A walk to remember...

Walking tour. Walking around Kuala Lumpur.

That was not our original plan but then again, me and my boyfriend are always on the go. Saying "NO" to an adventure is a BIG NO NO.

What really happened?

We took the 1st flight out from Singapore and the last flight out from KL of Jetstar on the same day. It means we only had a couple of hours to see the city. Approximately 10 hours.

We decided to take the KLIA Express from airport to the city as this is the fastest way.

KLIA Express

It's RM 35/ pax = PHP 525/pax for a 28mins non stop ride to KL Sentral which is the transit hub of the city. Taxi is RM 50/taxi/way =PHP 750/taxi for an hour journey (depends on traffic condition).

Looks like Eurail (haven't tried that yet, seen in picts only)

We were like in the Amazing Race. We need to maximize our time but at the same time, enjoy the fun and adventure and go to the last pit stop after. We plot the itinerary beforehand based on the readings we have done. I have been to KL twice but that was the 1st time that there was no Hop On Hop Off bus to bring us around. We did not take the Hop On Hop Off bus to cut cost  (RM 38/pax = PHP 570/pax) . hehe

OUTside view of the museum

First stop was the National Museum of Malaysia or the Muzium Negara (Suggested by Chito, my artsy fartsy boyfriend).   It is just behind the KL Sentral, 5-8 mins walk, crossing the Express way without pedestrian lane. Try this secret way behind the Hilton Hotel KL :) That is adventure!

After the museum, next to our itinerary was the Masjid Negara. According to the receptionist (let's call her Ate) in the museum, it is just NEAR the area. Walking distance. It was just 10am anyway and we were still starting the tour, so, we WALKED. All we had for logistics were our map from the airport and our street smart skills :)

Along the way, we saw this beautiful building which is the KTM Berhad, one of the KL's train service providers.

before reaching the Masjid Negara

Across the KTM building is the Masjid Negara. After 2.5km of walking (Ate's definition of near) is the Masjid Negara.

All visitors must remove their shoes before entering the mosque.  And remember, visitors are not allowed to put down anything on their holy ground like tripod.


Women are required to cover their hair and obviously, the whole body :)

The Holy Ground. Off limits to us

 Next stop was the Dataran Merdeka Square which is their Independence Square. It is where the tallest flagpole in the world is located (which we were not able to take picture).

Thanks to auntie who took this picture perfect shot of us! :)

Kuala Lumpur City Gallery was the next stop which houses the KL arch (which I don't know what it is) and collectibles/ souvenirs made of wooden veneer but, I din't see any model of the Philippines.

made of wooden veneers

We love EO (each other) haha

650 m away (if you know the way, which we didn't. So the it was stretched to 800m. hehe )  is the Masjid Jamek MRT.  We took this MRT going to Plaza Rakyat station and walked to Petaling Jaya which is the Chinatown area.

Rapid KL touched screen ticket vendo machine

 

MRT chips

We had our late lunch here as we were famished. That was the best lunch we ever had (or, were we just very hungry that time?) We ordered fried noodles, golden prawn, seafood fried rice, watermerlon juice, iced tea and beer for Chito (happy kid).

RM 52 = PHP 780

We realized that we were tired and hungry when we started eating.  Galit galit!

Power and energy shoot to 100% again.

We had leisurely walk around Chinatown area and went to the KL Central Market where Chito drooled.

Peataling Jaya area

Ayun oh! May bandila ang Pinas! :)

Pasilio 1

Pasilio 2 among others

Works of art around the area

Too sad that we cannot stay for long here because we have to rush to the Petronas tower and to the airport after. We only have few hours left before our departure flight at 9pm. We took the MRT going to KLCC station where the Petronas Twin Towers are located.

Was it under maintenance? I was so disappointed to see ONE tower only. Where' s the other one? I felt sad for Chito as he will not be able to see the TWIN towers.

Until we went closer . I was very very wrong. hahaha

:p

We' re very proud of ourselves. We had fun and roamed around the city by public transport (NO TAXI) with our reliable walking capacity, and most of all, our street smart skills.

APIR!!

- KL, Malaysia (May 2012)

Lucky ME!

Have you win in a raffle draw?.. Me? not even once in my 25 years of existence.
During raffle draws, I always imagine myself claiming my Grand Prize winning or even just one of the consolation prizes.

But.... it's just my imagination.
Reality check?. Not my time yet I guess.

When I was in elementary, we always had this fund raising in school. Ticket price ranges from PHP 2- PHP 5 each. Grand prizes were electric fan, single burner gas stove,  spaghetti package and the like (I dont remember the Grand Prizes actually because I know, I won't be able to have them) . Anyway, what I am eyeing were the consolation prizes There were maybe 10-15 of them. So, there would be a higher chance for me to get one. EVEN ONE.

I am a daydreamer. I imagine myself going home and bragging my prizes - 3 sachettes of instant noodles or 3 cans of Young's Town Sardines or Miki Nnilatdit package. But again, expectedly, I go home with my empty bag of winnings :(

Those were during my elemntary days. Highschool days came, there were few raffles draws and Bingo Socials. But, Nada! No luck for me. College came and went, still, nothing on my Bag Of Winnings.

tsk tsk...
I am a fighter! I didn't lose hope. I still enjoy the the 3second breath taking announcement of winners during raffle draws that I attended. Actually, I still imagine myself that the emcee will call out my name but...of course, that is just my ever playful imagination.

Until one lazy Sunday here in Singapore ( where I am base for now ), my friends and I joined a Filipino community gathering called "Pinoy Ako". It was ponsored by Singapore Telrcommunications (Singtel), MRT yellow line and others. This is not a part of our plan. We decided to go home after a city tour and we passed by this ever joyful videoke sessions on our way to MRT. So one of my friends who is addicted with freebies tried to check what is in there for us. Since it was a lazy Sunday afternoon, me and my sister dragged our feet to the event.  FREE coke, FREE picnic matress, FREE cornic, FREE facial creams, FREE videoke, FREE fun with all the Kababayans and the standing comedian.

munching corniks

To cut it short, there was a raffle draw! Ahem ahem, you know what's next :)

After announcing all the consolation winners of Singtel S$10 prepaid load, here comes the Grand Winners of Samsung Galaxy Ace. First winner came from Leong Hin Bldg....(that's my adress) and poof you go! It was so my time to shine! I just won a smart phone! My 1st ever smart phone! My FIRST EVER RAFFLE PRIZE :) I jump with joy and run with excitement to claim it and put it in my Bag of Winnings!  It was really ecstatic!

Salamat, Pinoy Ako!

one of the Grand Prize winners! :)

That was the first time, and yes, not yet done for the year of 2012. LUCKY ME :)

I won twice this year, as of now, 1st week of November.

The second I had was when we joined the thanksgiving party of Ibis Novena. Again, it was out of my plan to go and its only my colleague who dragged me to the party. Finally I said yes because it was just few steps away from where I stay anyway.

Raffle draw came and I was not the first one to be called. But thank you to those who went ahead and didn't able to wait for the highlight of the party. I won a 2 Night Weekend stay for two in Ibis Novena.

Lucky ME!

Weekend stay for two :)

Sabi siguro ni Lord sa akin nung nasa Pilipinas pa ako," mas kailangan nila yan kaysa sa'yo".Ngunit ngayong nandito na ako sa Singapore, siguro ang sabi ni Lord, "Mas kailangan mo ito kaysa sa kanila".

Singapore, Nov 2012

miss na miss...

lagi kitang napapanaginipan.

nagtatawanan..

nagdadate..

masaya..

ngunit, bigla akong magigising.
malungkot.

panaginip lang pala.

 namimiss na kita!

Huli man daw ay magaling, naihahabol din!

Huli man daw ay magaling, naihahabol din!

Alam ko namang gusto mo ding tumulong, hindi ba? Lalo na sa mga kapatid nating tiga Mindanao na biktima ng bagyong Sendong. Siguro ay gustong-gusto mo din magpadala ng tulong sa kanila at hindi mo lang alam kung paano.

'Wag ng magpatumpik tumpik pa at magpunta na sa pinakamalapit na remittance center. Mapa I-Remit, BTI money transfer o LBC man yan, tatanggapin nila ng buong puso ang ipapadala mong tulong. At ang masaya pa nito, libre nilang ireremit ito :)

Sana ay naisip din natin ang mga nangangailangan ngayong mga panahong ito at hindi lamang puro iPhone at Longchamp bag ang nasa isip natin. Let's make a difference!

Let's make our year productive and meaningful!

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon sa ating lahat!


Singapore, Dec 2011

OK lang...

Sino pa kayang Pilipino ang hindi pa nakarinig o nakapagbigkas ng mga katagang ito - "OK LANG".

Sa ating kulturang Pinoy, ang "ok lang" ang isa sa pinakasikat at pinakagasgas na linya. Convenient at versatile kasi ito.  Palitan mo lang ng mga punctuation marks, dagdagan kaunti ng ilang salita at sabihin sa iba't - ibang tono. AYOS!, Magfifit in na sa kung anong sitwasyon ka man naroon.

Masaya - OK na OK pare!
(masiglang bigkas)

Galit     - Ok ka lang?!
(mabilisang bigkas na may bigat)

Tamad  -  Ok lang..
(mabagal na bigkas)

Concerned citizen - Ok ka lang ba pare?
(patanong na bigkas na waring nang uusyoso)

...at madami pang iba.

Bakit nga ba nahiligan nating sabihin ito? Ito kasi siguro ang pinakamadaling sabihin sa kahit anong sitwasyon at tinatanggap naman ng karamihan.  'Yung tipong tamad ka nang mag-isip ng mas may lalim na tanong o sagot. At kung hindi ka naman interesado sa kausap mo, e bat ka pa nga naman mag iisip, hindi ba?

Ngunit, sa ibang mga pagkakataon naman, paganahin naman natin mga utak natin. Example, namatayan yung taong kausap mo at  tatanungin mo ng "ok ka lang ba?" Ano sa tingin mo? Ikaw na nagtatanong, naranasan mo na bang mamatayan o di kaya ay mawalan ng importanteng tao sa buhay? At kung hindi ka pa nakontento, sasabihan mo pa ng "ok lang yan pare". E malamang naman na alam mo na hindi ok 'yun dahil hindi lang yun parang naagawan ka ng candy ng kalaro mo. Isa pa, nakita mo ng iyak ng iyak ang kaibigan mo tapos babanatan mo ng - "Ok ka lang?". Ano ba ate? 'Meron bang taong "ok" na iyak ng iyak?

Bakit nga kaya natanim sa sistema natin ito? Dahil ba "play safe" tayong mga Pinoy? Wala ba tayong paninindigan na lagi nalang "ok lang"? Takot ba tayong pumili ng stand natin sa buhay at kahit sa simpleng bagay na itatanong sayo, kunwari, "Gutom ka ba?", ang isasagot pa din natin ay "ok lang"? Saan ba patungo ang sagot na "ok lang"? Kung ikaw ay pessimist, maiintidihan mong, HINDI pa siya gutom at kung ikaw naman ay optimist, maiisip mong, OO gutom na siya. 

Kaya kung may kausap kang ganito ang sagot sayo dahil  tinamad na siyang mag-isip, pwes! ikaw naman ang kailangan mag isip ngayon sa kung ano mang ibig niyang sabihin sa mga katagang ito.
Nakipag usap ka pa kasi sa kanya.


Singapore, Sep 2011. Inspired by WOTL of Lourd de Veyra.

mahabang BYAHE = mahabang SAYA

Long distance drive - El Nido to Puerto Prinsesa. Around 5-6 hours.

Bagot? Masakit sa pwet? Walang magawa?

Pwes! Iba ang kwento namin. Na enjoy namin ang long distance drive from El Nido to Puerto Prinsesa. Sa katanuyan, ayaw pa nga sana naming makarating sa pupuntahan namin. Pinapagrelax namin ang hot na hot naming driver na tumatakbo ng 120km/hr na walang preno sa mga kurbada at lubak. Ngunit salamat sa larong "Pinoy Henyo" (from Eat Bulaga) at pansamantalang nakalimutan ang byahilo, ang takot sa mga kurbada at dinedma ang sakit ng pwet sa pagkakaupo.

Hinati namin ang aming grupo sa dalawa - isang grupo ay tatlo at ang isa naman ay apat. Nagpalitan kami ng mga salita(words) na ipapahula sa isa't-isa. Walang kategorya, sariling gawa. Ang matatalong grupo ang bibili ng pagkain at iinumin namin nung gabing iyon.

Nagsimula na nga - ang tilian, ang tinginan ng magkakagrupo na waring gustong kainin ang taya, ang tinginang kulang nalang ay sabihing ang t*nGA mo!, ang tawanan, ang sakit sa ulo dahil sa matinding tawanan at hindi mamatay matay na tawanan.

Ilan sa mga pinahulaan naming mga salita ay tatto, Las Vegas, gabi(root crop), damo, pako, airport, poste. Ngunit ang hindi ko makakalimutan na salita at moment dito ay ang pagpapahula sa salitang bisikleta.
(Legends: N - Nanghuhula, T - Teammates)
N- Bicycle?
T- OO (sabay tango ang dalawang kasama)
N- Kadena?
(hagalpak sa tawanan ang lahat!)T- Hindi
N- Gulong?, Preno? Upuan?
T I M E  I S  U P!!!

Pati ang hot na hot naming driver ay hindi napigilang mainis at magcoach sa katabi niyang nanghuhula.

Team A - PANALO!

Team A - PANALO!

Team A - PANALO!

Team B - hindi PANALO!

 

Team B - hindi PANALO!



Team B - hindi PANALO!

ang hindi mababayarang saya!

Isa ito sa mga hindi mababayarang kasiyahan namin nung araw na 'yon. Kaya sa mga susunod na mahaba habang byahe, hindi problema yan. Siguraduhin lang na game sa kasiyahan ang mga kasama at walang killjoy at anti-social. Kung hindi, iPAKO na yan sa POSTE!
GOOD TIMES!


El Nido - Puerto Prinsesa Drive, Aug 2011

Napasaya mo ako, Pico de Loro (2 of 2)

  

 Pagkatapos ng ulan, kidlat at kulog, isang maaliwalas na umaga ang tumambad sa amin. Salamat sa magandang panahon nung araw na 'yon. Naglakad lakad sa paligid at nag site ng own location for morning rituals. Sssh ssh lang naman.

 Ang kahapong madulas na trails at madilim na paligid ay napalitan ng kaaya-ayang tanawin, clear sky at may bonus na morning breeze pa.


morning breeze



ayun oh! maya maya lang, andyan nako!



magnificent view



Nang mabusog na ang aming mga mata at tyan, naghanda naman ang lahat sa last assault sa Summit 2(bundok na katapat ng Pico) at Summit 3(Parrot's beak o ang Pico de Loro).  Masasabi kong physically demanding ang akyat na ito dahil sa matatarik nitong trails ngunit napawi lahat 'yan ng overlooking Batangas, Bataan, Mindoro at Cavite - an aerial view.


Hindi man namin naakyat ang summit ng Pico de Loro dahil sa pagkapigtas ng lubid na nakakabit dito, masaya pa rin kaming bababa dito lalo na't Nasugbu trail ang aming daan pababa. Another daring adventure!

At hindi nga ako nagkamali, daring nga ito! Kung gaano kahirap ang trails ng Ternate(Cavite), walang wala ito kung ikukumpara sa Nasugbu(Batangas). Parang lahat kami ay naging bata dahil sa pa-slide na daan at ala-monkey bars gamit ang mga kawayan. Sabi nga ng mga alumni/beterano na kasama naman, hindi pwedeng "rumatrat"(rumatrat - bilisan ang paglalakad/pacing) dahil dadahusdos ka talaga.  

Sa mga aakyat ng Pico De Loro, I suggest you do the traverse climb (Ternate-Nasugbu). Its a little bit difficult but it is really fun, dirty and fun ulit!

Pico De Loro, August 2011