CH200: Renewed - Taipei!

So, finally, the Taipei trip is beginning to take shape! I've booked our hotel and tours during the length of the stay all in one day (yesterday, Tuesday, Jan 21) - the day when my credit card cycle was reset. A lot of stress leading up to that day considering the expenses leftover from the previous cycle (which should be settled soon!!!). So far, I have below itinerary drafted out.

Jan-28
430pm: Arrive
Take Bus to city and train to hotel
Explore Area (Ximending)

Jan-29
10am: Arrival
Lunch
1pm -6pm: Wulai Aboriginal Village Tour (1500 NTD/pax)
7pm: Shilin Night Market"

Jan-30
8am-12nn: Northern Coast Tour (Keeling City, Keelung Harbour, Buddha Statue, Yeliu Park, Queen's Head)
Lunch
1pm-6pm: Tour (Chiufen Village, Chinkuashih Village,Pitou Cape, Nanya Rock Formations, Bay of Two Colors)
7pm: Long Shan Temple
8pm: Hwahsi Night Market

Jan-31
8am-12nn: Tour (Presidential Building, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, Martyr's Shrine, Traditional Taiwanese Temple, National Palace Museum, Handicraft Center)
1pm-3pm: Confucius Temple, Xingtian Temple
4pm: Taipei 101 Mall
5pm: Go up Taipei 101
6pm: Dinner Taipei101 Mall Shopping
8pm: Ximending Shopping

Feb-01
9am: Maokong Gondola Ride and Maokong  (Zhinan Temple) Mountain walk
12nn: Lunch at one of Maokong Mountain Tea House
2pm: Sun Yat Sen Memorial
3pm: Fine Arts Museum
5pm: More shopping at Ximending(in case Ma didn’t get enough)
7pm: Dinner in Ximending Area
9pm: Pack and head to airport for Mama's flight

Feb-02
1am: Mama's flight
Clubbing till late
Checkout before leaving hotel?
11am: Museum of Contemporary Arts
1pm: National Taiwan Museum
230pm:  Pack and Prepare to leave for airport
3pm: Airport
535pm: Flight
1030pm: Singapore

The hotel I booked is quite okay looking based on the pictures. It looks hip. We're staying in the Ximending area so we're close to some shopping areas and food places. I guess, I had it as a priority to stay in the area after reading that the hip bars are also around there. I have time on the 28th and Feb 2 by myself and I'm not going to spend that stuck in a room watching cable! ;)

Now, as the 28th of January approaches, I'm getting more and more excited! I just hope that during the tour and going around that it won't be super crowded. I also hope that there won't be any traffic jams during our tour that could jeopardize the timing. I opted to go for the tours so my mom doesn't have to go around walking too much or commuting. This vacation after all was organize as her 60th birthday celebration! Although, so far, the only contributors I have from the family is my dad who committed to shell out 500 usd to pay for a bracelet/watch/jewelry as a gift to my mom (awwww....).

Now, time to start organizing the finances! I want to be able to shop for some things when I do get there and not just have to carry my mom's spoils for her. The night markets in Taipei are something I also look forward to experiencing. Forget the diet (again!), time to binge on street food and maybe try a shot of snake blood.

Anyone been to Taipei who can suggest places to visit based on the itinerary? I've researched through several sources like tripadvisor, wikia, and other apps geared for travelling (Triposo, etc) and that's the best I can come up with suited for a gen-y and senior citizen haha.

CH199: FML

I thought I had been carefully monitoring my expenses after the Christmas splurge, but OMG FML!
I still have 3 days to go before my credit card cut-off. I can't wait for it to be the 20th of January already so I can escape the amount that's haunting me. And also because it will follow that the 24th is arriving and I can pay off my credit card and get back in the green.

I have to blame for the most part the Bangkok protests! Blame game! If there wasn't any uprising or as it turns out violence (as of today, there have been reported incidents of bombing aside from the peaceful rally and mobilizations), the trip would have pushed through and I won't be in the red! Then I wouldn't have had to hustle to get airplane tickets for me and my mom rebooked (or bought new ones) to Taiwan.

*sigh*

Oh well, I knew it could have ended up as such considering I've ended once before even in a deeper shade of red in terms of expenses (that time I think was over-the-holiday expenses and last minute booking of a trip to New Zealand last year). To offset the sudden dip in mood, I decided to inquire on the air miles I've accumulated since getting my ANZ last October and I was pleasantly surprised that I've earned 10,000 points/miles already. That means, I have 60,000 miles as of the moment and I can accumulate more and offset the cost of going to Europe/America on April (or maybe June so it doesn't feel like I'm debilitating myself financially!)

God! Please let time go faster and let it be the 20th already. I can't wait to put behind me the horror of expense.

3600+ SGD. About twice the norm. ARGH!

Boom. I'm broke. But, I'm happy. #ironic

It just occured to me, I only promised my mom Hotel costs as my sister would have shouldered my mom's air tickets. Haha, oh please mum! Can I get cash for Christmas? :)

And also on the happy news, my sister is finally pregnant and I'm going to have another niece!

CH198: Derailed

2014 isn't looking too good for planning and travel. I booked flights for me and my mom going to Bangkok for the Chinese New Year. I got her tickets via PAL from MNL to BKK and CEB from BKK to MNL before all the outburst that is happening now in Thailand. I got my tickets via Jetstar.

From the pictures and the news, it does seem blown out of proportion considering when I look through Twitter to help assess the situation, it doesn't seem dangerous or at all violent. But, it has been driving me crazy having to monitor the situation and not being able to decide whether to push through with it or not. I've been holding off on booking hotels because I don't want to have to add another layer of uncertainty and rebooking and other administrative tasks just to change plans last minute!

So, today, I decided to rebook my mom's CEB flight instead from TPE to MNL and got new flights for her via PAL for her MNL to TPE flight. Meanwhile, I used wego to find cheap flights and found one roundtrip for 580 SG to TPE. So, yes, we're going to Taiwan instead for Chinese New Year. A bit of stress now gone, but a bit stressed with the expenses! Now, I might not be able to push through with my plans to do Amsterdam-Paris-Barcelona for April because of cost considerations since I'm trying to stay in the green with credit card spending and avoid having to touch my savings.

Anyway, that's just me typically stressing about things. The good thing is that at least we don't have to worry about anything happening to us when we do go to BKK like in case they shutdown the airport since the elections is scheduled on the 2nd of February (Travel plans are from 29th Jan to 2nd Feb). Plus, I don't want the unnecessary pressure of disappointment from my Dad and Mom considering it should be a wonderful celebration of my mom's 60th birthday!

Time to research about the places to go and hotel to stay in Taiwan! I haven't even considered the fact that based on what I've heard from friends, the language barrier is quite strong in Taiwan!

An interesting note though - I saw online that as of August 8, 2013, Philippine passport holders who have valid entry visa to US, Japan, UK, New Zealand and Australia (and maybe some other countries I forgot to note down), can apply online to get a clearance certificate and avoid the hassle of applying for a Taiwan visa. So, my 10 year US visa has served another purpose! Will have yet to see how the process goes, as far as booking and other things are concerned, I'm done for the day.

CH197: Commissioned

I was telling my sister and brother in law a couple of days ago in our family group chat how their walls looked white and barren. Considering they're expecting a baby soon, I told them they should probably hang paintings.

So the other night I asked my sister:

Me: hey, give me 3 words you want to be the central theme for a painting I'll do you.

Sis: okay! Paint me, healthy beautiful baby.

Me: that's just 1 word with baby being the subject!

Sis: okay, paint me new year, reunion and baby!

Me: OMG! That's so simplistic!

Sis: what do you want? Okay paint me New Zealand, Singapore and philippines!

Me: haha I'm not that good of a painter! Nevermind! I'll think of the themes myself. I'll paint you, baby, family and God (Since my Sister is quite religious)

Here's the result of 2 hours painting at Arteastiq at Mandarin Gallery. For 50-60 sgd (I didn't check the price that was charged earlier lol).

To explain the themes, the four panels represent each member of the family.

Mom and dad. Mom being the (red) heart of the family, and my dad (in blue green to symbolize that he was the money earner - green dollars)

My sister and brother in law. My sister in pink coming from my mom's red. My brother in law in brown as a neutral color and pure Filipino descent. And the baby, because we don't know the sex yet, symbolized by the circle in pink and brown.

My brother's family. My brother in green stemming from my dad's blue green. My sister in law in purple. My nephew in yellow striped white because yellow is his favorite color. And pink and red flowers for my niece simply because.

The last panel of course is for myself. The blue comes from dad, and the mushroom stemming from CP calling me shroom because according to him, my head is "shroomy."

The cross at the center of the picture will be representative of God. I may not be very religious anymore, but For my sister I had to incorporate it haha. It's still symbolic of what binds the family together.

All in all, a pleasant afternoon after an early afternoon at the gym. Now I just have to figure out how I can send the commissioned art work to my sister in LA!

[Random] Christmas Gifts 2

Thank you to all my friends who gave me a gift for Christmas! :) From all the food, the toys, and chocolate and other bits.

Christmas day, I went to meet CP for breakfast so we can exchange gifts.  He prepared breakfast and I was 20 mins late from agreed time because I thought he was still asleep LOL. We discussed to give each other one major gift and one minor one. I got him the new Mont Blanc Legend scent (paired with toiletries and a toiletry bag) as well as towels and swimming goggles.

He got me a new watch and something still pending.

After which, we went to Catalunya and had a Spanish Christmas buffet with his friends who I got to know as well. Most of us opted for the free flow Cava (or other spirits such as white or red fine and Christmas cocktails). The food was really nice. Quite a different take on last year's Christmas lunch at Marina Bay Sands we had as there was no turkey. On the other hand, they had a very delectable suckling pig and delicious desserts so I'm quite solved with the idea minus the price tag. If you're interested to go next year, make your reservations and pay up 178Sgd.

Afterwards, we went to overeasy for more drinks and just chill and chat over drinks and some snacks. We stayed there for over 4 hours after staying a bit in  Catalunya drinking. Safe to say, I was quite intoxicated after a whole day of drinking for Christmas. Quite a new experience but fun nevertheless!

CH196: Christmas Away

This would be my 2nd Christmas here in Singapore. 2 Christmases ago, I spent it with family when I went to New Zealand for Christmas and New Year. Last year was with CP at the Ritz Carlton. This year, I spent it in the company of friends!

Thanks Richie and Mon for hosting! The food was immense!!!! Thank you tita for the amazing food and the time you took to make all the dishes perfect! A different Christmas altogether, but nonetheless memorable!

With ange and the amazing hosts Richie and Mon

With ange, one of my closest friend here in Singapore. Thanks for listening and all the advices this year!

[Random] Christmas Gifts

It's the season of giving again! The season to go all out and buy gifts...for yourself! Haha

I got my package from NZ a couple of weeks back from my brother. He sent me a Lacoste polo shirt and shoes and an iPhone case. Considering my sister is pregnant, I don't expect her to send any but she said she will. So will have to see what she sends over :) my parents I don't really have any expectations as they gave me a wad of cash mid this year and they bought a condo unit so I'm sure they have their own expenses to worry about.

So...given those reasons I decided to splurge on myself with some things for Christmas! :)

The speakers beside the souvenirs I have yet to give my mom when she either visits me here or I go home to the PH.

I got myself the UE Boom Bluetooth speakers after hounding review after review of the best portable Bluetooth speakers around. I was deciding between this and the Bose Soundlink mini (priced the same) but ultimately decided for the UE Boom given that it's much more portable, water proof and stain proof (as they claim).

The other gift I got for myself is a new perfume since the Chanel Allure my sister got me will run out in a few months and I noticed myself liking sweeter fruity scents more (like the Paco Rabanne XS or the Hermes one I got in London).

Gifts for my parents and sister I'll probably get next year haha to distribute credit card damage. For my brother I gave him a practically new iPhone 5 since I had mine replaced with Singtel after my old one was faulty, so it's most likely refurbished but 2 months old. And of course I got some gifts for my niece and nephew as well. For my sister in law I got her a Ferragamo scent that doesn't smell of "old woman" haha but young and vibrant and still sweet (my preference still towards sweeter scents).

CH195: Linger

Not too long ago.

...

I'm having trouble sleeping since your scent is everywhere. The shirt I lent you I'm wearing. The pillow you slept on and the blanket you used. You shouldn't have slept on my side of the bed.

I will surely miss you.

I lament that we ended the way we ended. I didn't want that. I loved you and will always love you. But the trust I have just kept getting ebbed away with each issue I tried to communicate with you...

I wish your realization you came over to talk to me about the other day came earlier. It would have allowed us more time to address our issues. I would have been able to not let my mistrust get the better of me.

And as I lay in bed wondering, I realized that sooner than later this scent will fade.

...

Anyway, it's good we're still friends and in touch. I'm just still having trouble letting go. But it's more 50/50 slowly becoming biased toward letting go. It's just a question of whether I'm ready to or not. But the path and direction you set for us will make it easier. There's no moping, no letting the sadness consume me, and whatever bullshit I wrote before (CH182: Mature Insights).

It will just be a sad situation when you decide you're ready to start a relationship again. You mentioned that we never know that somewhere down the road it will be right again for us. And I only managed to retort that it's either now or never. It will be overly complicated if we let ourselves be friends with that hope implanted in our minds. It will be said when you think you're ready but I'm no longer available - or heck, no longer in Singapore.

...

As ephemeral as it lingered, so will be the void. One scent replaced by another - in this case, mine over yours.

CH194: Bali Indonesia Part 2

Following on the first entry: CH193: Bali Indonesia Part 1:

Pictures from this set will be from Days 3 and 4:
Day 3 - Dec 1: Breakfast, Bali Tour - Gunung Kawi (temple), Tampaksiring (where the sacred water is) and Tegalallang (rice terraces), hotel, chill, sunset dinner cruise, hotel, go out for drinks and party, hotel
Day 4 - Dec 2: Breakfast, checkout, beach, hotel for shower, departure

We rented a car to bring us around to places we had chosen. Typically, the tours are packaged for 5 hours or 10 hours. Since we didnt really have enough time in our hands, we decided on select destinations which were the Rice terraces and temples close to it (Gunung Kawi and Tampaksiring). There are other places that could have been visited if we added an additional 3-4 hours like the volcano (Batur) or the arts and crafts village around Ubud, but we had already booked a sunset dinner cruise so we were pressed for time.

One time while we were walking the streets of Seminyak, someone approached us and said: "you want to buy some Valium or Xanax?" I was a bit shocked someone would be peddling those prescription drugs on the streets of Bali! Or, when we got back to the front of the hotel from drinking, a motorcycle stopped by and said, you want magic mushroom? The man brought out a cup which looked like it had black liquid like bile in it and I was like, Uhm, no...

Security wise, I think after the incidents that rocked Bali before with the bombing, there was a strict enforcement of checks. In our hotel and Ku De Ta, cars were checked thoroughly going in. I appreciated the fact that even after it happened a while back, the measures they take to ensure the safety of the guests and patrons still persists. Unlike I would say in the Philippines, were after a few months from an incident, security becomes lax again - to the point that it's just a ridiculous hassle for guards to poke a stick through your stuff in a bag.

First stop of the tour was the Gunung Kawi temple. Surprisingly, it wasn't crowded. But, we reckon it was because of the steps you had to take going down to the place (about 300-350 stair steps maybe). And, considering we just went 600+ steps down to the white water rafting, my legs were pretty achy at this point haha

CH193: Bali Indonesia Part 1

Last Nov 29 - Dec 2, I went with CP to Bali! I wasn't really aware of how big Bali was until I got there. I didn't even realize that Bali was an island by itself! It was nice to learn that Bali is a lot of things I didn't know of, and how it's attractions are spread out in Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, Nusa Dua, Ubud, and other districts/municipalities. There's so much to do in Bali it's almost staggering just thinking how I could have fit all the things I wanted to do in 4 days and 3 nights. To say the least, you definitely need more than that to be able to properly experience Bali - much like Europe I guess, but on a lesser scale.

Here's a brief itinerary we had:

Day 1 - Nov 29: Arrival, check-in, walking tour of Seminyak, lunch at Ku De Ta, chill by beach, back home, dinner, go out for drinks and party, hotel

Day 2 - Nov 30: Breakfast, white water rafting, snacks, hotel, dinner, hotel

Day 3 - Dec 1: Breakfast, Bali Tour - Gunung Kawi (temple), Tampaksiring (where the sacred water is) and Tegalallang (rice terraces), hotel, chill, sunset dinner cruise, hotel, go out for drinks and party, hotel

Day 4 - Dec 2: Breakfast, checkout, beach, hotel for shower, departure

From the itinerary, I didn't get to fit in the Tanah Lot temple as well as the Ulun Danu (Bratan Lake) that a friend suggested.

It was also surprising to have seen Xander - a college friend I met from 1st year 1st sem for Social Science 1 - in a pub we went to. It was so random it was almost freaky to see a common face in a not so common land and more so in a not so common place to drink in!

Anyway, enough talk and more pictures (from Day 1 and 2)

SATS premier lounge

a very nice airport

chicken run!