From Lines to LensesAnything Under The Sun
Posted on July 19, 2018
Grand Mosque Mystique. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at Night
Anything under the sun. Well at least that is how I remember or describe Abu Dhabi. It seems like anything is possible here. Dubai may be the most popular of all the Emirates in the UAE but Abu Dhabi is still the capital; and it has several reasons for being so. As one travel guide puts it, Abu Dhabi is not afraid to challenge World Records. To start, Abu Dhabi has the world’s largest hand-loomed carpet (which is found inside perhaps the grandest mosque in the Arabian peninsula). You can enjoy the highest high tea in one of the city’s latest observatories. You can ride the world’s fastest roller coaster here. With its geographical location under the sun, it is one city championing sustainable energy. Abu Dhabi also has the world’s most leaning building (Capital Gate Tower which is tilted at 18 degrees; four times more wayward than the leaning tower of Pisa). And to highlight its cultural ambitions, it is a city with the branch of the famous Louvre outside of Paris. Among upcoming others (whew). 🙂 Read More
My Tokyo Blues
Posted on March 18, 2018
Lost in Translation. Tokyo at twilight viewed from Tokyo World Trade Center (circa 2017).
This is one example of those late melancholic posts. I finally had the chance to see Tokyo a second time last Winter. The first time was way back in the Autumn of 2013 when I was invited by a major Japanese furniture manufacturer to attend a 3-day convention. Since then, I always remember Tokyo as a cold city (my first encounter with the outside world); the city I fell in love with and the one that inspired me to explore, to travel, and to discover more of the world around me. I don’t know how I will do it; but after this recent trip, I promised myself (and my family) to return to this place at least once a year. 🙂 Read More
From Tokyo to the Bay
Posted on October 26, 2017
Rainbow Bridge in Tokyo Bay (circa 2013)
“…a thousand miles from comfort…there’s no place I’d rather be…”–Clean Bandit
This is where it all started. The first time I saw Japan was way back in November 2013. I was invited by a major Japanese furniture manufacturer to attend a convention in Tokyo. It was a 3-day event with a 2-day extension for us to do anything we want. It was my first time to travel outside my own country (other than Singapore of course where I am currently based) and to be honest with you, I was childlike ecstatic. Autumn was very much well on its way when we arrived; and with the cold temperature, I fell in love with Tokyo almost immediately. I remember the last time when I passed off an opportunity in the office for a free winter travel to this country. I really regretted that one. Read More
Dubai Retrospective
Posted on June 9, 2017
A Light Between Oceans. Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach at Sunset.
I got this idea from one spontaneous traveler. He would spin a globe and stop it with his index finger. He will look at the place where his finger had landed and then pack his bags or suitcase quickly to go to that place. I did the same thing. My finger landed somewhere in the Gulf (or purposely made it land there) and decided that it’s Dubai. At least it had to be because it’s the only place I know that is within that neighborhood. So I literally ran to the airport and fly to Dubai right after that. Of course I am just kidding. 🙂 I believe I planned this all along and I am not a spontaneous traveler. My passport is not really one of the strongest in the world, so traveling to Dubai is a challenge. Besides, the Middle East (or Western Asia) is a dream (up until now) and way over my travel budget. Looking back now, it was not also the best time to visit the place. Summer has started and it was 40 degrees during the day; with the heat a different kind of painful on the skin and the air a bit stifling and suffocating for first timers. But it was also the time to take advantage of lower hotel rates and speedy Visa processing. I lodged in my Visa application on a Saturday afternoon and got the Visa the following day (a Sunday). So if you don’t mind staying inside malls during the day (which I am sure you don’t), early summer is a good time to visit this wonderful country. Read More
Putrajaya Architecture Ramble
Posted on February 16, 2016
Putra Mosque at twilight. Putra Mosque is the principal mosque of Putrajaya.
This is another one of those times when you get to choose last-minute holiday destinations. We took one week off in the office to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. At the back of my head, I was hoping that our company would send us to somewhere really cold or even exotic to spend the one-week holiday (like what our company usually do). Well, that didn’t happen this year. The announcement came in a bit late so most of us had to scramble and decide whether to go back to our respective hometowns or go somewhere else. The plane ticket to my hometown (Manila) could get a little pricey this time of year, so I just decided to go to nearby Malaysia. It seems that Malaysia for me is the default destination for long weekends and short road trips; for obvious reasons. From Singapore where I am staying, it is only a few minutes or hours away depending on your destination. Architecture, food, historical sites, beaches, nature, or theme parks; Malaysia has all that and more. You choose. Read More
From Lines to Lenses 