A Few of My Traveling Essentials

We didn't have much time to prepare for our vacation but we made sure we have a few essentials that will make our travel a little more smoother and will somehow give us comfort.

Audio Share Device.  Smiggle (a lifestyle store in Australia) calls this "The Heart Hub".  We usually watch videos to pass the time in airports and inside the plane so we use this so we both can connect our own headphones.

Power Hub and Adaptors.  We found this power hub ideal for our travel because it has numerous power points, two spaced sockets and two USB charging ports. 

Travel book/s and map/s.  Even if we have digital copies of Lonely Planet guide books saved in our phones, laptops and tablet, I can't help but feel a little safer when I have a book with me too.

Magazine.  I always bring at least one magazine with me whenever I get on a plane.  I never buy fashion magazines on ordinary days, only when I travel.  I buy a fashion magazine when I travel because it entertains me when I'm inside the plane.

Insect Repellant.  I'm afraid of mosquito bites so I always bring a small bottle of insect repellant.  I spray this on my legs and arms.  Funny thing that happened here in Manila: I sprayed this on my legs and arms--it worked!   No mosquito bites on my legs and arms.  The mosquito was smarter though, they attacked my face and bit me on the right cheek.  I had red marks when I woke up yesterday morning.

Feet Cushions for Shoes.  Traveling involves a lot of walking so to bring a bit of comfort to our feet, I bought Foam Insoles and Gel Cushions.

Herbal Teas. Believe it or not, sometimes I bring my own tea bags even if I am just attending a party, moreso when I travel.  I know that even if we are having a great time here in the Phils, there's a part of me that misses Sydney.  So I needed to bring something from Australia which I know will give me comfort.  These brand of teas are one of my favourites so I bought two variants with me.  Some habits are hard to break; even if I'm here in Manila and it's hot, I still drink tea throughout the day and before bedtime.

iBooks.  Thank God for the technology of tablets.  No more additional weight to consider for books I want to read while on travel.  Even if on travel, I never stop reading.  I allot a few minutes for reading a book before bedtime.

My Stuff for Writing.  If I'm not blogging, I write on my journal/scrapbook.  My "whole entourage" consists of the following: two Canon DSLRs (not in photo) Lumix GF1 camera (not in photo), Samsung netbook, iPad 2, iPod Touch, planner, Moleskine notebook, a pencil case that houses my pens and mechanical pen and my prescriptive glasses (a normal one and a tinted one).

I also bring a few Sharpie coloured pens because I use my Moleskine not only for writings but also a scrapbook.

What's yours?

 

Manila Sunset

It's good to be back on familiar grounds.  It's awesome to be welcomed by one of the best sunsets in the world--Manila sunset.  It's wonderful to be surrounded by family and friends whom we grew up with.

It's great to be HOME again.

The Husband and I arrived in Manila two days ago and we are very, very, elated to be here.  It's been four long years since we've been here and we are discovering and exploring Manila like it's the first time.  So many things have changed here and we are embracing and cherishing every moment.

-o0o0o-

Just a few things:

My Blogmates:  I will be keeping this blog as up-to-date as possible but I may not be able to reply to comments or visit you back.  Thank you for always checking in and reading my stories.  I will drop you a line in May.

Our Friends:  We have your contact details and we will get in touch with you in the coming days for meetups.  I'm still dazed and overwhelmed by just being here (at medyo nahihilo pa ako) so I'm taking it one day step at a time. 

Everyone:  I'm constantly updating my Twitter Page http://twitter.com/ibyang - this is where I relate my vaycay adventures and discoveries.  This is where I also share photos from time to time.  If you have a twitter account and would like to join me in my journey, please follow me.  If you don't have a twitter account, you can just bookmark my twitter page. 

Happy 1st day of April!  Sending you happy vibes today!

The iPad 2 Experience

It took me a long while to be an owner of a tablet.  When Apple launched the 1st generation iPad last year, I mentioned that it's one gadget that I would really want to have.  I planned to buy one then but the Husband suggested that I wait for the 2nd generation to come out.  While the 1st generation is a great product already, I wasn't quite satisfied with it and decided to wait for a better version.

Over time, I also contemplated on whether I should buy a tablet or not; on whether I need it in my life or not.  I remember a plurk buddy who asked if buying an iPad is beneficial.  And I said, "It depends on what you need it for."

Believe it or not, I've always been hesitant in owning gadgets such as smart phones and tablets because that would mean I will have access to the internet all the time.  While I don't find anything wrong with that, I don't like that I'm online all the time.  I know it's ironic especially that I have a blog and I tweet.  When I meet people who read my blog, they have an impression that I'm always online, which is untrue.  I have days in a week when I don't open my computer and stay away from twitter because (1) I'm busy with other things and (2) I give myself rest from online activities because I'm on the computer all day at work.

I have long since accepted that the internet is part of everyone's lifestyle nowadays.  I know that it makes life easier and this year I told myself to just embrace it and stop fighting it from becoming a part of mine.  With the demands of having an online blog and a column for a newspaper, I realized it's reasonable for me to invest in a gadget that will help me in fulfilling these duties.

After Apple launched the iPad, out came other tablets from Samsung, Motorola, HP, Android, HTC, etc.  The Samsung Galaxy Tab seemed handy and user-friendly, it was my 2nd option for a tablet but found it slow.

Late last year, we learned that Apple will launch a 2nd generation iPad so we waited.  I hoped for a lighter and faster iPad with a camera so I can Facetime with loved ones.  Later on, Apple announced that it will be on sale in Australia on 25 March 2011.

It was bad timing for us because we are leaving for a vacation the following week.  The Husband and I contemplated on whether we should buy one before or after our vaycay.  We knew that iPad 2s will ran out of stock the day after it gets launched (it happened with the iPad).  A last minute decision occurred a few days before the launch and the Husband volunteered to dodge work and wait on queue at the Apple Store.

There were other options of course.  The Husband called Big W and was told that they are selling iPad 2s as well.  We knew that Dick Smith and JB Hi-Fi will be selling too.  But for once in his life, he wanted to experience lining up for an Apple product.

On Friday, 25 March 2011, the Husband lined up for an iPad 2 at 12:00 noon.  The queue was already long.  Based on his calculations, it seemed he was between 200-250 people on queue.  I called him every hour and asked questions such as, "Are you safe there?"; "Are you okay?";  "Are the people lining up with you nice?".  I was worried that there would be a riot or something.

I would have taken a half day at work so I can be with him but there were still so many things to do so I just left the office early.  At 4:00pm, I arrived at the Apple Store and a big black cloth covered the ground floor area.  The Apple team were already setting up the place, getting ready for the 5:00pm launch.

The line around the block from where the Apple store is.

The queue had to be moved to the other side of the street.  This was Husband's line. 

According to the Husband, even if the wait was too long, the Apple store made the experience enjoyable.  The Apple store gave water to everyone and lent their umbrellas to those exposed to the sun or rain (it rained in the afternoon).  Krispy Kreme gave out doughnuts and Kit Kat gave away chocolates. For Husband's dinner, I brought burger and chips.

The Apple staff also talked to the people on queue, asking how they are and if they already know what they will buy.

Lots of security in placed.  There was no pandemonium, everyone just followed the line and got along with each other.

At 4:30pm, the Apple staff all came out and festively ran around the queue (at this time, the queue was up to Market Street), gave people high-fives.  It was very entertaining.

At 4:45pm, they approached everyone on queue and asked what we want.  When you make a decision right there and then, you can't change your mind anymore.  When you enter the Apple store and suddenly changed your mind, they won't serve you.  After telling them what we wanted, they handed a white card to us which specified the model we chose and a number code.

At 6:00pm, I had to leave the Husband because I had my farewell dinner with friends.  I felt very guilty but as I said, the iPad 2 launch was very bad timing. 

According to the Husband, he was able to go in the Apple store at 7:30pm.  7 and 1/2 hour wait!  They servee the customers by small batches and once gathered, their orders were presented to them.  After they gave your order to you, they asked if you need help setting it up.  With my Husband, he said, "No, thanks." to the offer because we already have personal accounts with Apple.

The Husband went to the 2nd floor of the store instead and looked for my choice of Smart Cover.  I didn't want the Smart Cover (not impressed by it) but the Husband wanted it so I gave in.

At 8:00pm he sent me a  photo and text message that said, "You new iPad 2!"

After my dinner with friends, I met up with him at Starbucks and we went back to the Apple Store.  We assumed it will still be open as the Apple staff told us they will be open til the last customer is served.

There was still a bit of a long line waiting outside Apple Store.

Since I only saw the box when we met, I was excited to see and touch the iPad 2.  It is thinner and lighter and it is indeed faster than the first iPad.

The white iPad 2 turned out to be the bestseller and became the first models to ran out of stock.  Almost everyone wanted the white iPad 2. 

My souvenir photo of iPad 2's launch in Sydney with the white iPad 2 on the background.  That's a Starbucks tumbler I bought which I will give to a friend in Manila).

The line at 10:00pm.




Police still securing the place.  I love that the Apple Store made everyone feel safe during this launch.

They served the last customer till about 10:30pm. 
 
The Husband and I felt very happy with our iPad 2 experience (even if I only experienced a fraction of it).  He said it's nice that he got to experience lining up for an Apple product once in his life.  I said I'm glad that other than being a fun experience, it was also a safe one.

So now, we are both enjoying having an iPad 2.  The wait was worth it.

Farewell Dinner at BBQ City (Liverpool Street, Sydney)

Australians love to celebrate.  Even if it's just a small detail in their friends' lives, as long as it is something positive and happy, it is always a good excuse to drink and eat.  


So when they learned that I'm going for a 5-week vacation, my workmates organized a small, intimate dinner last Friday at BBQ City.  BBQ City is a well-known Korean barbeque restaurant in Liverpool Street, Sydney.  I've been to this restaurant lots of times before with Chris, our friends and my parents (when they visited Sydney in 2009).

The last time I had dinner here, I was also with my workmates and we loved the food a lot so we had my farewell dinner here too.

Whenever I dine here, I always start my meal with Kimchi Pancake.  This dish is very addicting and not too spicy.

As we savour the goodness of the Kimchi Pancake, we contemplate on the BBQ dishes we were about to order.  

A Korean BBQ meal will never be complete without Soju. It is Korea's distilled beverage likened to vodka with an average of 18.5 to 20% alcohol.  The taste is unloveable at first, but it grows in you.

Korean barbeque refers to the way Koreans grill their food, whether it's pork, beef, chicken or seafood.  The food is grilled on the diner's table.  The grill is built into the table or the restaurant provides portable stoves for customers to use.


In BBQ City, the minimum order of a BBQ plate is two orders.  Since there were five of us, we ordered 4 dishes to BBQ.  


As soon as our BBQ dishes were ready, the staff served the Banchan which refers to the small dishes that accompanies our main Korean dishes.  My favorite of all the Banchan is the Cabbage Kimchi.

The BBQ dishes we ordered were the Beef and Pork Fillets (we chose these because it has less fat).

Then we also grilled Chicken Fillets and Marinated Octopus.  

All barbeque dishes were delicious and tasty, especially when partnered with a range of Banchan and of course, shots of Soju.





Cheers to a safe and joyful adventure!!!!  Cheers to friendship!!!!
 


Today was my last day at work and I'm feeling a mix of happiness and relief.  Stepping away from my busy and sometimes crazy work at the office is something I really need to do right now.  My work means a lot to me and I have an attachment to what I do--a passion that sometimes takes so much of my attention and focus.   Work is one of the major reasons why I decided to push thru with our plan to visit our other home.  I felt that I need time off and just step away from it all or else I might burn out.  


Went to work early today so I can leave early.  At 3:15pm, I said goodbye to my boss, my colleagues and friends at work.  And although I was glad I finished my tasks, meetings and handover today,  a part of me was a little bit sad, withdrawal syndrome I guess.  


I felt the love of my teammates, it was overwhelming.  All of them wished me a happy and safe travel and profusely assured me that I deserve the long break.  I'm truly grateful to be working with an incredible team and to have them as friends is a big bonus.