Arguably the most popular place to stay within the backpacking community–Borneo Backpacker is strategically situated right smack in the middle of the city, everything is almost just a kembot away (oh well, Kota Kinabalu is just the size of Makati, so everything is really a cigarette butt flick from where you’re standing).  I love everything about the hostel, the common room, the free internet, free quick breakfast and the staff who helped us all the way.
We booked a dorm room with 10 beds and as always, Monette is the only …

After two years of traveling, people would think that we have learned to cover our bases. After numerous “planned” spontaneous trips, we are proud of how detailed our researches are from getting to one destination to another, the place we are going to stay in, the food we will try out, and the places we are going to see. So what the hell happened?
We crammed…
We had to take the flight from Clark and the schedule that was supposed to be at 6pm was moved to 4pm. The Philtranco bus going …

First, I want to apologize for not posting in the past three weeks. I guess “on the road blogging” is a talent, and in our case, a skill that is yet to be honed.
I am currently in the middle of non-English speaking China. Which part? believe me, I tried asking and all I got so far are blank faces and a solitary cricket chirping in the background. Earlier I was in a convenient store and I was asking if they have a nail cutter, the lady gave me all sorts of …

7 1/2 hours to Laban Rata…
4 hours to summit…
13,435 ft worth of intense pain, altitude sickness and freezing temperature…
So here you go beckies and gentlemen!

Kwento later…

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We’re off to Kota Kinabalu!
See you guys next week!

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“Hoy, Bawal maglaro sa kalye, patay ang Diyos!”
["You're not suppose to play on the streets, Jesus is dead"] –Aling Julie (My Mom)

This is the usual image of the holyweek observance in the Philippines. Penitensya is a traditional act of self flagellation as a form of repentance. The origin can be traced back to the colonial era of the country. Now it’s a bizaare spectacle attracting both local and foreign visitors.

Looking back, my personal memory of this occasion is more comical than spiritual.
I grew up in a traditional catholic Pinoy family. We live in a closely …

Okay, so the whole Bangkok shenanigan didn’t really came out as we expected it to be. It could possibly be the lack of funds, the wrong trail of itinerary, or it  maybe just the fact that we got fixated with the whole Angkor Wat immersion that preceded the trip. Or simply because we were tired, flat tired.
So to cap off our final night in Thailand, we decided to walk along the river until we reach Wat Arun, chill out a bit and wait for the sun to set behind the Rattanakosin skyline.
So, …