Bangkok, Thailand: Seemingly Fast-Paced Tour of a Picturesque Country

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It’s been weeks since we had our vacation to Bangkok, Thailand. I’m seriously so sad that our trip is over, and how everything just felt too fast-paced and short during our three-day escapade. I wish we could have stayed longer, but it’s alright. Going to Bangkok, I had the chance to admire their picturesque country which made it the highlight of my summer vacation.

We totally lived our life to the fullest even though we did have a hard time trying to understand the Thai language, and I don’t even know how I managed to survive their food- everything was so spicy! I adored everything (literally), so sleeping for only about two to three hours was really worth it especially when you know that tomorrow is another day to explore and have fun. 

As soon as our plane landed in Bangkok, I can’t stop myself from smiling. My seatmate kept on glancing at me because I really can’t stop moving and I kept on poking my sister. I was really feeling giddy that day. I mean, who wouldn’t? We’re in Thailand! That's why we all went crazy taking pictures at the airport that we kept on posing as if we were models. 

Mount Tabayoc of Kabayan, Benguet: A Trip to the Fifth Highest Mountain in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Ten months of hard work, waking up early, doing assignments and reviewing for tests but only two months of rest. This unfair division of the year has been the culture not only to us, Filipinos, but to most of the countries in the world. But somehow, we have been used to it despite the unfairly-made situation made by the government. By the phrase 'used to it' doesn't mean there were no complains voiced out from us, instead we use this short piece of time to make up for the active ten years we've spent. This is where my story comes in, the days from April 18 to April 21 have become part of the highlights of my life. These days were filled with laughter, complains and adventure—and also don't forget the scratches and wounds.

The start of my summer vacation was idle until my father was invited in a mountain-hiking trip to Mt. Pulag, Benguet. This said mountain is known to be the third highest mountain in the Philippines but officially the second highest. I haven't yet experienced climbing a mountain before so I took the rare opportunity and insisted my dad to take the whole family–except for my younger sister and baby brother–to Benguet with him.

Fortunately, my dad loved the idea and got us there the next day. But by the time we got to Baguio, the meeting place, we found out that most of the other hikers cancelled their plan with my father's group and it turned out that the only people left were our family, my dad's friend and his wife. The plans were altered but the trip went on. The fifth highest mountain, Mt. Tabayoc, in Kabayan, Benguet was where we went instead. 

Singapore: Love-Hate Relationship in the City Full of Contrasts

Wazzup Pilipinas!

For the last time the clock strikes at four, the bell rings and the students scream. “What time is it?” we always say and together we were quick to respond, “Summer time!”. Summer is filled with flip flops, ocean smell, dark skin, ice cream, loud music and crazy minds. But mine is filled with indoor slippers, book smell, pale skin, cold drinks, soft music and tired mind. To maybe compensate for my lost summer, my mom rewarded me with a 4-days-3-nights vacation that includes a passport, a luggage filled with too much clothes, and a merlion.

Let me start with saying that I love summer vacation but I hate summer. You might think that there is not much of a difference but maybe that is just you not taking a close look at the situation. I like the ocean-only when there is no heat, I like taking a stroll outside-only when there is no heat, I like being under the sun-that is a lie. 

So my summer consisted of taking college entrance exam review courses that is a must for incoming seniors who aspire to get into the top big four colleges and make a name for themselves, a lot of book reading, a lot more of sleep, and that tiny bit of merlion. I want to talk about the adventures that books have luckily provided me with, or the wonder of truly seeing the world and not just looking at it from books, but let me just talk about the adventures I did with my family. After all, adventures with yourself are fun but an adventure with your whole family makes a fam-bam!