Singapore - Side Trip

December of last year on my trip to Dubai, I got the opportunity to stay overnight in Singapore.  My flight via Qatar Airways was scheduled for the following day.  I thought of the options; wait in the airport or go out for an overnight.

I opened my email, my friend Leonard responded that they can accommodate me for one night.  There was no hesitation, I got out of the airport and took a taxi towards their place in Sengkang.  In Singapore, landlords are very strict to visitors even for just an overnight stay, mostly they don't allowed.  I was lucky!  First of all, I could save a hundred dollar for the cheap hotel.  Secondly, I have not seen Leonard and his wife Analyn for years.  And, most importantly, we could spend some time to chat and talk about the time when we worked together and our days in college.  It was great to see the couple!  They welcomed me to their home, then we dined out in the evening.

The following morning, Leonard took a leave.  We strolled through Singapore's most popular places. We headed to Sentosa, and even though I have been there several times, it's looks different  in every visit. The casino and the Universal Studios were the new added attraction to tourists.  Sentosa is a well planned park and an awesome entertainment center, anyone would love to see it again.  We continued to the Orchard, the city's shopping capital.  The high end shops along Orchard were full of tourists and shoppers.  This is the Greenbelt version of Makati.

From what I recalled, I have been to Singapore for more than five times.  Every visit was a different experience.  Fun-filled adventure awaits you, plus the excitement always brings one back.  This tiny island excites and inspires us, these are just some of the reasons why visitors keep coming back.  It's always  fun to be in Singapore!  Thanks to Leonard and Analyn.

Ifugao's Unknown Paradise - Halag 3

Halag Ifugao, Philippines

It took a long while to write this finale.  How could I end the beautiful experience and bid goodbye to the wonderful people of Halag?  No, this is not the end but the beginning, a journey to look forward to.  If God permits, I will have my vacation house in Halag in the future.  It is my dream, I will work for it to happen.

Fish Cages in a distance

The main source of livelihood of the people is fish raising.  Many of the villagers own fish cages, they are blessings by nature.  The lake supplies enough water for the them.  From fingerlings to maturity, tilapia raising takes five months before the harvest time.  The family owns fourteen cages, each fish cage is teeming with fish of different sizes.  Twice a day, Khalid and Jonathan do the feeding together. I am a nature enthusiast and enjoyed being with Khalid during the feeding.  Throwing the feeds in the cages is surely a great fun.  The swarm of fish racing to eat is a heart-warming experience.  You may dip your feet in the water while feeding and experience a fish bite therapy.  Having enjoyed the feeding experience gave me a thought of owning a fish cage in Halag.

After the Sunset

The scheduled harvest for the two cages of tilapia was last December.  My small bro. wanted me to be there during the harvest but I couldn't.  How I wish I could!  I was the first visitor to be invited by my small bro. to witness the harvest, he boasted the grilled  giant tilapia.  "Giant Tilapias"  grow in the waters for an unknown number of months or years and they could reach a weight above five kilograms.  What a big fish!  According to them, margin in Tilapia raising can go as high as fifty percent, this was a big margin for a backyard livelihood.

The simplicity of life in Halag is magical, like the old times.  The daily routine is not complicated, no rush, no emails, no stress but a smile.  Halag Ifugao, Philippines,  I will jump to that island again!