Fishing on Rainbow Lake, Arizona

Normally, Mike and I would just hang around California whenever we're in the US. On this August trip however, we revisited Rainbow Lake at the White Mountains and spent some good quiet and relaxing time with nature and doing Mike's other favorite hobby: fishing.

The White Mountains is about a 9 hour drive from San Diego. The trip is long but very scenic. Some good car games, stories, tunes, and a camera will be handy for road trips like this. A couple of years ago, we had a white Christmas here so it was nice to experience the lake at summer time.

Here are some photos of what got up to this summer:

Singapore: Hawker Food Review

                   Lao Pa Sat  vs  Gluttons Bay  vs  Newton Food Center

Apart from the night life, shopping, amusement centers, and lifestyle, Singapore is actually more known for Good Food. The eating culture in the country is huge that most everything is centered on eating and who has the best dish or dessert.

I admit, I do make trips to Singapore just to eat (well, okay apart from my regular visa runs). In fact, I hardly shop unless there is a huge sale on an item I want, but I don't hesitate getting out of the airport even on a few-hour lay-over just to get some delicious and very affordable Sg food. Hawker food to be exact.

So, Mike and I decided to eat at Singapore's top 3 popular hawker food centers and compared them:

Singapore -- Exploring Little India

Singapore -- BUGIS JUNCTION

Since Michael was confined at Raffles Hospital, I took the chance in exploring the area of Bugis, and man, did I love it!

What used to be a notorious night spot for sailors has been reinvented to a massive urban shopping district and has quickly become very popular with the locals and tourists.  More so, it isn’t only for shopping, beauty salons and restaurants can also be found here. In fact, massages and beauty services are more affordable here than other parts of the country.

Anyway, here are the reasons why you shouldn’t miss visiting this stop on the MRT especially if you’re craving for some cheap retail therapy:

Kristin's TOP STREET FOOD choices in Bali

To be honest, I am not a fan of Indo cuisine. I guess this is due to my coming from a place with amazing food and flavors, the Philippines. Also, I find dishes in Indonesia being too rich in MSG and artificial flavorings. Plus, the sambal (shrimp paste) gives me allergies.

However, there are a few that I actually really really like.

Philippines -- Baler

Beautiful BALER



Mike was busy working in Australia so I went home again to the Philippines to see family. A friend was going to Baler for the weekend and I decided to tag-along.

Philippines -- La Union

There has been so much talk about the surf in the Philippines lately, so we went to check out a popular spot up north.

sunset on the northern coast of the region

Philippines -- Chinatown

busy busy busy

Chinatown in Binondo is said to be the oldest Chinatown in the world. Established in 1594, this became the center of commerce and trade in Manila

Philippines -- Intramuros

Fort Santiago

The Philippines

photo: wikitravel.org

Mike and I were able to spend the holidays in the Philippines (admittedly due to geographical convenience and short holidays). He was finally able to try Filipino cuisine, one I’ve been marveling to him about. Of course, he didn’t pass up the chance to try the ever-famous “balut”, and he even liked it!

We were only able to do some minor traveling, less than we would have liked because of time constraints but he was still able to enjoy some of my hometown scenery, a local surf spot, and historical and cultural spots.

Philippines -- Normal Food

After all that street food adventure, It was time for Mike to try some "normal" home-cooked Filipino food.

Philippines -- Street Food Sensation

Filipino Street Food -- popular comfort food in the Philippines. They are cheap, easy to eat, flavorful, and found everywhere.

Michael loves his street food especially grilled skewers. But before I took him to get his skewer fixation, he had to pass the Balut test.

Amed

East Bali: Tirta Gangga Water Palace

After bidding farewell to Kusumajaya, we walked down the hill and a hundred meters up the road to the Tirta Gangga watergarden. I had been looking forward to visiting this site for quite a long time and hadn't told Kristin about it at all, so I was excited.

East Bali: Tirta Gangga & Kusumajaya Homestay

After visiting Pura Goa Lawah and continuing another hour north, Kristin and I were ready to settle in for the night. I had been told the best place to stay in Tirta Gangga was the Kusumajaya Homestay. Sitting halfway up a mountain, the site overlooks the beautiful valley below. It's not the easiest place to find, but we didn't mind exploring the surrounding area's rice terraces before finally arriving at our destination.

East Bali: Pura Goa Lawah

Pura Goa Lawah is one of six temples known as the Sad Kahyangan, or the 'six temples of the world'. The Balinese believe these six temples are the pivotal points of the island; along with Pura Goa Lawah, Pura Besakih, Pura Lempuyang Luhur, Pura Uluwatu, Pura Batukaru, and Pura Pusering Jagat makeup this sacred group.

Nusa Lembongan -- How to get there

Dream Beach

I decided to go out of town for the weekend and what better place to do it than
Nusa Lembongan.



Ashamedly, in my almost 4 years here, it was my first time to see this beautiful little island especially since it's so close to Bali.


Having only a couple of days, it was the perfect easy getaway. Because of its proximity to Bali, Lembo is the preferred 'go to' escape for those with limited holiday time or those needing a quick one-day leisure off Bali.

Loads of travel and boat companies offer trips from 1-day cruise tours to 3 Night holiday packages.

Bali Treetop Adventure -- Face your Fear of HEIGHTS!

Last week the parents committee of the school I work for organized a day-out activity for the students and parents. It was at the Bali Treetop Adventure Park in Bedugul.

I had been to one 2 years ago in the Philippines and totally enjoyed myself so I didn't think twice of joining the trip. It was a day of extreme challenge and thrill. I don't really like heights so this was a great way for me to muster up and face my fears. I just wish I prepared well enough in terms of wearing the right clothing -- pants or leggings and gloves would have helped in preventing the injuries I incurred slamming on the trees and nets! But, at the end of the day, all the scrapes and bruises were worth all the fun I had!

Lady Di Wanders -- a wanderer who's definitely not lost

Diana Ogilvie is a traveler slash writer slash teacher slash garlic benefits lobbyist. She insists that I should eat raw garlic to keep healthy. Hmmm...

Not sure about that but I'm sure of her expertise in written accounts of her travels to her hilarious experiences as a flight attendant. She is currently based in Bali and writes for several magazines on the island as well as international publications.

Get to know her. Hit:

Blog:  Love2TravelWriteFilm

Her FB account:  Lady Di Wanders

yep. she's felt madonna up!

So You Want to Date a Surfer?? - The Surfer's Response

I thought we should revisit this topic as I felt a male surfer's perspective should be shared. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed Kristin's article and thought it was accurate for the most part (I have to say that though I actually think so). Nevertheless, there are a few things I would like to clarify and add.

Note: I know that there are lots of female surfers these days but this article primarily refers to surfers and their non-surfing girlfriends.

I think it's best you open Kristin's article for reference. I'll carry on along the same categories she chose:

Pantai Photos

Nothing really. Just some recent photos of the beach scenes here in Bali that remind me why I love this place.

Can you guess where they are?  =)

Peripheral Vision

As I started my motorcycle for my morning ride to work, something compelled me to take a different route. I complied, driving slowly and enjoying the new scenery. I stopped as I passed an elderly man. He was diligently preparing his water buffaloes to till his rice paddy, but looked up and smiled widely at the sight of a foreigner.

10 Things I truly, madly, deeply LOVE about Bali