minamimusings

On my first trip out of the country, back in 2007, we went to Tokyo with a brief stopover at Hong Kong. While at the MIA, Paul, my husband, who's been out of the country twice before me, randomly said, "You know, baby, when we get there you'll marvel at their airport. It's going to be worlds different from here." He was so right. Now, after having visited other Asian countries, when I step foot into NAIA, I can't help but blanch. And although the Centennial and budget terminals are on their way to becoming as updated as the international airports, they still don't hold much of a candle to them. There is a potential for more. Except, well, we have to get rid of corruption and only a "major overhaul" will accomplish that one! Look at me, dipping my toes into my most-hated subject. No matter, let's just be grateful we're not in this list of Skytrax's 15 Miserable Airports in the World while wishing that someday, when the NAIA grows up, ...

I was fortunate enough to catch the World Expo in Shanghai with a friend of mine last September. And, thanks to her cousins who gave us their incompletely used 7-day tickets, my first day's entrance was practically free! So, what were our realizations when we arrived at the World Expo? One, it was huge. No, it was HUGE. Each pavilion was almost the same size in area of the Folk Arts Theater. Some were as big as Mall of Asia. Considering how many countries participated, adding in the number of walkways and food buildings and washrooms, plus the roads... and I will not be assuming if I say that those maps of China weren't exaggerating. China is BIG. Whoever's on the opposite end of it in the world better watch out when all those people start jumping up and down together. In relation, we also found out how many Chinese actually exist. We visited the Expo for TWO DAYS. And I could count the number of foreigners (which, for my purposes, I shall define as non-Chinese-looking...

Like most people, I am no stranger to the Starbucks planner craze. I did not participate for the first one, but I do have the second and third. However, I felt that last year's products were below par and did not deserve the dedication and money usually devoted to its acquisition. (Hell, I don't even drink coffee!) Then, I stumbled upon the Navi: Your Life Navigator in a bazaar. It's simple, bookbound with an unassuming printed brown cover, and little anecdotes at the start of every month about traveling. The coupons were a bonus -- were more geared towards practical stuff like dining & fitness discounts instead of shopping -- and compared to the more than a thousand pesos I would have to spend on coffee and calories, they were much more worthy of my money. I've already gone through loving my first Navi, and, since it's the end of the year, they've already released product shots of the second one . (Seen in pic.) If you pre-order before November 30, you get ...

It IS possible to appreciate Hong Kong! You just shouldn't visit Tokyo for 2 weeks first. Last week's trip was very, mind-opening, and eventful... in more ways than one. Our Friday night departure from Manila lived up to expectations--and made me see how futile it was to depend on Murphy's law keeping its distance--when our flight out was delayed for TWO HOURS. We were supposed to leave at around 7pm but left at around 9pm instead. I was slightly worried about our accommodations, since leaving late meant arriving late. I crossed my fingers that since I had already paid the deposit through the internet beforehand and informed them about our flight details, the hostel would have no other choice but to wait up for us. The Arrival We called these "Walkalators". Very convenient for big airports. We touched down at HK International Airport around 12mn. We were all tired, but ecstatic. Hori was very excited since it was his first time out of the country. Paul...

10. Kimonos. Part of my initial checklist when we went to Japan was to buy one. I even set aside a "budget" for it, knowing that it would be so expensive. But when we were there and I saw just how much it cost, and read through the net how difficult it would be to keep and wear, well, I had to reluctantly give it up. I settled for buying several yukata instead. :P With matching obis, of course. They're just as pretty, won't be as hard to put on, and cheaper. They're also usually the summer version of the kimono, so they're perfect to use in weather like ours. 9. Real, authentic, Japanese-made, Japanese food. Yes! Japanese food really tastes different when you're in Japan! :P Ev en the Yoshinoya beef bowl tasted different. Paul and I were lucky enough to eat at a small restaurant near our hotel that specialized in tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) and the servings were quite big. On one of our Akihabara days, our friend Aaron took us to a Yoshinoya-li...