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Staying in Urban Bangkok

It’s funny because even if I stayed in Bangkok, Thailand for more than a month, I didn’t really go to as many places as possible. In fact, I was just stuck in the city, frequenting coffee shops to open my laptop and work. I was focused on doing my online jobs so I could prepare for better things in the future.

However, one thing I looked forward to everyday was the food. I was always happy with the choices that were available to me. According to my friend who now lives there, best local food are found on the streets. Since they’re found on the streets, it’s expected that the costs are also budget-friendly. This is great because I don’t really eat as often as I can but when I do, I have so many options to choose from.

Street Food, Bangkok

Aside from surfing, one of the activities I looked forward to doing was paddle boarding at Paoay Lake, Ilocos Norte. I wanted to try this because I’ve seen the sport in magazines and I wondered how sport was like compared to surfing.

Paddle boarding at Paoay Lake
Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Angel of Lakwatsero.com paddleboarding in Paoay Lake

I knew surfing was a tough one; heck it took me awhile before I learned to stand on the board yet I was only able to ride the wave for a couple of seconds. Then catching another wave would require more energy and a lot more strength to stay afloat. Paddleboarding, after my first attempt, turned out to be an easy one.

Mike teaching the basics

One of the places that left me in awe when I visited Macau two years ago was the Venetian Hotel. This was a great start of our sight-seeing tour since it was a gloomy day and I was feeling down under the weather.

Venetian Macao

ceiling

Just wanted to post this quick update. I’m currently in Bali, Indonesia and I’m enjoying the sun and the waves of Kuta Beach.

Sunset at Kuta Beach
Bali, Indonesia

there’s always time to pause for a sunset

The taxi took us to our hotel in Bali and I got so excited when we passed by this side of the island. It’s been awhile since I last buried my feet in the sand so this was such a welcome treat.

Bali, Indonesia

Two days. I have two more days before I travel to another destination, Indonesia. I haven’t figured what I’m going to do there. For sure, I want to hit the beach and relax!

Bangkok MRT

It’s funny because I never got to explore other areas of Bangkok when I’ve been here for more than a month already. Even the usual places such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha), the Floating Market, etc. I haven’t checked them out. I can run so many excuses like being so busy with work and all my other online commitments but that won’t do me any good. Still, these places haven’t enticed me as much and I’ll visit them some other time.

Terminal 21 – being a mallrat

The other day, my passport visa stamp was going to expire so I needed to go to the Aranyaprathet-Poipet border in order to re-enter Thailand. Only, I was surprised by a policy shared to me at the immigration counter in Cambodia. They asked for 200 Baht since I was going to leave the country (Cambodia) on the same day.

I have a flight next week so the most logical thing to do was have a visa run to refresh the number of days for me to stay in Bangkok.

passport stamps

From Hua Lamphong station, I hopped on the same ordinary train since this was the cheapest option available. I only paid 48 baht to get to the Aranyaprathet border. I didn’t sleep the night before so the 6-hour ride went by quickly. This is usually one of my techniques whenever I hop on long bus or train rides which makes 12 or 18-hour travels a breeze. Of course, just make sure your belongings are secure. I couldn’t tell how many passengers sat beside me cause whenever I’d open my eyes, I had a different seatmate every time. But then, I’d just doze off again because of not having enough rest the previous night.

train ride from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet – 48 Baht for 6 hours

Pardon the lack of updates, I know I haven’t been blogging a lot lately. I’ve been pretty much busy with mostly my online job. My funds have been depleting and I need to stay in one place in order to gain more work hours to earn more money and keep this backpacking journey going.

I also got exhausted trying to keep updating this site since I have other blogs that also need attention. But all is still well and I’m still alive. 🙂

Singapore sidewalk

Note: This post is an advertorial.

Volunteering is one of the ways of immersing yourself in another place. This is a great way for you to travel and learn more about another nation’s culture. For now. I’m still living this digital nomad lifestyle since I resigned from my office job earlier this year. But volunteering was one of the things I thought about because I wanted to live in another country.

Last month, Lattitude Global Volunteering sent volunteer number 40,000 on a life changing experience. Now they are hoping to find more 17–25 year old volunteers to help with projects in South Africa.

After a month and a half, I’m back on the road. I got past the immigration counter without them asking for much information. Compared to my experience last February when I was interviewed twice, this time was a breeze. They only asked for my return ticket and I was through. Maybe smiling at them did the trick, I don’t really know. I’m just glad I’m at the pre-boarding area now.

at NAIA Terminal 3

I started my backpacking adventure after I quit my job of six years to see if a digital nomad’s lifestyle is truly for me. I spent two months outside the country but it was cut short due to personal reasons. While in the Philippines, I maximized my time by spending it with family and friends. Being away for a while made me look at life from a different angle which made it a great opportunity to reconnect with people; especially my loved ones.

I also visited Manila, twice; and met a number of travel bloggers, old and new. It was swell to mingle and get inspired to continue this passion of mine by being with them for coffee or pizza.

with Gay, Oman, Dong Ho, Marky and Wendell

with Lauren, Rafael, Lois, Eileen, Jen and Josiah

Sometime last year, I watched “A Map for Saturday” with a few other travellers. A true story that involves a guy who left his job to travel the world for almost a year. He recorded his backpacking journey and interviewed other backpackers along the way. After his trip, he worked on his tapes and made it into a documentary. Most travellers I know have seen the movie and were left inspired.

Synposis: A MAP FOR SATURDAY is the product of a year’s travel through 26 countries on four continents. Emmy winning producer Brook Silva-Braga left his cushy gig with American TV network HBO to travel the world with five pounds of clothes and 30 pounds of video equipment. – source

A lot of travellers are also corporate employees who spend their weekends and vacation leaves out of town. Young urban professionals or “Yuppies” who have spending power and choose to explore the country when they can. Episode 11 of my Podcast Interview Series Chyng of ChyngReyes.com Chyng Reyes is an urban nomad who blogs about … Read more

Side Trip to Singapore and Boracay

During the third month of my backpacking adventure, I made a side trip to Singapore and Boracay. I was supposed to be in Chiang Mai or Laos but there were sudden changes of plans that I had to reroute the destinations and go home earlier than expected.

I told myself that I’d be gone for at least six months; however, it wasn’t really something I wanted to carve in stone. The point of this whole digital nomad lifestyle gig is to show to others that it is possible to bring your work with you and travel at the same time. I think I’ve done fairly enough to say that it can be done.

leaving Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok

Singapore

Singapore was not set until the first week of August. I was going to visit the country when I had more money in my bank. I knew that this was going to be an expensive place given that this is a First World country so I wanted more time to save before I check out its attractions. Due to circumstances, I arrived here too soon.

Merlion Singapore

I received a couple of emails from fellow digital nomads about the cost of living in Siem Reap, Cambodia. These were timely messages as I stayed in this city with a friend for one month. I figured I’d share important factors to consider to help other lifestyle designers who bring their work with them. Here’s … Read more

Dawel River Cruise and Bangus Harvest in Dagupan, Pangasinan

After our breakfast at The Manor Hotel in Baguio, we headed to Dagupan City in Pangasinan. The main activity that was lined up for us was the Dawel River Cruise. We arrived after four hours and we were greeted by the representatives from the Dagupan tourism department.

an alternative career
photo taken by Angel

I knew about this cruise through my blogger friend Mica of Senyorita.net when she wrote about it on her blog. If you ask me, Mica seems to be a blogger ambassador of the Dagupan City because of how she promotes her hometown to the rest of the blogging community. Check out her article here: Dagupan City’s Newest Tourist Attraction

murals that greet you at the entrance

Inspired by Bohol’s Loboc River Cruise, the Dawel River Cruise was conceptualized to clean the rivers of Dagupan City. A relaxing day with local music being played as we passed through the river, it was a welcome treat from the extreme activities that we had the previous days. We also feasted on delicious rice cakes that they prepared for us.

Dawel River Cruise in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

Staying in Urban Bangkok

Paddleboarding at Paoay Lake, Ilocos Norte

Seeing Gold & Blue at the Venetian Hotel in Macau

Sunset at Kuta Beach in Bali, Indonesia

Leaving Bangkok

Visa Run in Aranyaprathet-Poipet Border, New Policy?

Backpacking Update: Singapore and Bangkok

Volunteer in South Africa

Back on the Road

Travel Movie: A Map for Saturday

Podcast Interview with Chyng of ChyngReyes.com

Side Trip to Singapore and Boracay

Singapore

Digital Nomad Life: One Month in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Dawel River Cruise and Bangus Harvest in Dagupan, Pangasinan