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TRAVELS

Pacman Beach Resort: Your New Home Away from Home

Nothing can be more exciting than another unplanned weekend getaway with “the parents” to a place I’ve never been to – Sarangani. Also who doesn’t love long drives? It’s my best excuse to listen to my 90’s playlist, zen out looking at the scenery, and listening to my parents/lovebirds conversations about “paragliding” 😛 . These two just don’t age.

And indeed, random trips can take you to some pretty amazing destinations.

Enter Pacman Beach Resort.

It’s a new and perfect alternative to crowded beaches in the Philippines. It hasn’t fully opened yet but this resort is easily a perfect escape from the bustle of hectic, gadget-filled lifestyles.

Here are some snaps during our trip.

early morning walks, my parents walk faster than me 😛

TRAVELS, VIDEO-PHOTOGRAPHY

Our Magical Mt. Bromo and Sukamade Jungle Trip

Breachelle

Wow. Truly East Java has a natural charm to the soul. From being greeted with a scattering of star trails, milky way unveiling itself as we hike up Mt. Bromo’s crater, to the vast Mars-like sea of sand with wind-swept volcanic ash cloud and the joy of releasing baby turtles to Indian ocean… certainly made this jungle trip a one-of-a-kind experience. Because magical feelings are best expressed in motions, here is a glimpse of our experiences in a travel video – best viewed in HD.

First of all, we would like to thank Anjang of Bromo Ecotourism @ http://www.bromoecotourism.com for being an amazing, patient, game-on ranger, tour genius turned good friend who have made our first ever jungle trip such a surreal experience. Anjang was with us throughout the 6 day fun, from the long mountain hikes to bumpy trails and city highways up to our way back to the airport. Thank you for taking great care of us. We will forever treasure your kindness. Thanks for bringing your sidekicks Yugi and Adi too. Continue Reading

TRAVELS

10 Reasons Why I Fell in Love with Japan

Breachelle

History has a way of creating awkward realizations for future generations. I admit that the colonization history I learned from school has made me avoid the idea of going to Japan and immerse myself into their culture. My boyfriend on the other hand, loves Japan so much he could change his name to Gundam or Daiso anytime.

Long story short, we spent Christmas season in Japan. I set no expectations but I was curious. Then here I am, couldn’t even find the right word to describe how much I love Japan….like so much I’m willing to change my name into Hachika, or Uniqla.

Here are some of the many reasons why I fell in love with Japan and why you will too.

1. Japanese people are incredibly kind

The thing that really made me fall in love with Japan were the people. I couldn’t get over how amazingly, ridiculously kind everyone was, and I’m not yet exaggerating. Throughout our one week stay, all of our dealings with the locals have been pleasant ones- that has to mean something.
Their kindness and hospitality have instantly struck a chord in our hearts – right from day one.

…. the subway officers who tried their best to help us understand their map directions even if they can’t speak English properly

….a lady in the cashier section even came out of her cubicle to assist me even though there were customers waiting

….the stranger inside a ramen restaurant who even drew on his table napkin to give us a clear direction of the route to Don Quijote

….a guy walked us all the way to an address because he spoke no English but made sure we got there

….and the many locals who got out of their way to guide us on Tokyo’s complicated train map

These were just a few scenarios of all the kindness that we have experienced.

2. Vending Machines

In Japan, you are never too far away from a vending machine. This means you are never too far away from energy drinks, hot drink, melons, fried chicken, fresh eggs, books, disposable cameras, books, umbrella and even underwear! Life is made so much easier eh, and they are going all touchscreen too.

Hail to the kingdom of vending machines!

3. Talking Toilets

and just like that, the regular toilets struck me as barbaric…The Japanese were born to make everything cool. Continue Reading

TRAVELS

MALDIVES – a piece of heaven on Earth

Breachelle

Ahh! Maldives vacation! A piece of heaven on earth is perhaps the best way to describe The Maldives. Nestled in the heart of the Indian Ocean all the way to the Equator, Maldives has the bluest skies and brilliant turquoise beaches. The beauty of Maldives is truly spectacular, I’ll run out of adjectives to describe it.

I feel so blessed to be able to celebrate my 27th birthday with a splash, a Maldives’ splash! I never thought I could travel to this beautiful place. It’s a big big item checked off of my bucket list…and i’m DEFINITELY coming back! I am also very grateful to celebrate this big time life experience with wonderful people closest to my heart.

Allow me to take you take you in an oasis of tranquility and sheer bliss. Here are the highlights of my vacation to Maldives. Every spot is so full of wonderful surprises.

1. Fifty shades of blue or something like that

2. On our way to Bandos, Island

With my super charged crazy friends Mysh, Roel and THE MIKE!

My happiest! We were deliriously happy, it was only a few seconds away from our first Maldives splash. Continue Reading

TRAVELS

The Taj Mahal ~ Love can be expensive

Breachelle

Love can make you laugh and cry…and it can make you build the Taj Mahal. You’ll have to forgive me but the only expensive item I can give love is a branded T-Shirt.

Incidentally, the Filipino term for Love is “Mahal”. Taj Mahal means “Crown Palace” or the “Place of the Crown”. It is a tomb built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third and favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal. She died during the birth of their 14th child, Gauhara Begum.

It took 23 years to complete this beautiful masterpiece and the overall design of Taj Mahal incorporates traditions of Islamic, Persian, Hindu and earlier Mughal architecture. The tomb is the central attraction of the entire building.

We were not allowed to take a photo of the tomb, actually we were not allowed to take a single photo (while) inside Taj Mahal…so the next photo you will see is a product of someone violating the rule….lookie! sssh

The long queue outside Taj Mahal….hey people, you waited for hours and you don’t get to take a picture inside.. trust me!

Like many other places, Taj Mahal has its share of myths like – Shah Jahan got the hands of his sculptors and architects cut off so that they would never be able to build a monument as magnificent and beautiful as the Taj again and he even got their eyes pulled out so that they would never be able to witness anything bigger and more beautiful than the monument that they had built during their lifetime. (tajmahal.com)

At least that is what historians have recorded and for whatever it’s worth I still have my hands….

When Shah Jahan died, he was also buried in the mausoleum next to Mumtaz Mahal. At present, Taj Mahal is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World….AND…. I touched it hihihi.

TRAVELS

BORNeo This Way – Visiting Borneo

Breachelle

I don’t remember holidays being spent inside my room. Ah that familiar feeling…when you’re looking for things to do, you’re bored and it’s a holiday season… and you just want a weekend trip to very unfamiliar places.

Well this time we went to Borneo….

It’s a good thing to walk on an ancient path that has a rich spot in Philippine history. If my memory serves me well, the early Filipinos migrated to the Philippines from Borneo and Sumatra. I guess later on they have regretted that decision 😛

So here I was, standing (posing) in smiles behind a big, big tree which I would like to call a pine tree.

If there’s an advice I can give, one that I learned during this experience, it would be to “Never wear wedges inside a jungle”. It will hurt your feet and people would pity you.

I’d like to stress though that at the time we went to Borneo, we had no fixed itinerary and literally don’t know where to go. Sometimes it doesn’t pay to be “spontaneous” I guess.

Another place that we visited at random was this oceanic island in the Celebes Sea. Continue Reading

LIFESTYLE, TRAVELS

The day I Met Mother Teresa. Visiting Kolkata India

Breachelle

The day I Met Mother Teresa. The day I lost 10K. The police chase.

November 6, 2011 ~ the day I genuinely felt and met the presence of Mother Teresa inside her house in Calcutta (Kolkata), India.

This meaningful experience made me reflect about the way I live and see the world. It’s always humbling to consider life in someone else’s shoes. I was left speechless and grateful about the way things are. At 26, I’ve still got so much more spiritual journeying to do and take more part in giving and sharing. In this journey, I have seen pain. I have seen love. I have seen gratitude. Right away, I knew this would be a completely different experience. One that has made me smile just after making me cry. More importantly, I’ve begun to see prayer in a new way.

The moment Mysh and I decided to go to Calcutta, I knew I wasn’t ready. A spiritual journey is very necessary to me but I wanted to give it due importance. I wanted to give it “the whole of me” baggage-free. We know Mother Teresa as the woman who worked so hard for the cause of humanity. I wasn’t ready to meet this kind of person. As I said I’ve still got so much more inner journeying to do. But I realized we’re all on a spiritual journey. We’ve all been on our own paths, our own explorations, our experiences – both good and bad. It doesn’t really matter who I was a year ago, or even yesterday. What matters is I am always trying to become a better version of myself everyday. Continue Reading