Asia Trip 2015, Malaysia Day 1: Hotel Izumi, Bukit Bintang, Petaling Street, Merdeka Square

It's the day after my birthday! I want to say thank you to everyone who remembered and greeted me yesterday. I feel all your love and I love you back tenfold. :) It was my birthday yesterday, meaning it has been a year after my birthday trip around Asia. Meaning, tapusin ko na sana my posts haha.  I promise, before this week ends! Anyway, I am already on my last stop -- the beautiful country of Malaysia! From Yangon, we took a flight going to Kuala Lumpur. Here are photos from our first night & day. :)

Asia Trip 2015, Myanmar: A Few Hours in Yangon & Flight to Malaysia

This is just gonna be a short post because we didn't really do much when we were in Yangon. From Bagan we took a night bus going to Yangon where we will be flying out to Malaysia. We only had a few hours there, but we surely didn't waste it. Here are stories and photos!

Asia Trip 2015, Myanmar: Last Sunset in Bagan + Bus to Yangon

Not sure if you've read my Bagan Temple Tour post (whyyy, you must read it guys, wahaha), but this is the last installment! Our scheduled bus trip to Yangon was leaving at 8pm, so we had a few hours to spare. We decided to spend them driving around, discovering new temples, chilling and watching our last Bagan sunset on top of Shwesandaw Pagoda. I could honestly say that this was one of the best trips I have ever done and one of the best places I have ever seen. The whole place and the whole experience was so unique, so different and I could not wait to see it's magnificence again. Photos and stories below...

Asia Trip 2015, Myanmar: Bagan Temple Tour

This is it! The moment we've all been waiting for! Well, inassume ko lang naman yun. Haha. Well, for me, this is the post I am most excited to share with all of you. Everything still feels so surreal. Dati, I only admire Bagan from afar (as in from a computer/cellphone screen), can't believe I already experienced its magic first hand! There's just so much see, so much to unearth. It's rawness is so beautiful. The best thing was not knowing what to expect. Each discovery came as a sweet and pleasant surprise. :) You have to go guys. You just have to. Without further ado, let me take you on this fun and exciting tour of BAGAN...

Asia Trip 2015, Myanmar: Day 1 in Bagan!

As I've said in my previous post, we built our whole trip around our #1 destination of choice, one of the world's greatest archeological sites, Bagan!  Honestly, compared to the other countries I've visited or haven't visited, Myanmar intimidates/intimidated me the most. I think it's because I can only count in one hand the number of people I know who have been there. I've never been to Hanoi or Japan or Korea or China, but I see a lot of photos naman on FB and read a lot of blog posts about them, so it makes one familiar. But, Myanmar? Not so much. None really. And that piqued my curiosity & interest more. I want to be part of the few who has experienced its splendor and charm, before the world comes rushing through its untouristed and unchartered doors. Anyway, Bagan is the most touristy among all the other places in Myanmar, but even with this "title", the place still feels as raw as it can be. Stories and photos below!:)

Asia Trip 2015, Myanmar: 1-Day Mandalay Tour

This is not a drill. I'm on a blogging roll! Haha. Actually, I am just super excited to share with you guys our extremely unique adventure in the beautiful country of Myanmar. It's not really a popular travel destination especially sa list of friends ko, but it's truly a place worth discovering and visiting. I am confident (ly beautiful with a heart) that it will soon become one of Asia's top destinations as more and more people share their wonderful experiences online and offline. So, tara! Here are photos and stories from our first day...

Asia Trip 2015, Thailand: Glur Hostel + Last Day in Bangkok

Hello, friends! You still there? Haha. So, this is my last Thailand post! I feel a little sad because this means I'm halfway done and we're nearing our trip's end. BUT! Still got a lot of exciting things to share, as well as tips for you guys! Myanmar na next! Exciting. So hope you stick around. :) 

On our last day in Bangkok, we checked out of Vince Hotel and spent our last night in Glur Bangkok Hostel. We didn't have any itinerary on our last day, so we just played it by ear. Here's how we spent our few remaining hours in Bangkok!

Thank you Vince Hotel for such a wonderful stay! It was sad leaving :(

Asia Trip 2015, Thailand: Wat Arun, Wat Pho & Chinatown

On our 2nd day back in BKK, Nico and I did a lot of exploring! I've been to Bangkok before but it still felt like my first time. I was so excited! I went to places I've never been to before and did things (like take the train and ferry) I've never experienced. This post is about the sights and places we went to and discovered that day. Plus, some budget and commuting tips! Scroll down below to start the city tour! Let's go;)

Wrangler polo, H&M pants, Primadonna  backpack, Keds sneakers

Asia Trip 2015, Thailand: Vince Hotel + Day 1 in Bangkok

I am almost done with my Thailand posts! Woots. So, from Chiang Mai we boarded a 6pm coach bus going to BKK. It was a long, grueling 12-hour ride but it was bearable since I was asleep most of the time. We arrived in Bangkok at around 6am and then we headed straight to our home for 2 days, the beautiful VINCE HOTEL! 

Mango top, River Island shorts, Veloci watch, Keds sneakers

Asia Trip 2015, Thailand: Ran-tong Elephant Sanctuary + Temples

Hello, guys!!!!!! Happy New Year!!! :) I wanted to write a year-ender post but will save that for later. I'm in the mood pa now to work on my Asia trip backlogs. I know I said I'll finish everything before the year ends, but work and other personal errands caught up with me (huhu lagi nalang) so it took a backseat na naman. Make this and my upcoming posts as your 2016 travel reference nalang. Okie? Okie. Haha. 

Anyway, on our last day in Chiang Mai, we decided to check out this elephant sanctuary that Nico's foreigner friend recommended. We didn't want to go to elephant shows or ride them (like what Mich and I did before ung may bench sila sa back, we're very sorry huhu), so we booked a half day visit in Rantong instead. It was more than enough for a lifetime of experience. Stories and photos below!

Asia Trip 2015, THAILAND: Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai Tour!

We only had 2 days in Chiang Mai so we decided to spend what little time we had by joining tour groups. It was not easy finding the perfect company or group to participate in. I had to consider our itinerary vs what's offered, the company itself if it's legit, and most importantly, our budget. I had to research and google to death before I finally found one that perfectly fits our need and requirements! Scroll down below to  know which company I booked...

Asia Trip 2015, THAILAND: Buff Hostel + First Night in Chiang Mai

Here's the continuation of my Thailand post! Must finish everything before the year ends, so... Anyway! You already know how we crossed the Cambodia-Thailand border by riding a $29 direct bus. We got off at the Mo Chit bus station and then from there rode a cab to Buff Hostel (which is near the bus station) where we camped for 1-night so we'd have some place to stay before our early morning Chiang Mai trip (bus is at Mo Chit station too) the next day. Photos and stories below! :)

Mo Chit bus station:)

Asia Trip 2015, CAMBODIA: Artisans D'Angkor + Border Crossing

Hello, hello! Here's the last leg of our Cambodia adventure! Finally. So I could move on na to Thailand. Haha. Anyway, here's what we did during our last day in Siem Reap and also our experience (with some tips) on how to cross the Cambodia-Thailand border. Photos and stories below...

Landmark top, Factorie shorts, Primadonna sandals

Asia Trip 2015, CAMBODIA: Temple Tours

I am so sorry if I am taking this long to blog about my Asia trip last August. Been so busy with work I barely have time to open my laptop. Huhu. But! I shall try to finish everything this weekend! Weh? Haha. I shall make time promiiiise. 

Anyway! Sharing with you photos, stories and some travel tips during our 3rd day in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Spent the whole day exploring temples. This post is photo heavy (with stories in between), so don't get tired scrolling! Let's go!:)

 Plains & Prints top & shorts coordinates, ShawlScarfStation scarf, H&M hat, Primadonna backpack & sandals

Asia Trip 2015, CAMBODIA: Preah Prohm Rath, Wat Bo & War Museum

Helloooo! I'm here again! Gave myself an ultimatum to finish my Cambodia posts before the weekend so I can finally move on to our next destination--THAILAND! So you've already seen what hotel we stayed in (which is absolutely gorgeous!), as well as snaps from our first day in Siem Reap, now here are more photos taken around the city with some tips on where to go and where to eat. Starting our city tour with some outfit photos. Let's go!

 (all photos taken using Iphone 6s)

Asia Trip 2015, Cambodia: Arrival + Secrets Pavilion Hotel

Hello, guysss!!! So, are you ready to go on this wonderful trip semi-around Asia with me??? Sorry if my posts take long, editing thousands of photos take time pala. Haha. Also, I don't want any any na post lang. I want it as detailed and visual as possible. But before we fly to our first destination, hope you already read my 1st post on how to plan, prepare and book your trip on a budget. Not yet? Here o! http://www.aisaipac.com/2015/09/asia-trip-2015-budgeting-planning.html . Okay, let's go!

So last August 22, a day before my birthday, Nico and I began our Asia tour by flying out to Siem Reap, Cambodia via Cebu Pacific. Stories through photos starting with some outfit shots!

(all photos taken using my Iphone6 and a few photos by Canon Ixus 265s of Anagon)

Promod x Clement Dezelus shirt, Suiteblanco skirt, Nava sunnies, H&M hat

Asia Trip 2015: Budgeting & Planning

Hello guyssss!!! Finally, this is it! Starting my Asia trip posts now na! Pardon my excessive use of exclamation points, super excited lang. =D So, before I relive the best 20 days of my life and take you with me on this incredible journey through stories and photos, I'll share with you muna how this whole trip came to fruition. You too could go into this amazing adventure even if you have a limited budget! This is how I did it...

H&M polo (borrowed from Nico hehe), Factorie shorts, Veloci watch, Primadonna backpack, Roxy luggage bag, Keds sneakers