4 Essentials To Remember When Traveling To Brunei

1) Phone Coding System – I was somewhat perplexed when my friend and I tried to call someone from Brunei using the local phone booth and mobile phone. None of them worked. At first we thought maybe the phone booth is spoiled and oh maybe something is wrong with our mobile phones too. Until we learned that when calling someone the area code has to be deleted otherwise, you won’t be able to reach the person you’re calling. For example, +673 7163 123, the country code +673 has to be omitted. While if you are overseas and wish to call Brunei you have to first dial 001 + the country code + the 7 digit numbers and that’s how it works. But nobody told us that. Things does work in Brunei quite differently .

Favourite Travel Photos – My 7 Super Shots

I had no idea what am I getting into when I receive a tag from my friend Andrew Mamangun of trippingsbydrew.com to come up with my very own 7 Super Shots organized by HostelBookers challenge. I am glad that he includes me because I had fun, difficulty and enjoyable time doing this .

It was fun because while checking my file photos it brings back memories. While browsing, I can’t help but smile, feel sad, misses some place, wants to forget, hopes to stay forever etc all kinds of emotion. I find the exercise difficult at the same time because every place I visit I always have my favorite spur-of-the-moment shot. I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I had captured quite a few great shots (at least from my very own perception hihihi). Some of them were taken while I am at the bus, train or boat. So there the difficulty in choosing the best among the best from my thousands photo collections. It was totally enjoyable. I realize, taking photos has nothing to do (but of course it helps) with whatever camera you use whether DSLR or simply point & shoot but more often it’s how and when, the angle, the timing, the weather, how well all these coordinates with one another. Okay to be honest I don’t know about photography at all, I am just super duper grateful that I think I am given an eye to capture, be it landscape or people at the right time and place. The idea I think is being open to your surroundings, be totally spontaneous and be really aware of the place you are in. You’ll definitely capture something beautiful when you least expect it. So here it goes

1 – Takes my breath away

Coron Palawan, Philippines

My recent visit in January with my mother made me fall in love all over again with the place. There is something magical about this Coron Island that mesmerizes me every time I went back.

Side Trip to KL (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

I’m very spontaneous. –Patti LaBelle

Patti LaBelle summed it up, I am like that =).

It’s good to fly cheaper but I think you have to be ready with the downsides like when the time kept changing. This is what happen with my recent experience with Air Asia. I got several text messages and email about the changes. I’m glad though that they gave me the flexibility to choose. I delayed my flight a bit, opted to stay for one day and one night in KL, ended up sitting in a first row.

There are always related consequences though. Like I was not able to come back to work on the day I am expected to show up. I failed to inform my colleague about my extended absence. I have to pay for the cost. There is no such thing as free lunch really. I need to regulate my being addicted to traveling.

I Miss HOME

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.  ~Jane Austen

I don’t know. Something doesn’t just feel right. I’m not sure if it has something to do with what happened at work the other day. Or maybe I am just really tired and had not got enough rest after seeing three places in a row.

Soul Echoes in Brunei

I love you when you bow in your mosque, kneel in your temple, pray in your church. For you and I are sons of one religion, and it is the spirit. -Khalil Gibran

Brunei as known to be an “Abode of Peace” has its unique charms. It has a relax atmosphere, quiet surroundings, not crowded and has relatively clean environment. The setting seems just well suited to reinvigorate my senses.

Mayo na pala…

Ang anumang agwat ay di mararating kung titingnan lamang at di lalakarin. Ako, ikaw o kahit sinumang nilalang, tayong lahat ang arkitekto ng sariling kapalaran.  –Koleksyon ni R. Esto, 1991

Sabay napatingin ako sa kalendaryo sa kaliwa ng aking mesa, Mayo na pala…