Well since I just realized that people are still checking my weblog, I figure I better put in my last entry from my trip which was from the Philippines...

The last destination of my asian journey is Manila, Philippines.  Two things let you know you are in the philippines upon arrival. The first is that you start waiting.  In the philippines you have to get used to waiting and sure enough when we landed we had to wait 15 mins before they could open the doors to get out then wait another 15 mins for a shuttle bus to come pick us up.  The next indicator is that when you step outside you feel the heat and humidity.  While you stand there waiting, you just sweat. 

So once you know you are in the philippines what can you expect?  My average day there can be broken down into 3 parts.  One third is spent waiting for someone, another third is spend stuck in traffic, and the last third is spent either eating or shopping. 

Besides the average day there what else did I do?

- Attended my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary
- Finally went to Boracay, one of the best white sand beaches in the world.  In Boracay what did I do...

-  Found nemo while scuba diving
-  Rode a 19 passenger plane to get there
-  Enjoyed massages on the beach

Pics from Boracay click here: 
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=3461305093&code=12054586&mode=invite&cmp=EMC-AlbumInvite

Back to what I did the Manila....

-  Went bar hopping with AIESECers
-  Shopped in endless malls
-  Went to the province to see how the life there is (Thanks Goldee)
-   Tried most forms of public transportation
-  Saw what the preschools are like there (Thanks Fleur)
-  Walked around some of the Universities and tried some street food (Thanks Goldee and Marco)

Overall it was a good trip, nice to see family again but what made the trip different from the previous ones there was that I took the opportunity to step out of the 15-20% wealthy lifestyle andsee how the rest of the 80% of the people live.

One of the most disturbing things Ive come to realize about the philippines is the extreme wealth differences.  Where 2% of the population own or control the philippines.  Around 18% still live comfortably with wealth but what about the rest of the people who have next to nothing.  So what causes this?  Corruption, Greed, Ignorance?  Maybe a little bit of each but the larger question is how can the situation improve... what can be done...something to think about as this is a reality that faces many parts of the world...

allo,

this isn't justin - it's rosy.  since justin is coming home soon, i figured i'd change his weblog colors.  justin made fun of me earlier saying that by the time i get around to changing his weblog around, he'd be home...well here i am!

 rosy

A little late but better than never...

My trip to Singapore was a nice change from the rest of Asia cause it was a city that was clean, modern and not too crowded.  Singapore, although small was still a nice place to visit (just dont stay there too long cause you can see it all in a few days) 

A few of the highlights include their zoo which was really well made and had many different animals there, but on top of that, it was clean and even had air conditioned rest stops.  The night safari was really cool too, got to go in and meet the flying squirels and bats.  I even managed to convince Celine to take a few steps into the bat cave before she ran out.  I also got a chance to sit in the bar where they created the Singapore Sling, located in Raffles hotel.  Note its also the only place in Singapore that you can litter on the ground so naturally I took advantage of that and did  Finally, one of the best things Id have to say about Singapore would be the food.  I must admit they do have some good food there and they have quite a variety as well.

This trip included taking a weekend trip to Malaysia with Celine and her parents.  We went to Genting and KL. Genting is Malaysia's mini version of Vegas so it was nice to see and KL is the capital of Malyasia so that was cool too.

Over all it was a good time and huge thanks goes out to Celine for all her planning and taking me around, even with a bad foot ;)  and also to her family who were extremely hospitable.

Onto Manila, Philippines now...wish me luck

My Rant about Air Canada...

First of all I have to say that Air Canada Sucks.  Its not bad enough that my original flight to China on Air Canada was bad, (No food cause their Galley's broke down)  they have to screw around with me even more while im here. 

Who would have thought trying to change an airplane ticket would be so difficult.  Well actually its not, but trying to get in touch with an Air Canada Agent is.  I must have made at least 8-9 calls trying to find someone who could help me change a ticket.  From not picking up the phone, to stupid automated machines answering to actual agents that dont have a clue and cant even direct you to the right number or person to call. 

So finally realizing that there is no Air Canada agent in Singapore and that I have to call Hong Kong to talk to someone...about 5 long distance calls later I finally get a hold of someone who can help.  Only problem is there are no flights available for what I want. 

So Im guessing I will have to change my flight from Manila to Japan to a later date which is on Japan airline.  Air Canada directs me to call them to make that change.  Another 4-5 calls later to get in touch with someone from Japan airlines I get through to someone who cant do Shit for me.   What do they say???  "You have to call Air Canada to change that flight, we cant do anything for you"  The last time i checked i was flying Japan Airline and Air Canada told me that I have to talk to them to change my flight.  So what to do when both sides are telling you that they can't help you and you have to call the other airline.      Stay tuned to find out...

Wow two weeks came and went so fast… Thailand was definitely a trip to remember and once again it’s because of the people…

The trip began by arriving at the airport and being picked up by three young ladies (Thanks Sai, Celine and Hui for waiting)  followed by the first real experience of Bangkok…street food. The following couple of days were spent seeing the sites of Bangkok, taking the river ferries and visiting the different temples, museums and palaces.  There are a lot of temples in Thailand, but they are beautiful.   Besides the sites, of course there was shopping and thanks to Celine, lots of it ;)  Checking out Khao san road was interesting…literally a backpacker’s paradise because it’s basically a whole block of backpackers, hostels, restaurants, bars, shops and cheap food. 

Up next was a trip to the islands…After a 10 hour bus ride on a finding nemo bus, we arrived at a small pier to wait for our boat to the islands.  There, we met more aiesecer’s as well as lost lots of money playing cards to Celine.  We then enjoyed a nice two hours boat ride to our first destination, Ko Samui.  There we stepped off the boat just in time to seek shelter from a sudden tropical storm.  On the island we rented a Jeep that came with a pet lizard that I noticed while driving.  Yes that’s right I actually drove in Thailand, and I think I’m getting used to driving on the left side of the road from the right side of the car :P  We stayed at a great resort called the Jungle Club which is located 10 mins up a steep dirt trail that is only accessible with a 4 wheel drive, but with a fantastic view.  It was a great place to chill, relax in the pool and take in the breath taking view.  One of the highlights would have to be sleeping under the stars in a hammock near the edge of the resort with the view of the beach, jungle and town.  On this island we also enjoyed a day trip to the Ang Thong National Park where we took a nice hike up a small mountain to catch a view of the islands followed by a visit to the beach where the movie The Beach was filmed. 

From this island we headed over to Ko Pha ngan, which is another island famous for the Full moon Party.  Staying in a resort sitting on some rocks above some untouched beaches in Thailand was relaxing.  There we prepared and recovered from the Full moon Party.  What is this full moon party I keep mentioning?  Picture this for a moment…getting in a long boat and speeding to another part of the island for the party, and on your approach you can already see the lights and hear the music pounding from a great distance away.  Stepping on the beach and looking around to see about 10,000 people from around the world packed up and down both sides of the beach, which is lined with about 50 bars and clubs all playing different music.  Drink and food stands everywhere, people dancing in the clubs that flow onto the beach, lights flashing, flame throwers spinning, drinks being sold out of pails.  This was truly one of the best parties out there which continued right through dawn and into the early afternoon.  Following the party definitely needed another day on the beach to recover, and what better place than in Thailand. 

Going back to Bangkok made our city traveler really happy, but for me it was sad to leave the beaches and the ocean.  In Bangkok we spent the last couple of days shopping the markets, going out to see the floating market and hitting up a couple of bars and clubs.  The last night included meeting up with some AIESECer’s from Thailand as well as some of their trainees for dinner and clubbing. 

Highlights and moments to remember:

-          Parking without using the E brake so that you can park in front of other cars and they can push your car out of the way if they want to get out.

-          Street food almost daily…mmmm Pad Thai, Fried Chicken…etc…

-          Dancing Salsa while cooking BBQ in the rain

-          Learning to cook in the restaurant at our resort

-          Driving on the right side of the car on the left side of the road, Cant believe they trusted me to do that ;)

-          Finding a pet lizard in the jeep as it ran across my foot while driving

-          Shady Boat ride on a 30 year old boat with no safety equipment and that was packed over capacity and half the people on the lower deck were puking.

-          Swimming under the stars and in the moonlight

-          Sleeping in a hammock outside on the edge of a cliff with a view you usually only see in your dreams

-          Celine stepping on a rusty nail and whining about it up till now

-          Riding around in the back of pickup trucks

-          Manual flush toilets (take a bucket of water and pour it into the toilet till its clear again) 

-          Partying with Sai’s mom and nanny from 9pm till 7am at the full moon party

-          Drinking Crown Royal on the beach ,carried all the way from Canada

-          Drinking out of buckets at the party

-          Celine burning 3 boxes (36) mosquito coils over 4 days cause she is paranoid

-          Ally and Richard getting ripped off by a monk

-          The weather forcing Sai to come back to us after she left

-          Hand washing clothes party after the island trip 

-          Sai buying her way out of a traffic ticket for 200 Baht or $6 CDN. 

-          Finding out the stranger sitting next to Celine on the Bus to the ferry was an AIESEC trainee

-          Meeting more AIESEC Trainee’s going to the full moon party

-          Singha and Chang beer J

-          Taking a Tuk Tuk for 20 Baht (less than a $1) with the condition that we go into a couple of stores and pretend to look around so he can get free gas

-          Learning the secret to cooking Pad Thai from Sai’s dad

-          Listening to Live Jazz and having to consume 10 pints of Heineken between 4 people to get 2 free bags

-          Partying with trainees in Silom Soi Four (Club district) and finishing a bottle of JD there.

-          Over Weight baggage again L

That about wraps up the trip to Thailand, stay tuned for the adventure in Singapore…