FROM ASIA TO EUROPE

My Asian adventure had just over. I truly miss Thailand and the friends I made there but I need to move out and find a better place that God has prepared for me. Thailand was a nice starting point of my Asian trip so as learning more the Asian culture.
I left Thailand 12th of January and started my flight through Ukrainian airlines that delayed 3 hours from the expected time.
We arrived in Ukraine (Kiev - the capital city) 4 pm which was already dark and breezely cold. So, the flight that I supposed to take from Ukraine was already in Poland so the airline booked me another ticket through Hungarian airline that I needed to have another transit via Budapest. I boarded Ukrainian airline which majority of the passengers were Ukrainians. There were 5 of us Asians at least.
When I arrived in Kiev-Ukraine, an old Ukrainian lady that I met in the airport assisted me where to go and what to do about upon arriving in the airport.
Upon waiting to my next flight going to Budapest-Hungary, people in the airport kept on staring at me, with so much wondering and questions in their eyes who I was and where I came from and why I was totally different from them facially(skin color).
Boarded to Hungarian airlines going to Budapest, still their curiousity looks didn't stop them to stare at me throughout the flight (funny right? thought Pinoy would only do that).
Arriving at Budapest airport on time, we were transported by bus from the airline who fetched us rightly. They have different style of transporting passengers instead of letting the passengers off entering through the airport's passage way connected to the building of the airport, but in Ukraine, Hungary and Poland we need to walk a little in the midst of the airport before getting on the airport bus that'd take us to the boarding area.
In Budapest, they were so strict that we needed to go through a very rigid checking and frisking. While waiting for my last flight, passengers who'd boarding on the same plane that I went to keeps on staring at me. I really felt so exotic and constantly vain of myself for a while thinking that there's something wrong on my face or what. In Poland, nobody waited for me in the airport. They were wondering where I was which they thought that I could be on the flight that was being scheduled. I waited for a while and didn't know what to do. Of course, I prayer and God helped me and was able to contact my boss.
Being in Europe is an answered prayer, I know that it is the beginning of my travel around Europe(with God's permit)same thing that I did in Thailand. I have been praying for this since I was a kid, and now it is already in my hand. I'll be looking forward to a great Euro adventure soon.

MY ASIAN TRIP

My first ever trip abroad was in Thailand, didn't expect that I could live and stay there for long since it's not my desire to see Thailand not even thinking of myself going there. I'd say that I made the right decision of accepting the job offer given to me, well, I was already so desperately sad then of going out the country because of the uncertain future in the Philippines. That worried me much of my future in the Philippines, that going to Thailand would be a golden gate for me to travel the nearby places around Southeast Asia. In Thailand, lots of opportunities came and that is the possibilities of my first backpacking trip abroad. The second country that I saw was Laos, its just so near in Thailand and its one of the poorest countries in the southeast of Asia. I got the chance of going around the capital city since it's more accessible. My budget then was enough for two days, I guess staying there for a short trip was truly enough. Was told by another traveler that outside Vientianne is better. The most exciting and memorable trip I had was in Hongkong, it was summer vacation in Thailand and my head teacher(Thai) invited me to go on a trip with her to Hongkong, honestly why would I refuse? its Hongkong you know. Seeing Hongkong was a dream come true, it's one of my fave countries in the world. Love the energy, the place and everything in there amazes me. In the midst of my trip in Hongkong, I was told by a New Zealander friend back in Thailand that I could possibly make a side trip to Macau that'd only take 1 hour by ferry boat. That ignited me to find ways on how to get there easily from the hostel that we stayed on. To be exact, I was in Macau for a day. Never had the chance of going around the city of Macau but it was really great to see the Las Vegas of Asia. Nice hotels and casinos are very common. If I'd have the blessings to travel Hongkong again, Macau wouldn't be forgotten even for a day of trip. Who would have thought that Malaysia was a part of my trip. Thanks to my Polish boss who supported all my expenses going to Malaysia. Coming to Malaysia was not just merely on travel but on purpose, lawfully purpose that I really needed to be there. I stayed in Kuala Lumpur for 3 weeks and sorry to say this but there's nothing much to see in Kuala Lumpur. I saw a lot of backpackers and even met some of them during a gathering of the Couch Surfing local members. Malaysia isn't included in my fave list places in the world but I appreciated the chance that was given to me, though it's close to Thailand but its honestly expensive traveling around Malaysia, just thinking of the low value of Baht money to Ringgit. However, I was happy when I saw Malaysia. It's cleaner than Philippines and Thailand, more progressive and organized. The unexpected and unplanned trip I had was going to Singapore. I was in the middle of joy when the bus I boarded was already in the boarder of Singapore. That's when I thought that I was already in the vicinity of the lion city. Though my trip there wasn't that light and abundant of traveling, yet, the experience I had was irreplaceable. I realized how expensive Singapore was the reason I could not stay another day or so. I thank God, really for the opportunities He gave me to travel the southeast part of Asia and partly in the north. It'd be so hard for an ordinary Filipino citizen to make a step just to get where I am today and the travels I made.

AN UNPLANNED TRIP IN SINGAPORE

I didn't expect a quick travel to Singapore on New Years eve while staying in Kuala Lumpur for three weeks. Was already set my mind of spending it in a friend's house, however, things changed unexpectedly when my friend refused to answer my calls to confirm if he'll be around by then or he'll be going somewhere else.
I was really annoyed when he didn't get back my calls, instead I decided to go Singapore and thought of spending my New Year there. Because it was a quick plan,thinking of a place and the money that I was going to spend wasn't really in mind so long as I'd see Singapore and to witness how's Singaporean people spend New Year.
I took a bus going to Singapore that took me 5 hours drive which was a bit cheaper. Spent the New Year on the road while on my way there, got held by the immigration for 30 minutes and was interrogated, my cellphone was checked, bags, and wallet, yet I was allowed to enter Singapore. The bus that I boarded left me so I took another one and paid 20 RM. It was already past 2 a.m. when I arrived the city and no idea where to go and where to spend the whole wee hours till the sun rises. Just wandering around till I reached to a train station that was close to a hostel that I searched online with the hope I could make a room reservation(who would dare to let me in?). Realized that Singaporean $ was higher than RM so I had thought of staying for a day and leave Singapore in the afternoon.
Exhausted, hungry, soaked with perspiration, sleepless but despite of that I managed to go around and see those landmarks of Singapore that we usually see in the pictures, magazine or tv.
It was a great trip eventually and that experienced would always be a good reminders for me...when backpacking, plan well, avoid and risking the quick decision.

COUCH SURFING FRIENDS

I just had a great day yesterday while staying in Kuala Lumpur. At least for my two weeks stay, it wasn't that boring because I got the chance of meeting other CS friends here in KL so as from other countries too.
Meaning it was a gathering of backpackers in Kuala Lumpur so as backpackers from other countries who are travelling in the capital city right now. Was and am certainly is happy to be a member of this backpackers online community.
To update you about our happenings let me show you some pics.



With the CS from other countries that I met in Kuala Lumpur.



Susanne Wilke from Switzerland, a very friendly and funny lady.



Me at the roof top of Traders Hotel with Petronas tower in the evening.



The street that we hang-out...place for backpackers.

MY SECOND TRIP TO KUALA LUMPUR

Sorry for not updating for a while. As usual, I'm blogging based on diary style. I just copied them from my Note Book diary.

December 22, 2010
I just arrived in Malaysia safe and sound by train. Was my first ever ride on a train. It was a long trip which isn't stressful comparing to bus. The train provides pillows, blankets and they have sleepers or berth for the passengers to sleep on. On my way to Malaysia, met fellow traveler from USA. He's at his age travelling alone and he's been coming back to Southeast Asia. I learned so many things about his travels which is a helpful one for me.
The weather in Malaysia is a bit cooler because of its frequent rains. Right on my arrivals in Kuala Lumpur, I immediately went to the place of a Malaysian girls who happens to be the friends of my friend too. I was hesitant at first because they were all girls and its my first meeting to these good Samaritans.

Train station in Bangkok.




My ticket going to Butterworth Malaysia.




Inside the train.




Sleepers or berth of the train.



December 23, 2010
Went to Poles embassy and was a bit disappointed. Didn't know that're close by Thursday. I might have forgotten the sked. After knowing the short cut going to the embassy, just realized that I could go around KL by on foot. Reached and found my way to Petronas tower by walking from Polish embassy. It wasn't that far but enough for me to be soaked with so much "pawis". Decided to go back to the apartment of the Malaysian ladies because I was kindda tired of walking around, looking some tourist places to click on.


December 24, 2010
Went back to the embassy again but the man in charge was so strict and sort of conceited. Was praying that it'd be my last day of applying my visa. Left the embassy with my head down filled with anger and desperation. Thought there'd be no problem at all, much to my expectations I failed. That night, the song "He Leadeth Me, medley" and "When Answers Aren't Enough" were the only tools that I used as my medicine to ease the pain I had, it was really soothing hearing those wonderful songs.




December 25, 2010
Christmas day so as Sabbath, but the pain is still there. Had a fellowship with the Malaysians and other nationalities in the church. Joined their community service by visiting those abandoned old folks by their children.