Nomadic Experiences

Khao San Road

2012-01-25T20:23:00.000-08:00

"The first I heard of the beach was in Bangkok, on the Kao-San Road..." reads the opening page of Alex Garland's "The Beach". I first read the book about 5 years ago and I saw the movie immediately following it. Since then I've always been fascinated with Khao San Road. A few people I know have been here, reporting back how it has lost its charm, while some still perceives it as a place to really kick-start one's backpacking trip across Asia. Romanticism aside, Khao San is nothing but a stretch of short road, circling towards another street that houses hostels, hotels, restaurants, souvenir and tattoo shops, food carts and almost everything that will cater to a backpacker's needs.

Why Go Backpacking in the Philippines?

2012-01-17T19:22:00.000-08:00

"It's more fun in the Philippines".

Last January 6, I was invited to the "top secret" DOT launch of its new slogan along with fellow travel bloggers; Lois, Melo, Angel, Izah and Fung Yu. It was actually my first time to enter the Department of Tourism Building and from the moment I stepped inside the room, I know that a feeling of anticipation started snowballing into what's in store for all of us that day. We all remember the highly polarized and maligned DOT slogan and logo almost a year ago, so you can't blame if people were sort of biting their fingernails on this one.

A Wham Bam 3D/2N Itinerary

2012-01-14T04:37:00.000-08:00

There is so much to do in three hours - as a number of sleazy motels suggests. What more in twenty-four hours times three? That's almost like an eternity for a traveler, as time like places, should not looked upon as a hindrance to satisfy a craving and a wonder for exploring previously undiscovered locations. Your job isn't your whole life, so email your immediate superior pronto and pencil out that coming long weekend for an "Amazing Race"-kind of trip, even in the farthest and beautiful countryside. Suck it all up and enjoy what the road can offer, because in a span of 3 Days and 2 Nights, you can experience a trip that will finally kickstart your desire to travel further. Give yourself a break, dip your feet into the water and taste the wonderful orgasmic feeling of being on the road. I'm betting my old wrist watch, you will be making another travel plans the moment you return back to sleep on your old familiar bed.

Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn)

2012-01-09T23:23:00.000-08:00

It was early in the morning when we arrived by foot at the banks of Chao Phraya River and on the west bank, opposite from the small dock we're standing, the tall imposing prang of Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) stood proud and mightily against the blue skies. To get there, we had to cross the river aboard small passenger boats. We paid an elderly woman manning the seemingly unnoticeable ticket booth, the 3.00 Baht fare for each person. We arrived at the other side after a few minutes and the temple was just starting to open, we watched as the guards were lining up and getting ready to listen to the day's instructions from their commander.

Temple Hopping at Ayutthaya

2012-01-03T22:10:00.000-08:00

Ariadne and I woke up at around 5:30 am at our lovely hostel, the Shambara Boutique Hostel in Khao San Road, eager-beaver for our day trip to the ancient city of Ayutthaya, which is situated approximately 76 kilometers north of Bangkok. We took a cab from Khao San Road to Victory Monument (81 Baht) and from there, we took a van (a spacious and comfortable Toyota Commuter - 60 Baht) for an hour trip to Ayutthaya. We arrived at Ayutthaya at around 8:30 am and started our temple hopping aboard a motorized 3-wheeler Tuk-tuk, which was driven by the middle-age woman who quickly approached us as we got off from the van. We agreed on a deal for her to take us around and visit at least 10 temples for 500 Baht. (for two persons already).

Wat Yai Chaimongkhon

Breakfast at Antonio’s with the Crazies

2012-01-01T18:59:00.000-08:00

I heave a sigh of relief when the guards asked us if we have any reservations to Antonio's Restaurant, to which Eileen answered with a negative. Earlier on the car, Lauren was saying "Ang cute, we shall have lunch at Antonio's" and I was like thinking "yeah read online that the average meal costs 1,500 pesos". I could not complain since I'm just a passenger on the car and these two lovable crazies might ask me to buy a pack of black Marlboro on a random highway store and might speed off the moment I get off. So I stayed put planning to order only a glass of iced tea and chips, if ever they serve some. We primarily went to Tagaytay for a foodtrip, but not necessarily to splurge. To think, it was a trip that started when Lauren texted me about a 1,000 peso Pampanga foodtrip challenge.

Nomadic Experiences of 2011

2011-12-25T18:42:00.000-08:00

I took my traveling to a whole new level in 2010, to say that I've grown content with that is an understatement as I've taken my wanderings to another height this year. Though I'm still unable to do long-term traveling because of my job - which serves as my source of income to finance my trips. I was still able to maximize whenever I can, doing so on long weekends and holidays, plus the smart usage of our company's vacation and sometimes sick leaves. While I still wait the day where I would wake up every day and treat it as a Saturday and travel continuously, these short bursts of travel experiences has taught me and afforded me to meet gregarious people along the way. Reasons why I had gotten deep into the beautiful depths of travel addiction.

clockwise: Angkor Wat, Malapascua, Coron, Kota Kinabalu, Saigon, Phnom Penh, HK, Apo Reef, Lake Sebu

Sendong Donation Drive: Donate Your Money and These are Yours

2011-12-21T18:33:00.000-08:00

I'm putting these three items for auction and 100% will go directly to the "Sendong victims" in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City. You don't have to pay me directly, rather I would want you to donate the amount to this link: One For Iligan and CDO: Help the Typhoon Sendong Victims. It is a one stop donation website set up by the Iligan Bloggers.

Here are the steps for this mini-auction

1. Make a bid - starting amount is stated below each image.

2. Auction ends as long as there's a few bidders already.

3. Highest bidder will have to donate the said amount to the link provided:

http://iliganbloggers.com/events/one-for-iligan-help-the-typhoon-sendong-victims/

4. Once you donated, an email confirmation from the Iligan bloggers will be sent to you.

5. Email me that confirmation email at: markyramone@nomadicexperiences.com

6. Then the said item is yours.

* you can send your bid at my email: markyramone@nomadicexperiences.com
* Its alright to haggle, important thing is we raise some funds.

A Short Note About Khao San Road

2011-12-20T22:06:00.000-08:00

As I plan to write one long blog post about Khao San Road in the coming days or even weeks. I decided I should make one that introduces it to the readers of this blog. I'm sure, Khao San Road has been into the minds of the many, from reading the Alex Garland novel or those that has seen the Leonardo movie. Either way anybody could muster enough case for the over-romanticized build-up of this place. Which is actually a short stretch of a street that goes around to a few more and is crowded with backpacker's inns, bars, art, tattoo, souvenir shops.

On Assignment for Travel Time Magazine: La Inmaculada Concepcion de Malabon

2011-12-19T22:03:00.000-08:00

I went to Malabon a few weeks ago to cover the La Imaculada Concepcion de Malabon fluvial parade, which also serves as a thanksgiving feast for the city's fishermen, in behalf of the popular "Travel Time Magazine" of Susan Calo Medina. Though, I have already written four articles on another travel magazine, the "Republic of 7107 Island Travel" this one is different, since it was my first time to go to a place and a festival with the assignment of writing about it. During my previous published articles, I just wrote it and submitted it as a contribution article and was fortunate that the publisher liked it, thus its inclusion in the previous issues.

Phnom Penh de Sarapen: The Royal Palace

2011-12-12T21:48:00.000-08:00

After settling into our place for the night at You Khin House in Phnom Penh, we hurriedly went out to explore the city. We plan to check out first the Genocide Museum, but our tuktuk driver mis-heard our instructions and instead took us to Phnom Penh National Museum, which we didn't mind since we will still have another day to spare in this city, on the way back to Saigon from Siem Reap later in the week. After being awed by the vast collection of Angkorian era artifacts, lingas and other statues such as the "Leper King" at the National Museum, we took off on foot towards the Royal Palace which is located only a few meters away.

The Throne Hall

Street Scene: Hongkong

2011-12-04T21:16:00.000-08:00

The streets of Hong Kong is a combustive collaboration of people from all over the world. Its bustling and filled with energy so robust it'll make you set aside foot pains and aching knees brought about by hours of walking. I spent most of my five days stay walking around as much as I could. I would hop on trains and disembark on random MTR stations and come out each time with splendid anticipation at what kind of human parade awaits me at every stop.

Turning the Pages of Angkor Wat

2011-11-24T21:27:00.000-08:00

I have this place inserted inside my head as far I could remember. Was it somewhere I've read as a kid? some documentary on TV that I've seen, I could not exactly pinpoint the source of my obsession to see this place. Angkor Wat for me is like a page from the book I'm reading, as days and years gone by, the pages seems to thicken and the more I feel my chances slithering away.

Nomadic Pranksters: 2011 Masskara Festival

2011-11-21T22:30:00.000-08:00

Famous beat writer Ken Kessey unofficially formed "Merry Pranksters" in the 60's. It is composed of a group of people bonded by a singular thread that weaves them all together. Theirs was a choice of an unconventional lifestyle, of living communally and taking road trips across the United States (while high with something - LSD?). It was a set-up that have provided them a rich set of experiences, that somehow made it into works of literature, as most of them are writers in the said era. To know more about these gregarious people, reading Tom Wolfe's "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test" should be a good start.

The River Garden, Siem Reap

2011-11-21T20:01:00.000-08:00

Our home away from home for two nights while in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The River Garden was the accommodation provided for me by Roomorama months before my trip. I remember while planning my trip to Siem Reap, I told myself I would not mind sleeping on benches in a park just to visit the place at all cost, though sometimes surprises comes in great package and I was able to book this place courtesy of Roomorama, which is the leading online provider of "quality accommodations for the curious travelers"

Nomadic Video 3: Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

2011-11-19T18:22:00.000-08:00

It's hard to write something about this place. It's hard enough being there with all your human emotions all over the place. More difficult to walk around and stare at the nameless portraits of those who died there. The air inside was that of modern day peace time, but the presence of the walls that surrounds you, tells of an unspoken grim and brutal past.

Banteay Srei Temple in Angkor

2011-11-15T23:49:00.000-08:00

Banteay Srei is one of my favorite temples in the former Khmer capital of Angkor. It is probably the most intricately designed one, as evidenced by the impressive and elaborate carvings found on its walls. The temples wasn't as large as the other temples around Angkor but it definitely expresses a unique characteristic.

Nomadic Video 2: Angkor Wat

2011-11-11T22:03:00.000-08:00

Here is the music video of the various moving images of Angkor Wat and the many temples surrounding it. I made sure I was able to shoot enough scenes as this has been the trip I've been wanting to make for the longest time. What better way than to store it not only in my memory vault, but have it go along with one of my favorite songs of all time, "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles.

Phnom Pehn de Sarapen: Border Crossing

2011-11-10T20:26:00.000-08:00

I arrived a day earlier in Ho Chi Minh and spent the whole day walking around the city, getting myself immersed in a new place which hurriedly became familiar to me. From crossing the street with the engines of motorcycles revving up and whose drivers will never slow down, I've become an expert in not getting ran over in just a few tries. I've also politely rejected motorcycle drivers and rickshaw operators' offer of ride, as I just told them "I'm just walking around". Which I did before retiring to the guest house and waited for my brother who arrived early morning the next day. After a short nap, we went out to the then awakening city of Saigon and had a quick breakfast in order to catch the 6:30 AM bus going to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A day earlier, I already purchased two one way tickets to Phnom Penh which costs $10.00 per person at the Sihn Tourist located at De Tham street - which is just beside both Buy Vien and Pham Ngu Lao.

War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City

2011-11-10T00:03:00.000-08:00

The "Vietnam War" is one of the most infamous events of recent times. Told to us by a telling number of movies made in Hollywood which heightened only the conflict through the eyes of the Americans. I grew up watching the films by Oliver Stone ("Platoon"), Francis Ford Coppolla ("Apocalypse Now") and Stanley Kubrick ("Full Metal Jacket") of how the war besieged the innocence of young Americans drafted into the battlefields of Vietnam. Truth to be told, the war is more terrifying and harrowing if looked from the eyes and the experiences of the Vietnamese people, 3 million of whom (2 million civilians) died in the senseless conflict brought upon from former US President Dwight Eisenhower's unfounded "domino theory" paranoia in Asia.

Phnom Bakheng Sunset

2011-11-08T19:40:00.000-08:00

After an almost 7 hour bus ride from Phnom Penh, we finally rolled into Siem Reap and the feeling of excitement has swelled into a massive wave inside my body. My mind is painting a picture of the vast Angkor Wat complex and its nearby and equally impressive temple ruins. Comparing what I had imagined and read before to what I will see in a short while, equals every adolescent boy's first foray into a lovemaking session with a beautiful girl.

Roomorama: You Khin House in Phnom Penh

2011-11-07T20:18:00.000-08:00

True to form with Roomorama's vision of introducing the other aspects of traveling aside from "visiting a checklist of tourist attractions". The experience I had with You Khin House in Phnom Penh, Cambodia opened my eyes to the many things, a traveler can do while visiting a particular city on a longer term. The idea of joining an NGO organization like the one behind You Khin House presents an ideal chance to mix traveling and helping others.

Dispatch From Saigon

2011-11-05T08:49:00.000-07:00

I'm writing this inside our $12 room in Saigon. My brother is already snoring and sleeping soundly, while I just had the urge to write something. This is our last night on a journey that has taken us from Saigon - Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in Cambodia and back again in Ho Chi Minh. It was a trip that finally morphed my childhood fascination of seeing Angkor Wat - into a reality. By tomorrow, this epic on the road experience will total 8 days, one of my longest so far, in terms of traveling in between my day job.

Kota Kinabalu Street Graffiti

2011-10-19T22:22:00.000-07:00

A few hours before we boarded the plane back to Clark in Pampanga, we took a final walk along the streets of Kota Kinabalu and came across this remnants of an old building, that was covered with eye popping graffiti. To say that it was Andy Warhol-isque is a bit of an understatement. I am always fascinated with street arts, especially graffiti which if done with fine taste, would always present a welcome appeasement to the eyes.

Kota Kinabalu Foodtrip

2011-10-12T23:15:00.000-07:00

I'm not much of a food adventurer that I must admit. You will find me most of the time ordering the usual dishes at the office cafeteria, the tortang talong at the nearby Jollijeep and on rare occasions delighting on KFC, McDonalds and Jollibee. During my travels though, I try to become more driven to sample cuisines that are popular in places I visit. Sometimes I do get to try and more than a few times, due to budget constraints I let the opportunity pass me by. Not so, during my recent trip to Kota Kinabalu. I figured the chances of coming back would be more expensive, considering travel taxes and the lack of airfare promos alike. I'm already there so might as well try to get my taste buds say hello to the dishes that are relatively served around the city.