Going Solo 2009

Friday 190609: it all began with my very first meal..at Macdonalds.
aft which i went exploring..on my own of course! 1st day itenary was to explore around Binondo This is Binondo Church
then i went church hopping..to QuaiPo church. it was a Friday mind u..and the crowd at the church spill out to the street. These are devotees attending Mass. There were no more seats inside Church so they stood outside the Church to attend Mass.
Inside QuaiPo Church..
Saturday 200609: This is my means of transportation, day in day out. The reliable MRT/LRT.
Singapore shd learn from the Philippines. They have a cabin for female, the elderly and children only. Of course..i went to this cabin all the time. hahaha btw it was very packed la. if u thought peak hr in sg was bad..well u havent seen Manila.
during the not so peak hrs..
I took the Jeepney..which is our version of the SBS bus. juz tt it stops anywhere and picks up passengers anywhere as well.
Visited the Chinese Cemetery. Mind u..their tombs are the size of our semi-detached houses in sg. to quote Lonely Planet "there are mausoleums with crystal chandeliers, air con, hot and cold running water, kitchens and flushing toilets (in case the interred are caught short on the way to paradise)" fyi..no one (living being) lives there. wad a pity.. was having lunch at Intramuros when i was tiz..wad an obedient dog.
Sunday 210609: i couldnt stay any longer in Manila (city of Philippines) as i was getting really bored with the city life..besides there was v little to see. the day before, i visited Department of Tourism (DOT) and Ms Tetchie asked what my preference was when it came to tourism. I said, "trekking/sightseeing". Immediately she answered, 'then u shdnt be in Manila! u may consider visiting the rice fields in Banaue..its beautiful!"

and so i did. I took the overnight bus (boarded on Sat 20/6 10pm)and early on Sunday morning at 830am, i had breakfast in Banaue Hotel and Youth Hostel. This was the spectacular view tt welcomed me..(chk out the rice fields)

My breakfast :p
mode of transport to take me up to and around the various rice fields
the villagers
kids minding their own business but i stopped to snap a pic of them hee
so lets take a look what has caught the kid's attention
a pig..with its final few breaths. it was dripping blood btw..yikes
my poor attempt at 自拍-ing
the youth hostel tt in which i stayed for the night
Monday 220609: i paid for a local guide to bring me around Banaue and who cld offer me insights to this beautiful place. stairway to heaven as they call it
ah..yes some friends i got to meet along the way. i dun rmb their names but i know they are from Penang.
another guy i got to know..he's also from Penang. He said next time if i'm going backpacking in M'sia, can ask him bring me ard. hahaha my guide..Rachel isn't it beautiful..the rice fields?
稻香
water tt irrigates the rice fields this old man taking a break under the shelter
Anila, who works at Banaue Youth Hostel..who always welcomed me with a friendly smile. i bade farewell to her and took the 5pm bus back to the hustle and bustle of city life..Manila :(
Tuesday 230609: me eating at North Park Noodle House..which serves decent Chinese food. omg, i felt so at home when eating the chilli paste which tasted exactly like tt of Crystal Jade.
the local dessert.. Halo Halo. I feel its like a combination of ching teng and chendol mixed together. It consist of ice shavings, jack fruit, condensed milk, cubedjelly in green and white, coconut slices, atapchi, nuts, red bean paste and conflakes.
Jollibean. the Philippinos craze. It's equivalent to MacDonalds.
just had to try out what is so nice abt it
Here i am at Ermita Church. was in search of some form of spiritual peace.. i was very happy to be able to attend Mass on my last evening in Manila. It's true tt everywhere u go, whichever part of the world it is, the Catholic Mass is celebrated the same way, same reading.
Wednesday 240608: the last day in Manila. Packed my bags, took some last pics of hotel i stayed in for the past 5 nites. the living room
my room where i slept. btw the aircon is very old school. u gotta turn on the switch, it doesnt work by the remote control.
where i showered.
this is hotel where i stayed for the past 5 nites. pretty expensive actually..
my last breakfast in Manila. fyi the food is either too salty or too sweet for my liking.
Leaving on e plane..back to destination Home Sweet Home.


yea if u didnt alr realised.. the 'add image' buttons has miraculously appeared back. so its back to many many pictures tt i'd love to share with you guys