Romantic Taj Mahal Working Its Magic

It was around quarter to nine in the morning. The Taj Mahal is packed with tourists. I couldn’t capture its beauty the way I wanted to since it was still foggy, and it looked like it wasn’t going to improve any time soon. I still have more than an hour left before I meet my friend outside the complex. I decided to find a bench where I can sit down and just appreciate its beauty. I always try to sit down in a place, church, temple, or mosque I go into, and not just take photos. I believe that all these grand and sacred structures deserve to be appreciated and respected.

Travel Love (Photo) : Heart Balloons

There’s poverty almost everywhere in India, but there’s also life. You see so many homeless people and street children. But for some weird and unexplainable reason, they seem contented. I initially thought of relating it to their religion or their culture. But I see no point in such, even in pity.

Dharamsala : A Spontaneous Afternoon Up in the Mountains

It was our last day in Dharamsala before heading down to Amritsar for Diwali. I was supposed to go paragliding since it was so cheap at only INR 2500 for 30-45 minutes. However, the cost did not yet include the roundtrip taxi ride which will cost me another INR 1800. Which made the whole activity quite expensive. So I decided to do some easy hiking/trekking. Eventually I was able to convince my friend to join me.

The plan was to see the sacred Dal Lake and the Tibetan Naddi Village. That was the initial plan. But when you do something spontaneous - wonderful and amazing surprises come along your way.

Dharamsala : Humbled by the Tibetans in Exile

I've only been in Dharamsala for less than a day. Given that this was just a spontaneous and accidental trip, I really wasn't that familiar with the place. I had completely forgotten that its population is partially composed of Tibetans in exile, and is the home of the Dalai Lama. And after hearing their story and witnessing their warmth, strength, and peacefulness, it pains me. And I found myself crying. It pains me that they can't live in their own country. A simple no-need-to-elaborate- reason.

Countless smiles and Namastes here in India

Tibetan woman in Dharamsala 

Why is the sun so orange and full during sunset here in India?

Six days in India. Three days in busy and chaotic Delhi. Three days in peaceful and cold Dharamsala.

Driving in India is crazy, even here in Dharamsala. Drivers continuously honk. Public transportation is disorganized. People quote you different prices.

But more than that, people have been really nice to us. They don't really mean any harm. They all are just trying to make a living. And most, if not all, smile at you. Or return your greetings.

Wonderful Kids of Delhi

I stumbled upon this girl playing by the streets of Chandni Chowk

Life in India is incomprehensible for an outsider like me. I will not even try to understand it, or relate it to their history or their religion. All I can do is admire it. There is no point in pity because the people on the streets, I think, have more life and spunk in them than the average people like us. 

Quaint Old Town of Melaka

"I see trees of green, red roses too.

I see them bloom for me and you.

And I think to myself what a wonderful world'

- Amazing musician at St. Paul's Church

Reflections on board the MRT in Singapore

I seriously have no idea how many hours I’ve spent inside a train since yesterday here in Singapore. Moving from green to red to purple lines. Passing through various malls and shops.

And I’m exhausted. For the first time since the start of the Big Trip, I was impatient and I almost got stressed out.

The Cat and I in Melaka

It's 6pm, Melaka Town is about to sleep. I walked around not really knowing where to go. Stumbled upon boutique shops that are about to close and old historic structures. I thought maybe I should grab an early dinner now. I looked for restaurants that are open but couldn't find any. I turned left and just decided to eat at the first place I see that's open. There it is 'Honky Tonky Haven Cafe'. Quite a quirky name for Melaka, I thought. But I was hungry. An old man, he's from New Zealand, welcomed me in. I was about to sit down when he told me I can eat outside along the river. I didn't know there was a river nearby.

Why I'm Going Back to Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu wasn’t initially part of the Big Trip. In fact, Kota was not on my list of places to go to. It was just a spontaneous decision by four highschool bestfriends who love traveling and who tries to travel together at least once a year. There wasn’t much research involved for our almost four days stay there. We could’t do the Mt. Kinabalu climb since it has to be booked months before and it’s quite expensive. So we just booked our hostel and decided that we’ll figure out everything else once we’re there.

But after visiting the place, I found out that it has a lot to offer. 

Settling Into The Backpackers' Lifestyle in KL

Diedeth, Martin, Jen, Edgardo

Note: I apologize as this entry may probably sound like a journal. Just wanted to tell you guys how my first day of traveling alone was. 

Finding my way around and the importance of packing light.

I arrived in KL only with a print-out of the directions going to the hostel and knew that I should go see Batu Caves and Petronas Towers at night. That was it. I didn't know how to go to the Caves or the Towers or what other worthy places to go to. Upon arrival in KL Sentral, I took the Metro and walked just a few blocks near the Central Market. Good thing I packed light. ;)

A Five Minute Moment in an Old and Rusty Local Train

Original photo by Mitch

"Toot! Toot! Toot". There's a father and son behind me. The father playing with his son and making train sounds.

There are two girls engrossed in their books and magazines.

There are two Muslim girls taking photos of each other and laughing.

I am on board a Kota Kinabalu rusty local old train.

The Day I Finally Quit my Job

2009 Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Quote from an Ad on the 2008 Beijing Olympics

The past few weeks in the office have been relatively busy. In fact, I even closed a deal on that same day. So I really didn't feel like it was my last day. It's either that or I was just in denial.