Eating my way through Malaysia

To be honest, I'm not really sure I can say much about Malaysia other than the food. LOL. This is going to sound more like a food critique than a travel entry because quite frankly I'm seriously just enjoying all the culinary goodness this country has to offer!

I got on a train from Singapore and within 7 hours found myself in Kuala Lumpur. I barely had enough time to think about my first truly solo travel when I met a really great couple (German and Korean) who I was lucky enough to explore the city with.

KL

• Deceptively smaller than you would think. Seems large on a map but everything is within 1-2 Km and walkable. I've got the fun kitchy pics with the Petronas tower (a must) and I must say, it is even more beautiful at night. They're surprisingly environmental friendly because they turn off all the lights at midnight - I found that impressive.
• It was odd to see Arabic everywhere (it was almost like being in the Middle East in some areas) and then learned that Malaysia is officially a Muslim country. One of the things I'm impressed with is the ethic and religious diversity of the region. When you're walking down the street you'll see a Hindu temple across from a Buddhist one, which is on the same block as a Mosque with a Church in the corner! How's that for an example of religious tolerance?!
• I did enjoy was the start of my culinary experience (and incidental weight gain) - We ate Chinese food in Chinatown and great Indian food in Little India. The Roti Canai here is legendary. It's the kind of roti that I've been dreaming off since Kuwait. It's always made fresh, is ridiculously cheap and is seriously good!
  

Taman Negara

• Said to be the oldest rain forest in the world. I enjoyed a couple of massive hikes - which meant, after a hot and sweaty 5 hrs, we're just pretty happy that we weren't swarmed by leeches (almost disappointing, but not really) and most importantly didn't get lost.
  
• You'd think some jungle treks would be a good weight loss regime but then I discovered Mamak noodles - a wonderfully spicy, sweet and salty noodle dish topped with fried garlic, prawns and chicken. Oh and yellow pancakes/crepes - they put tumeric in it! Who'd have thought...yummy, although it looks kinda weird.
• Also took a scenic jaunt on apparently the longest canopy walkway above the forest.
• Unfortunately, there wasn't much in the way of seeing animals. No tigers or elephants, just some insects, scorpions, deer so I got out of the jungle and into cooler weather...
  

Cameron Highlands

• After the oppressive heat, Cameron Highlands was a welcome refuge. It was soooo nice to actually wear a sweater and not have heat radiate from my body!!
• Up in the mountainous region of Central Malaysia, you're surrounded by strawberry farms, fresh produce and the beauty of lush tea plantations. It's rows and rows of tea bushes, green as far as the eyes can see. It's beautiful and peaceful but I've realized that I really don't have the palate for differentiating quality tea...Being a coffee drinker, I don't know much about tea, so it was interesting to learn about how it's grown, the process to make it and the different variables that make "good" tea. Incidentally, I was having a starbucks coffee during the tour...I know, terrible, but I really needed my caffeine fix! :)
• Mossy forest - beautiful and serene, the best part of the tour I went on was learning about the different wild plants that could potentially save me if I got lost in a forest. You can eat tips of a young fern plant, wild cinnamon grow as thick as branches (and fetch a lot on the black market) and ginger has a ridiculous amount of healing properties (one I didn't know, apparently great for hangovers!)
• Food wise, let's see - I discovered these fried banana balls that were delish and a great pre/post hike snack, had one of the largest, most varied 'steamboat' aka hotpot and introduced a bunch of Germans to the Southern Indian eating experience...murtabak and curry anyone?
  

Penang

• I had no expectations about the 2nd largest city in Malaysia, in fact I didn't really know very much about it. What I saw was an interesting combination of colonial buildings from it's British empire days, mixed with a few skyscrapers, resorts and old dilapidated buildings set in a port city/island. I'm glad I stayed an extra day with the scooter...I really enjoy feeling the air, sun, wind and (slight) rain on my skin while I get to look around and see vistas from all parts of Penang.
• I really enjoy seeing temples (maybe cause I'm just beginning this leg of it). I'm not sure if it's being in Asia that gives it a more "authentic" feel, or the Buddhist chants from the monks, or the feng shui of the large breezy space, or the usually immaculate gardens but there is a sense of peacefulness that comes to you when are visiting temples.
• Known as the food capital of Malaysia - there was no doubt that I was going to end up here! Some things that I've discovered:

1. I think Malaysian food is now officially one of my favourites ever!
2. I can never be vegetarian. I find it odd to order something, and only realize after 5 bites in, that it's not meat and 10 bites later figure out that I don't enjoy it.
3. Too much of a good thing will make your stomach hurt (an odd feeling since usually I have the stomach of steel! Steel I say. Oh and yes, you will gain weight even if you're trekking everywhere.
4. My spice tolerance is significantly lower...I sweat (even more) when I eat the food, after 5 minutes you'd think it'd stop...no, the burning sensation really doesn't.
5. Even when you ask what is in the food or what it's made of and they answer in English, you still won't know what you ate.
6. Food is stupid cheap here. I think the most I've paid is 20 Ringgits ($7) and that was sharing 5 dishes between 3 people or 3 dishes with fresh fish between 2 (with a drink)! On average, things cause about $1-3/meal!

Yummy Laksa - spicy, salty and sweet from a Hawker stall.

I've never seen a mosque over an ocean before!

Giant golden Buddha in a Burmese Temple.

Mossy forest. Look I'm wearing a hoodie!

Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang.

High Tea anyone? Tea Plantation in Cameron Highlands.

Very large and jungle like.

My Tarzan moment in Taman Negara.

I think I almost look tall beside the Petronas towers!

So thanks Malaysia for the yummy goodness and now I'm off to Thailand to hopefully get back in better shape with some world class diving!

Happy 1 Year Anniversary in Singapore = Appropriately enough Happy Chinese New Year!

My blog has always been a little too politically correct (although that is what I am like and my Canadian sensibility makes sure that I'm fairly polite about everything). But what the hell, here's a more honest entry! As my official 1 year anniversary of traveling here's an uncensored blog - cause what's the point of feeling liberated if you don't completely describe everything (ok, who am I kidding, not everything)!

This was written feeling both my best and my crappiest = My running soundtrack: "If I ever Feel Better" - Phoenix. "Feeling Good" - Muse. "Flawed Design" - Stabilo. "Time of my Life" - BEP.

THE GOOD

• I'm having the effing time of my life!! It does not get any better than this. I really can't imagine a moment in my future when I would look back at this time and think - wow, I really shouldn't have taken time out to explore the world. Are you kidding me? Ya, I'm proud of myself for making this decision and yes I'm blessed!
• Coolness factor - Life is great when you can take the time out to explore and enjoy things. People are drawn to you, because you exude a confidence and happiness that comes from traveling. "So...what do you do?" Me: "Nothing, I'm just traveling the world" - comes with big happy grin, works like a charm ;)
• My 5 senses are overloaded with pleasures. I see amazing things - some of the scenery are arrestingly beautiful. I hear everything from nature untouched to sounds of joy and pleasure. I've touched/felt incredible sensations. I've smelled - ok, this one isn't always great! LOL But I have slowed down enough to smell the orchids. And as a foodie, my taste buds gets tantalized by wonderful culinary treats from different places.
• Freedom - I have never loved life this much! And what's not to love? I have complete and utter freedom to do/be/act however I see fit. It's liberating and I find it interesting how we still manage to censor ourselves and yet sometimes go a little overboard when you're intoxicated by it all. I'm trying a whole bunch of different approaches mainly cause I can...some have not been as successful, sometimes it's a bit of a wreck, but other times man, does it ever work out for you!
• Learning things - Different cultures, people, myself. I'm challenged and taught new lessons almost everyday whether it's patience with line ups in the Philippines, responsibility with family, a new language, emotional vulnerability, openness, infatuations, obsessions, trust, limits, fears, bravery. etc. I've never felt so excited and exhilarated by people, places, events - traveling puts you in a constant state of change and the need to adapt...and if you're lucky - you get to make the most of it!
  

THE BAD

• I MISS...
  
• Everyone :( I do. Thank goodness for FB, Skype and emails. I'd be lost without being in constant touch with people. I just miss people. Terribly. I'll keep it at that!
  
• The little and not so little things - my own "home", the smell of pine trees when I'm hiking in North Van, bickering lovingly with my parents, meeting up with the girls, driving my convertible, chillaxing, kayaking in Deep Cove, talking to my sisters, playing with my nephews and nieces, Stanley park, having a smoke/bbq with Duazel, shooting the shit with Yasmeen, drinking wine with Jen and Thorsten in their hot tub, traveling with Yuko and her keeping me sane, working out with Astrid, my Ai crew, being in the same city as Chrissy, having more clothes, wearing boots during fall. I dunno, there are tons of random stuff...
• Lack of normalcy - Sometimes you lose a bit of yourself because you're not part of the "real world". You're part of some weird alternate reality that you've created that puts you in all types of exciting adventures and you get to do some fun things but sometimes it does get too much. You can get lost cause you discover sides of you, you had no idea existed.
• My liver's health - I'm pretty sure she has not been this abused ever. I mean I completely laid low in my late 20s. Well apparently, we're making up for lost time (and why am I starting to forget things and have lapses in my memory...ugh...um, what was I saying?)
• Dwindling bank account - Although it is cheaper to literally travel around the world than to stay at home in Vancouver, not having money coming in is hard. But ya, I'll admit it, I'm trying to figure out how to keep this going for as long as humanly possible!
• Things getting stolen. It does not matter how careful you are, how responsible you think you are or even how safe something might be. Things go missing. Period. You will spend an hour or day cursing your brains out half mad and angry but it'll still be gone. Sigh.
• Learning some lessons about yourself the hard way. The following at one point or another has happened: I've been mortified, ashamed, unhealthy, selfish, self absorbed, anxious, lonely, uncomfortable, angry, belligerently drunk (not my proudest moment), bored to death, ridiculously hungover, freaking out at times etc (don't worry I've felt the opposite of all of the above as well). You feel the zenith of everything because you don't have anything else to distract you - you're not part of the rat race, you're just there experiencing everything in what is usually it's purest form and you react unusually as a result. I'm learning about silver linings, my own new boundaries, my wants and needs. It's definitely interesting to go through odd experiences. You just need learn from it and see what comes out of it...so far so good...although some lessons I'm sure I could have skipped! Ugh & LOL.
  

THE SEXY

• On the wonderful side, It's really nice to come into yourself. You feel on top of the world and just freaking great. It's sad that most people don't really know their own self worth and question that very core of themselves that they should be proud of. It's amazing how long it takes us to really feel comfortable with who we are. I know life is a work in progress but my gosh I'm sooo happy to be at a much better place. I'm pretty sure I'd come upon this lesson in due time but traveling speeds everything up. And thank goodness!
• Compliments - You hear some of the best compliments you will ever hear from some of the greatest and most fascinating people you'll meet - That is the ultimate flattery... even the alcohol induced comments are great and appreciated. lol. It's heady to hear how beautiful your aura is, or how inspiring you are, or how sexy or great you are a person - these are the moments you want to have seared in your brain. I think that's why I'm so vocal - I know the power of hearing things, it's nice and most people don't hear it enough or know it for that matter.
• Things that make me smile: Dancing in the rain, Pirate hunters, life coaches, beautiful young thangs, Brazilian speedos, mirrors, compliments, Encore, sleeping/passing out on the floor, sneaking out, swimming pools, Skype dates, supermodels, lychee martinis, FB chat, !!!, great new BFFs, great connections.

SINGAPORE

Marina Bay Sands = pretty and expensive just like the rest of the city!

Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil, See no Evil...Just get it done ?

Colours of little India.

Best. Picture. Ever.
Foreshadowing at its best/worst?
*Side note - re: Background. Punishment = Costly

Merlion the Symbol of Singapore.

Please give me Peace and Serenity.

Happy Chinese New Year in Chinatown.

Year of the Rabbit!
Oh sooo very many jokes there...

Yummy Chicken Rice, Brinjal, Fried Tofu with Tina.

The Urban Jungle/Shopping Mall of Asia.

I'm not really sure what to make of Singapore to be honest. Impressions - It's rich, expensive and clean (yes, I have stayed away from spitting anywhere!) What it looks like? An organized Asian city with lots of greenery and beautiful tall skycrapers with interesting modern architecture. When I first got here, it was raining... alot! So I took the opportunity to rest, get healthy and be lazy (thanks to the hospitality of Tina & Yvette!). I've stayed on much longer than planned (not that I have one...)

• It is literally the shopping mall of Asia. They weren't kidding when they describe this place as the mecca of shopping - for the love of goodness, there is one in every single MRT (skytrain) station! For me, as a person who doesn't really like shopping or malls - well, it makes it interesting. Man, it's hard not to be pretentious or materialistic in this city - it's practically geared for you to lust after the latest technology with free wifi everywhere or want the coolest trends and fashion when Gucci, Polo and YSL greet you in every corner. It's an urban jungle with everything that you can ever want, you just have to pay a premium for it. It's not cheap!
• Typical jaunts - I 've hit Sentosa - very resort-like beautiful, but very touristy and I got rained on in the man made beach. Orchard park - Just tons of shopping and shiny, beautiful people everywhere - I think I paid $5 to sit and have a coffee and people watch. Strolled through Clark/Boat Quay and enjoyed views of the restaurants and bars along the Singapore River, while checking out the good looking expats having their post-work drinks. I've meandered around Little India while taking pictures and eating samosas. I jogged around the Botanic Gardens and took way too many orchid pictures.
  
• Chinatown - What is it about Chinatowns around the world that gives it the feeling of familiarity and exoticness at the same time? At one point in time, walking around, watching people buy and sell crazy trinkets - I had my "Omg, I'm in freaking Asia" moment! It may have been eating garlic soya frogs, drinking Tiger beer and going into the temples to see the golden Buddhas, the ornate decorations and burning of the incense...
• Chinese New Year - It's the year of the rabbit and you see decorations everywhere of bunnies (it took me a while to realize this...hahaha...but once I did it all made so much more sense)! The holiday also means that everything is closed so really there has been a lot of aimless walking around. Dana came for a whirlwind weekend to celebrate it - we had a great CNY dinner that started with Champagne, Paella and tossed the Lo Hei for a year of good fortune. It was a huge night out going to a few different bars with great company (thanks Nadia & Stacey)...perhaps um, too crazy for/of me! Mmm...I still hope it's an auspicious year! Then there was another 'typical' open house = we just ate and ate and ate.
  
• The food - oh the gloriously spicy, tasty and delectable culinary goodness of Singapore. Now, this is my typa fare - The hawkers (cheap outdoor food stalls) sell yummy affordable food all over the place. Everything has a sumptuous kick to it I'm not sure how the Westerners manage. But it's just about perfect for me!

I've finally bought a Lonely Planet...that means that I might have a plan soon. LOL - Well, at least more of an idea of what's next. I'm thinking heading North to Malaysia...

Moving on...SE Asia here I come!

Wow, I can't believe that I've stayed in the Philippines for a total of 4 months. It's amazing cause I had the chance to basically "live" here again. On one hand it was great because I had the opportunity to see different areas of the country that I haven't and more importantly, get to really know and be closer to my family. On the other hand, admittedly, there were times when it felt a bit too long for me - now that I've left, it doesn't feel that way. There were so many things that I struggled with and I never got over feeling like a stranger in a land that should be more "home". So, what's the verdict on the Philippines?

Well, it's a mixed one. There are definitely parts that are difficult for me to understand and accept. I just want so much more for this country. Maybe I've tried a little too hard to find deep roots that don't really exist for me. Perhaps the moment has come for me to stop feeling guilty and giving myself a hard time because at the end of the day, there will always be a part of me that is Filipino - it is my ethnic heritage. However, I am truly and proudly Canadian. I always say - "We are the sum of all our experiences." And if I do the math, I've spent a total of 7 years in the Phil (0-6 and a bit during the Gulf War), 10 in Kuwait (although I considered it home til I was 21 and technically there was that 1 odd year spent in the States) and 13 in Canada. And for those that are really sticklers in math - the missing year is this one that I've spent traveling! But I digress. I guess my point is, for all my struggles and feeling lost culturally, I'm truly thankful for the time that I spent here. What I can say is that I wouldn't trade my experiences here for anything. And if a my impressions of a country as based just on my personal experiences with the hospitality and love of the people that I know here - well, then, it's an amazing place!

• It means the world to me to have been able to spend so much time with Nanay, who at 90 is an amazingly strong and funny woman. Aside from old age dementia, she looks great, is healthy, laughs tons, greets live with humour and hums happily everyday - I hope I age with that much grace.
• I'll forever be thankful for Hotel Dela Cruz - who provided me an awesome home and a chance to experience what I think is everything that is good about being Filipino - welcoming, kind, loving, thoughtful and just good people. It's amazing having all the goodness of being family, without the complications of family! :)
• Bonding with family. I've had the funniest conversations that I never thought I would ever have...specially since the ones here are more on the conservative, religious side. Let's just say I never thought that talking about condoms, porn, religion, alcohol would ever be part of this equation. LOL.
  
• I'd like to think that my Tagalog has gotten better but, um, apparently it's obvious that I did not grow up here! I mean, I think even my Spanish accent is better cause they thought I was local in South America! Here, well, at least people tell me I sound cute...I should have bought a phrasebook I guess!
• My last weekend in Manila was legendary and epic! I got to see everyone that I love here and experience such grrrrrrreat times! I will smile about this one for a long time ;) It was exactly what I needed..the culmination and an appropriate celebration to the end of my first year of traveling!
  

The lovely Dela Cruz family.

Childhood home. I learned to walk here.

Priceless.

Last family dinner.

The Epic Despidida Party at the Fort!

So much lurve and good times!

Sweet and Sexy Canadians in the Philippines ! ! ! (that's 3!)

The Matt and Dana Effect :)

Next stop Singapore...I'm excited to get SE Asia 2011 started but also anxious cause it'll be the first truly solo extended travel that I'm doing. And I'm not sure how I feel about lugging the backpack or sleeping in hostels again...I'm sad to leave amazing people who have touched me in surprising ways. But then I think of the fun times that await me, the amazing people that I'm sure to meet and well...it makes me smile and ready to bring on the goooooooood times! ;)

DECEMBER in a Catholic country!

Most people don't know that I started boycotting Christmas about 7 years ago - I'm just not a big fan of the commercialism of it all. And the fact that I don't consider myself Christian, but rather as someone who is a believer of all faiths; it's fair to say that it's hard to get into the religious aspect of the holidays. Yes, you can call me Scrooge if you'd like. However, having said that, it's almost impossible not to give in to the whole thing when this country has been counting down to Christmas day since September! So, I dusted off my Santa costume and decided, what the heck, might as well try to get into it...

The fun stuff:

• There are lights everywhere. And I lurve lights. I'm generally distracted by shining bright things and they're on gates, coconut trees, windows, etc. I'm particularly a big fan of the Filipino "parols" (beautiful illuminated star-like things).
• Christmas carolers - In the province and small towns, basically people just randomly walk around singing carols. Most are terrible, but some are pretty good and definitely entertaining.
• Getting to spend it with family (bringing merienda for Nanay & crew) and the Dela Cruzes (Champagne and Celine).
• Going to Church - Maybe fun isn't the right term, but in one I learned about Christian symbols and on Christmas eve there was a Nativity play. I think I've definitely topped up on the Christianity quota for the decade.
• Be a good "Cruz" and hearing that I'm God-sent.
• Getting boozy and going Christmas shopping. Thanks Dana and to the margaritas!
• Finding my nanny Ate Ne (who took care of me since I was a baby til I was 20 - ok, by then she wasn't taking care of me so to speak but you get the point). That was an awesome reunion!
  

The stuff I miss:

• My friends. I do get lonely and it's tremendously difficult to be neurotic when people don't know you very well...I miss how Yasmeen gets me, hearing inspiration from Chrissy, Astrid's giggles, drinking wine with Jen, traveling with Yuko etc....although I do have my very own psychiatrist here (lol. Thanks Bing)
• Snow. Yup, I miss the cold. It's easy to forget it's winter when you're spending the holidays sweating.
• Home - I've realized how much I truly do love Vancouver.
• Xmas Dinner - Turkey, stuffing, Baileys and coffee, drinking with Duazel ;)
• Not having scars on my legs from mosquito bites. I've spent a lot of money on OFF and I'm still being eaten to death.

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon = Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Church Lights.

Finding my Nanny...it was like Make a Wish

With Celine loading on Filipino treats.

You don't need to be religious to have Faith.

Baby Jesus in lights.

Nanay's smile - the reason why I stayed here til the Holidays.

Proof that I got into the Christmas Spirit :)

2010 and the Reality of Traveling:

So the reality is that traveling for most of 2010 is this - It's both great and challenging at the same time. Sometimes it's glorious with moments of epiphanies and excitement. Other times there are also periods of boredom and frustrations. Its got its own set of challenges. Mostly, I try not to complain, especially since I'm well aware of the fact that luckily, "I'm living the life" so to speak! I feel enlightened by the things I'm learning. I've realized that I struggle a lot about mostly everything...but when I get to it, I do it BIG! Lol. That said, I appreciate the fact that I'm going to come out of all my travels wiser, smarter and definitely a much better person - more assured and definitely more worldly. Not bad things at all ;)

2010 was a tremendous year. It was very empowering having chosen to spend it traveling. I got to do most everything that I wanted to and it's amazing to have a year and actually feel fulfilled by how you've spent it. Among many things, I had the chance to:

• Experience a vast and exciting new continent
• Find zen and rediscover my zest for life, battle some demons and come out stronger and wiser
• Eat and drink in one of my new favorite cities, Buenos Aires
• Dance at the largest street party in the world during Carnival
• Trek for 4 days and watch the sunrise in Machu Pichu
• Learn about adaptability from the animals in the Galapagos
• Pick up a few new skills and hobbies
• See and be overwhelmed by the beauty of Iguazu Falls
• Be challenged, touched and grow as a person
• Live more freely, openly and honestly
• Have some great conversations about everything - faith, God, purpose, sexuality, politics, drugs - the kind that make you a better person
• Reconnect with loved ones and make new life long friends from around the world

With the year and this decade coming to an end, it's exciting to think about what 2011 will bring. I'm determined with greet the New Year working on health, happiness, love and while I'm at it, accomplish some goal setting and achieving. I wish for everyone to be blessed with all great things that make them feel fulfilled. I think we all want to live great lives feeling like we have purpose and passion. Although I'm no closer to any answers I thought I would to some of my questions, I have learned that if we all take the time to appreciate and be thankful for the chance to improve and truly take advantage of another day then we're pretty lucky. It's that sense of optimism and hope that I wish for everyone to have.

Happy New Year! Bring on 2011!!

The Scooter Diaries - the Filipino TeleNovela

I've had a really great last couple of weeks and I figure that showing pictures would be the best way to share my experiences this last month. I was inspired by the amazing last couple of days I had renting a scooter and booming around Negroes Oriental. I loved it! To me, it's everything that the Philippines should be - friendly, safe, fun, laid back, beach and great waters. To be honest, if my family came from somewhere awesome like this - I'd be here for even a longer time! In any case, this is November through my eyes and experiences:

For some reason, I associate random wild animals and religious icons as Filipino phenomenon.

Undas - Usually hanging out in the cemetery is not my idea of a good time, but hey, anything for the sake of culture! I wish my picture of the cotton candy man turned out better...

After that, it was finally time to start seeing some of the beautiful sites the Philippines has to offer:

Banaue Rice Terraces - The 8th wonder of the world. 2000 year old rices terraces carved on the side of a mountain. I've always wanted to see them so it was awesome to finally get a trip up Northern Luzon to see it!

Scorpio week long appreciation - Holy, it was a never ending Birthday of good times! There was a total of 4 celebrations! A few lessons learned:

1. Don't break a glass in the Philippines - they make you pay for it.

2. I'm still a dangerously wicked bartender. Energy shooters will keep you up all day.


I finally got out of the "mainland" and went to Cebu to visit my uncle, Boss Mike and my Tita Ruth.

Enjoying the fresh seafood.

Ended up taking a boat to another island - Negros Oriental.

Apo Island is in the world's list of “100 dives to do before you die.” Ya, no kidding! They have the most biodiverse reefs in the world!

I did 3 dives it was so awesome!

Renting a scooter and seeing Dumaguete, Negros Oriental. I really do love the feeling of the wind as you whip around in speeds that a 100cc scooter really shouldn't do. There's something liberating about having 360 views of everything as you drive by

And the ride was ridiculously beautiful.

I mean, it's not all glamorous with the bugs, smoke from the cars, and getting rained on, but I suppose it's all part of the experience.
Right before a downpour!
I drove a total of over 200 kms and checked out Mabinay to see caves. I'd have rappelled down them but I've learned that unfortunately, the Philippines isn't as conducive to independent travelers - I'm having a really hard time justifying paying for a solo adventure priced for 4-5 people!

Kayaking around Twin Lakes - basically the Filipino version of Buntzen Lake!

I headed over to Siquior looking for some beach action and found an awesomely cheap place near the ocean.

and made some new friends.

I feel like I'm in the traveling groove again - check my fresh mango juice with an umbrella
and my new Finnish boys!

Snorkeling in the Marine Sanctuary in San Juan with my awesome underwater camera!

Finding Nemo ;)

Going to see a faith healer up in the mystical mountains of Siquior and getting her to explain the voodoo preventing amulets and resisting buying the Love Potion...

Mmm, The Philippines...so far...

It's interesting to be back "home" to the Philippines. I'm here - well, for so many reasons.

HOMETOWN: My family comes from a small town in the province of Nueva Ecija. For years I thought it was really far away because it always took anywhere between 5-6 hours to get here. Since Google Earth came out, I learned that apparently it's only 150kms north of Manila - ya, not so great road conditions. There's not much around, my sisters call it "Boringville". All that's really here is the university that my family has been an integral part of. It goes back generations - My grandparents were a big part of elevating Central Luzon State University - my Lolo and Lola (grandpa/ma) were Deans, my uncle is called the King of Goats (sounds better in Tagalog), my father was the Dean of Fisheries and my mother was a Director of Research, my cousins teach here - it's like a Cruz stamp across the whole campus. In that sense, it's cool to be reminded daily where you come from and what a difference my family has made in the area.

CULTURE: A big part of it is to get back in touch with my cultural roots. To be honest, I'm proudly Canadian and have never really felt very Filipino. In many ways, I'm here trying to either fall in love with the country and the people or find peace with not really belonging here. I'll let you know the verdict in the end. Part of my struggle is not really understanding how the people think, while I speak Tagalog relatively fluently (and it's getting better everyday) - I'm neither very conservative nor am I Christian (for those that don't know...I'm agnostic - I'm a believer in all faiths). However, when you're in a country that was ruled by the Spaniards and Catholicism for close to 400 years, you're surrounded by highly judgmental and fairly religious people...not necessarily my favorite combination. Here, white is good and dark is bad. I mean, all you have to do is go to the lotion section and you're surrounded my whitening everything. It's worse than Michael Jackson - seriously, there's whitening soap, lightening lotion, fairer toners, bleaching creams, there are injectables and even pills you can take - it's an insane obsession that boggles my mind. I mean, you all love my skin tone specially when I get darker...imagine the opposite here. There's a post colonial trap that's prevalent everywhere and I struggle with all the discrimination - forget the basic socio/economic gap - there's a plethora of other issues like gender, level of education, generation, last name, job title etc. However, *** Travel Advisory: If you are white and reading this, holy moly, COME TO THE PHILIPPINES - Wanna know what's it's like to be treated like royalty?! This is the place!! *** So, ya, it's a struggle and I'm trying to find the beautiful parts of what I know is/can be a glorious country.

WEATHER: I'm seriously melting here. Either it's ridiculously hot or it's flash flooding torrential tropical downpour. So far I've experienced a signal 2 (out of 3) typhoon. For those who have no idea what that's like, it's basically insanely gloomy, dark, gray and it rains so much that roads turn into rivers. There's a constant raging wind that slaps the coconut leaves around, trees sway maniacally and you're bombarded with constant wind. The skies are just plain angry. The last one hit the northern part of the Philippines, wrecking millions of pesos in damage. Unfortunately, the torrential rain barely cuts the debilitating heat that engulfs this area. It's 34 at 9am!

FAMILY & FRIENDS: To be honest, I'm kinda lonely. I mean, not all the time, but I terribly miss my family back home in Canada and my best friends. I don't have a crew here or as they say "barkada". Hanging out with my sisters' childhood friends and hearing stories that the people I played with when we were younger already have 2-3 or more children, some of whom are teenagers is a constant reminder that I don't have solid roots here, nor do I have much in common with most people. However, I've been blown away by the sheer love and how so many family, friends and people have opened their houses and welcomed me. The Dela Cruzes who've set me up with swank accommodation - complete with TV, AC, private bathroom and a balcony. Forget hostels, this place is the bomb! Staying with Gian Karla and her roomie in Makati and chilling with Mojitos (the by way, you can find everything here but mint is really difficult to find!) The best part is being able to reconnect with family and all it's extensions - I suppose I'm getting to that age where it's so important to know where you come from, your heritage and your family tree. I'm having fun bonding and truly getting to know people.

RANDOM WEIRDNESS:

• Liquor Ban - Ya, who knew those still existed?!? I went to Manila just in time for a liquor ban due to local elections. I can't believe that they actually stopped serving alcohol for 3 days!! So insane! Not that I wanted to drink, but seriously, take away the option and that's all you can think about! Oh well - we made up for it as soon as it was over.
  
• Superstitions - There's an eerieness about the dark parts of this country that makes me believe that ghosts, dwarfs, vampires and other odd urban myths are actually true or could possibly exist here. Hard to explain but with Halloween and all, it makes me think weird things. The bats flying everywhere do not help...
  
• All Saints' Day/Day of the Dead/"Undas" - Filipino tradition dictates that people go to the cemetery and celebrate/remember the dead. Translation? It means that everyone goes and has a reunion - I mean, hordes of people go, picnics are set up, drinking, gambling, popcorn, cotton candy, there's even kara/videoke in the cemetery for the whole day!!!
• Malls - The shopping malls here are epic and legendary. There are so many of them. So. Many. You think capitalism is bad in North America, we've gotten nothing on the wide array of choices here. It's ridiculous - they have more of everything (um, expect tampons...) but aside from that, they have all the European, North American, Asian brands. Seriously, there's a La Senza, Aldo, GAP store all next to each other and more that I'm sure are actually popular but just haven't heard off cause I don't like shopping.
• Money - I don't understand how I can buy a brand new cell phone for the same price as treating 5 people for coffee. Or how I can buy lunch for the family and have it be the same worth as someone's salary for the month. Or how it can be ridiculously cheap here and yet be so expensive at the same time.
  

I'm off to go up north for a little adventure...so pics to follow.