I would like to apologize for my two week absence, I had a lot on my plate in the last two weeks and at the moment, we are back on the strictest lockdown here on the Philippines (We have been on lockdown since March 2020, it's really tiring because it just gets worse and worse). But please do know that I think about all of you and pray for all of you my dear blog friends!
**UPDATE: Thank you very much to my College Best Friend Ralph from Toronto who gave me great advises on design and helped me get this fresh new blog layout! Clean and fresh I think! Do you guys like it?
This week, I would like to go back to one of my most memorable trips to one of my favorite destinations, Kyoto. I know I have featured this city on a past post last year but it's just that this historic place just keeps visiting my thoughts in the past few weeks so why not share those timeless snapshots with all of you.
Let me run down my shots and I'm leaving the stories to you. Can you pick a favorite? What story or feeling did that shot give you?
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I would love to welcome and invite everyone to join Timeless Thursdays.
Timeless Thursdays is open for anyone who wishes to share old photos or old thoughts that you would like to share as beautiful memories with everyone. This can be from yesterday, a year ago, or something from your grandma's treasure chest.
This runs every Thursday at 12 am (Manila/Perth Time) until Sunday at 11:59 pm (Manila/Perth Time)
Before I start my post, just want to tell everybody to stay safe, especially us here in the Philippines whose COVID-19 cases are at all time high (we never got to experience to be away from lockdown since March last year. It eases up but never fully because the cases just never got down , been uphill since it started last March).
Oh and also, after last weekend I was on a big scare because I felt feverish and very dehydrated since Sunday morning until Tuesday Night and I can't think of a culprit until I realize that having too much Chia seeds is not very good! I should have searched for a recipe for my overnight oats and not just dumped them chia seeds on it because it takes up to 17x times water of its weight! So long story short, I literally just dumped around 5 tbsp. of the chia from the foil pack into my oats and then chilled it overnight, then feasted without any idea what's to happen!
I never felt so dehydrated in my entire life! I'm thinking it's the Chia working inside my body taking all the water inside me! NIGHTMARE! Slowly I'm getting through it. Had a big 2L Pocari Sweat and water every hour. Alright, that was my first time with Chia. Not anymore in the near future HAHA
Okay on to the post!
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This Thursday, I thought of throwing back to one of our group's most memorable adventures within the country. Last 206, we flew all the way to the central Philippine island of Cebu. It is a popular island not just in the Philippines but around the world because of it's beautiful beaches, rivers, waterfalls, and the whale shark experience.
Let me share some of my favorite photos from this unforgettable trip.
The gang at Kawasan Falls
I just love piers and docks!
With my mind far, far away
At Sumilon Sandbar (Okay my friend was not hurt, we were acting for the shot HAHA)
Me and my Whaleshark Experience
La Buena Familia
Our Official CEBU 2016 Photo
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I would love to welcome and invite everyone to join Timeless Thursdays.
Timeless Thursdays is open for anyone who wishes to share old photos or old thoughts that you would like to share as beautiful memories with everyone. This can be from yesterday, a year ago, or something from your grandma's treasure chest.
This runs every Thursday at 12 am (Manila/Perth Time) until Sunday at 11:59 pm (Manila/Perth Time)
Located at the Southeastern part of the Khmer Kingdom, the capital city of Phnom Penh is home to a large number of the country's population. With the country's location in the middle of Vietnam and Thailand, Cambodia is popular for travellers especially for backpackers taking the French Indochina route. And for me, it was our midpoint on our long bus ride from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to the Ancient Capital of Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Busy Streets of Phnom Penh
It was just about an hour stop at Phnom Penh before we continued our long trip due Northeast to Siem Reap. Most of the streets are narrow going to this city centre in the middle of the metro. Having a lot of locals and travellers alike, the streets are never sleeping.
A Coconut Vendor at Phnom Penh
A Lady seems to go back home after a day of business in Phnom Penh
It took us about 5 hours from HCMC, Vietnam to reach Phnom Penh but we had no idea the second leg of the journey is the longer part. It took us a total of more than 13 hours of travel to reach Siem Reap that evening of the same day.
The Bus Station: Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap at Phnom Penh
Me at the Bus during hour hour's rest in Phnom Penh
Being in Phnom Penh gives me much excitement since it was my 11th country to visit. But never have a I realized that Siem Reap is so much more than Phnom Penh with all the temples and wats. Truly, Cambodia astonished my sight and taste, and surely, I'll come back soon for more.
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I would love to welcome and invite everyone to join Timeless Thursdays.
Timeless Thursdays is open for anyone who wishes to share old photos or old thoughts that you would like to share as beautiful memories with everyone. This can be from yesterday, a year ago, or something from your grandma's treasure chest.
This runs every Thursday at 12 am (Manila/Perth Time) until Sunday at 11:59 pm (Manila/Perth Time)
This pandemic, as much as I can, I always travel through my past post and look at my old timeless pictures and adventures whether it be on my phone, on my blog, or on YouTube. This week, let me take you to an island nation on top of our archipelago, Taiwan!
It was my 15th country/territory, Taiwan was. Since the island nation above the Philippines has opened its doors to Filipinos last 2017 and imposing a temporary visa-free policy for a year which was then extended to another year from July 2018 to July 2019, many Filipinos, including myself, made plans to visit and see what Taiwan has to offer.
Officially the Republic of China, Taiwan is the place where the nationalist leader Chiang Kai Shek fled to exile and established the Chinese republic when the communist party led by Mao Zedong took over the mainland. through the years, Taiwan went nowhere but up and the success of its industry and finance has fortified the nation into being one of the richest countries not just in Asia but in the whole world.
WATCH: Steven's Queue VLOG#39 - Ni Hao Taiwan!
Me and my cousin Ate Judy flew to Taipei last November 2018 and we spent the first day looking around the capital city of Taipei. We flew in via Cebu Pacific Air on their earliest flight from Manila.
Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
From our place at Minquan Station (we stayed here for 4 days at a private room at a condo via AirBnB), we took the Subway all the way to our first destination which is the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial. via the Red Subway Line, it took us just 5 stations to reach the memorial hall which is one of the major landmarks of Taiwan.
Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Station is a junction for both the Red Line and Green Line of MRT.
(L) Me inside the Taipei Metro (R) Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Complex
The complex was vast! Aside from the memorial hall, there are two halls that are built in traditional Chinese style, the National Concert Hall and the National Theater Hall. They were not open when we visited so we were not able to explore whats inside both halls.
WATCH: Steven's Queue VLOG#40 - Chiang Kai Shek Memorial
When me and my cousin continued walking through the entrance to the complex from the station, we saw our high school classmate and friend April who has been living and working in Taiwan for 7 years now. She is accompanied by her boyfriend Roilan and it was a happy moment to see her after so long. She went all the way to Taipei from Hsinchu just to see us that afternoon.
There is no entrance fee to pay when visiting the Memorial complex, even through the Memorial Hall and the museum that is located at its base. I think it is a must to visit this place which is why it is also the very first landmark we visited not just for its beauty but to give respect to Taiwan's leader Chiang Kai Shek.
Ate Judy, Me, April, and Roilan - Groupfie Time!
Climbing through the stairs at the Memorial Hall, it led us to the tomb of the Nationalist leader wherein a changing of the guards ceremony is taking place. Everyone was quiet and solemn as we all silently watch the ceremony. Travelers from different nation were present during that afternoon's program.
(L) Changing of the Guards (R) Intricate design of the Tomb's ceiling
After the ceremony, we decided to go down and visit the museum that is housed right below the tomb, at the hall's ground floor. It has an exhibit of photographs and memorabilla related to the life and legacy of Chiang Kai Shek. I really did enjoy the exhibit that shows his garments and clothing that showed a fusion of both traditional Chinese clothing and modern day attires.
(L) Chiang Kai Shek's Coat (R) Me and Chiang Kai Shek
Bethelites Batch 2006 at Taipei
We then said our goodbyes to April and Roilan and me and my Ate continued on our adventure around the city. We then went to Taipei Central Station where we are about to ride the Taipei Sightseeing Tour - Hop On, Hop Off Bus. We got our tickets at Klook.com. They have a 4-hour ticket which costs Php 450 while a 24-hour unlimited pass costs Php 899. We purchased the 24-hour unlimited ride with stops at major tourist attractions in the city.
WATCH: Steven's Queue VLOG#41 - HOP ON - HOP OFF TAIWAN
Our first stop is Ximen Junction wherein we visited the famous and historical theater called The Red House. It was constructed by a team led by a Japanese architect Kondo Juro which was originally made to become a public market. It was then turned into a theater and now, a museum and cafe.
Me and my Ate Judy at The Red House
Ximending District is very busy and I can even compare it as a quainter version of Tokyo's Shibuya Junction. Shops and restaurants lined up the streets and smaller alleys led to a lot of other stores and establishments. It was full of life, especially at that time of the afternoon which was about just an hour before sunset.
(L) Selfie Time with the 'Locals' of Ximen (R) Loved this little alley across Ximen
To be honest, we were not able to maximize the 24 hour ticket that we purchased because we started the bus ride late at around 5 pm and the last round trip is at 7:30 in the evening. But nonetheless, we can say it was worth it because we did a round trip sightseeing on it's final trip and we were able to see the sights of Taipei during nighttime, it was beautiful!
The last full round-trip that we did was on the Taipei Sightseeing Tour Bus's Red Line. It starts and ends its route at Taipei Main Station and passes through important locations such as the Ximending District, Taipei 101, and the Sun Yat Set Memorial Hall.
(L) Me taking videos at the Taipei Sightseeing Bus (R) Taipei 101 at Night
Just like any other East Asian country, Taiwan is a well developed nation and truly one with the first world. Its infrastructures and efficient public transport makes it not just a good place to visit and travel to, but also a perfect place to live and work in.
Locals are very nice and disciplined and a barrier I did experience was language as to not all locals are fluent in the English Language but if you are lost, it's not hard to find a younger generation Taiwanese which can help you find your way.
Visit Taiwan, and experience 'The Heart of Asia'
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I would love to welcome and invite everyone to join Timeless Thursdays.
Timeless Thursdays is open for anyone who wishes to share old photos or old thoughts that you would like to share as beautiful memories with everyone. This can be from yesterday, a year ago, or something from your grandma's treasure chest.
This runs every Thursday at 12 am (Manila/Perth Time) until Sunday at 11:59 pm (Manila/Perth Time)
Postcards I received yesterday, Wednesday afternoon.
It was a very happy day yesterday and one of the reasons, aside from receiving my Graduation Sash (will be posting about that on another time, that's a truly special moment as well), was a very happy day for receiving so much mail! This probably has been the most number of mail I received in a single day since a long time ago! I have been waiting for a lot of Holiday mails from friends around the world and yes, the waiting we all worth it!
Postcards from different countries from my penpal/postcrossing friends arrived today all at the same time, with some from 4 months ago! They were from Portugal, Russia, India, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Taiwan, Turkey, and Colorado (Look Brother Padre, it's from your state!).
Aside from postcards from my postcrosser friends!, I also received some of these special ones from my dear blog friends!
All the way from my sister Iri's hometown - Seesen, Germany!
Oh the joy I had when I saw this giant card! It's almost a foot in length! My dearest sister from Braunschweig, Iris Flavia, went home to visit her family on her hometown of Seesen and how swete of her to get me this lucky piggy postcard! I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed your trip to see your nieces and thank you for guarding this beautiful card from your cute nieces to send to me! Haha Sending a lot of hugs back at you dear Iris! (You'll love it here today, it's the day of the year when the temperature would just rise up 5 degrees up suddenly - a signal that cool monsoon is over).
Look at that beautiful ornament from Scotland!
This one is from another dear blog friend Ananka of Posh Polishes! I'm not sure if she sent me this after seeing my ornaments post a couple of months ago but she did an awesome job making my jaw drop yesterday! I opened it and saw this beautiful black and gold star! I am so so so excited to hang this at my tree this year, one great thing to anticipate the holidays again. Hugs to you dearest Ananka, you made me super happy and you'll forever be part of my Christmases to come through this beautiful ornament :)
Also, I would like to share this beautiful card from my Boss all the way from Rhode Island! Love her so much and I owe a lot of learning and encouragement from her through the years! Aside from the grace of the Lord, she is one of the biggest reasons why I'm still here at work and seeing the joy and silver linings despite the stressful days it can get at times.
Christmas Card from Rhode Island
Thank you all so much for opening my mailbox with me! Times have been tough lately not just from work but also from my budding Brownie business that I get to enjoy as well despite the efforts to bake them. The beautiful words and feedback I get just warms my heart. But these beautiful cards make me extra extra happy! They may just be pieces of paper, but for sentimental people like me, they are timeless treasures!
Keep on snail mailing!
Stevenson
I would love to welcome and invite everyone to join Timeless Thursdays.
Timeless Thursdays is open for anyone who wishes to share old photos or old thoughts that you would like to share as beautiful memories with everyone. This can be from yesterday, a year ago, or something from your grandma's treasure chest.
This runs every Thursday at 12 am (Manila/Perth Time) until Sunday at 11:59 pm (Manila/Perth Time)
Ever since I was a little boy, I have develop the love for Geography and Culture through my Uncle who taught me all the countries, their flags and their capitals at the age of 5. I carried it over in my heart up until now. We are not very rich to be able to travel anywhere I wanted to go when I was growing up, but I never ran out of dreams, that someday, when I will be able through God's grace, I will be able to visit my dream places one by one.
As I am thinking of what to share this week, I thought about my first ever trip outside the Philippines as a grown up. It was March 2011 when I went to my first international trip to a beautiful and exotic place that still is one of my favorites - Thailand. My mother just died a couple of months before our trip but I still pushed through because I know she wants me to be happy, especially that she knows exactly that this is what I wanted to do.
Ralph, Me, and Ate Judy
Even just on the airport here in Manila, my heart was filled with so much joy already. That my dreams will be realized in just a few hours! This trip was with my college best friend Ralph and my cousin Ate Judy.
Driving my Tuktuk!
Thailand was amazing! And I think it's a perfect choice for a first timer because most people are nice and helpful. One funny thing though is that I am usually thought of as a local because I could pass as a Chinese-Thai, but when I start talking in English, they will simply shout "MANNY PACQUIAO!". He's probably the most famous Filipino in Thailand because they love our boxing champ so much. Even during my last trip to Thailand a couple of years ago, I still get the Manny Pacquiao calls!
My first Train Ride
The Bangkok to Ayutthaya train ride was my life's first! We don't have trains here in the Philippines aside from 3 metro lines in Manila so this was definitely another moving experience for me on that trip! For a very emotional and appreciative person like me, every simple things like these are very memorable and truly a grateful experience for me. I am thankful for this attitude I have because simple joys really create an impact to my heart!
Biking in the Ancient Kingdom of Ayutthaya
I thank Thailand for being my first and will always have a special place in my heart! I very much appreciate Thai culture, Thai food, and most of all, Thai People! Will forever engrave this special memories that are truly timeless, in my heart.
Never Stop Remembering!
Stevenson
I would love to welcome and invite everyone to join Timeless Thursdays.
Timeless Thursdays is open for anyone who wishes to share old photos or old thoughts that you would like to share as beautiful memories with everyone. This can be from yesterday, a year ago, or something from your grandma's treasure chest.
This runs every Thursday at 12 am (Manila/Perth Time) until Sunday at 11:59 pm (Manila/Perth Time)
Postcards I received yesterday, Wednesday afternoon.
