[quick recap]

Last month, after more than 15 years of being away, I finally visited Manila. It’s sad that it took me more than a year since moving to Sydney to make that decision, and I really owe it to Chris (who convinced me that traveling anywhere in SE Asia is cheap, so I might as well go to the one place I’ve been meaning to visit since I left when I was 10 years old).

I’m really glad I did it. If only, to catch up with family that I haven’t seen for so long, and to briefly reacquaint myself with the city I partly grew up in. We also had a chance to travel out of Manila and fly south to Palawan – it really is a beautiful part of the country, if you’ve never been; and unbelievably affordable (really good) seafood. Good times. Woo hoo!

Now, on to the next things on my itinerary!

This Wednesday, I’m flying out again – on my way to Tokyo. It’ll be a short trip with less than 4 full days. I want to see the Meiji Shrine, Tsukiji Fish Market, watch Kabuki-za Theater, walk around Akihabara Electric Town, wander and people watch around Harajuku, and check out Kabuki-cho (the redlight district); nevermind the number of things I want to eat while I’m there or the countless bars Kat will drag me to. I’m sort of looking forward to the culture shock. In the meantime, I’m desperately trying to memorize “Eigo o Hanasemasuka” and “Eii Wakarimasen”.

Hong Kong should be a little easier because I have a full week, with Saturday as a back up. I’m mostly looking forward to the Yum Cha and Congee. It’s also a huge plus that it’s really a “business trip” so my ‘room & board’ are covered. Because I also know a few people based in HK, it’ll be a lot easier to make my way around the city. I’ve jotted down a few things like the Wong Tai Sin Temple, the Kowloon Waterfront, Mong Kok, and Lan Kwai Fong’s tower of beers… somehow, I sense a theme.

Either way. Should be fun!