From Asia and Beyond

Many parts of the world will be having a long holiday this weekend to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Where are you travelling for Chinese New Year? As for us, we will have two days off ( Monday and Tuesday) next week and we’re thinking it might be an opportunity for us to go somewhere for errands. We’re not so sure about this yet, but it’ll be nice to go and at the same time visit friends whom we haven’t seen for quite sometime. If not, we could always stay back here and do something fun at the nearby beach. Sounds like a good idea?

Well, Happy New Year to all our Chinese friends!!

Do you want to see and experience a  new place without much hassles commuting or the full packed schedule of a group tour? Then, tour the place at your own pace and convenience, get a car for hire! In every city or country, there will always be services like this. Whether you book cheap car hire in South Africa or in Thailand, it’s the easiest and convenient way to go around the city.

When my Hubby went to Phuket, Thailand a few years back, he and his friend hired scooters to travel around the island. They really enjoyed the trip since they stopped at every interesting site at their own pace. People think that car or scooter rentals are expensive but their actually worth it.

We also enjoy travelling to places in Malaysia in our car at our own pace. When you travel with kids, it’s more convenient to have your own car as compared to going on a group tour. But you just have to make sure you’ve already researched the sites where you’re going and of course, you must have the right directions! Getting lost in an unknown place can be fun but the ‘fun’ only lasts for awhile. So much of time and money on gas is actually wasted by going in circles and going to places that’s not part of the plan.

It has already been more than a week since we came back from the Philippines, but my heart and thoughts are still there. It might seem cliche’ but it seems I have left my heart in the Philippines. I guess, it’s because we only stayed there for 2 weeks and for those weeks we were not really on a ‘holiday mode’ because of what happened to my family and the entire city ( flashflood brought by typhoon Washi/Sendong. So, in short, I wanted to spend more time with my family and my beloved city but sadly, we had to go back home here in Thailand because of our work.

Anyways, I’m sure we ( including my kids are missing family in the Philippines) will get over this feeling  in the next few days as we start on our normal routine and get busy with daily chores. For the meantime, we can always get in touch with family through the internet. Oh, this reminds me to buy a charger for my netbooks as it got broken last month.

Penang, Malaysia is known for its wide array for sumptuous food. Whenever we go there, we can’t just help but think about – yes, food! Imagine, while eating lunch, we will planning on what to eat for dinner! I think staying a year in Penang won’t be enough to try out all the food in their numerous hawker stalls and restaurants.

Anyways, one of my sister in law’s favorite restaurants is the Passions of Kerala. They brought us there for dinner and sure enough, we loved it there too. The food is yummy, the ambience is great and the price is very affordable.

If you’re into Indian food, I know you would be drooling at the sight of this..

Banana Leaf Rice

Chicken Curry

All the other curries and dhall

We’re currently here in Damilag, Bukidnon as my family is being ‘sheltered’ at my cousin’s house after our house was being washed away from the flood ( Dec. 15, 2011 Sendong Flood in Cagayan de Oro City).  Even if our family have lost our homes but we are still thankful to God for saving our family’s lives. Thank God for our relatives who have taken cared of us from the time of the calamity. It has been a blessing for us to be here in Damilag, as it’s far from the chaos of the city. It has provided rest for the family and a lot of time of reflection too. We will be here until the end of the year… and from there, my family has to move on and look for a more permanent place to live.

For the meantime, the kids are enjoying themselves with the big yard and garden here in Damilag. They love to run around in the field, play with the dogs and just walk around the garden. They garden looks lovely even without the garden gnomes.

Anyways, we thank God for this break that we have. After this, it’s time to face reality and move on…