tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74025213505721569442024-02-20T00:04:46.456+08:00Makiko Saba: The World is Too Small to Begin With...Where experiences worth to be told
Valued opinions meant to be sharedAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.comBlogger182125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-48692614223519122252014-02-13T23:14:00.001+08:002014-02-13T23:14:32.995+08:00Travel Europe | Exploring Southern France<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my favourite places to visit is southern <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France" target="_blank">France</a>, along the Spanish border where the Pyrenees Mountains form dramatic scenery and wine villages buzz with the seasonal activities associated with harvesting the wine. This area is known as the <b><i>Maury wine region</i></b>. And it is located just west of Perpignan France. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSBZHU-i3dhI325gkR8mTm5b6oGEaGDF1H5pl_PkfKLkhdhGp69-_m8X6gx3-BIOyT5gQZsBA3xDd_M2vrMRutKJf8UXXmOUi4E7rIYD6jqYxEdaM6_IvpIzJ2b5q2FC_sXChmn2kWaw/s1600/168033_191746420842243_100000206583757_811803_4416735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSBZHU-i3dhI325gkR8mTm5b6oGEaGDF1H5pl_PkfKLkhdhGp69-_m8X6gx3-BIOyT5gQZsBA3xDd_M2vrMRutKJf8UXXmOUi4E7rIYD6jqYxEdaM6_IvpIzJ2b5q2FC_sXChmn2kWaw/s1600/168033_191746420842243_100000206583757_811803_4416735.jpg" height="300" title="Maury Wine Region" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Maury wine trail</i></b> is a road that goes due west through the town of Maury and the other wine villages. Driving along the Maury wine road, there are tall and enormous trees that were planted during Napoleon's era that create a beautiful landscape as your car takes you further west. On one side of the road is the Maury River that feeds the vineyards and on the other side are the foothills of the dramatic Pyrenees Mountains. The terrain is chalky and wine vineyards zig zag along the edge of the hills. Each village has numerous wine tasting rooms where you can stop and try the wine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every so often along the top of the ridges of the mountains, you see a ghostly castle draped in the fog and clouds that swirl along the landscape. The castles are the remnants from the <b><i>Cathar era</i></b> and they were built to protect their citizens; who lived in this rugged terrain, from the religious wars that engulfed Europe during the 12th Century. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2_FTKo3UQ0FbMvy22wgH1JfoUl4OQM33rUxwY_4tc6CIF5d5nBJn8rGjae38oY9-WCY_Kla-WbX707X0-Hep6TEB2-blfOLvdFNRXrnJFPF08fULOu_r-kgs2LE6HLLmiyRungnbUy4/s1600/cathar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2_FTKo3UQ0FbMvy22wgH1JfoUl4OQM33rUxwY_4tc6CIF5d5nBJn8rGjae38oY9-WCY_Kla-WbX707X0-Hep6TEB2-blfOLvdFNRXrnJFPF08fULOu_r-kgs2LE6HLLmiyRungnbUy4/s1600/cathar.jpg" height="300" title="Cathar Era" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a single woman traveling alone through this area, I never had any problems driving and visiting the sites on my own. There were never any unwanted stares, glances or creepy remarks or conversations. I enjoyed zipping through the countryside, tasting wine, exploring landmarks and meeting new people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, being an American did put me at a disadvantage when driving. One evening, I was driving back to where I was staying, I stopped at a roadside park to enjoy the view of the countryside. I stepped out of the car so I could walk along the road while looking out over the mountains and turned my back to the car. I immediately became distracted by the sound of gravel being crunched under the weight of the tires. I had left the car in neutral and it was slowly making its way down the hill without a driver. Panic set in as I tried to stop the car by sheer force while hanging onto the door knob and digging in my feet. The car did not even slow down. My next attempt was trying to out run the car and get into a position to where I could open the door and jump inside. For some reason this worked and I slammed on the brakes and for good measure added the parking brakes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There I was, half on the road and half on the shoulder. Luckily, it was a remote area and cars were not common. Being parked in the middle of the roadway did not present any immediate danger. I gathered my wits, and drove back to where I was staying the night. And that evening, <b><span style="color: #351c75;">I had a great story to tell during dinner.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Written by Linda Jenkins</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Linda Jenkins is the CEO of Vacations-Abroad.com <a href="http://www.vacations-abroad.com/">http://www.vacations-abroad.com</a> A travel website with vacation properties located in Italy, France, Spain and England</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Makiko Saba is preparing for solo backpacking adventure across Asia & Europe. Featured posts will share a glimpse of countries that will be covered along the year-long expedition route. </i></span></blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-23002903507209647332013-10-28T00:30:00.000+08:002013-10-28T00:30:00.657+08:00Why Every Woman Should Travel Solo: Makiko S | Blog | Sedunia Travel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.seduniatravel.com/sites/default/files/styles/620_300/public/blog/header-blogseries.jpg?itok=sqcrntin" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://www.seduniatravel.com/sites/default/files/styles/620_300/public/blog/header-blogseries.jpg?itok=sqcrntin" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In conjunction with the <a href="http://conference.aweasia.org/" target="_blank">Asian Women Empowerment 2013</a> (also known as #aweasia13), the Why Every Woman Should Travel blog series is done by <a href="http://www.seduniatravel.com/" target="_blank">Sedunia Travel</a>. The blog series features amazing women who are living their dream - independent lifestyle. Almost all key speakers of this exciting event have had experience in solo traveling <i>(just like me). </i>I am actually honoured to be 'slotted' in this blog series alongside with these amazing ladies. To read more on my story, check out >><i> </i><a href="http://www.seduniatravel.com/blog/why-every-woman-should-travel-solo-makiko-s">Why Every Woman Should Travel Solo: Makiko S | Blog | Sedunia Travel</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the biggest advantage of traveling solo is the freedom to meet and start new friendship many other fellow travelers. I have met so many awesome traveler friends along the many solo journeys I have taken. Prior to my decision on going out to solo traveling, I have gone to numerous holidays - as a tourist. During those fine times, I have seen more people come and go as I roam around places, but never I get the chance to actually make friends that I could keep in touch. I supposed going for a fancy holiday provides little room for me to reach out to the people, mainly because the focus had always been rest and relax - rather than mix and interact.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a traveler, catching up with fellow traveler friends means bumping into each other along the road as well. Although I know few travelers who are based in the same city as mine, often we will end up meeting at a random destination. I must say, with the help with the technology, it is easier to track fellow travelers and allow me to have a 30 minute coffee chat in Hanoi with them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the next couple of weeks, I won't have to travel outside the my home city because the awesome women travelers will be flying into Malaysia for #aweasia13. It will be an exciting gathering and I really hope that I could strike more new friendships during that event.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you all are wondering why am I so excited about AWE Asia '13, check out the stories on the 'sure-come' speakers >><i> Do I need more reasons than these?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.seduniatravel.com/blog/why-every-woman-should-travel-solo-runaway-juno" target="_blank">Runaway Juno</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.seduniatravel.com/blog/why-every-woman-should-travel-solo-nomadicchick" target="_blank">Nomadic Chic</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.seduniatravel.com/blog/why-every-woman-should-travel-solo-hannah-pearson" target="_blank">Hannah Pearson</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.seduniatravel.com/blog/why-every-woman-should-travel-solo-amalla-vesta" target="_blank">Amalla Vesta</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lois Yasay</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anis Ibrahim</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nila Tanzil</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, if you are free from 8-10 November 2013 and happened to be in Kuala Lumpur, why not join us. Click on the link to the AWE conference (above) to register.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>"It's never too late or too old to learn something.."</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-8129247889301752272013-10-19T00:30:00.000+08:002013-10-19T00:30:01.835+08:00MakikoStory : The day I quit a promising career to travel the world<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Growing up in Asia, boys and girls are ‘brain-washed’ with
the idea that you need to be one of the very few successful executives <i>(who
works in big companies)</i> if you want to travel the world. Naturally, I ended up
working with an international company. That job did bring me onboard a plane where I
painstakingly spent an almost 24-hour before reaching the other part of the
globe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">“I never said that life as a full time travel writer is easy”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyPXbQ423QssO-jwzYHatmkKdePBLRJhjrdLBgqzJnaHhbD3GtBV-uX07lZ-SLk7EH-bBHvIvJtSFPvEJnejZUGpE4f9W16rT0gp6WkAAOIGybrphAW9YGV2yczGROmGyDFub-cewq50/s1600/14658_193543736079_5453140_n_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyPXbQ423QssO-jwzYHatmkKdePBLRJhjrdLBgqzJnaHhbD3GtBV-uX07lZ-SLk7EH-bBHvIvJtSFPvEJnejZUGpE4f9W16rT0gp6WkAAOIGybrphAW9YGV2yczGROmGyDFub-cewq50/s400/14658_193543736079_5453140_n_wm.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The day before I was supposed to depart for my business
trip, I was still at work until late afternoon. Since it was a morning flight, I
was rest assured that I could have the whole evening packing and perhaps a little rest.
Just as I was going through my checklist and stuff, then I heard a loud scream,
“Fire!! Fire!!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I tried my best
to keep myself calm although I had all reasons to be panic. I quickly put everything in the luggage and ran outside
the house. My house was not on fire, but unfortunately the raging fire
engulfed the next-door house. Five hours of packing and resting were gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With no sleep and a brutal seven plus sixteen hours of
flight, the moment I reached San Francisco airport, I realized how stressful
business traveling can be. Despite of the excitement that I was finally in
California, I could not help from consoling myself to try and enjoy that business
trip. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyU80cjo-k6CnlvXgjfWcOempNW4abmKvVuzZkX0nclB7FZejeLFxbr-Mz75jkDo2SfWOmX_edmYQCDy0oJKv6UFcABYN4nU091ZMJ_PO1bERBO0-QGACGFMRCX7dkN6PQNc49ZhUda3Q/s1600/14658_192979666079_6851280_n_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyU80cjo-k6CnlvXgjfWcOempNW4abmKvVuzZkX0nclB7FZejeLFxbr-Mz75jkDo2SfWOmX_edmYQCDy0oJKv6UFcABYN4nU091ZMJ_PO1bERBO0-QGACGFMRCX7dkN6PQNc49ZhUda3Q/s400/14658_192979666079_6851280_n_wm.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That one-week meeting in California became a significant
turning point for me, both professional- and personal-ly. I sat foot on the
Golden Gate Bridge, saw the famous tram and the steep hills of San Francisco,
ate lunch at the Pier 39 and sailed passed the notorious Alcatraz <i>(it so
happened that we arrived on the weekend after Thanksgiving)</i>. On a personal
note, all the places and things I experienced during that business trip
slightly had influenced the choice I made today. Unfortunately, the real story
behind my actual decision to leave a promising career in that company had also
begun during that first business trip to California. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In less than two years, my journey at that said company
became a burden physically. I began to wonder if there is any logic behind
people saying, <b><i>“Oh, I am so jealous of your work. You get to travel and make so
much money at the same time. You must be very happy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Psychologically, I was about to become a victim of my
over-ambitious career. I was so obsessed with professional accomplishments that
I had also become greed – I was <i>famished</i> of finding ‘happiness’. At about the
same time, I came to a realization that it was too much pressure of trying to
be someone else – <i>thanks to the surrounding <span style="color: red;">‘support’</span>. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The California business trip made me go back into writing.
Every detail of that journey was jotted down in a journal. I found much
satisfaction reading a story behind my travels since then. Writing was no
longer my therapy; it (has always and) became been my passion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlzu62Kp9LjosEsbYAM9QNBChGEzlaPrtB_mX2RQy9-_hwXJ08bkReXcteEFxXRRzPQ0uN10Cp0qpGdmuVEeIfgJ7mfgqL_jlzuKnpEqLyS8VpjfBK9xUTFvjUKrDVEPE8CBIn6ffz3g/s1600/14658_193543951079_3001265_n_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlzu62Kp9LjosEsbYAM9QNBChGEzlaPrtB_mX2RQy9-_hwXJ08bkReXcteEFxXRRzPQ0uN10Cp0qpGdmuVEeIfgJ7mfgqL_jlzuKnpEqLyS8VpjfBK9xUTFvjUKrDVEPE8CBIn6ffz3g/s320/14658_193543951079_3001265_n_wm.jpeg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">“…so much of life ahead, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i>
will find a place with room to grow..”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It took me another two years after California before I finally quit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Albeit people blaming me for leaving a promising future in the so-called corporate world; I am now definitely happy.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-85955567334247264722013-10-16T00:30:00.000+08:002013-10-16T00:30:00.513+08:00Empowering Women in Asia - AWE '13 is here for us!!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.75pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #111111; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Breaking away from the stereotypes of being an Asian woman is probably the hardest challenge of to date for me. Ever since I decided to drop everything that was so-called important in life, I have been constantly critiqued for that choice. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I enjoy life in my own way nowadays - still single at this age and without employment commitment to worry much. Whenever I feel like exploring a new place, I would just pack and leave. Every moment I encounter will be an opportunity for me to write and tell. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is never easy to choose this kind of lifestyle, though. Over the past couple of years, painstakingly I have been searching for information and knowledge so I could supplement this so-called 'unconventional lifestyle of mine'. When I first stated out as a solo female traveler, I must admit that it was not an easy journey. Although Mr Google is there to provide, I could not find anything sufficient to help with the decision made. Of course, over the years I have met with few other female travelers from Asia who shares the same passion as mine.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, when I was introduced to AWEAsia, I was happy. In less than a month, AWE '13 will take place in Kuala Lumpur. Not only I would like to be inspired, I wish that the event would be a platform for me to build a better network as well as to find people of same interest - <i>I am looking for someone as a consolation to this challenging path.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are asking this question, "How could you choose to become an independent traveler?" then I would recommend you to come and join me (and many other successful women) in the quest to finding the right answer!!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">******</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are you a freelancer, world
traveler, non-profit starter, blogger, creative mind,<br />
and mostly, woman with a passion to make change in your world?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">AWE ‘13 is here for you!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://conference.aweasia.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/AWE_Poster_Web.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://conference.aweasia.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/AWE_Poster_Web.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are seeking for inspiration, here’s your change. With the lead
of fourteen inspiring speakers, AWE ’13 will help you to find the missing key
in your life to happiness.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 16.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Purpose of AWE conference</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">AWE ’13 is for empowering Asian women to follow their dreams and thrive in an independent lifestyle. Breaking the mold, and standing out is tougher for Asian women in a male-dominated society. We are restricted by culture, religion, and social convention. Many ambitious women have been going abroad, where it’s easier to follow their passions in an unconventional path. The world is changing, and Asia is slowly participating in the movement. While it is still difficult to choose your own path in Asian society, there are more inspirational Asian women who are impacting our global world. AWE Conference will present models of successful Asian women, and discuss participant’s current life goals through workshops while designing the roads to success.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 15.75pt;"> </span><div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="background: white; line-height: 19.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 16.5pt; font-weight: normal;">Who is
this conference for</span><span style="color: #17541d; font-size: 16.5pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">AWE Conference is designed for Asian women and expatriates in Asia who want to:</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />✦ Thrive with unconventional life choices<br /> ✦ Acquire ideas of diverse ways of success<br /> ✦ Belong to a community of inspiring women<br /> ✦ Seek more opportunities in life<br /> ✦ Get inspired to achieve their dreams</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 15.75pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 16.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">How to join</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #111111; line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Save
your seat at this link: </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/18owLhNLZT4LXPd6NPmAVtKz4k0y9148z4C9ua0jpApI/viewform" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Online Registration</a><br /><span style="color: #111111; line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Regular
Registration: US$42 (Student discount is
available)</span><!--[if !supportLists]--></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://conference.aweasia.org/register/">PayPal</a><span style="color: #111111;">
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #111111;">Bank Transfer (email </span><a href="mailto:info@aweasia.org">info@aweasia.org</a><span style="color: #111111;"> for the bank detail)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt;">
<span style="color: #111111;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 15.75pt;"> </span></div>
<h2 style="background: white; line-height: 19.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 16.5pt; font-weight: normal;">What do
you get from your ticket</span><span style="color: #17541d; font-size: 16.5pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #111111;">✓</span><span style="color: #111111; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> Two Meals and Beverages<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #111111;">✓</span><span style="color: #111111; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> Pre-AWE KL Food Tour<br />
</span><span style="color: #111111;">✓</span><span style="color: #111111; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">
Attend All Sessions<br />
</span><span style="color: #111111;">✓</span><span style="color: #111111; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">
Keynotes<br />
</span><span style="color: #111111;">✓</span><span style="color: #111111; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">
AWE Organization Community Pass<br />
</span><span style="color: #111111;">✓</span><span style="color: #111111; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">
Official Party<br />
</span><span style="color: #111111;">✓</span><span style="color: #111111; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">
Access to AWE Members Profile<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<h2 style="background: white; line-height: 19.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 16.5pt; font-weight: normal;">AWE
’13 Program</span><span style="color: #17541d; font-size: 16.5pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://conference.aweasia.org/conference/schedule/"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Conference Program & Session Schedule</span></a><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt;">
<span style="color: #ff6600; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 19.8pt;">What
we want to achieve</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To spark inspiration, initiate action. Ideas will simply remain ideas if not connected to action. Through the AWE Conference I want to not only spark inspiration from successful cases of Asian female trailblazers, but also initiate action by offering practical information. Support systems for Asian women who want to step aside from the common path do not always exist. Freelancers, world travelers, non-profit/ngo starters, and creatives are struggling with the lack of support. </span><div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Furthermore, women from underprivileged backgrounds are not encouraged often enough to be involved in society’s hierarchical system. Against all these odds, there are women who have followed their passion, and have achieved enormous success. I have invited some of the most inspiring of these women to my conference. They will share their story of success with participants. They will share their stories of struggle and success with participants, providing real-world guidance and inspiration. They will also answer questions and offer practical information to participants so they can begin creating their own unconventional success stories.<br /><br /> </span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="background: white; line-height: 19.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 16.5pt; font-weight: normal;">Our
speakers</span><span style="color: #17541d; font-size: 16.5pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSa0FErdPZ9Ej-nqYcxiG3mzj72oxOkIqSZ8jkX0NKCh6ZUO3RWCBJ744ZLLzVYglZDY9xQ547kL8kbDJJQngBEANcFWZdOFk8M86KTwJbVGVxiP7vZUSrvNQ6CqVIAusYRgk6gK6dnxI/s1600/AWE_FB_Speaker-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSa0FErdPZ9Ej-nqYcxiG3mzj72oxOkIqSZ8jkX0NKCh6ZUO3RWCBJ744ZLLzVYglZDY9xQ547kL8kbDJJQngBEANcFWZdOFk8M86KTwJbVGVxiP7vZUSrvNQ6CqVIAusYRgk6gK6dnxI/s400/AWE_FB_Speaker-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="background: white; line-height: 19.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 16.5pt; font-weight: normal;">Official
sponsors </span><span style="color: #17541d; font-size: 16.5pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Silver Sponsor</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.foodtourmalaysia.com/">Food Tour
Malaysia</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Giveaway Sponsor<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.seduniatravel.com/">Sedunia Travel</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://batikloetjoe.com/">Batik Loetjoe</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://boh.com.my/">BOH Plantations Snd Bhd</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">EXPO Sponsor<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://batikloetjoe.com/">Batik Loetjoe</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://chrisguillebeau.com/">Unconventional Guides</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Special thanks to:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://conference.aweasia.org/sponsors/">AWE
Benefactors & Honorary Member</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 11.5pt;">✦</span><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span>Official
Website: <a href="http://conference.aweasia.org/">http://conference.aweasia.org/</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 11.5pt;">✦</span><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span>Contact:
<a href="mailto:info@aweasia.org">info@aweasia.org</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-90384958862196530682013-10-15T03:12:00.000+08:002013-10-15T03:12:54.032+08:00[TIPS] How to travel and contribute something with Ecoteer?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The year was 2002 and I had turned twenty of age. As soon as
the calendar changed from 2001 to 2002, my life was upside down. Every day was
a torture. Since then I vowed to myself that I would never be a weak
person anymore.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<o:p><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">“If you dream hard enough, it will eventually come true!”</span></b></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I was trying to get rid of the pain from being a sexual
harassment victim, one of my dreams came true. It was the turning point of my
life. I was to embark on a journey that will forever change my life. Just
before 2002 ends, I had the most memorable journey of life. Travel means so
much and little that I knew of how that voyage had redefined my current life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.sseaypinternational.org/" target="_blank">SSEAYP</a></b> – the Ship for Southeast Asia-Japan Youth Program was
a God sent gift. Not only it gave me the opportunity to set foot overseas, it also brought me special friendships; during that said program. In addition to that, it
completely changed the way I see travel and people all together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perhaps the biggest lesson of traveling on Nippon Maru, with
over 300 youths around Southeast Asia, for me is ‘the realization’ of that giving
back is better than receiving. Thus, upon returning from that meaningful
journey, I promised myself that I would do my best to always give back. Hence, every time I embark on a travel expedition, my main intention has always
been “to reach out and enjoy”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">**************<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since 2002, there have been numerous opportunities for me to
contribute while I enjoy traveling. I cannot remember of when and what had I
contributed, but it was certainly never money <i>(unfortunately, I am just as
average person like most of you)</i>. Nonetheless, each occasion that I spend time
and energy often is rewarded with much satisfaction and a big smile on my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If your idea of traveling equals to luxurious hotel stays,
service pampering as well as lazing around doing nothing, then travel with a
cause is not your cup of tea. However, for those who wish to expand their
travel experience to be something very special for you and (at least one) more
person, then you should start considering to <b>travel with a cause</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like travel agents, do you know that there is an
organization that helps travelers at finding opportunities for you to travel
and volunteer at the same time?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecoteerresponsibletravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/logo_large2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecoteerresponsibletravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/logo_large2.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I heard about <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.ecoteer.com/" target="_blank">Ecoteer</a></b>,
I was ecstatic. Ecoteer allows you to travel with a cause. Choose any
destination in Asia, Africa, Australia or even an exotic location you have in
mind, you probably ends up paying so much less for an extended stay in your
chosen location. The whole concept of <a href="http://ecoteerresponsibletravel.com/">ecoteer responsible travel</a> is
matching traveler to a meaningful volunteering project. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><b>“Ecoteer is a unique volunteer opportunities agency -
offering a directory of cheap volunteer work opportunities, volunteer jobs
abroad and working holidays. Our volunteer opportunities are cheap because we
have eliminated the middleman slashing the price to volunteer abroad for
gapyears, careerbreaks and working holidays. Ecoteer is changing the volunteer
and working holiday industry.”</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As someone who loves to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mess</i>
around with the locals while I explore a new place, a chance to be part of
wildlife conservation would allow me to get up close with the animals rather
than seeing them in the fancy cages; or a chance to participate in a community
development activity will surely brought me closer to the people of a different
culture and country. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Want to know more about what have I written above?</i></b> Check out
<b><a href="http://www.ecoteer.com/" target="_blank">Ecoteer</a></b> homepage for more info. Also, if you are looking for immediate travel
volunteer opportunity in Asia, scroll down this page to see what’s available
from <a href="http://ecoteerresponsibletravel.com/" target="_blank">Ecoteer responsible travel</a> program.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-36672635264710439332013-10-03T10:42:00.002+08:002013-10-10T18:57:05.648+08:00[TIPS] Immediate journey at superb LOW price by Malaysia Airlines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://dcatalyst.malaysiaairlines.com/template-deployer/dsmas/C1379905923018/T1018992066/images/images_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://dcatalyst.malaysiaairlines.com/template-deployer/dsmas/C1379905923018/T1018992066/images/images_18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Years of flying with </span><a href="http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/my/en.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Malaysia Airlines</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> teaches me of how to set a standard for comfort and value for money at choosing the right airlines. Be it a short domestic journey or long haul international destinations and even after flying with so many different airline, <a href="http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/my/en.html" target="_blank">Malaysia Airlines</a> never fail me to delivering the best service (at least to me). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I recently received a newsletter from them on their latest promotion, which is really superb. For those of you who wonder, "WHY?", here is the reason:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Book and fly immediately</b> at an <u><b>insane airfare</b></u> for a round trip journey, and you'll get;</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to choose your dream destination (the promotion is valid for more than just domestic routes)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">at least a 30kg baggage allowance</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">full board services (this is not a budget airlines, ok!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">comfort and convenience of managing your booking and check-ins </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Click the purple box below to see the current promotional airfares that was sent personally by <a href="http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/my/en.html" target="_blank">Malaysia Airlines</a>. Go fill in your annual leave forms and fly immediately in this next few days. <i>I would probably choose one destination myself and you may be able to catch me onboard. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>HAPPY TRAVELING (OR should I say, HAPPY HOLIDAY)!!!</b></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-37574090276144532512013-08-01T08:09:00.000+08:002013-08-01T08:09:02.383+08:00[Travel Asia] Mabuhay!! City of Baguio<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeotNDSjVeH50TiBAW5I3sOdrzYejLlKdPoFl-fNsSe8r4CRgf3ngN1l4BRMor4mWi9ttIBhFeLnGtPtZVO17tgAirn8_6li_ws_BvHJVW1NK71xMFtNrLnGdpRszkbjDaIhbWGyRByVo/s1600/C360_2013-01-17-14-55-17_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeotNDSjVeH50TiBAW5I3sOdrzYejLlKdPoFl-fNsSe8r4CRgf3ngN1l4BRMor4mWi9ttIBhFeLnGtPtZVO17tgAirn8_6li_ws_BvHJVW1NK71xMFtNrLnGdpRszkbjDaIhbWGyRByVo/s320/C360_2013-01-17-14-55-17_wm.jpeg" width="192" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the most delayed travel promise I had was a trip to the Philippines. Although I was basically based near to the country, there were so many times that plans were left untouched or abandoned. So, when I finally confirmed my attendance to a dear friend's wedding, it was really excited. The last thing that I had to do was to convince my family that the Philippines is safe for a solo lady traveler like me - MISSION SUCCEEDED!!!</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Despite having to change the original travel plan, I basically had so much fun discovering and experiencing a new country, new places and new culture. Over the years, I have heard so many people saying that I look "soooo Filipina" and immediately after I reached Clark, it was confirmed - I do look Filipina. The best thing about having the face of a local, is all my anxiety of being treated as a tourist was immediately dismissed. Thus, making my entire journey more exciting, as I could embrace the local culture and its people without much reservation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Upon the arrival at the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CEwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dmia.ph%2F&ei=0JD5UeSCOo2nrAen74BI&usg=AFQjCNEtKvtDXgsTFRdNncaWeTl3sbK39g&sig2=S6vr_jfMrqz74TNPeIl5vw&bvm=bv.49967636,d.bmk" target="_blank">Diosdado Macapagal International Airport</a>, it was an easy task to look for a jeepney to get to the main bus terminal in Dau. Before I went to look for the jeepney, I took the opportunity to buy some snacks and water at a small sundry shop at the airport - I was informed that the journey by bus to my next destination is a long long one. The Air Asia flight from Kota Kinabalu arrived in Clark slightly passed four in the afternoon. With my next destination located way up north of the Luzon Island of the Philippines, it was expected that I could only be arriving slightly later at night.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPFPAZ3-bpDmBGIlP25lF9Hubb_RzoZwps5h7ntoqaCpXvH21JttNS7xwz4escGvLnT988VbSO9zAPSZjBWyAIv3j8EujTp9tE7Z6XZbT2Q4dqfKYSHS78kTDSKvsl9ayCtvvEkFONY0/s1600/IMG_6355_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPFPAZ3-bpDmBGIlP25lF9Hubb_RzoZwps5h7ntoqaCpXvH21JttNS7xwz4escGvLnT988VbSO9zAPSZjBWyAIv3j8EujTp9tE7Z6XZbT2Q4dqfKYSHS78kTDSKvsl9ayCtvvEkFONY0/s200/IMG_6355_wm.jpeg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dau bus terminal is a big terminal, which I didn't get a chance to actually discover. Immediately after I jumped out of the jeepney, a good samaritan actually helped me to stop a moving bus that was bound for Baguio City. It was a comfy, but super cold, coach bus. I was also happy to know that even on a moving bus, there was internet connection available. The entire bus journey was about 5 hours, with a couple of stops in between. Every time the bus stops, there will be small traders coming on to the bus to sell some food and snacks. Since I already bought buns and snacks from the airport, that became my late lunch and dinner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At around 10pm, the bus arrived in <b><a href="http://www.baguio.gov.ph/?q=content/about-baguio-city" target="_blank">Baguio</a></b>. That weekend was the record breaking lowest temperature for the city. Baguio is the summer capital for the country. I was merely lucky that a friend of mine reminded me to put on warm clothes, the night before I flew to the Philippines. Else, I would have frozen like crazy assuming that the place share the same weather like the other Southeast Asia countries. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWW5wPDqBepbwkS4dtMlzw7pnpS4w7V-BWcczxFdI2RyKfn-GnOlFNPyzrB307erZaG5CmHt6hEmnB7SthyNjoAUH65OqAl9ItLqJU70rGtgPk1C-yUy7nM4fRmnlO9HviKIiX5bXQPQ/s1600/IMG_6378_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWW5wPDqBepbwkS4dtMlzw7pnpS4w7V-BWcczxFdI2RyKfn-GnOlFNPyzrB307erZaG5CmHt6hEmnB7SthyNjoAUH65OqAl9ItLqJU70rGtgPk1C-yUy7nM4fRmnlO9HviKIiX5bXQPQ/s400/IMG_6378_wm.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Filipinos are kind and nice people in general. Even when I was looking for hot drinks at the bus terminal, I was greeted with smiles and with a few short sentences, I was already on a taxi heading to the place that I was supposed to stay. Extremely hungry upon reaching the guesthouse, my request to get something to eat was greeted with kind hospitality - finally I had rice and fish soup for supper.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_Hg18ooCqQhkIkE06rRxsPbW10X1r5Lmp4tg85aK5Iy7YXMIdkhlo4XuqEfDR20RTlt-U-t-Km_RvB6Y8swaTGVRzlMD0TMl9d6RzoHi9Ss21Pm9zzu6QbLjmoOSnb6WoH287DV_GTA/s1600/20130119_115739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_Hg18ooCqQhkIkE06rRxsPbW10X1r5Lmp4tg85aK5Iy7YXMIdkhlo4XuqEfDR20RTlt-U-t-Km_RvB6Y8swaTGVRzlMD0TMl9d6RzoHi9Ss21Pm9zzu6QbLjmoOSnb6WoH287DV_GTA/s200/20130119_115739.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Where did I stay?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.iggysinnbaguio.com/" target="_blank">Iggy's Inn</a> </b>- 25A, South Drive, Baguio City</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~How much did it cost me?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>US$100 for 3 nights</b> stay inclusive of breakfast</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~How was the guesthouse?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pleasantly surprised by the hospitality and the service received. Read detailed review <b><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com.my/ShowUserReviews-g298445-d3317767-r150281054-Iggy_s_Inn-Baguio_Cordillera_Region_Luzon.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT" target="_blank">here</a></b>. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYQL4fFetZORSIVRpw15lu5zr_LEPUBTue7Mh_mrgIwcuMIUGad-0jMTc1srPSOZjB_fmXalU_xmsysUhLaBYY0WPq3aJMqEM9ABWhkUNdmeahiaArQuVWwGSUVH0L8LVTVbSioMW_mM/s1600/20130119_134606_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYQL4fFetZORSIVRpw15lu5zr_LEPUBTue7Mh_mrgIwcuMIUGad-0jMTc1srPSOZjB_fmXalU_xmsysUhLaBYY0WPq3aJMqEM9ABWhkUNdmeahiaArQuVWwGSUVH0L8LVTVbSioMW_mM/s320/20130119_134606_wm.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had a day to roam the city, so the next day I chartered a taxi for 5 hours and began my discovery adventure. I was amazed by the amount of experience that I had gained despite being a bit low on cash. These are the highlights of my self adventure:</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfprOb_nU0lKd8nmZNeFH-YhnZEecnY_Q2Edf0FmsIxsDM03U8uS_tW2WYitoaFJkZBdUrov03vCmsXDmFv63E4njnZcgPTzUmAV8OBgbXfy5fLm67Un7nCAjZNDG6VkPivWKSJ90zBfI/s1600/IMG_6460_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfprOb_nU0lKd8nmZNeFH-YhnZEecnY_Q2Edf0FmsIxsDM03U8uS_tW2WYitoaFJkZBdUrov03vCmsXDmFv63E4njnZcgPTzUmAV8OBgbXfy5fLm67Un7nCAjZNDG6VkPivWKSJ90zBfI/s320/IMG_6460_wm.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com.my/Attraction_Review-g298445-d2277664-Reviews-Mines_View_Park-Baguio_Cordillera_Region_Luzon.html" target="_blank">Mines View Park</a></b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is no need to travel to Greece or to Italy to experience such weather and beauty. It was one of the most breathtaking view I have ever seen in my entire life. It is said that here is the highest point of the city where people could see the entire city from such height. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZPVk_xMlEPfdDnxsSCBLaXRKMdAxkZ0fZB6VAk-m8q7uaShFYYoB-Y_Raz6_A_hCwTN4y7MEJKde7BEd04yNJCX2JVds9Z7Z_hjWVDguymtRj69mwHSCNvOfT_BavgBcGi2GqL0ARDw/s1600/IMG_6456_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZPVk_xMlEPfdDnxsSCBLaXRKMdAxkZ0fZB6VAk-m8q7uaShFYYoB-Y_Raz6_A_hCwTN4y7MEJKde7BEd04yNJCX2JVds9Z7Z_hjWVDguymtRj69mwHSCNvOfT_BavgBcGi2GqL0ARDw/s400/IMG_6456_wm.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Philippine Military Academy (PMA)</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not only I could see cute army-to-be, I was mesmerized by the beautiful surrounding. With its panoramic views as well as its lovely pine forest, it is hard to believe that the whole area is actually a military academy. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrAbYUPUowghqctUnosGinKVi3I1ArHKT-igSLUCphwPRLE7DuItPNC5OWAlln85x0X6zIqZdh0PTk3hBm5Zjqs20O_YxtQvCuGBwBjJp4_AC0cpIYfL4tuE18l5d8DPp-6ftMzpJBWE/s1600/IMG_6388_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrAbYUPUowghqctUnosGinKVi3I1ArHKT-igSLUCphwPRLE7DuItPNC5OWAlln85x0X6zIqZdh0PTk3hBm5Zjqs20O_YxtQvCuGBwBjJp4_AC0cpIYfL4tuE18l5d8DPp-6ftMzpJBWE/s400/IMG_6388_wm.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Camp John Hay</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a legendary and historically important, this area is now a country club with variety of amenities available alongside its 18-holes golf course. Also, I had a chance to do some window shopping at the branded outlets inside the camp area.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwl7WVl00MDAQuVJGBaD3DmyFqheLuX9Rv6MulqnyF0skuV7i-DhxbOo4NENGOHnljTouLEKvqb_WcR8dmzR9C2bMvNm2p5Xul60x5H81sKXhQanbPAOi5Z1bxxNKXE82eTG0iPSwxKk/s1600/IMG_6417_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwl7WVl00MDAQuVJGBaD3DmyFqheLuX9Rv6MulqnyF0skuV7i-DhxbOo4NENGOHnljTouLEKvqb_WcR8dmzR9C2bMvNm2p5Xul60x5H81sKXhQanbPAOi5Z1bxxNKXE82eTG0iPSwxKk/s400/IMG_6417_wm.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Lion's Head</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This huge monument of a lion's head is actually at the side of the main road heading towards Baguio. Located at the edge of the escalating road, I was amazed by the size of the monument as well as the surrounding view.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRzb1ODXKG0eocBaU5QVRcp6vwetYUtns5InCA9btLd3feGYvA3byWscph2r6bHgaGFpBS7Aji9k9xIeSIgHfQBPhoCgn60nNnpKBBwR95db0r8KXPkMlHNTpVax6L4UvQcYX9RPYPGo/s1600/C360_2013-01-17-13-54-38_org_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRzb1ODXKG0eocBaU5QVRcp6vwetYUtns5InCA9btLd3feGYvA3byWscph2r6bHgaGFpBS7Aji9k9xIeSIgHfQBPhoCgn60nNnpKBBwR95db0r8KXPkMlHNTpVax6L4UvQcYX9RPYPGo/s320/C360_2013-01-17-13-54-38_org_wm.jpeg" width="192" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com.my/Attraction_Review-g298445-d2038112-Reviews-The_Mansion-Baguio_Cordillera_Region_Luzon.html" target="_blank">The Mansion</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The main building itself is the official summer resident for the president, but the landscape and the area nearby are so beautiful in addition to the horseback riding activity that are openly available for people.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkEP0ksReozMmS9OATc5Cy4QDAccNk46wNRg9VKd9GOsn1bad17t50dxkgz_CBtgncQWEPEjMUJcaGzjgV9_bVr78__d4ghFbZ2P3d7yiqLF-CYw7Pu9bWC9BDDnLR_D3fPFmCR-DkrI/s1600/IMG_6437_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkEP0ksReozMmS9OATc5Cy4QDAccNk46wNRg9VKd9GOsn1bad17t50dxkgz_CBtgncQWEPEjMUJcaGzjgV9_bVr78__d4ghFbZ2P3d7yiqLF-CYw7Pu9bWC9BDDnLR_D3fPFmCR-DkrI/s320/IMG_6437_wm.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The following day was my first time attending a Christian wedding. It was a new experience and of course I learned more about the culture of the Philippines' people - goshhhh...they do know how to party and have fun. The wedding reception was held at <a href="http://bcc.com.ph/#home" target="_blank">Baguio Country Club</a>. Since the party ended late, I was only able to meet up with my awesome friends, whom I have not met in 10 years, the following morning - for breakfast.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39vgJnkFNQSgcLY3pIXjxnYO9ZrrmevQ9KjK3UkHWY1Ka0gff67ofWJDUE8CelOLbgQoNGtR9353Qog2gUrslfI410Hwa-u5XKRIzXAfWOuC_Um5J7akfqasUgCptjPV1sRV_0sbLr2s/s1600/IMG_6484_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39vgJnkFNQSgcLY3pIXjxnYO9ZrrmevQ9KjK3UkHWY1Ka0gff67ofWJDUE8CelOLbgQoNGtR9353Qog2gUrslfI410Hwa-u5XKRIzXAfWOuC_Um5J7akfqasUgCptjPV1sRV_0sbLr2s/s320/IMG_6484_wm.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdseT3Gv_Yvv5vHg2sFiQOOQ8EB2Dy6YQdtN0kCE0Li5oo1My9k_eAM3RiNtPdcKruiM-F3FQshbUM5ZW4HFkMXOYfvmlZH4ShpquhUI7uVCGmlb1C2qgGqO6nu6xJFch2WFE6aEWPBo/s1600/IMG_6535_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdseT3Gv_Yvv5vHg2sFiQOOQ8EB2Dy6YQdtN0kCE0Li5oo1My9k_eAM3RiNtPdcKruiM-F3FQshbUM5ZW4HFkMXOYfvmlZH4ShpquhUI7uVCGmlb1C2qgGqO6nu6xJFch2WFE6aEWPBo/s320/IMG_6535_wm.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I departed down to the city of Angeles, I had great experience discovering <b>Session Road</b> (the heart of the city) as well as had a uniquely great time at <b>Oh My Gulay, </b>enjoying tasty vegetarian meals with my friends.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2Gx5uk-SUmmh4P6C4gY5uj7SHJpXi9lY7K3Hpx47hcq1h2TXTo48AmVzsTeE6fF44AvSSSg4X3BqHJsD7TVn4snyBXZS39GWTfpotzxqSQ0AhyyVWkAq41nZVghKE1GEfdkJU_0-KWY/s1600/IMG_6554_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2Gx5uk-SUmmh4P6C4gY5uj7SHJpXi9lY7K3Hpx47hcq1h2TXTo48AmVzsTeE6fF44AvSSSg4X3BqHJsD7TVn4snyBXZS39GWTfpotzxqSQ0AhyyVWkAq41nZVghKE1GEfdkJU_0-KWY/s320/IMG_6554_wm.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGbiSGZ7D5JfuPH2SOgwKFFpKVUfh0jhTOH4wSvO4jVdhzKca_vUmUo6bdM9MuNyAFyEbRsS8u7RuRwrqbgHNDewI1l6kcAVlBpnpofGYIhezaklD1Vzyq3X_w_vxDmYdGcn07laSsNM/s1600/20130119_124900_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGbiSGZ7D5JfuPH2SOgwKFFpKVUfh0jhTOH4wSvO4jVdhzKca_vUmUo6bdM9MuNyAFyEbRsS8u7RuRwrqbgHNDewI1l6kcAVlBpnpofGYIhezaklD1Vzyq3X_w_vxDmYdGcn07laSsNM/s320/20130119_124900_wm.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">********</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Help me to raise fund for this special project. I will be traveling specifically to complete certain voluntary and charity mission across Asia in 2014.</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>For every dollar raised, I will spend them to help those needy throughout the entire journey. Click <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/3nvwqc" target="_blank">HERE</a> to for details and donate.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-63025115676509966422013-06-24T02:32:00.000+08:002013-06-24T02:32:48.132+08:00[TIPS] Avoid outdoor activities while traveling in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every year about this time, the dry season will begin in the South East Asia region. This dry weather and condition usually last until September with August being known to be extremely hot and dry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unfortunately this year, the dry spell began a little bit too early affecting Indonesia the hardest - when hot spots are now seen widening in many parts of the Sumatera. Hot spots usually induce fires, especially to the forest or agricultural lands. In addition to this massive burning condition in Indonesia, the changing season brings in strong winds that will definitely affects its neighbouring countries, mainly Singapore and Malaysia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At this very moment, not only Indonesia is suffering from a crazy HAZE condition, Singapore and Malaysia are also suffering badly. Since summer has already begun, these three countries will definitely see a surge of travelers and tourists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With limited visibility, travelers are advised to be alert about the Air Quality Index due to this crazy haze condition. The southern part of west Malaysia is already in nature emergency order - that means NO OUTDOOR activities including schools immediately being closed. From the Central to the South part of West Malaysia, it is highly advisable to limit outdoor activities until further notice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you happened to be in Malaysia or Singapore or Indonesia for your summer holiday, these are some of friendly advise:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Keep tab on the news about the haze condition (especially PSI or API readings)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Drink a lot of water (really, really a lot more than your usual intake)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wear a mask when you are outdoor</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Avoid outdoor activities and places</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Try to work with your travel operator to change your travel itinerary so you could go to places with better air quality</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you experience any symptoms (i.e. difficulty in breathing, sore throats, watery/ itchy eyes, etc.), immediately seek for medical help.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stay and travel safe everyone.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-29727076101110744932013-06-05T10:14:00.002+08:002013-06-05T10:16:37.783+08:00[Japan Travel] Win a Trip to Tokyo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_845992692"></span><span id="goog_845992693"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://sg.sushiandsake.net/img/index_img_13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://sg.sushiandsake.net/img/index_img_13.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://sg.sushiandsake.net/campaign/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Campaign - JAPAN TREND RANKING</span></a></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Japan is well known for its culture; that includes the variety of gastronomical experience the country can offer. For travelers (like me), it is common to hear the phrase, "Don't forget to try out <food name>". Of course once we set foot in the new place, it will be another kind of experience finding where the "don't-forget-to-try". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I first went to Japan in 2002, the idea of food to try revolved around sushi, sashimi and ramen - because there were not many references or recommendation available online (in English, of course). Of course as the internet now is considered among the powerful source of information, traveler like me can have better luck at finding good food in town.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I was browsing around, I found an interesting new place (online) where I can not only learn about the cuisines of Japan, but also have the option to learn recommendation and ranking of what and where exactly to find good Japanese food in Japan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_845992707"></span><span id="goog_845992710"></span><b><a href="https://sg.sushiandsake.net/index"><span id="goog_845992734"></span>Japa<span id="goog_845992713"></span><span id="goog_845992714"></span>n Trend Rank<span id="goog_845992737"></span><span id="goog_845992738"></span>ing<span id="goog_845992735"></span></a></b><span id="goog_845992711"></span> website is offering opening promotion where everyone who sign up will get the chance to win a trip to Tokyo. It is really simple - just SIGN UP, no other action is needed, and you will be in the running to win this trip for two. <span id="goog_845992708"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Check out the website for further information. Japan Trend Ranking also has a facebook page, click <span id="goog_845992719"></span><span id="goog_845992720"></span><span id="goog_845992716"></span><span id="goog_845992725"></span><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JapanTrendRanking?sk=app_387759571340997&app_data/"><span id="goog_845992731"></span>here<span id="goog_845992732"></span></a></b><span id="goog_845992726"></span><span id="goog_845992717"></span> to go straight to their page.<span id="goog_845992727"></span><span id="goog_845992728"></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JapanTrendRanking?sk=app_387759571340997&app_data"></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love Japan so much and will probably fly there again in future - so I have signed up. Are you going to miss out this opportunity?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-7995650500804853732013-06-02T06:32:00.000+08:002013-06-02T06:32:02.428+08:00[Travel Asia] Backpack and Indochina<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkGX1-Eh1ypqElDjTrn8cOpjWtZIfH1f5CtTPYIsiu475NTEPXtQz4vJnNfO6gWvESuTRCaM6U8MfHE2cKHyHAbFJJvLzxQK3bvoJHGDhu4TxQhelzpjSsLAgX4GhZ08HiSmiMGL8LwY/s1600/IMG_1230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkGX1-Eh1ypqElDjTrn8cOpjWtZIfH1f5CtTPYIsiu475NTEPXtQz4vJnNfO6gWvESuTRCaM6U8MfHE2cKHyHAbFJJvLzxQK3bvoJHGDhu4TxQhelzpjSsLAgX4GhZ08HiSmiMGL8LwY/s320/IMG_1230.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For anybody who loves traveling but still are thinking about “how-to-do-it” without burning their pockets, you can now easily find information via reputable travel websites as well as reliable travel bloggers who shares more than their experiences about traveling. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In 2011, I began a journey that is one of the most memorable to me. Immediately after I resigned from my job, I packed my bag and began a two months exploration trip across the Indo-china route. Starting from this post, I will share (more likely continue) the story behind that travel.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJ9i-Jfs2jH8JbuTjJZeo-FEigKMgTBwLp-98SaWrGyVdwBC2mkKY1crTZAkMYodvFFLqZOFH9RJuivFUmrOD3-8B-Zl1gVH8hNJ9847TavINe4mMMvuUM_GzP5ogBduuRlW5UBpkpXo/s1600/SDC16323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJ9i-Jfs2jH8JbuTjJZeo-FEigKMgTBwLp-98SaWrGyVdwBC2mkKY1crTZAkMYodvFFLqZOFH9RJuivFUmrOD3-8B-Zl1gVH8hNJ9847TavINe4mMMvuUM_GzP5ogBduuRlW5UBpkpXo/s320/SDC16323.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I went to seven countries via land – alone. It is true that I did not have anybody committed to the traveling route from day one next to me. However, later along the solo journey I realized that I was not completely alone, I was able to meet with so many interesting, friendly and awesome people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The backpacking trip was my first adventure. I began in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For the next two months, I had managed to discover:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />1. <a href="http://www.tourismthailand.org/" target="_blank">Thailand</a> (Ayutthaya and Bangkok)<br /><br />2. <a href="http://www.tourismcambodia.com/" target="_blank">Cambodia</a> (Siem Reap and Phnom Penh)<br /><br />3. <a href="http://www.vietnamtourism.com/" target="_blank">Vietnam</a> (Ho Chi Minh, Danang, Hoi An, and Hanoi)<br /><br />4. <a href="http://www.travelchinaguide.com/" target="_blank">China</a> (Nanning, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Fuzhou)<br /><br />5. <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/login.html" target="_blank">Hong Kong</a><br /><br />6. <a href="http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/en/index.php" target="_blank">Macau</a><br /><br />7. <a href="http://eng.taiwan.net.tw/" target="_blank">Taiwan</a> (Nankan and Taipei)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJypxUE8LRC8VkRmPh7gogYJpvmQlxTZUD9WfFvrTXtkcEuMqYMNhlcTgjs_yQfDoTlm8-DAZrmOy5nRaQq0gv4Nd0nFFGbSXdzl-V3bYZfYYy0SF_NgNSCAscHMa-x959gKFk8wPNik/s1600/SDC14146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJypxUE8LRC8VkRmPh7gogYJpvmQlxTZUD9WfFvrTXtkcEuMqYMNhlcTgjs_yQfDoTlm8-DAZrmOy5nRaQq0gv4Nd0nFFGbSXdzl-V3bYZfYYy0SF_NgNSCAscHMa-x959gKFk8wPNik/s400/SDC14146.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Along the trip, I had actually written the journey and experience. Due to certain circumstances, the entries halted half way. Now that I am fully recovered, I shall continue the story and republish a freshly view of the existing entries of the said journey.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5vKkChVYoGyYHzBhMqyYmzh5gCmM_vm3YuBIklfgxAWr_HfYflBuqScIHZd0lqY8E641LIB7x63SH8SstGdz8HOdMbIubqaxkr0KRGrndA4eTOpDHaqihlJ2ht-MQI-Sodivru02rgs/s1600/SDC13801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5vKkChVYoGyYHzBhMqyYmzh5gCmM_vm3YuBIklfgxAWr_HfYflBuqScIHZd0lqY8E641LIB7x63SH8SstGdz8HOdMbIubqaxkr0KRGrndA4eTOpDHaqihlJ2ht-MQI-Sodivru02rgs/s400/SDC13801.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To begin with, why not go through the original posts made for the first part of the said journey? Below are the entries of the places I discovered after I cross over the starting line:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://makiko-saba.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-0-to-2-packing-and-unexpected.html" target="_blank">Packing and unexpected change of plan</a><br /><br /><a href="http://makiko-saba.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-3-ayutthaya-on-foot.html" target="_blank">Ayutthaya on Foot</a><br /><br /><a href="http://makiko-saba.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-4-ayutthaya-on-water.html" target="_blank">Ayutthaya on Water</a><br /><br /><a href="http://makiko-saba.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-5-pit-stop-in-bangkok.html" target="_blank">Pit Stop in Bangkok</a><br /><br /><a href="http://makiko-saba.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-6-crossing-thailand-into-cambodia.html" target="_blank">Crossing Thailand to Cambodia</a><br /><br /><a href="http://makiko-saba.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-7-revisiting-siem-reap.html" target="_blank">Revisiting Siem Reap</a><br /><br /><a href="http://makiko-saba.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-8-its-all-about-history-in-siem.html" target="_blank">It’s all about history in Siem Reap</a><br /><br /><a href="http://makiko-saba.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-9-going-to-cambodia-city-centre.html" target="_blank">Going to Cambodia city center, Phnom Penh</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://makiko-saba.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-10-recovering-city-phnom-penh.html" target="_blank">A recovering city, Phnom Penh</a><br /><br /><a href="http://makiko-saba.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-11-bachelor-king-of-kingdom-of.html" target="_blank">The bachelor, the King of Kingdom of Cambodia</a><br /><br /><a href="http://makiko-saba.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-12-interesting-bus-ride-entering.html" target="_blank">An interesting bus ride, entering Vietnam and meeting someone</a><br /><br /><a href="http://makiko-saba.blogspot.com/2011/05/day-13-cu-chi-tunnel-living-proof-of.html" target="_blank">Cu Chi Tunnel, living proof of Vietnam’s strength</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Subscribe to my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MakikoS.and.ThumbelinaKL" target="_blank">Facebook Fan Page</a> to get the latest update when I publish new entries here. Also, check out my Youtube channel to watch the previous and new episodes of “<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgBEXWj8y88p7KswJRna-1YhqIOMmuqCs" target="_blank">Makiko Travel Journal Series</a></b>”.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-65529255458224155542013-05-31T03:36:00.000+08:002013-05-31T03:57:49.396+08:00[Travel Asia] One day in Brunei Darussalam<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9PedbeQWv2CARvWLs1QAa4ymIEgrT3fxCLM05enLFvlWx1bY0FSTG7V2PkUWVL0soejSuJ8dFeQ7m6-JDguQLKEyzYwwT4yD7yodUC1kNSvNks5lTU6QjilyDcPV4WbaFva2juIQftA/s1600/IMG_6263_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9PedbeQWv2CARvWLs1QAa4ymIEgrT3fxCLM05enLFvlWx1bY0FSTG7V2PkUWVL0soejSuJ8dFeQ7m6-JDguQLKEyzYwwT4yD7yodUC1kNSvNks5lTU6QjilyDcPV4WbaFva2juIQftA/s200/IMG_6263_wm.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last December (2012), I traveled by sea to visit Brunei Darussalam. Check out my entry on traveling by sea from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei via sea, </span><a href="http://makiko-saba.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-to-from-kota-kinabalu-sabah-to.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">http://makiko-saba.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-to-from-kota-kinabalu-sabah-to.html</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for details.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since I only had a solid one day to roam around the country and with limited budget, it was indeed a scary adventure. Nonetheless, it didn't stop me from having so much fun exploring the city; mainly Bandar Seri Begawan as much as I could. Compared to Malaysia, the Brunei currency exchange rate is higher. Thus, everything in Brunei is more than double of everything in my country. Having said that, I was slapped with almost having to pay an equivalent of RM90 for a taxi ride from Muara Ferry Terminal, soon after arriving in Brunei. Fortunately, there was a bus waiting at the same time.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN-laOQDflESkPtTDzzxtPknHY0LRPnZElxuyEa4ELw8WX1x2Dd-jaQi9Y-AmiPVaDh-NC5VO3cj8RkhCKR6Q_A3lmC_4huKUNvpKAJjIrLRrut34DG2cK9-PEID5Qmpj3Gcopoez4i4/s1600/IMG_6244_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN-laOQDflESkPtTDzzxtPknHY0LRPnZElxuyEa4ELw8WX1x2Dd-jaQi9Y-AmiPVaDh-NC5VO3cj8RkhCKR6Q_A3lmC_4huKUNvpKAJjIrLRrut34DG2cK9-PEID5Qmpj3Gcopoez4i4/s320/IMG_6244_wm.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGodfF0Goc1jA-pSBrc-fNIbn1NRwXce1Q462G_t4_igqMUYpuDPtD2ScNkkSB6zGb4j6cfNd0SdWURqZBY3aYINM070x4CbjxpxcXKLACAKkm2RKDvz-GvHjucHm3lTVR0iE-QtLthA/s1600/IMG_6274_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGodfF0Goc1jA-pSBrc-fNIbn1NRwXce1Q462G_t4_igqMUYpuDPtD2ScNkkSB6zGb4j6cfNd0SdWURqZBY3aYINM070x4CbjxpxcXKLACAKkm2RKDvz-GvHjucHm3lTVR0iE-QtLthA/s320/IMG_6274_wm.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, if you only have one day to visit a new country, please do take time and browse information of where and what to do while you are there, in advance. This, would definitely save you time and money but at the same time maximizing your experience within the limited amount of time you have. Brunei is famous for its ecotourism. There are loads of interesting floating villages that would allow you to experience nature and culture while cruising on speedboat along the beautiful river. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I stayed in Gadong, an area that is about 20 minutes taxi ride from Bandar Seri Begawan. The hotel I stayed is more or less for business traveler, so the services offered are pretty much basic. Surprisingly, this is one of few hotels that offered cheap rates. With very little option of public transportation, I recommend you to find hotels in Bandar Seri Begawan itself to gain easier access to places of interests as well as public transportation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was advised by a fellow friend to ask the hotel reception counter for a private day tour. Basically there are individuals who offer drive-around services; much cheaper than the organized day tour by travel companies. Me and my friend were picked up by the driver after our breakfast and we went around the city for several hours. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since Brunei is a Muslim country, it is a MUST to visit significant mosques that are known to be the landmarks of Brunei. We visited two very beautiful and unique mosques that are highly recommended in travel websites; the 1) <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com.my/Attraction_Review-g293938-d455628-Reviews-Jame_Asr_Hassanil_Bolkiah_Mosque-Bandar_Seri_Begawan_Brunei_Muara_District.html" target="_blank">Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque</a> and 2) <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com.my/Attraction_Review-g293938-d317479-Reviews-Omar_Ali_Saifuddin_Mosque-Bandar_Seri_Begawan_Brunei_Muara_District.html" target="_blank">Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque</a>. Each mosque is unique by design and architecture. While Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque has a very distinct and bold design with beautiful landscape surrounding, the Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is located next to the famous Sungai Kedayan with its own articifial lagoon. Luckily for both my friends and I, later that evening one of our friend drove us to visit both mosque again - giving me the chance to experience the beauty of these landmarks after the sun down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the visit to these mosques, our driver made a pit stop in front of <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com.my/Attraction_Review-g293938-d541851-Reviews-Istana_Nurul_Iman-Bandar_Seri_Begawan_Brunei_Muara_District.html" target="_blank">Istana Nurul Iman</a>, the home for the Brunei royals. It is said to be the biggest residence building in the world, with more than 1000 people residing in the 'palace'. If you happened to be in Brunei during Eid'fitr, probably you would be able to enter the palace area, as the Sultan will open the gate and invite people to join him and the royals for feast. Nonetheless, a visit to the entrance of the palace would also bring a lot of amazement, at least to me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Soon after we left Istana Nurul Iman, we had the chance to learn a bit about Brunei history at the National Museum. The museum itself is not that big but at least I was able to learn more about the country. Coming back to town from the museum, I was able to see floating houses - it was the famous Kampung Ayer. Some reviews said that Brunei's Kampung Ayer is the Venice of the East. The riverbank were in the process of beautifying, that would allow better infrastructure and more comfortable sightseeing to be done. We made a stop at a newly built rest area, facing exactly towards the floating village. I was approached by a guide asking if I would like to ride on a boat and tour the village. I didn't have enough time at the time, so I had to skip the offer. It was a bit unlucky, but a river tour is actually recommended.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our day tour ended early, since we had to get ready for a dinner on board a cruise ship at Muara Port. My schedule was so tight we had to skip lunch and had snacks instead. The area nearby the main Bandar Seri Begawan bus terminal has many choices for food. If you are planning to tour by foot, which is relatively safe and comfortable, just take note that Brunei's weather can be quite hot and humid. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For more information about Brunei, check out the official <a href="http://www.bruneitourism.travel/" target="_blank">Brunei Tourism website</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is the episode for this short travel from the <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgBEXWj8y88p7KswJRna-1YhqIOMmuqCs" target="_blank">Makiko Travel Journal Series</a></b>.</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yB0_n6ckET8" width="560"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-19479103871619476772013-05-24T04:04:00.001+08:002013-05-24T04:04:35.793+08:00[TIPS] Fly to Busan and Seoul Cheap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been planning for a trip to Korea for many months. This would be a great opportunity, actually.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.airasia.com/my/en/home.page" target="_blank">Air Asia</a>, the low cost Malaysia airlines is having another awesome promotion for the next quarter's travel planning. This promotion runs until 2nd June 2013 for those traveling between 1 June to 30 September 2013. Obviously this promotion is mainly for the summer holiday coming up soon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For a budget airlines, usually promotion price will be offered way, way, way much earlier than the season itself. However, believe it or not, <a href="http://www.airasia.com/my/en/home.page" target="_blank">Air Asia</a> is actually giving an almost last minute opportunity for you to buy the ticket at a very low rates. Plus, the price is all inclusive - so there is no need to fear for the hidden cost.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just in case you have no clue of what to do in Korea (aside from KPop stuff), why not check out this website by Tourism Korea - <a href="http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/index.kto" target="_blank">Korea be Inspired</a>. Here you will have the chance to check out places and things to do in Korea as well as customize your trip. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>So, why wait? Go and start booking on the official Air Asia website.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>PS. For those who are skeptical of this too-good-to-be-true offer, recently I actually flew with Air Asia to Indonesia at a very cheap price (4 persons, all inclusive, return flight only at US$200).</i> </span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-78495881138240997892013-05-23T00:48:00.001+08:002013-05-23T00:48:52.895+08:00[EVENTS] Colours of 1Malaysia<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For many years, Tourism Malaysia has been organizing this event in view to showcase the magnificent touch of the richness of cultures in Malaysia. Since I was in school, it is one of the most anticipated event for me to attend. Especially since I used to do traditional dance together with my friends, back in the days.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Picture source directly from Tourism Malaysia event page</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those who are in Kuala Lumpur, this weekend, mark you calendar. Come down to Dataran Merdeka to experience the sound, the sight, the colours and the excitement of Colours of 1Malaysia. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Details of this event can be obtained straight from <a href="http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/my/Web-Page/Events-n-Festivals/2013/5/Colours-of-1Malaysia?evty=2013&evtm=5&page=/2" target="_blank">Tourism Malaysia website</a>. Nonetheless, just ask any of the hotels in town, they would definitely know about this event.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Venue: Dataran Merdeka, Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Date: 25 May 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-32531079680708756652013-05-18T04:50:00.000+08:002013-05-23T00:31:25.235+08:00[Coming Soon] Content to be reorganized and updated <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I started this blog in 2008, it was meant for her personal opinions and ideas. My main focus was to have a space to share experience as well as general opinion about various topics; written in English. Although, occasionally there were entries in Malay and Japanese language, I had made more effort at pursuing writing in English.<br />As my writing development expands, this blog direction had also came to a single focus – travel. About less than a year ago, I have spent about two days changing and tweaking the blog design and content; making it easier for readers to browse through the content and stuff.<br /><br />
<b>Upcoming streamlined content </b><br />As I travel more in future, I wish to be able to continue sharing experience and information related to all those journeys. This includes numerous pending travel entries currently on my plate. <br />Travel contents shall be divided into several categories. If you are looking into informative article related to a specific place or events or travel-related product and services, you can look them up easily at the category section. <br />Of course since my entries are mainly inspired by my personal travel and journeys, there will be sections where I will be writing personalized travel stories. <br /><br />
<b>Consistent content publication </b><br />It’s been several months since 2013 arrived, but the blog had only five entries. Starting from June 2013, I will be posting regularly with at least 4 articles per week. I would try to post entries consistently according to category every week. <br /><br />
<b>My old and Non-travel related entries </b><br />So, what will happen to my old entries? They will still be available for browsing and reading in this blog. Of course, the old entries (except for travel related stories) would be stashed into a specific category (non-travel posts). Since I also have another blog now, selected few of the old entries would probably be reposted in that blog. <br /><br />Check out my second blog - </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>My Diamond Tears</i> (<a href="http://my-diamond-tears.blogspot.com/">http://my-diamond-tears.blogspot.com</a>)<br /><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Searching for Makiko S online </b><br />I am also a guest writer at The Daily Roar, an international travel blog focusing on South East Asia (SEA) region. <br />Check out the blog at: <br />The Daily Roar (<a href="http://thedailyroar.com/about/">http://thedailyroar.com/about/</a>)</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Surely, if you “google-d” Makiko S, there will be list of search items available. I am available on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube (links are below). Also, you can always click on the category tab above to head straight out to YT, G+ and FB.<br /><br />
Facebook (Makiko S & Thumbelina@KL)<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MakikoS.and.ThumbelinaKL">https://www.facebook.com/MakikoS.and.ThumbelinaKL</a> <br />Google+ (Makiko S) <br /><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/104389974626637182334/posts">https://plus.google.com/u/0/104389974626637182334/posts</a> <br />Twitter (@MakikoSaba) <br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/MakikoSaba">http://www.twitter.com/MakikoSaba</a> <br />Youtube (Makiko S) <br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/nurdiyanahikma" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/user/MakikoS</a><br />Instagram (@MakikoSaba) <br /><a href="http://www.instagram.com/makikosaba">http://www.instagram.com/makikosaba</a> <br /><b><br />
Interact with Makiko S? </b><br />Leave a comment here on the blog or just follow any of the social media links to allow you have direct interaction with me. I am usually available for chat or even video chat on FB and Google+; come and say ‘Hi’ to me ^_^</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-56295449758198886632013-04-27T04:51:00.002+08:002013-04-27T04:51:38.077+08:00[Snippet] Catching a Moment - Finding way to a hidden island<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been trying to recall memory so I could start writing something about my first and previous adventure in Taiwan. Here is a short snippet of the story that I wrote for an application to another opportunity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>It was already day 41 when I arrived in Fuzhou. Next stop on my travel list was Nankan Island. The only ONE online guide found mentioned about ferry service between Fuzhou and this small island. As I was struggling with the hotel receptionist in Chinese, suddenly a guy, who was sitting on the couch next to the counter, said, “Do you want to go to Nankan?” in his weird Chinese accent.</i></span><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Soon, I found myself so nervous and agitated.<br />This big and serious looking guy suddenly appeared next to me with so much determination trying to convince me that he could bring me to Nankan the next day. I was not ready to follow a stranger while traveling alone.</span></i><br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Read more at <a href="http://journals.worldnomads.com/makiko_s/story/99575/Taiwan/Catching-a-Moment-Finding-way-to-a-hidden-island" target="_blank">WorldNomads.com</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The awesome pictures of this magical island are available on the MakikoS & Thumbelina@KL Facebook Page in <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.226168674105127.60573.152787654776563&type=1&l=94c7ac3b26" target="_blank">"Discovering Nankan Island, Taiwan"</a></b> photo album.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Due to the messy traveling schedule I am currently dealing with, I have to delay (slightly) the writing and posting of new travel stories. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>NEXT DESTINATION: Indonesia</b></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-22798052119807592182013-02-26T08:05:00.000+08:002013-12-12T18:57:33.447+08:00[How-to] From Kota Kinabalu, Sabah to Brunei Darussalam by SEA<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a delayed post for a short travel journey completed in December 2012.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After so many years being in Borneo, I finally had the chance to make my way and get my passport stamped. For those who are wondering why am I making it such a big fuss over passport-stamping while I am being in the famous Borneo Island, here is a question for you - Do you know that Borneo, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_islands_by_area">third largest island in the world</a> (minus the continental landmass), is home for people of three countries?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did you manage to <i>google</i> the fact? <b>YES</b>. Borneo Island is the home for Malaysian, Indonesian and Bruneian. Enough on geography trivia, here is the travel story of Makiko sailing the South China Sea and exploring <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com.my/Tourism-g293937-Brunei_Darussalam-Vacations.html">Brunei Darussalam</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_V-AbqhACr3PenR-bNsEH-UfeAdHdEHjKrZOboVkoiADalWny6zbXphXXg7kHwnXkYJAlrKd5YSvGbfUyo0TBdHpS3rBQY3yc6ozSgHT6E_lnrrgbW6NfbBKbfdX87eBP6SbZTqJ6AU/s1600/IMG_6231_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_V-AbqhACr3PenR-bNsEH-UfeAdHdEHjKrZOboVkoiADalWny6zbXphXXg7kHwnXkYJAlrKd5YSvGbfUyo0TBdHpS3rBQY3yc6ozSgHT6E_lnrrgbW6NfbBKbfdX87eBP6SbZTqJ6AU/s320/IMG_6231_wm.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With only three (3) days of working holiday given in December, I wanted a quick yet convenient method of traveling for me for this trip. I was in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah MY. It is not a hidden secret over the options available for Kota Kinabalu - Brunei route. For many people who loves traveling by land, hiring a car or getting on a bus from the capital city of Malaysia's land below the wind state to Brunei are probably the best choice. Whether you do it by car or bus - both are popular options.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQrmDQq6jnCyh5HP1Dx8zRue0mYthDU0TNXK4kGb5-IbF9xy1yhKuZhzshOrM9rZAlKrXx8TOeB-RVssQeVObPvXfBv_Lgp6eEM_0WegLF4MNKY77grvH9jY8vpqqpwExSrkh9GZz9wk/s1600/IMG_6299_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQrmDQq6jnCyh5HP1Dx8zRue0mYthDU0TNXK4kGb5-IbF9xy1yhKuZhzshOrM9rZAlKrXx8TOeB-RVssQeVObPvXfBv_Lgp6eEM_0WegLF4MNKY77grvH9jY8vpqqpwExSrkh9GZz9wk/s320/IMG_6299_wm.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Making your way to Brunei from Kota Kinabalu by wheels will take few hours (approximately half day). However, the roads conditions are something that you need to be concern of. Those who are not used to driving on narrow roads with big vehicles passing (a lot), may want to rethink of self-driving. Buying bus ticket would probably a better choice - this of course would include you sitting in a bus with adventurous drivers using the same roads mentioned; if you were to drive on your own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When it comes to traveling, I have this weird obsession with doing it differently (or in other words - following less popular methods or/and routes). I have heard about going to Brunei by ferry; so I began to surf around the internet hoping to get usable information about this. After reading few blogs and recommendations, I decided to take the sea for this Brunei's adventure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is what you should do if you decide to follow this option:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutRwMhIOIi1kfQiba_qJYRsKUzpOKcPyzNSMxkyipOHb1S-MkGR0O60naAbZaunMNR46ylqcGWXfNJkyCN1n_EuZnSUzwzStmBGofZ0EYBI1hxSwi2l_a5j4v6L3hA1Wrl9V_HBMnKSs/s1600/IMG_1221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutRwMhIOIi1kfQiba_qJYRsKUzpOKcPyzNSMxkyipOHb1S-MkGR0O60naAbZaunMNR46ylqcGWXfNJkyCN1n_EuZnSUzwzStmBGofZ0EYBI1hxSwi2l_a5j4v6L3hA1Wrl9V_HBMnKSs/s320/IMG_1221.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make sure you </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>wake up very early*</b></u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> on the day of departure,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Find your way to </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://jesseltonpoint.com.my/">Jesselton Point</a></b></u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> in Kota Kinabalu,</span></li>
<li><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u><a href="http://jesseltonpoint.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=4">Buy a ticket</a></u></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> at the designated counter at Jesselton Point,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Walk straight up to the jetty,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wait for the ferry until being called for embarkment.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After 3 hours of ferry trip, you'll arrived at the Labuan International Ferry Terminal.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Disembark the ferry - you'll have a short break here.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before going back to the terminal, make sure you head to the ticketing counter - you need to pay <b><i>terminal tax</i></b> separately.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hop into another ferry (but before that you'll need to go through immigration scanning and check),</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another one and half hour journey on water; and you'll see the Muara Port out the window of your ferry.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Disembark at Muara Ferry Terminal and go through the immigration procedures. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You have arrived on the land of Brunei Darussalam. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Oh!!! Just in case if you felt dizzy after you stepped foot on the ferry terminal - don't be surprised. You've just travelled a total of four and half hours on sea.</i></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><b><u>Important notes:</u></b></u></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZD23tN7bh_NrdU3E7BxFlFISPJHtG-RnMrtK45Scce21FHPFM4PxYp-RcwPpbhdCW222UvJmjV8o9UaUuHTw8vqUu1KYZq3TysZLhhNmTPe29P5sz9KQr_6upI59zWF-fYvOVcMGlXE/s1600/IMG_6232_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZD23tN7bh_NrdU3E7BxFlFISPJHtG-RnMrtK45Scce21FHPFM4PxYp-RcwPpbhdCW222UvJmjV8o9UaUuHTw8vqUu1KYZq3TysZLhhNmTPe29P5sz9KQr_6upI59zWF-fYvOVcMGlXE/s200/IMG_6232_wm.jpeg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I say wake up very early; this is because there is ONLY <u>two ferry services</u> available from Kota Kinabalu to Labuan (required transit before heading to Brunei) in a day. If you want to arrive in Brunei on the same day, then you MUST take the first ferry - that departs at 08:00hrs. For more information, you can check out <b><a href="http://jesseltonpoint.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=4">Jesselton Point official website</a></b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>If you missed the first ferry, you could still get on the next one in the afternoon, but you would need to spend the night in Labuan Island. The day I went to Brunei, the second ferry to Labuan was cancelled. Had I missed the first ferry, I probably would have to run to the bus station).</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>******</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCE8HWnac5qgta2sqUI-96-od5woY5i30fp43fXGC3o2AuutSNpNys5INUNmJbgoQz6rqxNA5ILUxzwsatXjbeJNc-T1-MTACg7wh0mrf4XC-Ykk9unYuoONpyB-qxVVxFTq2uH-u-LM/s1600/IMG_6301_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCE8HWnac5qgta2sqUI-96-od5woY5i30fp43fXGC3o2AuutSNpNys5INUNmJbgoQz6rqxNA5ILUxzwsatXjbeJNc-T1-MTACg7wh0mrf4XC-Ykk9unYuoONpyB-qxVVxFTq2uH-u-LM/s200/IMG_6301_wm.jpeg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brunei is probably one of the few small countries in South East Asia, but that doesn't mean it is easy to travel from point A to point B.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJLk0AJwaPGGDN5BwWpLPakhWdA1TmYgxsM7VIyhVuy2c90ue7NVpfF3wuIfKqiwo9bS5E9MARN5A5kJ63usRh7vieuKnGxIRZvalXwcOGQ2tM2VvAz5_hSEUWT9Ot0MUWqoMJnjKvGY/s1600/IMG_6237_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJLk0AJwaPGGDN5BwWpLPakhWdA1TmYgxsM7VIyhVuy2c90ue7NVpfF3wuIfKqiwo9bS5E9MARN5A5kJ63usRh7vieuKnGxIRZvalXwcOGQ2tM2VvAz5_hSEUWT9Ot0MUWqoMJnjKvGY/s200/IMG_6237_wm.jpeg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After arriving at Muara Ferry Terminal I had to find my way to the capital city of the country - Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB). There was a taxi waiting outside the terminal building. Although I kinda knew that the taxi would be a bit expensive (due to the exchange rate between MYR and BND), I went on to ask the taxi driver. The journey from Muara to BSB would be about half an hour, and the expected taxi fare would be around BND 42-45. <i>Of course I immediately panicked - my brain started to make the calculation. If I choose taxi, probably I would end up starving the next day.</i> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_ZqBQUxOwMouE-cxdB9L8DfGiE0_KfD4wq10c55uf-LIANttg_AvRLrN4t8n7yJqxZt73DB2OLJFaQVIs0-N5t2rD5N6NFfnA1WSjv7MlWAHF8JEw58-0A3b4g27HKGmV6rue_nPFVM/s1600/IMG_6236_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_ZqBQUxOwMouE-cxdB9L8DfGiE0_KfD4wq10c55uf-LIANttg_AvRLrN4t8n7yJqxZt73DB2OLJFaQVIs0-N5t2rD5N6NFfnA1WSjv7MlWAHF8JEw58-0A3b4g27HKGmV6rue_nPFVM/s200/IMG_6236_wm.jpeg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lady luck was on my side. While my head was spinning from the exchange rate calculation, I saw a small purple bus ahead of me. I said thank you to the taxi driver and walked up to the bus. I asked the driver and he said the bus fare from the ferry terminal to BSB's bus terminal was (ONLY) BND1.00 - <i>thank god!!!</i> He also mentioned that the I need to change bus at Muara bus station (which is more like an empty parking lot where many busses rest); that doesn't cost me anything - I just had to show the same ticket to the bus conductor.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PljD_BL2J-T3gHLWBnSK3jpkjGWKfhJ8J8QS2fLAKqJ_cBKlIpSFKbEUka2qj4AfuDRfN2MJXISi9UEaD5mDcBIGsseKY-athS_9qOKWRls5G4HV7wGSV1XFPxDZBmq3UkDgH1K3zEo/s1600/IMG_6238_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PljD_BL2J-T3gHLWBnSK3jpkjGWKfhJ8J8QS2fLAKqJ_cBKlIpSFKbEUka2qj4AfuDRfN2MJXISi9UEaD5mDcBIGsseKY-athS_9qOKWRls5G4HV7wGSV1XFPxDZBmq3UkDgH1K3zEo/s320/IMG_6238_wm.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My general opinion on the local bus ride - If you are not an adventurous person, you might be taken by surprised by the comfort level of the entire 45 minutes journey from Muara to Bandar Seri Begawan. The bus was small, soon packed with the locals, cruising relatively fast on regular bumpy roads and of course with no air-conditioning - natural air flowing from the opened windows. By the time I arrived at BSB bus terminal, it was already almost 4pm.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2E-PF06XDS7lcXWp5mszIuPgPrCz0FtqxWnKxzjXLMZoMlkGsK3pfcmze4mdoEyzObKv0DLE01sUdoMJ3Mdf71AYOj4WW3Ubj513XZoIu_Diye03G0ZTpFcITBxDU-NuK6d-t2WtVbZM/s1600/IMG_6234_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2E-PF06XDS7lcXWp5mszIuPgPrCz0FtqxWnKxzjXLMZoMlkGsK3pfcmze4mdoEyzObKv0DLE01sUdoMJ3Mdf71AYOj4WW3Ubj513XZoIu_Diye03G0ZTpFcITBxDU-NuK6d-t2WtVbZM/s200/IMG_6234_wm.jpeg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On that day alone, I have taken two ferries and two busses; but my actual pit stop was a hotel in Gadong - another 15 minutes' drive from BSB bus terminal. Since my friend from Kuala Lumpur was already waiting for me at the hotel, so we could both go for some food (she was waiting for me for her lunch, errkkk...late lunch I supposed); I had no choice but to take a taxi instead of looking for connecting bus. In the end, at least I only spent about BND15.00 for the taxi fare (<i>I did cry in heart while paying</i>). The taxi driver, however, was kind enough to recommend me few places to visit and gave his contact card, just in case I needed transport while I was in the city.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you all are wondering how I felt when I reach the hotel, I must say that I had so much fun while traveling from Kota Kinabalu to Gadong district in Brunei. It's just me, <b><i>"when Makiko travels, she always look for challenging ways doing it"</i></b>.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-64239776725879370242013-01-05T12:57:00.000+08:002013-01-05T12:57:04.958+08:002013: Turning 5 and going strong<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The calendar shows that it is almost a week since 2012 left us. Last year was a quiet travel year for me. Nonetheless, I managed to roam around Tokyo and for the first time traveled to Brunei successfully.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I started writing on this blog, my intention was to share information and opinion with all of you. This year, "Reality Check: The Air We Breathe" is turning five (5). I will still be sharing information and ideas, except it would be everything related to traveling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2013 travel calendar is yet to be finalized but there is news for everyone. I will definitely be traveling to the Philippines and Laos in this first half of the year. So, look out for interesting entries related to the travel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Check out this blog's fan page on Facebook as well as my Youtube channel to get to know more about Makiko S (click the links on the tab above shown on this blog).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy two thousands and thirteen, my dear readers and fans. I will look forward towards creating more meaningful experience together with all of you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-54959404830228189682012-11-15T16:31:00.001+08:002012-11-15T16:31:22.949+08:00[NEWS] Bon Odori in December<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTG1RyPS7daMOx-ofXY27_YWK_I8o2hNkek_6pjApqY5pAePLl-5Ze868NOi7_u3DwLo0YVNaGdpSFRn2PrVy2cKJ6yNa1Y1YOTSK2AwQgePzyub7oJJZxCaVKAASj2YrIVYObTRwS40/s1600/680391_10200089409464771_920730893_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTG1RyPS7daMOx-ofXY27_YWK_I8o2hNkek_6pjApqY5pAePLl-5Ze868NOi7_u3DwLo0YVNaGdpSFRn2PrVy2cKJ6yNa1Y1YOTSK2AwQgePzyub7oJJZxCaVKAASj2YrIVYObTRwS40/s320/680391_10200089409464771_920730893_o.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bon Odori festival is commonly celebrated in Japan in summer. According to Wikipedia, the festival of Obon lasts for three days; however its starting date varies within different regions of Japan. When the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_calendar">lunar calendar</a> was changed to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregorian_calendar">Gregorian calendar</a> at the beginning of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_era">Meiji era</a>, the localities in Japan reacted differently and this resulted in three different times of Obon. "Shichigatsu Bon" (Bon in July) is based on the solar calendar and is celebrated around 15 July in eastern Japan (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kant%C5%8D_region">Kantō region</a> such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo">Tokyo</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokohama">Yokohama</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tohoku_region">Tohoku region</a>), coinciding with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%ABgen">Chūgen</a>. "Hachigatsu Bon" (Bon in August) is based on the lunar calendar, is celebrated around the 15th of August and is the most commonly celebrated time. "Kyu Bon" (Old Bon) is celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, and so differs each year. "Kyu Bon" is celebrated in areas like the northern part of the Kantō region, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%ABgoku_region">Chūgoku region</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shikoku">Shikoku</a>, and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryukyu_Islands">Ryukyu Islands</a>. These three days are not listed as public holidays but it is customary that people are given leave.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Several other countries than Japan have also adopted the spirit of Bon Odori in celebration to the unique Japanese culture and traditions. In Malaysia, annually the festivals are held in Shah Alam, Selangor and in Penang. This year, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Look East Policy in the country, University of Malaysia Sabah is proudly bringing the festival to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Perhaps the most interesting part of this event would be the date itself - 1 December 2012. Just as we start the countdown to mark the conclusion of 2012, the organizer aims bring the public closer to the Japanese cultural attributions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Further details to the event, you may visit the organizer's facebook event page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/186808224777802/" target="_blank">here</a>. Tickets are sold at RM10 and believe me, this is cheap considering the activities and items prepared for everyone to have fun with. So, anyone who happened to be in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah on the said date why not add this to your travel calendar? One thing that I know, I am a big fan of Japan and since I am in town...most definitely I will make my way to the venue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">皆さん、いっしょうに行きましょう。</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-61521697419265298422012-11-02T17:18:00.001+08:002012-11-02T17:18:08.361+08:00[Travel] Tanjung Lipat in Kota Kinabalu<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kota Kinabalu is a famous city facing the sea. One no need to travel far to enjoy the sea breeze of Kota Kinabalu. About 20-25 minutes driving from the city center heading towards the biggest university in the state is Tanjung Lipat beach. I had the opportunity to join a barbecue party in early October 2012 there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although the weather was unpredictable throughout the week, we were lucky that the rain stopped just in time when we all had arrived there. I didn't take any picture but had made a video instead to show the area of the open beach. The city council had made the open beach area beautiful and prepared basic necessities for families and groups to enjoy the sea while doing fun activities.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-51080146505179359892012-10-10T14:12:00.002+08:002012-10-10T14:12:48.699+08:00[TIPS] AirAsia X launches premium flatbed deals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.airasia.com/iwov-resources/my/en/images/mb/mb-aax-come-to-bed-myen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.airasia.com/iwov-resources/my/en/images/mb/mb-aax-come-to-bed-myen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For no-frills airlines travelers in Malaysia, you may want to check out the latest promotions from <a href="http://www.airasia.com/" target="_blank">Air Asia</a> for selected Asia travel routes. As reported on The Star - </span><a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/10/10/nation/12147322&sec=nation" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">AirAsia X launches premium flatbed deals - Nation | The Star Online</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, special fares on premium flatbed are available for travelers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Budget savvy travelers (like me) usually fly with no-frills airlines while putting aside comfort and flying luxury aside. Nonetheless, I'm sure while traveling longer hours flight (i.e. more than 4 hours journey), individuals flying would prefer to have a choice for better comfort to complement their traveling needs. While normal carriers do provide choices on economy class seats at promotion rates, travelers may only receive a simple upgrade on comfort and utilities compared to no-frills airlines at a higher price.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are flying to China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Australia from today until January 2013, you may get lucky and fly with business class treatment with Air Asia X. Online promotion is available from as low as RM799. <i>At this kind of price, you can only get basic economy travel with the normal airlines.</i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I flew Air Asia X from Taiwan back to Kuala Lumpur before and I must say, the services and comfort flying with Air Asia X is comparable with other normal air carriers, at a fraction of the normal price I usually pay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, if you are planning for this year-end travel...why not give Air Asia X a try? However, with Air Asia one needs to be extremely smart and lucky while making a purchase online. Warning!!! You may need to stay up at three in the morning (3 am) in order to see the promotion price availability, AND need to decide there and then on buying (because if you want to think first before purchase, is definitely a good idea!!!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Note: Picture above is from Air Asia website. It is for reference purposely only, readers are to visit AirAsia website directly to get more details.</i></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-65948185365639745332012-09-17T11:33:00.000+08:002012-09-17T11:33:54.825+08:00[Tips] 5 Ways to Generate Traveling Ideas<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I was growing up, travel meant two things for me; <i>balik kampung</i> (go back hometown) and <i>pindah </i>(moving). Without fail, each school holiday for me begun when I am either on a train or car - to be sent back to see my grandparents. My <i>kampung</i> was not all rural or nature, so it was not all that bad for an urban child like me. But moving to a new place gave all different meanings to travel for me. It was like a routine every few years. I could not hate it entirely because I have learned that after a certain period, I did enjoy the whole experience of knowing new environment, culture and people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, I am more than 100% sure of the originating reason for being so fond of new traveling experiences. I was born and raised to become an explorer. I could never articulate in exact words nor portray the true visual emotions of how much a traveller I am at heart. Every single minute I spend not discovering something new is making my heart and mind gone wild (inside). Sometimes I envy seeing cheerful faces on pictures and videos of people traveling around or discovering adventures. I wish I could force myself to do the same, so others could also see and feel how a journey meant for traveler like me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While finding traveling ideas, many of those times I found it very difficult (<i>surely many of you can relate this experience, right?</i>). Where to go? What to do? How to go about it? bla, bla, bla...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Certain places are highly publicized, so it is very easy to plan a travel or tour. However, there are places that are famous but you know there is more to it for you (includes the fact that we always want the experience to be exclusively unique). In this kind of cases, what kind of planning should a person do?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my years of traveling experience, these are my top five (5) ways at generating traveling ideas:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Movies, drama series, MVs (video clips)</b> - my favourite way to gain inspiration of travel planning. Many interesting places and great scenes are usually featured on movies, TV dramas and MVs. Usually when a nice place is spotted on TV, I would go to great extend to finding more information about this place. For example, it was from a Japanese drama that transpired me to dream about visiting Tokyo Tower, and when I finally made it to the destination, I was sure that at least Tokyo Tower was on my travel list.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Read and watch travel programs</b> - there are various TV program, magazines and online travel websites that provide information on destinations and tours. <a href="http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/" target="_blank">NatGeo</a>, <a href="http://www.cnngo.com/" target="_blank">CNNGo</a>, <a href="http://www.travelinternational.net/" target="_blank">Travel International</a>, <a href="http://www.worldtravelguide.net/malaysia" target="_blank">TravelGuides</a>, etc. can give you good insights and reviews of what is available for one to explore. Aside from these travel websites and channels, you can also browse for independent travel blogs for more personalized reviews.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Explore local places </b>- whenever I go out to visit local or common places, I always use some imagination and ask myself the "What-if" question a lot. So, whenever I am traveling to a new place I will prepare myself to do my usual stuffs at a new place. The easiest would be having a nice cup of coffee - having it at Starbucks in Malaysia is surely different than a Starbucks in states ^^</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Join travel groups</b> - be it <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/" target="_blank">online</a> or a real club, joining a discussion about tours and travel activities will give me ideas and help me to decide what kind of activities that can be done while I am on the road. Listen to <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/" target="_blank">those who has been to places</a> you have never been are definitely going to help set your expectation. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Set NO limit</b> - the world is created so big for us, people, to explore. At the point of generating ideas, never set any kind of limit so you can have more options. Sometimes expensive travel plan can be affordable, because all you need to do first is to discover the potential; rather than crossing a destination out from the list.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course there can be more ways for you to generate travel ideas, but the above are my top five methods when I am doing my gig. I have recently done someone very new in one of my future travel adventure. If I somehow managed to pull this gig, it will definitely be a great experience for this travel adventure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the end of the day, there is a famous saying that is very dear to me; "It is not the destination that matters, everything is in the journey."</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-10609978349006199802012-09-08T02:32:00.001+08:002012-09-09T18:54:08.200+08:00Experience Asia – Exciting prizes with Hilton and CNNGo<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">UPDATED:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The video has been part of CNNGo channel. All of you are more than welcomed to view it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been a quite month for this blog but worry not, dear readers; as I am gathering more exciting travel stories for everyone's to enjoy. In the meantime, help me grab an opportunity to win interesting travel prize from Hilton and CNNGo.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. First, please visit this link </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://adfeature.cnn.com/stayhilton/experienceasia/video/gallery.php?orderby=likes"><b><i>Experience Asia – Enter to win exciting prizes with Hilton and CNNGo.</i></b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://adfeature.cnn.com/stayhilton/experienceasia/video/gallery.php?orderby=likes)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Second, find my self-made video title "<b>Love for Travel - A Story</b>"</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBT1LgLBN_DYdJb1NRDiEyVV7iP6flTgdHDbgUW6OeG_qR5rwKGjxINodGOhOp3oNVu5pSbX5ydp6U01HaOzeeSq0RMovQ6ydH8aUBcuK_XKAYgLm_N71WPGKoR8uh24DL1qRpHFjEdYk/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBT1LgLBN_DYdJb1NRDiEyVV7iP6flTgdHDbgUW6OeG_qR5rwKGjxINodGOhOp3oNVu5pSbX5ydp6U01HaOzeeSq0RMovQ6ydH8aUBcuK_XKAYgLm_N71WPGKoR8uh24DL1qRpHFjEdYk/s400/Slide1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Third, click on the video and of course enjoy yourself watching the short clip</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Lastly, click "LIKE" button below the video, or you can also <i>tweet</i> to share the video.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8qURJsnxkt2oDf-pEg0r_t3BGXImiGnnmUiLmYg1l-2BQnnaDx05pCxDkByZqKSyXQYvQ_esgUxgTHI6jO6szeFbErqhdieMDtyzwVWHwfuNURqs2RSZk3Wg32KfwFcm8idC0z4-Ej4/s1600/Slide2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8qURJsnxkt2oDf-pEg0r_t3BGXImiGnnmUiLmYg1l-2BQnnaDx05pCxDkByZqKSyXQYvQ_esgUxgTHI6jO6szeFbErqhdieMDtyzwVWHwfuNURqs2RSZk3Wg32KfwFcm8idC0z4-Ej4/s400/Slide2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For more exciting stories, I wish to explore every possible opportunities. This is also part of a journey. Your attention and support is extremely appreciated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See you soon!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't wait further. Just <b><a href="http://adfeature.cnn.com/stayhilton/experienceasia/video/frame.php?id=56" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a></b> to immediately view & vote..</span></div>
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</span> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-86274784962140690802012-07-12T15:39:00.000+08:002013-01-22T18:08:05.473+08:00[JAPAN TRAVEL] Hakone, discovering outside Tokyo<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I was browsing information of "What to do in Tokyo?", I found out that it was not an easy task. Since I had been to Tokyo twice in the past 10 years, many of the common <i>tourist-y</i> places had been pretty well covered. I had extra few days to myself but a very amount of budget to spend. Besides, I was also on a personal mission - testing my Japanese language ability. After ten years I realized that the Japanese is already at par with other countries at picking up English as second language. Surprisingly, while I was very happy to use Japanese language in this trip, I found more people using English quite fluently. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even before arriving in Tokyo, I was already impressed by the quality of English use in Japanese websites. When you are traveling to a country that English is not widely spoken, you need to make sure that you have as much information as possible in hand. It is something I learned; ever since I started traveling many years ago. I am sure everyone would like to less the hassle of being worried all the time, especially risking on getting lost in a foreign country <i>(although I don't mind of getting lost!!!)</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Knowing that I was going to stay in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machida,_Tokyo" target="_blank">Machida-city</a> and wanting to experience onsen, I managed to find a good website recommending a place that is not too far from Tokyo. Hakone was added on to my to-do list, upon arrival in Tokyo. I was about to go to Hakone alone, however my two dear friends, Ne-san and Yuri-san were able to clear off their schedule to spend time with me. Actually the journey from center of Machida to Hakone is only about <i>an-hour-ish</i>, depending the type of train you take. Both of my friends came separately to meet me at the train station in Machida. All three of us purchased an Hakone Freepass by Odakyu line at the station. Although three of us had different return destinations, the system for Hakone Freepass by Odakyu enables you to customize your start and end routes differently. I was indeed impressed with the flexibility. Purchasing the <i>freepass</i> was a breeze, plus the price were also quite reasonable, knowing the route and journey.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.odakyu.jp/english/course/hakone/images/fig-index-01.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://www.odakyu.jp/english/course/hakone/images/fig-index-01.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Source: <a href="http://www.odakyu.jp/english/course/hakone/">http://www.odakyu.jp/english/course/hakone/</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Regardless of the starting or end point of the trip, here is the journey route for Hakone adventure: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Hakone Machi (Lake Ashi cruise)- Togendai - Sounzan (Ropeway) - Gora (Cable car) - Hakone Yumoto (Train)</b> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItFlL_Dnkc3ZmwvFtpCF1bh7E97XXQK0DVwF95uxxod1YJCry5ZzBJpLAbIDig-0l4tRuBvHaMNLoxmglxwsInecQKR3V01ZKrqitXzizMEVqTiPM0_fc_BMfVkM5hz9uxv7yxoKDuco/s1600/IMG_5145_wm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItFlL_Dnkc3ZmwvFtpCF1bh7E97XXQK0DVwF95uxxod1YJCry5ZzBJpLAbIDig-0l4tRuBvHaMNLoxmglxwsInecQKR3V01ZKrqitXzizMEVqTiPM0_fc_BMfVkM5hz9uxv7yxoKDuco/s200/IMG_5145_wm.jpeg" width="150" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The freepass will allow you to use all type of transportations available in Hakone. My friends and I did a reverse journey of the Hakone pass route because the crowd was quite heavy considering <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Week_(Japan)" target="_blank">Golden Week (GW)</a>. Before arriving in Hakone, we made a stop just before Hakone Yumoto for lunch. It was a small station, but upon alighting from the station I could immediately see a food heaven. It was fun to see the variety of snacks and food available. One of my favourite Japanese food is soba, so for that lunch I had the opportunity to taste one of the best cold soba.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Upon arriving at Hakone Yumoto station, we were informed that the waiting time for us to get on Togendai-Sounzan (ropeway) was more than 2 hours </span><i>(someone was on a heller shouting the information!!).</i><span style="background-color: white;"> So, three of us hopped on a bus - going straight to Lake Ashi. After about 45 minutes of adventurous bus ride </span><i>(you'll feel like the body of the bus will somehow scratch the side of buildings or any retaining wall because the road was so narrow)</i><span style="background-color: white;">, I was welcomed by the great sight of the lake ashi and its surrounding. With the weather was on our side, everything I saw was just majestical and too beautiful. Next, we embarked on a watery journey crossing lake Ashi - it was some sort of a pirate ship (wohooo~~~). </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although I didn't manage to see cherry blossoms, the range of beautiful colours displayed by trees and plants was enough to mesmerize my first experience of Spring. Upon arriving at Togendai, we boarded the ropeway. Climbing up, I started to see smoke gazing out from different land area. It was Owakudani - still an active volcanic soil of Hakone. If not due to limited walking ability, I would have gone to the extend of climbing up further to the smoky area. Here at Owakudani, aside from the </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">sulphur-y</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> smell, it is also famous with 'black eggs'. Everywhere you'll see shops selling black hard-boiled eggs - somehow the sulfur of the volcanic area is causing the thick black coat of boiled eggs. Give it a try!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Going to Gora, another half journey of the ropeway, gave me an opportunity to view Fuji-san (Mt Fuji). Earlier, I was not able to view the spectacular sight of the iconic peak of Japan due to cloudy sky. That was my first experience to see Mt Fuji from such a close distance, despite of limited visibility. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Slightly just before the last cable car departed, we managed to join the crowd heading back to Hakone Yumoto station. It was getting dark and we had missed the last bus going to the area where many famous hot spring are located. Seeing many shops selling souvenirs, my friends asked me if I would like to skip onsen and just do souvenir shopping. Immediately my respond was, "I was not looking for souvenirs". So, we decided to take a taxi and head to a nearby onsen (about 7 minutes from the station). </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course nothing can beat the excitement I had when I first entered an outdoor onsen. Read more of my onsen experience in this entry, </span><a href="http://www.makiko-saba.blogspot.com/2012/05/japan-travel-experience-onsen-in-hakone.html" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">[Japan Travel] Experience Onsen in Hakone</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Due to heavy crowd, a significant amount of time was spent for queueing and super-speed walking. In the end, we missed our dinner; hoping that we could comfortably enjoy dinner while riding <i>romance car</i> for our returning journey. Instead, there was an incident that had stopped speed train service in one of the rail track. It was already 10pm when we arrived at the Hakone Yumoto station. It was almost empty, but we could see few stranded passengers waiting for the local fast train heading out from Hakone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I bid goodbye to my friends when the train reached my station. It was indeed an experience - a day of girlfriends outing. Japanese hospitality is surprisingly tough to beat; my friends continued another hour of train ride to their destination. For those who has more days to roam the beauty of the land where sun rises, go to Hakone and spend a night or two there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't forget to check out more information on Hakone from Odakyu line website: <a href="http://www.odakyu.jp/english/freepass/hakone_01.html" target="_blank">Hakone Freepass</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com2Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan35.2323553 139.106937535.1285958 138.949009 35.336114800000004 139.26486599999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-70909024144722155402012-07-08T23:07:00.001+08:002012-11-21T16:58:43.328+08:00[TIPS] Language Barrier while traveling?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If there is one thing to be nervous about, while traveling to places that English is so-not widely spoken, it would be getting the right message across. Nonetheless, many travelers would agree that despite the language barrier, one can get easily be understood if you travel with the correct attitude. In 2011, I went on a solo journey covering countries that are known to have strong culture foothold, which means I was in big trouble if I don't speak their language.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thailand-Cambodia-Vietnam-China-Macau and Taiwan were among the countries visited in the journey. The Indo-China route would be the closest area to my country for a beginner's adventure. Out of all seven (7) countries visited, I had experience traveling to three, prior to the journey. Even so, the moment I arrived in Bangkok on the first day, I could sense little nervousness of myself. Tired yet still excited, there was little verbal action of myself while trying to find my way to Ayutthaya. After few days roaming around, the courage for verbal expression had slowly crept all over myself. This was in addition to the new kind of people exposure I encountered - meeting with other backpackers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After I was done with the 2 months journey, I came to realize that in order to overcome the language barrier, a traveler must;</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Start your step with a positive attitude</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stay and keep yourself alert of the surrounding</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Never run away from the existence of other people near-and-far of you</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Always believe that people are not all bad in nature</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be brave to start a conversation (at least ask a question)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Open yourself to learn 'their' culture</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be resourceful while on the road</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Throw away the fear and shyness</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Always smile and relax your facial/ body muscles</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have faith in yourself</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even when you are traveling with a buddy, never let yourself be too occupied with him/her. The adventure starts when you reach out to the others, especially the locals. Understanding a new culture does not require verbal ability alone. An effective communication in a cross-culture setting would be the non verbal communication. So many of travelers would agree that they found it more useful to use body language or sign language to get message across while going around in foreign territories. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the end of the day, you would realize that it does not take that much effort than you originally thought. Simple hand gestures like below can make your traveling life easier (or perhaps harder?).</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402521350572156944.post-56189622023577602732012-05-21T00:00:00.000+08:002012-05-21T00:00:00.267+08:00Yosuke Saigo (西郷葉介) - rising star of Japanese music<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is no question about me loving Japan (and everything about it). My love for Japan music and entertainment industry has been too intense ever since I was in high school. Although K-Pop invasion in the past few years has affected my personal interest, I must say it is a hard act to make me let go my <i>first love</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having said so, I got one of the most memorable present for my birthday while I was in Japan - I fell in love once more. This time, after so long, I became addicted to a rising and talented singer - or should I say, performer. That short moment was somehow like those we see in drama or movie - I was getting a nervous attack trying to figure out how to survive the big city when I was charmed by the beautiful music heard. I follow the sound and immediately fell in love with the music that guy was performing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enough with my melodramatic story. I am here to actually share some information about this rising star. The first time I saw him, there is this image of an average cute young guy wearing casual shirt and pants, passionately playing his keyboard while singing in the public. On the floor, sat a super cute squirrel-bunny holding a small box - so people could chip in decent contribution for the performance of this young man.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Charmed by the song and performance, I actually bought his CD - which is actually this young man's first single. This cute and talented young man is <b>Yosuke Saigo (西郷葉介)</b>. I was seriously mesmerized by both songs performed - this is an honest statement because I have been listening to the songs again and again for more than hundred times in the past couple of weeks. If given the chance again, I would stay longer at the site and try to get more information from the singer, himself, for this blog entry. However, as usual language is the barrier; yet I am determined to write something - as a support to being his new fan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A check on his official website (</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.yosuke-s.com/index.html">http://www.yosuke-s.com/index.html</a>) is now showing his second single promotion that is due for release in June 2012. As of now, the website is only done in Japanese. I hope naturally when he is going global, an English version will be made available. Born in 1984, Yosuke Saigo is from Tokyo, who likes sashimi and everything about Dragon Ball. It is said in his website that he is aiming big for the upcoming year, and he enjoys performing music. For anyone who wants news from this talented singer, check out his official blog (<a href="http://ameblo.jp/yosuke-saigo/">http://ameblo.jp/yosuke-saigo/</a>); or find him on Twitter (@yosuke_saigo) and on facebook (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/yosuke.saigo">https://www.facebook.com/yosuke.saigo</a>).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the name of the love for music I would like to take this opportunity to thank Yosuke Saigo for making me special through your musical touch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115115841168825773noreply@blogger.com0