Love not hate (written two years ago)

How am I?

I don't know what has been happening to me. Has it been 4 years or 5 years? I've lost count. 

Travel to Taiwan: The Land of Meteor Garden and Milktea

If I visited this country ten years ago the purpose would be to rekindle my love for Meteor Garden (MG), which versions I have completed watching and the series that got me hooked on the whole Asian series shebang. People my age would definitely get what I mean. Hailed as the Queen of Asian drama, because it was what started it all in the Philippines, MG was a drug that people can't get enough of resulting for it to last for more than a decade. Honestly, I could still watch the whole series again and drool all over it - the only difference now is that, I'm older. And the whole teenage feels kind of sets me back from people younger than I am who would still look cute giggling and squealing. I feel like I need to forego those childlike acts now. LOL

Why I travel and how do I manage to

Whenever I meet people I know who might have seen my posts on Instagram, they ask about my travels and how I am capable of doing so. Sometimes they would ask me indirectly of how much money I make. I don't blame them for correlating traveling with money because it does require money. But the thing here is: It wouldn't have to require much if you're not a lavish or a picky traveler. As what other's say, the key is in saving and planning.

Rangoon Teahouse and why Yangon could be a place for milktea lovers

Food is what distinguishes one country from another. From street food to a typical household cooking, each country offers a different blend and taste that anyone shouldn't miss trying if they get to visit a place for the first time. Like many others, Asian countries have already established themselves globally when it comes to taste through their iconic dish. Among those are the Pad Thai and Tom Yam of Thailand, the Pho of Vietnam, the Nasi Lemak of Malaysia, and the Adobo of the Philippines. But I bet only few know of Burma's Mohinga (I prefer to call it by its old name since it sounds more lit hehe). 

Mohinga, a fish soup with rice noodles, is the national dish of Burma. Its main ingredients are fish paste, chickpea flour, lemongrass, ginger, fish sauce, and catfish broth. It is commonly garnished with coriander (see recipe). I have also seen a fried version of it at Yangon's street market.

Crossing Borders [Malaysia to Singapore]

It was my first time to cross a country border and the excitement that I had was undeniable. But it was my most unforgettable trip of last year because of the so many bloopers that we had. I can't help but laugh while remembering them.

And since mistakes teach us a lesson, I thought that I might just write about those that I have committed in this trip that other people may learn from.

Goin' astray in Malaysia (KL)

After my trip to Burma, I decided to stay in Kuala Lumpur for a few days with a friend to explore some of its known and unknown areas. Many told me that there's nothing to see in KL, but I beg to disagree. There's so much to see when you are in a different place - it is just a matter of perspective and the kind of adventure you are up to.

My Burmese Experience

It was months ago but it still feels surreal. Maybe that's the case when you unlock things that you thought you can't do but then did. Burma will always have a special place in my heart.

There are plenty of places to see in South East Asia, in fact, a lot cheaper to go to than Burma - yet I chose Burma. It wasn't intentional, but something I am very thankful for. Honestly, my choices were limited when I booked that zero fare flight ticket. The country is quite unheard of actually, so I wasn't really sure of what I am getting myself into. But the good thing about it is, when you are pressed with time and have not much option, decision is a lot quicker. And the least you know about a place makes it even more interesting to explore. 

Burma is not hailed of skyscrapers. One has to scratch off the luxurious city-vibe because you can't really have it here. But judging by my first impression of it - it sure has an intact culture and belief and an unexplored haven of authentic heritage tucked in its old villages and pagodas. Its people are interesting to get to know too! The country is not yet saturated with tourists, I presume, and I wonder why.