Travel Footprints

Last Saturday, we were at Fort Bonifacio for our usual weekend work-out in preparation for the Nepal trek. Mr. Rono wanted to let loose on his bike so he hit the route within Fort Bonifacio we call AFP Trail. I, on the other hand, did not feel like biking so I instead went to Boni High Street, parked my car and did some running.

I soon stumbled upon an event happening in the Fort Boni Open Field called the Nestea Fit Camp Hot and decided to check it out. For only Php50, I got an all-access pass to all the ‘classes’ offered like Beach Volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee, Touch Football, Hip Hop, Beach Basketball, Flag Football, Yoga, Zips. Since I was waiting for Mr. Rono anyway, I decided to join the Yoga class which was slated for 1.5 hours. That pretty much got me preoccupied until Mr. Rono arrived from his biking session

I’m glad we got to catch the Nestea Fit Camp Hot before its final schedule on March 27! Some more pictures from my phone camera:

P50 all-access pass comes with one cool Nestea iced tea bottle!

Yoga session for everyone!

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