Seattle Snowstorm

Arrived in Seattle a couple of days back and the whole state is currently in a state of emergency due to a rare case of heavy snowstorm forecasted to have 6-12 inches of fall. A beautiful sight to look at for someone like me coming from the tropics, but its hard to get to anywhere by walking or by car due to piles of snow and icy roads. Hope everyone out there is safe and cozy.

SSSS

Flying out today and was “lucky” to have been randomly selected once again by the system for more patting and screening. It was a pleasant and quick experience though while the personnel were very courteous and professional, albeit a bit awkward. Oh well, another day!

Happy New Year 2019!

Welcome New Year 2019!

I am writing this down as I unwind with my family to end 2018 and welcome the new year in Macau, China. We waited for 12:00AM to strike along the shore of Avenida de Sagres, overlooking Nam Vam Lake, Macau Tower and Macau-Taipa bridge (Governador Nobre de Carvalho bridge).

I plan to keep this blog updated once again for myself and write down my travel thoughts as they come along starting today and hope that I am able to cope up with time once again.

Cheers to the new year ahead all of us and hoping for everyone to have a blast in 2019!

Short walking tour of Boston at New Year's Eve

Nothing much to-do today so I headed to Boston, armed with my CharlieCard and camera, and walked and basically followed the route I took more than 5 years ago during my first time in the city.
 
Despite the cold weather and light snow, I braved my way even without the proper winter gear. I took the subway train, MBTA green line, coming from Washington Street station (in Brighton) and alighted 17 stations away at Boylston Street station. In less than an hour I was already in Boston (I fell asleep throughout the journey and woke up a couple of stations prior).

As I exited the subway station, the familiar look of the park I've been to a couple of time prior greeted me. Boston Common is said to be the oldest park in the US and the massive 50 acres space is host to a number of walking and jogging paths, playground, and for this season, a skating rink. In fact, Boylston Station where I just came from is also considered the first subway station in the country!


Boston Massacre Memorial


As it is winter, a number of people were skating this afternoon and there was a long waiting line for people to get in.



Nearby sits the TADpole Playground.



They even have ice carvings of the TADPole Playground signage too!


Benches are available to sit and relax within the park as well. I would have stayed if it wasn't for the weather.


Just across the street is the Massachusetts State House. You cannot miss this building as it features a 23 karat gold dome atop.


statue of General Joseph Hooker


another view of the statue and the state house


Nearby, walking distance, is the Granary Burial Ground. Referred to also as the Granary Burying Ground, the cemetery is a burial site for a number of key names in American history, such as those who signed the Declaration of Independence (Sam Adams, John Hancock and Robert Treat Paine).


Unfortunately the site was closed today. I was also informed that it seems to be closed most of the times already unlike 5 years ago when we were free to wander inside.


Walking further down the same street is the King's Chapel, an Anglican Parish ordered to be built by King James II.


The first public school in the US is just behind the King's Chapel. Other references also say it once served as a city hall (and thus referred to as Old City Hall).

Walking further down the street leads to these nice older structures, just across Irish Famine Memorial.


Across the memorial is the Old South Meeting House, where the famous Boston Tea Party was held in December 16, 1773. 


Following the arrows pointing to the heritage trail lead me to the Old State House, or Towne House. It is where the Declaration of Independence was read in public on July 18, 1776.



Nearby, perhaps a block or so away is the Faneuil Hall, a marketplace and meeting hall during the old colonial times. There are a number of shops housed inside this building (as well as on the North Market and South Market buildings beside it).


In front of the hall is the statue of Samuel Adams and right in front of it is an ice carving that states "Red Sox, World Series Champions" as a banner for their Major League Baseball title of Boston Red Sox.


Behind Faneuil Hall is the Quincy Market building. Today it is filled with food carts and stalls of all sorts making it a perfect stop to eat something that you may fancy.


inside Quincy Market


At the center of the building is a big dome that is a nice sight to see while you eat at the foodcourt.



I had the daily special form Boston Chowda Co. which includes a lobster roll (cold), soup or clam chowder (but of course!) and a small soda cup for $19.78. The roll was very good and the lobster meat was very plump and juicy. Great to have the hot clam chowder on the side as well to balance it all!


An 83-feet Christmas tree stands proudly just right outside as I exited the other side of the Quincy Market. Nice to look at with the Custom House at the backdrop located just nearby.


The Custom House, a 17th century structure (although the tower was added during the 20th century). It is an icon on its own and can easily be distinguished from afar, specially when you are at the waterfront. Today it operates as Marriott's Custom House, a vacation club/timeshare resort.


Walking towards the waterfront from the Custom House will bring you to see a queer looking hotel called Boston Marriott Long Wharf. 


Boston HarborWalk or also referred to as Long Wharf is the name of the place that refers to the pier/port nearby which today functions as a docking point for passenger vessels, mostly for tourism. At the end of the wharf is a plaza which has a nice view of the surrounding waters of the area.



Boston is such a beautiful, (and for me) laid-back and quaint city to visit, just for relaxing, without the usual hustle and bustle that would otherwise add stress to your visit.

PR now flies direct to Bali!

Okay, after some bad experience with PR, it's refreshing to hear a good news from a friend recently - that Philippine Airlines is now flying direct to Bali via Denpasar International Airport. Previously from Manila, you have to connect either via Singapore, Jakarta or some flights via Bangkok.

Flights will be every Wednesday and Saturday (late evening, arriving early morning in Bali) and back to Manila every Sunday and Thursday (very early morning, turn-around flight)

Now that there's a direct flight, things will be easier for us! Hope to catch it soon when budget allows!

Changing name, revamping and backposting

You may have noticed a slight change to my blog. I moved from thebackpackboy.com to simply backpackboy.com. This allowed me to have a URL that is simpler, shorter and easier to remember. If you have been following, please change your references to reflect the new one. However, the old domain name will continue to work and redirect to the new one to help on the transition.

Another thing, I'm currently experimenting for a new look and feel of this site so pardon the hiccups you may encounter from time to time.

On a side note, I've been backposting recently some of my travels as far as those from 2009. You may wonder and notice these new posts that will pop-up that are backdated as I continue to catch up.

Lastly to my blogging friends, I'm still committed to keep this site so stay tuned for more. Catch up with you all!

Looking for another Southeast Asian Trip!

Amidst back posts waiting to be published in the blogs, I've been thinking of having another quick getaway within Southeast Asia. It's been a while since I've been out for trips within the region, and I do hope to be on one soon. Why Southeast Asia you ask? Well from my perspective there could be a lot of reasons:

• convenient, because most destinations just need a single flight coming from my home airport (MNL).
• cheaper, this is relative but considering a lot of budget airlines in the region, flights tend to be cheaper. Even hotels, inns, or hostels are considerably cheap than, say, going to west of the world.
• closer, that way, I don't have to take a long leave away from work. A quick getaway will do.

Also since, ASEAN countries have a treaty that doesn't require visa among its citizens, we are free to jump from one ASEAN country to another without hassle of paperwork.

Among the member countries, I've been to (in alphabetical order) Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. I've been wanting to, but haven't been yet to Brunei, Laos and Myanmar, because either I have no reason yet to go to or there is no direct flight from the country.

Actually I've been eyeing for a time already to be back in Thailand. Looking at my last trip to Bangkok and surrounding area, it was definitely a fun fun experience and although we have covered a lot at that time, there is still a lot of reasons to go back to. Looking at Bangkok flight deals and similar websites, makes me wonder and want to go, but still thinking. Hmmmm!

me, taken at Wat Arun

Back in Manila and catching up

I've been back home for quite a few days now and still finding time to catch up amidst a number of blog articles to be posted, pictures to be sorted, work and personal stuff to do. Nevertheless, I'm still longing and looking forward for my next possible trip, a longer one without work this time. I remember the time 4 years back when my mom and my brother came to the US and did the following:

• saw New York and visited the Statue of Liberty among others in the city,
• headed into Toronto to visit a relative in the middle of their worst snowstorm of that year then seeing the spectacular view for the first time of Niagara Falls
• visited a number of museums and government establishments in the capital city of Washington, DC
• loved the laid-back charm and comfort of Boston, MA
• surmised in the bustling sin city of Las Vegas then watching a live boxing title fight between Marquez and Pacquiao as we side trip to Arizona for the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon.

Wondering off on some downtime, I am trying to relive those precious moments and in a whim began searching for flights to east coast US again and specifically stumbled on a site offering flights to New York that has tempting offers. *think think and control* :)

Things are different now than those time. I'm now married, recently had a wonderful blessing of a healthy baby boy so priorities changed. However, I'm still looking forward to that next wonderful and longer personal trip with my new family.

I will be posting articles and pictures of my last trip as I squeeze time for it this coming lenten holiday season in between meditation on belief and life.

Going around Cebu

I just got home tonight from a 3-day official business trip in the wonderful province of Cebu. The trip is for our company offsite and I've been to Cebu numerous times, all of which are business trips (customer meetings, presentations, etc.), except last year when I came with friends for the Sinulog Festival 2009.

Our group stayed in Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa, a resort I've been to in 2007 and raved about in a blog post before. This time my room, being shared with a friend and officemate, is a Superior Garden Room located at the main wing.


And just like before, they still have a fresh ripe mango fruit welcome basket for guests.


The room has a balcony, which is a perfect addition to the rool to chill out and let your mind wander off stress from work.


view from the balcony


Because our flight was early, we were already in the airport at the wee hours of twilight. Generally we were very hungry come lunch time as we feast on sumptuous dishes served buffet-style in Tides, an in-house restaurant located at the main wing.


my food! yum!


The rest of the day was spent on internal meetings and I'm not in the position to disclose what happened.

Early on the next day (day 2) however, I strolled around the pool and beachfront area after having breakfast in Acqua, the restaurant located in the ocean wing.


The place never fails to amaze me. It is so inviting that right there and then, I wanted to take a dip and relax. However, we have activities lined up for that day so I can just help but dream.


The pool area is so nice and calm, and the surrounding view is really serene. Add to it that there were not a lot of guests at that time. It really was teasing me to give in.


The beachfront area! A stretch of white sand beach and a line of beach hut umbrellas were waiting for guests!


Rest of day again was spent over official business, including some water activities. That night, the group went to the city for some drinks and party at a local bar. That was the end of the official trip for the next day (day 3), majority of the group will be flying out.


Day 3. Today, while some others arranged to fly out in the morning, a group of photo enthusiasts were left in the city and arranged to fly that night instead. The plan is to go around the city and take some pictures.

Our first stop was at Lapu-lapu Shrine, located in Mactan island (same where Shangri-La is) and where a 20-meter bronze statue of a local hero, Lapu-lapu, stands proud. The status was to commemorate this datu (village head) who lead a group that fought against and killed Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan on 1521.


Nearby, a memorial tower was erected in honor of the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.
 

a nearby hut


A tablet marker stands nearby describing the place to be the site of the Battle of Mactan. Behind is a mural painting of the encounter.
 

a closer look


Then we drove off (via a rented van) to the Taoist Temple, located at mainland Cebu City.


The temple was built in 1972 and is open to public, with some restrictions. As we are not practicing the belief, we were advised upon entry on the restrictions and that we respect the sanctity of the place.


railings and tower


bell


The temple is located around 300 meters above sea level

stone lion


The temple architecture is amazing! Even minute details such as the roofing and designs were carefully planned and executed.


And the place is very colorful. Striking red and green blends well with its natural surroundings.


fisherman


stairs to the top


another view of the temple


We then headed for a quick lunch and proceeded to Magellan's Cross. A cross planted when Spanish colonizers arrived in 1521 is now housed in this small chapel located nearby the Minor Basilica of the Santo Niño.


Inside, one will find the wooden enclosure where the original cross was put inside. The enclosure was put to protect the cross from people who take bits and pieces of the original cross in a belief that it is miraculous. The painting on the ceiling depicts the arrival of Magellan in the island.


me


Then we walked towards Colegio del Sto. Niño en route to the Minor Basilica of the Santo Niño.


Minor Basilica of the Santo Niño is a church built in 1739, in replacement of an old one, build on the location where locals found a sculpture of the Child Jesus kept on a wooden box.


inside the church


the altar


Walking around the basilica, you may pass by a small museum showcasing old religious articacts or walk around and notice the old-century charm of the place.
 

vendors selling candles for prayer offerings


Lastly, we headed to Fort de San Pedro, but as we parked, I saw that is very nearby Malacañang sa Sugbo and took a picture. Malacañang sa Sugbo is the official residence of the President of the Philippines in the region which was built in 1910 and previously was a Bureau of Customs office.


Fort de San Pedro is a fortress built during Spanish regime era of 1738 for defense against Muslim raiders. Entrance fees to the fort is PHP21 for adults and PHP13 for children.


logo engraved in stone at the entrance of the fortress


The place is famous for locals to relax and hang-out (or even have concentration as what this painter is doing). For visitors of the city, they come here for the historic value and the remaining traces of the Spanish colonization period.


Here are just some of the pictures taken inside the fortress:
  

Here in the fort, we arrange for some photoshoot among the group also, with the focus on lighting basics workshop. Here are just some shots tooked for myself..
 

.. and some sample shots with a model.
 

This was the end as I had to head back to the airport late that afternoon to catch a flight. This has been an eye-opener experience for me as I've been to the city for years but never been to these places before. Next time, I'd be more vigilant. For all I know, there are still things I didn't even know from my home town yet!