Tag Archive: Musings and Ramblings


Last Seat to Venice

Filed under: art, Europe, Italy, Musings & Ramblings, Travel, travels — Leave a comment
May 13, 2024

The original plan was just Chile and Peru either via California or Sydney. Choosing the latter, it was a no brainer to fly ahead and spend some weeks there to be with family. And then the Venice exhibit of Nieta popped up. Of course, we had to be there! But there’s the business of visas and bookings. And I’d be on my last couple of days in Peru when the vernissage and exhibit opening happens. Apos would have to go on their own while their abuela arranges to later join them. My brain matter was all over the place. Temporary hotel bookings were made but the flights out of Lima, Peru didn’t offer many options. That last seat was non-refundable and non-rebookable. Take it or leave it. I took it. Problem is I’d be flying from Puno to Lima, Peru a day prior on LatAm and based on my previous experiences, this airline wasn’t the most reliable. Sweeping all anxieties aside, I crossed my fingers and prayed for a seamless flight out of Lima to arrive in time for the Venice Biennale 2024 exhibit opening.

Touchdown, Venezia!
Around Venice

The Iberia flight out of Lima had a Madrid stopover. I was tempted to enjoy some churros or tapas with Rioja but chose to remain sober and clear-minded for the connecting flight. Can’t miss this connection. Anxieties spilling all over, overflowing. Thankfully, the flight was uneventful and so was the airport shuttle I took for Mestre Station near our hotel in Venice. Oh, did I tell you? The hotel I booked in Venice near the exhibit venue cancelled our booking. A major headache since the Venice Biennale 2024 was already in full swing and most hotels are either fully booked or if available, at outrageous rates! Because my apos will arrive some days before me, I wanted to make sure they have reliable hotel bookings and that being first-timers in Venezia, they will easily find their hotel. Venice being Venice, it isn’t easy wandering around this car-less city and dragging luggage from one vaporetto station to the next. So Mestre was our choice. And what a relief hearing these 2 apos calling out to me as soon as I got off the shuttle at the Mestre train station. All’s well. We’re together now. And as soon as I dropped off my bag in our hotel, we took off for lunch and the exhibit.

Lunch was here.

After lunch, we proceeded to Palazzo Mora to view apo’s “From Here, To There” artwork. I may have missed the cocktail reception for the artists and invited friends, but I got here in time for the public opening. Said a Thanksgiving prayer, as I felt my heart swell with pride and love. Not just for apo’s piece but also for the 11 artworks of other participating Filipino visual artists included in this exhibition in Venezia. So proud of all of them. I was nearly dancing out of Palazzo Mora when done, and celebrated with apos with a gondola ride to imbibe Venetian vibes and savor every moment of this magical moment. The gondolier sang us a beautiful Italian song — not the typical O Sole Mio or Santa Lucia, but it was beautiful and so soothing on an exciting day like this one. Our nerves calmed, we hopped out of the gondola to wander around St. Mark’s Square, Bridge of Sighs and the Rialto Bridge.

Dreams do come true.
I cried just viewing Nieta’s artwork in Palazzo Mora.
Our Gondola Ride

While apos have been here some days before me, I spent only a night here as we’ve decided to train out the next day for our next base for Tuscan excursions in Firenze. It’s my 5th visit here but felt like it was my 1st as I saw Venice through Nieto y Nieta’s perspectives. We wandered around while enjoying our gelatos and rode the vaporettos with the locals. All in a half day. By sundown, I was ready to drop. Bushed. Can’t even remember where we had dinner. I only managed to take a bath and pull out my sleeping garment and next-day wardrobe for the train ride to Florence. Mercifully, the train leaves noontime so we were all able to sleep in the whole morning. 💤

Posterity Shot at Piazza San Marco

Arrivederci, Venezia

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Segunda Vez en Machu Picchu

Filed under: Musings & Ramblings, Peru, Travel, travels — Leave a comment
April 22, 2024

The first time was in 2017 to celebrate my birthday in a country that has been in my bucket list far too long. And Machu Picchu has been listed for the longest time, waiting to be ticked off! This time around, I made sure I’m in the best of health to truly enjoy this magical Incan citadel, only to learn I unfortunately have high altitude issues. Not as bad as it was 7 years ago, but it was concerning enough to make me mindful. When our guide led the group to climb up further for a better view, I begged off and waited solo for them to climb down and fetch me — after nearly an hour in a spot with no shade but with a fantastic view of the citadel. You bet I took endless photos to a point I confused myself which images to keep. And with so many tour groups passing and pausing in my spot, I must have heard 5 versions of the Machu Picchu mystery.

Stayed the night in this hotel in Sacred Valley before the Machu Picchu visit.

The last time I was here, I was struck with altitude sickness. Guess what? I had it again. But this time, milder. The 2017 episode must have messed up my mind as I wasn’t prepared for it and honestly didn’t know what to do. This time around, I had more confidence despite the migraine, racing heartbeat and low oxygen levels. My oxymeter says oxygen dropping to 70 but I made some breathing exercises and managed to elevate it to 80+, still below the 95 level but the quick relief gave me comfort. When it dropped below 70, I thought the gadget wasn’t functioning right but knowing the brain is affected by lack of oxygen, I headed to the hotel’s reception and asked for an oxygen tank. Voila. Problem solved. And unlike before, I stayed calm so my heartbeat was better managed below 100. (It raced to 127 well past my bedtime back in 2017) All’s well!

At the start of the hike, our guide led us uphill “for a better view”. I kept nudging him to ask how much further and higher, but this excitable guide kept saying I’d get the energy from the Incan Citadel to forge ahead! Naaaaah. I put my foot down and reminded him that I have a heart condition and would not climb any higher. This is my second visit here and knew it wasn’t necessary to climb up for a better view. No way. The view I see is perfect for me. I just couldn’t have it better. Best view without the struggle! So the rest of the troop climbed higher and came back for me after an hour – in a spot that could do with some shade. I drained my tube of sunblock and must have smelled sweet enough for a swarm of bees to chase me some half hour while waiting.

We may not have solved the “mystery” of Machu Picchu but everyone in the group was very happy for the experience. Tired. Yes. Fatigued. Yes. But just the thought that we finally got here after 5 years of planning — with all the mishaps — made us all feel fulfilled. Yes, I think that’s what it felt like. For me, the fact that I realized I have altitude issues renders me mindful on how I travel. Regrettably, I had to abstain from all the pisco sour cocktails and vino. Drank myself to nearly drowning point 😂 that it disturbed my sleep. It was a struggle but I managed. I just feel bad skipping on the wine especially during happy hours. 😩

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Back in Peru (2024)

Filed under: lima, Musings & Ramblings, Peru, Travel, travels — Leave a comment
April 20, 2024

From Patagonia, we flew back to the capital of Santiago, Chile and then switched airports and took an international flight to Lima, Peru. Long drives, a domestic flight and a regional/international flight in a single day. All endured with a smile as we excitedly prepped for our way towards Machu Picchu, obviously the highlight of our Andean adventure. But first, Lima for a couple of nights. The Plaza de Armas in the Centro Hispanico, the famous “kiss” statue in the Love Park or Parque de Amor, the Parque Kennedy with its many resident cats, the Basilica Catedral de Lima and the Basilica y Convento de San Francisco (with the catacombs!), Larcomar for shopping and dining along the Pacific Ocean. If you’re booked in a hotel within or around Miraflores, you’d enjoy exploring the area with its tiny shops and sangucherias like La Lucha near Parque Kennedy — exactly as I remember them back when I first visited in 2017. I was eager to once more try the Pisco Sour, the chicha morada, lomo saltado, suspiro de lucuma, chirimoya, lechon sandwiches, chicharones and Inca Cola.

Barkada Photo at Parque de Amor
under the Beso Statue

It was hot and humid but with a slight breeze. The men donned their shorts while the ladies wore their cotton shirts and sun dresses. Walked ahead of the group and skipped half of the catacombs tour, which I’ve done in 2017 and have no interest revisiting again. The other spots within the Centro Hispanico with all its colonial architecture — this I like. The only thing I failed to visit again in Lima is the fruit market where I enjoyed the sweetest chirimoya ever! Also, I wouldn’t mind a trip to Barranco to imbibe its more bohemian vibes and to try one of the Michelin-ranked restos in the capital. (Our Chilean visa issues threw a monkey wrench on our usual travel plans.)

Lima may not require many days to cover but it has its own charm. If you’re planning ahead, do make those restaurant reservations well ahead of time. This place is pure gastronomy where meat and seafood rank supreme. We didn’t do so badly in this department despite the lack of dining itinerary. Our last dinner as a group at Punta Azul in Miraflores was all seafood, wine and rice — as in all kinds of rice! Tried chicharonnes, pulpo, ceviche, scallops, and 4 rice dishes. Man, these Asians missed their rice!!!

Yummy sandwiches here — like lechon and chicharon! And the best fries.
Dinner at Punta Azul. 👍
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Patagonia Vibes

Filed under: Patagonia, South America, Travel, travels — 1 Comment
April 17, 2024

Ice, Ice Baby. Seriously chill mornings, sunrise at 7:30am and temps bottoming at -4 C with the wind factor. We landed in Punta Arenas where we stayed a night before moving to Puerto Natales where Torres del Paine is. Every trip has its highlights but I must admit this trip had way too many. The Chilean side of Patagonia may not present the total picture but seeing those mountain peaks, glaciers and blue lakes won’t fail to soothe your nerves after a long drive. Like a balm to your soul. Typically, I blog about my travels within 24 hours of the experience. Not this time. Took a while to put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) to recall these pleasant, recent memories. Not sure why — was I too tired? Or was I wont to stir these Patagonia vibes which I refuse to shake off? At day’s end, I felt compelled to hug and thank our excellent guide Gabriella for all the fabulous adventures. Patagonia gave me a natural high.

Bundled up for the magic that unfolded before us. Located way south of Chilean Patagonia, the park truly mesmerized us with insanely blue skies and lakes, majestic mountain peaks and valleys. The closest city is Puerto Natales where we stayed 3 nights. The hotel alone where we stayed was a pleasant surprise with breakfasts served with stunning views. Somehow, we felt spoiled as we coped with sceneries after sceneries of mountain ranges, aqua blue lakes and impossibly sunny skies! Everything that should be seen was enjoyed sans cloud and fog covers. What a gift!

The catamaran cruise towards the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers was very relaxing. Part of the Bernardo O’ Higgins Park, the glaciers can be reached only by boat. We shared the boat with many other travelers just as eager as we are to see these natural wonders. The Park is the largest in Chile and one of top 4 in the world. The glaciers didn’t disappoint, nor the lunch served in Estancia Perales . Lamb and more lamb, along with the Estancia’s fine vino. Another glorious day!

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Heading South. Really South.

Filed under: Chile, Musings & Ramblings, Phlog, South America, Travel, travels — Leave a comment
April 9, 2024

Have you been to Punta Arenas? How about Puerto Natales to check out the Chilean side of Patagonia? Torre del Paine and the calving glaciers of Balmaceda y Serrano are certainly NOT to be missed. (But that segment of the trip deserves a separate blog.) And right now, I’m just too confused what to write about. Too many highlights! This trip to Chile has had its varied stressful episodes — like delayed visa issuances, many changes in itinerary, postponement from an originally-scheduled trip in 2020, 5 years in planning and all of 8 domestic, regional and international flights (including Peru) on this trip but we are not complaining. 😉

Punta Arenas. Flew from Santiago to this southern tip of the narrowest, longest country in the world.
Hi there. Or as they say here, Hola!

Snow-capped mountains, the bluest waters, glaciers, waterfalls and fields of alfalfa. Plus the wildlife. Andean condors, armadillos, sheep, Patagonian horses, fox and guanacos. And if you’re seriously into wildlife, there are whales, sea lions, penguins, pumas, and flamingoes. Frankly, we’re quite happy seeing the Andean condors. Nature at its best!

Replica of the NAO Victoria , the first ship to circumnavigate the world.

After some days resting our butts in Santiago, Chile we flew south to Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales. The Chilean Patagonia. We had good luck and timed it perfectly in the weather department. While temps hovered between negatives and positive 7 Celsius, the sun was out the 5 days we were here. Every mountain peak showed up! Even the clouds parted into unique patterns, letting the sun beam for better-lighted snapshots. Slight showers, snow flurries, but only for brief moments. And those peaks and valleys showed up in all its clear glory, making photography buffs in our group grow insanely excited and happy. Same goes with the camwhores who have stacked up megabytes in their photo galleries. Our gizmo’s batteries drained and storage full. But that slight setback was ignored completely as we just couldn’t move on from the landscapes, seascapes we saw before us. Nothing can upset my dreamy Patagonia vibes here. The clouds above and the rolling waves from both the South Atlantic and South Pacific Oceans cheered us up. The Strait of Magellan was a good reminder of how Magellan discovered this southern Chilean strip before navigating onwards to discover the Philippine Islands in the 1520’s. Hmmm, we share some history here. And it’s interesting how we each “turned out”.

The Barkada in Fundo San Fernando where we had a soupy beef dish that reminded us of pochero.
Hiking is always a happy adventure for this group.
At Fundo San Fernando’s Parque Keuken

For many of our meals, lamb ruled. Ranchos and estancias provided meaty dishes with portions overly generous that carnivores may choose to live here. As for seafood, I enjoyed their ceviches, pulpo, and filete de cormoran. Been searching for the “Chilean sea bass” but it appears this is pure branding since the real fish is simply referred to as corvina just like the dorado or salmon commonly available. For sure, they grow real sweet tomatoes and onions — just these 2 sprinkled with olive oil and salt enough to prep your appetite. Coffee was a disappointment though, at least those served in our hotels. I rather expected strong, quality coffee thinking Colombia is in the same region. Thus, our morning runs included trips to cafés to pick up our morning brew. This in seriously chill mornings where the sun rises at 7:30 am.

Across our lovely hotel in Puerto Natales is this park fronting the sea.

Between Punta Arenas where the airport is located and Puerto Natales where Torre del Paine can be found, is a nearly 3 hour drive. It must be lonely driving these well-paved roads in winter. But on second thought, those towers covered in snow in all its resplendent beauty can’t fail to cheer anyone up. Just lovely.

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Touchdown, Santiago de Chile

Filed under: Food Trip, Musings & Ramblings, Phlog, South America, Travel, travels — 1 Comment
April 5, 2024

Finally joined up with my travel buddies who flew in from Manila to Sydney to catch a connecting flight into Santiago, Chile. The Qantas flight from Down Under took 12 hours where I hardly had a wink. Shouldn’t complain since my buddies endured another 8 hours plus all the waiting time at the 2 airports for a gruelling 28 hours. By the time we landed in the country’s capital, we were all wasted. But pleasant weather welcomed us in Santiago, named after one of our favorite saints. Hearing and speaking Spanish is both familiar and a struggle for many of us, but the excitement balances all sentiments and dulls the anxieties.

Our Pisco Sour and Empanada Outing on Day 1
Cool early evenings. Perfect cocktail hours.

A very manageable walking distance from our hotel is the Costanera Mall in the quiet, posh neighborhood of Providencia. That’s how we spotted La Pikada along with the laundromat we’d use before we move out of the capital on Day 6. The Mall is huge, houses over 300 stores and the Sky Tower which is touted as the highest sky deck in South America. It’s a good place for shopping and some dining. We tried a bistecca and empanadas here before walking back to our hotel. The next day, we explored the city’s Mercado Central. Lunch was seafood in Donde Blanca amid stall after stall of clams and fish varieties from Merluza to dorado to salmon to a new find, Reineta (pomfret). The Resto transformed this assortment of sea creatures to stews, soup, ceviches or simply grilled. Paired well with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and a red vino. Meatless, on an Easter Week!

Donde Blanca Restaurant
A Seafood Stew. I’m all for clams, mussels and scallops.

We took it real easy the first 3 days. The hotel’s veranda is our designated spot for cocktails starting at 6pm. We exchanged notes especially on where to buy and dine at the end of each day. Dealing with jet lag is a struggle so the first 3 days took care of that. On the 4th day, we tried to cover as much of the city as possible. Still, we managed on a very leisurely pace. Well, it isn’t like we had to tick off all the boxes. We particularly enjoyed the stroll around the park. With an urban landscape as a background, it was refreshing to find ponds, gardens and kids’ playgrounds. It’s the city’s oxygen tank where nearly 40% of the nation’s population work and live.

Waiting for our seafood lunch
Fishy fishy Spot

Then there’s the Plaza Armas. A typical Latino square with the cathedral as the centrepiece. It is the heartbeat of the city from where many folks congregate, many eateries flourish and where many tourists never failed to visit as a must-destination. Buskers abound too, from singers to dancers to jugglers. And so do the resident pickpockets. Just the typical scenario in any capital. Cuidate!

Bicentario Parque
Plaza Armas

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Around Circular Quay

Filed under: Australia, Musings & Ramblings, Travel, travels — Leave a comment
March 25, 2024

A stopover in Sydney demands at least one visit to the Circular Quay. Whether or not you’re riding the ferry, it’s mandatory to enjoy that view of the harbour, the bridge and the grand dame — the Sydney Opera House. Trust me, the joy of seeing this view never ever fades regardless how many times you’ve been here. Beats all Harbor views, in my book. And if all you have to do in Sydney is take ferry rides, you’d never run out of things to do. There are many spots around Sydney from where you can enjoy a view of the bridge and Opera House. Always a delight! And from the Quay, there are many walking paths — towards The Rocks, The Royal Botanical Garden, Museum of Contemporary Art ( Sydney Biennale ongoing), and Sydney Conservatorium of Music where I enjoyed a Lunch Break jazz concert.

Harbour Bridge
Lunch Break Jazz Concert

From the suburbs, I took the nearly hour’s ride to Circular Quay and on my second visit, I was delighted to encounter this mega-city of a boat called the Celebrity Edge. Many passengers starting to board for the nearly 2 week cruise to New Zealand. I was thrilled to see the boat as my friends and I have just booked a 12-night cruise in November this year. Huge! And I tried to imagine where our cabins would be. Exciting!

Celebrity Edge docked in Circular Quay
The Customs House. This is one spot I won’t miss during the Vivid Sydney season.

Meanwhile, there’s the Sydney Biennale in the Museum of Contemporary Art right around the quay. And on the other end, the Opera House, Conservatory and the Gardens. The latter offers truly blissful walks. And if you care to break the walk to enjoy some coffee and a pies or wraps, you’d easily spot a Café within the gardens.

Sydney Biennale 2024
A View of the Opera House from Cremorne Point

Easily, one can spend a whole day here without even taking a ferry ride. However, should you wish to take the ferry towards Manly, Watson’s or Mosman Bay, or just do the quick ride to Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Cremorne Point or wherever else, I’d advise you leave early enough to beat the crowds. We enjoyed our lunch in one of the restaurants in Gateway just behind the Quay Station Building, and witnessed the long lines at the wharves past noon. Enjoy!

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Eat, Pray, Love. Repeat.

Filed under: Australia, Food Trip, Musings & Ramblings, Travel, travels — Leave a comment
March 18, 2024

It’s nearly a week since I touched down in Sydney and there’s two more weeks to go before I join up with my travel buddies for our much-delayed, our pandemic-postponed trip to South America. Originally scheduled in 2020, our travel group has since been trimmed down to under 20 pax after all the postponements and the hassles of obtaining visas from Australia or USA and Chile. Crossing 3 time zones on this trip is a first for me. Why? Well, let me start with breaking my journey on the first leg — Manila to Sydney to Santiago, Chile. Took the chance to meet up with my folks here in Sydney before flying out to Chile. Wish I can head back here again on the return trip but hatched another plan to meet up with my elves in Venice, Italy. That means cutting short my Peru trip by a couple of days to fly to Venice via Madrid in time for the Biennale Venezia opening on April 20. Just thinking about all 3 legs of this journey and crossing several time zones give me so much excitement as well as jitters. You see, I booked a non-refundable flight from Lima to Venice just so I can claim the last seat out of Peru in time to be with my dear Nieto y Nieta (grandchildren). Also booked non-cancellable hotel nights in Venice, Italy during the Biennale opening well before hotel rates soar high or worse, when hotels get fully booked! All these while visas have yet to be issued. With fingers and toes crossed, the “Plan” is pushing through. By God’s grace, my elves got their Schengen visas and we’re good with flight and hotel bookings. All set!

The Grounds at Alexandria
Visiting my Sister & her Family Here

The first order of the day is my favorite brekkie in The Grounds of Alexandria. Still teeming with people on a Wednesday morning, still serving my fav flat white and good food but I’m not a fan of their Easter decor. Guess the kids won’t mind but this old lady was a tad disappointed. From this Wednesday’s touchdown to nearly a week after, it’s been a flurry of activities and food trips. One may say Aussie food is limited to steaks, chops and pies but I do love the coffee scene here. Besides, the city is so very culturally diverse that my folks have alternated to take me for meals at a Korean restaurant, a Japanese ramen house, along with Chinese, Thai, Laotian and Vietnamese food adventures.

Korean Dinner
Thai Dinner at Holy Basil in Canley Vale
Ramen at Makimoto in McArthur Square

It was hot when I arrived. Temps hover at 27-30 C. Of late, autumn is setting in along with showers in the afternoons or late nights. Time to clean and seal off our barbecue pits and time our laundry times to sunny days. But weekends are day trip days. My first weekend here took me to Bowral, just an hour’s drive away. Brunch was in The Press Shop, followed by check-ins at the village vintage shops. Rainy days mean ramen days as we took comfort in bowls of steaming broth and some sushi and dumplings. Grocery trips are fun especially since it’s a short walk from the house. With my family housed in 3 separate residences a few blocks from each other, my major decision each day is in whose house to dine 😉 My second home. I bet the next 2 weeks will fly by, only to be repeated later this year when I head back.

Brunch at The Press Shop in Bowral
Home Barbecues
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The Mundane Things To Enjoy

Filed under: Musings & Ramblings — 2 Comments
January 27, 2024

The adventures — the parties, travels, dinner dates, reunions, concert dates, birthdays — happen throughout the year and we mark them on our calendars like we live looking forward to such major events. But what about the daily routines? The trip to the groceries, picking out the bread, the coffee rituals in the mornings, the trips to the doctors and the lab, the church, the mundane stuff we do everyday?

Ratatouille Empanada & Blueberry Muffin

On a daily basis, I try to find a balance — praying a good hour in solitude , for others, and expressing my gratitude for many everyday blessings. Often, I grind, brew my own coffee and in my book, it’s my first luxury of the day that truly makes me happy. On alternate days I go and hang out on dates with my fun apos (grandchildren) and dear friends. The dynamics differ yet each gives me joy and satisfaction. You can’t ignore the fun, laughter and banter exchanged with my lifetime friends — the friends who know me inside and out. No pretensions. No holds barred. All boundaries crossed! Yet I find them most respectful of my private space and least bothered by my forgettable past and future plans. In our books, only US matter. As an Abuela to my elves, the bonding moments are precious. Just an hour over coffee or wine, and we’re cool. Happy hours every time. I reserve a day to devote to “compassion” like visiting, praying for a sick friend or relative, doing a good and surprise deed to someone who least expects it, and just simply remembering to be kind throughout the day. My theory is practicing to be kind can develop into a habit and later comprise one’s character. I admit I’m one straightforward person and holding my tongue is a skill to be acquired. I’m not exactly unkind but for the longest time, I preferred being honest than kind. At my age now, I’ve found ways of being kind without having to be dishonest. Another skill. The secret? Staying QUIET. And walking away. Not every thing requires a reaction. That I’ve learned in my late age. And the grudges? Easier to forgive as I still need to forget. But I’m getting there. 🙏

My semi-annual battery of tests
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Something New

Filed under: Travel, travels — Leave a comment
January 2, 2024

Since retiring in 2001, I’ve visited a new place annually. Something new. Or rather, someplace new. Except for the pandemic year 2021, I managed to tick off a new destination. I even squeezed in a trip just before the March 2020 lockdown and 3 trips in 2022 when the world slowly eased out of the global tragedy. My ever growing bucket list now includes not just new spots but NEW EXPERIENCES too. Since I retired, my banner year was 2015 when I did my first ever Camino de Santiago de Compostela and visited such exotic spots like Myanmar, Phuket, Morocco, a Scandinavian cruise, Berlin and some areas in Spain under the tourist radar.

Since 2001. Except only 2021 because of the pandemic.
Sahara Desert. 2015.

Were there any favorite sights? The answer is YES. I have since repeated many trips if only to repeat the same experiences. Dining around Spain and Japan goes right up there at the top of the list. Doing the pilgrimage walks is an experience my travel and camino buddies won’t mind doing again and again. France — specifically Provence and Paris evoke warm and nostalgic vibes. Always a brilliant idea I’d never ever grow tired of. African safari I fortunately tried twice, both ranking among my best animal adventures. Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa. After the safaris, I vowed never to visit another zoo. Locally, my whale shark (butanding) experience I shared with my family. Just had to bring them to Sorsogon after my first time 2 months earlier. I also wish I can take them to Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Israel but the present peace situation won’t allow such. A pity.

Myanmar
First Camino. 2015.

This 2024, I will visit Machu Picchu a second time. That Incan citadel is hard to shake off one’s memory. And while there, might as well head south on that long Chilean strip all the way down to Patagonia. This is that one major trip originally scheduled — later cancelled — in 2020 before the pandemic shook the world. Off to that South American adventure via Sydney where I plan to visit family. Towards the end of the year, another trip Down Under for some Kiwi cruise experience.

An African Safari
Machu Picchu. Just once more this 2024.

Way too many in my list. First times and repeats. Earlier, I thought I should scratch off the repeats to compose a list of more visited spots. But why not? Those who gain “favorites” want to repeat, as in food adventures. After all, no 2 trips are ever the same. The experience varies according to season, company and moods. Emphasis on the moods. Visiting some places in the company of first-timers give a new dimension to the travel experience. The enthusiasm, the excitement and the “frenzy” can be quite infectious and that whiff of mirth — priceless!

Train Experience in Sri Lanka
Whale Shark Adventure off Sorsogon

Hopefully, I can tick off many more in my list. Aurora Borealis sightings? Got that listed, along with more countries in South America. I do want to do another camino, and wishing I can do so with younger members of my family. I am lucky to count many travel buddies but family trips are still the best. As for solo trips, my confidence is still there but I know such will burden my family with anxieties. So maybe I can “adjust” that by flying solo but joining an organized tour somewhere. Anything for an adventure. As they say, I don’t need therapy. Just needed to travel. 😘

Bhutan
That trip when my buddies flew home and I opted to stay around solo and extend my stay.
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