Baguio City...Home

From the busy bustling streets of congested Manila to the busy bustling streets of Baguio City. It's definitely not what I remembered since I last visited, which was in 1994. I was only 8 years old. Its been 16 years since I've been back and a lot has changed. The streets are smaller due to parked cars, the huge population increase, the hills riddled with concrete houses, home isn't what it use to be. But the air was different from Manila, it was cool, comforting, and smelled relatively clean. My clothes weren't sticking to me, I actually needed to layer during the evening.

Stepping into my former home for the very first time was nostalgic. The smell was the first thing made it feel like home. I immediately checked to see the store next door, unfortunately it was closed. The garage was smaller due a shed being added inside. Despite the differences, it strangely felt like home. It had the warm and comforting feeling of the past. Though as a child the house felt much bigger than it does presently. Everything seems to have shrunk. Maybe its the current emptiness, the lack of people specifically family. It was the amount of family and friends that the made the home seem huge. Apart from missing the rest of the family, I still felt like I was at home.

The immediate hospitality was overwhelming. Breakfast was already prepared upon arrival, of course it included rice. Clothing, towels, rooms, simply everything provided for. After 16 years you'd expect to be strangers to your family, but it wasn't the case. It was almost as if we just picked up where we left off. Exchanging stories on what's been happening for the last 16 yrs is an experience you can't document or photograph.

Being up for more than 48 hours has it's draw backs, but knowing if that I have had hit the pillow I wouldn't be able to get back up. Plus, I was in the Philippines, who needs sleep, its overrated. Besides the Pacquiao vs Margarito was being shown that day. It's an all day event. They say it'd be the only time the streets wouldn't be congested, probably also a good time to loot a store. The fight lasted all 12 rounds, with Pacquiao obliterating his opponent with multiple punches at a time. It was an incredible event. He's practically bigger than the President here in the Philippines. A national hero, someone who everyone here in the Philippines looks up too. It's a rag to riches story, it's Philippines' 'Million dollar Baby' story, minus the sad ending of course.

The rest of the day consisted of catching up with family members, eating, drinking, and more eating. There's no better way than to end the day.

From One Busy City To The Next

Hot, sweaty, humid, polluted...wait didn't I just from a city with that description? Manila, is the bustling metropolis of the Philippines. The streets are riddled with jeepney's, cars, buses, motorbikes, tricycles, children, chickens, dogs, cats, etc. Everywhere you look is an obstacle you have to avoid. It's a fast paced city, thats notorious for petty crime, tourist kidnappings, and the occasional stabbing. But that doesn't phase me. Apart from the terrible reputation this city has, its has character, grit, persona. The type of city you first hate, but through time might begin to like, if not love. The city overwhelms the senses. The smell of diesel mixed with the heavy humid air makes it at first difficult to breathe. The site of what seems an endless cloud of smog hovering over the city. The continuous sounds of horns, barking dogs, people yelling, chickens clucking, kids crying, deafens the ears, only noticed once entering a quite room and all you hear is ringing. But I wouldn't trade this wonderful mess of an experience for anything.

Fortunately enough I was lucky enough to have been picked up at the airport by family. The stress of arranging for accommodations and transportation was non existent. Having family or people you know at a place makes travel stress free. It's about using the resources you have, and family fortunately for me is my resource.

After taking a quick morning nap we departed the motel for lunch. We started off with an appetizer called 'pulpog'. It's a dish consisting of tiny slices of pig ear, nose and cheek, mixed with onions, ginger, and vinegar. Its crunchy, and soft at the same time. Absolutely delicious! Following the appetizer was bbq duck, bbq pork, and some vegetables. Food once again was simply amazing. Lunch was then followed by an afternoon nap also known as 'itis'.

Manila was shortened due to family obligations. But I will be back to experience the wonderful chaos they call Manila.

Short, but sweet. I will be back.

Jakarta, I didn't give you much of a chance. Spending only 2 days is clearly not enough. Theres more to your congested streets, smoggy air, broken down sidewalks, and street vendors. The early morning prayers were majestically eerie. Reminding me how far away from what my notion of home is. A remarkable city where all to often people try and get away from. Quite frankly I can see why, with heavy traffic and persistent street vendors,   its a different world; a culture shock for many. But give it time, you'll find the people friendly and hospitable sporting a smile, no matter what situation they might be in.

I will be returning Jakarta. You've intrigued my senses.

Farewell Singapore. This Isn't Goodbye.

Singapore, Singapore, Singapore...How I will miss your efficient and cheap railway system, the hot and humid air, the chinatown, little india, the mosques, the temples, the beautiful people, and all of the wonderful people that I've connected with in just a few short days.

It's unfortunate to find on my last day there an area called Bugis. It's predominately muslim, with arab culture overwhelmingly present and show cased along the small and narrow streets. A fantastic place to simply sit, relax and smoke hookah. Spending an entire afternoon eating stingray at the Golden Mile Food center and to top it off with smoking hookah. I don't need big amusement parks, casinos, shows, or clubs to enjoy myself. All I need is food, drinks, and hookah. What a lovely way to spend the afternoon.

I ended the evening having dinner at Haila. A beautiful restaurant tucked away in the botanical gardens. Food was outstanding. Service was the best I've ever experienced. Last but not least, sharing the evening with a new found friend in this part of the world was lovely. Sharing stories, and experience as if we were friends for many years is something of a rarity.

The friends I've made, sights I've seen, food I've tasted will forever be ingrained my memory of Singapore. As much as I would love to extend my trip, a new adventure awaits, and Jakarta calls. I'll see you later Singapore.

The Festival of Lights

I often wondered how Indian families celebrated Deepavali. Luckily, my adopted tour guide 'Vas' was kind enough to invite me to celebrate this wonderful festival with her family and friends. 

The day was hot and humid to no surprise, which got me thinking, I'll be having spicy foods in this heat. 

Step 1: wear plenty of deodorant

Step 2: take some proton pump inhibitors and zantac

Step 3: eat like theres no tomorrow, after all this is home cooked Indian food, what more can you ask for?

First, lunch with the family. Immediately upon arrival, a tray of delicious treats were served, sweet, salty, moderately spicy, bite sized, and strangely familiar. I sensed that the family enjoyed feeding this strange foreigner perhaps it's the novelty, or the hope to embarrass myself for some cheap entertainment, or it could simply be their remarkable hospitality. 

The food was messy, unending, and wonderful. No matter how many Indian restaurants I've been to, and their extraordinary claim to be the best Indian food in town, nothing beats a home cooked Indian meal. The flavors, colors, and experience all unique with every family. Each having their own special way in creating a meal. 

The day ended with another Indian family, a good friend of 'Vas', to no surprise equally hospitable as the last. The food was outstanding, spicy, but nothing I couldn't handle. Zantac, and acid inhibitors are a wonderful thing. To cap off the night, we played with hand held fire sparklers. Joined the little kids playing with fire, ending my Deepavali celebration. 

Hot & Humid

The first thing that comes to mind when arriving in Singapore was the heat and humidity, and that was at 7am. It's a pleasant change from Tasmania's cool weather.

Transportation is a wonderful thing here. The MRT conveniently connects all corners of the city making owning a vehicle completely pointless. The air conditioned subway makes it a pleasant ride from one destination to another. Apart from the usual morning crowds, mobilizing is convenient, efficient, cheap, and relatively comfortable. It's a luxury I'll be enjoying before setting off to Indonesia.

Chinatown was quiet upon arrival, but I knew the silence would never last. As the street vendors open 1 by 1 at 9 am Chinatown was riddled with locals and tourists. But that's to be expected. Even in the midst of the chaos there lies small comforts. The unusual smells, sounds, and sights come together in a wonderful chaos of senses. It's a foreign world away from the comforts of Tasmania, but reminiscent of my childhood. Slowly the foreign environment fades and familiarity settles.

Singapore is a great place to get familiar with Asian culture with small interjected comforts of the western world. Fantastic start to an Asian adventure.

Bye Launceston

My time here here in Launceston has come to an end. A comfortable little city that I called home for 9 months. Friends were made, beer was consumed, cheese was delicous, wine was tasty, life was and still is great. Despite the occasional drama amongst bogans encountered in the local pubs and clubs, the amount of wonderful people I met make up for it. Besides, a little bit of drama does provides an excellent source of entertainment.

Thank you Launceston for having the Oak. I've been to my fair share of pubs, and the Oak ranks high on my list of favorite pubs. Thanks for making each night as memorable as the last. Its always comforting to know that once you walk into a pub 'Will the Bartender' has a nice cold jug of beer waiting to be enjoyed.

To list all of the places I've been in 'Tassie' would be a tremendous task. But one the thing is for sure, Tassie is wonderful litte place tucked away in the southern hemisphere, and often mistaken for Tanzania. The remote picturesque beaches that stretches for miles without seeing a single soul, the beautifully strange terrain of the west coast, I could go on an on. I would hate to bore everyone with all the little details, I suggest to everyone to discover this place on your own, you won't be disappointed.