Travel Footprints

Masskara Festival in Bacolod City is one of the most colorful merry-making events held during the month of October. The festival is supposed to run for 20 days but the event climax is on the weekend nearest to October 19 (which is my birthdate).

I missed the festivities when I came to Bacolod City but there sure were a lot of reminders of the weekend that was – the colorful banderitas on the streets and lots and lots of maskara in the hotel where I was staying. Even the locals can’t help but proudly describe to me their delight in the just-concluded festival!

And because there were no more parades to watch, this is how it’s like to have a taste of the Masskara Festival…

But the highlight of my Bacolod trip was far from the sounds and sights of the Masskara Festival but somewhere tucked within the quaint town of Talisay, located near the airport – The Ruins of Negros!

In my recent trip to Bangkok last year, I was lucky enough to have experienced the Loi Krathong Festival in Thailand. This photo shows the flower-and-candle offerings that were made available to us by the Imperial Grand Palace Hotel where I was attending a conference. Loi Krathong, also called Festival of Lights, is celebrated every year in Thailand as a ceremony to honor Buddha.

Found myself back in Bangkok in October this year just because it’s the birthday month! I’ve always liked Bangkok, it’s one of the few countries I frequent most next to my own beloved Philippines. Here are some of my trip highlights in photos –

Noodles! My first meal for the trip as soon as I arrived in my hotel room. I can eat noodles everyday while in Thailand. Of course, this is paired by a spicy seafood salad, one of Thailand’s signature dishes (just don’t let the chillis scare you). Yum!

Passing under the RamaVIII bridge during the Chao Phrya River Cruise where we had our buffet dinner…

…together with friends from all over Asia! The picture below shows a good professor from Hong Kong, Dr. WT, teaching us how to do a real Chinese dragon dance during our Welcome Dinner –

Good times!

Aside from the fab shopping bargains, some of the things I got accustomed to in Bangkok are -

Temples! A view of the Grand Palace at night by the Chao Phrya River.

Busy highways with colorful taxis

Fascinating culture (these are books I found in my hotel room, never mind that I don’t understand a word in it)…

…Suvarnabhumi airport! I once found myself stuck in this airport for about 12 hours due to delayed connecting flight before the airline finally decided to get all passengers a room in a nearby hotel. Glad to have made it through the 12-hour wait with all the book/gift shops and restaurants inside the airport. Something I wish our own Ninoy Aquino International Airport would someday offer to weary travellers as well.

Sawasdee Bangkok! ‘Til we meet again

I have finally started decking the halls for the holidays! This is such a cliche but really, how time flies! We’re on the last month of the year and soon enough, it’s HELLO 2010! One of the things we will always remember for 2009 is the birth of www.roamingronos.com. This was supposed to be a place where Mr. Rono and I would keep tabs of the fond memories of our travel adventures and share the joys of exploration.

Ok, so I didn’t realize how difficult it was to maintain a blog until we created one. Revisiting the site, I realized our last entry was back in September 2009. Since then, I have been to two countries – Thailand and Malaysia. And, of course several provinces of the Philippines – Bacolod City, Butuan City and Agusan Province, Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, Tuguegarao City in Cagayan and San Juan, La Union for the last two months. Not to mention our bike adventures in La Mesa Park and Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

I promised myself I would put the amazing experiences of these travels into writing soon-ish! I’m so looking forward to the holiday break so we can sit down and reflect and put our happy thoughts into this blog. After all, ’tis the season to be jolly. And nothing makes us happier than our travel adventures