A Tale of Love and Darkness (2015)

Ramadhan started on the 6th of this month. That day, he told me we are not to see each other for one whole month. I was hurt and troubled. I know he is busy and all, but most times I find myself thinking if I really have a place in his heart and in his life.

So on the 9th, before I jump into an extra hectic schedule which I embraced wholeheartedly to somehow keep him off my mind, I decided to watch a movie alone. It was funny how that week there were heated exchanges of SMS and all throughout the week I was crying hard. Yet we still manage to remind each other to bring an umbrella because the rainy season is upon us. Or maybe we just want to find an excuse to text each other and show that we care despite the misunderstandings. Either way, when he texted to say it was raining and for me to take care going home, I replied saying I would be at UP to "take a walk because I just wanted to be in a place full of trees". Wild child still.

But I fought hard, braving the heavy Metro traffic, to end up at UPFI to attend the free screening of A Tale of Love and Darkness, a movie by Natalie Portman. It's a heartbreaking movie (or maybe I read too much of my own situation into it) about a family striving to live a normal life in the new state of Israel following World War 2. The Palestinians are of course not too happy since the state was formed on their land. (And we see how malicious the West is when they cause border and frontier issues which remain to this day.) The movie was based on Amos Oz's book of the same title, an autobiography that reveals his pro-Zionist sentiments but without discounting the possible peaceful coexistence with Palestinians.

Amos' story focused in his mother Fania, played by Natalie Portman herself. Fania was a romantic, seemingly infatuated with a strong man who can do manual labor, in contrast to the person she married. Amos' father was a writer who loved etymologies, by the way, and he took pride in this as this gift was what made Fania fall in love with him. Unbeknownst to him, Fania suffers from the marriage, snubbed and bullied by her mother-in-law. Until there came a point when she falls into depression and young Amos had to take care of her. And she repeatedly told him that he was her Light, her only joy. (At this mention, I couldn't help but cry as I thought of the Light of my Life...)

The movie ends showing a teenager Amos driving a tractor. He had become a farmer, a realization of his mother's fantasies.

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Rarely do I see a jampacked UPFI and because I came in around 7:20, I had to be on my feet for the whole duration of the film. Didn't matter to me because I liked the movie although the love part was not emphasized. Darkness pervades the whole film. Love was evident only in Fania's sweet talk to young Amos and well, how Amos put her as the central character in the story.

Asian Youth Jazz Orchestra Concert: Meralco Theater

The rest of the year, I have decided, shall be allotted to cultivating appreciation for the arts, both visual and performing. Just as I was looking around for a concert to attend, I chanced upon the AYJO concert to be held in Meralco Theater on Sept. 26. I immediately signed up for free tickets.

Since not many are fond of jazz music especially nowadays when people would rather listen... God knows what people listen to these days. I have given up trying to comprehend the musical zeitgeist of a generation.

It was no surprise that I wasn't able to have company that night. It was a rather welcome opportunity to spend time with myself since the afternoon that day, I hung out with a man who just befriended me recently. He was soft-spoken yet he talked a great deal about himself in our first "getting to know each other" date. [Let it be known that every engagement with humans to me is a date, even my food trips with my sisters!] Happy to finally experience the P200 lunch buffet at Likha Diwa, his treat. That Saturday was British buffet. As expected, the dishes are healthy and not thoroughly bland, thank God for that.

This year I traded yet another dice game activity for music as I did last year. Not my fault when I have identified music as one essential part of my being, a component I cannot live without. Never mind the freebies; when my soul craves, even the tummy is bound to lose. 

I first rushed to Robinsons Galleria for a quick dinner. Since I'm on tight budget [as always], I opted for a Korean bento of beef stew, chap chae, rice, dilis, tamago, and fried whatever. All that for just below P150. Pretty affordable and it's already a complete meal in itself.

dinner before the concert

The AYJO is composed of really talented and fun-loving high-spirited jazz-playing young musicians. No words can express how much I enjoyed the concert. It was a brilliant project to gather outstanding young musicians in Japan and Southeast Asia, musicians who are not afraid to show their funny side onstage in between performances. [Note that five Filipinos took part in this concert.] Where else can you see someone who suddenly breaks out in loud laughter as his fellow musician was making jokes? Where else can you see musicians to wield their instruments as if they were weapons? [I found Japanese tuba player Masahiro Yoshioka quite endearing, posing with his tuba as if it were a cannon.]

before the orchestra members occupied the stage

 In almost all of the performances, I couldn't keep my eyes off Japanese drummer Fumihiro Ibuki. He looks like a nerd [I hope he doesn't chance upon this blog], but when he plays the drums, it's as if he's one with it. He reminds me of the drummer [whoever he was] in Rama Hari in 2012, which unfortunately I wasn't able to dedicate a blog entry to, but just mentioned in passing HERE. Effortless, so natural. Not to mention his high energy, having sustained the momentum for long. [Or I might just suck at playing because I tire easily...] Also an eye-catcher was the beautiful Nagisa Uchida from Japan who plays the vibraphone and whose clear cool voice filled the theater in the latter part. I was speechless! [So now, I'm all the more inspired to level up.]

some metal art inside Meralco Theater

some metal art inside Meralco Theater

Programme:

1. Opening "Wild Man Blues" (composed by Jelly Roll Morton and arranged by Osamu Matsumoto)

2. Monk's Walking (composed by Mayuko Katakura and arranged by Osamu Matsumoto)

3. Toshi (Seeing Through) (composed by Jelly Roll Morton and arranged by Osamu Matsumoto)

4. Milky Way in the Moment (composed and arranged by Yoshihiko Katori)

5. Merlot (composed by Mariko Maeda and arranged by Osamu Matsumoto)

6. Gone are the Days (composed by Xu Kai Xiang Rit and arranged by Osamu Matsumoto)

7. Second Country (composed by Yuri Kishimoto and arranged by Osamu Matsumoto)

8. Tourist Point of View (from Far East Suit) (composed by Duke Ellington and arranged by Osamu Matsumoto)

9. Isfahan (from Far East Suit) (composed by Duke Ellington and arranged by Osamu Matsumoto)

10. Blue Pepper (from Far East Suit) (composed by Duke Ellington and arranged by Osamu Matsumoto)

11. Yesterday Among the Flow of Time (composed and arranged by Osamu Matsumoto)

As special bonus, Filipino and Malaysian percussionists Jacques Dufourt and Muhammad Abdul Karim B. Ahmad Zafiruddin had a percussions showdown. They were such a joy to watch

Busy September

Every year, whenever August is about to end, I would always condition myself for the following month. September has always been a busy month for me. It's also my favorite month of the year, not because it is the beginning of the BER months (and I would always create my wishlist this early only to modify it in the succeeding months), but mainly because of the Mid-Autumn Festival. This special day actually falls on the 15th of the eighth month of the lunar calendar and the equivalent date in the solar calendar is almost always within the month of September.

Because of the festival, two weekends would be reserved for family and friends. I love the dice games that accompany this special day. These dice games are played after a meal at some Chinese restaurant. I also look forward to raffle games where prizes may include flaky hopia (the ones I love most) and cash prizes. Add to that the fact that during the whole 19 years of my schooling I have been a consistent honor student so I would get additional cash prize, (which I would later partially surrender to my parents. Boo!) which they call as scholarship award. Of course it's not enough to cover even a semester's tuition fees but at least I got motivated to do well in school because I was always after the money to buy books.

This year is different. September 13 just had so many events that I wanted to attend. (Enough reason for me to write a separate entry on what I did yesterday.) I was invited to two gatherings cum dice games but since it's an annual event anyway, I chose to decline so I could attend the Wikimedia-sponsored Santa Ana walk where I got to meet really interesting people with LOTS of stories to tell. I had to leave early though to rush to Makati for Chino Gutierrez's concert where I think I was the only female adult in casual clothes because I didn't bother to bring a dress with me as my bag was already full of stuffs required for the whole day walking activity and also of freebies we got from SMART Communications.

I got home really late last night and commuting was such a pain because it rained. Somewhere in the Philippines, typhoon Luis must have landed. However I couldn't help but smile at the thought that at least I finally had the courage to talk to a former prof in UP and to my erstwhile classmate who do not even knew of my existence until last night. That said, I don't expect him to remember me if ever we get to meet again should he have a concert here in the future. My only wish is that he keeps on getting better and better at violin because he now serves as an inspiration to me especially now that I'm learning how to play the instrument he mastered at a young age.

So now I think I'll stay at home the whole day and try to at least get substantial work done for my paper presentation next week. I'll just have to build on and update one archaeology-related paper I submitted as class requirement two years ago and I'm good to go.

Busy September indeed. Sometimes I just want to sleep through it all and have someone wake me up when September ends. #Greenday

2014 Eiga Sai

I make it a point to attend the annual Japanese film festival (Eiga Sai), a very much anticipated event especially by otakus and film buffs. I for one, am much more a fan of Japanese films than Hollywood ones because I just can't get enough of samurai films (and am also a fan of Chinese wuxia films). I also love the subtle and surreal Japanese movies, those that will really move you to tears because of the characters' display of strong will, determination challenges, and well, everything seems slow but never boring.

Last July, I only got to watch two because of my busy schedule and also because it's the start of the rainy season. I love the rain but I hate the floods and I don't want to get stranded anywhere. Anyway, one Saturday, I agreed to meet up with a friend I met in archaeology. She didn't make it to the first film though because she didn't expect traffic would be bad on her way to EDSA Shangrila Mall.

The first movie I watched is Symphony in August, a very touching autobiographical movie about Japanese singer Ai Kawashima whose early foray in the music industry was full of challenges. In her bid to get the attention of music companies, she decided to sing 1000 times in the subway. Her efforts paid off when a group of marketing people took notice of her and helped her. That part, where her newfound friends trusted in her and invested time, effort, and money in her was very touching. In today's busy world, we seldom come across people who would be willing to lend us a helping hand.

watch trailer HERE

The most touching part was towards the end however, when Ai finally had her concert and she let the people knew of her story. Her mother just passed away. But aside from that, it was also revealed in the end that her biological parents died when she was young. Despite going through a lot of life's sorrows and difficulties, she still persevered, which really made me cry nonstop, so much so that my eyes were puffy when I came out of the theater.

The second film is a light drama about a young woman who married a wolf man and gave birth to wolf children. When her husband suddenly died, Hana took the responsibility of rearing their children, moving out to the countryside so that her children can choose whether to grow up as humans or as wolves.

We see the transformation of Hana's children through time. In their younger days, Yuki the elder sister was very aggressive and courageous whereas Ame the younger brother was always afraid of the littlest things. When they grew up, the roles reversed and Yuki eventually chose to be human while Ame went off choosing the path of a wolf.

Cinemalaya 2014 Part 2

Having watched three movies during the first week of August, just last Saturday (Aug. 9), I sneaked out of the house and went out to watch more. Initially I planned to watch two more of Cinemalaya's offerings: Children's Story and Separados but because I arrived at Trinoma at exactly 1:30PM and there was a VERY long line at the ticket booth, I decided to just watch Lucy which was showing at 1:45PM. But it should come to pass that it was already 1:52PM when my turn to buy tickets came. So I opted for Guardians of the Galaxy instead, which is showing in three minutes, and luckily I was still able to grab a seat out of the two left. Whew!

Guardians of the Galaxy is a fun movie about lesser known Marvel heroes. Misfits would be the more apt term. But whatever differences these criminals turned heroes have, they sure did a great job in protecting the galaxy from evil. Truth be told though, this isn't something I would normally shell out money for. But anyway, going on a self-date is fun and I wanted to watch two movies that day.

After that, I headed straight to the next cinema to watch Separados. The movie comprises of mini stories of characters who are in one way or another connected or related to each other. The main story focuses on a man who can't satisfy his wife thus ending their marriage in an annulment. The man meets a lovely girl whom he later on marries. As the church wedding is going on, the mini stories are shown like flashbacks. The common theme is failed marriage: a wife battering her husband, a husband who cheats on his wife, a wife who cheated on her husband thus leading to the husband being an alcoholic, a husband who admits that he is actually gay after 26 years of married life, a young man who wants to break free from his wife who taught to use drugs... (did I miss anything?)

For me, the movie is a statement against the rampant movies they churn out these days about married people having extramarital affairs. There is this one Sunday column I read in PDI and usually the letters are about husbands and wives alike cheating on their partners. It's just sad to think how we have all these cool technology and we're supposed to be civilized and yet we succumb to our base nature to feed our licentiousness.

Since I was on a self-date that day, I was more than pensive as I walked out of the theater. Is this fated, that I should watch this movie to glimpse of the many possible things that can happen if ever I were to get married? I'd like to go back to being an innocent kid who believes in fairy tales but I guess I've read and heard enough true stories about infidelity to make me be 100% sure of marriage.

On the happy side, I finally gave in to my cravings. For a month, I've been wanting to sink my teeth in those Bon Chon chicken which looked yummy when I laid eyes on them last month in Shangrila Mall. I was utterly disappointed that the flavor was only on the skin and did not sink down to the tender meat. JUJUJU!

Upon arriving home, I cooked smoked salmon in oilve oil... for the first time. It lacked character and mom says it was bland. I put in sliced black olives though I don't think people here appreciated it. I guess I'll have to do more research...

Cinemalaya 2014 Part 1

Bulacan Adventures Part 1 07192014

One fine Sunday, my parents and I went to Baliwag to visit distant relatives to inquire about their health and also to inspect the area. I jumped at the opportunity to have a look at what Bulacan has to offer in terms of land. I wanted to see for myself if the soil is suitable for farming since one personal goal in life is to buy a large piece of land to develop as a farm where I would like to retire, away from the bustling metro. Though a city-bred idiot, my training in archaeology exposed me to province life, a life I presume to be ideal after I have witnessed the possibility of living in utmost simplicity.

On the road, I wondered what if I could drive, then maybe I will be able to go on a road trip anytime I want and stop wherever I want to be able to fully explore a place. Commuting limits one's mobility and eats up a substantial portion of one's time so for the first time in my life, I considered saving up for a car with very good engine built for rough roads. Of course, I don't know if that dream is achievable since I have a number of reasons (not excuses, mind you) not to own a vehicle, apart from not having the financial means.

A week later, I woke up some 30 minutes earlier than usual on a Saturday morning and suddenly thought of walking in an unfamiliar place. A couple of years back, whenever I feel this itch to roam on foot, I would always go to Quiapo, Sta. Cruz, and Binondo, never missing Escolta since the area still has remnants of bygone years. This time though, I felt a strange urge to explore Bulacan, something I have been putting off for a long time now. So I did a quick research on the internet on how to commute to Bulacan. My first chosen destination was Malolos.

But whatever small plan I had was ripped into shreds when, waiting for a bus along EDSA, I eyed a bus bound for Baliwag and without second thoughts, hopped inside. The next thing I knew, I was questioning my actions and at the same time, assuring myself that I will be fine. I have roamed Ilocos all on my own last year and I can certainly do the same in Bulacan. Besides it would also allow me to do my part for the Wikipedia Cultural Heritage Mapping Project even though I am already having doubts as to whether I can contribute anything at all given my ultra hectic schedule.

While in the bus, I tried to recall how the roads we passed by a week ago look like, together with commercial establishments as landmarks. Good thing the bus stops in the marketplace which is just a few steps to the church. The moment I set eyes on that massive church, I immediately knew it was Augustinian. For some reason it reminds me of Paoay Church in Ilocos because of the red bricks used. Then I learned its name was actually St. Augustine Parish Church. The side of the church used to be a convent which was described by Fray Joaquin Martinez de Zuniga as having a peerless beauty in all of the Philippines. (He was a historian and the author of "Historia de las islas Filipinas".)

Unfortunately I wasn't able to go inside and check the interiors of the church. They only open the church when there is a mass because according to one caretaker, students from nearby St. Mary's School would make the sacred grounds as dating place. Children nowadays... Sigh!

I did enter the small chapel on the side of the church. It was dimly lit, the place very small and very quiet where one enters only to pray. I said a quick prayer and left.

Since it was close to lunch time, I looked for a nearby restaurant, ready to sample what Bulacan has to offer in terms of food. I picked Lin Mer's Bakeshop and Restaurant where I had a plate of pancit malabon. It doesn't disappoint but I sure could appreciate having a bigger serving, plus chicharon bits since the province is famous for its chicharon with backfat. (YUM!!!)

Off to my journey. I had the option to ride a tricycle to Bustos but I chose to walk, since it involves crossing a bridge. Little did I know that my legs would tremble at the slightest vibrations I felt as I took my first few steps. I remembered how, during my freshman year in college, a classmate had to hold my hand as we crossed a hanging bridge in Tagaytay because I suddenly found myself unable to move. That was kind of him. And then I thought of how my sisters also held my hand when we were in the mangroves in Aklan. So again I contemplated for a while about my nonexistent love life. (yuck! Now is not the time for self-pity. LOL)

In Bustos, I saw Sto. Niño Church which was under renovation. According to a construction worker whose sleep was disturbed by my sudden appearance, the church was set to expand. Wow! Unfortunately I wasn't able to speak to the parish priest and shortly after endured the loooong walk back to Baliwag to take a jeep bound for Plaridel. On the way, I passed by the Old Municipal Building in Baliwag which is now converted into a museum but unfortunately is closed on weekends. (Just what kind of tourists are they expecting if they close on weekends???)

So anyway on the way to Plaridel I saw Sto. Rosario Parish Church which is not really old but I wanted to take a good photo since it looks neat. Again I was met with closed doors and the lady in the parish office told me they only open the church during mass. This surprised me a lot since in all my travels, at least the side entrance to the church is always open. At the back of the church is a cemetery, which i did not enter because the gates were also locked. Sigh.

Off I went on my way, determined to finally visit the famed St. James the Apostle Church (aka Quingua Church) in Plaridel. I failed to drop by in 2012 when I first became familiar with the town for my 3-day visit to the Lumang Bayan archaeological site. The archaeo peeps told me the church was one of a kind and I had made a mental note that time only to act on it this year. (Talk about procrastination. Hohoho!) When I finally saw the mosque-like façade, I felt the same feeling of awe that swept over me when I laid eyes on St. Augustine Church earlier. It was just so unbelievable that a Christian church would incorporate a Muslim architectural design but I really found it really really cool!

The church has its own museum but unfortunately, they only open it when there are special exhibits. Wanting to spend more time with this church complex, I stayed on and bore witness to a wedding. (*bitter mode haha) By the time the wedding ended, it was raining a bit already and the dark skies seemed to tell me to go home since I promised to cook dinner that night. However, I wanted to have one last stop, Malolos, my initial target destination.

Still another wedding greeted me when I entered the magnificent, historical Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, more famously known as Barasoain Church in Malolos. I would learn later on that it was the wedding of an officemate! Since it was getting late that time, I decided to just take a look inside really quickly and then get materials from the office regarding the history of the church though since the church is very famous, mainly because of the Malolos Congress. 

It rained hard when I was about to go home but I still managed to buy a liter of blueberry yoghurt with carabao milk and quesong puti in a small shop near the church. I was already on my way home when I realized I forgot to buy packs of chicharon! Fail!!!

Well, I'm definitely going back.

September

I almost forgot to write about how I spent my September and so here goes.

Since I couldn't get over how Backyard Burgers' offering taste so good, I went back for a Truffle Burger and a Cheeseburger. Seeing Hot Hombre Burger (this one's got jalapeño) which cost only P155 on the menu, I bought one, too. Their burgers are just the juiciest burgers I've ever tasted, and this second time, I got to notice just how soft and how fresh the buns were.

cross section of Backyard Burgers cheeseburger

Experiencing something bad at the office did not prevent me from having fun. I don't wanna delve into the details but it sure did help to take some time off to be with myself and to enjoy my own company. The 16th Cine Europa was just the very thing I needed since it's been a long time since my last movie theater visit. Movies, accompanied by my other love--- FOOD! So I tried Secret Recipe's Japanese soba (P225) which is mildly flavored by Japanese soy sauce. I love the mushroom and the crisp cabbage lettuce. A serving is good enough for two so I had to take out what I couldn't finish. Also tried Pho Hoa's grilled chicken banh mi (P175) which I found very aromatic. The grilled chicken can send anyone instantly to paradise. Yummy! I still think the french bread in Vietnam better though.

More on food... My sister and I had a date at Nomama Artisanal Ramen where I had Thai green curry ramen with 2 chicken cutlets. The soup has coconut milk and it's got just the right spiciness, not too spicy like most Thai foods. My sister had Tantanmen and it's okay. We shared an order of mushroom gyoza which I found to be expensive at P140 for just 5 pieces, but it's got mushroom slices inside. To cap our dinner, we had Japanese croquettes stuffed with white cheese and with aioli sauce which was very sour. Fusion cuisine works here effectively but prices are expensive. Our bill showed almost P1,000! We also brought home some sylvannas, bought from a store across Nomama. Not too sweet and very nice. I will miss those treats.

A friend of mine met up near Ayala Museum on a Friday and I brought her to Mercato Central near Glorietta. It's a weekend food market like the one I went to in UP-Ayala Technohub last year and in BGC earlier this year. This time I brought a cup of fried crablets and a cup of small fried shrimps (2 X P50= P100) and shawarma rice (P100). For dessert I had a cup of Merry Moo's Sea Salt Caramel (P70). Also that day at lunch, an officemate and I went to Mitsuyado Sei-men in Jupiter St.. I had Yuzu Tsukemen and Japanese fried rice with 3 pcs gyoza. The tsukemen reminds me of breezy summer evenings, probably because of the citrusy taste (probably lime) and the cold tsukemen were QQ. (I'd LOVE to go back there to try other tsukemen.) For my snack the following day, I brought a matcha cronut at Yamato bakeshop. It's too expensive and while it's not sweet at all, it feels like eating bicho with green tea cream.

I'm happiest when I get to enjoy a play. This month, a friend and I went to see DUP's "The Duchess of Malfi". Lots of anachronistic elements and I was even shocked by a brief nudity, but the play as a whole was effective in its goal to portray how far man's greed can go. The ending was a tragedy but in between were witty and comedic lines bound to make the audience laugh out loud.

Self-Date @EDSA Shangrila 08082013

Last August 8 (yeah, an auspicious day for the double lucky 8),  I went on a self-date. It's been a long time since I did that and I thoroughly miss being all alone, and because there was a free movie showing in EDSA Shangrila at that time courtesy of the Italian Embassy. After work, I ran to the MRT and I was 5 minutes early for the show. The free movie's title is "La seconda moglie" (The Second Wife).

It's about a woman who became the second wife of a man named Fosco. During the wedding, it was obvious already that Anna and Livio had an eye for each other. Livio is the son of Fosco from the latter's first marriage. Anna had a daughter named Santina prior to the marriage. Fosco is seen as being hard on his only son and is also part of a group of grave robbers. When he was caught raiding a tomb, he landed in jail. During his absence, Livio seduces Anna and the two developed an illicit affair.

You may watch the entire film thanks to youtube:

After the film, I went around in search of the newly constructed East Wing. I've been hearing a lot about this from Norma Chikiamco's column in PDI. Since I have been craving for ramen and since it was a cold night being alone with no one to warm me (LOL), I looked for Ikkoryu Fukuoka, a restaurant that's been earning rave reviews.

When I got there, the resto was full and people were continuously coming to have seats reserved. I was lucky I went solo so I got in easily. When I was shown the menu I considered leaving the place because all their ramen has pork save for one. This is my ramen dilemma: I don't eat pork unless it's deep-fried or barbecued or ground. When I was in Ukkokei early this year, I was saved from this dilemma because they had ground pork, seafood, and chicken variants.

In the end, I told myself, time to face my porky fears. I had a bowl of the spicy tanbanjan tonkotsu (P380 +10% service charge, total of P418) and requested for my usual cup of hot water. When I first tasted the soup, it was spicy yes so it did not disappoint. I love the rich taste and the soup' s really flavorful. When I took a bite of the pork, I was delighted to find that it was so tender. (Having the spices did its work to mask the unwelcome smell of pork. Yes, I told you I don't like pork.) So for a while I considered eating pork from that moment on (but I still fail now).

I did finish the soup, putting in much sesame oil for the wonderful aroma. But when I got to the MRT on my way home, I had this heavy feeling washing over me. I felt like just dropping to the floor and sleep. While inside the train, I thirsted for water so I gulped down a glass upon reaching home but by then I was already a bit feverish. I remembered one episode last year when I was knocked out by a heavy dose of MSG in 2011. So before I went to sleep, I made sure to drink water again and to urinate to somehow take out those unwanted MSG from my system. The next morning, my throat was dry as hell and I had to run to have a drink.

So in the end, I'll still stick with Ukkokei, not that they don't put in MSG, but at least it was at a tolerable level. And I also appreciate the fact that Ukkokei has chicken and seafood, not just pork.

Lantau Island, Hong Kong 02152013

When I heard that we would be going to Lantau Island, I almost leaped for joy. Lantau Island, as I have read from the numerous brochures I got at the airport, is great for outdoor enthusiasts. Also, prior to the trip, an officemate suggested a visit to the Big Buddha which is in this island.

So off to Lantau Island we went on the second day. We took the MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central then transferred to another line bound to Tung Chung. From Citygate Mall, we took the bus to Ngong Ping and visited temples. Because I was with oldies and I am a fast walker, I disappeared for some time coz I just had to climb the tower to the Big Buddha. Lots of tourists there and so I asked some to take pictures of me in every level of the climb.

On both sides of the paved walkway are statues of Hindu warriors with corresponding Chinese zodiac signs.

the circular plaza

entrance to the temple where we burned incense

Big Buddha

near the Big Buddha are these Hindu statues in different poses and with different offerings

me striking the drums for a wish

 After the temple visit and a quick lunch, my relatives and I parted ways. There were three groups. One would go to Disneyland, only to go back to the hotel early. One would go to another place to visit temples. And the other is a one-girl group, ME, heading off to nowhere.

But really, Lantau island is pretty much my ideal place for its many woodland areas and mountains. So I decided to explore on my own since no one among my companions love walking around a lot.

I explored Ngong Ping 360 and the many stores and not a few Western restos (which indicate that the place indeed is a tourist spot). I had to find there the Nature Centre to join a free guided tour which I knew about from a brochure I got at the airport. But because I arrived too early and the tour will not begin until an hour later, I decided to go on my own to maximize the time.

I must admit that I am not very good with understanding maps and for the second time, I got lost. As a consequence, I took major detours such that when I finally reached the start of the nature walk trail, I was already profusely sweating and a bit tired. But the adventurer in me would not let this rare opportunity to pass so with a strong determination to discover a bit of Lantau Island's natural environment, I went on. And a beautiful sunny day is not to be wasted. So climbed a mountain I did.

Very few climbed the mountain. I was still lucky to find this hiker. If I found myself all alone, I would have stopped and went somewhere instead.

This is the reward I got: a view of the Big Buddha from afar together with  the tall wooden stelae on Wisdom Path

 I really had to visit the Wisdom Path. And I'm glad I did, otherwise I would not have known why it's called as such. The wooden stelae have carved Chinese sentences related to Buddhism

 I also did the Ngong Ping Tree Walk. It's very educational and I would certainly recommend this to parents to try with their children to help kids develop an appreciation of the natural environment and to aid in educating about plants and the benefits we can derive from them aside from clean air.

Next is the Fat Mun Ancient Path and the Mei Lak Shan Country trail where Wisdom Path's wooden stelae are also visible.

Eastern Mountain Fat Mun. Passing through this gate, I found myself already alone. Minutes later a woman appeared and asked me if I had completed the walk. I said it was impossible given the fact that it's dangerous for a girl to walk all alone in the woods. She smiled and wished me good luck before I left.

Tired from all the walking, I replenished my Octopus card at 7-11 and bought a liter of water. By that time, I already lost a lot of water in my body. My top was very wet from the sweat and I regretted bringing my coat.

Because I had limited time, I chose to visit an interesting place which is near Ngong Ping. Tai O seems to be the next best place to visit considering its proximity and convenience of commuting. From Ngong Ping I took Bus 21. The ride was just some 20 minutes. I also made sure to rest my eyes since by that time, my head was already clamoring for rest.

Upon arriving at the fishing village, the ferry boat ride ad promising dolphin sight-seeing greeted me and I purchased a ticket for HKD 20. The boat ride will last 20 minutes and sad to say, we did not see any dolphins.

houses on stilts, pretty much common in Southeast Asia

No dolphins but I saw this white seagull. Still happy!

After the boat ride, I explored the old town.While from outside it looks small, it was actually quite big that my feet hurt from all the walking afterwards.

dried seafoods which were VERY tempting yet VERY expensive

And these, too, spell YUMMY!

Of all the pictures I took in Hong Kong, this one is my favorite. 

A shrine to 土地公

Another small temple in Tai O with intricately designed roof

After all the walking, I had to endure an hour of waiting. There was a very long queue at the bus stop. I was so tired and hungry. While inside the bus, I asked my seatmate how long it would take to go to Tung Chung and she said 45 minutes. I slept throughout the ride and when I woke up, the Citygate Mall could already be seen. 

And yes, this solo explorer had to get lost inside the mall, unable to find the way to the subway. It was funny, looking back at that time. I was deliberating on whether to buy a Subway sandwich but a part of me was saying no because we have Subway Sandwiches in the Philippines. Besides, it costs a lot. 

I bought dinner at Tsim Sha Tsui and took it out to eat at the hotel at around 9pm. By then my stomach was already grumbling.

Before I shut my eyes to sleep that night, though, I felt proud of myself for having done it all on my own.

Tsim Sha Tsui 0214/162013

We arrived at Hong Kong on Valentine's Day. After lunch, while my relatives recharge themselves at the hotel, I roamed the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui armed with just a map. And a terrible explorer I was. I planned to go to the History and Science museums but ended up in the opposite direction--- to Victoria Harbour! Still I was happy to get lost because the Avenue of the Stars is part of my to-see list.

We had lunch in Macau Restaurant where food is good but people are rude.

Space Museum was unfortunately closed following the Chinese New Year. SAD!

Andy Warhol and his famous Marilyn Monroe art at the Hong Kong Museum of Art

View from above. There were many tourists...

sign says "Pop Art is for everyone"

outside the museum café. very typical of Westerners to read newspapers in this place.

At the Avenue of the Stars

Bruce Lee´s signature pose at the Avenue of the Stars

I smelled this treat from afar and traced it to a small kiosk selling jerky squid for HKL 30.  YUMMY! Except I felt like I was chewing forever.

Health Education, Exhibition, and Resource Center, near Kowloon Park

Van Lau´s "Ribbon", a sculpture crafted to commemorate the  fight against AIDS and HIV , as explained by  the text caption accompanying it.

I saw this in one of the scenes of "My Date with a Vampire"!!! :)

I saw and befriended this man who was feeding birds in Kowloon Park. I spoke in Mandarin, he answered in Cantonese. I realized I could understand him a little.

On February 16, I continued exploring Tsim Sha Tsui. This is after I went to Shau Kei Wan. This time, I got off at Jordan Station and walked. I almost lost my map when it slipped out of my coat pocket unnoticed and for a moment, I panicked though at that time I was just along Nathan Road. The thought of not being able to go to the places I wanted to go to scared me. At that time, I was already in the Antiquities and Monuments Office and I didn't want to leave without going to St. Andrews Church, and the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre. Luckily, when I retraced my path, I found it lying on the road.

I had lunch here at 好好Restaurant, which claims to be the best Shanghai  restaurant. I ordered Beijing dumpling noodles and it was good.

St. Andrew's Church

A construction was in progress when I visited.

Hong Kong Museum of History

Hong Kong Science Museum

Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre which houses the History and Science Museums

Walking around a lot on our last day in Hong Kong, I decided to take the cab to the hotel after I saw the museums. I didn't go inside though, since it was already late in the afternoon and I promised my mom I would be back to the hotel early for our dinner.

The taxi driver was very friendly. We conversed in Mandarin. He even wished me a Happy Chinese New Year when I got off the cab.

Found out that I was too early so I took a two-hour nap. We would be waking up early tomorrow morning for the airport and I needed all the rest that I could get.