2014 Thus Far: The Second Quarter

As of late, my mornings revolve around counting stars.

Stamped stars.

It's a Philippine pre-school thing. A visible "Good job!" remark, stamped on students' wrists by the teachers after an activity in class. Every time I fetch her from school, I find myself comparing the number of her stars with that of others. If she's got less, I question her. I probe.

Then in my head I go, "What have I become?!". A student's mom, that's what.

Tropical coastal town Cardwell, northeastern Queensland.  

Since owning a shack (which we snagged on a spur-of-the-moment decision because we're the type), we've sorta sunk back into the "real world". You know... Mortgage, monthly bills, car maintenance, cooking shows on cable telly, snoopy neighbors, grocery shopping as therapy, Zumba as family bonding, and as previously mentioned, stamped stars. 

Our long honeymoon/babymoon/familymoon seemed over. Oh how hard I tried to channel my inner domestic diva which I have come to believe is nonexistent. And the universe might have sent me a sign saying this is indeed a fact via an oven glass door explosion while I was baking a french toast casserole at home. 

The real world has a charm of its own. Has a fun of its own. It's quite depressing to realize that this world just isn't ours anymore. Because truth be told, there are days that I really feel like a foreigner to my own society. My opinions sound askew for them. And the rules I create appear out of hand.

Sometimes I fear of me not belonging. Of my daughter not belonging. The hubby has always been socially awkward so he doesn't give a dang.

2014's second quarter was rather sleepy for I took these fears into consideration in laying out our April, May, June plans. We spent more time growing roots than spreading wings. Here's what went down this second quarter:

First week of April saw us traversing Queensland and New South Wales, Australia aboard a hired (almost for free) station wagon.

Mini reunion with the hubby's Persian family in Australia. Luna did Easter egg hunting for the first time in Sydney.

Built new partnerships with New York-based lifestyle brand Yak Pak, casual footwear manufacturer Scott Hawaii and DTC Mobile.

Visited the sister in Singapore with an itinerary that's solely concentrated on food. Did a side trip to Legoland Malaysia. 

Was invited to the Sarangani Bay Festival 2014, the biggest beach festival in Mindanao. Not only did we party for two nights, we also had the chance to do the white water tubing in New La Union, Maitum. I now know how it feels like to be in a washing machine.

Received the awesome news that my piece Sulu Sojourn: Reconnaissance won as one of the finalists of Wego's "Life Changing Travel Story Contest".

Staycation with me mum at The Linden Suites. A quickie "vacation" she longed for and deserved

Joined Melo of OutOfTownBlog.com and michaelanthonysagaran.weebly.com on a Chevy Spark road test. The little beast brought us to La Union, Vigan, Paoay and Batac.

In June, we enrolled Luna in kindergarden (she managed to skip nursery after a quick assessment conducted by one of the teachers) primarily cause she said it herself, "I want to go to school.". We thought it would be great for her to learn discipline and to acknowledge the authority of others. Good to know she's able to keep up with the pace. Unfortunately, just a week and a half into her schooling, she's already bored of it. Lucky for her, she's only doing this for a month. Why? 

Because this is what we are up to...

The hubby's got a business conference in the United States and Luna and I are going with him. It's just a two week trip, but we're joining anyway so that we could do a little exploration within the region. As for Luna's studies, well, she's gonna be roadschooling (just a term I use which basically means homeschooling without a 'home') for the next two to three months. It ain't so much of an issue for us because in Australia, where we intend to reside 2015 onwards, school officially starts in the sixth year of the child's age.

We got plenty of time to diddle daddle.

And we can't wait to tell you more stories of diddle-daddling.

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2014 Thus Far: The First Quarter

We had the temerity to change.

Finally.

Towards the end of 2013, we moved in our little shack (okay, it's not really little and not really a shack, but it's cute to call it such) in the Philippines. It's been gobbling half of our income for a year and five months now, and has pushed me to the breaking point. Three months on since we spent our first night in it, am still not coping well with this settling down situation although the hubby and I took preparatory measures.

More on that drama some other day.

Green Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia.  

For now, let me blabber about all the jaunts and shindigs that kept me sane during the first quarter of 2014. And a heartbreak that shattered me into pieces. Here's the year thus far...

First day of the year, woke up to a sparsely furnished room. A room that hubby and I can finally call ours. The night before, we were able to celebrate New Year's Eve with my parents after missing the previous two in the Philippines.

Attended Jacob Maentz's The Forgotten Ten Photography Exhibition in Yuchengco Museum. The exhibit showcased a year and a half of Jacob’s documentary work from various indigenous communities around the Philippines.

Impromptu Baguio trip with Melo of www.outoftownblog.com and Julius of www.lakwastserongtsnelas.blogspot.com. Finally entered the Laperal White House, chanced upon the Ifugao Bamboo Carving Art Exhibit there, and luckily met Philippine Bamboo Foundation President Edgardo Manda.

Co-organized a The Linden Suites staycation which I dubbed Pajama Party Wherein We Don't Wear Pajamas for Pinoy travel bloggers. Sabrina of www.justonewayticket.com and Kate of www.adventurouskate.com also joined the Pinoy food pig-out and videoke madness.

Vacationed in Siargao for the first time and was hosted by Buddha's Surf Resort. Celebrated Melo's name day with an island hopping tour. And nope, we didn't surf cause our lazy arses would rather hammock-surf.

Blindly jumped in an exploration semi-conducted by fellow travel blogger Edgar of eazytraveler.com. Destination, Sulu. The night before my flight, my father was confined in a hospital for tests after a mass was found in his brain. I left him with a heavy heart. I left because that's what he wanted. He who passed me the travel bug would rather see me in photos exploring an unfamiliar place, than see me weeping in pain by his side.

Celebrated the hubby's birthday at White Beach, Puerto Galera over authentic Italian pizza and a stunning sunset. Day after, we partied like there's no tomorrow (and like there's no toddler in tow) with two other travel bloggers. Learned the basics of poi dancing whilst inebriated on the same night.

My sister, daughter Luna and I trooped to Mt. Malasimbo for the Malasimbo Music & Arts Fest for the first time. Went mainly for Jose Gonzalez. Mishka Adams was a plus. Eating a P40(!) balut was one of the night's highlights.

Broke out of my blogger shell and agreed to be a "reviewer" for Pop Talk's Third Anniversary Special. The show brought me to Boracay. It was my second visit on the island. Day before the trip, my father was again rushed to the hospital. Apparently, he had a silent stroke. And once again, he let me go while he was confined. He said, "I want to see you on TV again."

The Pop Talk crew encouraged me to face my fear of the deep. After much whining and yapping and almost-sobbing, I dove down a colossal aquarium for an "ocean walk".

From Boracay, went straight to The Circle Hostel in La Union with a bunch of new faces — except for my homegirl Christine of www.jovialwanderer.com. Even though I was feeling under the weather, I tried surfing for the first time, and was able to stand on the board on my first attempt! I was the most surprised of all.

March ended with the beginning of our Cairns-Sydney roadtrip. Found ourselves in a paradisiacal place called The Great Barrier Reef.

Where we are now...

Just finished our 9-day Cairns-Sydney roadtrip yesterday — a journey of about 3,000 kilometers — and we intend to hibernate here in my mum-in-law's house until we leave Australia late April. The season's perfect for swimming in sheets anyway. And for devising our lives for the second quarter, which may include one long haul flight, and a lot more sun-basking — wherein I expect to finally try on the swimmies and kaftans I fished from Zalora.

Huh? What house?


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2013 Year-Ender: When Travel Turned Into A Black Hole

And I got sucked in.

In 2012, we were armed with all sorts of excuses: Extended honeymoon stage. A break from the mundane. Discounted airfares for tots. "Still saving up for a house (and/or still haven't decided where to buy)". Backpacking while young. Living in the now... The list went on and echoed through the beginning of 2013. 2012, no doubt was a wild child.

2013 on the other hand started out quite prim, then morphed into some bad arse that broke out of its cage named 'settling down'. The call of elsewhere was much too strong and we ran free. Directionless, that we eventually found ourselves in a black hole that is long termish travel (again).

I could make up a bunch of reasons why we're postponing domesticity. But for today I'll use portraits and landscapes to back me up.

Eriyadu Island Resort, North Male Atoll, Maldives.
1. Australia

Clockwise from top left: 1. Bro-in-law's beautiful wedding in Curzon Hall, a sandstone manor built in the 1890s. 2. Bondi Beach, finally, after so many New South Wales visits. 3. Luna's third birthday at ze Persian in-laws' house. 4. Selfeet with  my Bensimon sneakers, Sydney Harbour Bridge.

2. Philippines

Clockwise from top left: 1. Thunderbird Poro Point, San Fernando, La Union for the hubby's birthday. 2. T'nalak Festival, South Cotabato. 3. Tattooed by one of the (there's a protégé) last mambabatoks in Kalinga. 4. Hapao Rice Terraces trek, Ifugao.  

3. Myanmar

Clockwise from top left: 1. Consulting a map at Yangon International Airport (photo by Ron of fliptravels.com). 2. Luna vs. angry birds. Yangon city center walking tour (photo by Ron). 3. Sunrise at Old Bagan. 4. Bare feet and templed-out (photo also by Ron).  

4. Singapore

Clockwise from top left: 1. We love Hotel Re! Nope, not a sponsored post. 2. Catching up with sis. 3. Supertrees Grove. 4. Marina Bay Sands.

5. Laos

Clockwise from top left: 1. Wat Si Saket, Vientiane. 2. Vang Vieng. Party central no more. 3. B-52 bomb crater in Xiangkhouang Province. 4. The mysterious Plain of Jars, also in Xiangkhouang Province.
6. Turkey

Clockwise from top left: 1. Blue Mosque, Istanbul. 2. Goreme Open Air Museum, Cappadocia. 3. Oldest temple in the world, Gobekli Tepe (older than the wheel, they say). 4. Pamukkale or "Cotton Castle". Calcite-covered mountain in Denizli Province.

7.  Armenia

Clockwise from top left: 1. One of our afternoon walks around Armenia's capital, Yerevan. 2. Khor Virap, an Armenian Apostolic Church monastery in Ararat valley. 3. UNESCO World Heritage Site Monastery of Geghard, partially carved out of a mountain. 4. The Armenian Genocide Museum.

8. Georgia (Yes, it's a country!)

Clockwise from top left: 1. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Georgian Orthodox cathedral, Mtskheta. 2. Crossing the border by foot to Azerbaijan for Davit Gareji Monastery. 3. Ancient rock-hewn town Uplistsikhe, Eastern Georgia. 4. Former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin's house in Gori.

9. Nepal

Clockwise from top left 1. Climbing Fasidega Temple, Bhaktapur Durbar Square. 2. Luna sits in a kindergarten class/day care center for two days. 3. View of Himalayan peaks from our room's balcony in Nagarkot. 4. UNESCO World Heritage Site Boudhanath, Kathmandu.  

10. Malaysia

Clockwise from top left 1. Hotel Puri, a Peranakan ancestral home housed in a gorgeous structure built in the 1800s. 2. Nyonya Laksa. 3. Christ Church, 18th century Anglican church. One of Melaka's well-known landmarks. 4. Walking tour around UNESCO World Heritage Site Melaka.

12. Maldives

 

Clockwise from top left 1. Artificial Hulhumale Island. 2. A Maldivian 'bench'. 3. Eriyadu Island Resort. 4. Chili patties. Or something like that.      If your black hole is this bewitching, will you try to crawl out of it?     

 

This year-ender post is my entry to the Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival for December 2013 with the theme “The Pinoy Travel Bloggers Closing the Curtains on 2013: Love, Learn and Living”, hosted by Brenna Bustamante of The Philippine Travelogue.




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2013: The Last Quarter

On some occasions, it feels good to eat your own words. Especially when your words are in such sequence: We're not traveling for a while.

About three months ago, hubby and I went about talking to skeptic minds on the subject of finally settling down. And we were thrown with the response "That's what you guys said the last time we saw you!" almost each time. In my 2013 Thus Far: The Third Quarter article, I even put it on record... "So we'll pass up on exhaustion, sleeplessness, and starvation... For now. We're embracing the humdrum."

The 'embracing' didn't go too well for we didn't really settle in Australia when we went in October. Instead, we cut the stay short and ended up backpacking in two other countries. We're restless like that. Thus the journey to domesticity this last quarter of 2013 has been protracted and taxing. I'm fighting fits of post-trip depression in between jaunts and I don't know how I'm gonna hold up.

Keep calm and swing like a wrecking ball. Eriyadu Island Resort, Maldives.   Now let me share with you the events that transpired the past three months before my low EQ lures me into pigging out and lazing in bed until the holidays are over (Spending Christmas and New Year's Eve in the Philippines again for the first time in two years!):

Kicked off the last quarter with a passport renewal. Old passport still got about two blank pages left, but because its cover has been detached for more than a year (yeah surprisingly I got away with it), I decided to get a new one. Did the renewal at DFA Pampanga for the first time and the whole shebang only took twenty minutes!

Traveled to Buscalan, Kalinga for a traditional tattoo by mambabatok Fang-Od. She did mine and the hubby's with only one good eye, for the other one's sort of impaired because some debris got in it while she was tending the farm. The tribe by the way killed a chicken as tradition (when a foreign child visits their territory) and slathered its blood on my new tattoo in the belief that it'll help make it heal faster.

Pajama-partied in Linden Suites with fellow travel bloggers. We were provided an entire floor of suites!

Staycationed in Hotel 878 Libis for Ron's (FlipTravels.com) birthday shindig. Their. Lofts. Rock.

Was invited to Bensimon Philippines' bloggers event, wherein we were introduced to their line of Parisian sneakers — and were fed divine Cupcakes by Sonja. Walked away with a sunny yellow pair.

Lucky to be in town for the Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth and Gin Blossoms (SugarSmashGin) concert in Smart Araneta, Cubao. Scored free tickets from ze cousin! Watched with a stranger.

Finally made it to the Sculptures By The Sea exhibit in Bondi, New South Wales, Australia after missing out on two chances the previous two years.

Attended a simple birthday gathering at South Curl Curl Beach, New South Wales, Australia. It was our first time there and man, let me just say how fun the name 'Curl Curl' is. It's got a 50-meter pool and a toddlers area which Luna loved.

Revisited Sydney's Luna Park. Still didn't get on any of the rides.

I wore a Gameboy dress for Halloween.

Traveled to Malacca, Malaysia for the first time and checked in Hotel Puri, a Peranakan ancestral home housed in a gorgeous structure built in the 1800s. Malacca's City center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and out of its many attractions, we only visited one: Eighteenth century Anglican church, The Christ Church.

Speaking of Malacca, its nyonya laksa and chicken rice ball swept me off my feet!

Hubby and I celebrated our five years of togetherness in Maldives. Because we were able to book really cheap tickets (like, $1 cheap per person, from Kuala Lumpur to Male and back), we splurged on an island resort accommodation for one night. The other two nights were spent in Hulhumalé, an artificial island south of North Male Atoll.

Partnered with Anma Lifestyle. This mum's backpack now contains luxe travel accessories!

This mum also now dons My Philippines apparel. The brand just celebrated their 10th year anniversary.

Remember the Travel Blogging Calendar I posed for last year? The team behind it is back, and I'm once again participating in the project. This year we want to raise awareness about the plight of Asian elephants. We're supporting the mission of the Save Elephant Foundation in Thailand, and we're accepting donations on their behalf.

Lastly, Pinay Travel Junkie topped the 15 Best Travel Blogs of 2013 poll and I got my fellow travel bloggers to thank for! They're like family to me now. I suggest you guys follow their adventures too!

2014 plans...

We got the option to enroll our daughter into a Philippine school next year. Now if we do, that could only mean exploring more local destinations. And we can hardly wait!


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Travel With Your Bensimon Sneaker Chic On: A Review Plus A Giveaway

Bonjour messieurs and mesdemoiselles — oh yes I'm feeling like a Parisian in Manila today. Pourquoi? It's because iconic and symbolic French sneakers, Bensimon (pronounced benˈ-see-mon), has finally stepped onto Philippine streets this year and am actually donning a bright yellow pair this very sunny moment.

My Bensimon pair is a splash of happy to my Sydney spring stroll.  

If you're occasionally sartorially dyslexic like me or have been living in a cave or you're simply into other types of footwear, Bensimon Collection's a line of sneakers that possesses all the makings of a quintessential summer shoe: It's lightweight (made of canvas and light rubber sole), it's got clean and simple lines (can go with almost any outfit), and comes in a plethora of colors. It also covers an array of styles and prints (for men, women, and children) to promote the individuality of  consumers — meaning, it's FUN!

The duo behind the brand are brothers Serge and Yves Bensimon whose designs are inspired by world travel, military, and Parisian fashion.

Swing by their site http://bensimon.com.ph/ to see designs available in the Philippines.  

Last October, I was invited to a media event by Bensimon Philippines at their head office in Makati. A handful of us travel bloggers (lifestyle and fashion bloggers too) were gathered to get acquainted with the sneaker brand and were given our own free pairs to give 'em a go.

As I slipped in my canary yellow Bennies for the first time, I understood forthwith its "perfect imperfections". Its apparent handmade elements make it seem somewhat rugged, yet its plain sailing contours possess an elegant trait. Quite the juxtaposition, but it works!

A pop of contrast to the aging heritage structures in Malacca.

Since acquiring my Bennies, they have: Weaved the bustling sidewalks of Manila, strolled around Sydney during spring, stomped the oldest Melakan streets for gastronomic pursuits, and lazily sauntered along Maldives' blinding white beaches.

No blisters. No sweat. No worries (They're machine washable!).

I was won over and I reckon I'm getting my daughter a pair too.

Beach eye candy. Sauntering Hulhumalé's coast.  

Responsible for bringing Bensimon to the Philippines is Terry S. A., a renowned company who also manages distributions of Havaianas, David and Goliath, and Pininho in Manila. TSA flies the lifestyle brand over to the Philippines, making the Parisian "innate sense of aesthetics and taste of the basics" within arms reach for Filipinos of all generations.

Price ranges from P2,095 to P2,565 for the men and women's line and P1,295 to P1,795 for the kids' styles.

Where could you find Bensimon sneakers in the Philippines? Rustans (Gateway, Makati, Alabang Town Center), Center of Gravity (Forbes Town, Burgos Circle, Centris Walk), Shoe Salon (Glorietta 3, Power Plant Mall Rockwell, Robinson's Ermita, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Trinoma), and Shoe Thing (Kids' styles only: Bonifacio High Street, Eastwood Mall, Greenbelt 5). 

We're giving away two pairs of Bennies! Open to Philippine residents only. Please refer to Rafflecopter for the mechanics. Begins December 1 noon, and will run for three weeks!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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2013 Thus Far: The Third Quarter

Woke up under an argentine sky. On my almost two decades-old, Peanuts printed sheet. Philippine home now, and will be gone again all too soon. Where to? Hopefully to a shack sitting on a Byron Bay trailer park which we're eyeing to live in for months. You read that right. Months.

We're quite traveled-out. And back in July I found myself searching for the old and familiar more often. Like swinging by pubs I used to frequent. Or being needed by friends. Or watching the local news before a simple dinner of boiled veggies with buro.

Our nomadic family managed to wind down this third quarter, finally. 

Birthday in Cebu with the family.  

Hearing the word "adventure" these days conjures images of a worn out me with a longer-than-Miley's tongue out, dangling like a dog's. So we'll pass up on exhaustion, sleeplessness, and starvation... For now. We're embracing the humdrum.

Let's take a look at this year's third quarter and its glorious laziness.

Traveled — more like, slacked — in Phuket, Thailand for two weeks. My sister flew from Singapore where she works to slack with us. We ate Pad Thai and honey-lime Thai pancake everyday.

Because of Luna's obsession with elephants, we took her elephant trekking in Phuket even though we do not approve of enslaving elephants for entertainment. The baby elephant in shackles which Luna called 'Dumbo', had bloody feet, prolly cause he/she tried breaking away from the chains.

Watched a Filipino acoustic band in Karon, Phuket for two nights. One of the best cover bands I've seen play live, or maybe I just had too much Chang Beer on both occasions.

We cut our Thailand trip short (we initially planned to stay for a month) so I could join the Allah Valley Tour 2013 organized by AVLDA and LGSP-LED. During the five-day trip we: Hiked Mt. Melibingoy and camped at Lake Holon, met National Living Treasure awardee Be Lang Dulay, ziplined above Lake Sebu's falls, bird watched in Baras Bird Sanctuary, and attended the T'nalak Festival. 

Pinay Travel Junkie partners with Keen footwear! An American shoe manufacturing company based in Portland, Oregon. Quite excited to write the review, because I am now a huge fan (I'd love to buy Luna a pair too!). And to be honest, I didn't even know such brand exists until they contacted me.

Discovered the "hostel of awesome" Pink Manila Hostel. The lone hostel in Manila that has a pool. Stayed for a couple of nights and although my parents' condo's just nearby, my staycation felt like I was in the middle of a backpacking trip. The hostel's atmosphere can do that to you.

Celebrated my birthday with the whole family and fellow travel bloggers in Cebu. Finally checked in eye-candy Mövenpick Hotel. Also visited historic city Carcar.

Headed straight to Hungduan, Ifugao after getting out of the airport, off a Cebu-Manila flight. Hiked Hapao and Hungduan Terraces with another group of travel bloggers over the weekend.Trip highlight: Watching 'The Conjuring' in a pitch-dark, Ifugao house-style hut.

Flew to Australia a day after the Ifugao jaunt concluded. Ate Persian food at the in-law's house everyday for two weeks (it's a big mystery why I still fit in my pants right now). We mainly did reunions with the hubby's family and... Shopped. 

On our last day in Sydney, we squeezed in our hectic schedule a quickie hike through Garigal National Park. 

Flight back to the Philippines closed the third quarter.

On to the last quarter... 

So will our nth plan of settling down once and for all push through? Let's wait three more months to find out.

 

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Tacking Point Lighthouse, Port Macquarie, Australia: Cutest Lighthouse We've Seen, Ever!

We helped ourselves to a light brekkie. Our tummies were still quite cramped with the previous night's fantastic bolognese dinner that Chris, our Couchsurfing host, prepared for us. Though mildly handicapped with a leg cast (he and a fellow backpacker got thrown off a motorbike in Vietnam or Cambodia or somewhere), Chris worked swiftly in and around the kitchen. He even played with one-year-old Luna in between.

I yawned as I took a bite from my toast.

She demands a "superman" anytime, anywhere.
It was day 140 of our 2011-2012 round-the-world trip, and our family of three were on an interstate journey from Gold Coast, Queensland to Sydney, New South Wales — transported by an old beat-up, borrowed Ford Festiva which we lovingly named Gumby after that clay humanoid it shares the same color with. Stuffed in Gumby's trunk are our measly belongings which we moved out of the artist's cabin by the beach where we lived for a month and a half. Belongings which will travel with us for 140 more days, across 5 other continents.
  Lighthouse Beach Rainforest Reserve. Just behind our host's house.

We requested a couch from Chris who lives in Port Macquarie to break the long drive of more than eight hundred kilometers. The coastal city's situated about a little past halfway to our destination, which makes it an ideal stopover for a night. We heard it's got gorgeous beaches too. And a koala hospital.

Lighthouse atop the headland Tacking Point. Doesn't look like a lighthouse from this angle.  

Chris must be in sixties. Married once with a son and daughter who now live independently in other Aussie states. He's got the huge house to himself for years. But like his family, the house rarely sees him because he's still very much hooked with backpacking. He is a trove of world trivia and hilarious travel blunders. He's got an eye for vintage treasures (I was totally diggin' the old weighing scale he purchased from Cambodia or Vietnam or somewhere) which he collects. And he's a sponsor for a Khmer child's education.

I gathered from the way he told his adventures that he's not slowing down anytime soon. His lust for life is burning. I wondered if hubby and I will be like that in three decades' time. Roughing it in our golden years? I cringed at the thought.

Halfway up the headland. Lighthouse Beach seems endless.

After eating (and pulling Luna away from Chris' nine ancient broken phones she was playing with), Chris led us down the outdoor deck to their murky private pool. Not for a swim, but to exit the rear gate that has an access to the Lighthouse Beach Rainforest Reserve. Yes, the forest is their backyard.

But wait... There's more! A long stretch of beach is also nearby. Chris gave detailed instructions on how to get to it, which I mapped in my head, before waving a catch-ya-later. And off we went.

Tacking Point Lighthouse, standing 8-meter tall. Cutest lighthouse we've seen, ever!  

It took us only a few minutes to traverse the small section of rainforest. At the end of the path is Matthew Flinders Drive that runs parallel to Lighthouse Beach, and we didn't see a lighthouse when we crossed it. It was summer yet the beach was surprisingly empty when we arrived. The beach was so stunning I wanted to cry.

We finally noticed the lighthouse perched on a headland while we were strolling on the shore. I couldn't believe it's a real lighthouse. It's the teensiest, cutest I've seen. Ever! There's a staircase leading up to Tacking Point (named so by Mathew Flinders in 1802 while sailing and tacking his to the coast) and the climb's relatively no sweat.

Miners Beach north of Tacking Point Headland. Unofficial nude beach.   Tacking Point Lighthouse has been in operation since 1879. It's Australia's third oldest. From here, the view of the coast is simply spectacular and sometimes whales can be spotted near the coastline (they migrate to give birth and to feed) between June and October. It's also a good vantage point for watching surfers when it's the season.

Back on the beach.
No whales, no surfers for us to gaze at that late morning though. Just the beaches and the Tacking Point Lighthouse. And they, along with our host (plus the Koala Hospital we were to visit at noon), were enough to make our pit stop in Port Macquarie worthwhile.

Oh, did I mention that Tacking Point Lighthouse is cute?

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That Psychedelic Village Named Nimbin

Duuude, it's 420! We ain't celebrating with a slice of space cake though. No Puff, The Magic Dragon either. To commemorate this uhm, counterculture holiday, let's do a different kind of "trip", shall we?

A psychedelic visual trip.

The talk of spliff takes me down two travel memory alleys. That of Amsterdam's (where possession of  cannabis is legal) and that of Nimbin's... Nim-what? Precisely why I chose to feature the latter today. I shall save my story about "dining" in a Dutch brown cafe for another 420.

Nimbin Museum. Groovy!   Nimbin Hemp Embassy. Since 1992.
Possession of cannabis in the state of New South Wales, Australia is a criminal offense. But northeast of this state, in a village named Nimbin, locals have a high tolerance for its trade and usage. And it is for this reason, alongside permaculture, that peregrine hippies flock in busloads 'til this very day.

Titled: The Last Session   Kaleidoscope of tins.
Postcard with a photo of the annual MardiGrass Festival. The highlight of this festive weekend is the Cannabis Reform Protest and Parade.  

The once-sleepy village that lived off dairy farming morphed into a vibrant town in 1973 when the Aquarius Festival, a huge experimental shindig attended by uni students and alternative people, was held here. A small population of which stayed behind. And the rest, as they say it, is history.

The hunt for hemp soap.   Shops that line the main street.   On day 122 of our 2011-2012 round-the-world trip, my hobo family did a pilgrimage to Nimbin. It is the real deal. No poser hippies like me around. Just spiritual beings who live in isolation or in communes, and live off the land and/or tourism.

Nimbin remains to be one of my fave places on Earth.

"Chip hemp not forests."   Run free, my wild child.
For vintage vultures.   Oh those pretty sidewalks!  

May the entire universe conspire to help us relocate somewhere nearby this village someday.

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2013 Thus Far: The First Quarter

Three months down, many more moons to go.

2013's first quarter was a mixed bag of family huddles, waiting games, bittersweet reveries and whirlwind peregrinations. And oh, tons of toddler sobs. We stepped foot on six countries with a so-called scheme that's jotted on sand. Its course we paved as we went, depending on our temperament and the pennies in our pockets. 

The first quarter of the year we planned to settle down was intense, to say the least.

Ban Tajok Hmong Village, Xieng Khouang Province, Laos.
Here's the year thus far in chronological order... I think. May contain random shiznit.

Two days into 2013, we hired a car for only $5 a day in Sydney for our New South Wales-Queensland roadtrip. The catch? It should be delivered to the company's Brisbane Airport branch in five days.

Floorsurfed for two weeks in Queensland. At least the floor's carpeted.

Luna turned on the keyless ignition of a rented Holden Cruz (Thanks, rental company, for the free upgrade.).

The following three weeks (Two weeks of which, the hubby was in U.S. for a business trip.), we shacked in a Brisbane self contained studio on the seventh floor of a building full of frequently inebriated college students. On one of the nights during our stay, I was awoken by a fire alarm  and an evacuation announcement.

We were stuck for days in the same studio when ex-tropical cyclone Oswald barreled through southeast Queensland. Luna and I celebrated our first Australia Day indoors.

Attended a gorgeous Sydney wedding held in a 1900s sandstone manor.

Flew back to the Philippines to eat my mom's pinakbet again. Too much of it, actually.

Was invited to a sneak preview of the Philippine Travel Tour Expo 2013. Also attended the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2013 Presscon at The Manila Peninsula.

Had a much needed catch up with mom over vegan food, scraped dead skin, and Androids on mute in the luxurious The Farm At San Benito, Lipa City.

Celebrated hubby's birthday in Thunderbird Poro Point, San Fernando, La Union. The El Mundo Villa is the second most expensive room we booked ever (First placer is a simple double room in Rio De Janeiro during Carnival season.) and its WiFi sucked.

Backpacked with Luna and fellow Pinoy travel bloggers in Myanmar for almost a week. All of us were manhandled by our tour guide in Yangon, which only Luna enjoyed. Ron of Flip Travels is scarred for life.

Did a temple run in Bagan and witnessed one of the most stunning sunsets I've seen in my existence.

Visited Singapore and met up with my sister who I haven't seen in five months. Gorged on char siew and kaya toast like there's no tomorrow, lah!

Finally made it to Laos. Now I've completed all of Southeast Asia's countries! 

In a Vientiane hostel room, hubby and I endured two sleepless nights and collected a variety of furious next-door neighbors because we weaned Luna off the bottle.

Also in Vientiane, we saw an orange moon for the first time.

Luna said "I love you" (More like, awabyu.) back for the first time at some Vang Vieng restaurant.

Where we are now...

Currently checked in a dirt cheap hostel in Phonsavan, Xieng Khouang Province, Laos. Yesterday we visited the mysterious Plain Of Jars site and trudged in bomb craters. Day after tomorrow, we head back to Vang Vieng, then Vientiane.

We're flying out sooner than expected because we thwarted our own intents.

The "future" — spanning a mere three months — lies in the hands of a visa application.


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Dawn Of 2013: A Giveaway

Day two of 2013 found us driving interstate in Australia. We were merrily cruising in a supermini car that we hired for five bucks a day. Yes, five Aussie dollars. But under the condition that we drive it from Sydney to Brisbane within five days. A time frame that certainly is more than enough to cover a thousand kilometers.

Our supposed final destination was an "intentional community" in a peaceful bushland near hippie suburbs Mullumbimby and Byron Bay, where we planned to stay for a month. Though we're kicking off another year as a technically homeless family, hubby and I are thrilled at the idea of schooling (Or shall I say unschooling?) ourselves again in far-flung foreign lands. Never mind we spend all our earnings as we go, so long as we live in "the now". 

The long drive on the Pacific Highway made us fondly reminisce about how we traveled like it's the end of the world in 2012. Twelve countries. We're probably never gonna top that. But it doesn't matter because it ain't a goal of ours. What we do intend to accomplish this 2013 is to live in different places, in the Philippines and beyond, on longer periods. In a way it shall prepare us for normalcy. Next year, our daughter will start preschool education which will surely anchor us somewhere. Where exactly? We don't know.

I feel as though we've started counting down to the end of our carefree days. A prison with cells made of conventional rules and routines awaits around the corner. It saddens us quite bit, but who are we to whinge? For four years that the hubby and I have been together, all our memories revolved around travel. Packing and unpacking. Checking in and checkin out. Departure and arrival.

Like I said a while back, the universe spoiled us to bits. We really couldn't ask for anything more. Can hardly wait to know what 2013 got up its sleeve! And you know what? I'm spreading the good vibe around via a giveaway!

Left: Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2012 and 2013 bundle. Right: The Travel Blogging Calendar 2013, Women's. Can you spot the Pinay Travel Junkie?

Prizes at stake (one winner for each prize): 

Lonely Planet's Best In Travel 2012 and 2013 bundle. Jumpstart your 2013 reading about the best travel experiences the past year and for the year ahead!

Travel Blogging Calendar 2013, Women's. 24 fearless travel bloggers from around the world posed nearly naked (Okay, mostly the men.) and purred for the camera... For charity! All these sizzling hot snapshots are printed on a 2013 calendar (Thanks to Uprinting.), and all proceeds from the sales will be donated to Mitrata Nepal and VSO Bahaginan Philippines. If you don't win this one, please consider buying. $25 each.

Punchdrunk Panda's "Stamp Collector" SLR camera strap by Jennifer Horn. Get your travel groove on by embellishing your DSLR with this fun strap!

Punchdrunk Panda "Stamp Collector" SLR camera strap by Jennifer  Horn. DSLR not included.

What you gotta do... Just "like" a bunch of pages and share the news to others. Let Rafflecopter lead the way.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway
Open to Philippine residents. Contest will run from January 13 to January 31. Winners will be announced on February 1. Prizes will be sent within the month of February.

Good luck, fellow travel junkies! Now share us your travel plans for 2013.

This is my entry to Pinoy Travel Bloggers' Blog Carnival "New Beginnings" for the month of January, hosted by Roj Braga of Adventuroj.

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Christmas In The Skies

We were surrounded by faces with a beaten-down look you see in airports and other transport terminals during a holiday. That look which says, "Next year mom and pop are visiting our house!". Mine bore a more beastly expression. Resembling that of a zombie mom's, sans the blood and decaying skin. A drooling Luna on a fireman's carry protested in grunts and shallow cries. The poor thing wanted to be laid somewhere. Anywhere.

My two-year-old daughter and I were traveling by ourselves.

Half an hour ago, our bird touched down Kuala Lumpur's Low Cost Carrier Terminal. The flight from Clark, Philippines was near empty. I put on my backpack, scooped Luna off her seat and stared at my roller carry on. As if to answer the question in my head, "Now how am I gonna carry that?!", a man of Indian descent voluntarily carried it for me without saying a word. 

Christmas morn. Up in the skies, somewhere above Australia.  

The LCCT doesn't have aerobridges. And though this hectic airport is relatively small, the walk from the plane to the arrival area can take forever. The man lugged my carry on out of cabin, down the steps, and to the covered walkway. For some idiotic reason called pride, I told him that I'll take it from there and gave him a huge terima kasih accompanied by a weak smile. He strolled beside me for a while and threw glances every now and then, expecting me to raise a white flag any second.

I didn't. 

One hand solely supported a fifteen-kilo tot, while the other tugged a roller bag. The five-minute walk seemed to last for eternity. Drops of sweat trickled down the whole expanse of my skin. I contemplated on crying just to let it all out, but quickly concluded that I can't be bothered doing so. Cause you know, I didn't have the extra hand to wipe away the tears.

  The Sleeping Beauty slept through the stroke of midnight.  

When we entered the airport building, I thought my Christmas eve ordeal will finally be over. Until I found the Air Asia transfer desk with a queue at least twenty deep. For the whole twenty-five minutes that I stood there, I watched the crew attend to each passenger. Two minutes the least, four minutes the max. My turn came and I waited even longer.

After snatching our boarding passes off  the crew's hand, we breezed through the x-ray machine with the help of an old man who was also aboard our previous flight. And at last, I laid Luna on a cushioned seat across our designated gate. It wasn't long until the boarding call blasted through the speakers.

Our walk to the Sydney-bound Air Asia X was of greater distance. I reckon such planes are parked farther for they have more massive bodies. As I laboriously strode alongside fellow passengers, I perused through them before handpicking my next aid. I literally poked a tall, blond guy's Popeye-ish biceps (Probably more than I should have.) and asked with googly eyes, "Can you please help me carry my bag up the stairs?".  His golden locks swayed as he nodded.

My Noche Buena, Pak Nasser's Nasi Lemak. Couldn't ask for anything more... Okay, except maybe a glass of red. Or two. Or three.  

A cabin attendant greeted us "Merry Christmas!" as we stepped in. She and the rest of the crew were wearing headbands with reindeer antlers. Justin Bieber's Christmas album played as passengers searched for seats and stuffed belongings in the overhead compartment. Goldilocks and I parted ways as we walked on our respective aisles.

I cannot begin to express the tremendous mirth I felt when I buckled Luna to her seat. My numb shoulder was finally able to take a break. At least for the next seven and a half hours. It was about 11:40 in the evening when the plane began to taxi. We departed on time. I smiled at the thought of having nasi lemak for Noche Buena. It may be a lonesome meal, but hey, that's still nasi lemak.

Up and away we went. Farther from my parents' gloomy farewell... And closer to the hubby's arms. We had not seen him for three weeks. At the stroke of midnight, only a few passengers stayed awake. Perhaps they waited for their pre-booked meals too. I passed out after gobbling my late dinner.

So this is Christmas.
The morning after, I woke up to a view of Australia's otherworldly outback thousands of feet below. The sun was gloriously shining. It was going to be a beautiful day of reunion.

Except... The hubby didn't recognize our daughter when he saw her at the arrivals area. But that's another story for a different day.

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2012 Year-Ender/World-Ender

Ahhh... 2012.

You are an ebullient homage to wanderlust. Frankly, I am quite obsessed with your ruffled months. In fact it's almost midnight and amid that end-of-the-world hullabaloo, here I am fondly sewing a patchwork of idyllic imagery to commemorate your flamboyance and purport. Now this may seem like a pathetic way of exiting the universe, but at least I dove in a vibrant flashback during my last minutes on earth. I get to utilize fancy words too.

Nope. I'm not drunk.

Shoot for Travel Blogging Calendar 2013. Shout out to the photographer, fellow Pinay travel blogger Claire of Lakwatsera De Primera. Not the actual photo on the calendar.

Speaking of dying, just last week an aunt of mine told me, "Dami mo nang napuntahan, pwede ka na mamatay." (You've been to so many places, you can die anytime now.).

"Eh... I'd like to see more. A lot more." I said. Then she went, "Hinde, pwede ka na mamatay!" (Nah, you can die anytime/now).  I thought to myself, if the planet doesn't blow up and claim my life, her statement probably will.

But yeah, I got her point. And 2012 is a testament to that. See for yourself how the universe spoiled us to bits this year.

1. Mexico

Clockwise from top left: 1. New Year's Eve dinner, mole! 2. Palenque Ruins. 3. A cenote (sinkhole) in Cancun. 4. Chichen Itza without the hubby and baby doll.

2. Peru 

Clockwise from top left: Watching penguins in the wild, Islas Ballestas. 2. Red Beach in Paracas National Reserve. 3. Machu Picchu. 4. The Tree, Nazca Lines.

3. Brazil 
 

Clockwise from top left: 1. Cristo Redentor. 2. Carnival at the Sambadrome. 3. The hubby bought his first pair of Havaianas (Luna's first pair too)! 4. Sexy Ipanema Beach.

4. Morocco 

Clockwise from top left: 1. Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca. 2. Ancient Roman City Volubilis. 3. Sahara Desert. 4. Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate.

5. Vietnam 

Clockwise from top left: 1. Street art somewhere in Pham Ngu Lao District, Ho Chi Minh. 2. Pho! 3. After wriggling through the tunnels of Củ Chi. 4. Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica.

6. Mongolia 

Clockwise from top left: 1. Tsagaan Suvraga, Gobi Desert. 2. Two kilometer trek to Yolyn Am. 3. Inside our Couchsurfing host's ger in Ulaanbaatar. 4. Khongoryn Els Sand Dunes.

7. Russia
 

Clockwise from top left: 1. Aboard the Trans-Siberian train, skirting the world's oldest lake. 2. Luna dons her first down jacket. 3. Nizhny Novgorod. 4. St. Basil's Cathedral, Moscow.

8. Philippines

Clockwise from top left: 1. Dasol, Pangasinan. 2. Liwliwa, Zambales. 3. Gubat, Sorsogon for the Book Sharing Project. 4. Tondol Beach, Anda, Pangasinan.

9. Singapore 

Clockwise from top left: 1. With Singapore-based Filipino bloggers. 2. Ze sister's birthday. 3. Second overseas trip with the 'rents. 4. Harry Potter Exhibit.

10. Australia

Clockwise from top left: 1. Dee Why Beach. 2. Luna's play date with Justice and Mayor. 3. Meet up with Pinay travel bloggers. 4. Catching up with Persian in-laws.

11. Indonesia

Clockwise from top left: 1. Sanur Beach. 2. Luna tramping on an Ubud rice field. 3. Fourth anniversary of togetherness, Bali's Uluwatu temple. 4. First time checking in a boutique hotel.

12. East Timor

 Clockwise from top left: 1. Maubara Fort. 2. Third year wedding anniversary spent volunteering for Academy of Swimming Education East Timor. 3. Dollar Beach, Manatuto. 4. Cristo Rei, Dili.

And then some. 

Paying it forward. Left: Participated in the Book Sharing Project for the benefit of Rizal Elementary School in Gubat, Sorsogon. Right: Posed for the Travel Blogging Calendar 2013. Sales of the calendars will be donated to Mitrata Nepal and VSO Bahaginan. Purchase one now! Visit http://www.travelbloggingcalendar.com/
So do you think I can die any time now (Gulp.)?  How was your 2012, fellow travel junkie?
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