Checkpoint: Singapore - Johor Bahru 2015

Late last year, I was faced with a challenge  that I thought I cannot surpass. Wounds were deep, time were wasted and I just know I cannot take it anymore. I took a time off to my go to place - Singapore. I traveled solo to reflect and met with a few friends to catch up.

I had braved the streets of Little India en route to my chosen hostel - Mitraa Inn. It was managed by a Filipino so I felt safe and welcomed. I plan to pass by Gardens by the Bay before I  meet with an old neighbor who also happens to be my classmate since elementary days. 

It so happens my visit was just after the Deepavali Festival. The streets have colorful lights at night. Too bad I wasn't able to capture it.

Happy to pass by this  Hindu Temple on my way to Gardens by the Bay

The sunset view I captured before meeting with my friend at Clark Quay

Finally able to experience SG's night life at Clark Quay with my Kiao tiong Friends.

The next day, I checked out early to meet with my former colleague so we can have a staycation at Johor Bahru. It is always a thrill for me to cross borders by land. There's no specific plan for this trip, it's a spontaneous decision to  visit JB and we just shopped til we dropped and ate whatever we want.

We attended a mass in Church of the Immaculate Concepcion

On my return to Singapore, I chose a different hostel - Little Red Dot Inn and luckily I got upgraded to the capsule type accommodation. It's  a solo adventure again for me since my friend have to prepare for her work week. 

Upon resting for a while, I explored Kampong Glam for a historical walk. If not travelling alone, I would definitely try one of the restaurants along the Arab street.

 

Sultan's Mosque

Arab's street at a different angle

I was also able to pass by the Malay Heritage Center where a Malayan traditional dance was being performed during my visit.

I was about to meet the Engineering head of one of the company in Singapore the following day for an informal interview. With my 3 days in SG and Malaysia, I decided to pass on the opportunity as I had reflected the life that I had envisioned during this "me" time. 

The following day was a full of adventure for my solo trip to further think about what I am going through. 

The first stop was the National Museum of Singapore where I was able to know more about the history of the diverse community of Singapore. I explored the different sections of the museum with a German friend that I met at the hostel who also happens to study Arts.

Next in our list is the Contemporary Art Museum of Singapore. It was a first for me to visit such establishment. I appreciated how we can perceive art in various angles. It also made me appreciate the little thing we have.

My friend and I had to go our separate itinerary after lunch as she still wants to explore the other museums in the area. For my case, I plan to do a walking tour from Fullerton Hotel to Gardens by the Bay.

The start of wandering around Singapore at the Fullerton Hotel

The Asian Civilization Museum. Too bad I was running out of time so I have to skip this one.


Victoria Theatre


Singapore's iconic symbol - The Merlion


The Esplanade. Due to time constraints, I wasn't able to check it out. Maybe some other time.


Finally able to traverse the Helix Bridge


Art Science Museum. Next time, I'll definitely visit this cool place.

Upon arriving at the Gardens by the Bay, it was unfortunate to know that the Cloud Forest is under maintenance. I was only able to visit the Flower Dome which I love so much, I had spent quite some time learning about the different flowers in the area. Plus, Christmas season was near, so the place was decorated to fit the season.

Flowery place makes me extremely happy

Christmas Feels

To cap off the night is me witnessing the lights and sounds show by the Super Tree at Gardens by the Bay.

The last day was alloted to explore Sentosa and to dine at the famous Michelin star restaurant - Din Tai Fung. 

Chilling at Sentosa

Thank you so much Singapore. You had answered again a lot of questions. I was able to understand what I wanna do with my life. Just like my 2013 trip, I was able to know what I have to do. You jump start my life again. You had made me remember my plans and goals. 

Wow Davao!

I was fortunate enough to have a relaxing vacation with my mother last July 2015 at Davao. We stayed at Pinnacle Hotel and Suites during our stay in the city. The place was just a walking distance to Gaisano Mall.

The room comes with a complementary breakfast buffet. 

I immediately fell in love with Davao's food offerings. This vacation is definitely for leisure. We wanted to travel conveniently so taxi was our choice of transportation. Also, I had rented a car for our travel to Philippine Eagle and Eden Farm since it is beyond the City center. 

For the first day, we explored the city by visiting first the crocodile farm. 

Comparing it to Palawan's Crocodile Farm, this visit was less interactive. 

I visited during an off peak season, so tourist are not that highly visible. 

We then decide to visit Jack's ridge in the afternoon. The place is known to be a night life spot, so when we visited, stores are still close. However, view is still awesome! 

The highlight of this Trip was our visit to Samal Island where we stayed at Pearl Farm. I had experienced living a luxurious life for 2 days and a night.

Our comfortable haven at Pearl Farm

We were welcomed by the calmness of the sea and serene view of the resort.

The infinity pool is definitely one of the awesome offerings of this resort. 

The view from the restaurant is a stress reliever

For outdoor activities, snorkling is definitely fun

For our last day, I rented a car so we can visit Eden Park and Philippine Eagle Center. We wanted to stay long those 2 places are quite far from each other.

Eden Park is highly recommended to those who loves outdoor activities. The place is so relaxing and is so close to nature.

I did try cycling while being suspended in the air. It was definitely scary yet fun experience. I also did the zipline.

After the thrilling adventure, we went to the Philippine Eagle Center to know more about the endangered specie. 

That stance though is really something worth seeing in person. 

This Davao exploration that mom and I did will be definitely remembered. We had explored the area on our own without and tour guides so I'll consider that as an achievement. The best part of this vacation is all those food that we tried at a very cheap price. The stay at Pearl Farm Resort is one for the books. I wished we had more time to roam around the area.

Life's Reflection

Life had given me enough happiness, triumphs, and success  that helped me be who I am. It was also the pain, disappointments and failures that made me a better individual.

On Family:

Growing with Chinese roots and being the eldest entails that I have the largest responsibility. I have to absorb the lessons being taught by my parents - to always be good. It's not easy. It's a struggle to be always good, to be unselfish especially in the growing stage. Parents had taught me be to always be truthful and to respect people. It was not an easy task - to be what your parents had envisioned you. You try to stick to what they imagined you would be, sometimes leading them to disappointment just because you cannot be that perfect child. The words they told me when they were mad were inspiration to be a better person. Those words caused wounds that will forever remind me that I should be a good person to anyone in this world. 

As the big sister, it is still a working progress. My siblings and I are tackling different paths and to fully understand each other's priority will take time. I miss the days we were just so close and having fun. At the end of the day, I know those two know that I will fight for them no matter what. Just back to the day that I even tried to punch my classmate for hitting my brother. 

On School

I may not have struggled hard to excel academically because I have good teachers - my parents. It was not that easy at first. Mom taught me that perseverance is the key. She tore papers for me to repeat again what I am doing if she just saw one mistake. I cried a thousand times perfecting things until it became natural to excel to what I study. It was always my inspiration to bring smiles to my parents and my grandfather during recognition day  in school. The best way to do that is to have academic honors. 

I know that the best gift I had given to them was when I passed my entrance exam in college for the most prestigious university in the country. Even if it entails a big adjustment for me to study to my university, I really gave my best to finish my course on time for my parents. It was just sad that this time around they were not able to go up the stage with me because I did not graduate with honors. It will forever haunt me that I did not give my all. That also is where I got my inspiration to pass the board exam 6 moths after graduation. 

I am taking my masters degree now and I am indeed losing my will to finish it.  It's hard to juggle time. I am trying to refocus my thoughts that I am doing this because of my goals. I will find the power to continue, to finish what I had started. 

On Career

I had been exposed to different companies and one thing that is constant among them is the politics. I had learned to accept that people are not all kind. They sometimes become the worst they can be because of their power struggle, aspiration and goals. It is my obligation to learn how to cope - to not be like them but to keep away the stress they can bring. Parents always emphasized to me that if we don't  want the system, get out the system. My take on that now is that I should try to understand first if there is still hope, if my passion is stronger than the stress they bring then it's ok to stay and not give up. If it does not bring you happiness anymore, it's time to walk away and start an new path where I think I can become a better person despite the struggle of starting my own name.   

On Friendship

I had made a lot of friends due to many circles I am into. I had learned that not all those considered friends are real friends. Despite that, I am still grateful and happy that I had made a few true friends in my life. Those whom you can still rely on even if there are months, years that you had not talked to. To maintain the friendship is not an easy task - we should not always just receive, we must at most give what we can to help build the foundation of the friendship.

On Love

I had enough heartaches that helped become the better version of myself.  What I am into know  is a working progress. I am blessed that I am able to love and feel loved again. I am happy to put a smile on someone's face. It's a working progress. I just pray that God guide us to our relationship until we figure out what we really want for ourselves. 

A perfect Life may not mean that we are always happy and on top of the world. Rather, it is when we stood up strong to all the obstacles we face. 

Best Times at Bataan for KEM05

Good old college friends and I left Manila for Bataan to attend our friend's wedding. Being the adventurous, explorer we all are, we arranged for side trips. We did not consider in the equation on making our itinerary how titos and titas we are all now compared to college days. We tried keeping up with our plan, but we just stick to what we can do for the 2 days trip in Bataan.

We traveled Friday  night and reached Balanga around 11PM already, we did not have energy to go out any more as the wedding is early morning next day. We just washed up and had a good night sleep at our hotel.

The following morning, we attended the church ceremony followed by the reception at noon. We did not bother to change to a different clothing and head straight to Mt. Samat with our semi-formal attires. 

It was my first time to see the shrine dedicated to the fallen Filipinos and Americans during World War II. It was only in books that I read about that iconic place. I did not anticipated that it was indeed a massive structure. To reach the top, an elevator will bring the visitors up. (I think the building needs some rehabilitation already especially for the reliability of the elevator).

The view from top is breath taking. Greens always calm me. It always reminds me that we still have hope for sustainable living. 

The background I believe was actually an altar. I never thought I would appreciate those glass arts. It's so cultured.

We might had been too tired laughing out loud and had a great time kidding around so we just had an early dinner at The Beanery (where we now consider our fav go to place in Bataan) then checked in at La Vista Resort. We had an initial plan of using the pool for more bonding time and have a drinking session after but I guess we're all so titos and titas already. Upon taking a shower, we dozed off to sleep. 

The following morning, we randomly decided to visit Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. I was more than excited to have that trip because I know that I can finally see in person those beautifully preserved ancestral homes.

The place is located in Bagac, Bataan where Spanish Mansions are being rebuilt. The weather was really scorching hot but I still manage to appreciate the beauty of those homes.

Entrance only cost us 800php because we have a friend who's already a member of the place and he was with us during our visit. The place was indeed very beautiful. I could imagine it to be more beautiful at night. I appreciate the influences of the Spanish colonial days in terms of enhancing our culture and heritage.

I am indeed a one happy kiddo posing around at one of the majestic door entrance of the mansion. 

We went back at the Beanery before we called it a day and headed back to Manila.