Where to go in Osaka at Night

Glico Running Man

I know that in Shanghai, they love the light display at night. I never knew in Osaka, they are crazy about it! I am blinded by the spectacular light display around the river side. It's a thrilling experience to be in the middle of 360 view 3-D lights emitting from buildings. My God! Osaka is Craaaazy! :)

Kapuy na!

Ok, first and last post before i head back home! booo!!!!
I'm very maroon from all the beaching and snorkeling plus the motorbike rides hundreds of kilometers on the road! I'm somewhere i don't know where, a spotty internet connection in a really isolated internet shop here in Dumaguete. There's no internet connection in Siquijor town except that of Dagman's computer. He's such a really amaaaazing guy, you should all head to Villa Marmarine when you're in Siquijor. I had a grande time chatting with other travelers (I'm the only pinoy traveler there), max and michael and of course Dagman and his lovely wife.

Travel with a Purpose

Before anything else, let me greet you all travelers out there a very merry Christmas!
It's been ages since i last posted something here, forgive me for i have been ridiculously busy with work. Anyway, what am i doing talking about work. Let's all focus on having a grand time this holiday season, eh!
It's 1 AM here in Manila, my bags are packed, flight's confirmed, and i 'm heading to bed in a bit. In a few hours, i am going on an expedition to the Philippine's island of gentle people and island of fire. 

Make your way to one of Osaka's tallest building, the Umeda Sky Building

They say there are two ways to view the city. One is to view it from the ground up, the other is to view it from the top of the seventh tallest building in Osaka, the Umeda Sky Building! And it was aweeesome!

Made it in Osaka!

Welcome to Japan's third largest, and second most important city. Arigato Osaka!!!!!! 


Flashback to last night, t'was was a bit hectic! My body was getting tired from all the walking and traveling. But i might be missing a lot if i just crash my bunk bed and wake up the next day (Which i did eventually ha ha). I am such a lazy traveler. Then, i finally met my dorm buddies: a guy from Czech Republic whose been traveling in and around Asia and South America selling his stuff on the road. This dude is enjoying his free time before he heads back to England to study Business. Another dorm mate is a cool hard worker from Berlin. As they start talking about business and jobs, i fell asleep! ha ha I wanted to say... lighten up, you're on holiday! Mind you these two dudes were way younger than me, and here i am, an absolute hippie! We're all headed somewhere the next day. Czech dude was headed to South Korea, while the Berlin guy was going home. Too bad, he doesn't have more time to explore other places in Japan except in Osaka. I just arrived in this city and i'm heading nowhere for sure!

The Best things in life are Free: What it feels like to travel for a day in Nara, Japan

If there's one thing i can never forget about Nara is its park. Yes. A lot of travelers nowadays want something different, they want something out of this world. They would bungee jump, they would dive, they would trek. Although, that's really cool, i am more of a chill-kinda guy. The funny thing is, what really makes a trip unforgettable is when you wind up doing absolutely nothing. Then, it will hit you!

Believe me when i tell you that I've never been so happy just sitting in the bench and just taking it all in. Sitting here made me realize so many things: the purpose of my trip, the beauty of nature, humility, God's bountiful blessings and of course the mighty essence of life. After the frenzy of the city, a nice afternoon in a park in Nara made me realize that this is really the most beautiful place in Japan.

Japan's most beautiful city is Nara Prefecture!

The ancient capital of Japan in 1710 Heijo era, and a personal favorite of mine, welcome to ( i dare say it) Japan's most beautiful city... Nara! 

I was suppose to go to Nara a day after but i got lost somewhere on my way to Tofukuji which is only a stop away from Kyoto Station. I rode the wrong train, and not an express one but a slow moving public tram. I ended up in Nara after about an hour and found myself weirded about it, but in a good way. Maybe, it was destiny... God wants me to see already Nara's splendor.

Do you believe in love at first sight? I do actually. I did as soon as i got out of the train. Nara is simply beautiful, i'm falling in love all over again as i remember my trip.

Hostel Review: K's House Kyoto

Voted as the world's #9 hostel as of September 2010, if there's one hostel you should be checking out when you're in Kyoto, it's K's House!

Before i left for Japan, i knew already of good places to stay. I browse over hostel websites but i am partial to reading reviews made by those who have previously stayed. And K's House seems to top everyone's list. What a really nice hostel!

Chasing Geishas in Gion

A Trip to Kyoto wouldn't be complete without visiting Gion District hoping to catch a glimpse of Geishas and Geiko/Maiko. Luckily, I did. Let me share with you my story how chasing a Geisha changed my life forever.

ZEN Rock Garden of Ryoanji Temple in Kyoto, Japan

Rock Garden, Ryoanji Temple

Getting around Kyoto isn't so hard. Because transportation is efficient and a practical way to travel around, getting a Kyoto City Bus Pass should be on top of your mind. You get to explore the vast number of temples and complexes scattered around the city in a breeze. Think about this, a one way bus fare is 220 Yen, but getting this pass would cost you 500 Yen unlimited ride for 1 whole day. Again, it's a sin not to get one. You can buy this pass in travel agencies, your hostel or at the Kyoto Train station.

Because i am not a huge fan of temples, but I'm in Kyoto anyway, so I went to one temple that should be worthy to go to. To each his own, as they say. I was in the mood to ZEN out!

Happy Birthday His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej of the Kingdom of Thailand!

Hail to the world's longest-serving current head of state and the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history. 


I'd like to greet His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej Happy 83rd birthday!

Thailand is undoubtedly my second home country. During my trips to this beloved nation, I've discovered first hand how much the people of Thailand loves their King. I have become a witness of the respect and admiration they have for the great King Bhumibol.  And for that i know he is a good man. Long Live the  King of Thailand!

From Kyoto with Love: A backpacking trip to Japan

My second destination in Japan is Kyoto!
Riding the Shinkansen for the first time was just aweeesome. I was on my way to the Honshu Island region reaching Kyoto. After about an hour, I saw  from the window of this ridiculously fast train, the majesty of Mt. Fuji. It was so stunning and picture-worthy. (More on Mt. Fuji on a later). And this is actually the first time i saw a mountain covered in ice so that should be memorable eh!  I got lucky because i sat on the right side of the train while other travelers where jealous i got a good seat. Nice! This should start my journey in exhilaration, right? And it sure did!!!