(c)
December 12, 2019
July 13, 2019
Through Asia to Malaysia: Part I
It's ironic how traveling can be such a pain in the ass because of all the packing, the walking, and the not having enough sleep to catch flights. But it's also the very reason why it's so fun and liberating. Feeling a bit lost and getting to new places. Wanting to try authentic good food and having no idea what to eat first. Trying too hard to fit in with the locals while enjoying the calming thought of starting anew. How confusingly refreshing.
DAY 1
This year, the whole family with two new cast of characters get to travel overseas again: Malaysia, Truly Asia. We got in our hotel at Swiss Garden Residences in Bukit Bintang in the wee hours of the night so we welcomed Malaysia with a good long ass nap. But the next day, we jump-started our day with great food at TG's Nasi Kandar.
Nasi Kandar is a famous Malaysian dish that originated in Penang. It's simply steamed rice served either plain or mildly flavored with a variety of curries and side dishes. And TG's is among the top choices in Bukit Bintang. Several tourists flock the place. It deserved every good review it has. Such a good start for our first official meal in the country. Price starts at RM 12.
DAY 1
This year, the whole family with two new cast of characters get to travel overseas again: Malaysia, Truly Asia. We got in our hotel at Swiss Garden Residences in Bukit Bintang in the wee hours of the night so we welcomed Malaysia with a good long ass nap. But the next day, we jump-started our day with great food at TG's Nasi Kandar.
Nasi Kandar is a famous Malaysian dish that originated in Penang. It's simply steamed rice served either plain or mildly flavored with a variety of curries and side dishes. And TG's is among the top choices in Bukit Bintang. Several tourists flock the place. It deserved every good review it has. Such a good start for our first official meal in the country. Price starts at RM 12.
Like any other tourists, we then visited a bunch of famous spots in the city: Istana Negara (The Royal Museum) and Muzium Negara (The National Museum). Sadly, the former was closed on the day of our visit, so we only got photos from the outside. We did, however, took a lot of photos at The National Museum. Entrance fee for adults are RM 5.
I know, it's a slow day for the family. These places are quite close to each other you can seriously walk from one point to another. But we opted to ride Grab Cars, anyway. If you are not traveling with your good old folks and/or with little kids, do walk.
We closed the night off at the Pavilion Mall and had Korean food for dinner. Can you believe it? Believe it. It's the way of the old, I tell you. It was my father's birthday after all.
DAY 2
Based on the Walks & Tours Map I got at the National Museum from yesterday's trip, our day two mediocre tour started at the Petronas Twin Towers--once the world's tallest building at a height of 452 meters. We visited the actual site, but also viewed it at the Menara Kuala Lumpur for the full 360 degree panoramic experience. For RM 49, at 276 meters above ground, we watched the city's skyline at the Observation Deck. You could also opt to try their Sky Deck and Sky Box (300 meters above ground) for a more extreme but more expensive viewing experience.
We dropped by at Suria KLCC before we had lunch at KL City Walk in Jalan Ramlee. It's a 416 meter urban street arcade located within KL's Golden Triangle.
On our way to our next stop, we passed by The National Textile Museum and The Sultan Abdul Salam Building. These famous old buildings are only a walk away from The KL City Gallery.
We ended the night shopping at Pasar Seni (the Central Market)--a great place to buy local souvenirs, arts, crafts, and other collectibles.
I think we did better than our first day.
(c)
June 8, 2019
April 19, 2019
The Night Before
In late 2017, before the start of my favorite season, he found me. Again.
After 21 questions, you made your third attempt to ask me out. Fueled with doubts and excitement, I finally agreed to see you.
You arrived just in time. I had a few drinks with friends which I told you about. I was feeling sleepy and nervous—that you did not need to know. You called me to check if you were in the right area. I was already outside the bar, my phone in hand, looking for you. Under the street lamp post, there you were. A silhouette of you, smiling at me. You wore a shirt without sleeves. A bold choice, I thought. Still holding the phone, you walked towards me. I could still not get a good view of your face, but I could feel you've changed. You leaned in to my cheek, but I was quick to dodge for a tap on a back. You got taller, and you smelled like a fresh shower.
We walked to your car. I pulled you from your wrist to lead the way and not pass by the bar my friends were still at. I could feel the two glasses of rhum Coke—fine, and a shot of tequila—I had was starting to kick in. You opened the car door for me. 'What a gentleman,' I uttered in my head while I tried to hide a smile. I was pleading to my brain not to send signals and turn my face red. Realized it was too late for that after the drinking. My workmates and I had an unspoken rule of drinking every Friday night. Everyone probably did. Some adults preferred alcohol to wash down the stress of the week that had passed—and the pain, the sorrow, the tears, and everything in between—that was still there. Basically, all of life's buffoonery. I wasn't sure if the drinking helped or not.
I sat on the passenger seat like it was not the first time. Even I shocked myself. It's the alcohol again. Weirdly enough, it was keeping me calm. Suspiciously too calm. On our way, I was browsing through Instagram while trying to make excuses in my head as to why I had to leave early. A bit tipsy, I felt good. It felt right, despite the alcohol. Messages sent.
I was starting to slouch. In your car. Which I rode for the first time. On the first night we officially met in person. Unbelievable. Of course, my anxieties were invited in this very important car ride. I made up scenarios in my head like any other human person, always going too far. Getting ahead of myself again. I shook my head, I was probably zoning out. Sit like a lady. Fix your hair. Stop using your goddamn phone, for crying out loud. The thoughts in my head. I did not think I have spoken a word for over ten minutes.
In between traffic light stops, you tried to get a glimpse of me. It's been six long years after all. Back in college, after that class one summer, we never saw each other again in campus. I graduated, and I did not know what happened to you. You asked for my number, but I lost my phone. I guess, I thought about you once or twice. But you never again crossed my mind. In times I tried to replay in my head the almost lovers I had, you never came up.
I subtly covered my face with my long hair. I had a tendency to do that. I hoped I was not being too obvious. I looked at you when I responded to your questions. God, now, why were I suddenly talking too much and too loud. Yet, you were smiling, and even laughing at my jokes. I knew I was funny. My confidence was surpassing the highest building in Makati. You must have really liked me, I almost said aloud.
My gaze was focused outside. Bright lights. Busy streets. Some on their way home. Some, hopeful, on their way to a night-out. "The city's pretty at night," I said as I looked at you. You did not take the usual route. You said it was not a short cut, but with a little less traffic. I'd take that little less traffic. It was still a long drive, but I did not mind.
My gaze was focused outside. Bright lights. Busy streets. Some on their way home. Some, hopeful, on their way to a night-out. "The city's pretty at night," I said as I looked at you. You did not take the usual route. You said it was not a short cut, but with a little less traffic. I'd take that little less traffic. It was still a long drive, but I did not mind.
(c)
February 24, 2019
Big Bad Wolf Comes Back to MNL
The Big Bad Wolf came back to Manila for its second year. Last year, I got to have preview passes. This year, I braved the opening night of one of the biggest book sales of the year... And it was a bad idea.
Going to the World Trade Center was no problem. It was getting inside the venue, that was the problem. Everyone seemed to think that the best time to go to a 24-hour book sale was on a Friday night slash Saturday midnight. Everyone was wrong. Including myself.
Don't get me wrong, the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale did not disappoint. They delivered everything they promised: big selection of books at the lowest prices (Php 190 to 350).
<
So, what went wrong? After three excruciating hours of standing in line, we finally found the glitch to this dreamy event: the payment system (not the scheme, it was still very well-organized). It was literally the computer's system, taking too long to read bar codes, and even making the crew move slower than Flash (from the film Zootopia).
A gentle reminder to those planning to attend the book sale: Wear comfortable shoes; ensure you have enough sleep, a full stomach, and a well hydrated body.
BBW Book Sale is still open 24 hours until March 4, 2019 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
(c)
Going to the World Trade Center was no problem. It was getting inside the venue, that was the problem. Everyone seemed to think that the best time to go to a 24-hour book sale was on a Friday night slash Saturday midnight. Everyone was wrong. Including myself.
Don't get me wrong, the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale did not disappoint. They delivered everything they promised: big selection of books at the lowest prices (Php 190 to 350).
<
So, what went wrong? After three excruciating hours of standing in line, we finally found the glitch to this dreamy event: the payment system (not the scheme, it was still very well-organized). It was literally the computer's system, taking too long to read bar codes, and even making the crew move slower than Flash (from the film Zootopia).
A gentle reminder to those planning to attend the book sale: Wear comfortable shoes; ensure you have enough sleep, a full stomach, and a well hydrated body.
BBW Book Sale is still open 24 hours until March 4, 2019 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
(c)
