A Cool Trip in Beijing

My blogmate Wats0n eagerly requested me to blog my recent trip in Beijing. We were in RCBC Plaza watching the stage play, Avenue Q. Initially, he was teasing me that I no longer write on my online blog. Hence, I told him I did since I have time when I transferred work last September. I have ample time now for my "extra" curricular activities and one of those is writing on my blog. So Wats0n, here it is..

Last December 2, I flew to Beijing for my 5-day training. Of course I was excited since this is my first time to see the place. First place I visited is the famous Great Wall of China. From the hotel I stayed, Crowne Plaza, it was 1 1/2 hours drive. When we reached the place, we rode the cable car and opted to walk going down where the entrace. My experiece of walking on one of the wonders of the world, I will never forget it because we took an hour and a half to reach the end point and my goodness, my left knee was really aching terribly. Most of all, it was so cold and freezing to death. I bet the temperature that time was 0 degrees.

Other places we visited were the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven.

When I was in Forbidden City, I imagined that I was Mulan...hehehe..whatever you saw on the cartoon movie, that's the exact view, so many palaces and the biggest is the Imperial Palace. Well, such a huge place you would imagine.

For Tiananmen Square, it's like our Rizal Park. It's just across the entrance of Forbidden City. According to the local, this place is very historical to them and it's also considered to be a tourist spot like Forbidden City.

Last place I visited is the Temple of Heaven. Just like Forbidden City, it's also a huge place where there are series of palace inside. But the said temple is very famous since this is where the Emperor pray for the good harvest of the China.

Well, my trip was exciting like my other trips. Although, I had fever when I was there due to erratic weather but this didn't stop me of seeing the famous places. Thanks to Biogesic, Tempra and H20 ;-)

Riding cable car in Great Wall

Exact Great Wall path

Entrance of Forbidden City

Inside Forbidden City

The famous Imperial Palace which is under renovation

Strolling in Beijing

In Temple of Heaven

In Tiananmen Square

Forbidden City at night.. at -4 degrees

Best US Vacation Ever

I was in US last August and I have visited some of the good places which a tourist should see. Our point of entry was LA and just stayed overnight to prepare ourselves for our trip to Arizona. I was with my Cisco friends. Before we started our 6-hour drive going to Arizona, we attended mass first in Crystal Cathedral.

Arizona is a great place and should never miss visiting Grand Canyon. We made sure that we will see the sunset and sunrise views of the place.

After Arizona, we travelled to Las Vegas as my friends should attend the Cisco GSM. On the way, we passed Hoover Dam which is the boundary of Arizona and Las Vegas. It was soo hot when we were there to have souvenir pictures. As usual, the guys were so ecstatic since this is the place of the movie, Transformers.

In Las Vegas, we just went to the outlet stores and had a great dinner in The Cheesecake Factory. As Larrem said, it was my dispedida.

The next day, I flew to Philadelphia to meet my college friends. I stayed in New Jersey for ten (10) days and enjoyed the famous Manhattan and Woodbury Premium Outlet in New York, NJ Outlet in New Jersey since it's tax-free on any goods that your body wears, Broadway shows, travelling via trains and buses, etc.

Next stop was Seattle, WA. Oh such a great place since there are pine trees all over. Never missed the Space Needle and saw the great view of Seattle downtown. Of course the Pike Place Market where the first ever Starbucks is located.

Never missed to stop in LA to meet my good friend, Gabby and his family. Since I told him I don't want to shop anymore, we went to places such as Yuca's (mexican food kiosk as highly recommended of Mr. Steamy, Eric Dane of Grey's Anatomy), The Pinks Hotdog along downtown where the line whatever time is a mile long, Beverly Hills and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels (where Lea Salonga had her wedding ceremony). Lastly, never missed IKEA, the famous store of housewares.

Too much to share with you my experiences, it is better to show some of my pictures.

Posing in front of Crystal Cathedral, LA.

In Grand Canyon. Taken around 7:00 AM. Awaiting for sunrise to arrive. Taken around 5:45AM.
In Hoover Dam, boundary of Arizona & Las Vegas.A dinner in The Cheesecake Factory in Las VegasOn top of Empire State Building, NYWhile walking in NY, I passed Macy's.The theater of Mama Mia broadway show.Space Needle (in Seattle) as background.First Starbucks Cafe located in Pike Place Market, Seattle WAThe ferry we usually see in Grey's Anatomy TV show.With Pauline at the top of Space NeedleArrived in LAX. Showing all my stuffs that I bought in east coast ;-) with Ginger & GayeHad coffee in Peets Coffee & Tea. Owner of this is the inventor of Starbucks. Bought lunch in Yuca's. In Beverly Hills with Gabby.In Pink's Hotdog kiosk. In front of Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.And my new found friend, Mikey

This trip may be so tiring but it was the most exciting one I had. I shopped till my last centavo and really had a great time every minute of it...hence, it was my best US trip ever!

Mushi-mushi

I had my first taste of Japan last April 28 when my mommy, Ate and I flew to Tokyo. We were very excited since it was our first trip together and had girls bonding.

We actually stayed in our cousin's place, Mariejo and it was fun too since her two (2) children and sister, Mabelle were there too for vacation.Her place is in Urayasu, outskirt of Tokyo and very near in Disneyland and Ikea, two (2) places that are very close in our hearts.

There are many things that I would like to describe but it is better to share some of the pictures that show the beauty of the places.

Strolling in Ginza, Tokyo

In front of Parliament House

In Yokohama Park. They have gorgeous flowers.

Entrance of Tokyo Disneyland

Entrance of Shinshoji Temple

There are lots pictures but I prefer to keep them in my scrapbook as memories that will never be forgotten. I must say such trip was quite expensive but worth and so memorable. Bonding moments with mommy and sister are priceless and we are looking forward for another trip together.