Annebisyosa: SEA Edition

I have a love/hate relationship with seat sales. Every time I receive notifications, I get excited and nervous at the same time. Seat sales may be the answers to a wanderlust's prayers but they're also the quickest way to drain one's savings. Either way, I just couldn't resist especially when the timing is right. I even have a Cebu Pacific Citibank card* to prove it. In my defense, I didn't apply for it on my own. Citibank offered it to me and I guess there's no harm in trying it. Hoho

Last January, Cebu Pacific had a 50% off promo on all international flights and the travel dates included the month of April. Seat sales are hard to come by during peak season so I wanted to take the opportunity and book us flights that instant. But the question is, where to?

Japan and South Korea would be the perfect destinations in April as it is the month for cherry blossoms to bloom and it's a lovely sight to see. But I've already been to Japan during Spring and I've already booked a flight to Seoul this Fall. I wanted a new destination.

Summer in Thailand sounds pretty good and I've never been there so I guess it's finally time to go. Plus, I've been craving for Nestea's Thai Milk Tea for the longest time! We could spend the entire Holy Week with our cousins, nieces and nephews over there. After all, our cousins have been persistent in inviting us over ever since they moved to Bangkok about seven years ago. And this time, we might actually be there just in time for Songkran* - it's definitely the perfect time to go!

Thanks to Google, I learned that Holy Week falls on April 5-8, Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) on April 9 and Songkran on April 13-15. Holy crap. 10 days worth of vacation?? Why not! But 10 days seem a bit long, why limit ourselves to just Thailand? Right then and there, Nee-chan and I started dreaming up our most ambitious adventure to date - a cross-country trip across Southeast Asia! As Filipinos, it's pretty convenient since we don't need a visa to visit SEA countries. Yay for ASEAN!

So I booked me and my sibs one-way tickets to Singapore and return tickets to Manila. From Bangkok. Crazy? Not really. When you put two OC freaks together, nothing is impossible.

Booked. Manila to Singapore and Bangkok to Manila

Our initial game plan? Board a plane from Manila to Singapore. Stay in Singapore for 2 days. Take a bus from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. Stay in Kuala Lumpur for a day. Board a train from Kuala Lumpur to Siem Reap. Stay in Siem Reap overnight. Take a bus from Siem Reap to Bangkok. Leave luggage at Kuya Kenneth's. Board a train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Stay in Chiang Mai for 3 days. Board a train from Chiang Mai back to Bangkok. Stay in Bangkok for 3 days just in time for Songkran. Fly back to Manila. Whew, now that's definitely easier said than done.

Initial travel plan: Manila, Philippines > Singapore, Singapore > Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia > Siem Reap, Cambodia > Chiang Mai, Thailand > Bangkok, Thailand > Manila, Philippines

The final game plan? Board a plane from Manila to Singapore. Stay in Singapore for 2 days. Take a bus from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. Stay in Kuala Lumpur for 2 nights. Board a plane from Kuala Lumpur to Siem Reap. Stay in Siem Reap overnight. Take a bus from Siem Reap to border. Take a van from border to Bangkok. Stay in Bangkok for a day. Go on a day trip in Pattaya. Stay in Bangkok for 3 more days just in time for Songkran. Fly back to Manila.

Final travel plan: Manila, Philippines > Singapore, Singapore > Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia > Siem Reap, Cambodia > Bangkok, Thailand > Pattaya, Thailand > Bangkok, Thailand > Manila, Philippines

Chiang Mai was crossed off our list because the train was already fully-booked due to Songkran. :( It couldn't be helped so I guess that should be saved for my next Thailand trip along with Phuket or Koh Samet.

So how did we manage to do all that? Through task delegation. I booked everything that can be done online and planned everything for our SG-KL trip while Nee-chan took care of everything Thailand-related. And what about Karly? Since he doesn't have enough experience in planning, we decided to assign the Cambodia leg of our trip to serve as his training without sacrificing our trip. As the date of our trip came closer, our travel party became bigger. From just us siblings, our cousins Gwen and Sha tagged along. And dad also met up with us in Cambodia. But that's another story worthy of another blog post.

Stay tuned for our SEA (mis)adventures in upcoming blog posts. This trip was truly an eye-opener and I can't wait to go on more ambitious ones! :)

*With the Cebu Pacific Citibank card, you get seat sale notifications in advance plus you earn CEB points whenever you use your card which you can use to book your next flights.

**Traditional New Year's Day celebration in Thailand.

Amazing Thailand: Songkran 2012

I have always wanted to experience different festivals here and abroad.  My parents both grew up in Aklan where the famous Ati-Atihan is held every 3rd week of January but I have only experienced it once in my 25 years of existence.  Pathetic, right?  You see, it's difficult to plan trips that fall on festival dates.  Not to mention, cheap flights are hard to come by since festivals usually happen during peak season.  So when the chance to visit Thailand in time for Songkran arrived, we took it.  No questions asked even if that means having to file 4 VLs for my first trip this year.

Ever since our Vietnam trip, I've grown more interested and appreciative of other cultures.  Sure, I have always loved the Japanese culture but I realized there was more to SEA than Japan.  I easily get fascinated by rich cultures and I just want to immerse myself in it.  What better way to get to know a culture than to celebrate a festival with the locals, right?  It's an amazing feeling to be given a chance to be part of their culture at least for a day or so.

Songkran 2012

The Songkran festival is the traditional New Year's Day celebration in Thailand held every April 13-15 which also happens to be the hottest days of the year.  It's that time of the year when Thais and tourists alike walk around the streets armed with water guns and splash each other while screaming "Sawadee pi mai (ka)!" (Happy New Year), "Happy Songkran Day!" or "Enjoy the holidays!"  Sidewalks and street corners are lined up with people waiting with water drums, water guns, water hoses, water buckets and whatnot ready to splash whoever is brave enough to pass by.  Best part of the festival?  You get to splash anyone* with water and it's perfectly okay!

Missing Thailand, one dish at a time

Today, I got my first taste of authentic Mango and Sticky Rice (Kanin Club) - as in the native delicacy and not the Blizzard version.  Pathetic, I know.  But in my defense, I rarely eat kakanin so no need to be judgmental.

Kanin Club's Mango and Sticky Rice

Kanin Club's version has macapuno and chocnut bits sprinkled on top of it.  Ahh heavenly~!  Perfect for me and my sweet tooth.  It made me miss Thailand though where my love for this wonderful pair started.