The Bangkok Traffic Story

The news about the death of the highly revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand swept across the world. As a sign of respect, the entire nation of Thailand was in a state of mourning. The famous night clubs and entertainment strips were closed, and almost all the locals wore black. As the country plunged into what it seemed to be the darkest moment of their modern history, it got me thinking if I should still push this trip with my friends.

PHOTO DIARY: Bali in Technicolor

I spent my 26th birthday in Bali, and it's one of the best birthdays I have ever had. This revered Island of Gods has so much to offer, and I wouldn't mind visiting this place again in the near future.

This year, I am going to create a new photo series: In Technicolor. It was only late last year when I went back to Lightroom to post process my photos. My laptop can now handle the heavy workload and multitasking (Photoshop + Lightroom + Final Cut Pro).

These are some of my favorite shots I took during my first trip to Bali, Indonesia. I only used Canon EOS 1100D with a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens. I downloaded a few presets online, and played with it on Lightroom. Hope you guys like it, and expect more In Technicolor posts on my blog.

Why the United States Is a Freelancer's Paradise - Living the Nomadic Life

When the bottom dropped out of the economy in the latter part of the last decade, many professionals were literally forced to become freelancers because their jobs were no longer available. Companies downsized, others went out of business and others still simply held the status quo, reluctant to expand with an uncertain future.

It was probably at this point that the nomadic lifestyle reminiscent of the late 1960s and early 1970s began to resurface, but this time as a means of survival rather than a cultural trend. The economy has long been on the road to recovery, but for those who have gotten a taste of the nomadic lifestyle, there is no turning back.

Travel OOTD

Traveling does not just give you opportunities to experience new cultures and see the world in a different perspective, it also gives you the opportunity to mix and match your preferred outfit, depending on the prevailing climate or weather. In this day and age, having a stylish outfit without compromising comfort is a must. Here are some of the outfits I wore in three different seasons.

Trip of Wonders: Ain't No Bali Low Enough!

Tucked away in the cerulean waters of the Bali Sea and the towering Mount Agung is an island blessed with fertile lands and rich biodiversity. Bali, with its varied terrain, numerous white sand beaches, picturesque temples, and standout local cuisines, has always been a favorite holiday destination for both local and international tourists.

When I found out I won a free trip to Bali, I got overwhelmed. I never thought I'd be back here so soon! For three days, we went to rediscover Bali, and to understand more about its culture.

The Kingdom of Ayutthaya

I was still feeling groggy from last night's bar hopping activity at Sukhumvit, one of Bangkok's bustling night districts. At half past six, we drove north of Bangkok to explore the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam - Ayutthaya (or as what my travel buddy always say in our chat group, Uttaya LOL).

Unlike most cities in the world who were put under pressure to conform, this former capital of the Siamese kingdom remained immune to these sweeping changes. The vestiges of its past allowed us to understand its influence not just in Thailand, but also throughout southeast Asia.

Thailand It That Way: Exploring Bangkok

One can easily fall in love with Thailand. You can never go wrong with their vibrant and multifaceted culture, their colorful heritage, and their food. History tells us that this country was once a powerful kingdom in this region, and had fought numerous tribes and neighboring kingdoms who had tried to claim their throne. Even after their beloved king's passing a few months ago, it didn't stop us from exploring this country in Southeast Asia.

For four days, we got awed by the stunning Buddhist architecture, idled inside our van as we endured the notorious Bangkok traffic, visited temples as if we were brought back to the golden era of Siam, and rode down narrow pathways on our bicycles through verdant orchards and appreciate Thailand's timeless beauty.

10 Things I Learned About Tokyo

A few weeks ago, I spent four days in Tokyo (with a side trip in the neighboring Kanagawa Prefecture), and as my friends are probably tired of hearing, I loved it. Absolutely loved it. Behind their towering skyscrapers and their disciplined culture, Tokyo still retains its charm. Here are the things I learned from traveling in this metropolis.

Exploring Laki Ashi of Kanagawa Prefecture

Last night was a blast. I was awake for almost 24 hours, but that didn't stop me from enjoying our first day in Japan. I can vividly still remember my first meal (a tonkatsu ramen), my first subway experience in Tokyo (which is, by the way, the most efficient and the most expensive mass transportation system I have ever ridden), and my first time crossing the most photographed intersection in the world. It felt surreal. Japan already gave me a very nice impression, and I can't wait to explore more of it!

On our second day, we explored the neighboring Kanagawa Prefecture to see Mount Fuji in person.

Day 1 in Japan: Exploring Tokyo

No matter how prepared you are for your trip, there will always be uncertainties that lie ahead of you. You don't have an idea what's in store for you in the next few days. Prior boarding our early morning flight to Tokyo-Narita, there were a few gaffes - the immigration counter opened thirty minutes late causing a long queue, and I was awake for almost 24 hours. Despite these, I still felt giddy and excited as we settled inside.

My Offload Experience with Cebu Pacific

Disclaimer: Before anything else, this is not a rant post about the airline. Rather, this experience was actually the highlight of my recent trip in Bali, Indonesia!

We were scheduled to fly back to Manila from Denpasar at around 8:45AM. Since our hotel is conveniently located right in front of Denspasar's Ngurah Rai International Airport, we left our hotel at quarter to seven in the morning. Besides, we have already checked-in online, so we were pretty much confident with the check-in procedure. The process was quite slow but we didn't care. Besides, we're flying home.

The moment we presented our passports at the check-in counter, we received a disheartening news from the airport ground staff.

The Davao Pub Crawl Experience

Years ago, the local city council of Davao amended the ordinance no. 1627, series of 1994. This particular city ordinance states that drinking, selling, serving, and consumption of liquors and alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited from 1am to 8am. For some who aren't from Davao, this is a bummer. How can a big metropolitan city like Davao have this kind of silly law?

Believe it or not, I just had my first pub crawl experience not in Manila or Cebu, but in Davao.

DFAT 2016: An Overview

It's the time of the year again when bloggers across the country gather in Davao to discover and appreciate the city's growing food scene. On its ninth installation, the search for Davao's best continues as we enjoy good food while catching up with old blogger friends and establishing connections with the new ones.

As of this writing, I still can't get over with it because it was one of the best DFAT I've ever attended as a participant. Haha! Arise, gluttons! Your diet plans will fail you because of this!

Photo Diary: MNL, PH

There is something about Manila. As much as I hate experiencing its notorious gridlock traffic, I will always keep on coming back to Manila. Heck, I wasn't even born and raised there! My recent trip in Manila wasn't really part of my original plan but, yeah, you figured it already. Talking about spontaneity.

The Necessary Ski Gear for Any Wannabe Professional

As with any sport, you need the right gear if you want to practice it safety and correctly. Skiing is no different and if you’re thinking about hitting the slopes anytime soon, you’ll need to be outfitted correctly. Would Batman fight the Joker without his suit? No. Will you tackle the Matterhorn without your helmet? No, you will not. Here’s what you’ll need.

10 Telltale Signs You’re Actually a Davaoeño

Believe it or not, this paradise is only 15 minutes away from Davao by boat.
See also: Another unrelated cover photo but this looks beautiful.

Everywhere you go, you’ll encounter this formidable creature *ahem*. Well for one, you won’t notice that they’re around until they start talking about their preferences in food or anything about their local pop culture. If you’re unsure you’ve met one, here are the 10 signs that your officemates, housemates, or your friends are from Davao. Or maybe you're starting to become one.

Perfect the Art of Traveling Light

The thrill of traveling to exotic places and experiencing new adventures appeals to most people, but the hassles and headaches of getting to these locations is daunting. If you ask world travelers, they will tell you that traveling light and minimizing your packing is by far the best way to go. Airline baggage costs keep getting higher and the last thing you want is to pack, unpack and repack a 50-pound bag at every stop along the way. Use the following tips to perfect your packing like a pro and travel lighter and happier.

Last Day in Taipei, Taiwan

Our last day in Taipei was indeed bittersweet. We were scheduled to leave Taipei at around midnight so we still had 12 hours to make the most out of it. Haha! We're talking about last minute shopping at Ximending and Shilin Markets, a quick tour in one of the capital's contemporary museums, and digging ourselves with their best xiao long baos and pork buns.

Best Places To Go On Holiday

I see the dawn of the new beginning.

Traveling is a great form of life investment. I've started traveling since 2012 and up to this date, I still make sure that I'd go out and explore new places one pound at a time. You know, traveling is not that really expensive if you are really resourceful. A lot of budget airlines offer cheap fares from one city to another. Today, more and more people seek new places all thanks to social media. It is really an eye-opener and an overwhelming experience to be in a place outside your comfort zone. Truly, the world is a beautiful place to explore.

Here are some places in the world that you shouldn't miss.

Why Choosing the Perfect Luggage is So Important on a Long Trip

Long trips are fun. Instead of cramming everything you want to see and do into a few measly days, you can take your time, explore new places, and travel to multiple destinations. 

Anyone under the age of 25 has probably been backpacking, or knows someone else that has, but age is only a number and if you want to undertake a long trip, you should definitely start planning your itinerary. Of course long trips don’t have to follow the traditional backpacking trails around Southeast Asia. Plenty of people go on road trips across the U.S. or explore Europe by car or rail. The opportunities are endless, but you do need to take the right luggage – something along the lines of Rimowa suitcases will do just fine.