Monday, June 18, 2012

AMR Invasion!

Woah, I just realized I HAVEN'T BLOGGED ABOUT MY MOST RECENT VISITORS!!!! Considering I've been wanting these guys to visit the minute I moved here, you would've thunk I'd remember to document this momentous occasion the minute they left! 

But anyway yes... so a few days after arriving from Thailand, I cleaned up, stocked up the fridge and turned my loft into a big bedroom in preparation for AMR's arrival.

A&M only stayed for a few days; so in those few days we packed in the itinerary. They wandered about on their own during the weekdays and we would meet up in the evening. I brought them to many of the restaurants places I've been wanting to share with them since I first experienced them, as well as explored some new places together for the first time. 

The pace slowed down a little with only R around. She extended for a bit wherein she bummed and explored on her own as well as with friends. She got to do a lot of soul searching and well.. it seems to have serendipitously opened up some doors for her in the process. 

It was ridiculously awesome having them come and step into my every day reality. Sooner or later (sooner for some!) though, we'll all get to live in the same reality again and it will be brilliant! 

Can't wait! 

Credit to M for many of the photos in this post! 
Mozza Pizzeria never fails me

Jurong Bird Park for the first time! It was.. full of birds

Last pic before M & A flew back to Manila

With my family... ran into other visiting family! 

Silly silly

Dindin with family

Making our way to the Night Safari!

Another favorite

You can't leave SG without having some of this

Dindin with my friends
Class A sandwiches with M around! 

Got to bring them to my favorite Indian resto!

Bugis walking

Joanna + Joanno 

Indo with old JKT friends

Margaritas & Mexican with R

Saturday, June 16, 2012

A Lofty Farewell

Bidding an unexpected farewell to my lovely loft. Will definitely miss the bright natural sunlight that streams in during the daytime, the cozy and quiet weekends, the beautiful parquet flooring, the airy high ceilings, the 4 solid walls of the bathroom, my very lived-in living room and all the little touches I've added here and there to make it  home. 

But as they say, with endings comes new beginnings. So looking forward to making a home with my new roomie (who celebrates her 22nd bday today!); to the sharing of comfortable silences and what will surely be many crazy moments, to learning together and from each other.

Forward ho! 











Thailand Sites: Ayutthaya


Day trip out of Bangkok care of my kind hearted and overly generous Tito. We checked out the Royal Summer Palace, and a number of key sites in the historic city of Ayutthaya- the heart of the Siam kingdom between 1350 - 1767 before it was destroyed by the Burmese.

The eclectic mix of buildings at the Summer Palace was nothing fantastic for me. The baby elephants (and of the belief that these little dudes are well taken care of!!) were amazing. What struck me the most though in a quiet, almost eerie way were the ruins at Wat Phra Mahathat. While the star attraction of UNESCO world heritage site was the Buddha head engulfed by figs, I enjoyed the quiet walk around the deserted ruins. It's was mind boggling to think that this place used to be a grand seat of power, bustling with life and activity. The world as they knew it no longer exists. 

I've seen a number of historical landmarks, many of civilizations that no longer exist. I've never had such a quiet connection with them as I did with this one. Perhaps because this place isn't crawling with tourists and not as glamorized as many other historical landmarks? Who knows. Makes you wonder about the hundreds of other societies that no longer exist, some perhaps disappearing unnoticed? It also got me thinking deeper about globalization, where a world once so different is slowly becoming more and more alike. 

But I digress! Ayutthaya? A trip definitely making should you ever find yourself in Bangkok.

Summer Palace
Summer Palace

The Von Trapp family's crazy Asian cousin ;) 

Summer Palace

Put up especially for the Von Trapp family's crazy Asian family. lol 

Summer Palace

This tree by the temple had little things hiding in its crevices! 

Manong Guard and his lotus offerings

Wat Yai Chai Mongkol
Wat Yai Chai Mongkol

Wat Yai Chai Mongkol

Wat Yai Chai Mongkol

Wat Yai Chai Mongkol

Bird lady

<3

<3

Wat Phra Mahathat
Wat Phra Mahathat 
Wat Phra Mahathat

Wat Phra Mahathat

Wat Phra Mahathat

Wat Phra Mahathat
Wat Phra Mahathat
Another giant reclining Buddha!