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What's new in 2005? > Morocco, Hungary, Slovakia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ireland, Ecuador, French Polynesia & Laos!
Jan 2005 -- Antarctica; Australia: Sydney
Mar 2005 -- Canada: Vancouver, Whistler
Apr 2005 -- China: Shanghai, Suzhou, Tongli; Morocco: Casablanca, Marrakech, Ourika
May 2005 -- Hungary: Budapest, Esztergom, Vac; Slovakia
Jun 2005 -- Belgium: Brussels, Brugge, Ghent, Michelen; U.K.: London; Canada: Toronto, Niagara Falls; Cuba: Havana, Santa Clara, Trinidad
Jul 2005 -- U.S.A.: Chicago; China: Hongkong, Shanghai, Xitang
Aug 2005 -- Czech Republic: Prague, Kutna Hora, Chesky Krumlov, Telc; China: Huanglong, Jiuzhaigou, Mounigou
Sep 2005 -- Ireland: Dublin, Galway, Newgrange, Trim, Kylemore
Oct 2005 -- U.S.A.: Portland; Ecuador: Quito, Galapagos Islands
Nov 2005 -- Japan: Tokyo, Osaka; French Polynesia: Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea
Dec 2005 -- Thailand: Bangkok; Laos: Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Vang Vieng
Mar 2005 -- Canada: Vancouver, Whistler
Apr 2005 -- China: Shanghai, Suzhou, Tongli; Morocco: Casablanca, Marrakech, Ourika
May 2005 -- Hungary: Budapest, Esztergom, Vac; Slovakia
Jun 2005 -- Belgium: Brussels, Brugge, Ghent, Michelen; U.K.: London; Canada: Toronto, Niagara Falls; Cuba: Havana, Santa Clara, Trinidad
Jul 2005 -- U.S.A.: Chicago; China: Hongkong, Shanghai, Xitang
Aug 2005 -- Czech Republic: Prague, Kutna Hora, Chesky Krumlov, Telc; China: Huanglong, Jiuzhaigou, Mounigou
Sep 2005 -- Ireland: Dublin, Galway, Newgrange, Trim, Kylemore
Oct 2005 -- U.S.A.: Portland; Ecuador: Quito, Galapagos Islands
Nov 2005 -- Japan: Tokyo, Osaka; French Polynesia: Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea
Dec 2005 -- Thailand: Bangkok; Laos: Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Vang Vieng
7 Continents in 1 Year!
January
The year began in Antarctica, or rather over the white continent.
The Tsunami that had killed many on Boxing Day brought back memory of another movie I once saw... "The Day After Tomorrow".
The movie began its opening scenes from Antarctica as well. When I first saw scenes of the catastrophe on CNN, I thought to myself... it's like scenes out of Hollywood movies! This can't be real! Same as when I saw the aircraft crashed into World Trade Center on Sep. 11!
I welcomed the new year with a bit of apprehension... that life is vulnerable to the forces of nature, that we as human beings are not as in control (of the world & environment) as we'd like to think. We have to live each moment to the fullest; not to postpone how we should live or how we should feel.
As the new year began, wake up calls are everywhere.
Awakening is the keyword. I think. Forever is NOW.
March
A very short trip on Good Friday long weekend. All in all - 5 days. It's been years since I was in Vancouver, Canada. I think may be even 10 years! Everything still looks the same though... except, I have a friend from HK who's living here now & oh boy, her kids are growing way too fast!!!
It was good to see May again, even though I did see her a few years when we were both back in HK for holidays.
I had a great time catching up with her... & gossipping about people we don't even know (hehe, mostly she did the talking as I'm not familiar with those soap stars from Korea but it seems that's the hottest "thing" ever now with the HK housewives (or we call them taitai, ie. the rich housewives) living in Vancouver.
A most relaxing holiday, despite the long distance over the Pacific Ocean.
& hurray, I bought my PSP on the day it was launched too! Cool machine... if u don't have one, go get it! Love it, love it, love it :-)))
Plus the unforgettable Alaskan Crab, hmmmm... yummy!!!!!!!!!
April
After a very short stint to Vancouver around Good Friday / Easter Sunday holidays, I am ready for more trips...
First, to Shanghai. It's been 3 years since I was here last. Perhaps my 4th or even 5th visit this time.
Brad Wilson, whom I met on my flight to Antarctica, indicated his desire to check out this city, his first to China. That was way back in February.
What?! A trip to Shanghai in the middle of winter? NO, NO, NO!!!
OK, so I got him to change it to April since I'm heading this way. I think he made the right decision. It was very pleasant & almost perfect weather the last 5 days we were here. & of course to Suzhou & Tongli as well. I think I'm quite a good guide ;-) despite all the shopping I need to do at the end of the trip.
Shanghai is more fascinating these days. Great & yummy food everywhere. *Sigh* I put on all those weight I took great pains in losing the last couple of months! What am I going to do?!?!?! BUT, I'll be back in end June for another sample. This time, to Laris. Jean Georges was great, but I think Laris could be better ;-) & indeed, it is better. I even met the chef! Cool!!!
Now, another trip in April?
Have you ever heard the song "Casablanca"? It's one of my all time favorites. & hence, when I got the chance to fly to Casablanca, I was very enthusiastic. No, I never did see the movie. So, I don't have any preconceived idea of what the place would be. All I had was the song.It was akin to meeting someone you talked to the phone all the time but never had an idea of what he/she looks like. Was I disappointed? Hm, I wouldn't say I was. But it certainly wasn't what I had in mind.
After 2 nights in Casablanca, Morocco, I flew to Marrakesh. Casablanca felt like a city where people work & trade in.
Marrakesh? To me, it felt very much like Vegas. How so? Mega-resorts, hot & dry weather, tourist-roaming city. Yes, there are some places you can get away from. I did go to the souks on my own & got an incredible stare from a Lebanese lady I met on the day excursion to Ourika. Apparently, I wasn't supposed to go there by myself! I did consider going there with a guide but the so-called guide the hotel recommended wasn't interested in taking me there when he heard me saying I'm not interested in shopping! My conclusion? Lots of opportunists in both the cities. To be fair, I did meet some very nice & friendly people too. & I was very welcome in the city. So, all in all, I must say that if one doesn't speak French or Arabic & plans to see as much as possible, the best way is to join a group tour. You might not enjoy it as much but you'll save a lot of hassle with arranging for transportation & trying to understand what others are saying! U'll also have the chance to see the Sahara! I still couldn't believe I missed that!
May
Hungary was much of a surprise as Poland had been. It's my 2nd "central" European country & as had the first one, a very pleasant surprise indeed. I was taken in by the European aura of the city of Budapest. It's chic & trendy. Very cosmopolitan & very much of the Hapsburg era. I felt like I was walking in some parts of Vienna, which incidentally, is one of my favorite cities in Europe. The others being Barcelona, Paris & Prague. I wasn't very fond of Paris on my very first visit though. This teaches us not to rely on first impression though. It took me more than 10 years to learn that lesson, lol...
While in Budapest, I met up with some of the most well-traveled people in the world. I think they have been to more than 70 countries! They are online friends whom I met through VirtualTourist.com. I met Laszlo who had visited more areas of my own country than I have had. I also met a travel writer from Lonely Planet. He's David Stanley & he used to specialise on Eastern Europe & the South Pacific Islands. The 3 of us then went on to Esztergom & Vac in Northern Hungary, close to the border of Slovakia. I then had the thrilling experience of stepping onto the lands of Slovakia without a visa! Hehe, that was truly an experience to remember by.
June
It was said... "life is like a box of chocolate". In this case, Godiva.
Still, knowing something exists do not necessary mean one has had a good grasp of it.
I was in Belgium once, eons ago.
It was one of those many nights on a European grand tour (one which I highly discourage anyone to go on!).
Since it took me more than 10 years to come back again, you could safely say it had not left me with much of an impression the first time round.
But as the saying goes, one never knows what one might get in life. So, I am back again to this country.
Little did I know its treasures & mystics. It may be small, but it is definitely packed with beauty & grace.
A country full of character & in certain aspect, a fairy tale quality to it.
Brugge, Ghent, Mechelen, Brussels ... they all mystify.
Yet, another trip in June!
"Guantanamera Guajira Guantanamera" ... that was my first intro to Cuba, just when I was a little girl. Based on a poem by Jose Marti, this song (a favorite of my aunt) was a memory from childhood. Whenever I hear this song, I almost instantly go back in time, those wonderful & full of mischiefs times...
And with that, Cuba seems like home. It was a thing from the past. Literally. Both for me as well as many Cubans who are still living there.
A glorious past ... Che ... everywhere he lives on. In spirit, in touristing.
I watched a movie on him not knowing who he was until the end of the movie. Incredible, eh?
Well, one of those things in life.
But, it's not too late, at least for me it isn't.
& I certainly hope, for many Cubans who are still struggling with life, it's not too late either.
I've mixed feelings about this country. & I have yet "processed" this insight. Hence, I shall not discuss this until I'm ready,
perhaps tomorrow, perhaps later... not now.
July
Another month had passed since my last trip to Toronto & I've to return again. Well, it's my dad's birthday & he's currently in town. Essentially, a family trip. I spent most of my time with family, relatives & friends. We took a day off to visit Niagara Falls & I was surprised at the number of casinos that have sprung up there. It's the Vegas of Canada?! OMG!
Niagara Falls is nice after a long while. Let's face it... no matter how magnificent a fall is, one simply couldn't look at it for too long. Well, I had been there countless times since university days. Hence...
But, it was nonetheless a great day to visit Niagara Falls with my cousins & parents. Something I'll remember for a long time to come.
On my way back, I visited Chicago for the very first time (well, even though I've transited many times there). Again, I fall in love with the city. It's going to be one of my favorite cities in North America.
It's walkable, it's hip & it's simply lovely!
From Chicago to Xitang, China... well, someone said I'm a little crazy.
Perhaps, perhaps... but one should not live life to regrets.
I saw a documentary on Discovery Channel recently... & that instantly made the decision to discover Xitang. A 1 hour ride from Shanghai, if you know the short-cut, that is. A very pleasant town. It's still relatively undiscovered by the world.
Most people you meet here are probably local tourists.
I like this town. It's simply full of very nice people. Not that most people in China are not nice. But here, you simply lose yourself in time as you slow down the pace & simply get to talk to people coz they are not in a hurry to earn tourists' $$$.
Xitang... remember it. It'll be a hit one fine day! I simply hope that I get to return b4 everyone discovers it!
August
My first visit to the Czech Republic. It was an amazingly enjoyable & wonderful trip.
Prague - very European. Felt somewhat like in Paris, Barcelona & Vienna. I had no idea what it was like b4 coming here. I didn't have time to look up the internet resources & hence have no expectation of the place. An exceptionally nice discovery.
For most part, the fine weather has a lot to do with it. Also, people were friendly to me. That's my personal experience, of course.
Cesky Krumlov - I met up with another online friend of mine, Oliver Schibor from Vienna & we spent 3 days discovering the southern part of Czech. There are many charming cities across the southern region & I wish I had more time here. Thanks to Oliver the trip has been full of laughters & fun! I'll be back!
September
Hollywood brings to us a world unlike anyone we have imagined possible. It's imaginative, inventive & inspirational. It's on the big screen through the lens of Mel Gibson 10 years ago where I 1st wanted to see Ireland. Well, technically. Though the entire movie is all about Scotland. I had thought then it's shot in Scotland. So, I went there instead. It wasn't satisfying for the mere fact that I had wanted to see what I saw on the screen instead... rugged coastlines, fields of green, etc, etc...
10 years have passed since that movie was made. I finally made it here.
Not planned.
Well, I didn't know where he shot the films to begin with. But on a fateful day in September, I was taken on a day tour from Dublin to Newgrange (a world heritage site where a 5000 year old tomb was discovered).
On the coach, we were told we were the lucky people that day. 16 of us. We were to visit & see the Trim Castle. Right! Where Braveheart was shot!
It was quite amazing how far a person's imagination & expertise could take on a world of different meaning & era. The world of fantasy, of hope, of courage, of conviction. Thanks, Mel! For a world so unfamiliar yet feel so homely. Kent said I'm blessed. Yes, I think I'm indeed :-)
October
It's my birthday month. So, another trip is in order.
Where to? A country I had never been to b4!
Yeah, that's a good idea :-)
Some has begun to call me a country collector. Oh well, why not?
So, Ecuador it shall be!
I suppose Galapagos because majority of people I know won't be heading there. I'm beginning a new trend of sorts. Going to places where others won't go for many reasons. Some politics, some distance, some finance. Whatever the reason is, I find myself heading those way. May be it's simply God's will. Who knows? But with Cuba as a start, Ecuador next & then French Polynesia, etc, etc. Perhaps, next year it'd be Bhutan, North Korea...
In some ways, I suppose I'm trying to live a myth. A myth which casted its seeds many years back when I watched a Japanese TV series about a girl whose ancestors were the iguanas. Strange how things somewhat affect your future without your realising it. Wherever life leads, we simply have to enjoy its tides...
November
The name Bora-Bora evokes a sense of fun, flair & french.
Well, to me, ie. I was captured by its images long time ago & had tried to venture here for at least once 2 years ago. I wasn't successful until now.
Now... even now, it took much effort to get here.
I almost didn't make it as the flight encountered some "major" mechanical problem enough for us to turn back to Narita Airport after 1 hour of flying over the sky of Japan. Yet, after an 18-hr delay, we were compensated with a most marvelous & excellent view of Mount Fuji. It was simply the best view of the mountain after my 20+ visits to this country. That sighting alone made up for the delay. It was like it's meant to be.
Bora-Bora, an island in French Polynesia, unveils even more surprises for me as the days moved on.
I had not planned to be in the water. Still, I brought my swimming costumes. Yep, I haven't swam for more than 10 years, I think. Yet, the water & the environment were so tempting; I simply couldn't resist. & for the rest of my stay at the Sofitel Motu (oh, the resort has the entire island to itself; & I almost had the entire resort to myself!) I did the incredible thing (for me, ie)... I soaked in the water, swam a bit & actually laid there under the sun doing nothing! I didn't even explore the main island much (except for a short visit to Vaitape & Novotel). & to my utmost surprise, I actually enjoyed it (doing nothing, ie)!
My next adventure came in Moorea.
After 3 nights in Bora-Bora (I was supposed to have 4 nights there but was shortened due to the flight delay) I proceeded to Moorea for the day. Well, the flight arrived early afternoon but I was told as it's the weekend, all the island-tours were not operating. If I wanted to see anything at all, I'd have to drive.
For most people, that's nothing new. For me, well, the last time I drove was about a year ago in Canyonlands. & at that time, I had Ann with me. Plus, all in all, I haven't driven more than 10X in my entire life!
This time, I was alone. But, being bored for 9 hours is just not something I can imagined myself to be. So, I went ahead & rented a car & drove around the island! It was truly fun. I think it's more a sense of independence & accomplishment that got me excited than simply the act of driving! Not to mention the view from the "Belvedere" was marvelous!
Most importantly though, I think I'm beginning to enjoy beach resorts & the sea. So, I am beginning to "see" myself checking into these places ;-)
Well, who knows, I may have "discovered" a "new" way to travel :-)))
December
Laos, the road less traveled.
It was one of the very last few South East Asian countries that I had not step foot on. So, here I ventured finally, at the end of an amazing & marvelous travel year.
I have not heard much of it before I came & have not heard much of it after I visited either.
It is a world forgotten by even the most traveled people on this planet.
Yet, Laos held a certain mysticism & captivating aura to it. Those who had been here loved it for the fact that it is still undiscovered & untouched. It is still a simple world out here compared to its neighbors like Thailand, Vietnam & Cambodia.
Laos is like a pearl waiting to be discovered at the bottom of the sea. Only those who venture far & deep into this part of Asia will find its essence & beauty. Don't take my word for it. See it for yourself!
Trips: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 < Last trip | Next trip >
January
The year began in Antarctica, or rather over the white continent.
The Tsunami that had killed many on Boxing Day brought back memory of another movie I once saw... "The Day After Tomorrow".
The movie began its opening scenes from Antarctica as well. When I first saw scenes of the catastrophe on CNN, I thought to myself... it's like scenes out of Hollywood movies! This can't be real! Same as when I saw the aircraft crashed into World Trade Center on Sep. 11!
I welcomed the new year with a bit of apprehension... that life is vulnerable to the forces of nature, that we as human beings are not as in control (of the world & environment) as we'd like to think. We have to live each moment to the fullest; not to postpone how we should live or how we should feel.
As the new year began, wake up calls are everywhere.
Awakening is the keyword. I think. Forever is NOW.
March
A very short trip on Good Friday long weekend. All in all - 5 days. It's been years since I was in Vancouver, Canada. I think may be even 10 years! Everything still looks the same though... except, I have a friend from HK who's living here now & oh boy, her kids are growing way too fast!!!
It was good to see May again, even though I did see her a few years when we were both back in HK for holidays.
I had a great time catching up with her... & gossipping about people we don't even know (hehe, mostly she did the talking as I'm not familiar with those soap stars from Korea but it seems that's the hottest "thing" ever now with the HK housewives (or we call them taitai, ie. the rich housewives) living in Vancouver.
A most relaxing holiday, despite the long distance over the Pacific Ocean.
& hurray, I bought my PSP on the day it was launched too! Cool machine... if u don't have one, go get it! Love it, love it, love it :-)))
Plus the unforgettable Alaskan Crab, hmmmm... yummy!!!!!!!!!
April
After a very short stint to Vancouver around Good Friday / Easter Sunday holidays, I am ready for more trips...
First, to Shanghai. It's been 3 years since I was here last. Perhaps my 4th or even 5th visit this time.
Brad Wilson, whom I met on my flight to Antarctica, indicated his desire to check out this city, his first to China. That was way back in February.
What?! A trip to Shanghai in the middle of winter? NO, NO, NO!!!
OK, so I got him to change it to April since I'm heading this way. I think he made the right decision. It was very pleasant & almost perfect weather the last 5 days we were here. & of course to Suzhou & Tongli as well. I think I'm quite a good guide ;-) despite all the shopping I need to do at the end of the trip.
Shanghai is more fascinating these days. Great & yummy food everywhere. *Sigh* I put on all those weight I took great pains in losing the last couple of months! What am I going to do?!?!?! BUT, I'll be back in end June for another sample. This time, to Laris. Jean Georges was great, but I think Laris could be better ;-) & indeed, it is better. I even met the chef! Cool!!!
Now, another trip in April?
Have you ever heard the song "Casablanca"? It's one of my all time favorites. & hence, when I got the chance to fly to Casablanca, I was very enthusiastic. No, I never did see the movie. So, I don't have any preconceived idea of what the place would be. All I had was the song.It was akin to meeting someone you talked to the phone all the time but never had an idea of what he/she looks like. Was I disappointed? Hm, I wouldn't say I was. But it certainly wasn't what I had in mind.
After 2 nights in Casablanca, Morocco, I flew to Marrakesh. Casablanca felt like a city where people work & trade in.
Marrakesh? To me, it felt very much like Vegas. How so? Mega-resorts, hot & dry weather, tourist-roaming city. Yes, there are some places you can get away from. I did go to the souks on my own & got an incredible stare from a Lebanese lady I met on the day excursion to Ourika. Apparently, I wasn't supposed to go there by myself! I did consider going there with a guide but the so-called guide the hotel recommended wasn't interested in taking me there when he heard me saying I'm not interested in shopping! My conclusion? Lots of opportunists in both the cities. To be fair, I did meet some very nice & friendly people too. & I was very welcome in the city. So, all in all, I must say that if one doesn't speak French or Arabic & plans to see as much as possible, the best way is to join a group tour. You might not enjoy it as much but you'll save a lot of hassle with arranging for transportation & trying to understand what others are saying! U'll also have the chance to see the Sahara! I still couldn't believe I missed that!
May
Hungary was much of a surprise as Poland had been. It's my 2nd "central" European country & as had the first one, a very pleasant surprise indeed. I was taken in by the European aura of the city of Budapest. It's chic & trendy. Very cosmopolitan & very much of the Hapsburg era. I felt like I was walking in some parts of Vienna, which incidentally, is one of my favorite cities in Europe. The others being Barcelona, Paris & Prague. I wasn't very fond of Paris on my very first visit though. This teaches us not to rely on first impression though. It took me more than 10 years to learn that lesson, lol...
While in Budapest, I met up with some of the most well-traveled people in the world. I think they have been to more than 70 countries! They are online friends whom I met through VirtualTourist.com. I met Laszlo who had visited more areas of my own country than I have had. I also met a travel writer from Lonely Planet. He's David Stanley & he used to specialise on Eastern Europe & the South Pacific Islands. The 3 of us then went on to Esztergom & Vac in Northern Hungary, close to the border of Slovakia. I then had the thrilling experience of stepping onto the lands of Slovakia without a visa! Hehe, that was truly an experience to remember by.
June
It was said... "life is like a box of chocolate". In this case, Godiva.
Still, knowing something exists do not necessary mean one has had a good grasp of it.
I was in Belgium once, eons ago.
It was one of those many nights on a European grand tour (one which I highly discourage anyone to go on!).
Since it took me more than 10 years to come back again, you could safely say it had not left me with much of an impression the first time round.
But as the saying goes, one never knows what one might get in life. So, I am back again to this country.
Little did I know its treasures & mystics. It may be small, but it is definitely packed with beauty & grace.
A country full of character & in certain aspect, a fairy tale quality to it.
Brugge, Ghent, Mechelen, Brussels ... they all mystify.
Yet, another trip in June!
"Guantanamera Guajira Guantanamera" ... that was my first intro to Cuba, just when I was a little girl. Based on a poem by Jose Marti, this song (a favorite of my aunt) was a memory from childhood. Whenever I hear this song, I almost instantly go back in time, those wonderful & full of mischiefs times...
And with that, Cuba seems like home. It was a thing from the past. Literally. Both for me as well as many Cubans who are still living there.
A glorious past ... Che ... everywhere he lives on. In spirit, in touristing.
I watched a movie on him not knowing who he was until the end of the movie. Incredible, eh?
Well, one of those things in life.
But, it's not too late, at least for me it isn't.
& I certainly hope, for many Cubans who are still struggling with life, it's not too late either.
I've mixed feelings about this country. & I have yet "processed" this insight. Hence, I shall not discuss this until I'm ready,
perhaps tomorrow, perhaps later... not now.
July
Another month had passed since my last trip to Toronto & I've to return again. Well, it's my dad's birthday & he's currently in town. Essentially, a family trip. I spent most of my time with family, relatives & friends. We took a day off to visit Niagara Falls & I was surprised at the number of casinos that have sprung up there. It's the Vegas of Canada?! OMG!
Niagara Falls is nice after a long while. Let's face it... no matter how magnificent a fall is, one simply couldn't look at it for too long. Well, I had been there countless times since university days. Hence...
But, it was nonetheless a great day to visit Niagara Falls with my cousins & parents. Something I'll remember for a long time to come.
On my way back, I visited Chicago for the very first time (well, even though I've transited many times there). Again, I fall in love with the city. It's going to be one of my favorite cities in North America.
It's walkable, it's hip & it's simply lovely!
From Chicago to Xitang, China... well, someone said I'm a little crazy.
Perhaps, perhaps... but one should not live life to regrets.
I saw a documentary on Discovery Channel recently... & that instantly made the decision to discover Xitang. A 1 hour ride from Shanghai, if you know the short-cut, that is. A very pleasant town. It's still relatively undiscovered by the world.
Most people you meet here are probably local tourists.
I like this town. It's simply full of very nice people. Not that most people in China are not nice. But here, you simply lose yourself in time as you slow down the pace & simply get to talk to people coz they are not in a hurry to earn tourists' $$$.
Xitang... remember it. It'll be a hit one fine day! I simply hope that I get to return b4 everyone discovers it!
August
My first visit to the Czech Republic. It was an amazingly enjoyable & wonderful trip.
Prague - very European. Felt somewhat like in Paris, Barcelona & Vienna. I had no idea what it was like b4 coming here. I didn't have time to look up the internet resources & hence have no expectation of the place. An exceptionally nice discovery.
For most part, the fine weather has a lot to do with it. Also, people were friendly to me. That's my personal experience, of course.
Cesky Krumlov - I met up with another online friend of mine, Oliver Schibor from Vienna & we spent 3 days discovering the southern part of Czech. There are many charming cities across the southern region & I wish I had more time here. Thanks to Oliver the trip has been full of laughters & fun! I'll be back!
September
Hollywood brings to us a world unlike anyone we have imagined possible. It's imaginative, inventive & inspirational. It's on the big screen through the lens of Mel Gibson 10 years ago where I 1st wanted to see Ireland. Well, technically. Though the entire movie is all about Scotland. I had thought then it's shot in Scotland. So, I went there instead. It wasn't satisfying for the mere fact that I had wanted to see what I saw on the screen instead... rugged coastlines, fields of green, etc, etc...
10 years have passed since that movie was made. I finally made it here.
Not planned.
Well, I didn't know where he shot the films to begin with. But on a fateful day in September, I was taken on a day tour from Dublin to Newgrange (a world heritage site where a 5000 year old tomb was discovered).
On the coach, we were told we were the lucky people that day. 16 of us. We were to visit & see the Trim Castle. Right! Where Braveheart was shot!
It was quite amazing how far a person's imagination & expertise could take on a world of different meaning & era. The world of fantasy, of hope, of courage, of conviction. Thanks, Mel! For a world so unfamiliar yet feel so homely. Kent said I'm blessed. Yes, I think I'm indeed :-)
October
It's my birthday month. So, another trip is in order.
Where to? A country I had never been to b4!
Yeah, that's a good idea :-)
Some has begun to call me a country collector. Oh well, why not?
So, Ecuador it shall be!
I suppose Galapagos because majority of people I know won't be heading there. I'm beginning a new trend of sorts. Going to places where others won't go for many reasons. Some politics, some distance, some finance. Whatever the reason is, I find myself heading those way. May be it's simply God's will. Who knows? But with Cuba as a start, Ecuador next & then French Polynesia, etc, etc. Perhaps, next year it'd be Bhutan, North Korea...
In some ways, I suppose I'm trying to live a myth. A myth which casted its seeds many years back when I watched a Japanese TV series about a girl whose ancestors were the iguanas. Strange how things somewhat affect your future without your realising it. Wherever life leads, we simply have to enjoy its tides...
November
The name Bora-Bora evokes a sense of fun, flair & french.
Well, to me, ie. I was captured by its images long time ago & had tried to venture here for at least once 2 years ago. I wasn't successful until now.
Now... even now, it took much effort to get here.
I almost didn't make it as the flight encountered some "major" mechanical problem enough for us to turn back to Narita Airport after 1 hour of flying over the sky of Japan. Yet, after an 18-hr delay, we were compensated with a most marvelous & excellent view of Mount Fuji. It was simply the best view of the mountain after my 20+ visits to this country. That sighting alone made up for the delay. It was like it's meant to be.
Bora-Bora, an island in French Polynesia, unveils even more surprises for me as the days moved on.
I had not planned to be in the water. Still, I brought my swimming costumes. Yep, I haven't swam for more than 10 years, I think. Yet, the water & the environment were so tempting; I simply couldn't resist. & for the rest of my stay at the Sofitel Motu (oh, the resort has the entire island to itself; & I almost had the entire resort to myself!) I did the incredible thing (for me, ie)... I soaked in the water, swam a bit & actually laid there under the sun doing nothing! I didn't even explore the main island much (except for a short visit to Vaitape & Novotel). & to my utmost surprise, I actually enjoyed it (doing nothing, ie)!
My next adventure came in Moorea.
After 3 nights in Bora-Bora (I was supposed to have 4 nights there but was shortened due to the flight delay) I proceeded to Moorea for the day. Well, the flight arrived early afternoon but I was told as it's the weekend, all the island-tours were not operating. If I wanted to see anything at all, I'd have to drive.
For most people, that's nothing new. For me, well, the last time I drove was about a year ago in Canyonlands. & at that time, I had Ann with me. Plus, all in all, I haven't driven more than 10X in my entire life!
This time, I was alone. But, being bored for 9 hours is just not something I can imagined myself to be. So, I went ahead & rented a car & drove around the island! It was truly fun. I think it's more a sense of independence & accomplishment that got me excited than simply the act of driving! Not to mention the view from the "Belvedere" was marvelous!
Most importantly though, I think I'm beginning to enjoy beach resorts & the sea. So, I am beginning to "see" myself checking into these places ;-)
Well, who knows, I may have "discovered" a "new" way to travel :-)))
December
Laos, the road less traveled.
It was one of the very last few South East Asian countries that I had not step foot on. So, here I ventured finally, at the end of an amazing & marvelous travel year.
I have not heard much of it before I came & have not heard much of it after I visited either.
It is a world forgotten by even the most traveled people on this planet.
Yet, Laos held a certain mysticism & captivating aura to it. Those who had been here loved it for the fact that it is still undiscovered & untouched. It is still a simple world out here compared to its neighbors like Thailand, Vietnam & Cambodia.
Laos is like a pearl waiting to be discovered at the bottom of the sea. Only those who venture far & deep into this part of Asia will find its essence & beauty. Don't take my word for it. See it for yourself!
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