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Traveling back to my 2009 trips

Posted: Wed/Jan/2010

Watching travelers in an airport coffee shop while waiting for my flight, I couldn't help but wonder what 2010 has for me when it comes to traveling.

Of course, 2009 was a good one. I have covered almost 20,000 miles, visited four countries, and enjoyed several beaches and landmarks. It was my first time to cross the Pacific, expanding my journeys beyond Asia, and to travel during my birthday.

Looking back, here are the highlights of my 2009 trips:

1.) Gazing at Southeast Asia's tallest buildings

Clouds covering the tip of Petronas Towers, it seemed these twin buildings were kissing the sky. Kuala Lumpur impressed me. It was a bustling metropolis that brings together history and technology, nature and man-made. It's giant aviary was also worth a visit. Although our time in KL was limited, and our visit right smack during the F1 race, we enjoyed the long ride from our hotel at the airport to the city proper, especially with our amiable hosts whom we met through Multiply's ASEAN group.

2.) Climbing temples at Angkor

Angkor Wat is considered one of the wonders of the ancient world. Being there in this world-reknown landmark, popularized by Tomb Raider, was truly breathtaking. The old temples and the palace grounds withstood nature and disasters as they now welcome throngs of tourists wanting to get a glimpse of how Southeast Asian royalty centuries before lived. One particular temple that stood out was the Jungle Temple which was enveloped by giant tree roots.

3.) Revisiting the Vietnam War

For art lovers and for those who lived during the wars, they knew it as Saigon. But as the modern world erases the pains of the past, this war-torn city is now a shopping haven, called Ho Chi Minh City. The cheap travel bags of known brands were a delight to tourists like me. It was a better activity in this city rather than visiting the museums, that never fail to remind Vietnamese and visitors of the devastation this country went through during the fight between its communist regime and the Americans. But Saigon is starting to rise from the ashes and prepares to compete with other players in the global economic arena.

4.) Doing service activity at Golden Gate

Among my must-do lists when I landed in San Francisco, California were to ride the tram and see the Golden Gate. I've done both, thankfully, and enjoyed a lot more as I attended one of the important conferences in the US. It was graced by no less than the US First Lady Michelle Obama, and several personalities. More than that, I was able to do some service activity at the Presidio were a beautiful view of the Golden Gate could be seen.

5.) Paying tribute to the King of Pop at Hollywood

I'm not sure if it was good or bad that I was in LA the day Michael Jackson passed away. With LA known as the capital of the movie world, I didn't pass up the opportunity to visit the star of the late King of Pop and other celebrities at Hollywood Boulevard. Of course, add to the list visits at Universal Studios and Beverly Hills. Now, all I do whenever I watch American films were to spot places which I have visited. To cap my visit with a bang, I took a nine-hour train from LA back to San Francisco.

6.) Safari and nature trip in Palawan

Despite my various trips to other countries, there was always something special with a travel within my home country, the Philippines. My Palawan sojourn was a good way to end my travel spree for 2009. The beauty was truly breathtaking and the safari tour at Calauit even added spice to the trip.

I hope that this new year will bring more joyous trips and meaningful travel experiences. I look forward to discovering more, experiencing the local culture, and meeting more people.

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