I might go back in July..time will tell.
I flew from Miami-Zurich-Stockholm today, what an exhausting trip. Not only did I hardly sleep on my last night in the States, I hardly slept during my trip down here as well. Am super tired! Which is funny, cause I didn't feel this tired after my 35 hours of travel. But it'll be an early night for me and with the promise to myself to one day coming back to Stockholm for a proper city trip! Flying to Ostersund tomorrow to visit a friend for a few nights!!
Okidoki, that's all for now.
Cheers,
T aka Heidi aka Teddybear aka T-grizzly aka TALITHA :)
Every day I try to consciously stop doing whatever I'm doing or thinking whatever I'm thinking for a second and actually take in where I am, what's around me and it always makes me smile. Smile because the sun is rising, smile because I see children laughing or dancing, smile because the birds are singing their song, smile because a beautiful butterfly passes, smile because I am once again abroad and enjoying the s*** out of it, smile because life is good. Appreciate the little things around you, focus on the positive rather than the negative and as Einstein once said: "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle".
Back to Oz - If it wasn't for family, I would have never gone back
As you might have read in my last blog, I was very keen on leaving the Philippines. And even more so to see my family in Australia again. For those wondering how they are related to me, it's my grandfathers (on my mothers side) sister and her children and grandchildren living in Australia, most of them located in Western Australia. So my great aunt, 2nd and 3rd cousins. But it seemed more like having another grandmother and aunts, uncles and cousins :).
I arrived at Perth international airport and recognized everything. Where last time I had to ask where the bus stop was, I right away knew where to go. It was a long way from the Philippines to my actual final destination, Bunbury. A couple of flights with hours in between them and then a 4 hour wait for the bus totaled up to about 24 hours.
I was welcomed at the bus terminal by my family with open arms. It's funny how it's been two years and it was only the 2nd time seeing them, but it didn't seem to matter.
I had a lot of down time whilst there, reading books, walking the love of my life Kayla (haha one of their dogs), exchanging family stories, eating, laughing. The kids were on a break from school so got to see them more too. I did feel a bit 'useless' at times or maybe pampered is a better word :), as if I should do more around the house or help out as I am always used to. It didn't seem necessary to them though but doing close to nothing isn't really in my nature. But it was nice to be taken care of and I got to totally relax and rest (*sounds like an old lady*).
My objection for this trip was to get to know the family a bit better and try and come back every two years or so. And after this trip, to go home, get a job, an apartment and start to settle down a bit in Arnhem. Little did I know that I would feel a wee bit different in the end. It turned out that, even though I've said it over and over again that I would have never gone back to Oz if it wasn't for family because I'd seen what I wanted to see there, it's actually having the family there and being part of it, that makes me want to come back and see more, more of Oz and more of the family.
About 4 days or so before I left Oz, it was that after having a couple of drinks (which Australians are really keen on btw haha) and acting silly, that we talked about me coming back and about the working holiday visa (since I still have the option to use it till I'm 31). And after that night, I didn't seem to be able to forget about it in the days that followed. This weird tingling, tensed feeling in my stomach of excitement kept with me for days.. And I kept thinking: "Am I really doing it?!"
I have always felt as if I could better express myself in English and most know that I love speaking it more than I do my own language (Dutch). And I loved speaking it here non stop apart from a few bad Dutch words that 'someone' wanted to learn haha. And I really think that I might give it a try, just like I did with Florida once before. So without too many promises, I left today and am definitely going to look in to it. Because if I would, I would leave again this year, before getting an apartment, before getting a steady job, before settling down. I am writing this during my flight to Bali where I'll hang out with friends from back home for about a week, which is also very exciting!
Bali, back again
And off I went, back to Bali! Fell in love with Bali 2 years ago when I first visited and was only suppose to stay for two nights but ended up staying for two weeks! My mom is from Indonesia and It felt like home and I didn't want to leave. And here I am, back again, meeting up with friends from back home. They booked an all inclusive resort holiday and since I wanted to be close, but that place was way to expensive, I found a family owned homestay nearby. My friends would hook me up with 'free' drinks (all inclusive for them) at their resort and we had so much fun! Went around the island and saw some really cool stuff! The food was, once again, AMAZING :)! Which isn't really the case when it came to our singing skills during karaoke, but eh that's what it's for right and at least we enjoyed ourselves! It's so great to be able to go around the world meeting up or visiting friends and family.
-Quick update on Australia, I am planning on leaving again in October. I might visit Japan again :) and/or do a roadtrip from Darwin to Perth and might work on the way and then try and find a job closer to family.-
35 hours in 1 day
In a spur of the moment, I decided that I would visit my aunt and cousins in Florida after Bali, rather than traveling through Europe for about two weeks. You see, I had a two week gap in between Bali and meeting up with a friend in Sweden and I found a really cheap roundtrip ticket. I decided I would rather spent two weeks in the Florida sun than going through Europe. It took me 35 hours to get from Bali-Doha-Stockholm-Copenhagen-Toronto-Miami, so 5 flights and since I went back in time (12 hours) it 'only' took me '1 day'. In the time I went to Florida, Simone (my aunt) went to Holland for a few days to celebrate Mothers day with her mom and reunite with a lot of friends and family. It was very strange seeing her with my sisters and mom when I was with her kids. But I enjoyed myself every day, laid back in the sun, met up with almost everyone that I have met in the past years to catch up, celebrated Mothers Day with friends and family, celebrated my cousins birthday (officially a teenager now) and shared a lot of laughs. I also finally drove again, what a great feeling of freedom! I realized I missed driving even though it's only been about two months! It's such a great feeling with the windows open, the sun in your face and great music to sing along to. Anyway, I might go back in July..time will tell.
I flew from Miami-Zurich-Stockholm today, what an exhausting trip. Not only did I hardly sleep on my last night in the States, I hardly slept during my trip down here as well. Am super tired! Which is funny, cause I didn't feel this tired after my 35 hours of travel. But it'll be an early night for me and with the promise to myself to one day coming back to Stockholm for a proper city trip! Flying to Ostersund tomorrow to visit a friend for a few nights!!
Okidoki, that's all for now.
Cheers,
T aka Heidi aka Teddybear aka T-grizzly aka TALITHA :)
Friday, April 01, 2016
Ups and downs in the Philippines
Movie-time in Manila
So, I made it! A lot of people recommend to skip Manila if you can and continue your travels within the Philippines right after landing here. But I figured I would take a look for myself. It's a big city and well..that's it. The Filipino's speak a lot of English and very well too, which is nice! Part of the city was very modern with skyscrapers and even a Trump
Tower -_-. I walked around for a bit and went to see Kung Fu Panda 3, what a great movie! It sort of teaches you that, not until you know who you truly are, will you be able to reach your full potential. The movie made me want to see panda's in China (volunteering) even more! Other than that I didn't do much, just watched the people for a bit. I was warned to watch my stuff, my bag, since there's a lot of theft. But I felt okay. I did see a lot of locals hold their bags very closely (on their lap), even in the cinema. So I guess the warning was grounded. There's a lot of security everywhere and signs too. No drugs, no weapons, etc. Even when I got to the airport to fly to Cebu, I couldn't even walk in without a security check and non-passengers aren't allowed. The people do seem really friendly though :), but everywhere you go, there's always a few rotten apples I guess.
Chaotic Cebu City
From one city to the next. The Taxi driver that 'offered' me a ride, Mr. Robinson, funny guy, was talking about drinking beers with me on the mountain that night, marrying me so he could move to Holland and said I was pretty. Yeah, okay. Goodbye Mr. Robinson. I had 2 nights in Cebu City, again too much. But I did take my first ride in a Jeepney. The first Jeepneys were originally made from U.S. military jeeps left over from World War II. But they are now the most popular type of public transportation here. Kind of "Pimp my ride" Jeeps, Kitsch style and mostly overcrowded but very cheap! It was a fun experience. On our way back, we didn't know which number to take back as it was a different one coming there. And I asked a security guard and he said: "It's better for your safety to take a taxi, ma'am". Which surprised me a bit, but since we took one there without any problems, we also took one back. So it's not that I ever not felt safe here, but everyone around me makes me feel as if I should. I met some cool people at the hostel and we shared our experiences. There was this one guy that had so many amazing stories to tell and saw a lot of countries from another side. A less touristy and more daring way of travel and he that way, saw a different and surprising side at times. Which really is an
amazing way to travel!
Big eyed Tarsiers in Bohol
Well well, Bohol...I've learned a thing or two in Bohol. I must say, before getting to Bohol, I really had almost given up on The Philippines. Didn't care for it too much at all. Didn't care for Bohol too much either, the beach and it's water is full of seaweed. They set up restaurants quite early which takes away from the beach as well. I did take a day trip and finally saw some of the beauty this country has to offer. Tarsier spotting (cute little animals with big eyes, which you can't touch or they will most likely commit suicide), Chocolate Hills, a hanging bridge, a man made forest, a 130kg Python that I held (partially of course) and took a picture with and the amazing Loboc River! It was a good day, but not something I would say I would come to The Philippines for. I have learned that what makes this country, a paradise, are the beaches, the islands. Unfortunately for me, this is not what I came here for. So The Philippines has so far been a bit of a let down. And I will have to come back to see some of the amazing and beautiful islands I have heard and read so much about in the last few weeks! I still have high hopes for my upcoming whaleshark swim (if I don't chicken out) and the North of The Philippines!! But for now, I chose to relax at a 'resort' with a pool until my flight leaves to Legazpi (from where I will move on to Donsol to swim with whalesharks) on Monday.
Delightful Dao
After taking a jeepney for about an hour and then a tricycle (also a popular and cheap way of transportation here, a motorcycle with a joined kind of sidecar). 3 days in a 'resort' with a swimming pool, what a delight. I booked a room at Dao Diamond Hotel, a hotel that supports and works with the Deaf. What an amazing initiative!! People are so nice here. I really enjoyed my days here. Big room, 80 channels on the tv, an outdoor swimming pool (that was all mine till about 4pm when either the kids or elderly would come out and 'play' as well). I finally was able to read my book again and totally relax and do pretty much nothing, except for my 4 hour excursion to a mall nearby where I went to see another movie and went to Jollibee (the most popular fastfood chain here). Oh and a mega super cheap supermarket. It's funny going to the movies here when people just walk in or leave half way a movie, still not sure why. I also really enjoyed how quiet traffic has been the last few weeks. There's lots of traffic but in Myanmar they would honk and honk and honk. They rarely do that here. I also managed to finally have clean feet again, which was impossible in Myanmar!
Delayed in Donsol (Legazpi)
I found out that if you book through Cebu Pacific with a connecting flight, also with Cebu Pacific, that if the first one is delayed, so is the second. So I didn't need to worry about missing my connecting flight when the first one was delayed for over an hour. I had about half an hour to get to my second flight and made it, my bag however did not... So there I was in Legazpi, then the bus to Donsol without my backpack, without my swim wear...kind of hard to swim with Whalesharks without it. So my first day I couldn't do much, but sleep, relax, enjoy, met some people. Bag got there at 5pm..so I went the next morning. There was a girl in my room that went for her 2nd time and she, luckily for me, had a GoPro! What an amazing experience to see these magnificent creatures! The first one I saw, getting dragged forward by our instructor, was a WOW HOLY SHIT OMG moment! Huge and beautiful. The other boats quickly caught on and went in too. It seemed busy although everyone kept their distance from the whaleshark. I still didn't care for it much. Later on we found a few that only we went in to see. Amazing. The last one (5th or 6th) was the biggest one. I first saw the tail very close by and figured it had to be big by the size of the tail. It ended up being 8-9 meters. The biggest one swimming around in these waters is however 18 meters! I loved doing it and wished I could have done two as well. But there's always next time :)!
Stunning Sagada
Flew back to Manila for a night...Holy week...The week before/during eastern is called holy week here...peak season and closed malls. I booked a hotel close to the airport and mall of Asia, figured I would go to the mall. But it was closed on Holy Thursday and Good friday. Wanted to book a bus to Sagada on friday, but because that is a holiday, they skip friday and start going on saturday again. I've never had this much 'bad luck' as I've had here. But ah well, as Dory says, we just 'keep swimming'. Stayed in Quezon City for a night before taking the night bus to Sagada. To get to the bus terminal, I took a taxi from the hostel to and was again warned to be careful and then the driver told me a story about a tourist who got stabbed in a taxi and left for dead somewhere...and a backpack in Manila is a 'frontpack', always wear it on the front. Again...I felt like I shouldn't feel safe..
The busride up (9pm-8am) was long but what beautiful views! Ricefields, mountains/hills, lots of green, lots of nature. It felt so different from anything I've seen in The Philippines so far! I spotted another solo traveler in the bus and ended up sharing a room with her and spending out time in Sagada together. First stop was the Hanging Coffins. There's 19. The first thing I noticed was that the coffins were small. Our 16 year old guide told us that they were buried the same way they were born so in a fetal position. It was very interesting to see, even though I thought there were loads more. We walked a bit through the streets and up and down the hills of Sagada for our remaining time here. It was beautiful. The air was clean, there were hardly any mosquitoes. It cooled down a lot at night, no need for AC in the room or even a fan. Definitely one of the better parts of The Philippines! The way back to Manila was very foggy, we sat in the first row and wow, could hardly see a thing. Very exciting and we eventually made it :).
I spent my last few nights in The Philippines in a hotel with a pool again, but it was a bit cloudy so also did some sightseeing. And that's it for The Philippines. I feel like I haven't done a whole lot, but I did do and see some beautiful things and met a lot of great people whilst doing it! I have never been asked so many times if I was by myself and why? in a country. I was warned multiple times about the people by other locals, but have had nothing happened to me. Well time to move on and who knows, I might be back someday to see a bit of the paradise side :)! Oh and I got a bad sunburn on my back during the Whaleshark swim and it started to peel in Sagada, every day a different country/continent would appear, wicked ^_^.
Cheers!
So, I made it! A lot of people recommend to skip Manila if you can and continue your travels within the Philippines right after landing here. But I figured I would take a look for myself. It's a big city and well..that's it. The Filipino's speak a lot of English and very well too, which is nice! Part of the city was very modern with skyscrapers and even a Trump Tower -_-. I walked around for a bit and went to see Kung Fu Panda 3, what a great movie! It sort of teaches you that, not until you know who you truly are, will you be able to reach your full potential. The movie made me want to see panda's in China (volunteering) even more! Other than that I didn't do much, just watched the people for a bit. I was warned to watch my stuff, my bag, since there's a lot of theft. But I felt okay. I did see a lot of locals hold their bags very closely (on their lap), even in the cinema. So I guess the warning was grounded. There's a lot of security everywhere and signs too. No drugs, no weapons, etc. Even when I got to the airport to fly to Cebu, I couldn't even walk in without a security check and non-passengers aren't allowed. The people do seem really friendly though :), but everywhere you go, there's always a few rotten apples I guess.
Chaotic Cebu City
From one city to the next. The Taxi driver that 'offered' me a ride, Mr. Robinson, funny guy, was talking about drinking beers with me on the mountain that night, marrying me so he could move to Holland and said I was pretty. Yeah, okay. Goodbye Mr. Robinson. I had 2 nights in Cebu City, again too much. But I did take my first ride in a Jeepney. The first Jeepneys were originally made from U.S. military jeeps left over from World War II. But they are now the most popular type of public transportation here. Kind of "Pimp my ride" Jeeps, Kitsch style and mostly overcrowded but very cheap! It was a fun experience. On our way back, we didn't know which number to take back as it was a different one coming there. And I asked a security guard and he said: "It's better for your safety to take a taxi, ma'am". Which surprised me a bit, but since we took one there without any problems, we also took one back. So it's not that I ever not felt safe here, but everyone around me makes me feel as if I should. I met some cool people at the hostel and we shared our experiences. There was this one guy that had so many amazing stories to tell and saw a lot of countries from another side. A less touristy and more daring way of travel and he that way, saw a different and surprising side at times. Which really is an
amazing way to travel!
Big eyed Tarsiers in Bohol
Well well, Bohol...I've learned a thing or two in Bohol. I must say, before getting to Bohol, I really had almost given up on The Philippines. Didn't care for it too much at all. Didn't care for Bohol too much either, the beach and it's water is full of seaweed. They set up restaurants quite early which takes away from the beach as well. I did take a day trip and finally saw some of the beauty this country has to offer. Tarsier spotting (cute little animals with big eyes, which you can't touch or they will most likely commit suicide), Chocolate Hills, a hanging bridge, a man made forest, a 130kg Python that I held (partially of course) and took a picture with and the amazing Loboc River! It was a good day, but not something I would say I would come to The Philippines for. I have learned that what makes this country, a paradise, are the beaches, the islands. Unfortunately for me, this is not what I came here for. So The Philippines has so far been a bit of a let down. And I will have to come back to see some of the amazing and beautiful islands I have heard and read so much about in the last few weeks! I still have high hopes for my upcoming whaleshark swim (if I don't chicken out) and the North of The Philippines!! But for now, I chose to relax at a 'resort' with a pool until my flight leaves to Legazpi (from where I will move on to Donsol to swim with whalesharks) on Monday.
Delightful Dao
After taking a jeepney for about an hour and then a tricycle (also a popular and cheap way of transportation here, a motorcycle with a joined kind of sidecar). 3 days in a 'resort' with a swimming pool, what a delight. I booked a room at Dao Diamond Hotel, a hotel that supports and works with the Deaf. What an amazing initiative!! People are so nice here. I really enjoyed my days here. Big room, 80 channels on the tv, an outdoor swimming pool (that was all mine till about 4pm when either the kids or elderly would come out and 'play' as well). I finally was able to read my book again and totally relax and do pretty much nothing, except for my 4 hour excursion to a mall nearby where I went to see another movie and went to Jollibee (the most popular fastfood chain here). Oh and a mega super cheap supermarket. It's funny going to the movies here when people just walk in or leave half way a movie, still not sure why. I also really enjoyed how quiet traffic has been the last few weeks. There's lots of traffic but in Myanmar they would honk and honk and honk. They rarely do that here. I also managed to finally have clean feet again, which was impossible in Myanmar!
Delayed in Donsol (Legazpi)
I found out that if you book through Cebu Pacific with a connecting flight, also with Cebu Pacific, that if the first one is delayed, so is the second. So I didn't need to worry about missing my connecting flight when the first one was delayed for over an hour. I had about half an hour to get to my second flight and made it, my bag however did not... So there I was in Legazpi, then the bus to Donsol without my backpack, without my swim wear...kind of hard to swim with Whalesharks without it. So my first day I couldn't do much, but sleep, relax, enjoy, met some people. Bag got there at 5pm..so I went the next morning. There was a girl in my room that went for her 2nd time and she, luckily for me, had a GoPro! What an amazing experience to see these magnificent creatures! The first one I saw, getting dragged forward by our instructor, was a WOW HOLY SHIT OMG moment! Huge and beautiful. The other boats quickly caught on and went in too. It seemed busy although everyone kept their distance from the whaleshark. I still didn't care for it much. Later on we found a few that only we went in to see. Amazing. The last one (5th or 6th) was the biggest one. I first saw the tail very close by and figured it had to be big by the size of the tail. It ended up being 8-9 meters. The biggest one swimming around in these waters is however 18 meters! I loved doing it and wished I could have done two as well. But there's always next time :)! 
Stunning Sagada
Flew back to Manila for a night...Holy week...The week before/during eastern is called holy week here...peak season and closed malls. I booked a hotel close to the airport and mall of Asia, figured I would go to the mall. But it was closed on Holy Thursday and Good friday. Wanted to book a bus to Sagada on friday, but because that is a holiday, they skip friday and start going on saturday again. I've never had this much 'bad luck' as I've had here. But ah well, as Dory says, we just 'keep swimming'. Stayed in Quezon City for a night before taking the night bus to Sagada. To get to the bus terminal, I took a taxi from the hostel to and was again warned to be careful and then the driver told me a story about a tourist who got stabbed in a taxi and left for dead somewhere...and a backpack in Manila is a 'frontpack', always wear it on the front. Again...I felt like I shouldn't feel safe..
The busride up (9pm-8am) was long but what beautiful views! Ricefields, mountains/hills, lots of green, lots of nature. It felt so different from anything I've seen in The Philippines so far! I spotted another solo traveler in the bus and ended up sharing a room with her and spending out time in Sagada together. First stop was the Hanging Coffins. There's 19. The first thing I noticed was that the coffins were small. Our 16 year old guide told us that they were buried the same way they were born so in a fetal position. It was very interesting to see, even though I thought there were loads more. We walked a bit through the streets and up and down the hills of Sagada for our remaining time here. It was beautiful. The air was clean, there were hardly any mosquitoes. It cooled down a lot at night, no need for AC in the room or even a fan. Definitely one of the better parts of The Philippines! The way back to Manila was very foggy, we sat in the first row and wow, could hardly see a thing. Very exciting and we eventually made it :).
I spent my last few nights in The Philippines in a hotel with a pool again, but it was a bit cloudy so also did some sightseeing. And that's it for The Philippines. I feel like I haven't done a whole lot, but I did do and see some beautiful things and met a lot of great people whilst doing it! I have never been asked so many times if I was by myself and why? in a country. I was warned multiple times about the people by other locals, but have had nothing happened to me. Well time to move on and who knows, I might be back someday to see a bit of the paradise side :)! Oh and I got a bad sunburn on my back during the Whaleshark swim and it started to peel in Sagada, every day a different country/continent would appear, wicked ^_^.
Cheers!
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Mingalaba Myanmar
It took two short flights to get from Krabi to Myanmar, a country I have been wanting to see for a while but somehow never got to. Since I left unprepared, I totally forgot about me needing US dollars for Myanmar. When Myanmar 'opened' some of it's borders again to tourists, it only accepted pristine US dollar bills, the change would be in Kyat (the local currency). This was a huge thing for a while. It's now been a few years, but I read that you might still need it for some places so when I landed I looked for an ATM + currency exchange. Right before leaving Krabi, I downloaded a currency app that also worked offline so I would know if what they offered at the airport was fair. After a few attempts with both my debit and credit card at the ATM, I was finally able to get some money out. Exchanged part of it for 100 US dollars, just in case.
Met a few other girls, all heading downtown so we decided to share a taxi. One German, one American, two Dutch (including myself). We all stayed in different hostels, but agreed to meet up the next morning. We ended up spending the next day with 6 girls (which is a first for me, to just be with girls); 3 German, 2 Dutch, 1 American, 1 French. It was nice to be around and with people again and to hear and share each others stories.
It's funny here, how cars drive on the right side of the road, but also have the steering wheel on the right which usually means they drive on the left side of the road. They used to drive on the left side, but I heard it was a sudden change, not sure why. But the older cars therefor still have the steering wheels on the right side and the newer models have them on the left.
Yikes...Yangon
Yangon is..well..Myanmar people sort of resemble a mix of Thai and Indian people in appearance but not character wise. Tourism is quite new to them, yet they don't look at you weirdly, don't call after you (taxi, miss, you want to buy, etc). Not yet anyway. And I read that Myanmar was cheap for Western people but not as cheap as other South East Asia countries. Well ladies and gentlemen, part of it can be. At least, it can be in Yangon. The prices are ridiculously low and still I had my doubts on the first day. There are almost never prices anywhere, especially on food markets and I had no idea what the value of money was here. But soon found out. I even asked some of the locals if they had to pay the same and they said "no", so why would I. I think tourist still think it's cheap and then pay it anyway, but once again we are being ripped off as foreigners, only here it's 'secretively' or very subtle. At least in other countries you know you're being ripped off. Here it's as if they take one look at you and go for the foreigners price.
There were also signs that said "Foreigners pay ... Kyat" and "Foreigners enter here", like going back decades into separation. Strange. Other than that, people seem nice and helpful and most knew a bit of English.
We took a circle train, which costs 200Kyat, about 20 euro cents and it takes 3 hours to complete the circle. On it, you see all different sights of Yangon, the city, the country side, a lot of poverty, fruits, veggies. Definitely a MUST DO :)! Also lots of people trying to sell you things on the train with trays on their heads or carrying baskets. Interesting to just watch people too.
The Shwedagon pagoda, that golden pointy thing, was nice. It didn't blow me away. Lots and lots of tourists. It was beautiful at night though. At the beginning there was a guy that asked the other Dutch girl if she wanted more information and a guided tour and she replied: "No, thank you. I have Lonely Planet". Haha, too funny.
There's a few sights to see here, but not much, 2 nights was perfect. And even had a lovely massage on the last day here (love their techniques!!). Took a night bus on the 3rd night to Bagan with two others. Wow what luxury! It's almost like being in Business Class on an airplane and only costs you about €20,-. A little tv screen with 4 channels, a snack box (containing 2 snacks), a bottle of water and tea/coffee or lemonade. The chairs decline quite a bit and also have a little footrest you can pull up. Oh and you also get a blanket :)! It's about 9-10 hours to get to Bagan!!
Beautiful Bagan
We arrived in Bagan around 5am and hadn't even stepped out of the bus or a swarm of people were blocking us from going anywhere asking us if we wanted a taxi. So everything I thought I had learned in Yangon about the people here, went out the window. It was like being in Vietnam again. Anyway, found 2 others to share a taxi with and had to pay 25.000 Kyat (around €20,-) to get in....foreigner fee to see the temples (although they only asked us to show our ticket once). Couldn't check in until 2pm so we rented an e-bike (which I thought was an electric bicycle, but was in fact an electric scooter) and went in search of a sunrise! This together with sunsets and seeing many temples, pagodas, monasteries (over 2000, used to be 10.000!!) and hot air balloons (sunrise) are all the things to do/see here. And what a beautiful sunrise it was! We found a rather quiet temple and the view was amazing! It's always such an incredible feeling if you see something that you've only seen pictures of so far, with your own eyes in real life!
Loved the e-bike and the hostel I was in, met some more people. Saw lots of temples, also up close. But I liked it more to see an overview of many. Saw a few sunrises and a sunset whilst in Bagan, but after a while, I'd seen enough of them. Kind of like in Japan when every temple or shrine all look a like. We decided to go to Mount Popa, a long drive (minibus) took us there. 777 steps up including market stalls at the bottom and lots of step cleaners on the way up that ask for a cleaning donation... didn't give them anything of course. There were a few monkeys and the view was ok. I think if it's your first, it's probably beautiful, but I've seen so much better that this just didn't do it for me.
Impressive Inle Lake (Nyaung Shwe)
Took a day bus to Inle Lake, which is next to Nyaung Shwe, were I actually stayed at. The scenery on the way was really nice! And I expected it to be just like Bagan, a lot of nature and not much else to do. But, luckily, I was wrong. What a nice town! Met up with some people that I'd met in Bagan! Went to the Kekku Pagodas, lots of brick pagodas but it was something different than what I'd seen so I liked it. Again, great scenery in the 2hour ride up there and back. Very little tourists too, so they don't speak too much English. It took a while for us to order lunch, but it was good and I've not paid so little for food anywhere in Myanmar than what I did here!! Another must do here is to take a boat tour on Inle Lake, 22km long and 10km across. Go for sunset, it's beautiful (I know, I use this word a lot for Myanmar). The lake is huge and beautiful and there's a few 'workshops' where they show you the traditional crafts, such as weaving, black/silver/gold smiths, cigar making, etc. which are very commercial (and of course all come with a shop) but it's also very interesting to learn about the trades. Also 'met' a few women from a Longneck tribe, wow...still amazes me. People once again seem very nice and lots of them would wave at you and smile. Women call other women: Sister, sister and when you pass their stuff on the market they say: "Just looking" or "Looking", which is exactly what I did, look. But loved this area of Myanmar! There's much more to do and to see and the local food was sooo good :)!! And the people are nice too and still look at tourists with joy and smiles and amazement of being different. This is where I learned that the locals haven't yet learned how to bargain or rip us off properly (all sounds very negative, but I don't mean it that way). They quickly drop down to at least half of what they said at first and are still happy with whatever deal they make. "Lucky or Happy money" they would say after making a good deal. Maybe it's the Buddhas (Buddhism being the biggest religion here) influence that tells them they can't be unfair.
Mandalay Moonshine
After I might have had blood poisoning, we decided to take a day bus (the quickest way) instead of the adventurous but long, train ride to Mandalay. Just in case I did need some medical attention. None of which was to be found in Inle Lake. To further explain...I was bit by a bug I guess, noticed it the next morning. According to the internet I would have either Malaria, Dengue fever, blood poisoning, etc. Without immediate medical attention I would either die or get into a coma. I remained pretty calm and decided to wait it out, because I had no fever and was able to breathe normally. And without knowing if it really is something bad, I can't freak out or worry. Even though some others worries sick about me! It most likely was an allergic reaction to whatever bit me, a huge hard hot bump on my arm and two red (also hard and hot, which I just love saying in the same sentence haha) 'stripes', veins, were going up my arm. The last one was, again according to the internet, a red alert. Anyway, all ended up well :)!
The bus ride was bumpy...although there are many roads already built in Myanmar and they seem fine, they are very bumpy and not smooth...I hit my head against the side of the bus a few times haha..more red bumps, this time on my forehead. Checked in at the hostel with one of the staff members by the name of Moonshine haha and I was then Sunshine! Great hostel! Beds are capsule like so reminded me of Japan :)! Very comfy!
We arrived pretty late so didn't do much, did stumble upon a REAL supermarket! So strange to go in one if you haven't seen any in about 4 weeks! Fresh fruits, snacks, etc.! I heard there is not much to do in Mandalay, but I think if it is your first stop, you might like it! We did somewhat of an unusual day trip because we didn't want to see any more pagodas, temples, etc. We started at the Snake Temple, then to Inla Wa, then for lunch at a local restaurant somewhere, had our taxi, Thant Zin, drive us up the mountain to see beautiful views and a few pagodas (can't get around them in this country) and ended up at the U Bain Bridge for a beer at sunset (really the only thing I wanted to see before going on the daytrip). But what a great day we had! Even held a Python (again) in the Snake Temple, where 3 Pythons live and get bathed every day. What a life they live.
In the end, I loved Myanmar. The people are friendly, the country is developing, the food is delicious and there is much to see! Don't know if I would ever go back...it will be a totally different country in a year, let alone 5 or 10!
Flew to Bangkok on the 12th and would then continue to Manila. Unfortunately they wouldn't let me fly without a onward ticket so I had to book that. Took a few attempts since the wifi isn't very good at the airport.
But made it to the Philippines!
Oh and to explain Mingalaba, it means Hello. The first word I learned in Myanmar when I had just arrived and it sounds so happy and friendly!
Cheerio!
Met a few other girls, all heading downtown so we decided to share a taxi. One German, one American, two Dutch (including myself). We all stayed in different hostels, but agreed to meet up the next morning. We ended up spending the next day with 6 girls (which is a first for me, to just be with girls); 3 German, 2 Dutch, 1 American, 1 French. It was nice to be around and with people again and to hear and share each others stories.
It's funny here, how cars drive on the right side of the road, but also have the steering wheel on the right which usually means they drive on the left side of the road. They used to drive on the left side, but I heard it was a sudden change, not sure why. But the older cars therefor still have the steering wheels on the right side and the newer models have them on the left.
Yikes...Yangon
Yangon is..well..Myanmar people sort of resemble a mix of Thai and Indian people in appearance but not character wise. Tourism is quite new to them, yet they don't look at you weirdly, don't call after you (taxi, miss, you want to buy, etc). Not yet anyway. And I read that Myanmar was cheap for Western people but not as cheap as other South East Asia countries. Well ladies and gentlemen, part of it can be. At least, it can be in Yangon. The prices are ridiculously low and still I had my doubts on the first day. There are almost never prices anywhere, especially on food markets and I had no idea what the value of money was here. But soon found out. I even asked some of the locals if they had to pay the same and they said "no", so why would I. I think tourist still think it's cheap and then pay it anyway, but once again we are being ripped off as foreigners, only here it's 'secretively' or very subtle. At least in other countries you know you're being ripped off. Here it's as if they take one look at you and go for the foreigners price.
There were also signs that said "Foreigners pay ... Kyat" and "Foreigners enter here", like going back decades into separation. Strange. Other than that, people seem nice and helpful and most knew a bit of English.
We took a circle train, which costs 200Kyat, about 20 euro cents and it takes 3 hours to complete the circle. On it, you see all different sights of Yangon, the city, the country side, a lot of poverty, fruits, veggies. Definitely a MUST DO :)! Also lots of people trying to sell you things on the train with trays on their heads or carrying baskets. Interesting to just watch people too.
The Shwedagon pagoda, that golden pointy thing, was nice. It didn't blow me away. Lots and lots of tourists. It was beautiful at night though. At the beginning there was a guy that asked the other Dutch girl if she wanted more information and a guided tour and she replied: "No, thank you. I have Lonely Planet". Haha, too funny.
There's a few sights to see here, but not much, 2 nights was perfect. And even had a lovely massage on the last day here (love their techniques!!). Took a night bus on the 3rd night to Bagan with two others. Wow what luxury! It's almost like being in Business Class on an airplane and only costs you about €20,-. A little tv screen with 4 channels, a snack box (containing 2 snacks), a bottle of water and tea/coffee or lemonade. The chairs decline quite a bit and also have a little footrest you can pull up. Oh and you also get a blanket :)! It's about 9-10 hours to get to Bagan!!
Beautiful Bagan
We arrived in Bagan around 5am and hadn't even stepped out of the bus or a swarm of people were blocking us from going anywhere asking us if we wanted a taxi. So everything I thought I had learned in Yangon about the people here, went out the window. It was like being in Vietnam again. Anyway, found 2 others to share a taxi with and had to pay 25.000 Kyat (around €20,-) to get in....foreigner fee to see the temples (although they only asked us to show our ticket once). Couldn't check in until 2pm so we rented an e-bike (which I thought was an electric bicycle, but was in fact an electric scooter) and went in search of a sunrise! This together with sunsets and seeing many temples, pagodas, monasteries (over 2000, used to be 10.000!!) and hot air balloons (sunrise) are all the things to do/see here. And what a beautiful sunrise it was! We found a rather quiet temple and the view was amazing! It's always such an incredible feeling if you see something that you've only seen pictures of so far, with your own eyes in real life!
Loved the e-bike and the hostel I was in, met some more people. Saw lots of temples, also up close. But I liked it more to see an overview of many. Saw a few sunrises and a sunset whilst in Bagan, but after a while, I'd seen enough of them. Kind of like in Japan when every temple or shrine all look a like. We decided to go to Mount Popa, a long drive (minibus) took us there. 777 steps up including market stalls at the bottom and lots of step cleaners on the way up that ask for a cleaning donation... didn't give them anything of course. There were a few monkeys and the view was ok. I think if it's your first, it's probably beautiful, but I've seen so much better that this just didn't do it for me.
Impressive Inle Lake (Nyaung Shwe)
Took a day bus to Inle Lake, which is next to Nyaung Shwe, were I actually stayed at. The scenery on the way was really nice! And I expected it to be just like Bagan, a lot of nature and not much else to do. But, luckily, I was wrong. What a nice town! Met up with some people that I'd met in Bagan! Went to the Kekku Pagodas, lots of brick pagodas but it was something different than what I'd seen so I liked it. Again, great scenery in the 2hour ride up there and back. Very little tourists too, so they don't speak too much English. It took a while for us to order lunch, but it was good and I've not paid so little for food anywhere in Myanmar than what I did here!! Another must do here is to take a boat tour on Inle Lake, 22km long and 10km across. Go for sunset, it's beautiful (I know, I use this word a lot for Myanmar). The lake is huge and beautiful and there's a few 'workshops' where they show you the traditional crafts, such as weaving, black/silver/gold smiths, cigar making, etc. which are very commercial (and of course all come with a shop) but it's also very interesting to learn about the trades. Also 'met' a few women from a Longneck tribe, wow...still amazes me. People once again seem very nice and lots of them would wave at you and smile. Women call other women: Sister, sister and when you pass their stuff on the market they say: "Just looking" or "Looking", which is exactly what I did, look. But loved this area of Myanmar! There's much more to do and to see and the local food was sooo good :)!! And the people are nice too and still look at tourists with joy and smiles and amazement of being different. This is where I learned that the locals haven't yet learned how to bargain or rip us off properly (all sounds very negative, but I don't mean it that way). They quickly drop down to at least half of what they said at first and are still happy with whatever deal they make. "Lucky or Happy money" they would say after making a good deal. Maybe it's the Buddhas (Buddhism being the biggest religion here) influence that tells them they can't be unfair.
Mandalay Moonshine
After I might have had blood poisoning, we decided to take a day bus (the quickest way) instead of the adventurous but long, train ride to Mandalay. Just in case I did need some medical attention. None of which was to be found in Inle Lake. To further explain...I was bit by a bug I guess, noticed it the next morning. According to the internet I would have either Malaria, Dengue fever, blood poisoning, etc. Without immediate medical attention I would either die or get into a coma. I remained pretty calm and decided to wait it out, because I had no fever and was able to breathe normally. And without knowing if it really is something bad, I can't freak out or worry. Even though some others worries sick about me! It most likely was an allergic reaction to whatever bit me, a huge hard hot bump on my arm and two red (also hard and hot, which I just love saying in the same sentence haha) 'stripes', veins, were going up my arm. The last one was, again according to the internet, a red alert. Anyway, all ended up well :)!
The bus ride was bumpy...although there are many roads already built in Myanmar and they seem fine, they are very bumpy and not smooth...I hit my head against the side of the bus a few times haha..more red bumps, this time on my forehead. Checked in at the hostel with one of the staff members by the name of Moonshine haha and I was then Sunshine! Great hostel! Beds are capsule like so reminded me of Japan :)! Very comfy!
We arrived pretty late so didn't do much, did stumble upon a REAL supermarket! So strange to go in one if you haven't seen any in about 4 weeks! Fresh fruits, snacks, etc.! I heard there is not much to do in Mandalay, but I think if it is your first stop, you might like it! We did somewhat of an unusual day trip because we didn't want to see any more pagodas, temples, etc. We started at the Snake Temple, then to Inla Wa, then for lunch at a local restaurant somewhere, had our taxi, Thant Zin, drive us up the mountain to see beautiful views and a few pagodas (can't get around them in this country) and ended up at the U Bain Bridge for a beer at sunset (really the only thing I wanted to see before going on the daytrip). But what a great day we had! Even held a Python (again) in the Snake Temple, where 3 Pythons live and get bathed every day. What a life they live.
In the end, I loved Myanmar. The people are friendly, the country is developing, the food is delicious and there is much to see! Don't know if I would ever go back...it will be a totally different country in a year, let alone 5 or 10!
Flew to Bangkok on the 12th and would then continue to Manila. Unfortunately they wouldn't let me fly without a onward ticket so I had to book that. Took a few attempts since the wifi isn't very good at the airport.
But made it to the Philippines!
Oh and to explain Mingalaba, it means Hello. The first word I learned in Myanmar when I had just arrived and it sounds so happy and friendly!
Cheerio!
Tuesday, March 01, 2016
And so it begins.....
I've never been this unprepared going on a trip (short or long). Well, maybe I was the first time I went.. But I still had put some time and effort into packing everything I needed and managed to end up with about 5kg :). I just didn't realise this time around that I was actually going or for how long. I guessed 4 months and definitely wanted to visit Myanmar and the Philippines, the two countries that I've wanted to go before but in the end didn't go to. They are first on my list this time!
I have been so busy that I first needed a two week break of not doing anything, just relax and be by myself. I decided to do this in Thailand..visiting a few islands I haven't been to before...
Bangkok
After leaving Amsterdam and with a stopover in Moscow (what a depressing airport btw), I landed in Bangkok once again. It seems I always start and end my trips through Asia here. But this time, I stayed near the airport and just one night. A huge room with a glass wall to separate bathroom from bedroom so I was even able to watch tv from the tub! What a dream come true :P! It also had a pool, super relaxed!! 
A friend from back home happened to be around the same area and we met up for drinks (a few beer towers), which was fun and a great way to start my trip! After returning and finding out, that the hotel tried to rip me off for my airport transport, I decided to walk down the street to get a taxi (it was about 2.30am)...half drunkish and about 20 street dogs that barked at me along the way, I found a taxi that would take me. I hadn't slept since I left Amsterdam, so I was super tired, got in a few naps at the airport and went to the gate. When we started landing, my ear started hurting..I've never ever had any trouble with my ears and it felt like I was about to pass out...even after landing. I think it was a mix of sleep deprivation and maybe a bit of alcohol that was left in my system.Ko Tao
Unfortunately I wasn't where I needed to be after the flight...had to take a bus, a ferry, a
Thai pick up taxi before I finally arrived at my hotel! I loved Ko Tao! Had to get used to being back in Thailand and haggling over everything and all in Thai time.. Everything is 5 minutes, which it rarely is. Anyway, the hotel was great, even had an HBO channel! Ko Tao was the perfect mix of beaches, night life, markets, nature.
I rented a mountainbike for a day but ended up bringing it back after 4 hours because it was too hot and Ko Tao is too hilly and my butt hurt haha. But I still enjoyed what I'd seen! I thought about snorkling or diving, but I was too relaxed (finally) to do anything else than just relax, eat, swim, walk around. I did however go to Nuan Yuan on my last day and wow, it was super busy and the beach was filled with coral so it was hard to walk from one island to the next, but the view (quite a climb) was amazing! I spend 5 nights in Ko Tao, but probably could have stayed longer.
Koh Phi Phi
Another exhausting trip...12hours of Thai taxi's (I explicitely say Thai Taxi's because it's not a fancy car like we're used to in Holland), ferries, buses before I finally arrived to Koh Phi Phi. Koh Phi Phi was nice, but I didn't need to stay there for too long. LOTS and LOTS of shopping/markets. Since I arrived around 5:30 pm, I didn't do much on my first night. Walked around for a bit, ate and went to bed. I stayed in a hostel, beds were pretty big for a hostel and I had a sea view, perfect :). The music of the bar outside played till 2 am, but it was good music, could have been my own! After a good night sleep, I went on a walk (on an empty stomach) to a viewpoint that was very disappointing but the scenery along the way was beautiful. I met a couple that asked me to take their picture, turned out they had just got engaged! How romantic :). Went on in search of food and water and found a place that sold great food for a great price and a great view, so went back there on my last day.
Also went to a fireshow, apparently with the champion of Thailand's got Talent (didn't check this), but it was an amazing show! Better than the ones I've seen in Fiji. I was also invited to get on stage with a few other girls by my new Thai boyfriend Johnny (joke) for a free cigarette. Now here's the trick, we had to put it in our mouths while another guy would lit them with one of his fireshow-props. When the flames were dancing around my head, I tried to sit back and relax and kept telling myself that they had done this before... I came out unharmed :). I took a half day trip on my last full day to some of the surrounding hotspots, including Maya Bay where they filmed The Beach. Kind of a let down, since it was so touristy. And the sea was so rough that we had enough salt intake for a lifetime. The waves had been so bad for 4 days going straight that it was even on the news, because it was very unusual (for this time of year).
Railay (Beach)
It took about 2 hours (on a ferry and a smaller speedboat) to get to Railay. I was picked up at the beach and after about a 10 minute walk, we were brought to the 'resort' on a tractor haha. When you think you've done and seen it all..life (or well, the Thais) surprises you. Arrived early evening so didn't do much except have dinner, enjoy the surroundings and the breeze and even the stars (so many to see since there aren't many lights at night). I went towards the beach (WEST) the next day and walked around, beautiful surroundings and again lots of coral and small boats. The part where you can swim and no boats are allowed is marked by rope they used around that area. I headed back to the resort and went to the pool for most of the afternoon. The pool has a view of the ocean/beach, amazing!! Headed down to the beach again (EAST) for dinner. This is also the side I left from to go to Krabi.
Krabi Town
30 minute boat ride which took a bit of an effort to get. They usually wait for a full boat, 150 Thai Bath each. So when I got there, he said he could bring me over, just me, for 300 Thai Bath. I decided to wait. Shortly after, two others needed to go to Krabi too and all of a sudden a boat ride for 3 pax was 1250 Thai Bath...just to show how insane it can get here. We ended up going with the 4 of us for 250 Thai Bath each. And I was back on the main land....cars, people, dirt, streets, etc. So different from where I have just been for the last 10+ days. But I must say, I was a bit over the whole beach scene.. The room in Krabi is lovely, close to the weekday nightmarket, so much food!! Wow! I tasted a few different dishes :) before heading back.
I didn't plan on writing this much, yikes, sorry! Thailand...the land of food, haggling, beautiful scenery, etc. It was a pleasure being back and I'm sure I will be again. Since I didn't stay in a lot of hostels (just one), I've really been on my own most of the times. Luckily, I did have access to wifi so it was easy to stay in touch and share my days activities that way. There aren't a lot of hostels in Myanmar so I'll be mostly by myself again, which is getting used to having been so much WITH people back home. But every day I try to close my eyes, take a deep breath, enjoy the scenery and just live in the moment, in the now.
Cheers Thailand, see you next time :).
T.
I rented a mountainbike for a day but ended up bringing it back after 4 hours because it was too hot and Ko Tao is too hilly and my butt hurt haha. But I still enjoyed what I'd seen! I thought about snorkling or diving, but I was too relaxed (finally) to do anything else than just relax, eat, swim, walk around. I did however go to Nuan Yuan on my last day and wow, it was super busy and the beach was filled with coral so it was hard to walk from one island to the next, but the view (quite a climb) was amazing! I spend 5 nights in Ko Tao, but probably could have stayed longer.
Koh Phi Phi
Another exhausting trip...12hours of Thai taxi's (I explicitely say Thai Taxi's because it's not a fancy car like we're used to in Holland), ferries, buses before I finally arrived to Koh Phi Phi. Koh Phi Phi was nice, but I didn't need to stay there for too long. LOTS and LOTS of shopping/markets. Since I arrived around 5:30 pm, I didn't do much on my first night. Walked around for a bit, ate and went to bed. I stayed in a hostel, beds were pretty big for a hostel and I had a sea view, perfect :). The music of the bar outside played till 2 am, but it was good music, could have been my own! After a good night sleep, I went on a walk (on an empty stomach) to a viewpoint that was very disappointing but the scenery along the way was beautiful. I met a couple that asked me to take their picture, turned out they had just got engaged! How romantic :). Went on in search of food and water and found a place that sold great food for a great price and a great view, so went back there on my last day. 
Also went to a fireshow, apparently with the champion of Thailand's got Talent (didn't check this), but it was an amazing show! Better than the ones I've seen in Fiji. I was also invited to get on stage with a few other girls by my new Thai boyfriend Johnny (joke) for a free cigarette. Now here's the trick, we had to put it in our mouths while another guy would lit them with one of his fireshow-props. When the flames were dancing around my head, I tried to sit back and relax and kept telling myself that they had done this before... I came out unharmed :). I took a half day trip on my last full day to some of the surrounding hotspots, including Maya Bay where they filmed The Beach. Kind of a let down, since it was so touristy. And the sea was so rough that we had enough salt intake for a lifetime. The waves had been so bad for 4 days going straight that it was even on the news, because it was very unusual (for this time of year).
Railay (Beach)
It took about 2 hours (on a ferry and a smaller speedboat) to get to Railay. I was picked up at the beach and after about a 10 minute walk, we were brought to the 'resort' on a tractor haha. When you think you've done and seen it all..life (or well, the Thais) surprises you. Arrived early evening so didn't do much except have dinner, enjoy the surroundings and the breeze and even the stars (so many to see since there aren't many lights at night). I went towards the beach (WEST) the next day and walked around, beautiful surroundings and again lots of coral and small boats. The part where you can swim and no boats are allowed is marked by rope they used around that area. I headed back to the resort and went to the pool for most of the afternoon. The pool has a view of the ocean/beach, amazing!! Headed down to the beach again (EAST) for dinner. This is also the side I left from to go to Krabi.Krabi Town
30 minute boat ride which took a bit of an effort to get. They usually wait for a full boat, 150 Thai Bath each. So when I got there, he said he could bring me over, just me, for 300 Thai Bath. I decided to wait. Shortly after, two others needed to go to Krabi too and all of a sudden a boat ride for 3 pax was 1250 Thai Bath...just to show how insane it can get here. We ended up going with the 4 of us for 250 Thai Bath each. And I was back on the main land....cars, people, dirt, streets, etc. So different from where I have just been for the last 10+ days. But I must say, I was a bit over the whole beach scene.. The room in Krabi is lovely, close to the weekday nightmarket, so much food!! Wow! I tasted a few different dishes :) before heading back.
I didn't plan on writing this much, yikes, sorry! Thailand...the land of food, haggling, beautiful scenery, etc. It was a pleasure being back and I'm sure I will be again. Since I didn't stay in a lot of hostels (just one), I've really been on my own most of the times. Luckily, I did have access to wifi so it was easy to stay in touch and share my days activities that way. There aren't a lot of hostels in Myanmar so I'll be mostly by myself again, which is getting used to having been so much WITH people back home. But every day I try to close my eyes, take a deep breath, enjoy the scenery and just live in the moment, in the now.
Cheers Thailand, see you next time :).
T.
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