Good Morning, Philippines!

I just love sunrise!

These are my best sunrise shots yet, taken on my way back from Bangkok with my IXUS 75. We were flying over our 7,107 islands at around 4AM last September 4.

early morning colors

flying across our 7107 islands!

That One Long Weekend in Thailand

Before my four-day trip to Thailand last Aug 31-Sept 3, I've made a list of the things that I want to do while we're there. That was my first ever Asian trip after more than 10 years (excluding stopovers during business trips) and Thailand being one of my dream countries in Asia, I'd like to maximize those precious four days.

I am proud to say that I have been able to accomplish 13 out of 16 of these items plus some other bonus activities like writing my name on a ceramic tile to be used for the reconstruction of the temple roof, dropping coins in 108 prayer bowls, offering incense and lotus flowers to a Buddha in Ayutthaya, and befriending some locals who helped us gain access to some of Thailand's best!).

Below was my list:

It was such a short trip given that there's so much to do in Bangkok alone. Next time I'm in Thailand, I want to do the following:

1) Watch a classical Thai masked dance at Sala Chalermkrung Theatre or a Thai cultural show at Siam Niramit
2) Take the Chao Phraya Cruise at night and see the temples at their lighted glory
3) Get an authentic Thai massage at Wat Pho
4) Watch the sunset/sunrise at Ayutthaya
5) Go to Phi Phi Le island where the movie, The Beach was filmed
6) Watch a Calypso Cabaret show and see performances of Thai "women" and see if this is better than Club Mwah's performaces =)
7) Watch Muay Thai tournaments
8) and then... Hop to Cambodia then Vietnam after enjoying Thailand one more time =)

Hopefully, I get to complete this new checklist by late next year. I know, it'll be even more amazing!