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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Sunhouse Guesthouse, Sanur, Bali

I glanced at my watch. Past two in the morn, Sydney time. No wonder I was feeling a bit lethargic. Just a couple of hours ago, we landed in Bali. Our Jetstar bird poured tons of flip-flopping Aussies into Denpasar International Airport. They dashed towards the visa on arrival cashier, obviously aware of the drill. It was six-ish in the evening, Central Indonesia Time, and all them twenty somethings were probably rushing to get the party started.

We on the other hand, were simply glad to be back in Bali. Our backpacks were the last to be fished out of the belt. We sauntered out of the airport, and stepped into a 27°C refuge. Already, the cruelty of schizo-weathered Sydney (where we bedsurfed for a month) felt like a distant memory.   

 Sunhouse Guest House's charming courtyard.

A driver who agreed to a 100,000 rupiah fare from the airport to Sanur took us to Sunhouse Guest House. One of the staff promptly opened the gate as our cab pulled over, and led us to our room named Hibiscus. Its location at the corner of the courtyard gave the room a private feel. It was love at first sight.

The interior was spick-and-span when we arrived. Tastefully decorated, though there's not much floorspace. Blame it on the colossal four-poster bed, which by the way worked for us since the hubby and I shared the bed with our two-year old daughter so we're not totally complaining. There's a TV, a DVD player, a closet and a safety box. The room's air-conditioned. The bathroom ain't the prettiest in town, but it was spotless. Clean towels were provided. Teeny bars of soap too.

Spent most of our time in (and by) the pool.

Guests have access to the kitchen. A little run down, but for us, better than none. That late eve when we first arrived, we were served some toast and spread because the staff assumed that the nearby restos were already closing. Now that's something we could classify as the epitome of Balinese hospitality. 

Wifi reached our room. Us digital nomads rejoiced. Sunhouse Guest House could have been an ideal HQ for a week, unfortunately, we couldn't extend our stay because all the rooms were booked. I regretted my decision of reserving for just two nights. But you see, it's our protocol to check the internet connection first before staying long term.

All rooms are named after flowers.  

Sunhouse Guest House sits on the corner of Jalan Mertasari and Sekar Waru. These roads can get hectic during early morn and early eve. This might annoy light sleepers, but not us. I lived in a building beside a railway station in Manila for years, and the traffic noise in Sanur doesn't even come close.

Our room costs US$28.50 (255,000 IDR), brekkie not included. If rented for a week, it's US$171. A bit steep for budget travelers, however, with its proximity to the beach (five minute walk) and to a strip of restos I reckon it's good value. Besides, Sanur is an upscale area. Any accommodation priced below US$30 is definitely a sweet deal.

Gotta love that colossal four-poster bed!
We just checked out this morning and already, I miss the guest house. Our canopy bed, the pool, and that lovey little gazebo outside our room where I mostly did some work. I thought of inquiring again about their available rooms but... but... this flat screen telly with cable channels in the hotel room we transferred to (about 600 meters away) is difficult to give up. Especially if it's got Disney Channel that keeps the bub preoccupied.

Anyway, it was good while it lasted.

My work nook. 

 
Sunhouse Guest House
Jl. Mertasari 36 Sanur Kauh, Denpasar
http://www.balisunhouse.com
Email: balisunhouse@yahoo.com
(Management requires 1 night non-refundable deposit payable through PayPal)

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Snapshot Saturday: Underground Mosque

Because we almost always map our own walking tours, getting lost is a regular occurrence for us. And getting lost is an awesome way to find underrated gems such as this underground mosque which we stumbled upon whilst searching for Taman Sari Castle in Yogyakarta. Reminds me of Tunisia, where some scenes of the Star Wars flick were shot.

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Snapshot Saturday: Bali Bust

Kuta Beach, one lazy early afternoon.
If you ask me about the best beaches I have seen here and abroad, off the top of my head, Kuta Beach ain't on the list. However, the island's cult following clad in rash guards, is such an amusing bunch. They can easily make you linger for a while.

Our three-day stay in Bali about two years ago was phenomenal, sans surfing... Thanks to our Couchsurfing hosts. But it wasn't for two Filipinas who were recently suspected of being "drug mules" by immigration officers at Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar International Airport).

Bless their courageous souls for sharing via blog post and the social network their ordeal. That should teach 'em unreasonable beings.

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Snapshot Saturday: Javanese Jump Shot

Prambanan Temple Complex in Java, Indonesia. Gleefully watched a bunch of locals take heaps of jump shots as I sat on the grass. Clearly, Pinoys aren't the only ones who love doing this.

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Snapshot Saturday: Java Street Art

I was about to take a snapshot of this wall in Yogyakarta when a becak entered the frame. I noticed just now that the girl's flashing a peace sign!

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Snapshot Saturday: Staircase To A Crater

250 steps to Gunung Bromo's crater! East Java, Indonesia.

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Indonesia-Singapore-Malaysia: 3 Countries in 1 Day!

Shervin and I woke up almost three hours before our 7:00 AM Bali-Java bus ride. We packed our bags, checked out of Bali Duta Wisata, and walked to the main road for a cab. A driver agreed with our 60,000 Rp offer. Since we got a cab straight away, we were at the Denpasar bus station earlier than expected.

Expensive Indomie for brekkie at the bus station.

Legian and Kuta Beach, South Bali

On our second day in Bali, Tamie (our Couchsurfing host) took us to Legian Beach. It is slightly quieter than Kuta Beach, but waves in this area are as constant. It's a mere hundred-meter walk from Tamie's place.

A surf instructor about to give lessons along Legian Beach.

Probolinggo-Denpasar

From Yoschi Guesthouse in Cemoro Lawang, a van took us to our travel agent in Probolinggo. Then we transferred to a big bus and headed to Denpasar (Bali's capital). The transportation was still part of our Gunung Bromo tour package.

Lunch at a stopover, check out the gigantic jar of krupuk!

Gunung Bromo

We arrived at Yoschi Guesthouse in Cemoro Lawang around 7:00 PM. The guy at the reception told us we have to wake up the next day at 3:00 AM for breakfast. And at exactly 4AM, a jeep will fetch us and drive up to the viewpoint of Tengger Caldera. So we ate Sandi's mom's packed food that we brought from Yogyakarta for dinner and went straight to bed.

Sea of fog. Halfway up Gunung Bromo. Panting.

Yogyakarta-Cemoro Lawang

The clothes we washed the night before were not completely dry when we packed them in our bags. It would already be stinky by the time we get to Probolinggo, the trip is ten hours long. We couldn't give them more time under the sun because we needed to be at the travel agent's stall by 8:50 AM.

Nope, Sandi's (our Couchsurfing host) mum's not upset. She's just worried we'll be late.

Prambanan Temples

Shervin and I made a stop at Jalan Malioboro and Jalan Sosrowijayan before heading to Prambanan. We asked the travel agents around the area if they sell bus or train tickets for Surabaya, en route to Probolinggo, our next destination the day after. Unfortunately, they could only be bought from the bus or train station.

Prambanan Temple complex, a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Yogyakarta Walking Tour

It was a Friday (observed as a holiday in Islam), and the Main Court of the kraton (Sri Sultan's Palace) was closed so Shervin and I didn't bother entering the compound. We headed to Taman Sari instead.

Taman Sari or Water Castle (open 8AM-2PM), is located west of the kraton. Built by a Portuguese architect, it was a recreation garden or a retreat house for the sultan and his family.

Entrance to the Water Castle's restored bathing pools.

Borobudur: A Chaperoned Monthsary

As planned, we got there for our monthsary (pardon my mushiness). Our Couchsurfing host Sandi, who didn't have work then because of a public holiday, drove and accompanied us to the magnificent-but-darn-crowded Borobudur.

Boroudur's stupas. Thank goodness I managed to take a photo of a deserted spot.

My First Overnight Train: Jakarta-Yogyakarta

Our kind Jakarta hosts not only took us to Gambir Station, they also helped us look for an available trip to our next stop, Yogyakarta. They unanimously discouraged us though to take the economy train because according to them it's "really not safe".

Since it was a holiday the day after, we figured the economy tickets might already have been booked out anyway. So yeah, we agreed to spend way more extra bucks for business class tickets. It was gonna be my first overnight train ride.

Shervin patiently waiting for the ticket counter to open.

Kuching-Jakarta

On our last night in Kuching, we drank (potent) local rice wine, and was able to have a good sleep despite incessant pain from our bed bug bites.

Kuching's Sarawak Museum. Uhm, photography inside not allowed.

South East Asia in Six Weeks

Despite storm signal no. 2 and the Swine Flu frenzy (it was not called AH1N1 yet), we set off 7th of May last year for our first Southeast Asia backpacking trip together (Shervin and I). A trip that took us to six countries (in order): Malaysia, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia.

Our SE Asia route. Edited by Shervin, map taken from here.

9 Countries for 2009: 'Best Of' Snippets

If you can't play the video, it may have been removed because of its soundtrack. You can view it here instead.
Part 1 of Pinay Travel Junkie's Best Of 2009 video. 'Best Of' may not pertain to the best choices in town, but they're the most unforgettable for me. Places I have been to and experiences which I found life changing (though my life didn't really change much).

Trip stats for 2009 here.

Disclaimer: Obviously, the songs used for the video aren't mine. Credits go to:
1. AC/DC - Highway To Hell
2. Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - I Would Walk 500 Miles
3. Mungo Jerry - In The Summertime

What's on your 'Best Of 2009' list?

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Gunung Bromo: 250 Steps Mean Nothing

An uncanny view unfolded in every step. At the peak, we got reacquainted with solace.
Gunung Bromo blog here

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