10 Things I Like About 2010

2010 ain't as grand as 2009. Last year I worked overseas, backpacked in 9 countries (did my first long term travel too), got hitched, and honeymooned during winter. This year isn't so bad as well. I may have only traveled a few times, but these trips were done either while I was pregnant or with our newborn in tow - which for me, a once carefree drifter, are such amazing feats!

With my newborn in Tam-Awan Village Baguio City, a minute away from my nomadic family's first home. Moving in's one of this year's highlights.
Hereunder are the top 10 things I like about 2010...

9 Countries for 2009: 'Best Of' Snippets Part II

If you can't play the video, it may have been removed because of its soundtrack. You can view it here instead.
Here you go, Part II of Pinay Travel Junkie's 'Best Of' video. Rush (and amateur) editing quite obvious, but I'm mighty proud. I forced myself to finish the second part just because I mentioned 'to be continued' on the first one.

Trip stats for 2009 here.

Disclaimer: Again, the songs used are sooo not mine. Credits go to:
1. Foghat - Slow Ride
2. Supergrass - Alright
3. Jim Croce - I've Got A Name

TweetShare


This page was viewed times.

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?

TweetShare


This image was viewed times.

9 Countries for 2009: A Roundup

A lot of firsts in 2009. I finally saw snow (which I'm not a fan of), and a giant panda!
Supreme exultation! It dawned on me how grand the past year was as I run a flashback. Nine countries were ticked off Pinay Travel Junkie's 2009 travel list.

1. U.A.E.
2. Malaysia
3. Brunei
4. Indonesia
5. Singapore
6. Thailand
7. Myanmar (though it was only for a visa run)
8. Hong Kong
9. China

Applaud, applaud. Now I'm semi-broke. But the skills I've honed, the insights I've garnered, the people I've befriended made every dirham, ringgit, Brunei dollar, rupiah, Singapore dollar, baht, kyat, Hong Kong dollar, yuan and peso worth it!

Trip Stats for 2009
1. Plane trips, 6. All international. Hoping for more local flights this year.
2. Most visited countries a day, 3. How the heck did that happen? Read here
3. Bowls of Nasi Goreng and instant noodles I had in Indonesia and China, immeasurable.
4. Train rides, 4. Jakarta-Yogyakarta, HK-Beijing, Beijing-Xian, Xian-Guanzhou.
5. Couches I surfed, 7 (via Couchsurfing)
6. Mountain summitted, 1 (Mt Talamitam). Volcano climbed, 1 (Gunung Bromo). Caves spelunked, 2 (Sumaging Cave for the 7th time, and Callao Cave). I also sauntered along 13 beaches.
7. Travel gears bought, 3. A Conquer 65L bag, a portable stove (30 dirhams from U.A.E.), and a headlamp (5 dirhams also from U.A.E. BUT made in China) that's already broken I haven't even used it yet!
8. Favorite paid accommodation, New Hut Bungalows (Koh Samui, Thailand). Unpaid, Sandi's (a Couchsurfing host) house-slash-dormitory in Yogyakarta. Comes with free Indonesian home-cooked meals by his mum.
9. Most unforgettable unplanned visit, Qin Terra Cotta Army Museum (yet to be blogged).

First time I...
1. experienced snow in Xi'an, China.
2. saw a giant panda (woot!) at Ocean Park, Hong Kong.
3. rode a cable car (Ngong Ping), Hong Kong.
4. cruised (hopped on a wildly driven 4x4) along sand dunes in Al Ain, U.A.E.
5. backpacked for more than a month (I didn't count Europe because I stayed most of the time at my aunt's place in Germany)
6. have been unemployed for 8 months (and counting).
7. sunbathed topless at Lamai Beach, Thailand.
8. bought my own domain (actually, someone else paid for it).
9. got hitched (who knows if it happens again?!).

So what's in store for 2010? Truth is, as of the moment I can only vaguely plot my local travel plans while my Aussie visa is underway. So Pinay Travel Junkie will see more of the Philippines soon.

What's your itinerary for this year?

TweetShare