Let’s throw it back to one rainy day in October last year when I was exploring this northwest city of Belgium called Bruges (pronounced as broozh). I was discussing it with a European “acquaintance” on a dinner two weeks ago and I couldn’t help reminisce. He even mentioned a film about it and naturally I…
Been coming back to Cebu now for three consecutive years and what can I say, I’m still loving this province in the South. Though the primary reason for coming was participating for the first time ever in a Spartan race, I couldn’t help but cross off some must-sees before and after it with my Cebu…
Having discussed Egypt’s topography previously and how this civilization is blessed by the Nile (see post here), isn’t it odd how the Eygptians were so much obsessed with death and the after-life? I mean, if you belong to one of the most advanced civilizations, perhaps you can focus on many other fascinating things concerning the…
What end of summer though? This climate change had me thinking that even if we’re having frequent rainshowers, we will still be muttering “ang init” (it’s so hot) like 209 times in a day when it’s not pouring. But okay, not to depress everyone regarding the world’s condition, wet season is finally here and us…
Arriving in our hotel in Luxor on our 4th day in Egypt, the surroundings made me flashback to a certain location in Jakarta. Carol, on the other hand, thought she was back in Jaipur. You get the drift right? It was not immediately visible why this city that takes after the Arabic word for “palaces”…
If ever Wes Anderson, master of visual storytelling, was to pick a temple in Egypt, Kom ombo would no doubt be the winner. Situated on a promontory on the banks of the Nile built to overlook the river, this Ptolemaic temple would pass the director’s knack for symmetry. It has two each of the traditional…
‘Welcome to Alaska.’ At first I thought this greeting I heard from our boatman was a joke about the chilly temperature we were having that day. We were cruising the Nile on a felucca, it was around 11-13 °C and already I was anxious about making it through the overnight boat camping with just my…
Perhaps no experience taught me better about Egypt than that of riding the overnight bus from Cairo to Aswan. A little before 6am, I was awakened to a view of a sunrise in most probably Saharan desert (?*) Most of the people in the bus were still asleep but a quick inspection of the highway…
When a friend learned that I was traveling in Egypt, his first reaction was, “Why?” Understanding that this question stems from a lot of unfamiliarity or a general concern, I suppressed my initial response. Most of my friends though would often talk about it being their dream/ must-see destination and I’m here to give that…
A record-breaking heat index temperature of 42 °C hitting Manila recently 🔥🔥🔥 means it’s already time for summer escapades in the Philippines. 🏝 According to PAG-ASA, indices in this range is considered “dangerous”, meaning heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely, and heat stroke is probable with continued activity. Soooo… If you’re like me who’s having…