May 14-18, 2010. It's hard to believe that the United Kingdom, a small country separated from Continental Europe by a narrow channel, could play such a grand role in world affairs. Many critical points in past events were gestated in this island off northwestern France, and numerous iconic figures have called the nation home. A once powerful empire created the Commonwealth realms and played a role in the birth of a superpower, eventually paving the way for English to become the world's de facto lingua franca. The UK -- a constituency of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland -- is a compact country, a wee bit smaller than the US state of Texas. But sizes can be deceiving; British history is anything but compact. The island has welcomed diverse immigrants from all parts of the globe ... read more

May 10. Curiously for the capital of the world's superpower, Washington, DC feels neighborly. Sure, there's the White House, the Capitol Building, and a plethora of federal buildings. But get past the Mall and you'll find cozy neighborhoods that defy the pomp and prestige everyone has come to associate of the district (at least everyone outside the US). We got here after a six-hour drive from Philly, stopping briefly in Delaware to stock up on food items. We stayed in an inn (more like a motel) an hour walk from the Amtrak station. Stops include the Amtrak station, a couple of Smithsonian Museums, the Washington Monument, and the Arlington Cemetery across the Potomac River in Virginia.... read more

May 5-7, 2010. It's been a week since we've been here in the US and since then I haven't really had much time to write what we've been doing the past few days. It's been very busy and I haven't well adjusted to the time zone. I've improved in the past two nights but sleeping at 4am and waking up at 1pm isn't exactly what you'd call a good night's sleep. It's 2am here, anyway. We're staying at the Circus Circus Hotel in Las Vegas, where we've been staying for the past three days after three days in LA. It's cold here, especially at night, although at noon the sun isn't as hot as it is in the Philippines. In California, we kickstarted the tour by joining a birthday party of an old friend of my ... read more

April 30. Philippine time. Approximately six hours before the flight. I'm starting this entry at 3:51pm, April 30. Everything's packed -- a set of clothes for around a week, four travel guides (and counting), my DSLR and three sets of lens, my 160GB external hard drive, and a few toiletries. Everything else I figured I can just buy there. I just withdrew from the bank a substantial amount of money to last me two weeks in the U.S. with my uncle, two aunts, and a handful of cousins before my parents meet us in London on May 14. Then from there, we're set to hit at least 10 more countries, France being the first and Spain being the last. As I write this, Ate Cel walked by and asked if I'm excited. Am I? I can't ... read more

October 9-12, 2009. Kota Kinabalu - Garama Base Camp - Kinabalu National Park - Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. Sabah has always captivated travelers with its rich natural and cultural history. Whether it's climbing the mighty Mt. Kinabalu (which we did not), or diving in the waters off the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park (which we did), or plying the Bornean rivers to look for proboscis monkey (which we did... sort of), Malaysia's easternmost state and the northernmost tip of Borneo has something for every outdoor junkie. And for those who'd rather keep their adrenaline in check, there's the Mari-Mari Cultural Village where one can just, uh, chill while learning about Sabah's ethnic groups. And to top it off, countless food stalls will keep you (and your tummy) occupied. It was a four-day absence without leave ... read more