A Warm Welcome in Hanoi

with Ms. Ha and her family :)

We had almost two days for layover in Bangkok from Nepal, before I take a flight to Hanoi, Vietnam. We soaked up the sun and tropical weather of Bangkok just to have a sense of home. Two months spent in cold Northern India and freezing Nepal, despite all the amazing experiences we had, proved to be a little bit too much for the tropical and island people like us. We treated ourselves with pad thais, fruit shakes, beers, and relaxing thai massages. But despite all of these, I just couldn’t shake off the fact that in almost three weeks, I would be back in the Philippines and all the other things it meant – finding a job, looking for a new place, figuring out what I was going to do next. And just how much I missed Nepal – the mountains, trekking, and just the wonderful people we met along the way. 

Port Barton : Off-the-Beaten-Path Paradise in Palawan

When people say Palawan, the first thing you would hear is PARADISE. Or maybe El Nido and Coron. But rarely would you hear about a town named Port Barton.

German Island, Port Barton, Palawan 

My Top Travel Books (Part 1)

A few months before the Big Trip, Lois of the WeAreSoleSisters sent us an email on assisting us in starting/beefing up our travel funds via a garage sale. I had a few old clothes and shoes to sell, but selling my old books have been a hard decision to make. Now, in retrospect, I think it was a very good decision, as it made room for new inspiring and eye-opening books. 

My Kind of Travel : A Wonderful Day in Muang Ngoi

Muang Ngoi, Northern Laos

Yesterday I woke up quite early for a whole-day work event. Prepared my G7 black coffee (Vietnam’s famous coffee) with some cream, no sugar. Opened the sliding door to my veranda and welcomed the morning and the sunlight’s feel on my skin. It rained the day before, but yesterday the sun was starting to show itself, almost half of it was behind the tall condominium near my place. But there was still the cool breeze of the early morning. 

With my hot strong coffee, the cool breeze, and the sun’s warmth, I remember waking up in Muang Ngoi. 

Some of the Best Lessons from my Travels in India

You hear and read stories about India, how different and unique it is. But as with anything, you will never really know what these people mean until you experience it first-hand. It is huge and is considered to be a sub-continent. There’s a lot to see – the chaotic streets, the colorful saris, desert, beaches, mountains, heritage sites, forts, and temples. But more than these, the experiences I treasured the most from my travels in India are the people and the perspectives I got from observing their daily lives.

Dealing With Changes

Vang Vieng, Laos

Just when you thought you had your whole year planned out. Just when you thought that everything is working out. Just when you thought that everything had a purpose.

And then one weekend all of that is gone. 

For two weeks you feel lost, disoriented even. For two weeks you think that you’ve lost yourself. 

A Letter

El Nido, Palawan

It hasn't been easy. And it will remain like this for quite some time. But I trust that one day it will be. 

But now, here, alone. Let me tell you how grateful I am to you for making me so happy, for breaking down all the walls I've built. All this pain I'm feeling now have been worth it. 

Basic Information on Nepal Teahouse Trekking

Trekking in Nepal, in the Himalayas, has been one of the most memorable travel and life experiences I've ever had. Let me borrow the words of the writer of the Lonely Planet guidebook:

“Many of the joys of trekking are intangible. Most people enjoy the peace and settling of the mind that the rhythm of a long trek can bring. You’ll have time to think, to breathe the mountain air and enjoy the sense of feeling fitter and stronger as each day passes. A highlight may be enjoying a section of trail to yourself in the silent early-morning light, surrounded by glorious mountain peaks, or simply sitting in a sunny lodge garden sipping sweet milky tea, reading that Dostoyevsky novel you’ve never had time for. On a trek, the stripped down simple pleasures of life comes to the fore. “ 
 – Lonely Planet : Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya, 9th edition

You will understand how each and every detail of this is true after trekking in Nepal. Many people have a misconception that trekking in Nepal is dangerous, hard, and expensive. Yes, it is hard and can be dangerous, but with enough planning and preparation, you'll be fine. And it is worth it, it's definitely worth it. ;)

Hope the information below can convince you to give it a try, and help you in your planning stage!