bElng mysElf

This is the longest i spend in South America, 17 days!!! Well usually the first and the last stop would be the same so lets start with  ~ BUENOS AIRES ~ The charming capital and largest city in Argentina, often called 'The Paris of South America' for its soaring architecture and rich European heritage. BA has everything to offer be it the wealthy district Recoleta, the frenetic downtown La boca/San Telmo and the trendy Palermo ~ Was in BA to celebrate the NY 2015. However was told that the BA people may be a little too quiet and prefer a little low key celebration but wah, it prove us wrong! Underneath that 'skin' lies the warmth and welcoming attitude of everyone in BA. During the countdown, the spirit awakes and casts the spell well till the morning hours. I was well impressed that BA's are very family orientated. The whole family will come out and celebrate together even if your kid is still a baby on a pram. Im not a very opera per...

Backpacking to South America has never yet been on my bucket list ~ But im so glad, this bucket list has been ticked off ~ My geography wasnt so good hence beside Brazil and Argentina,  i dont really know much of where are the rest until i google ~ To be able to travel to South America is really one of the most enriching and rewarding experiences in the life of every traveller ~ Every capital i touch down at is really amazing and beautiful. Be it the modern city or the small little town at,  it just has everything that can be offered ~ Will be touching on the different places that we embarked on! Its really a journey not to be missed =)

Here we are standing at the end of another year  and the beginning of a next ~ Looking back through my blog over even the past years,  reminded of the ups and downs and the adventures this year has brought. There is this clarity in my life i have never felt before. 2014 was a kick-started for work ~ Promotion, lots of events, programmes and conference has been lining up for me ~  It had me set goals and that i could meet them as well ~ It opened me up and gave me confidence in myself to chase what i wanted to ~ The next training programme im super duper looking forward to will be next year held oversea!!! As the year has stretched on ~ I have seen so many amazing things this year and i couldnt be more grateful. From Iceland, my childhood dream accompanied me with the northern lights, to Myanma, a place in asia which was not even in my list,  to Japan, climbing Mt Fuji with good experience.... i would never have dreamed...

Climbing Mt Fuji has been one of my bucket list ~ Its neither easy nor difficult ~ Standing 3776m, it is Japan's highest and most prominent mountain ~ The mountain itself may looks attractive from afar however the experience of  climbing up in the early wee hours among the hundreds of equally minded hikers  from across the world, are very rewarding. Its my virgin climb for Mt Fuji &  im sure its gotten be a lifelong memories for me! The most popular trail is the Yoshida Trail at an altitude of 2300m, which is the starting of 5th station ~ Aug is the season for climbing hence the number of tourist and Japanese  was seen preparing to start their hike too ~ ( The red torii gate is the land mark of Torii-So lodge, 2900m above sea level! ) We started our climb at noon, initially it was easy, as we get higher up, there was a few times that we literally  need to climb on all four limbs before we could get ...

Stepping into the Big '3' ~ To be frank, i have no feelings ~ Its just another number isnt it ~ It sounds dumb but still worth mentioning. No matter how good or bad, we still gotten get over it ~ The number/word 30 hangs over us like a solemn marker of adulthood,  as though we woke up with wizened eyes and a headful of sage wisdom ~  Nothing magical happens when we turn 30 ~   30 is just a time of rapid change ~ And Yes, im more ready for more adventure than i am right now ~ A lot of pressie received this year are all connected to travelling ~ thank you everyone! You guys know who you are ~

There isnt a country in the world immune from stereotypes ~ Everyone form opinions about the places and their inhabitants  based on whatever they can glean from ~ Hence, asking how would i described Japan ~  The results on a thread would be very positive ~ Not only me, im sure a lot of people would be able to list a lot of positive adjectives about Japan ~  Before jetting off for Japan, i wasnt sure what kind of mindset would i get from Japan but deep down i know it should be a good one.  To be humble, i was a polite person hence, i was surprise that the Japanese was way above me. I must admit Japanese culture has taugh them well and im really impressed. Their traditional Japanese bow, respect, kind and polite-ness was really thumbs up ~ All along, i though ranking of cleaniness wise, Singapore was tip top of it! Yes pretty much surprise again, i guess Japan was another rank on top of us. I couldnt find much rubbish bin in Japan a...

Where ever you are, it is always your friends who make your world! I feel so glad to have them for this trip! They dont make me feel left out! We had fun gossipings,running in the rain,  dealing with the 'typhoon', looking at cute japanese guys etc etc ~ Not forgetting, supporting each other up to Mt Fuji!!! These are really what friends do =) Thanks for this awesome trip, Esther & Diana! Yes we are starting to miss Jimmyz and my little bf! haha ~ p/s: i know its collecting spiders and bugs! will be back blogging about Japan!