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.