What my 2014 was about...

2014 New Year's Eve in Singapore

It’s funny to recall how I started my 2014. I was in Singapore at the time, coming from a trip in Myanmar, and me and friends have planned to be in the Marina Bay for the fireworks during the countdown; There was just so much alcohol on the dining table in the flat that we opened some to kill time. Unfortunately, we drank way too much to even make it to Marina Bay Sands. 2 of us couldn’t even make it stand awake by 12MN, not even lay in a comfortable position in bed, sleeping with still their work clothes on.

This is but normal; I live a wasted life and I enjoy it that way.

Later the year 2013, while I was having a good time with my colleagues and my job at the company that I am working, I felt like I have always been short of the time to travel. I regret having to rush every destination as I always only have a weekend to spend. I make good connection with strangers and households I meet everywhere, and I wonder just how much more I could build if I were to spend more time.

Maldives Feb 2014

Abra Apr 2014

Higantes Mar 2014

Porac Jan 2014

Batanes, Jan 2014

Calaguas, Feb 2014

Pantabangan, Mar 2014

Quirino Prov, Mar 2014

Lubang, Mar 2014

Linapacan Apr 2014

bamboo train when we motorbiked MNL to Bicol in Feb 2014

Then again, there were the questions of how long can I sustain it? Where do I get financial support? Where do I go? What do I do next? There were more questions really versus wanting one thing … to have my time and space. Nonetheless, I am that person who thinks that the harder it gets, the more pleasure it begets.

I felt it was awkward to submit my resignation towards the end of the year because of the holiday vibes. Likewise, it was just as awkward to open up the year with a resignation.

I waited until February and luckily, I was given the push. April will be my last month.

Until the night before my last day, I was contemplating on whether I’m really pushing through or not.  The company that has afforded me the travels, my team who made work and weekday life just as fun, and my manager who has been most considerate..

I left thecountry April 23, 2014 stuffed with a 23kg backpack (didn’t I just feel likeI’m not coming back?)

how i looked like at the immigration queue in NAIA 4 en route to Malaysia

planting rice in Kep, Cambodia with some random family

how, to save money, i did my laundry in Hostels for 7 months as I travel around southeast ASIA 

The longest travel I’ve done so far was 13 days, and I after 2 weeks in this trip, my smile has just gone wider and wider. No pressure! I needed not to run here and there; needed not to board a plane or bus on a Sunday evening.. little by little, I lost track of the day of the week, or the date of the month. There was a time I didn’t even know what month it is.

By this time, the only thing I had to track was my expenses, and how many days I have available on my visa.

dinner and drinking with bus employees in their staffhouse because I missed the last bus to Paxse, Laos and stayed with them overnight

getting the cheapest haircut at the nastiest places; Vietnam has the nastiest by the way.. under any tree

staying at the cheapest possible place; $1 dorm in Silhanoukville, Cambodia

I am an agnostic at this point, but there are those times when I lie whole day on the beach, or just walking endlessly on a heritage city, or on my window seat in a bus, where I just say “Thank you for this privilege. For whatever I may have done to deserve it, I wish I’d known, for I’ll do it over and over and over.” If only I was convinced earlier it is that cheap to get such a freedom, I would have restrained myself from every Starbucks cup, Red Horse, or a gourmet lunch in the mall – that for every starbucks cup or bottle of beer, I would have stayed one more longer in Silhanoukville Cambodia or even 2-3 days of each of that gourmet lunch we’d spend for during paydays.

There were a lot of mishaps every so often, things i am never prepared for, never thought will happen, but nonetheless i will always be thankful about. For, as I always say, it is these uncalled for circumstances, when you are caught off hook, when you least expect it, that you learn to face or conquer them; You learn more about yourself; what you are capable of and what not - what you need to learn further 

driving Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia on my own bike

volunteering in a Hostel in Gili Meno, Lombok, Indonesia

More, meeting travelers who had been on the road for years, doing things I barely thought they’d do, just to keep hanging on to the travel, gave me some answers to my hesitations before.  There were those Caucasians who’d do hostel and bar jobs for local wages, which me, myself as an Asian, at first, didn’t think was practical. Some would even do for free just for accommodation and food.

Me thinks It’s a simple of question of what you really want to do? Options are only two: keep being on travel or go home and work. I was firm to my choice though, it was to BE AWAY.  If there is one thing I had reinforced within me by now, it would have been being firm and focused with my ultimate wants… no what ifs, no buts.

meeting and hanging out with other travellers from everywhere

the mesmerizing Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai

Seven months passed and my passport is 6 months to go. Our consulates couldn’t do it on time of my visa allowances on the countries, and so had to fly back home to the Philippines. I didn’t really look further to my options as spending december at home for some social work will be Christmas worthy.

Some nights I’d just sit out and stare at the Sky..  something I may have not done at home before. I’d smile at just a sight of ricefields, or even just ducks or cows, or little kids running around, or elderlies laughing loudly whilst missing some teeth.

biten by a dog in Cambodia

Getting super paranoia from the Happy pizzas in cambodia; I didn't think i'd ever wake up

Then, being home, waiting for my passport release which is in about close to 2 months to go, I get the temptations. The corporate zones are just around, and I am a YES away to affording again even those expensive things I like.  But there goes that question again, Why give up 5 days of my every week in exchange for petty luxury and fun, when I can keep it at a minimum and have all the time to stare at mountains, float in the sea, dip in springs, walk aimlessly on cities, and sit over beer and coffee with like-minded strangers. It was.. NO, but THANKS.

So, 2014.. I’m am not coming back to Corporate Life and I am on indefinite leave from the City; You made me feel like an idiot for even hesitating and not having to think about this, years and years go. There were backpackers aged 18, and i feel such a loser. Still, 2014 was my year of courage. There are some more extreme things I have not dared myself to do...  and I look forward for 2015 to bring me all that.. cheers for 365 days HIGH.

2014 New Year's Eve in Singapore

It’s funny to recall how I started my 2014. I was in Singapore at the time, coming from a trip in Myanmar, and me and friends have planned to be in the Marina Bay for the fireworks during the countdown; There was just so much alcohol on the dining table in the flat that we opened some to kill time. Unfortunately, we drank way too much to even make it to Marina Bay Sands. 2 of us couldn’t even make it stand awake by 12MN, not even lay in a comfortable position in bed, sleeping with still their work clothes on.

This is but normal; I live a wasted life and I enjoy it that way.

Later the year 2013, while I was having a good time with my colleagues and my job at the company that I am working, I felt like I have always been short of the time to travel. I regret having to rush every destination as I always only have a weekend to spend. I make good connection with strangers and households I meet everywhere, and I wonder just how much more I could build if I were to spend more time.

Maldives Feb 2014

Abra Apr 2014

Higantes Mar 2014

Porac Jan 2014

Batanes, Jan 2014

Calaguas, Feb 2014

Pantabangan, Mar 2014

Quirino Prov, Mar 2014

Lubang, Mar 2014

Linapacan Apr 2014

bamboo train when we motorbiked MNL to Bicol in Feb 2014

Then again, there were the questions of how long can I sustain it? Where do I get financial support? Where do I go? What do I do next? There were more questions really versus wanting one thing … to have my time and space. Nonetheless, I am that person who thinks that the harder it gets, the more pleasure it begets.

I felt it was awkward to submit my resignation towards the end of the year because of the holiday vibes. Likewise, it was just as awkward to open up the year with a resignation.

I waited until February and luckily, I was given the push. April will be my last month.

Until the night before my last day, I was contemplating on whether I’m really pushing through or not.  The company that has afforded me the travels, my team who made work and weekday life just as fun, and my manager who has been most considerate..

I left thecountry April 23, 2014 stuffed with a 23kg backpack (didn’t I just feel likeI’m not coming back?)

how i looked like at the immigration queue in NAIA 4 en route to Malaysia

planting rice in Kep, Cambodia with some random family

how, to save money, i did my laundry in Hostels for 7 months as I travel around southeast ASIA 

The longest travel I’ve done so far was 13 days, and I after 2 weeks in this trip, my smile has just gone wider and wider. No pressure! I needed not to run here and there; needed not to board a plane or bus on a Sunday evening.. little by little, I lost track of the day of the week, or the date of the month. There was a time I didn’t even know what month it is.

By this time, the only thing I had to track was my expenses, and how many days I have available on my visa.

dinner and drinking with bus employees in their staffhouse because I missed the last bus to Paxse, Laos and stayed with them overnight

getting the cheapest haircut at the nastiest places; Vietnam has the nastiest by the way.. under any tree

staying at the cheapest possible place; $1 dorm in Silhanoukville, Cambodia

I am an agnostic at this point, but there are those times when I lie whole day on the beach, or just walking endlessly on a heritage city, or on my window seat in a bus, where I just say “Thank you for this privilege. For whatever I may have done to deserve it, I wish I’d known, for I’ll do it over and over and over.” If only I was convinced earlier it is that cheap to get such a freedom, I would have restrained myself from every Starbucks cup, Red Horse, or a gourmet lunch in the mall – that for every starbucks cup or bottle of beer, I would have stayed one more longer in Silhanoukville Cambodia or even 2-3 days of each of that gourmet lunch we’d spend for during paydays.

There were a lot of mishaps every so often, things i am never prepared for, never thought will happen, but nonetheless i will always be thankful about. For, as I always say, it is these uncalled for circumstances, when you are caught off hook, when you least expect it, that you learn to face or conquer them; You learn more about yourself; what you are capable of and what not - what you need to learn further 

driving Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia on my own bike

volunteering in a Hostel in Gili Meno, Lombok, Indonesia

More, meeting travelers who had been on the road for years, doing things I barely thought they’d do, just to keep hanging on to the travel, gave me some answers to my hesitations before.  There were those Caucasians who’d do hostel and bar jobs for local wages, which me, myself as an Asian, at first, didn’t think was practical. Some would even do for free just for accommodation and food.

Me thinks It’s a simple of question of what you really want to do? Options are only two: keep being on travel or go home and work. I was firm to my choice though, it was to BE AWAY.  If there is one thing I had reinforced within me by now, it would have been being firm and focused with my ultimate wants… no what ifs, no buts.

meeting and hanging out with other travellers from everywhere

the mesmerizing Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai

Seven months passed and my passport is 6 months to go. Our consulates couldn’t do it on time of my visa allowances on the countries, and so had to fly back home to the Philippines. I didn’t really look further to my options as spending december at home for some social work will be Christmas worthy.

Some nights I’d just sit out and stare at the Sky..  something I may have not done at home before. I’d smile at just a sight of ricefields, or even just ducks or cows, or little kids running around, or elderlies laughing loudly whilst missing some teeth.

biten by a dog in Cambodia

Getting super paranoia from the Happy pizzas in cambodia; I didn't think i'd ever wake up

Then, being home, waiting for my passport release which is in about close to 2 months to go, I get the temptations. The corporate zones are just around, and I am a YES away to affording again even those expensive things I like.  But there goes that question again, Why give up 5 days of my every week in exchange for petty luxury and fun, when I can keep it at a minimum and have all the time to stare at mountains, float in the sea, dip in springs, walk aimlessly on cities, and sit over beer and coffee with like-minded strangers. It was.. NO, but THANKS.

So, 2014.. I’m am not coming back to Corporate Life and I am on indefinite leave from the City; You made me feel like an idiot for even hesitating and not having to think about this, years and years go. There were backpackers aged 18, and i feel such a loser. Still, 2014 was my year of courage. There are some more extreme things I have not dared myself to do...  and I look forward for 2015 to bring me all that.. cheers for 365 days HIGH.

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Aetas want basketball too?

With so much time among the people in this community to even figure out what to do, I’ve asked the Aetas in Sitio Banaba what is something they’d like to have for leisure.

It did not take more than a minute to get an answer.. a basketball court.  They mentioned that there is an available surface where they can setup a court and play.

With the enthusiasm they have about it, I’ve asked them to clean up that surface, and have promised to bring the board, ball and a ring for us to put up a basketball court the following weekend alongside Giving Iz Receiving's outreach event. 

We had quite a luggage at our arrival, and it has always been normal for them to sneak into what we bring. When they saw the bag of ring, net, and ball, they have taken the ball and played with it.

I’ve asked them if they’ve cleared up the said area, and have put down some which we could use for post, but said they did not have time as they had to work on something else. (and it is not uncommon to hear them say they are busy up there. It's an invisible business district really.)

Honestly, I was a little disheartened. I was back and forth town the night before, even bothering another person to get some of the materials (like the ring, net, trophy even) just to get these on time, and was hoping they’ve done their part. Meantime, it has been mostly the case. Sadly, these people aren’t in the same world as we live, so we can’t make use of the same values we have.  They don’t have that grasp on work-earn concept.

We also missed on some bolts to hold the ring to the board. I have assumed they were included in the ring. I was a little frustrated of how pressured I was the day before for it not to happen.

Meantime, I’ve showed them the wood, and how we’d set it up. We were trying to figure out what can be done, but I have been very sleepy to strategize. I did not get sleep at all the night before and don’t  have the energy to hold my eyelids open. So, I tucked my hammock and took a nap.

Later, I woke up at some hammering. Using some of those spare nails hanging out of the posts of the house, and some nuts and bolts they found somewhere, they managed to attach the ring to the board. There wasn’t even a saw, but just a Machete.

Then I smiled. What a nice way to wake up.. to see this people work on something they want. It’s also very typical of how Filipinos are so much into basketball, and I was amazed that it happens with these indigents too.

Hours later, they’ve completed putting it up and played with it rightaway.

Next day, I woke up with some noise just next to our host. When I went out, men were playing basketball, and several kids and adults were watching and cheering them. I am guessing they may have been playing with it since 3 hours ago.

We had a proper game later on, and because of the number of people who’d like to join the game, we had to break it into several smaller games, and funny, we had to do semi finals and finals. Winning team given a tropy, a bottle of brandy, and chips to share with after the game J.

Best part is, they came back to me after just almost an hour, asking me they were short of the drink and were asking me more (and was even pointing to the Ginebra Gin we are allotting for that night).

I am looking forward to a time when I’d see these people play with jerseys and rubber shoes over a proper game (though halfcourt) J. I am hoping to find some group soon to have this done J.

Thanks to my friend Majr Mix, Emerson ISR team, co-volunteer Sinag, and GIR.. 

If it's high res and a good capture, assume photo was not taken by me :-).. courtesy of Dex Salvador and Maria Isabel of GIR

With so much time among the people in this community to even figure out what to do, I’ve asked the Aetas in Sitio Banaba what is something they’d like to have for leisure.

It did not take more than a minute to get an answer.. a basketball court.  They mentioned that there is an available surface where they can setup a court and play.

With the enthusiasm they have about it, I’ve asked them to clean up that surface, and have promised to bring the board, ball and a ring for us to put up a basketball court the following weekend alongside Giving Iz Receiving's outreach event. 

We had quite a luggage at our arrival, and it has always been normal for them to sneak into what we bring. When they saw the bag of ring, net, and ball, they have taken the ball and played with it.

I’ve asked them if they’ve cleared up the said area, and have put down some which we could use for post, but said they did not have time as they had to work on something else. (and it is not uncommon to hear them say they are busy up there. It's an invisible business district really.)

Honestly, I was a little disheartened. I was back and forth town the night before, even bothering another person to get some of the materials (like the ring, net, trophy even) just to get these on time, and was hoping they’ve done their part. Meantime, it has been mostly the case. Sadly, these people aren’t in the same world as we live, so we can’t make use of the same values we have.  They don’t have that grasp on work-earn concept.

We also missed on some bolts to hold the ring to the board. I have assumed they were included in the ring. I was a little frustrated of how pressured I was the day before for it not to happen.

Meantime, I’ve showed them the wood, and how we’d set it up. We were trying to figure out what can be done, but I have been very sleepy to strategize. I did not get sleep at all the night before and don’t  have the energy to hold my eyelids open. So, I tucked my hammock and took a nap.

Later, I woke up at some hammering. Using some of those spare nails hanging out of the posts of the house, and some nuts and bolts they found somewhere, they managed to attach the ring to the board. There wasn’t even a saw, but just a Machete.

Then I smiled. What a nice way to wake up.. to see this people work on something they want. It’s also very typical of how Filipinos are so much into basketball, and I was amazed that it happens with these indigents too.

Hours later, they’ve completed putting it up and played with it rightaway.

Next day, I woke up with some noise just next to our host. When I went out, men were playing basketball, and several kids and adults were watching and cheering them. I am guessing they may have been playing with it since 3 hours ago.

We had a proper game later on, and because of the number of people who’d like to join the game, we had to break it into several smaller games, and funny, we had to do semi finals and finals. Winning team given a tropy, a bottle of brandy, and chips to share with after the game J.

Best part is, they came back to me after just almost an hour, asking me they were short of the drink and were asking me more (and was even pointing to the Ginebra Gin we are allotting for that night).

I am looking forward to a time when I’d see these people play with jerseys and rubber shoes over a proper game (though halfcourt) J. I am hoping to find some group soon to have this done J.

Thanks to my friend Majr Mix, Emerson ISR team, co-volunteer Sinag, and GIR.. 

If it's high res and a good capture, assume photo was not taken by me :-).. courtesy of Dex Salvador and Maria Isabel of GIR

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Backpacking Silhanoukville, Cambodia

the promise of a great sunset in Otres Beach, Silhanouk Ville, Cambodia

Back in my first visit in Cambodia, I did not bother check out Silhanoukville as I heard that it’s been very touristy. Then again, since I’m doing Cambodia on a second entry, and been hearing a lot about Otres beach, I decided to drive to this coastal town anyway.

Apparently, Silhanoukville isn’t so bad considering how cheap it is. It is very good for those times when you’d just like to lay over without spending so much; Kampot, as I thought, was the cheapest city for backpacking in Indochina, but after this visit, I’ll have to replace that thinking with Silhanoukville.

In Occheteal beach, you can stay in Utopia for $1, and 20 meters in front, take meals for $1 each too. The town is also alive with all the shops, restaurants, and the seaside bars for hard parties. You can not expect so much though with its beach, as it has been the old public destination.

$1 for burger and another $1 for fries; may be ordered separately

$1 dorm in Utopia in Silhanoukville, cambodia

beachfront in Silhanoukville, cambodia

kids playing in the beach of Silhanoukville, cambodia

If you want a better beach, and don’t mind spending a little bit more, consider Otres Beach. Tuktuk from Occheteal beach to Otres 1 is $4 up, or $2 for a motorbike. If you don’t have so much baggage anyway, you may walk through the beach for about 45mins to 1 hour. Accomodations in Otres 1 beach are from $5 per room (such as Sunshine Café) to $3 a dorm which goes to $2 on low season (Done Right Guesthouse).

For food, the beachside restaurants will serve plates from $3 up, but there are 2 roadside local restaurants where you can get a plate for $2.25 and coffee for $0.50.

Otres Beach, Silhanoukville, cambodia

Otres Beach, Silhanoukville, cambodia

seaside vendors in Otres Beach, Silhanoukville, cambodia

Otres 1 beach in Silhanoukville, cambodia

On the farther end of the island is Otres 2, which is more quiet, and with the limited options, tend to be even more expensive.

Then, there are also accomodations in the Village, about 2-3kms from Otres 1. There are restaurants here too (and a grocery) that are cheap, but again, if you want to stay right next to the beach, it will be a walk away. The is a grocery/restaurant shops that also sell all sorts of liquor from the cheapest to the most expensive imported brands.

village store in otres, Silhanoukville, cambodia

menu in the village in otres 1, silhanoukville, cambodia ; click to zoom

From Otres, you can take tours to Ko Ta Kiev island (along with 2 other snorkeling sites) for $12. You may opt to do overnight in the island; Inform your agency to leave you in the island on day 1, and pick you thru their tour to the island the following day (or the day you prefer to leave).  In the island, you may choose to camp ($2 camping fee plus tent rental $5; or you may just ask to sleep in one of their hammocks or bring your own tent). Food in the island is expensive though. Around $4 up for a plate.

arriving in Koh Ta Kiev, Silhanoukville, Cambodia

Koh Ta Kiev, Silhanoukville, Cambodia

Koh Ta Kiev, Silhanoukville, Cambodia

trekk to fishing village in Koh Ta Kiev, Silhanoukville, Cambodia

There are also trips to Koh Rong, and land trips to Kampot, kep, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, or even Thailand and Vietnam. You may contact Simon, one nice guy who walks the beach daily to sell tours;  for questions 0975 538 243.

Laundry services are $1/kilo.

And, of course.. the best thing to do in this part of indochina is.. to RELAX!

the promise of a great sunset in Otres Beach, Silhanouk Ville, Cambodia

Back in my first visit in Cambodia, I did not bother check out Silhanoukville as I heard that it’s been very touristy. Then again, since I’m doing Cambodia on a second entry, and been hearing a lot about Otres beach, I decided to drive to this coastal town anyway.

Apparently, Silhanoukville isn’t so bad considering how cheap it is. It is very good for those times when you’d just like to lay over without spending so much; Kampot, as I thought, was the cheapest city for backpacking in Indochina, but after this visit, I’ll have to replace that thinking with Silhanoukville.

In Occheteal beach, you can stay in Utopia for $1, and 20 meters in front, take meals for $1 each too. The town is also alive with all the shops, restaurants, and the seaside bars for hard parties. You can not expect so much though with its beach, as it has been the old public destination.

$1 for burger and another $1 for fries; may be ordered separately

$1 dorm in Utopia in Silhanoukville, cambodia

beachfront in Silhanoukville, cambodia

kids playing in the beach of Silhanoukville, cambodia

If you want a better beach, and don’t mind spending a little bit more, consider Otres Beach. Tuktuk from Occheteal beach to Otres 1 is $4 up, or $2 for a motorbike. If you don’t have so much baggage anyway, you may walk through the beach for about 45mins to 1 hour. Accomodations in Otres 1 beach are from $5 per room (such as Sunshine Café) to $3 a dorm which goes to $2 on low season (Done Right Guesthouse).

For food, the beachside restaurants will serve plates from $3 up, but there are 2 roadside local restaurants where you can get a plate for $2.25 and coffee for $0.50.

Otres Beach, Silhanoukville, cambodia

Otres Beach, Silhanoukville, cambodia

seaside vendors in Otres Beach, Silhanoukville, cambodia

Otres 1 beach in Silhanoukville, cambodia

On the farther end of the island is Otres 2, which is more quiet, and with the limited options, tend to be even more expensive.

Then, there are also accomodations in the Village, about 2-3kms from Otres 1. There are restaurants here too (and a grocery) that are cheap, but again, if you want to stay right next to the beach, it will be a walk away. The is a grocery/restaurant shops that also sell all sorts of liquor from the cheapest to the most expensive imported brands.

village store in otres, Silhanoukville, cambodia

menu in the village in otres 1, silhanoukville, cambodia ; click to zoom

From Otres, you can take tours to Ko Ta Kiev island (along with 2 other snorkeling sites) for $12. You may opt to do overnight in the island; Inform your agency to leave you in the island on day 1, and pick you thru their tour to the island the following day (or the day you prefer to leave).  In the island, you may choose to camp ($2 camping fee plus tent rental $5; or you may just ask to sleep in one of their hammocks or bring your own tent). Food in the island is expensive though. Around $4 up for a plate.

arriving in Koh Ta Kiev, Silhanoukville, Cambodia

Koh Ta Kiev, Silhanoukville, Cambodia

Koh Ta Kiev, Silhanoukville, Cambodia

trekk to fishing village in Koh Ta Kiev, Silhanoukville, Cambodia

There are also trips to Koh Rong, and land trips to Kampot, kep, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, or even Thailand and Vietnam. You may contact Simon, one nice guy who walks the beach daily to sell tours;  for questions 0975 538 243.

Laundry services are $1/kilo.

And, of course.. the best thing to do in this part of indochina is.. to RELAX!

Read More »