It takes a formidable spirit to endure 2013. From the devastating effects of Typhoon Haiyan, earthquake and armed conflict in my country, The Philippines, to my personal adversities, we could either dwell on tragedy and misery or choose to rise, become better, and move on. The results will always depend on our decisions.
Yet in so many ways, I consider 2013 as one of my most blessed years. There are so much reasons to celebrate and be grateful for! I was privileged to set foot in few countries that brought me priceless memories and worthwhile experiences. I was fortunate to be invited to some of the luxurious hotels and restaurants in Malaysia, Singapore and Manila. The year was also kind in providing this blog, recognition, online features and citations.
With this photo-essay, allow me to relive and share once more, where my feet took me in 2013. Every moment counts, every step matters. I’m counting blessings.
JANUARY 2013 : CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
*Chiang Mai Blog Series includes :
Padaung / Long Neck Women & Other Hill Tribes in Thailand
Doi Suthep Buddhist Temple
Elephant Show, Elephant Ride, Ox-Cart Ride, Bamboo Raft Ride, Orchid Farm
Chiang Mai Zoo : Pandas, Koalas And More!
Beyond Boundaries : Penang-Hat Yai-Bangkok-Chiang Mai
Anusarn Market, Tha Phae Gate Night Market and lots of Thai Food!
FEBRUARY 2013 : LANGKAWI, KEDAH & PENANG, MALAYSIA
LANGKAWI, KEDAH, MALAYSIA : Our Days in Cenang & Tengah Beaches, Langkawi
Also in February 2013, I was able to blogged a Mini-Travel-Guide to George Town, Penang…
FEBRUARY 2013 : Mini Guide to George Town, Penang : A UNESCO World Heritage Site
MARCH 2013 : KUALA LUMPUR & PENANG, MALAYSIA
MARCH 2013 : Charity Work with Gabby & Malaysian Bloggers in 3 Orphanages in Penang
MARCH 2013 : 2013 Ministry of Tourism Malaysia’s Best Expat Blog Award Winner
APRIL 2013 : MALACCA, MALAYSIA & SINGAPORE
APRIL 2013 : Random Memories, Happy Thoughts from Melaka
MAY 2013 : SINGAPORE & PENANG, MALAYSIA
MAY 2013 : Singapore River Safari
MAY 2013 : River Safari, Night Safari & Singapore Flyer : Courtesy of iVenture Card, Singapore
MAY 2013 : Chowrasta Road & Market
JUNE 2013 : MALACCA, MALAYSIA & SINGAPORE
JUNE 2013 : Mods Cafe Melaka
JUNE 2013 : Singapore Night Safari
JUNE 2013 : Singapore Flyer & More
AUGUST 2013 : KATHMANDU, BHAKTAPUR, PATAN, NAGARKOT, NEPAL
*Nepal Blog Series includes :
Our Unforgettable Journey From Malaysia to Nepal
Incredibly Beautiful Bhaktapur
Patan : The City of Fine Arts in Nepal
Beneath Buddha’s Watchful Eyes : Boudhanath Stupa & Swayambhunath Stupa
Nagarkot : Sleeping in Nepal’s 7000 feet
Our Last Moments in Nepal : From Nagarkot to Kuala Lumpur International Airport
SEPTEMBER 2013 : MANILA, PHILIPPINES
SEPTEMBER 2013 : Back in Manila
OCTOBER 2013 : PENANG, MALAYSIA
OCTOBER 2013 : How Do You Say Goodbye To Malaysia
NOVEMBER 2013 : SINGAPORE
NOVEMBER 2013 : Gardens By The Bay Revisited Singapore
DECEMBER 2013 : MANILA, THE PHILIPPINES
DECEMBER : 2013 Grand Marian Procession, Intramuros, Manila
SPONSORED STAYCATIONS 2013 : PENANG, SINGAPORE, MALACCA, KUALA LUMPUR
I am also thankful to all people who invited me and my family to complimentary hotel accomodation in Malaysia and Singapore this year. I cannot be grateful enough! Many thanks to :
Eastin Hotel Penang, Malaysia
Ibis Hotel on Bencoolen, Singapore
Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang, Malaysia
Quayside Hotel & Halia Inc. Restaurant, Malacca, Malaysia
The Elizabeth Hotel, Singapore
Orchard Parade Hotel, Singapore
Somerset Serviced Residences, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
MARCH 2013 : Eastin Hotel Penang
MAY 2013 : Singapore : Ibis Hotel on Bencoolen
MAY 2013 : Heritage Wing of E&O Hotel Penang
MAY 2013 : Corner Suite, Victorny Annexe Wing, E&O Hotel Penang
JUNE 2013 : Quayside Hotel & Halia Restaurant Coffee Bar, Malacca
OCTOBER 2013 : Elizabeth Hotel, Singapore
OCTOBER 2013 : Orchard Parade Hotel Singapore
OCTOBER 2013 : Somerset Serviced Residence, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
COMPLIMENTARY FOOD INDULGENCE : PENANG, SINGAPORE, MANILA
I’m also grateful to the people who sent invitations from restaurants and a few good friends in Penang, Singapore and Manila. Thank you very much to :
Macalister Mansion, Penang
Sarkies, Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang
1885, Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang
Dinner Treat by Dennis in Hakumai & Omakase, Antoinette, Singapore.
Swez Brasserie, Eastin Hotel Penang
Beringer Wines and Cirkulo Restaurant, Makati City
Silk Thai Road, BGC, Taguig City
Burger Company, Quezon City
Dinner Treats from my Malaysian families in Penang – Mr. Michael & Jasmine, and Mr. Loh & family
Lunch & Dinner Treat by great friends, Rob & LG
Harina Artisan Bakery & Cafe, Quezon City
Sentro 1771, Serendra, BGC, Taguig City
MARCH 2013 : Macalister Mansion : Tobreck Vertical Wine Dinner
MARCH 2013 : Sarkies’ Seafood Buffet Dinner Extravaganza, E&O Hotel Penang
MAY 2013 : 1885 : Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang’s Fine Dining Restaurant
MAY 2013 : Singapore : Hakumai Sushi & Omakase | Antoinette French Desserts
JULY 2013 : Wine & Dine Buffet Dinner at Sarkies, E&O Hotel, Penang
JULY 2013 : Ramadan Buffet at Eastin Hotel Penang
OCTOBER 2013 : Farewell Dinner at Sarkies,E&O Hotel Penang
NOVEMBER 2013 : Two Dinners Hosted by My Malaysian Families
NOVEMBER 2013 : Lunch & Dinner Treats from Great Friends of 20 Years & Counting
NOVEMBER 2013 : Beringer Wines at Cirkulo Restaurant, Makati City
NOVEMBER 2013 : Finest Thai Food at Silk Road, BGC
NOVEMBER 2013 : Burger Company, Quezon City
DECEMBER 2013 : Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe, Quezon City
DECEMBER 2013 : Sentro 1771 Serendra, BGC
Special thanks goes out to Malaysia Airlines for sponsoring our family’s PEN-KUL-KTM roundtrip tickets!
Apart from the Best Expat Blog Award from Ministry of Tourism Malaysia for two consecutive years, 2013 also brought me a few more citations and priceless things that boost my self-esteem. Again, many thanks to those few people who believe in this blog.
Featured in Expat Interviews : BlogExpat.Com
Cited as One of Interesting Blogs About Kuala Lumpur/KL-Travel Guide
Featured in ExpatFocus.Com
Nomination from Singapore Blog Awards
And fortunately, for the second time, one of the photos I took in Chiang Mai, Thailand was published in 4 pages of the esteemed travel magazine, Lonely Planet Asia last July 2013.
JULY 2013 : My Travel Photo Published on 4 Pages of Lonely Planet Asia Magazine
Looking back, no superlatives will be appropriate to describe the places I’ve been to and the people I’ve met. No volume of photos will ever be enough to express the good and bad memories of the journeys I took. Everything and everyone provided me life lessons generously.
Twenty thirteen has been like no other, yet through it all, one thing remains the same. I opt not to dwell in negative things and be more hopeful for tomorrow. It’s incredibly ecstatic feeling to wonder where my feet will take me in the coming years.
May we all have a Blessed Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!
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Filed under: ILOVEPHOTOS, MALAYSIA, NEPAL, PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE, THAILAND, TRAVEL Tagged: 1885 restaurant e&o penang, 2013, 2013 in review, ascott hotels, backpacking asia, backpacking southeast asia, bhaktapur, blessings, chiang mai, chiang mai thailand, christmas, christmas 2013, counting blessings, doc gelo, doc gelo blog, docgelo, e&o hotel penang, eastern oriental hotel penang, eastin hotel penang, elizabeth hotel singapore, filipino blogger, filipino travel blogger, food, food blogger, gardens by the bay, george town penang malaysia, hotels in malaysia, hotels in singapore, how to go to kathmandu, ibis hotel on bencoolen, kathmandu, kathmandu durbar square, kuala lumpur malaysia, Life, life lessons, lifestyle, lifestyle blogger, long neck women chiang mai, malacca malaysia, malaysia, manila, melaka, ministry of tourism malaysia, must visit places in malaysia, must visit places in nepal, nagarkot, new year, orchard parade hotel singapore, padaung women, patan, penang, pinoy blog, pinoy blogger, pinoy travel blogger, quayside hotel malacca, singapore flyer, somerset, somerset serviced residences, southeast asia, thailand, the philippines, tourism malaysia, tourism nepal, tourism singapore, travel blog, travel blog from manila, travel blogger, travel blogger from the philippines, travel guide to chiang mai, travel guide to malacca, travel guide to nepal, travel guide to penang, typhoon haiyan, typhoon yolanda, UNESCO world heritage sites, what to visit in kathmandu, world traveler