“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller
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| @the Brooklyn Bridge NYC |
SO TRUE, such was the lesson I learned with Singapore. A nation small enough that one visit would do. The Universe had its way of showing me I was mistaken. Invitations came one after the other and with each visit, I was shown what the city’s nooks and crannies hold- small place, big surprises.
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| @the Marina Bay, Singapore where the Merlion was artfully dressed up for the season |
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| @the Universal Studios of Singapore |
Bangkok I have always found exciting and don’t mind the constant visit to the place. There is so much to see and so much food to try. That’s the other facet of Thailand I have been getting into—exploring the cuisine. Plus, the central location of the city makes it easy to access the other destinations—like Phuket, a place that caught be by surprise. It’s a huge island and not all about Patong as everyone perceive it to be. Gorgeous beaches line the island and the hilltop views are breathtaking.
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| Finally, dined (& stayed) in a fancy hotel by the famed river Chao Phraya in Bangkok, Thailand |
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| @the Phromthep Cape, Phuket Island |
Yes, as breathtaking and exciting as Boracay. I will never have enough of the beaches—on the low season (which no longer exists). But I don’t mind, as long as I have a small piece of the sandy beach to myself and bask under the tropical sun.
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| Boracay Island is my second home |
Then there’s the matter of “speaking too soon”. After a long, hectic time in the US in 2010, every place started to look the same that I swore never to go back until 2014. But an invitation to see Madonna up close made me hop on the plane (in business class no less. Thanks a million PAL!)
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| Madonna up close in her Houston concert. She made me eat my words -- I went back to the US earler than 2014. |
Yes, it was a dream come true but there was so much more—a trip to Buffalo to see Niagara....
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| @Niagara Falls in upstate NY with good friends. |
........explore NYC (even with Sandy around) and see a few spots I missed on the previous visit.....
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| Geared up for Sandy to sate a donut craving. |
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| Upper Manhattan after Sandy- -like nothing happened. |
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| I ♥ MoMA. |
finally took up a friends offer to see his place in Massachusetts that lead to touring Salem, Rhode Island and Providence and delighting in the New England cuisine.
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| Finally made it to Cris' state-- Massachusetts! ... @Cape Cod |
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| @the Breakers, Newport. |
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| @Staitsmouth Island, Rockport |
Seeing friends and family is always a joy and it gave me another chance to enjoy their places in a more relaxing pace-- San Antonio, Houston, Corpus Christi, Frisco and LA.
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| The Lone Star State is where my good friend and family lives. |
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| Of course, a touristic shot.... |
And off the bucket list this year was the Ifugao Rice Terraces and Angkor Wat in Cambodia, two of the places I have been longing to see for the longest time. These man-made wonders are magnificent!
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| @the Ifugao Rice Terraces |
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| @the Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia |
I am blessed and believe that the blessings will keep on pouring. Thank you Lord, that you Universe. I know that the jeepney will be going to more places in the coming year.
For more travel & lifestyle stories, visit http://jeepneyjinggoy.blogspot.com/ and http://apples-and-lemons.blogspot.com
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