Birds of the Great Ocean Road

Our first day in Melbourne started off with a breakfast by the river at Anglesea, a seaside village situated just before the Great Ocean Road.

It was sunny, but the wind was freezing. We had a warm cup of coffee on both hands, but it wasn’t enough to snuff out the coldness. The chirping of the birds filled the air. Stories and laughters from every one on tour can be heard from everywhere.

We drove for a couple of hours to reach the Great Ocean Road. As we passed by several lookouts, we can’t help but utter “oohs” and “aahs” upon witnessing the grand coastline of south-eastern Australia.

Stoned!

Happy Three Friends

By lunch, we took a break at La Bimba in Apollo Bay and savored the freshest catch of the day. It was a quiet, little town with a stunning view of the ocean. Here, we found ourselves lying around the meadow, playing like little kids out for some fun. The sun was at its peak, yet the coldness still embraced us.

We drove further and further away. And just when we taught all we’d see is an infinite coastline, one by one we witnessed the monoliths of the Twelve Apostles, the most famous of all lookouts, appear before us. Standing high at the edge of the ocean, braving the elements of erosion, these monoliths serve as a symbol: that no matter what the world throws on you, you just have to be strong enough to weather the storm and keep your head high.

It was the highlight of our day.

Two of The Twelve Apostles

The Author at Loch Ard Gorge

15 Seconds of Flinders Street

The following morning we were greeted by the trains and trams of the city. We walked pass an endless row of restaurants and cafes that were a delight to the sight. Next thing we knew, we were right in the middle of a colorful alley, the Hosier Lane. The streets were filled grafittis crawling up the walls of the buildings, like a rainbow splattered on concrete.

The Yarra River

Hosier Lane: Like a Rainbow Splattered on Concrete

The Colorful Bathing Boxes of Brighton Beach

We took a quick drive to Brighton Beach and found the colorful bathing boxes beside the sea.

Still, just like yesterday, the sun was there and so was the cold air. People walked barefoot, sinking their toes on fine sand as the crashing waves continuously tries to reach their feet.

It was our first spring. And it was perfect.

Sunrise in Bagan

Travelling to Myanmar particularly to Yangon (former Rangoon) and Bagan has exceeded my expectations regarding this trip. Though pictures look magnificent in the Internet, being there and being integrated in their community added more beauty and significance to it. From Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar, to Bagan, we fell in love with the intricacies in their culture that are still left untouched like applying Thanaka on their faces to protect their skin from the sometimes unbearable heat of the sun and wearing Longyi as their everyday outfit. The people are genuinely friendly even if communication was a struggle. Aside from these, the journey that we took to explore temples, pagodas, and stupas made us appreciate their religion as well as the rich history behind each one. Each temple tells a different story, stories that we somehow learned through the beautiful statues and intricate wall carvings both inside and outside.

“sila-rhan”

The Red Portal

Like a Boss

This trip was also physically exhausting yet it’s also one of the best that we’ve ever done. Witnessing the sunrise, together with the surreal movement of the hot air balloons as they fly over the temples, was worth the 8-hr bus ride from Yangon to Bangan. It felt unreal at first until it hit us that after almost a year of planning, we were really there. All the muscle pain, sunburn, bruises, and scrapes from riding an e-bike so that we can explore as many temples and stupas as possible became insignificant as we reminisce how overwhelmed we were with the beauty of Bagan.

My Favorite Photo

Silkdrift

#coolkids

But more than anything else, this trip became a celebration of friendship. A friendship that we have been sharing for more than a decade now and there’s no better way to celebrate such a bond but to visit Myanmar together. I would have to agree with Miguel when he wrote that this is the most memorable travel experience that he has so far. It’s also mine but more than memorable, it’s also the most enlightening trip I’ve ever had. My heart and soul are full of gratitude and appreciation not only to the place but also to the people who I’m blessed with.

“Peter”

Bagan at 4 AM

The Author at Old Bagan

So if you want to explore places that some people still call “the road less travelled”, then there’s no better time to explore Myanmar but now when travelers can still experience the unadulterated Myanmar culture.

My Humps

Burj Al Arab

Time Travel Buddies

“Sandy”

Somewhere in Jumeirah Beach

The Black Hole

Mountain Dune

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center: An Abu Dhabi Sidetrip

White and Gold, Black and Blue

Zabeel Palace: Home of the Shiekh

Miracle Garden

Great Ball of Fire

Lost in Atlantis

Shisha, Soda, and Some Serious Spinning

The Other Side of Dubai

THE Burj Khalifa

View “At the Top”

Hipnosis

Pier 7

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

There are places that you reach by accident, but make you want to stay on purpose. It was a promo-priced ticket, or probably chance and good timing that brought me and my friend of 10 years to Taiwan. Honestly, it wasn’t really a trip I’m ecstatic about. I had limited budget. My work and school calendars were packed. PLUS what the hell does one do in Taiwan?

Worse, the continuously worsening traffic in Manila made me miss my departure. Yes, my plane flew off without me. Call it carelessness, false judgment, Philippine-transport-gone-awry, but for me, it was fate in all its playful glory. I had all the reasons within my comfort zone not to push through with the vacation. It could be the visa, or the cheap hotel fee, but again, there was some amazing, funny, and playful force that made me book another one-way flight with my friend for the following day.

“Must. Con-cen-trate.”

The Streets of Wanli District

Dancing Dragons

THE Taipei 101

Midnight Rainbow

We arrived in Taiwan when everyone was asleep. Then daylight kicked in. The streets and the windowsill of our room were damp from the rain. The minute we stepped out of the hotel and into the cool sunrise, we knew, this trip will be unlike any other.

Contrary to the cold silence that welcomed us in the evening, warmth and friendliness of the Taiwanese surprised us in the morning. The local 7-11 register greeted me with eagerness. Train officers assisted us with utmost positivity. Store owners and passers by smiled at us as if they understood every word we said.

Contrary to my misconception, there are a lot of things to do in Taiwan. And I don’t use the term ‘a lot’ lightly here. Art enthusiasts will find museums and art galleries that range from the vintage to bizarre, modern, and quirky. Hardcore shoppers will delight bargaining in their busy street markets and surfing through malls of floors and floors of high-end brands. Blocks of streetfood stalls and authentic oriental cuisine will also overwhelm even the ultimate foodie. Temples, ruins, and monuments are present to amuse the history buffs. Nature lovers will also find convenient access to mountain trails, geoparks, and even forest treks.

Yehliu Geopark

View from the Memorial Hall

Flavors of Taiwan

Daxi Old Street

Breaking Barriers

Drogon Was Here!

The Author at the Purple Daxi Bridge

President Chiang Kai-shek

Ximending

But when all else fails, let the unique charm of the city capture you. Let the arrangement of old and new structures fascinate you. Let the mixture of scanty lines, colors and figures slowly organize themselves and form memories that will last forever. Let the city seize you. Let it enthrall you. And make you reflect. Make you think. Make you lose your way. Then probably make you find yourself again and make you want to stay.

Rebooking a four-thousand-peso-fare ended up to be one of the the best careless mistakes I made my entire life.