Home Kong... Hong Kong...

There's a thing about Hone Kong that combines the rich cultural heritage it has and the new technologies that have arrived. I guess that's its signature, a country who knows who they are and adopts its culture towards the changing global landscapes. It also has been sort of a home, a comfort zone given that it's just a few hours away from the country and I get to spend some time with relatives.

I had the chance to exchange a weekend here to a weekend in Hong Kong since I had to use my earned miles before they expired and there it was a business class trip to HK. I'm out of places to visit in HK and fun now has been redefined to doing the things you like to do compared to packing your day trying to explore each attraction of the island. I'm gone to be a much easier and simpler person to please so four days spent just staying at home, attending my niece's party, shopping a bit, mass, a walk in the park and a trip to Ocean Park. I'm still stuck with the thought how can a very active red panda be related to the lazy giant panda but Ocean Park does provide you that mix that ranges from dolphin and seal shows, overwhelming aquariums, animal parks, hot air balloons and scary rides.

Of course, I could have so many variations from a weekend in Disney, to a cable car ride to the Golden Buddha, to appreciating the view at Victoria's Peak or navigating the city food tripping. That's Hong Kong's charm, it can give you so many alternatives from the old to the new, from the relaxing to the enchanting to the exciting and so on. It's so familiar yet it is so different and even though I've probably done those adventures, there's always a new unique experience that is worth exploring.

Universally Singapore

I'm now back with my Annual Singapore trip for work but in a country that's so known for their workaholic mindset, I managed to find some time to unwind and reconnect with friends based in the city state. I guess, that's one of the attractions that never fade, friends who have are now based in Singapore that you get a chance to meet once again.

With the fast-track development in the city-state, there's always something new to visit or to do from a walk in Skypark in the Marina Bay Sands (a bit pricey) to mall hoping in City Hall and Orchard to enjoying chicken rice in food courts or the S$1 ice cream that I love to eat to the shifting MRT lanes to shopping like crazy and to a kid-for-a-day adventure at Universal Studios. I did look forward to Universal Studios this year as I missed my chance last year due to sold-out tickets. It was fun getting to see the characters you watch in animated flicks and hop from one show to another and try out some rides in between.

I also was able to run in Singapore streets and it was very run friendly as you can run in parks or wide sidewalks in complexes or just about anywhere but you just have the hit the roads early in the morning or late at night as the it's a bit hotter in this area. I really look forward to this visits I get in Singapore more on the people I get to meet and all the places to visits are just all added attractions.

Chilling in the Bora Sun

I had my time in the Bora Sun after about 2 years from being away from the fine white sands of this Island. While the previous visits was spent on adventures, this trip was just spent to chill and relax.

It's a real change in my frenetic pace to just go on with my day with no time pressure and do what you want at the spur of the moment or at your preferred pace. It was fun just lounging around at the beach front, taking a leisurely walk along the island, listening to good music with good company, food tripping, alcohol overload, island hopping, beachside massage, sunset viewing, tattoos, parties and just being amazed by the throngs of people moving around the island and the best part about it you are not bounded by time.

Boracay has its extreme sides... a serene side during the day with all the adventures and the relaxing beach front experience and party like no tomorrow side during the night which can cater to a variety of crowd. It was a great weekend with the only downside being that I'm now burnt and roasted but who cares It's summer time and I getting burned by the Bora sun is in the order of priorities at this time of year.

Viewing the Golden Sunset

Went to join the Company Outing in Golden Sunset Resort after a crowded 10K run and a over 3 hours drive to Calatagan, Batangas. It does not help that there's not much indication how far the place is and does not even direct you when you are in the actual street already but all bad first impression aside, we were able to find the place.

The place is like a much simpler Villa Escudero, complete with the cultural shows. It holds several pools, spa, videoke, outdoor museum, butterfly sanctuary and several acres of fishponds but what sets the distinction is that when it is sunset time, it does own a splendid view of the Golden Sun as it crosses into the night. Fishing was a unique experience even if after all the attempts I just managed to catch one (Oh well, you can't have them all), The 2-hour Indulgence Massage at the pond was relaxing with the fresh breeze as an added feature. The rooms were comfy, food abundant and the amenities are reasonably priced and overall it was a nice rest and relaxation breather.

The grass is dry and looks like the summer heat has taken its toll in maintaining the lush-green look. Oh well, forget the green grass, just jump into the blue pool. It's summer time and there is no other place I'd rather be spending it than in the Ph various islands. More travel tales to come definitely...

Fun Under the Sea in Coron

It's not yet the season of vacations yet I couldn't pass up on this one. A trip to Coron has always had me interested from the stories I heard and from the pictures I saw so had to see it for myself this time around.

The place is such a dive and snorkeling haven with islets, coral gardens, sunken boat and submarine sites with a very rich diversity of its marine life. Then you have the interesting lakes lagoons with it's own features and stories... Kayangan Lake with the picturesque view and cave adventure... The Mystical Barracuda Lake with the interesting tale on how it got its name... and Twin lagoons which intersects on a towering rock partition. There's those fine white sand beaches that is still so pristine where you can relax by the 'duyan' covered by mangroves and just feel the sea breeze.

Most of the fun, you have it by the waters but the town also has its mountains to climb. We were able to take a view of the whole place in Mt. Tapyas after a 700+ steps climb and as an additional reward, we got to see the sun rise that morning. When you get to visit a place like Coron, you get to realize that nature in its simplest form is such a magnificent site.

Go-Tanical

Wasn't able to take an early flight out of Taipei so had to spend my weekend here and that includes my weekend running chores. So I decided to run in Taipei Botanical Garden after 20 minutes walk to MRT, 3 stops later and another 15 minutes walk was finally out running.

It was a cool experience or rather I should say cold being the weather at the time. It was a nice running around the garden with the trees, the rare plants, the squirrels, the lanscapes, the lake and the ever changing terrains. I always like to spend time here being such a serene place.

It wasn't my best time but considering the odds of the cold weather, I'm just glad I'm still moving after the 5 kilometer run. Of course, the downside could have me being added as a frozen monument in the park. Oh well, that didn't happen so I'd take it as a very nice scenic run.

Running the Subic Scenery

I attended my first out of town and international marathon in Subic and it was a whole new running experience and at such a reasonable budget. For all the trips I had in Subic, I rarely get a chance to stay long in this area.

Having the whole road traveling by feet, you get to appreciate the place in a different light. You get to see the nice sceneries at some parts overlooking the bay, the lush greenery and all the shops and structures. Then there's the much crisper and fresher breath of air and the not so warm early morning temperature. It was a much appreciated change of environment and it did show in time with my fastest 10K so far at 1:02.

Of course, we're still able to enjoy other features that make Subic famous. Dinner at the bay, coffee and drinks at the Lighthouse and those mouth-watering TJ ribs. Such a nice reward from a tiring fast paced run. It's just two expressway away so it won't be a surprise if I'd be lost here again sometime.