March 12th - April 4th Singapore & Brunei

"Time for a rest"

Back to Brunei for 3 weeks, leaving S'pore on the 17th to Brunei, and returning on April 4th to meet up with Simon.

FYI, for Royal Brunei Airlines I was told that you can't earn miles if you book your airfare via the internet, only at their counter. WTF? Are we still living in the stone age? I think most ppl in the new world would prefer doing things online rather than physically have to go through the hassle of going to a travel agent's counter & their offices aren't in the most convenient of areas to commute to.

March 7th - 12th Manila & Boracay

"Chaos in the city to a calm place with white sand & clear water"

After landing in Manila from an early m0rning departure from S'pore, the private hotel car took us to our hotel, Mandarin Oriental in the Makati district. Wow, amazing service, too bad they had no where to sit in the lobby. Let me tell you, you have to go to Manila to see the contrast between the Makati area vs. the others. Many of the new shopping district Greenbelt & Mall of Asia are very similar to North American shopping, in fact a lot of stores that you might find in Canada are all here. Next morning, at the domestic airport, I witnessed mobile mass being performed in the departure area. Can't make it to Church on a Sunday, the Church will come to you.

The hightlight of our Philippine trip is for Boracay! White sand, clear water and of course one crazy life experience I still can't quite make sense of it all yet. Richard, Simon, & Lucian you guys know how this trip was suppose to go from day one and how it turned out is just crazy, too many things that didn't work out to be a coincidence & too last minute to be a setup, let's just see if it's fate.

March 4th - 7th Sydney, KL, & Singapore

"In Transit"

3 plane rides in 3 days...
KL for one night
Singapore for two nights before heading to the Philippines on the 7th

February 18th - March 4th Australia

"Cheers mate! from the Land-Down-Under"

Very similar to Canada, especially with our dollar almost being 1:1. When I first landed in Perth, Traveldex actually charge a $20 commission for exchanging cash, giving me less Aussie dollar back than my Canadian dollar. WTF!!! It was cheaper withdrawing from the ATM. BMO & MasterCard actually gave better rates than these guys here!

A few things that are different besides the right hand drive. 10% taxes are included in all the prices, and yes Food. In most parts are a lot more expensive even with the taxes taken out. One great thing is, no tips needed for majority of the restaurants. I did have my most expensive subway 1ft in Perth I think it cost $9. Drinks here for a 750ml of Lipton ice tea cost no less than $2.50. The most expensive Vietnamese food, the regular house special noodle and the usual ice coffee $16!!!

What's really nice about Australia is they have a lot of war memorabilia and older style Victorian buildings preserved. A lot of their new buildings will incorporate the old structure giving that antique look. Very beautiful.

Trains in Melbourne is pretty confusing though, as u can be on one train going somewhere, but when it stops @ the next platform, the train destination changes. So, iPod riders, be alert on your train destination! However, $2.90 day pass on a Sunday rocks! & a wonder thanks for uncles & their families whom I was surprised that they actually remembered me & my sisters. The dinner was great!

Sydney is very nice, as the Opera Quay had almost the same feel as Granville Island looking across to downtown under the Burrrard Street bridge. Didn't need to spend much on transport as the train took me straight to downtown where walking took me to most places within the city.

January 25th - February 18th Brunei

"Happy New Year!"

19 years since I've spent CNY with my family back home! Was ever it hectic! Lion dances, red pockets, & of course, lots of screaming kids & fire crackers everywhere! We also celebrated birthdays including my mom's, and her youngest sister's 30th anniversary. Congrats aunt Betty & uncle Sean.